Julia Dufurrena Dendary (2012) inducted 2024
The first Inductee was Julia Dufurrena Dendary. Dendary graduated from Lowry in 2012 and throughout her time here participated in many activities including basketball, volleyball, and golf, as well as other school activities and clubs. Her achievements include the following: was instrumental in winning the 2010 3A Girl’s Basketball State Championship; 3A State MVP; selected two times for 1st Team 3A All-State; McDonald’s All-America nominee; NIAA Athlete of the Year; Andrea Evert Award Winner.
Since graduation from Lowry, Julia attended CSI to play basketball where she was named to the All-League team for two years while leading CSI in most statistical categories to two conference championships. Boise State came calling with a scholarship where she played for two more years helping the Lady Broncos to the 2015 Mountain West Conference Championship. Julia was also selected as a Mountain West Scholar Athlete.
Upon graduating from Boise State, Julia moved back to Winnemucca where she and her husband Chris have two children and are active members of the community. Julia currently also serves the community in her capacity as the coordinator of the Sixth Judicial District Court’s Treatment Coordinator.
Frank Maestrejuan (1977) inducted 2024
The next inductee was Frank Maestrejuan, who graduated from Lowry High School in 1977.
While at Lowry, Frank played football, basketball and baseball all four years. He was also active in various clubs at LHS. Frank was selected second-team All-state in both football and baseball. His senior year he won the Raymond Hooft Athetlic Award.
Since graduation, he’s been an active youth official and umpire throughout many days and nights. Frank has also been an active official and umpire throughout the state of Nevada. He has been selected for several State and even National tournaments. Frank has also been very active in community service throughout Winnemucca. He was employed by the city of Winnemucca for over 30 years until his recent retirement.
Mitch Pollock (2011) inducted 2024
The final inductee was Mitch Pollock, a 2011 Lowry graduate. Pollock attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon and the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho.
While at Lowry High School, he played four years of football, two years of basketball, two years of wrestling and four years of baseball. He also participated in Basque Dancing and Greater Nevada Baseball during the summer months
His awards and honors at Lowry High School: The 2008 Baseball Dirtbag Award; The 2008 Baseball Dirtbag Award; 2009 All-League Utility Player 2nd Team; The 2010 Baseball Dirtbag Award; 2010 All-League Catcher 1st Team; 2010 All-State Catcher 2nd Team; The 2011 Baseball Dirtbag Award; 2011 Lowry Baseball Player of the Year; 2011 All Leaggue Catcher 1st Team; 2011 All-State Catcher 1st Team; 2009 All-League Defensive Back; 2010 Lowry Football Coach’s Choice Award; 2009-2010 Most Inspirational Wrestler; 2010 RGJ All league team at 119 lb; 2010 3A State Champion at 119 lb; 2011 he was awarded the Raymond Hooft Athletic Award his senior year.
Since graduation he competed in the CSI boxing smoker for five years; he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in Saddle Bronc for three years. He won first place in the Rocky Mountain region for two years at CSI in Saddle Bronc. He was the Athlete of the Year at CSI in 2017. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in 2019. He finished 13th in the world in the PRCA in 2019. He was the Wilderness Circuit Champion in 2021. He brought pro rodeo back to Winnemucca helping produce the New Year’s Eve Bronc bash in 2022. He produces his own Extreme Backyard Bronc Bash paying out $50,000 in money and prizes. He comes back to Winnemucca to speak to different sports teams at Lowry. He puts on free clinics for young kids who are interested in riding broncs.
Jim Salmi inducted 2023
One of the inductees was Jim Salmi. He came to Winnemucca with his wife. Their plan was to make it a short stay. High school sweethearts, Charlene supported the family while Jim finished college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Initially, Salmi was hired as a PE teacher and assistant football and track coach. However, throughout his 39-year career in Humboldt County he also taught health and weight training classes; coached cross country, and boys and girls basketball; and, was a highly respected football and basketball referee. Sadly, Jim passed away in 2017 leaving behind his wife Charlene, two children Vickie and Jim, and four grandchildren.
