Sports

Callee Heen and Suzy Brookshire have been standouts on the San Benito High softball team since their sophomore seasons. Bursting with potential from an early age, the two have fulfilled their talent and then some. Madisyn Gutierrez-Urban has become a game-changer with much less fanfare, although conventional wisdom says that will change soon.

The San Benito High boys golf team narrowly missed the Central Coast Section playoffs last season. The Haybalers are intent on making the postseason again. The performance of the team’s No. 2 and 3 players—senior Grant Bernosky and junior Ricardo Garcia—will go a long way in determining the outcome of San Benito’s season.

Amber Logue and Michaela Krulee didn’t exactly have auspicious starts to their swimming careers. When asked about their first swimming memories, the two San Benito High sophomores described more of a nightmare than a dream.

The San Benito High boys tennis team earned its first win in Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division play on Thursday, 4-3 over Alisal. The Haybalers (4-3 overall, 1-2 league) received victories at No. 2 and 4 singles, to go along with wins at No. 2 and 3 doubles.

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.

A year ago, Andy Parra was approached by some of the parents at Spring Grove School on the possibility of hosting a middle school wrestling tournament that included not only schools in Hollister, but outside of San Benito County as well. On March 12, that’s exactly what happened.

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.