Española Valley High School’s tennis team honored two people close to the team, started their summer and raised money for the team at a June 4 beach-themed “summer kick off/beach party doubles tournament” at the High School.
Wendall Barnett coached the tennis team for decades through his 80s until he retired in 2016, and died at the age of 91 in 2018.
Abigail Rodarte finished her sophomore season in 2018 dominating the No. 5 and No. 6 in matches throughout the season, and she won her only match at the state tournament. She was killed that July in a car accident.
Tennis coach Nancy Suazo hosted the event, with 28 doubles teams in two double-elimination brackets, including current high school players, some of their friends, former players and parents. At noon, she stopped the tournament for a ceremony to dedicate two memorials in their honor.
When dedicated Rodarte’s memorial, Suazo immediately choked up when speaking.
“She was a phenomenal, phenomenal player,” Suazo said. “A competitor, feisty, lovable, fun, always laughing. Your typical teenager. She was beautiful inside and out … I miss her every day.”
The memorial for Rodarte, created by La Mesilla’s Rich Welding company, has a medal pink tennis racket at the entrance to the courts, with a picture of Rodarte that can be swapped out, and the phrase “compete like Abby today.” Suazo said she wanted it to be similar to Notre Dame football’s “play like a champion today” sign that players can touch before a match.
“I wanted something inside the courts, because she was part of these tennis courts,” Suazo said. “And I want players to come by and want to compete like Abby.”
Kaylinn Martinez, a 2019 graduate, told a story of how Rodarte sprained her ankle getting out of a truck at Pojoaque’s prom. The next week, despite a limp, Rodarte danced all night at Española’s prom.
The mural for Barnett shows the former coach standing holding a racket at the net, along with a logo for the tennis team painted in the middle.
“He was the epitome of Española Valley tennis, and I’m so glad we were able to get this done,” Suazo said during the dedication ceremony.
Arnie Martinez, a 2015 graduate and a current assistant coach with the team, had the idea to name the courts after him. He said that Barnett was a mentor as well as a coach, and Martinez spent time at his house as a friend.
Former Los Alamos coach Bruce Cottrell credited Barnett with keeping the program running despite courts that were unplayable (Española did not host a home match for eight years) and then pushing to rebuild the courts. Today, they are pristine, and more than suitable to host tournaments.
Brayan Moreno, a full-time painter and former student of Suazo’s, painted the mural, which now hangs on the court closest to the parking lot. Moreno did not know Barnett personally, but based it off pictures that Suazo sent along with stories that he heard.
Moreno was proud of the expression shown on Barnett’s face and its portrayal.
“Just showing passion,” Moreno said. “You could tell he was really passionate, what he did with the courts, with the tennis teams. I wanted to give that with this portrait.”
Suazo was happy with the event to kick off their summer program, and hopes that more students will join the tennis team for practices Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
Softball Tournament Raises Funds for Wildfires
The High School hosted another fundraiser on Saturday with a co-ed softball tournament at the Española Industrial Park Sportsplex to support the recovery from the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire ravaging northern New Mexico east of Española near Mora and Las Vegas.
Joe Padilla, the coach of the Española baseball team, organized the tournament and also helped as home-plate umpire.
Padilla said that athletic director Matt Abeyta encouraged coaches to host fundraisers.
Six teams, from Española, Santa Fe and Los Alamos, signed up for the day-long double-elimination tournament at $300 per team, raising at least $1,800, and brought water and non-perishable foods for Red Cross.
Padilla sent out flyers and appeared on KDCE Radio to promote the tournament.
Tim Herrera coaches the “Hits Happen” team, and said “I live here at the softball field.”
“It’s great to have the community come together and help out people in need,” Herrera said. “It’s nice weather, a nice environment, good people, lots of family.”
Current high school softball players were also among the players in the tournament, including Española Valley’s Ashley Osegueda and McCurdy’s Mariana Arambula.