Megen Dufurrena inducted 2023
Another inductee was Megen Dufurrena. Magen Dufurrena was a 2004 graduate of Lowry High School. She was one of Lowry’s best athletes during her high school career. She won multiple state championships for a wide range of sports. She was also the 2004 Florence Murphy Award winner as the Greater Nevada Female Athlete of the Year, and she was a Nevada state finalist for Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Besides being an outstanding athlete, Magen was an outstanding student winning numerous academic all-state awards during her high school career. She was a member of the National Honor Society for four years and a Nevada Silver Scholar. After graduating from Lowry, Magen attended the College of Idaho. She built a successful career with the Forest Service, first in Fire and now in Fuels, and was featured In National Geographic’s Explorer in 2019.
Dr. Raymond Hooft inducted 2023
Another inductee was Dr. Raymond Hooft. Raymond Hooft was a 1971 graduate of Lowry High School. He was one of Lowry’s best athletes during his high school career. He only played on JV for one year in multiple sports and made varsity the rest of his three years at Lowry. Besides being an outstanding athlete, Raymond was a prominent student as a member of Block W for four years, the National Honor Society in his senior year, and the student body president his senior year. Raymond played wide receiver at Boise State for four years. He graduated from the UNR medical school in 1981 doing his internship in Spokane, Washington. He did his family practice residency at the University of Illinois-Rockford and was voted the outstanding teaching resident his senior year. He was the director of the emergency room at Franciscan Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois.
Jace Billingsley inducted 2023
The final Inductee was Jace Billingsley. Jace Billingsley was a 2012 graduate of Lowry High School. He was one of northern Nevada’s best athletes during his high school career. He
was a three-year letter winner in football and a four-year letter winner in wrestling and baseball. He was a four-time state champion during his wrestling career. He also earned all-state honors in baseball in 2011. He was the Raymond Hooft Award winner for being the best male athlete at Lowry in 2012. After high school, he attended Eastern Oregon University where he played football. He was 2nd team all-American in 2014 and was all-conference all four years. After he left EOU, Jace became the first Winnemucca athlete to play in the NFL as he played for the Detroit Lions. With his NFL career behind him, Jace returned to Winnemucca to live and work.
Earl Cornforth inducted 2022
1958 Humboldt County High School Football Team inducted 2022
Alicia Echevarria Heiser inducted 2022
Sergio Cabada, 2020
The first inductee is Sergio Cabada who is now the LHS School Resource Officer and assistant track coach this year. Cabada was acknowledged for his cross-country school record.
Sergio Cabada is considered one of the greatest distance runners to ever wear blue and gold. The 1997 graduate still holds the school record and two state championships in the 1600 and holds the school record and one state championship in the 3200.
As a cross-country runner Cabada lead the team to the legendary state cross-country championship in 1995 as well as individually finishing 2nd at state two years in a row. Cabada was also the 1997 recipient of the prestigious Lowry High School Raymond Hooft Award.
Cabada then went on and continued his running career in Gresham, Oregon.
After graduating from LHS, Cabada continued his running career for Mt. Hood Community College. In college, Sergio attained national recognition as being one of the top distance runners at all levels in the Pacific Northwest.
Ray Parks inducted 2020
The next inductee is Raymond Parks. Parks is the current principal at LHS.
The “Can Do Man” is Raymond Harold Parks. Parks has been in the Humboldt County School District for 28 years, and as principal, he took the graduation rate from 61% up to a staggering 93%.
Parks is the current President of the Winnemucca Boys and Girls Club where he spearheaded the 7.5 million dollar fundraising campaign to get the club going.
He has been in the Winnemucca Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years.
He has been a crucial member of the Winnemucca Century Club for Lowry Athletics for 27 years and was President for 14 years.
