High School Sports

Out of the hundreds of athletes at San Benito High, senior Dakota Nix is truly a one-of-a-kind talent. Nix is the lone varsity diver on the swimming-diving team, and he’s no ordinary Joe. Nix has qualified to the Central Coast Section Championships every year, finishing in 16th place as a freshman and 13th place as a sophomore.

A year ago, the San Benito High lacrosse team couldn’t perform the basics of the sport for a sustained period of time. That was to be expected, given the fact the Haybalers were fielding a first-year program. But in a 8-6 non-league win over Leland on March 10, the Haybalers (1-1) showed just how far they have come.

Tuesday’s match between the Christopher High and San Benito High boys volleyball teams featured one of the favorites to win the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division against one of the more inexperienced squads. Experience won over youth as the Cougars rebounded from a Game 1 loss to beat the host Haybalers in four games.

Tyler Benedetti scored five goals, Jason White had two and Cameron Last one as the San Benito High lacrosse team earned its first win of the season, 8-6 over visiting Leland on Thursday. The Haybalers won two games in their inaugural season last year, one by forfeit.

Brad Sparrer doesn’t need any motivation to stay out extra hours on the golf course. The San Benito High junior plays virtually everyday, a byproduct of his love for the sport and his drive to attain a high level. But it never hurts a motivated athlete to have an extra reason to improve, and that’s the case with Sparrer this season.

The San Benito High track and field team needed four buses to get to the North Salinas Time Trials on March 4. The Haybalers routinely carry around 200 athletes on their roster, and this year is no exception.

Hollister has never been a tennis town, but San Benito High boys tennis coach Rick Espino is looking to make it more tennis-friendly. Espino, who is also the longtime assistant girls tennis coach at the school, has plenty of coaching experience and the wherewithal to model what makes a thriving tennis community click: A program that allows players to compete year-round.

Faby Felix beamed with pride as she watched the athletes on the Anzar High track and field team compete in the season-opening North Salinas Time Trials on March 4. Felix, who is also the school’s cross-country coach, was downright ecstatic as she talked about standout Angel Garcia.

San Benito High junior Marisa Villegas was named the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division’s co-Defensive Most Valuable Player for girls soccer. Villegas headlined a list of Balers who earned all-MBL honors.

This year’s San Benito High girls soccer team could make the case it was the best team in school history. The Haybalers won their first-ever Central Coast Section playoff game (not counting a forfeit victory against Palo Alto three years ago) before falling to Presentation 4-0 in a Division I quarterfinal on Feb. 27.