Below is a list of some of the best female athletes at Gilroy
High School this past year, as well as as the Anchorpoint Christian
Athlete of the Year.
2007-08 All-Gilroy High Team
Water polo, Jenny Ailes
An All-league selection for Gilroy’s girls water polo team, Jenny Ailes was the Mustangs’ leading goal-scorer for a second straight season, this time by an enormous margin despite battling late-season injuries. Ailes recorded 30 goals in eight Tri-County Athletic League contests, helping the Mustangs to a 6-8 record overall (4-4 TCAL). Ailes will be playing water polo for Iona next year.
Basketball, Angela Silveira
If Gilroy needed a basket this season, the Mustangs were going to their primary option, senior Angela Silveira. Using an array of post moves and baseline drives, Silveira helped lead the girls’ basketball team to a 12-14 record and one Central Coast Section victory – a 67-32 win over Watsonville. Silveira averaged 13.2 points per game and recorded a career-high 23 points in a win over Alisal.
Basketball, Vanessa Wilkins
Vanessa Wilkins’ contributions to the girls’ basketball team this season can’t be measured in just statistics. A senior leader at the guard position, Wilkins was far and away the most aggressive player each time she stepped on the court, whether it was grabbing rebounds or playing the passing lanes on defense. She finished the season with a 6.67 points-per-game average, helping the Mustangs to a 12-14 record overall.
Softball, Kylie Herrada
Shortstop Kylie Herrada was an outstanding batter and fielder for this year’s softball team, helping the Mustangs to a 22-9 record and appearance in the Central Coast Section championship. With a .378 average at the plate, Herrada had a huge role in manufacturing runs. She finished the year tied for the team lead in RBI (14) and triples (3), and recorded more hits than any other Mustang with 31. She will play at San Francisco State next year.
Volleyball, Caitlin Chisolm
Senior Caitlin Chisolm was a strong veteran presence for the girls’ volleyball team this past season, leading the Mustangs in kills as well as service points. A reliable attacker and defender at the net, Chisolm helped the Mustangs to a 16-18 record and first-round appearance in the Central Coast Section playoffs. Despite having several players leave the team mid-season, Chisolm was a constant presence.
Field hockey, Amanda Spellman
Amanda Spellman’s play for the field hockey team this past season earned her a scholarship to the University of Pacific, making her the next in a growing list of Mustangs who have gone on to play at the collegiate level. Using her superior stick skills in addition to a powerful base to maneuver through defenders, Spellman was a significant contributor to the Mustangs’ run to the Central Coast Section quarterfinals.
Soccer, Sara Hugo
Focus and intensity was always on display when Sara Hugo took the field for the girls’ soccer team, which only seems right considering her nickname is “Juice.” Hugo played a huge role in helping the Mustangs to their second league title in as many years, only this season it was outright as Gilroy went 11-0-1 in the TCAL. Hugo had four goals and three assists, but had a bigger impact on games by controlling the tempo on the wings and midfield.
Soccer, Ariana Vera
The best athlete almost every time she took the field, Ariana Vera was a speed-demon for the girls’ soccer team, blazing past defenders to score 10 goals for the Mustangs this season. That total tied her for the team-lead. Vera had five assists as well, and her shooting accuracy was off the charts as she netted a goal on roughly 20 percent of her attempts. Vera could be the best player in the TCAL next year as a senior.
Softball, Jasmine Perez
Junior Jasmine Perez was the most consistent hitter on this year’s softball team, leading the Mustangs with a .403 batting average. In addition to playing center field, Perez’ work at the plate was instrumental in Gilroy’s success. While helping lead her team to a Central Coast Section finals appearance, Perez compiled a team-high 14 RBI, three triples and 18 runs scored. She was second on the team in hits with 29.
Field hockey, Laura Spellman
Laura Spellman, sister of Amanda, was arguably the Mustangs’ best player this season for field hockey. As a junior, Spellman consistently found ways to attack defenses with her technical skill, speed and vision. Spellman will likely be the focal point of most opponents next year, as she takes over a team that lost to Archbishop Mitty in overtime (3-2) in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs this past season.
Field hockey and track, Elise Ogle
Elise Ogle was one of the premier female athletes at Gilroy High in only her sophomore year. A highly-skilled player for the field hockey team this past season, Ogle possesses the athleticism to also be a TCAL, and possibly Central Coast Section, champ in track in the coming years. Despite being hampered by an ankle injury late in the track season, Ogle still managed to finish third in the 1,600 at the league championships.
3-sport athlete, Chelsea Hill
Chelsea Hill was a top candidate for Freshman of the Year after a prolific debut in three sports this year. A dominant water polo player on the junior varsity level, Hill was brought up to varsity at the end of the season and made her presence felt by scoring a goal in three games. She also ran the hurdles for varsity track in the spring after being a dominant post-presence for the girls basketball team. Hill grabbed almost 20 rebounds in two late-season games.
Honorable Mention:
Other top performers for Gilroy High this season included: Jessica Hopf (x-country), Paty Hernandez (x-country), Alana Osaki (water polo), Meagan Collett (w. polo, swimming), Talia Lauber (w. polo), Lindsey Valadez (field hockey), Caitlyn Pierotti (f. hockey, softball), Katelin Faria (volleyball), Melissa Avila (volleyball), Sarah UnaDia (track), Alison Green (track), and Brittany Balanesi (softball).
Anchorpoint Christian Female Athlete of the Year:
Chelsey Urbanski was far and away the best player on Anchorpoint Christrian’s girls basketball and softball teams this past year.
Averaging almost a triple-double every time she stepped on the court (19 points, 20 rebounds and eight assists), Urbanski was named Coastal Athletic League MVP.
She followed that up with an excellent spring, batting .640 on the softball season.
