Sports

San Benito High will be sending two wrestlers—Michael Camacho and Kira Emma—to the CIF State Championships. The state girls tournament is at the Visalia Convention Center, and the boys tournament is at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

Even in the ever changing landscape that is community college sports, the Gavilan College softball team represents something unique: An all-freshman squad consisting entirely of local players.

The Hartnell College men’s soccer team had just won its fourth game in as many contests, a 4-0 drubbing of host Fresno City College. But it was a long bus ride home for Rigoberto Mariscal, who could only think of one thing the entire way back home to Salinas.

San Benito High wrestlers Michael Camacho and Kira Emma earned berths to the CIF State Championships after strong performances over the weekend. Camacho, a junior, took third place in the 182-pound weight class. The junior standout, fresh off a win in the Monterey Bay League Championships, won his first first three matches via pinfall before dropping a 9-1 major decision to Monte Vista Christian’s Lucas Olgiati.

The San Benito High girls soccer team is winning by not focusing on the scoreboard. While that may seem counterintuitive on the surface, it makes perfect sense in the sports world.

It was a snapshot and glimpse into what might have been. For the second year in a row, the San Benito High boys basketball team has been plagued by injuries and other issues that have cost them a chance for a top-tier finish in league and a Central Coast Section playoff berth.

A year ago, the San Benito High wrestling team didn’t have an individual winner in the Monterey Bay League Championships. On Saturday at Watsonville High, the Haybalers had two in Michael Camacho and Miguel Puga. Just as important, the Haybalers (171 points) finished in second place in the team standings, behind state power Gilroy (267.5).

Callee Heen moved to the top of the key only to see no Salinas defender around her. The situation repeated moments later, and both times the San Benito High senior drained a 3-pointer. When Heen wasn’t connecting on shots from the outside, she was mixing things up and getting physical in the paint.

After a solid start, the San Benito High boys soccer team has struggled in the top-heavy Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division. The Haybalers entered Thursday’s match against Alvarez with a 0-4-5 mark in division play. Despite the slow start in league, players like junior striker Jonathan Garcia expressed confidence the team could turn things around.

Even when Kira Emma had doubts, her mom, Whitny, always encouraged her to stay strong. A sophomore at San Benito High, Emma is one of several solid girl wrestlers on the San Benito High wrestling team. Emma entered the week ranked 11th in the Central Coast Section in the 106-pound weight class.