SCHOLAR ATHLETES: Dominguez sets bar for Lady Bronchos

Lisbeth Dominguez has always pushed to be the best version of herself she could be, whether in the classroom or on the softball field.

The hard work has paid off for the Odessa High senior as she’s finished in the top 6 percent of her graduating class.

For Dominguez, her priority was always taking care of business.

“I was just trying to focus on finishing things on time and getting things done so I could have time to do what I needed to do in softball,” she said.

She was a key player for the Lady Bronchos as the starting shortstop and helping the team earn a bi-district title in 2021.

Head coach Rachel Pena said that Dominguez had always been very good about prioritizing what she needed to do on and off the field.

“She’s a special kid and it’s been an honor to be with her for these last four years,” Pena said. “She’s quiet but she’s dependable and reliable and is always going to do the right thing.

“It’s been great to have her in program for the last four years and is example of what to do and how to do it every day.”

Being that example for her teammates was also something that drove Dominguez.

She ended up a first-team all-district selection and was recently recognized as the Academic Player of the Year and was one of four Lady Bronchos to be named a first team all-district player for District 2-6A.

“It was very important because I just wanted them to look up to me,” Dominguez said. “I wanted them to feel comfortable so I tried really hard to keep things together.”

When she’s not studying or getting ready to take the field, Dominguez also has an artistic side saying that she likes to paint.

It provides a calming outlet with everything that she has to try and balance.

“It’s just very peaceful,” she said. “It helps take your mind off things and to let go of everything.”

It was especially true on the softball field where the Lady Bronchos had to deal with a season unlike anything they had ever experienced.

Dominguez embraced the opportunity to be out there with her team after having the 2020 season cut short due to COVID-19.

Pena was impressed with the resiliency and ability to adapt that Dominguez and the rest of the team showed.

“This year was a whole different year for seniors and something that they had to adapt to,” Pena said. “I know we got to play but coming to school and all of that was different.

“I’m just super proud of these particular seniors going through this season.”

The good news for Dominguez is that her playing career is not done yet as she has signed to play softball at Sul Ross State University in Alpine.

Dominguez will be going with teammate Jenna Spencer and is looking forward to continuing her career.

She is planning on studying business management with plans to eventually up her own business. Dominguez is also looking at going into accounting or marketing and while she figures out what path she wants to go on, she knows that her teachers have provided a strong foundation to get started.

“I’m just thankful for how helpful my teachers were,” Dominguez said. “They were very supportive about that and I would just let them know that I wouldn’t be there so I could get my work done early.”

She also credited one of her business teachers, Alicia Dominguez, for helping her discover what she could do on a business track.

“She pushed me to go towards that,” Lisbeth said. “That’s what I really want to go into now.

“She was really helpful all time and always had time to help me outside the classroom.”

>> Follow Tony Venegas on Twitter at @OA_TVenegas

 

LISBETH DOMINGUEZ

ODESSA HIGH

>> Academic Rank: 60 of 799

>> Sports: Softball

>> Academic bio:  A/B honor roll; National Honor Society; Academic player of the year

>> Athletic bio: Varsity softball team member; 1st team all-district

>> Activities: Hanging out with friends; Painting; Listen to music.

>> College and major: Sul Ross State University (Business Management)

>> Goals for the future: Graduating with a Business Degree and continuing playing softball at the college level; start my own business.

>> Favorite subject: Math

>> Favorite book: The Notebook

>> Favorite musician: Bryson Tiller

>> Role model: My parents because they push me to be the best version of myself.