Parks has been selected by his peers to be the President of the NIAA 3A League for Athletics in the state of Nevada for the past seven years and currently sits on the State Realignment Committee for Athletics.
Along with coaching in the past, Parks still manages to put kids first and make sure that education is the first priority.
Parks has been involved in bringing countless high school athletic events and regional tournaments to Winnemucca.
Parks was a football coach at Lowry for eight years and four as the head coach. He was also the assistant track coach for six years and has been the starter for the Junior High and Lowry track meets for the past 28 years.
He is constantly trying to improve all of Lowry’s facilities as he also spearheaded the multi-million dollar all-weather track and light project. He did the same for the courtyard and auditorium LHS restorations for the staff, students, and community of Lowry. The most important attribute is he puts kids first and foremost.
Don Walton inducted 2020
Don Walton is the CAD teacher at the high school along with the Athletic Director.
The next inductee “Colorado Kid” Don Walton. After a successful mining career, this former college baseball player thankfully went into the field of education as a teacher of Math and Drafting. For the last 20 years, a constant at sporting events at Lowry High School has been Don Walton.
From cutting grass on the soccer, football, and baseball fields to cleaning up the gym floors to announcing games to setting up transportation and fields to making sure everything is perfect for game day; Walton wears many hats and in his humble words continually states; “I do it for the kids so they have the opportunity to compete.”
Walton has been a part of Lowry athletics whether it be coaching or supporting the teams.
Mr. Walton has been an active member of our community donating countless hours toward youth athletics. Walton has also coached baseball and basketball at LHS for 12 years and helped carry on the proud tradition of Lowry Athletics by being the Athletic Director for the past seven years.
In 2017, Walton was named the 3A Nevada Athletic Director of the Year. Walton has been a proud member of the Lowry High School Family in which he’s taken great pride in.
Dennis Porter inducted 2019
Rachelle Piquet inducted 2019
Andrew Hillyer inducted 2018
Mackenzie Swecker inducted 2018
Cleto Bengoa inducted 2017
Nate Green inducted 2017
Teo Maestrejuan inducted 2017
Chris Hornbarger inducted 2017
LHS Boys Basketball Teams 1973, 1974, 1975 inducted 2016
John McNinch inducted 2015
1965 Humboldt County High School Football Team inducted 2015
Dr. Robbie Grant inducted 2015
Tina Echeto-Wilson inducted 2015
Eric Angelopoulos inducted 2011
Johnny Davis inducted 2011
George Mentaberry inducted 2011
David Schwartz inducted 2008
David is a 1985 graduate of Albert M. Lowry High School, while at Lowry, David was a two-sport Athlete and earned many awards in both football and basketball. David earned five varsity letters and in the 1984 – 1985 football season was honored with 1st Team All-State, All-State Defensive back, 1st Team All-League Free Safety, and team All-League punter and Honorable Mention Quarterback. During the basketball season, David played on the 1983 state runner-up team and was a mainstay on the 1985 2A State championship team that recorded a record of 24 – 2. David picked up individual honors his junior year on the 2nd Team All-League, and his senior year on the 1st Team All-League and 1st Team All-State at the guard position.
David served as Assistant Coach at Lowry High School from 2000 – 2005 and again was a very important part of the 2002 State Champions. He is currently the president of the Winnemucca Youth Basketball Association. David is an engineer with the Nevada Department of Transportation. He has been married to his wife Katy for 16 years and has two children Taylor who is 12 and Thomas is 10.
Ron Bankofier inducted 2008
Ron is a 1978 graduate of Lowry High School, while attending Lowry Ron earned nine varsity letters (4 years Golf, 3 years Basketball, 2 years football). Ron was a part of four State Championship teams (3 golf champions 1975 -1977 – 1978 and the 1977 – 1978 basketball championship team). While a part of these team championships Ron also earned many individual honors. During the 1976 – 1977 basketball season he earned honorable mention All-State. The following year 1977 – 1978 Ron was named to the 1st Team All–State Basketball, also in 1978 he was nominated to the McDonald All-American Team. His other awards came in golf where he was High School All America honors in 1976.
