High School Sports

For the second time in three years, the San Benito High cross country program made it a clean sweep in the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division Championships. Last Saturday at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, the boys and girls squads—despite not having a top-five individual finisher in the combined races (Gabilan and Pacific Divisions)—captured titles in workmanlike fashion.

Some weeks, one game looms above all others. On Friday, the Palma-San Benito game fits the bill. The winner clinches the outright Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division championship, and bragging rights for supremacy of the Tri-County area.

When it comes to winning championships, no one likes to share them. That was the attitude San Benito High had entering Tuesday’s home match against Monte Vista Christian. Five days earlier, the Haybalers had clinched at least a share of its second straight Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division title.

On occasion, the San Benito High girls volleyball team will sit in coach Ruth Testman’s classroom on campus and study film of a particular opponent. A week ago, the Haybalers watched film of Monte Vista Christian, which dealt them their only Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division loss on Sept. 29.

For most of the season, the San Benito High defensive line been able to stand and deliver. So it was only appropriate the Haybalers defensive linemen—along with a strong linebacker corps and ball-hawking secondary—produced several stops in last week’s pivotal 18-7 win over Salinas at The Pit.

The Haybalers keep on running over opponents.

Joseph Loredo decided to do cross country to stay in shape for wrestling. Angel Cortes only started running on the advice of his dad. A year ago, Elliot Ruiz didn’t think he would be one of the top runners on the varsity team. Cortes, Loredo and Ruiz’s paths have converged at tradition-rich San Benito, which usually fields one of the top programs in the Central Coast Section.

Sisters Corissa and Railyn King have plenty of fond memories together sharing experiences in ice hockey, rodeo and agriculture. As of last year, field hockey was added to that list. San Benito High debuted its field hockey program in 2015, and participation has been high in both years.

On its first play from scrimmage, San Benito found the end zone when Hunter Raquet hooked up with Adam Mendoza for a 22-yard touchdown. That pretty much summed up the Haybalers’ 45-0 win over Christopher Friday in a Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division contest.

Oliver Garcia conducts himself with a certain swagger that conjures up memories of his two older brothers, both of whom starred for the San Benito High boys water polo team. Jacob Garcia was a league MVP during his junior year, and Charlie Garcia, a 2015 graduate, was a standout who was never afraid to voice his opinion.