The now-former Haybaler Jessica Vest, who was the starting
shortstop for the San Benito High softball team last season, was
one of six finalists to be selected for the 2011 Ms. Softball State
Player of the Year honor by ESPN RISE and Cal-Hi Sports last
month.
HOLLISTER
The now-former Haybaler Jessica Vest, who was the starting shortstop for the San Benito High softball team last season, was one of six finalists to be selected for the 2011 Ms. Softball State Player of the Year honor by ESPN RISE and Cal-Hi Sports last month.
Vest, who will play for Oklahoma University next year, joined Lauren Chamberlain of El Toro (Lake Forest), Cheyenne Cordes of Rodriguez (Fairfield), Dani Gilmore of El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), Danielle Henderson of Sheldon (Sacramento) and Lauren Sweet of Santiago (Corona) on the ultra-exclusive list.
Sweet, a catcher who batted .496 with 50 RBI and 15 homers, earned the title of Ms. Softball State Player of the Year on June 22.
The honor, which dates back to the 1970s, includes past winners like Alicia Hollowell, Amanda Freed, Leah O’Brien, Lisa Fernandez and Michele Granger, according to a statement.
Vest, meanwhile, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the Tri-County Athletic League, compiled a .381 batting average (32 of 84) and a team-high 29 RBI. She also tied for a team-high in home runs with eight and chimed in with 33 runs scored.
San Benito manager Scott Smith was named California State Coach of the Year, though, while John Goulding of James Logan in Union City was named the California State Baseball Coach of the Year.
Edison’s (Huntington Beach) Henry Owens, who went 12-1 with three saves and a 1.15 earned-run average, was named the 2011 Mr. Baseball State Player of the Year. In 91 2/3 innings, Owens struck out 140 batters.
Local power-soccer player seek funds for tourney
Local wheelchair soccer player and Hollister resident Omar Solorio, who competes for the San Jose Steamrollers, is currently trying to raise funds for an upcoming tournament.
Solorio, 26, was selected to play for the U.S. National Team at the upcoming World Cup tournament in Paris, which is slated for October.
Each athlete is expected to raise their own funds. For more information on how to donate, visit: www.powersoccerteamusa.org
Cross competes at California State Amateur
Will Cross, who qualified to the 100th California State Amateur Championship on May 23 after he carded a 2-over 74 (35-39) at the Stevinson Ranch Golf Club, finished 14-over at the exclusive amateur tournament, which was held at The Olympic Club in San Francisco on June 20 and 21.
Recording an 8-over 79 during his first round, the now-former Haybaler followed with 6-over 77 during his second round for a two-day total of 156.
The score placed Cross tied for 128th out of 156 golfers.
Covina’s Philip Chian won the tournament by three strokes with a 6-under 136.
Locals compete at state finals rodeo
Although some 11 cowboys and cowgirls from San Benito County tried their hand last month at the California High School Rodeo Association’s State Finals rodeo in Bishop, none were able to find a top-four spot to advance to nationals.
Blaine Strohn came the closest, though, finishing eighth in the tie-down roping event, while Cheyenne Rey took 13th place in the breakaway roping competition.
Tommy Ford finished fourth in bareback riding, although only the top-two competitors in that event earned a bid to nationals.
San Benito Seahawks, Raiderettes to conduct football and cheer clinic
With help from the Oakland Raiderettes, the San Benito Seahawks Youth Football & Cheer will host a football and cheer skills clinic, a take-out tri-tip fundraiser, and a sign-up date on Saturday, July 9, at Gabilan Hills School, located 610 Santa Ana Road in Hollister.
The football clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and will be led by former Chicago Bears linebacker and current San Benito Seahawks coach Tom Loe, as well as the coaching staff at Anzar High School.
The cheer clinic will follow from 12 to 3 p.m., and will be led by the Raiderettes.
Players must be signed up to play for the Seahawks in order to participate in the clinic. For players who have not signed up, a $25 deposit is required to hold a spot for the 2011 season and participate in the clinic. There will also be a doctor on site at 9 a.m. to do player physicals for the upcoming season. Players should bring a water bottle, and wear a T-shirt, shorts, and cleats or tennis shoes.
The take-out tri-tip fundraiser will run from 1 to 2 p.m., although tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 831-636-2719, or stopping by 610 Santa Ana Road.
In other news, the Seahawks will conduct their July board meeting on Thursday, July 7, at 610 Santa Ana Road at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
The Seahawks start practice on July 25.
For more information, call (831) 636-2719 or check out the organization’s website at: www.sbseahawks.com
YMCA, Rotary team up for golf tourney
The YMCA of San Benito County and the Hollister Rotary Club have teamed up for the 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament, dinner and auction will be held on Sept. 16 at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club.
For more information, contact the YMCA by calling (831) 637-8600, or by visiting: www.centralcoastymca.org
Maltbie named Honoree for 2011 Frys.com Open
Roger Maltbie, a San Jose native who earned fame playing and working on the PGA Tour and as a commentator for NBC Sports, has been named Honoree of the 2011 Frys.com Open as announced by Tournament Chairperson Kathy Kolder, Executive Vice President of Fry’s Electronics.
