On Saturday, October 5, two new members were inducted into the Azle ISD Athletic Hall of Fame - Cara Hoover McKenzie and Sarah Mendez. A reception was held following the ceremony to honor the 2024 inductees with food provided and served by Azle High School Culinary Arts students.
The Azle ISD Athletic Hall of Fame was formed in 2014 to recognize members of the Azle ISD family who have distinguished themselves as outstanding contributors to Azle ISD athletics on and off the field of play, instilling a continuing commitment to and the promotion of the beliefs that Azle ISD values. Learn more about the Azle ISD Athletic Hall of Fame.
Meet the 2024 Inductees
Cara Hoover (McKenzie) graduated from Azle High School in 2012 and Abilene Christian University in 2016. She was three-sport lettermen during her time at AHS. In 2009, she held a starting position on the AHS State Semi-Finalist Softball team as a Freshman. From 2009-2012, Cara was a key varsity athlete for Azle’s volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. She lettered and earned many local and district honors. In 2010, Cara committed to Abilene Christian University on a full scholarship to play softball. She also had opportunities to play collegiate volleyball, but was most passionate about softball. Cara was a huge part of the ACU softball program as it transitioned into a Division I program. She had a lifelong dream to play Division 1 softball and she achieved that goal her last three years at ACU. Cara was a key member as a catcher and designated hitter on her team at ACU. She ended her senior season with a .301 batting average in conference and a .500 average against opponents in the Big 12 (Texas Tech, Baylor, and Texas). After four years of playing, Cara remained at ACU as a Volunteer Assistant to sharpen her coaching skills.
In 2017, Cara returned to Azle where she coaches locally. Her tenure includes coaching private lessons, coaching 18 and under Gold/National Select Teams, assisting Mari McGuire with speed and agility clinics, helping establish All Things Softball, a faith-based softball organization, running clinics, and college recruiting camps in DFW. Since 2019, Cara has been coaching private lessons at her facility, Hoover Sports Training, in Azle. As a result of the support Cara received as an athlete from the community of Azle, she was able to accomplish her dreams. Therefore, returning back to Azle and giving back to the community is something close to Cara’s heart.
Sarah Mendez graduated from Azle High School in 2009. During her time at AHS, she excelled in sports, playing three years of varsity volleyball, two years of varsity basketball, and four years of varsity softball, along with participating in choir and the singing-dancing team. Her class voted her most talented, most athletic, and nominated her homecoming queen. Sarah’s high school awards include: Newcomer of the Year, four-time MVP, two-time All-District MVP, two-time All-District Pitcher of the Year, All-District Player of the Year, the 3-D Award, Academic All-District, All-State Tournament Player, and chosen to be on the All-State Team. Major highlights from her high school career include: pitching 18 innings with 41 strikeouts, achieving a remarkable 0.27 ERA, and accumulating 485 strikeouts during her senior year. In the State Semi-Final game, she struck out 17 batters, just five short of the 4A state tournament record.
After high school, Sarah received a full scholarship to play college softball at Navarro College for two years followed by an additional scholarship to play two more years at Lubbock Christian University. At Navarro College, Sarah was recruited as a shortstop but primarily played third base and pitcher. She made history as the first player to compete at four positions in the All-Region game (third base, shortstop, second base, and pitcher). Throughout her college career, she recorded a total of 362 strikeouts, with 258 of those coming in her sophomore year, ranking third in the NJCAA. Sarah continues to be ranked in the top six of Navarro College's single-season hitting records since 1999 to present, which include: first in doubles (35), second in batting average (.542), second in runs batted in (94), fifth in hits (96), sixth in runs scored (57), sixth in home runs (12). At Lubbock Christian, she had an impressive record of 22-1 and ranked top five in four different pitching categories including: opponents' batting average, hits allowed per nine innings, strikeouts per nine innings, and saves. Her collegiate awards include: three-time All-American Pitcher/Infield, two-time Newcomer of the Year, Louisville Slugger All-American in NJCAA D1, two-time All-Region Team member, and All-Region MVP.
Congratulations to the 2024 Hall of Fame Class!
