By Juliana Blatzheim
Lowry inducted three new members into the Hall of Fame. Each member has played a crucial role in the development of Winnemucca’s community.
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.
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.
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.
