By Weston Irons Posted June 4, 2015
Lowry is well known for producing exceptional multi-sport athletes and senior Luis Cardenas is no exception.
Luis “Primo” Cardenas has had a very successful four years with Lowry athletics and has definitely proved he is well deserving of being The Brand’s “Athlete of the Year.”
During his time at Lowry, Cardenas was part of the varsity football team, the wrestling team, and even played a season of baseball his freshman year. Cardenas has excelled at each one of these sports and is widely respected by his fellow teammates and coaches. Cardenas has enjoyed playing football more than anything else.
“I just love football, I just always have since I was a little kid. I’ve met a lot of people by playing football and playing football was one of my favorite things about being at Lowry,” said Cardenas.
Like most Lowry athletes, Cardenas got into sports when he was fairly young but not as young as others. Getting involved in athletics a little later than his peers has certainly not hindered Cardenas’ ability to be great though.
“I actually didn’t start playing sports until I was eight or nine. My dad really got me into them. he told me stories about when he was an athlete and that kind of made me to want to grow up being an athlete. I always loved watching sports and I wanted to be part of that and I always wanted to be in a helmet,” said Cardenas.
Cardenas is especially inspired by his father, Jose Cardenas, who was avidly involved in Lowry athletics. Jose Cardenas played football and baseball for Lowry and Luis followed in his footsteps.
“My dad inspires me the most. He is always behind me 100%, and he is always pushing me and trying to make me a better athlete and a better student,” said Cardenas
One of Cardenas’ favorite sports memories was being able to spend four seasons with the Lowry wrestling team.
“My favorite memories are the ones from my wrestling season. I was able to meet a lot of new people and I was able to interact with different people from different states,” said Cardenas.
After Cardenas graduates he has big plans and will be attending Eastern Oregon University (EOU) in the coming fall.
“I’m going to be attending Eastern Oregon University. I will be playing football up there for the offensive line. Right now they have me listed as a center,” said Cardenas.
Cardenas has gained a lot of very good values from the sports he has played, many of which come from wrestling.
“Wrestling isn’t just wrestling. The coaches have taught me to have a lot of respect for people. When you respect your opponent they respect you back. They have also taught me to have to be responsible for my actions and take care of things,” said Cardenas.
Cardenas has some very good advice for current and future Lowry athletes and advice that could be applied to pretty much every day.
“Don’t wait until the last minute to push yourself, start freshman year. Make sure to set your mind to something and then achieve that. Don’t take anything for granted, and just because a certain person is better at something doesn’t mean that there isn’t something little that will help you surpass that person,” said Cardenas.
Cardenas has appreciated every teammate, every coach, and every friend he has had but there’s one in particular that he would like to shoutout and that is fellow senior Donovan Brumm, who has been a teammate for Cardenas since day 1.
“We’ve grown up playing sports together and he has always been there whether is was baseball or football. And as an offensive lineman, I have always been protecting him,” Cardenas concluded with a laugh.
Luis Cardenas will always be remembered as a fantastic athlete and student by not only the people at Lowry, but also by the people of Winnemucca. Cardenas will no doubt, be able to achieve great things in his coming years at EOU and “The Brand” would like to wish him “good luck” on his future.
