Vaqueros Nation: Celebrating the future and the past.  

On this week’s episode of Vaqueros Nation, we dive deep into the world of UTRGV Athletics, spotlighting the players, coaches, and even reporters who are making waves right here in the Valley. 

Vaqueros Nation: 

CBS 4: Saturday at 11:30 a.m. 

NBC 23: Sunday at 10:30 a.m. 

KGBT 4.1: Sunday at 11 a.m. 

We kick things off with a rising star on the women’s basketball team: Charlotte O’Keefe. Wrapping up her third year, Charlotte has captured national attention by recording the highest number of rebounds in program history—an incredible 400 this season alone. That’s not only a UTRGV record, but also the second-highest total in the nation. Discover how this standout athlete rose from a small town in Kansas to become a national sensation. 

_{(Photo courtesy of UTRGV)}

Next, we turn our focus to UTRGV baseball player Armani Raygoza, who’s having a breakout season on the diamond. His long ball game is out of this world as he leads the team in home runs this year. But tune in to find out how this one time red-shirt freshman is now a weapon at the coach’s disposal.  

_{(Armani Raygoza/ValleyCentral)}

Then we headed to the sidelines to meet Jaeda Rael Moreno. A junior at UTRGV, Jaeda stepped onto the national stage last year when ESPN tapped her to report at the Southland Conference Tournament. The opportunity was so surreal, she thought it might be a mistake. Hear more from Jaeda and her boss in the broadcast booth, Jonah Goldberg, as they recount the story behind her big break. 

_{(Jaeda Rael Moreno/Courtesy of UTRGV)}

And although we’re still a few months out from the first official kickoff of UTRGV Football in August, we were there for the team’s very first spring game. Hear from excited fans and get a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect when the Vaqueros finally take the field this fall. 

_{(Crowd throws the V's Up/Photo captured by ValleyCentral)}

This week’s feature interview is with none other than Shareese Hicks—a legend in her own right. Since joining UTRGV in 2021, she has propelled the track and field program to new heights, guiding three student-athletes to the finals at the American Athletic Conference Championships just this past year. We heard her story and her vision for the future of UTRGV Track & Field. 

_{(Shareese Hicks/ Photo by ValleyCentral)}

Finally, we take a trip down memory lane to celebrate one of the most iconic seasons in Valley sports history: the 1975 baseball team. Hear firsthand from players as they relive the legendary 63-game winning season, recently honored during UTRGV’s 956 Night. 

_{Photo Courtesy of UTRGV}

From historic milestones to rising stars, Vaqueros Nation continues to shine a light on the spirit and excellence of UTRGV Athletics. These stories remind us that greatness isn't confined to bigger cities—it's thriving right here in the Rio Grande Valley.