Ron was a part of many other groups while attending Lowry, he was a member of the National Honor Society, a recipient of the Raymond Hooft Athletic Award in 1978, a member of Key Club for 3 years and attended Nevada Boys State in 1977. Ron is a graduate of the University of Nevada he is a financial planner with Edward Jones Investment Group, Ron has two sons Tyler and Josh.
Chris Vesco inducted 2008
Chris is a 1983 graduate of Lowry High School, while at Lowry Chris participated in Baseball, Basketball and Football and earned nine varsity letters. In 1982 Chris earned 2nd Team All-Division honors in Football on Offense and Defense. During the Basketball season he earned All-Division 2nd Team Honors and to round out the 1982 season Chris picked up 1st Team All-Division and 1st All-State honors on the Baseball diamond. Chris didn’t let this success go to his head because in his senior year of 1983, Chris was voted 1st Team All-Division in Baseball, Basketball and Football (Offense and Defense) he followed up these awards with All-State 2nd team in Football (Offense and Defense) Division Most Valuable Player and 1st Team All-State in Basketball and the Baseball season found Chris honored with 1st Team All Division and 1st Team All-State.
Chris’s college career started at Lassen Junior College for two years and then earned a scholarship at Albertson College in Caldwell Idaho. Chris graduated from Albertson College with a degree in Business. Chris now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and owns a successful Electrical Contracting Business
Teresa Vesco inducted 2008
Teresa was a three-sport athlete she earned letters in Basketball, Track and Volleyball while at Lowry High School. Along with Teresa’s individual honors Teresa was also a member of the 1978 State Championship Girls Basketball team. Her individual awards were numerous in Basketball she earned the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1979 in 1980 she was 1st Team All-State and the State MVP and earned 1st All-State and 1st Team All-State Tournament in 1981. In Track Teresa’s individual awards came in the Basketball Throw, Shot Put and the 100-yard dash. Volleyball saw Teresa earn three more All-State awards in 1979, 1980 and 1981 and was honored by the Reno Gazette Journal MVP.
Teresa received a scholarship to play basketball at the College of Eastern Utah, while in school in Utah she had a 4.0 GPA and was on the Dean’s List. Teresa graduated from Arizona State University and received her Doctorate from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Teresa now has her own business and practices Naturopathic Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Susan Rorex inducted 2008
Susan began her tenure at Lowry High School in 1976 as an Art teacher. She served as the senior class advisor for over twenty years. She created Lowry’s first art club and served as the advisor for that club from 1973-1981. She was responsible for creating the first Humboldt County School District Student Art Show. She was the high school newspaper advisor from 1979-1987. From 1973-1976 she served as the volleyball coach at Lowry High School. She served as Social Studies Chairman at Lowry for over five years and taught history and government during this time. She was named Humboldt County Teacher of the Year in 1980 and was one of the five finalists for the State Teacher of the Year in 1980 as well.
Susan’s artistic abilities are legendary. She has created hand-painted masterpieces for many special occasions. She has painted homecoming basketball, football, volleyball and state championship balls for the past 30 years. Susan was responsible for painting the Indian Head in the ‘Winnemucca Junior High School Gym, and all the school mascots that represent the schools within Lowry’s athletic conference and are currently hanging in the Lowry Gymnasium today.
Susan Rorex has been an integral part of the educational organization in Humboldt County, specifically Lowry High School, for 30 years. A teacher, coach, mentor, class advisor and professional development trainer, Susan made education her business, and her life’s passion. Countless scores of citizens in Humboldt County have been enriched by her abilities and by her enthusiasm. When it comes to excellence, Susan Rorex is simply the best there is. Being a teacher and an important part of this community isn’t what Susan does, it’s who she is. This is a crucial element to success.
