School News

The Lobos have a 5-4 record with eight games remaining as they try to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 2021.

“That’s a team that’s definitely had our number the last few years, and it’s fun to finally beat them,” Patagonia coach Ryan Shore said.

“The guys are getting confidence, believing in each other,” Coach Ryan Shore said. “We’re not making mistakes, which is a huge part of winning.”

Nick Botz, the Patagonia schools’ new music instructor, follows a teaching philosophy in which students “learn music through play.”

The squad is led by seniors Jaxon Yslava and Skylar Sanchez and juniors Alex Ruskowitz and Louis Reyes, who are joined by two newcomers: senior Lenin Albarran and sophomore Jorge Sotello.

Patagonia opened its season with a 12-8 victory over San Miguel on Feb. 25 and followed that up with a 14-4 win over San Simon a day later. “A 2-0 week feels really nice,” coach Ryan Shore said. “I like winning a lot more than losing.”

The Lobos take on San Miguel in their season opener today at 3:45pm. Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for this year’s squad.

Student teams from kindergarten through eighth grade competed for honors at the event, with a “magnetic windmill” demonstration by a team of fourth graders taking first place.

Eighth grader Isabella Felix captured the Santa Cruz County 2026 Spelling Bee’s top award by correctly spelling “supplicate” in the 10th round. Now she heads to the Arizona Spelling Bee Finals on March 21 in Phoenix.