March 17, 2026
Athletics play a big role in student life at Ross Middle School under the direction of new athletic director Marcus Riggs. Hughson athletes are top-notch, and, in the long tradition of Hughson sports, Ross Middle School is providing premium competition for the program. It’s all about culture, community and competition for Ross Middle School sports.
In Ross Cross Country, led by Head Coach Sergio Vera, both male and female distance runners compete in multiple cross-country events. Some of these events included family and community participation, encouraging everyone to join the races and competitions. Coach Vera, as a member of the National Guard, embodies hard work and perseverance and serves as a role model for these young runners to aspire to.
Ross Girls Volleyball packs the gym with spectators cheering on Ross Middle School volleyball players as they compete in the East Valley League. The teams are led by Coach Robi Alberti for seventh grade and Coach George Harp for eighth grade. Harp, who was heavily involved in Club Volleyball, encourages competitive play, sets expectations high, and has created a winning culture. Eighth-grade Girls Volleyball is undefeated in the EVL League and Tournament. 17-0 for eighth grade, 14-3 for seventh grade. 31-3 as a program.
Ross Co-ed Soccer, led by former Ross soccer player, Head Coach Sean Harcrow, brought Ross Middle School Soccer to the semifinals of the league tournament during his first year on staff. Harcrow's young team, composed of many sixth and seventh-grade players, will return next season with sights on an EVL title. He is joined by Assistant Coach Jason Harcrow. The duo represents Hughson tradition and old-school work ethic.
Ross Girls Basketball is led by Coach Marcus Riggs. Basketball loaded the gym full of spectators and supportive fans, as the Ross Girls, seventh and eighth, went undefeated in the EVL League and EVL Tournament, while also defeating all outside league big school opponents. Sixth grade went 3-0, seventh grade went 14-0, and Ross's eighth grade went 18-0; 35 Wins and 0 Losses as a program. A perfect season!
Ross Boys Basketball, also led by Coach Marcus Riggs, with his brothers, Assistant Coach Justin Riggs, and Team Announcer Brian Riggs, represented Ross Basketball by going undefeated in the EVL League and continuing a 10-year streak of winning an EVL Title. The Ross Seventh Grade Basketball team knocked off five undefeated teams in big-city leagues, went on to compete in and win the Prescott Modesto Tournament, was crowned the Kings of the Valley, and ended the season 22-0. Ross Eighth Grade Basketball competed against schools, some of which were six times the size of Ross Middle School, and took down the Cesar Chavez Tournament, competing against other non-league schools like Prescott, Turlock A, Creekside Patterson, Escalon, Yolo, Livingston, Ripon Christian, and Oakdale. Ross 8th Grade Basketball ended out with a record of 23-2. The boys' basketball ended with 45 wins and 2 Losses as a Program.
Girls Basketball, combined with Boys Basketball, went 80-2 Overall.
Ross Co-ed Wrestling, led by Head Coach Joseph LaRosa, battled this season and competed against any opponent willing to take them on. Coach Joseph LaRosa and Phil Tubera are building a powerhouse program in our town of Hughson. Competing against only large school districts, such as Oakdale, Escalon, and Cesar Chavez, Ross wrestlers can compete with anyone. The team brings a toughness to Ross athletes that has been “unrivaled by any program prior. The work ethic, team bonding, camaraderie, and life skills being taught to our wrestlers are beyond character building. Coach LaRosa is just getting started,” Athletic Director Marcus Riggs said.
In Ross Track & Field, Head Coach Chris Gregg with Assistant Coach Gary Grant, a Shot Put and Discus Specialist, and new Assistant Coach Luke Davies, a kinesiology major and jumper specialist, are training top athletes in all of the above Track & Field sports. “Ross Track Team is bursting with talent,” Riggs said. “Track & Field is just getting rolling. We can't wait to see how the season pans out!”