ESTANCIA’S OLAVIO HERNANDEZ NAMED NFHS SECTION 6 SPIRIT OF SPORT AWARD WINNER

The New Mexico Activities Association is proud to announce Estancia High School student-athlete Olavio Hernandez has been named the National High School Spirit of Sport Section 6 Award Winner. The Spirit of Sport is an honor that recognizes an individual who has overcome adversity.

Olavio’s lower leg was amputated after a cancer diagnosis a couple years ago.  Intense physical therapy eventually led Hernandez back to the basketball court, where he finished his high school career this year and served as an inspiration for his Estancia teammates and community. As the award winner, Olavio will receive a plaque from the NFHS and a mention in a video shown during the Opening General Session of the 2025 Summer meeting among all state associations.

“I just see myself, the way I used to see myself, playing basketball with two legs,” Olavio said.  “I try my best. I never give up on the court. Sometimes I think I look different, but I got over that. It’s going to look different, but it’s always possible to do something the same as someone else.”

“He never gives up, he goes, goes, goes,” said his coach Daniel Pierce. “No matter how much pain he was in, or how much he was hurting, he would continue to strive to be the best kid he could be.”

“I don’t know how he does it, but for some reason, that kid has a will and a way to do everything,” said Pierce. “I don’t think there’s anything from here on out for the rest of his life that’s going to slow him down.”

The Spirit of Sport Award was created by the NFHS to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics. The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) is divided up into 8 Sections.  Section 6 represents New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Here is a video link to the story