Sports

San Benito High School may break ground on a new physical education building that was at least four years in the planning as early as after winter break.

Despite 16 points from Denise Martinez, the San Benito girls basketball team dropped its second consecutive Monterey Bay League tilt Tuesday, falling 46-42 to Seaside.

Entering the final day of the Central Coast Section golf championship at Rancho Canada in Carmel on Tuesday, San Benito’s Ryan Han drew a picture in his mind of what he wanted to do.

Josh Schroder enjoyed the experience of going to the CIF State

When Emily Tonascia played at San Benito High School, she was known for her enthusiasm and positivity. The former Haybalers’ standout looks to bring that same mojo as the new coach of the girls volleyball team. Tonascia takes over for Ruth Testman, who stepped...

Michael Camacho bulks up for football season and trims down for wrestling season. “It’s the two hardest sports to play,” said Camacho, a San Benito High sophomore. “But I love them both and give them equal time.”

In 2012, the San Benito girls tennis team advanced to the Central Coast Section playoffs for the second time in 11 years under coach Ed Cecena.

In high school tennis, depth matters, and that’s what the Haybalers had a year ago. However, San Benito graduated its No. 2, 3 and 4 singles players, leaving a void that Cecena hopes can be filled with hard work and determination.

“Sometimes the difference between a win and a loss comes down to simply competing,” said Cecena, whose team opened its season Monday with a 7-0 win over Pajaro Valley. “I think our girls can get to that level where mentally they’re fighting really hard for every point. It’s going to take that type of effort for us to reach our goals.”

Cecena holds a voluntary practice on Saturday, which gives his players a chance to improve their skills and further hone the mental aspects of the game. After all, it takes some serious mental toughness for a player to show up for a Saturday practice.

In terms of goals, San Benito’s top priority is to stay in the upper-tier Gabilan Division, developing players in the process. The Balers return only one singles player — senior Kelsey Slavich — but she’ll be manning the top spot.

Relying more on guts and guile than raw talent, Slavich rarely beats herself. She places the ball well, utilizes a lot of underspin and often lets her opponents commit the errors.

Players who will be vying for permanent spots in the singles lineup include Gwendolynn Fernstrom, Rachel Brigantiono, Cathy Frusetta and Makayla Irving, who couldn’t play last season due to injury. On Monday, Irving rolled to a straight-set win at No. 4 singles.

Cecena is hopeful that all of his players continue to develop their physical and mental skills — especially the latter — because it’s the mental side that often helps a player get through a three-set match.

Rachel Logue, Jessica White, Katarina Ortiz, Leeann Gutierrez and Julia Duggs are some of the top players who will fill out the doubles lineup.

“Rachel and Makayla are two athletic girls who compete very well,” Cecena said. “That’s what you want from your athletes at this level.”

 

San Benito 7, Pajaro Valley 0

SINGLES — Slavich def. Guillen 7-5, 6-7, 11-9 (super tiebreaker as third set); Frusetta def. Rodriguez 6-4, 6-1; Fernstrom def. Kianyvela 6-2, 4-6, 10-7; Irving def. Ocampo 6-1, 6-0. DOUBLES WINNERS — Logue-Ortiz 3-6, 6-4; 10-6; White-Brigantiono 6-3, 6-4; Leeann Gutierrez Julia Duggs 6-2, 6-2.

For as long as he could remember leading up to his freshman year at San Benito High, Jacob Tonascia was going to be a football and baseball player.