Sports

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.

Former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, Mexican brawler Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha participated in a press conference in Santa Monica Tuesday hosted by Spike in advance of the Premier Boxing Champions and Bellator doubleheader Aug. 26 and 27 from Honda Center in Anaheim.

On July 12, Drew Williams became just the second player in San Benito High’s rich baseball history to earn an invite to play in the prestigious Area Code Games in Long Beach. The Area Code Games are an invite-only showcase event featuring approximately 200 of the top high school players in the nation.

In year two, the Junior Giants program has hit a home run in Hollister and surrounding areas.

On July 12, Drew Williams became just the second player in San Benito High’s rich baseball history to earn an invite to play in the prestigious Area Code Games in Long Beach. The Area Code Games are an invite-only showcase event featuring approximately 200 of the top high school players in the nation.