MARFA — Andrew Ontiveros, Daniel Martinez and Zach Madrid — three members of a Marfa ISD relay team that competed in the state track meet in 2012 — accepted belated honors last week for their past athletic achievements.
Marfa ISD held its first track meet in recent history last week featuring middle school athletes from the surrounding area. Pictured: Kaci Flores and child. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Marfa ISD held its first track meet in recent history last week featuring middle school athletes from the surrounding area. Pictured: Josaul Baeza. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Marfa ISD christened its new track and field facilities last week by hosting an area track meet for middle school students, the first held at the school in 30-plus years. Pictured: Austin McGary & Tayvian Valenzuela. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Marfa ISD held its first track meet in recent history last week featuring middle school athletes from the surrounding area. Pictured: Alejandro Rodriguez. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Members of a 2012 state qualifying relay team were honored by Marfa ISD last week ahead of the inaugural track meet. From left, Athletic Director Linda Ojeda, Daniel Martinez, Zach Madrid and Andrew Ontiveros. Staff photo by Mary Cantrell. 
Marfa ISD christened its new track and field facilities last week by hosting an area track meet for middle school students, the first held at the school in 30-plus years. Pictured: Alyssa Harden, Liliana Zubia, Alberto Salgado. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Alyssa-Harden-Liliana-Zubia-Alberto-Salgado 
Marfa ISD christened its new track and field facilities last week by hosting an area track meet for middle school students, the first held at the school in 30-plus years. Pictured: Natasha Labrado. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Marfa ISD christened its new track and field facilities last week by hosting an area track meet for middle school students, the first held at the school in 30-plus years. Pictured: Natasha Labrado. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Marfa ISD christened its new track and field facilities last week by hosting an area track meet for middle school students, the first held at the school in 30-plus years. Pictured: Maryfer-Martinez Coach Priscilla-Serrano. Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz. 
Marfa ISD held its first track meet in recent history last week featuring middle school athletes from the surrounding area. Pictured Lucinda Ontiveros, Glenn-Ontiveros, Sara Ontiveros: Photos by Dariela Munoz, Giselle Torres and Kily Ortiz.
The district held a ceremony to commemorate the young men, now in their early 30s, at Martin Field before the inaugural track meet this past Wednesday. The overdue recognition is part of “the Great Comeback,” an initiative led by Athletic Director Linda Ojeda to honor exemplary Shorthorn alumni.
Also being recognized were Jarett Lujan and Eli Castillo, other members of the state-qualifying relay team who were unable to attend the ceremony.
Ojeda, speaking from a podium atop the district’s new track — which was installed in 2022 — addressed the study body and guests that filled the stands. She said although the training conditions were not ideal for the five-member relay squad back then, they managed to reach the pinnacle of high school track by traveling to the state meet.
“Although these five young men did not have an actual track — they ran on asphalt on a daily basis and did not have the facilities to adequately train — they made do with what they had and they still made it to the UIL state championships in Austin,” Ojeda said.
She said they continue to make the Shorthorn community proud for the tenacity they showed as high school seniors competing in track and field, but also for the prosperous lives they now lead as adults. “The men that you have become today, outstanding fathers, husbands, doctors, coaches, teachers and citizens,” Ojeda said. “That’s what makes us proud every day.”
Ojeda also extended appreciation for retired district staff, Coach Richard Hibbits and Athletic Director Jeff Jones, who she said were instrumental in the team’s triumphs. “These men were coached by the legendary Coach Richard Hibbits, and were coached with great consistency and reinforcement, which ultimately led to their success,” Ojeda said.
She added that “the only drawback” of having the new and improved track is that she no longer gets to see the characterful Coach Hibbits “drive 30 miles an hour down the curbs and the straights in his car right before athletics.”
Zach Madrid — the salutatorian of the Class of 2012 — also addressed the audience, thanking Ojeda and the district for the recognition on behalf of all of his teammates. “It means a lot to us for sure,” Madrid said.
He encouraged current students to keep up the hard work in athletics, one-act play competitions and take advantage of new opportunities they’ve been presented with. “There’s something special about being here. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been spilled on this track and on this field over the years,” Madrid said. “It’s exciting to see this beautiful new track and it sounds like y’all are keeping up the tradition of success.”
Ojeda presented the state qualifying banners — which will hang in a place of honor in the gym as a reminder of their accomplishments as forever Shorthorns — to applause from the crowd. “These letters will be displayed in recognition of your achievements and serve as a reminder to our Shorthorns now and in the future about the history of excellence at Marfa ISD,” Ojeda said.