Maltbie will serve as host for the second annual tournament at CordeValle Golf Club, the honorary starter and will be guest speaker at selected Frys.com Open events. Robert Trent Jones Jr., who designed the club’s championship course, served as honoree in 2010.
Maltbie, 51, played golf at the high school and collegiate levels in San Jose before joining the PGA Tour in 1975. He played on it until 1996. Maltbie had five PGA Tour victories, including back-to-back wins as a rookie. In 1976, he won the inaugural Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament in a playoff over Hale Irwin. He also won the Westchester Classic and World Series of Golf.
For the past 20 years, Maltbie has served as a commentator for NBC sports, teaming with the likes of Johnny Miller, Dottie Pepper, Gary Koch and Dan Hicks for significant events such as the U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and the Players Championship.
At the 2010 Frys.com Open, Maltbie was a volunteer starter/announcer on the first tee for Saturday and Sunday’s rounds.
To purchase tickets, pro-am spots and/or hospitality packages, or for more information, visit www.frysopengolf.com or call (408) 487-4653.
YMCA holding summer sports camps for preschoolers
The YMCA of San Benito County is conducting introductions to basketball and T-ball for preschoolers.
Learn basic technique, skill and understanding of the rules of the game. The goal of the camp is to give the participant an easy understanding and confidence-building experience in the environment of youth sports.
The summer sports camps are for ages 2.5 to 5 years old.
Basketball will run from July 16-30 at Rancho San Justo, while T-ball will run from Aug. 13-27 at Dunne Park, located off Seventh Street in downtown Hollister
The sports will take place on Saturdays, with those ages 2.5 to 3 years old meeting from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., while those ages 3.5 to 5 years old meeting from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Cost is $30 per session.
For more information, call (831) 637-8600, visit the organization’s website at www.centralcoastymca.org, or visit the YMCA of San Benito County, located at 351 Tres Pinos Road, Suite A-201, in Hollister.
Haybaler athletics in search of PA announcers
San Benito High athletics has immediate openings for public address announcers in the following sports: junior varsity football (5 Friday games), frosh football (5 Thursday games), boys basketball, girls basketball, and baseball. Experience is preferred, but not necessary. The school is looking for individuals who can communicate clearly and who may have a background in athletics.
If interested, contact Athletic Director Tod Thatcher at [email protected], or call (831) 637-5831, ext. 350.
Registrations under way for USYVL fall season
Registration for the United States Youth Volleyball League’s Fall Season is now open.
The 8-week league at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center will run from September to November of 2011.
The USYVL is an instructional volleyball league that operates in a co-ed format for boys and girls ages 7-15. The organization’s mission is to provide every child with a chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised, low-pressure environment. “Every Child Plays” and learns the game, with emphasis on sportsmanship, cooperation, and teamwork.
For more information on registration, volunteer positions, and a location near you, please log on to www.USYVL.org or contact us at 1-888-988-7985.
Relay for Life, San Juan Oaks team up for benefit tournament
The Hollister Relay for Life is teaming with San Juan Oaks to organize a benefit golf tournament and dinner for Kelly Freitas, who last year passed away due to breast cancer.
Kelly’s husband is Manny Freitas, who is the Director of Golf for San Juan Oaks Golf Club.
The format will be a four-person scramble, and the tournament will have a “shotgun start” at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 15. A steak and chicken barbecue dinner buffet will be served to all golfers immediately following the tournament, and there will be a silent auction during dinner for a chance to bid on some fabulous items.
The cost for the golf tournament is $115 per player (fee includes green fees, cart, range balls, on course contests and dinner). The price of the dinner alone is $35 for adults, $15 for children 5-12.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society through the Hollister Relay For Life in Kelly’s Freitas name. Donations are tax deductible, and an IRS 501 (c)(3) number can be provided.
To help make this event a success, organizers are asking for players to play in the tournament and donations in the following areas:
-Donated items for the silent auction, including restaurant meals, hotel packages, golf-related items, etc.
-Tee and/or green sponsors at $100 each.
-Tee/green sponsors plus four dinner tickets at $200 each
The names of all donors and sponsors will be prominently displayed at the tournament and dinner.
If you are interested in signing up for the tournament, contact Manny Freitas at San Juan Oaks at 831-636-6113, ext. 15, or by e-mail at: [email protected]
For more information about the Kelly Freitas/Relay For Life Golf Tournament, contact Chuck Obeso-Bradley at 831-524-1331, or at: [email protected]
Gran Fondo Bella Cipresso set for Oct. 8
A tour of the best roads on the Central Coast is set for Oct. 8, 2011. The Gran Fondo Bella Cipresso invites cyclists to ride the 62-mile Road Bike route or the 20-mile Mountain Bike Route with fully supported rest stops and sample some of California’s most scenic landscapes.
The Gran Fondo routes are intended to be enjoyed with family and friends — whether they are old pals or friends newly made on this ride. Have fun in the company of others, surrounded by beautiful vistas of Monterey County, and take time for refreshment that awaits you at each rest stop.
For more information, call 800-218-8411, e-mail [email protected], or visit their website at: www.CipressoGranFondo.com
Follow Free Lance Sports on Twitter.
The Hollister Free Lance and The Weekend Pinnacle sports section is now on Twitter – @HollisterSports.
Find out the latest scores and news from all of the teams around San Benito County at: www.twitter.com/hollistersports
