Kelsey Russell, Ronnie Stern named first team for Lady ‘Balers
water polo
Four members of the San Benito boys water polo team, which fell one match short of qualifying for the Central Coast Section Championships this season, were awarded Tri-County Athletic League honors last week.
Senior keeper Kyle Reuther was named first team All-League for the Haybalers, which finished 9-10 overall this year.
Reuther was the lone ‘Baler on the senior-heavy first team, which included Ryan Miller of Monterey; Dane Maughan of Carmel; Tyler Wells and Matthew Boensel of Palma; Andrew Robertson, Peter Parisi and Victor Atkins of Stevenson; and Evan Gorman, Kris Evered, Dylan Foster and Eric Zahnlecker of Salinas.
Zahnlecker was named the league MVP.
Salinas head coach Gary Figueroa was named Coach of the Year.
A pair of Haybalers made the second team this year, though. Seniors Jordan Schafer and Ryan Whiteside were named to the 12-member team, which included Joey Fletcher and Will Gleason of Stevenson; Spenser Thomson and Brian Morton of Salinas; Austin Auger and Michael Cahalan of Palma; Christian Imazio of Watsonville; Eddie Malick of Gilroy; Andrew Young of Monterey; and Zach Weston of Carmel.
San Benito senior Matt McCullough was named to the Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team.
The ‘Balers went 6-1 in the TCAL this year, but lost their two matches in the TCAL Tournament to finish in fourth place.
Four members of the San Benito girls water polo team were also awarded TCAL honors last week, including Kelsey Russell, Ronnie Stern, Sarah Kelso and Katie Thorpe.
Russell and Stern, both seniors, represented the Lady ‘Balers on the 12-member first team. Others making the list included Cari Albers of Monterey; Chelsea Hill of Gilroy; Emma Hunt of Carmel; Heidi Vickery, Laurel Cunanan and Jordan Bell of Salinas; and Nicole Burr, Ashley McDonald, Teddy Danielson and Violet Carlsberg of Stevenson.
Stevenson’s Carlsberg was also named the MVP of the TCAL this past season.
Carmel’s Rich Monroe was named Coach of the Year.
Senior Sarah Kelso was the lone selection for San Benito on the second team, which also included Gilroy’s Nicole Nelsen, Maegan Collett and Alana Osaki; Carmel’s Liz Crawford; Stevenson’s Laura McCoy; Salinas’ Julianne Hunsdorfer and Larson Katelyn; Carmel’s Frances Atkins; and Camille Massaro and Anisa Joseph of Santa Catalina.
Keeper Katie Thorpe was named to the TCAL Sportsmanship team.
San Benito finished their season at 15-11 overall after going 1-1 in the TCAL Tournament.
