By Brad Pettit

El Ave News Editor

The Crane cross country program had a strong showing Sept. 17 as the junior varsity and middle school squads traveled west to compete in the Marfa Desert Stampede XC Race. The meet featured tough competition from across the region, and the Golden Cranes came home with plenty to be proud of.

In the boys’ JV division, Jahyr Gonzales led the way for Crane with a 12th-place finish, while teammates Noah Garcia (53rd), Luis Valles Ochoa (57th), Gael Lupercio (72nd), Luis Rodriguez (82nd), Valentin Velasco (89th), and Jacob Esquivel (94th) rounded out the group. Head coach Machele Pahl said the experience will pay off later in the season.

“These races are about gaining experience and learning to handle tough courses,” Pahl said. “I’m proud of how our high school runners continue to battle and improve week by week.”

On the girls’ side, Alondra Parades paced the JV squad with a 25th-place finish. She was followed by Amanda Gutierrez (44th), Arianna Inigues (49th), Marlene Rodriguez (68th), Amber Mendoza (75th), and Briza Hernandez (84th). Pahl noted the girls are learning how to stay competitive in large races.

“We talk a lot about consistency and competing for one another, and I thought we saw that today,” she said.

The highlight of the day came from the middle school teams. The Crane MS girls captured the team championship, putting together an impressive pack performance. Analise Garza (7th) and Landri Aguilar (8th) led the charge, with Alessandra Perez (15th), Scarlett Fuentes (17th), and Kassidy Hargrove (19th) all finishing inside the top 20. Strong supporting runs from Gali Chavez (24th), Kaila Salazar (29th), Wendy Mendoza (30th), and others sealed the title.

“Our middle school girls really set the tone with how tightly they ran as a group,” Pahl said. “That’s what it takes to win a meet championship.”

The middle school boys also impressed, earning runner-up honors. Miguel Lozano (6th), Stetson Vargas (7th), and Juoquin Perez (9th) packed the front of the race, while Gabriel Solis (22nd), Tyler Barrientos (24th), and Antonio Rizo (31st) added valuable depth.

Pahl said the performance showed the depth of the program. “The boys pushed hard all the way through, and having three in the top ten was a big boost for us,” she said.

With strong performances from both the JV and middle school teams, the Golden Cranes head into the heart of their season with momentum and confidence.

Story by Alyssa Rocha

El Ave News staff writer

Photo by Gary Ray Gutierrez

El Ave News photographer

Students gather around a man in a baseball cap, laughing as he cracks jokes and playfully teases them. The room fills with laughter as he makes animal noises and flaps his arms like a bird, putting everyone at ease. When the bell rings, the students trickle out of his classroom, with him leading the way toward the field house.

That man is Coach Henry Anderson. He has dedicated 23 years to Crane ISD as a football and track coach. Before coming to Crane, he taught and coached in Iraan. In total, he has been coaching football for more than 50 years, and, sadly, he’s decided that this year is his last.

I sat down with Coach Anderson to pick his brain about the trajectory of his career and how he feels now that this chapter of his life is coming to an end.

When asked what first inspired him to pursue coaching, he smiled, the look in his eyes that of a man combing through decades of unforgettable memories.

“I always loved playing sports in high school," he said. "I had the chance to play for some really good coaches, and they inspired me to follow in their footsteps."

Coach Anderson said that coaches are just like any other type of people. There's good coaches and bad coaches, but one can learn from all of them.

"As a player, you get the chance to play for some good coaches and some who are not so good," he said. "When I decided I wanted to get into coaching, I realized that I learned from all of them. I learned what works and what doesn't, and I decided that I wanted to be a coach who could make a difference in kids’ lives. That’s what I’ve tried to do, and I feel like I’ve succeeded in a lot of ways.”

Anderson explained that building a team begins with recognizing the unique talents of each athlete.

"I always try to help kids where they are, and then help them get to where they need to be," he said. “I try to come up with ways to use the talents of the kids we have. To build teams that work.”

By focusing on individual strengths, Anderson helps athletes maximize their potential.

“I’ve always tried to find the strengths our team has and build off of it,” he says, "but coaching isn’t always easy."

Anderson loves kids. He loves people. He’s known as one of the most social, personable, and loving staff members in all of Crane ISD. He’s worked with students who have faced personal struggles or even made poor choices, and his empathy for them never wavers. His philosophy is to support them, while also holding them accountable.

“If problems keep happening, I’ve had to sit student athletes out or take them off the team,” he says. “Sitting on the bench teaches them a lesson. And it’s one of the most regrettable things we have to do as coaches when we sometimes have to remove people from the team. That said, a good coach can usually build a kid up and find a way to get him or her to buy into the idea of being on a 'team.'"

For Anderson, playing sports is a privilege that requires discipline and commitment. Still, he believes fun and laughter are just as important as hard work.

“Laughter is something I think everyone needs,” he says. "Work hard, play hard."

His colleagues describe him as both dedicated and caring.

"He always makes people laugh," said Jaxon Willis, CMS football coach. "He has a ton of experience, and it's been a real pleasure to work and laugh alongside him."

Anderson's players agree with these sentiments.

"While we're practicing, he makes these random noises," said Miguel Moreno, sophomore football player. "He always whistles or makes bird noises to make us loosen up and laugh. He's been coaching for a long time, and he's very wise. He knows what he's doing on the field."

Cash Pettit, 8th grade football player, said it's very easy to like Coach Anderson.

"It's fun to be around him," he said. "He just makes me smile all the time."

Conner Duran, sophomore, agrees.

"He is really nice in practice and in real life," he said. "He likes to joke around with us in practice and always makes funny noises. All joking aside, though, he's good at pushing us to the max."

Anderson appreciates his job and recognizes how important the role of coaching has been in his life.

“I’m here for these kiddos, win or lose,” he said.

Beyond the game, Anderson hopes to pass along lessons that will serve Crane ISD athletes throughout life. And as he prepares to walk off into the sunset of his career, he has no regrets.

When asked about his decision to retire after decades of coaching, he said simply that, "It's time."

“Age is part of it,” he admits, “but I also want to do things I enjoy.”

His plans include spending more time with his wife and grandchildren. “They are very special to me,” he says with a smile.

As Anderson steps into this next chapter, he looks forward to slowing down and savoring time with family. His legacy in Crane is marked not only by wins and seasons but also by the countless lives he has touched along the way.

Story by Lauren Rubio

El Ave News contributor

Photo by Brad Pettit

El Ave News editor

The Crane Ladybirds swept Lamesa 3-0 Tuesday night, rolling to set scores of 25-21, 25-12, and 25-16.

Crane controlled the match with 26 team kills, 18 blocks, 97 digs, and 13 aces. The Ladybirds were especially dominant at the net in Set 2, where they recorded eight blocks to halt Lamesa’s attack.

The win brings Crane’s record to 11-12 for the season and 1-0 in district play.

“I’m extremely proud of how our team came together tonight, especially at the net,” said Coach Priscilla Serrano. “This win gives us great momentum, and we’re looking forward to continuing this level of play through the rest of district competition.”

Brooklyn Gryder, sophomore on the team, echoed these sentiments.

"I think it's a great start for our district, and it's momentum for our next game."

When asked how she feels about the state of the team, she said that the team is showing lots of promise.

"Our team came together," she said. "We trust one another, and I think we are going to use this trust and togetherness to go far this season."

Next up, the Ladybirds face Brownfield at 11 AM Saturday at home. Come on out and support the Ladybirds as they continue their district play!