Antonio Balderas is a senior at Snyder High School. He participates in football, basketball, baseball, track, and yearbook club. Antonio has been selected as All-District defensive back his freshman year, honorable mention wide receiver his sophomore year, MVP in basketball his junior year, and Altus Ace Hardware Player of the Game already this first semester of his senior year.
The highest moments in his athletic career so far and also his favorite moments have been going with his baseball team to regionals in his freshman year and going with his basketball team to regionals his sophomore year. Antonio has been involved in sports for about 15 years. It all started with his uncle as his little league coach. He played sports with his cousins and friends when he was younger and throughout high school.
Antonio’s favorite subject in school is computer science. He enjoys it because he gets to learn about the always growing and changing world of technology and knows that having this knowledge will increase available job opportunities for him in the future.
His favorite teacher is Mrs. Collins because he says that she is a well-rounded teacher. In his free time, Antonio likes to hang out with friends and family. His plan after high school is to work at the Altus Air Force Base with his dad and help to support his family. His favorite part about sports is just getting to get out there and participate in the sports that he loves.
Antonio’s biggest positive impacts are his family. He says “my family plays a significant role in shaping my experience in sports; influencing my participation, performance, and overall attitude towards my athletic activities.” His biggest role model is his cousin, Mason. Antonio says that Mason “has not only helped me in athletics, but has had a huge impact on the person that I am now.” When things get tough for Antonio, he says that his family and coaches help him through. “They are always encouraging me and explaining the things that I don’t understand, he says.
Sports have taught Antonio how to get troubled kids to redirect their energy into something positive. He says that to be a great athlete, it takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. His advice to fellow athletes is to always give it your all, no matter what the outcome is.
By Ariel Casida
