Sports

San Benito High won’t field a girls water polo team this year. A shortage of players and a look toward the future ultimately were the reasons why the school decided to cancel the 2016 season.

When R.J. Collins and Jesus Limon graduated from high school, no colleges offered them a scholarship. But after two seasons playing for Gavilan College, Collins and Limon are a step closer to their dreams of playing for a four-year university. Last Friday the two were inside the Gavilan gymnasium in front of family, friends and teammates to confirm their signings.

Entering its second year as a program, the San Benito High field hockey team promises to make opponents pay if any of them takes it lightly.

When the Miami Dolphins called Ryan DiSalvo’s agent to make him an offer shortly after the NFL Draft in May, the 2012 San Benito High graduate and former San Jose State long snapper was in utter disbelief.

Robbie Skinner, top right along with men’s basketball coach David Kaplansky, earned Gavilan College 2015-2016 Athlete of the Year honors. The 2014 San Benito High graduate won the award based off his athletic performance (Skinner was one of the best players on the team) along with academic achievement (he had a cumulative 3.6 GPA) and community service. Skinner will not attempt to play basketball at San Jose State; rather, he is majoring in mechanical engineering and will focus his efforts in the classroom. Skinner still keeps himself busy with hoops, however, as he worked as an instructor for the well known Basketball Jones camps. For winning the award, Skinner received a blanket, a $50 gift certificate to Togo’s and a plaque.

San Benito High wrestling coach Steven Salcedo never thought he would see this day. Same goes for junior varsity football coach Chris Cameron. The list goes on and on, with scores of people within the Haybalers athletics program dying to see the school replace the archaic weight room and wrestling facility with a modernized version.

From an early age, Daniel Hopkins knew he wanted to earn an athletic scholarship. Last Friday, the 2016 San Benito High graduate saw his dream come true when he signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Holy Names University, the Oakland college that is transitioning to the NCAA Division II level.

Conner Menez was on the golf course with his brother when he received a call from his manager Monday morning. Menez, who had just got called up to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes—the low-A ball team of the San Francisco Giants—didn’t know what to expect since his only start with the team was a rough one.

A number of the softball players who end up being standouts at San Benito High get their start with the Hollister Heat. The Heat is a great program for youths to learn the basics and fundamentals of the sport through practices and games. The Heat’s 10-and-under team finished its summer season with a second-place showing in the Strawberry Jam Tournament in Watsonville on July 24.

Gavilan football players are getting a much-needed breather this week and next as the Rams have reached their state-imposed practice limits.