On Tuesday, April 28th, 2015 in a jam-packed Eagle Pass High School Lecture Room, perennial state qualifiers, best friends and charges on Juan Gonzalez' Eagle Pass High School Cross Country Team Hector Alvarez and Martin Lopez inked their National Letters of Intent to two different universities, The University of The Incarnate Word and The University of Texas Arlington respectively.
An emotional Coach Gonzalez welcomed those gathered, "As a coach, this is the toughest part of the year because May marks the day when you're trying to push these athletes out of your nest. These athletes grow on you, it's special and this special thing makes this job the greatest job in the world.
“They're two of the most decorated athletes ever at Eagle Pass High School and the only ones that can say they made it to the State Meet all four years of their high school careers”.
"On the track, Hector Alvarez ranks seventh all time in the 3200 meter run in front of his dad I might add and Martin ranks 12th in the mile. These are elite athletes who have put a lot of hard work, commitment and have given their all to the program."
"I can confidently say that these have been the best years of my life," stated Alvarez, "I've learned so much from these outstanding coaches and everyone here. In one way or another you guys have impacted my life and got me to where I am today. I'd like to thank my parents, of course, for supporting me through our ups and downs and I want to thank my coach who's been there when we needed him. It's that kind of support that as teenagers we need. We have that from our parents, but when you have a coach that really cares for you, like a parent, it really means a lot. It's been an honor to run for you."
"I really appreciate you all coming out for me and my best friend here today," said Lopez, "It's been a long road. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. We had real highs and real lows, but we made it through together and God's blessed me with an amazing friend and it's a blessing to be on this team. I want to thank my parents, first of all, they've been everything to me. We've been through a lot. It took a lot of their time for me to be in the sport and for that I thank them."
Lopez also took the time to thank the Alvarez family who he has had an extensive relationship with over the years, "It's because of the Alvarez family that I can say I'm here today, that I'm going to be running in college, I get to say that I've been who I am and I've grown to be the person that I am because they had a great impact on me and they brought me in as one of their own. Hector's grandfather is like my grandfather his brothers are like my brothers and his parents are like my parents."
He went on to thank all of his coaches who he says are role models for these athletes who have gone on to represent EPHS so well, "It is because of their hard work, dedication and their sacrifice in the summers, that we were able to excel every year."
"I think I speak for all of us here that this is something we envisioned when we started six years ago, but you realize through the years that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication and it feels great to see that vision come true," said Dr. Hector Alvarez, "I want to thank the EPISD coaches and teachers that have stood by these young men. We all try to set goals for ourselves and in this case, we've come to realize that through hard work, any goals can be met.
"If you can dream it and you believe it, it can come true. These guys are living examples of what can happen when everything aligns. To our good friends Martin and Paty, they've stood with us through it all. It couldn't have happened without their help and we all know in the sporting business that success breeds success. If you have one good athlete it promotes goodness in other athletes and vice versa. I challenge you guys that are underclassmen to keep this tradition going. It's one of the best running traditions in the State of Texas and with hard work and dedication, this dynasty as we call it will continue."