Schools that are more than 130 years old aren’t supposed to make
history.
Schools that are more than 130 years old aren’t supposed to make history.
Or at least it should be a lot harder and should be spread out a bit.
San Benito High doesn’t agree with that and has spent the past couple of weeks taking the community of Hollister on an incredible ride.
It all started two weeks ago on Nov. 7, when the boys water polo team hosted the first Central Coast Section playoff game in school history.
The team’s 17-4 win over Lynbrook was not only impressive in its final score, it was also the school’s first ever water polo playoff win.
A day later, the ‘Balers girls water polo team took on Presentation in the first ever girls home playoff game in the sport.
The result: another tidbit of history as San Benito edged the Panthers 11-10 for the girls’ first ever playoff win.
While both water polo teams’ runs ended in the second round, it was an impressive banner year for the ‘Balers water polo program.
It didn’t take long for more history to be made at the school. At about the same time as the conclusion of the boys water polo team’s second-round CCS loss to Menlo-Atherton, the San Benito girls cross country team began its CCS championship race.
Behind a strong team effort, the girls took second as a team and advanced to the CIF State Meet for the first time in school history and will compete Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno.
A day later, the football team learned of its No. 1 seed in the CCS Large School playoffs. Despite Friday’s disappointing end to the football season, which denied the ‘Balers a shot at back-to-back CCS crowns, the school wasn’t done making history. In fact, it’s best moment was only a day away.
San Benito’s four-game victory over Homestead in the CCS Division I championship game Saturday gave the team’s its first ever section volleyball crown.
It also erased the memory of two straight defeats in the title game and earned the ‘Balers the right to make more history and host a CIF Northern California playoff game.
San Benito now stands four wins away from reaching the pinnacle for any high school sports program – a state title.
The road won’t be easy, beginning with tonight’s match against Deer Valley. But don’t put it past the ‘Balers to make some magic.
This year, for the first time since 1982, the volleyball state title games will be held in Northern California at the San Jose State University Event Center.
That provides even more motivation for the San Benito girls. Imagine a packed house of red cheering on the ‘Balers in San Jose.
Even if their run ends tonight, it’s been a great ride for that group of girls and they’ll have that CCS championship trophy to cling onto forever. But here’s to a few more wins and another couple of weeks in the school’s historic ride.
