Border Olympics Tennis Tournament
February 23 & 24, 2024
Border Olympics Tennis
Vice Presidents
David Leyendecker
Vice-President, 1976-1984
Dave was the Border Olympic Board member that listened to the pleas of the Laredo Tennis Association and proposed tennis be added as an official event of the Border Olympics in 1976. He served as vice-president of tennis for eight years. Men's University Tennis started in 1976 and a Woman's University division was added in 1979.
Dave was in charge of fundraising, the P.R. person and sent invitations for the tournament. The mechanics and running of the tournaments was ably handled by members of the Laredo Tennis Association. Dave served as Vice-President until 1984. In recent years Dave has served as an umpire.
Laura Pichot
Vice-President, 1984-2005
Laura Pichot has been "Ms. Tennis" in Laredo since 1973 and has been a one-woman promoter of Tennis in Laredo by organizing leagues and having served as President of Laredo Tennis Association for six terms. She has organized the local umpires for USTA Certification since 1986.
In 1979, Laura became Site Director for the Women's Division or Border Olympics Tennis and has been instrumental in running the Tennis Tournament since. In 1981, she was one of two women named Honorary Directors for the first time in the history of Border Olympics. In 1984, Dave Leyendecker resigned and recommended Laura to replace him, making her the 1st female Board Member ever.
Laura is currently retired and the chief promoter of this tournament. As of today, Laura is the first and only female Vice President of Border Olympics for any sport. In 2001 the Tennis Volunteer Worker Award was named in her honor.
Triana Volpe
Vice-President, 2005-2010
Triana Volpe has been an educator for 23 years. She was a tennis coach for United South High School and went on to coach at J.W. Nixon High School. Triana played tennis since she was 4 years old and was coached by the Market Street legend, Laura Pichot. She later played for Laredo Junior College under the direction of Dr. Sara Carrasco. Triana has been a Board Member for Border Olympics for numerous years.
Melissa Cuellar
Vice President 2010-2021
Missy has been dedicated to the sport of tennis for 20+ years. She started coaching tennis in 1997 at Alexander High School as an Asst for Coach Sanchez. In 2005, she became the head coach for AHS. While coaching, she became involved with Border Olympics tennis as a volunteer where she was a site director. In 2007, she was named the recipient of the Laura Pichot volunteer of the year award for Tennis. Missy has been teaching AP Biology for 24 years and currently the Department head for the Science Dept. at Alexander High School. Tennis is a great sport where anyone can play at any age. I absolutely love the game, it is a big part of my life and many of my friends are people that I have met through tennis. The love for the history and traditions of Border Olympics tennis will forever by in my heart.
Roxanne Robledo
Current Vice-President 2021-
Roxanne played tennis for 4 years at St. Augustine High School under Doctor & Mrs. Alfredo Trevino. She continued to play tennis for 2 more years at LCC under Coach Jaime Don Juan. After graduating with her Bachelors of Science in Fitness & Sports from TAMIU, Roxanne began her coaching career at United South High School. She was the head tennis coach for 11 years . In the Spring of 2016 she moved into Administration at United South High School. After one year in Administration at United South Highschool, she transitioned into Administration at the UISD Athletic Department.
Roxanne is currently one of the District Athletic Coordinators where she oversees Elementary PE, tennis and volleyball. She is an active member of Border Olympics, where she helps organize the tournament alongside former Vice President Melissa Cuellar.
Service Above and Beyond
Dr. Alfredo Treviño
Dr. Alfredo Treviño became the President of the Laredo Tennis Association in 1994. He has spent untold hours leading the revival of tennis in Laredo. Al donated the meal that is served to all our workers and guests at the high school Border Olympics until the Daybreak Rotary took it on as a project in 1994.
By the way, he is an active member in the Rotary. He also uses his own resources to bring us into the computer age.
Mil Gracias Doc.
Perry Widener
USPTA Pro
Perry was one of the dedicated LTA members that were instrumental in the start of tennis in Border Olympics. He became a BORDER OLYMPIC Tennis Committee Board Member with the inception of tennis.
Perry helped out in any capacity needed: draw committee, tournament referee, supplied tennis balls, etc. throughout the 1980's.
Manuel D Espinoza Jr is no stranger to tennis. He began his tennis career in 8th grade at Antonio Gonzalez Middle. He admits that tennis was not his first sport of preference, but with his many successes he has grown to love it. He states that tennis has taught him so much about himself. Throughout his high school career Manuel was able to win various tournaments. He lettered in Varsity for 4 years at United South High School. One of his proudest moments was advancing to the 2nd round at the Regional tennis tournament. After high school, Manuel continues to play in several tennis tournament hosted by the City of Laredo and the Laredo Country Club. He currently holds a 5.0 rating with the USTA. Manuel states that he is successful in tennis because of the continued support of his family and coaches. He is currently employed with the City of Laredo as a tennis coach, where he teaches young athletes the sport of tennis along with making them great people. His is very honored to receive this award, as the Border Olympics tennis tournament was his favorite tournament he played in high school.
Past Recipients of the
Laura Pichot Volunteer Award
2024 Manuel Espinoza
2023 John Hundsnurscher
2022 Erika Garza
2020 Josue Montoya
2019 Juan Carlos Herrera
2018 Oscar Gutierrez
2017 Alex Guerra
2016 Patrick Nava
2015 Michael rODRIGUEZ
2014 Perla Martinez
2013 RoxannE Alvarez
2012 Eddie Cuellar
2011 Linda Leal
2010 Raul Ramos
2009 Jose Zuniga
2008 Anita Costilla
2007 Melissa Cuellar
2006 Michelle Fernandez
2006 Jose Jimenez
2005 Cande Escamilla
2004 Juan J. Valdez
2003 Chris Sandoval
2002 Robert Cavazos
2001 Gayla Zamora
2000 John English
1999 Jeff Jones
1998 Romeo Palacios
1996 Mark Collins
1995 Luis Garcia
1994 Emma Canas
1993 Jerry Perez
1992 Robert Cavazos
Pamela Ramos
Girls Singles 1st
Julia Pearce
Girls Singles 2nd
Kassidy Arriaga
Girls Singles 3rd
Barragan/Barragan
Girls Doubles 1st
Ramos/Alston
Girls Doubles 2nd
Ginez/Alvarez
Girls Doubles 3rd
Marco Rodriguez
Boys Singles 1st
Nikolas Sanchez
Boys Singles 2nd
Mauro Tiburcio
Boys Singles 3rd
Montoya/James
Boys Doubles 1st
Barragan/Archer
Boys Doubles 2nd
Forno/Flores
Boys Doubles 3rd
Hurst/Macmanus
Mixed Doubles 1st
Ramirez/Houben
Mixed Doubles 2nd
Glassford/Hinojosa
Mixed Doubles 3rd
Directions to Site
Varsity Boys Singles
Varsity Boys Doubles
JV Boys Singles
JV Boys Doubles
JV Girls Singles
JV Girls Doubles
Varsity Mixed Doubles
JV Mixed Doubles
Varsity Girls Singles
Varsity Girls Doubles
Teams
Alexander
United
United South
Cigarroa
Webb ISD
L.B.J.
Martin
Hebbronville
Harlingen
Zapata
Nixon
St. Augustine
San Benito
San Antonio W.H. Taft
Edcouch-elsa