Lyman Bruce inducted 2008
Lyman started his teaching career in Winnemucca, as the band instructor at the Grammar School and Humboldt County High School. During this nine-year period, the high school band received national recognition in 1954 as one of the top ten high school bands in the United States, According to the “New York Times”. The band traveled to Idaho, Utah and throughout Nevada performing for colleges and high schools, they also performed in San Francisco at the Annual East / West Shrine All-Star football game.
Lyman left Winnemucca in 1959 for a job in Alaska, he returned a few years later and served as principal of Winnemucca Grammar and Humboldt County High School for three years. He later became the Superintendent of Humboldt County Schools he and served in that capacity for the next six years. During his time as superintendent Lyman’s claim to fame was the planning of Lowry High School. He and the school board were severely criticized for building Lowry High School in a “Waste Land” but Lyman had great foresight and knew the town would grow around Lowry. Lyman served as superintendent for three districts in Oregon before retiring in Lake Oswego, Oregon in 1992.
Lyman has two sons Wayne who is deceased but was instrumental in the discovery of gold mines south of Getchell and has a lode that bears his name “Wayne Zone” given by the National Geographic Society. Lyle is a dentist and a full Colonel in the United States Army stationed in Lacey Washington @ Fort Lewis. Lyman has two daughters Claire who lives in La Grande, Oregon and Barbara who lives in Carson City, Nevada. Lyman’s wife June is the primary reason Lyman has accomplished as much as he has during his life and they just celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary.
Tony Erquiaga inducted 2008
Tony is a 1993 graduate of Lowry High School while at Lowry Tony was Letterman’s Club president, Winnada yearbook sports editor, varsity football and basketball manager, four-year letterman on the golf team and in 1993 Tony had the yearbook dedicated to him.
Tony works for Publishing/Humboldt Sun where he has been employed for 13 years and has been a sports writer, since 2003, His job requires him to cover all the Buckaroos sports teams, from freshman football to varsity swimming. Tony probably averages 60 hours a week of work during the school year and around 80% of that time is spent covering Lowry athletics. Tony is 110 percent dedicated to bringing the Sun’s readers top-quality coverage, he is there before the games start and there long after they are over. Moreover, his knowledge of and love for Lowry athletics ensures readers sp11/22/2010any times the size of the Sun. Tony has won several state awards from the Nevada Press Association for Writing and Photography.
*2004 Best Local Sports Column
*2005 Best Local Sports Column
*2007 Best Local Sports Column
In addition to high school athletics, he has covered the University of Nevada and other Division I athletic contests.
Tony epitomizes the purpose of the Winnemucca High Schools Hall of Fame “…individuals who have had a significant and lasting impact on the lives of people through their involvement.
Ken Christean inducted 2008
Ken Christean came to Lowry High School in 1978 as a Business teacher, Drivers Education Instructor, Health and Physical Education teacher. He also coached Varsity Baseball, Girls Varsity Basketball, Junior varsity and freshman boys basketball and football. During Ken’s first twelve years as head coach of Lowry’s baseball program, Ken with the help of local citizens as well as the school district, was able to have cinderblock dugouts built, bullpens, batting cage. Ken knew that his first varsity job at Lowry was not a plum job but the thought of building a program from scratch was a real challenge, and twenty-four years later he has some very fond memories, like the 1988 team that lost to the eventual State Champions in 13 innings, the 1998 4A zone-qualifying team that proved the Bucks could compete against some of the top teams in the state and the 2001 State Qualifying team. Ken also had success with his girl’s basketball teams from 1982 – 1987 he had an overall record of 75 – 50 with division champions in 1982 – 1983 and qualified for the state tournament three years. Ken was also the Lettermen’s club advisor and is famous statewide for his Chorizo’s
Ken has two sons Dustin and Chris both of whom are graduates of Lowry High and his wife Laura who teaches at Grass Valley Elementary. Ken dedicated 24 years to the students of Lowry High School and will always remember the kids and how they still address him as Mr. Christean, Coach or Ken Dog or Captain.
