The polls have closed. The results will be in Friday’s Pinnacle. Thank you for voting.
After a sports season that included nine Tri-County Athletic League titles and one Central Coast Section championship, it’s time to recognize the best at San Benito High this year. Readers can choose their choices for Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete of the year. Winners will be featured in the June 8 Pinnacle.
Read each athlete’s accomplishments below and vote on the left side below the picture. The athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
The polls will close at 9 a.m. Wednesday, so cast your vote soon.
BEST FEMALE ATHLETE CANDIDATES
Krystal Alnas – track and field: The San Benito senior was nearly unbeatable in the discus and shot put ring this year for the Balers. She won the TCAL championship in both events, surpassing the school-record shot put toss with a throw of 39-feet, 4.5 inches. She finished fourth in the discus throw during the CCS finals, one spot out of a second-straight berth in the state championship.
Ellie Burley – Volleyball, basketball, softball: The three-sport junior started the year leading the Balers volleyball team to a second-place finish inside the TCAL. She was named the All-TCAL second team after the year. In basketball, Burley earned an All-TCAL second team selection for her defense. She finished third on the Balers with an average of 6.1 points per game. Her biggest impact, though, belonged in softball. Burley, who hit lead-off for the Balers, earned the league’s MVP award. In the CCS championship game, Burley went 3-for-3 with a double and three runs scored to lead the Balers to a seventh-straight CCS title.
Vanessa Estrada – cross country, track and field: For the second-straight year, Estrada, a junior, won the TCAL championship in cross country and 1,600 meters in track and field. This year, she added TCAL championships in the 800-meters and 3,200-meters race. She also finished in second place at the track CCS championship in the 3,200-meter race to advance to the state finals.
Victoria Perez – soccer: The San Benito junior didn’t score many goals for the soccer team, but she didn’t need to. For her defense, she was voted the TCAL junior of the year. She was named the team’s MVP by her teammates after the season for her leadership on the defensive end. San Benito limited TCAL teams to only 15 goals – good for second fewest in the league.
Kelsey Robledo – basketball: The senior was the Balers’ offensive stalwart on her way to a first team All-TCAL selection. Robledo led the team with 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Megan Sabbatini – softball: The junior was the arm that carried the Balers’ softball team to a seventh-consecutive CCS championship. Sabbatini started nearly every game for the Balers and won the TCAL’s pitcher of the year award. She threw 12 shutouts during the year, losing only three times all year long. In the championship game, Sabbatini allowed three runs.
Caitlin Schafer – water polo, swimming: The junior led the TCAL in all major categories during the water polo season, accumulating 141 goals, 74 assists and 216 steals in 35 games. She was a member of the first team All-TCAL and was named the Junior Player of the Year. In swimming, Schafer won the TCAL championship in the 50-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
BEST MALE ATHLETE CANDIDATES
Isaiah Acfalle – volleyball, basketball: The senior was one of the Balers’ main forces in their run to a third league title in volleyball – and first since 2009. For his season, Acfalle was named the TCAL’s MVP. Acfalle – although complete stats were not kept from the team – led the Balers in kills and was among the team-leaders in blocks. In basketball, he was just as important for the revitalized Balers. Acfalle finished third on the team with 11 points per game. Acfalle also made 41 3-point shots per game good for second on the team behind teammate Hyram Miskin. Acfalle was named to the second team All-TCAL after the year.
Jordan Belton – basketball: The senior finished his high school career with a bang. Leading the Balers with 15.1 points per game, Belton led the Balers to the CCS semifinals. After the season, Belton was named to the first-team All-TCAL. Belton played at his best during the Balers’ biggest games, including 33 points in the Balers’ CCS quarterfinal win over Milpitas. In San Benito’s elimination game to Piedmont Hills, Belton scored a game-high 15 points.
RJ Collins – track and field, cross country, basketball: In his first year running cross country for San Benito High, Collins was the Balers’ best runner. The sophomore won the TCAL championship, helping lead the Balers to a team title. In track and field, Collins also ran well, finishing second at the TCAL finals in the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters.
Jacob Garcia – water polo, volleyball: The San Benito junior was dominate in the pool for the Balers. Scoring a team-high 72 goals and 86 steals, Garcia was named the league’s MVP and junior player of the year. Garcia scored the Balers biggest goal of the year during the TCAL championship against Palma. With less than 10 second left in regulation, Garcia scored a goal from the center of the pool to win the game.
Josh George – football, baseball: Pushed into emergency duty at quarterback during his sophomore year, George excelled. He lifted the Balers to a 3-1 record, including a 13-12 win over Palma to win the Balers’ first TCAL championship since 2005. In those games, George rushed for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. He completed eight of his 20 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. George also started at safety, recording two interceptions. He was named the TCAL’s sophomore of the year. In baseball, George was a threat as the Balers’ lead-off hitter. He had a .370 batting average and a league-leading .570 on base percentage, and a team-high 12 stolen bases. He was named to the All-TCAL first team.
Ryan Han – golf: The San Benito sophomore won the TCAL’s MVP award after finishing with an overall individual score – a combination of results from the entire league season – two strokes better than any other TCAL golfer. At the CCS championship, Han was the only Baler to advance past the first round – shooting a 1-over 72. He finished seventh overall.
Jacob Tonascia – basketball, baseball: The San Benito junior was honored with the TCAL MVP award after leading the Balers offensively to a seventh-straight TCAL title and a second-consecutive berth in the CCS Division I championship game. Tonascia finished the season with a .309 batting average with 30 RBIs, seven doubles and two home runs. In 100 plate appearance he reached base 44 times and scored 22 runs. In basketball, Tonascia started at center and averaged 6.38 points per game and was named to the second team All-TCAL.
