High School Sports

San Benito High boys volleyball coach Dave Ventura knows the program should be competing for Monterey Bay League championships. Four years removed from a second-place league finish, the team’s struggles since then have coincided with a lack of coaching stability. Three coaches in the last...

Having qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation State Track and Field Championships last season, Marisa Villegas and Nolan Sanchez enter the season with high expectations once again. The San Benito High seniors are the headliners for a track and field team that plans on...

When it comes to winning section championships, the San Benito High softball team is unrivaled by any other team sport at the school. The Haybalers, who open the 2017 season Thursday at home against Alvarez, are coming off a 10th Central Coast Section Division...

Destiny Hansen didn’t start playing basketball until her freshman year. Born and raised in Prunedale, Hansen never really gave the sport a thought because there simply wasn’t a place to play.

Despite having to make lineup changes to account for the numerous injuries sustained throughout the season, the San Benito High girls soccer team has maintained a high level of play. The Haybalers entered the week with a 3-1-1 record in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division, tied for first place with Christopher and Gilroy.

Coming off the program’s 10th Central Coast Section Division I championship, the San Benito High softball team enters the upcoming season with title aspirations once again. The Haybalers received a huge addition in the off-season in sophomore catcher Amber Rodriguez, who has verbally committed to play for Weber State University.

The Anzar High girls soccer team started off the season with 23 girls in its program. But that number dwindled to 17 a month in to its current number of 14. Due to some absences last week, the Hawks only had 11 players available in a 1-1 tie with York on Jan. 11.

Even though Bryce Mattson is currently the sixth-ranked wrestler in the 152-pound weight division in the Central Coast Section, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the San Benito High junior contend for league and section championships this season. Haybalers coach Steven Salcedo said Mattson has opened eyes around the section, impressing onlookers with his athleticism, improving technical skills and boldness to not back down from any challenge.

With eight goals in nine matches entering this week’s play, Jonathan Garcia has already surpassed his output from last season. Although Garcia has made improvements in his game from a physical standpoint, the San Benito High senior striker said a renewed mindset has boosted his play.

San Benito High had one of its best finishing quarters in recent memory, turning what was an offensively stagnate night into a dramatic, 13-point, come-from-behind 45-32 win over host Christopher on Jan. 5.