Laura Stein inducted 2005
T.W. Cunningham inducted 2005
Dave Mendiola inducted 2004
Lisa Jaureguito inducted 2004
Kelly Pollock inducted 2004
Chad Peters inducted 2004
Johnathan Jarolimek inducted 2004
Pete Etchart inducted 2003
Lynn Cunningham inducted 2003
Rick Ringheimer inducted 2003
David Stoker inducted 2003
Dr. James Calder inducted 2001
Mateo Legarza inducted 2001
Don Stoker 2001
Tammy Pollock inducted 2000
Tim Billingsley inducted 2000
Dick Peraldo inducted 2000
Pat Hart inducted 2000
Gary Hoxsey inducted 1999
Don Woods inducted 1999
Jerome Etchegoyhen inducted 1999
Gary Stoker inducted 1999
Marvin Clausen inducted 1999
Joe Ydiando inducted 1998
John Legarza inducted 1998
Dennis Verner inducted 1998
Bill Hoxsey inducted 1998
Hank Mentaberry inducted 1998
Pat Dolan inducted 1998
Kirk Allred inducted 1997
Don Bankofier inducted 1997
Carol Scott inducted 1997
Joe deArrieta Jr. inducted 1997
Jock Echave inducted 1996
Lee Lowry inducted 1996
Foe Mentaberry inducted 1996
Betty Roeder inducted 1996
Fred Walts inducted 1996
Jim Billingsley inducted 1995
Steve Clausen inducted 1995
Jim deArrieta inducted 1995
Joe Dendary inducted 1995
This is taken from Dendary’s Honorary Buckaroo Award in 2024
Joe Dendary earned this year’s “Honorary Buckaroo” for the countless hours spent at the scorer’s table,
the many athletic contributions he’s made to Lowry High School and volunteer hours spent helping the
Winnemucca Community.
Joe graduated from Lowry High School in 1975. He participated in Football and Basketball during his
years at Lowry. He was a member of the 1973, 1974 and 1975 State Championship Basketball teams
earning All-State Honors for the 74 season and the 75 “undefeated” season. Joe also earned All-State
Honors for the 1974 football season. Joe was inducted into the Lowry High School Hall of Fame in 1995.
After graduation, Joe attended and played basketball for Boise State University. He later transferred to
the University of Nevada, Reno to play football. Joe returned to Winnemucca to work at his dad’s
blacksmith shop. During this time, Joe and his wife Sandra, a lifelong educator, raised their 3 wonderful
kids who are all proud Lowry graduates.
Joe is a lifetime fan of Lowry athletics, supporting his children and many others on the golf courses,
fields, and courts of Northern Nevada. Joe was a longtime member of the chain gang at Lowry Football
games and has been a fixture at the basketball scorer’s table for the past 38 years.
He currently serves as the Winnemucca Volunteer Fire Chief and is a long-standing member of the
Century Club. Through his service for the Fire Department, he’s headed many projects for our
elementary schools and improved athletic facilities around town.
Lowry High School and the Winnemucca Community are proud to call Joe Dendary one of their own.
Lori Echevarria inducted 1995
Mike Glenn inducted 1995
Alfred Gonzalez inducted 1995
Rober Hooft inducted 1995
Pat McDade inducted 1995
Vince Mendiola inducted 1995
Vince Mendiola is the first person to have achieved a state championship as a player, coach, and athletic director for the same sport (boy’s basketball) at the same school; and in February he was inducted into the Nevada Hall of Fame.
Born in 1955 and growing up in the 1960s there was no worry about cell phones, recording your favorite television show, or even computers. The only worry for Mendiola and his group of friends was getting home for dinner and when they would get together for the next basketball, football, or baseball game. Growing up his dad was there for him in anything he did such as sports, academics, and just a good guy to be around.
