Lady Balers Vanessa Farias, Megan Halstead and Lauren Adamek
also faring well at college level
HOLLISTER
Former Haybaler Fernando Lucatero compiled a 4-0 record to claim the state title at the California Community College State Wrestling Championships in December.
Competing for Fresno City College, the 2008 San Benito High graduate defeated Joe Garner of Sacramento City by a 5-4 decision in the 165-pound bracket, and helped lead the Rams to a third-place overall finish with 115 points.
Along with teammate Chris Urquizo, who won the 157-pound bracket, Lucatero becomes the 53rd individual state champion at Fresno City College — the most in the state.
Receiving a bye to open the tournament, Lucatero defeated Lassen’s Joe Madison by a 12-7 decision in the quarterfinal round, then edged Alvaro Zermeno of Bakersfield by a 3-1 decision in the semifinals to advance to the 165-pound final against Sac City’s Garner.
It was Garner who finished one spot ahead of Lucatero at the Northern California Regional leading up to state. Finishing his 2009-10 campaign with an impressive 30-3 record, Lucatero was second at 165 pounds in the regional meet and one spot behind Garner, who earned the title.
Fresno City, which won the state championship last year, finished behind second-place Sierra with 122 points and first-place Santa Ana with 158.5 points. Some 21 teams were present at the state championships, which were held Dec. 11-12 at Chabot College in Hayward.
Lucatero’s state-title performance comes less than two years after he went 5-2 for the Balers at the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield. He placed fifth at 152 pounds, and joined brothers Saul, Eddie and Octavio in the state spotlight, becoming the fourth Lucatero to qualify to the year-end tournament.
One year later, in 2009, younger brother Enrique Lucatero qualified to the state championship as well.
Former Lady Balers shine at next level
Former Lady Baler Vanessa Farias started 2010 strong at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. The girls basketball standout, who recorded 1,426 points during her four-year varsity career at San Benito High, deposited 14 points and dished out two assists in just 17 minutes of play on Jan. 5 when Westmont battled California Baptist.
Farias, who graduated from SBHS in 2009, was 4 of 6 from the field, 2 of 3 from behind the arc, and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. She then followed that performance by contributing 10 points against The Master’s College on Jan. 9.
To date, Farias is averaging 11.6 minutes per game as a freshman at Westmont, an NAIA school and Golden State Athletic Conference member. She also currently boasts 41 percent (22 of 54) shooting from the field, 32 percent (10 of 31) from 3-point land and 88 percent (7 of 8) from the free-throw line.
Farias is averaging 4.1 points per game and 1.1 assists.
The Warriors are currently 4-4 in the GSAC and 11-5 overall.
Farias’ teammate at San Benito High, Megan Halstead, is currently playing at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, and the 2009 SBHS graduate is posting plenty of points for the Lakers.
In 10 games recorded, Halstead is averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and .9 steals per game.
Perhaps her best performances have come against the Peninsula College Pirates of Port Angeles, Wash., though. In the teams’ first meeting on Nov. 27, Halstead contributed 15 points, seven rebounds — six offensive — and two steals in 22 minutes of action. Later, on Dec. 19, Halstead deposited 14 points on 7 of 8 shooting, pulled down four rebounds and pocketed a steal in just 13 minutes of play.
The Lakers are currently 1-2 in the South Division of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, and 7-7 overall.
On the local level, former Lady Baler Lauren Adamek is competing for the San Jose City College women’s basketball team, although statistics were not available at press time. The Jaguars are 2-1 in the Coast Conference South Division, 10-8 overall.