“My dad was very influential, he supported everything he did, and he coached me in everything I did,” said Mendiola.
A few of Mendiola’s neighborhood friends were, Dave Mendiola, Joe Dendary, Mitch Woods, and Jim Billingsley. Growing up, Mendiola and his neighborhood friends played football across from the hospital, they played basketball at the Grammar School where the best asphalt basketball courts were back in the day.
Mendiola graduated from high school in 1974 with 11 varsity letters. He was named to the 2A all-Northern and All-State First Team in football three times. He started on the school’s 1973 (junior season) and 1974 (senior season) state championship basketball teams. He was the lead player on the school’s 1972, 1973 and 1974 state championship golf teams and was the Class 2A state tournament’s individual runner-up in his senior year. Mendiola earned a football scholarship to play at Boise State University, where he lettered in three of his four seasons and earned Second Team all-Big Sky Conference honors as a defensive lineman in 1978.
Mendiola graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from BSU in the spring of 1979 and returned to Winnemucca that fall. Mendiola started his educational career as a physical education teacher at the junior high school. His first coaching role at the high school was that of an assistant in football. Mendiola also assisted, over the course of his career at the high school level, as an assistant in boy’s basketball (1982-1986 and 2002-2005) and baseball (1982).
Mendiola’s first varsity head coaching opportunity came in 1985 with the football team. He took over at the helm of the boy’s basketball program in 1988 and led the Buckaroos on a remarkable nine-season run. His teams compiled a 156-89 record, capturing the state title in 1992. Vince was selected as the 2A Northern Coach of the Year four times (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992) and the state Coach of the Year following his team’s state championship season. He also coached the golf teams from 1988 through 1997.
Mendiola assumed the responsibility of Athletic Director in 1999. His first go-round lasted two years, and his second lasted six (2003-2009). He served 20 times as a Northern league/region tournament director and six times as a state championship event director. Vince’s directorship scope went beyond the 2A/3A, as his staff was greatly responsible for re-uniting all of the state wrestling finals under one roof and for making the Winnemucca Event Center also a home base for small-enrollment classification school post-season basketball extravaganzas.
He was selected as the 3A’s Athletic Director of the Year in 2004. He was named the Nevada Athletic Directors Association’s Athletic Administrator of the Year in 2006.
Vince and his wife, Joyce, have a daughter, Chelsea, and a son, Louis. He has been a member of Century Club since 1979, The Whitworth Foundation, and the Winnemucca Volunteer Fire Department (1990-2009). (courtesy of the NIAA Hall Of Fame).
Mendiola’s favorite quote reflects on his past records and the goals that he has achieved.
“’Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing’,” said Mendiola.
Jim Phillips inducted 1995
Rolfe Schwartz inducted 1995
Mitch Woods inducted 1995
Ted Zimmerman inducted 1995
Joe de Arrieta Sr. inducted 1994
John Dolan inducted 1994
Albert M. Lowry inducted 1994
In 1967, the brand new Humboldt County High School was opened and then renamed Albert M. Lowry High School in honor of the late Albert M. Lowry. A true Nevadan, Lowry was born in Tollhouse, Nevada in 1897. He graduated from the University of Nevada and, in 1925, began teaching science and coaching three sports in Winnemucca. Lowry served the students of Humboldt County as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent and as director of the Nevada Education Association. Lowry retired in 1966 and passed away on May 5th, 1989. One of Nevada’s first sporting legends, Lowry was instrumental in putting Humboldt County School on the map. His basketball team won 11 district or league championships and finished as the runner-up in the Nevada State Tournament. As a track coach, he led his team to Nevada State Championships in 1928, 1930 and 1936. Lowry was also an integral part of introducing six-man football to some of Nevada’s smaller schools. In 1941, Lowry was chosen as Nevada’s Outstanding Coach. Lowry served as president of the NIAA for 14 years and was chosen three times to be a delegate to the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations. In 1993, Lowry was inducted into the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame.