Part I of the Dispatch’s preview of Gilroy High fall sports.
After a long, hot summer, it’s finally time for high school sports again. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this fall’s Mustangs in the coming months:
Field Hockey
Quick Study
2004 record: 14-4-2, CCS playoffs first round
Key Losses: Elena Ramirez, All-CCS second team
Key Returnees: All-CCS first team midfielder Karlie Sandoval, goalie Stephanie Glenn, Amanda Spellman, Dana Schoeneman, Rushelle Preeshl, Erin Magill
The bad news is, the Mustangs lost seven seniors, including all-Central Coast Section second teamer Elena Ramirez, to graduation.
The good news is, the eight sophomores on varsity last year are now juniors. And the team chemistry they’ve brought with them has the coaching staff talking.
“Our team chemistry is huge right now,” said coach Adam Gemar. “They’re quick already.”
Last year, the ‘Stangs went undefeated in the Mission Trails Athletic League (MTAL), going 10-0-2. Led by 2004 CCS first teamer and now-senior Karlie Sandoval, the ‘Stangs earned a berth in the CCS playoffs.
So can they make a return trip?
“I hope so,” Gemar said. “If the girls want it, they’re going to make it.”
But a spot in the playoffs isn’t the only berth coaches Adam and Erin Gemar are thinking about. The husband and wife team are expecting their first child in mid-November.
“Theoretically, the baby is supposed to be born during the playoffs,” Adam Gemar said. “Hopefully, she’s a couple weeks late.”
Another key returnee to the Mustangs is junior goalie Stephanie Glenn, who played in the Junior Olympics this summer. She and Sandoval also qualified for the National Futures Tournament, an Olympic Development Select program event run by U.S. Field Hockey.
The Gemars have also been impressed with the play of freshman Laura Spellman, the sister of Amanda Spellman, who runs the midfield with Sandoval.
“They’re just naturals,” said Adam Gemar of the Spellmans.
Though Gilroy is considered a “B” division team in CCS, the Mustangs have slowly earned the respect of “A” division teams by giving strong programs like Los Gatos some stiff competition.
“It used to be that they wouldn’t play us,” Adam Gemar said.
Despite only having three seniors, the Gemars describe their players as having big hearts and confidence in themselves and the team as a whole, traits that should make for another successful season.
Cross Country
Quick Study
Key losses: Stephanie Radtke (2004-2005 Dispatch Female Co-Athlete of the Year), Darrin Amerson
Key returnees: 2004 CCS qualifier Arnulfo Velasquez
While the girls’ team is lacking in numbers, the boys’ cross country team is very deep.
“We’re hoping to be competitive this year and it looks like we might,” said coach Cathy Silva. “It looks like we have the numbers.”
The top returnee for the boys is senior Arnulfo Velasquez, who had a successful spring on the track team and qualified for the CCS cross country meet last year. Silva fully expects a return trip to the meet from Velasquez this year.
“He will definitely go again unless he gets injured or there’s something we can’t see happening,” Silva said.
Other top runners include senior Allan Chan, who on Sunday placed first in his age group in the 12K Mt. Madonna Challenge, junior Jose Velasquez (Arnulfo’s brother) and senior Spencer Silva.
Chan could have a breakout year. He ran the Big Sur marathon last year and has “been running ever since,” Silva said.
“His times are going to drop drastically,” she said.
Some notable newcomers to the team include freshman Romero Diaz, who broke records at the junior high level, sophomore transfer Derek Pesta, who made it to the CCS meet last year as a freshman at Lincoln High, and senior Anthony Dragotto, who’s taking a break from hockey to lace up his running shoes.
Though the girls’ team is small in numbers, it has a couple of strong runners in junior Megan Litle, senior Vanessa Reed and junior Erin Sterner. Both Reed and Sterner are newcomers to cross country. Reed spent last season playing field hockey and Sterner also plays soccer for the Mustangs.
Silva is hoping to get a few more girls to come out for the team in the coming week.
“We still need more (runners),” Silva said. “Especially with the freshmen, a lot don’t realize practice starts before school.”
The team has its first practice meet at Toro Park in Salinas Wednesday at 3:30pm against Monterey, Palma and Notre Dame.
Girls’ Golf
Quick Study
Key returnees: CCS qualifier Kristen Campos, junior Annie Cockerill, senior Carla Navarro
First year girls’ golf coach Kari Williams has yet to see exactly what her squad has to offer – the team holds its first practice today.
But she knows one thing for sure.
“I can tell you we play in far and away the most difficult league,” Williams said. Gilroy rivals Santa Catalina won CCS as a team last year and Stevenson sent several individuals to the section finals.
“They have nationally ranked juniors on their teams,” Williams said. “We play in a great league, but a difficult one.”
So the Mustangs, led by senior Kristen Campos, will have plenty of competition.
Campos, the team’s only CCS qualifier last year, is back for her last go-round. As a junior, she shot an 89 at the CCS meet at Rancho Canada East Golf Club in Carmel.
“She’s worked on her game a little bit this summer and is looking to have her best season thus far,” Williams said.
Campos, along with junior Annie Cockerill and senior Carla Navarro, kept their games sharp by competing in some junior competitions this summer. Also back is junior Rowena Tablias.
Williams, who assisted former girls’ and boys’ golf coach Eric Kuwada with the boys’ JV team for the past four years, is also Gilroy’s head girls’ basketball coach. She stepped in to coach the girls’ varsity golf team when Kuwada retired from the position after last school year.
“We’re just looking forward to good season and helping (the team) improve every game and get better,” she said.
Schedules
Cross Country
Date Opponent Level Place City Time
Sept. 7 Jamoboree Fr/JV/V Toro Park Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 12 Palma/Notre Dame Fr/JV/V Toro Park Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 26 Hollister Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 10 Live Oak/Sobrato Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 17 Salinas Fr/JV/V Toro Park Salinas 3:30pm
Oct. 29 TCAL Finals Fr/JV/V Toro Park Salinas 10am
Nov. 12 CCS Finals Varsity TBA TBA TBA
Girls’ Golf
Date Opponent Level Course City Time
Sept. 8 League Clinic Varsity Peter Hay Pebble Beach 3:30pm
Sept. 13 TCAL Tourney Varsity Ridgemark Hollister 3pm
Sept. 15 Salinas Varsity Twin Creeks Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 20 TCAL Group Varsity TBA TBA 3:30pm
Sept. 22 Notre Dame Varsity C. de Tierra Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 27 TCAL Group Varsity Gilroy GC Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 29 M.V. Christian Varsity Gilroy GC Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 4 TCAL Group Varsity Salinas GCC Salinas 3:30pm
Oct. 6 Santa Catalina Varsity Del Monte Monterey 3:30pm
Oct. 11 TCAL Group Varsity Ridgemark Hollister 3:30pm
Oct. 13 R.L. Stevenson Varsity Gilroy GC Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 18 TCAL Group Varsity Corde Valle San Martin 3:30pm
Oct. 24 TCAL Finals Varsity TBA TBA TBA
Oct. 31 CCS Finals Varsity TBA TBA TBA
Field Hockey
Date Opponent Level Place City Time
Aug. 26 at Los Gatos (T 1-1) JV/V Los Gatos HS Los Gatos 3:30pm
Sept. 2 Saratoga JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 8 at North Salinas JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 9 W. Glen Jamboree Varsity W. Glen HS San Jose 2pm
Sept. 10 W. Glen Jamboree Varsity W. Glen HS San Jose 9am
Sept. 14 Carmel JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 15 at Monterey JV/V Monterey HS Monterey 3:30pm
Sept. 21 at R.L. Stevenson JV/V R.L.S. HS P. Beach 3:30pm
Sept. 23 Santa Catalina JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 26 Santa Cruz JV Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 29 at North Salinas JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 3:30pm
Oct. 4 York JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 8 L. Oak/St. Ignatius JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 8:30am
Oct. 11 Monterey JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 13 R.L. Stevenson JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 14 St. Francis JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 17 at Carmel JV/V Carmel HS Carmel 3:30pm
Oct. 19 at Santa Catalina JV/V S.C. HS Monterey 3:30pm
Oct. 25 North Salinas JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Nov. 1 at York JV/V York HS Monterey 3:30pm
Nov. 19 CCS Ch’ships Varsity TBA TBA TBA
Girls’ Tennis
Date Opponent Level Place City Time
Sept. 1 Aptos JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 6 TCAL Doubles JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 8 TCAL Doubles JV/V Live Oak HS Morgan Hill 3:30pm
Sept. 13 at Live Oak JV/V Live Oak HS Morgan Hill 3:30pm
Sept. 15 Hollister JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 22 Notre Dame JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 27 at N. Salinas JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 3:30pm
Sept. 29 at Salinas JV/V Hartnell Coll. Salinas 3:30pm
Oct. 4 Sobrato JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 6 at Hollister JV/V Ridgemark Hollister 3:30pm
Oct. 11 Live Oak JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 18 at Notre Dame JV/V Salinas GCC Salinas 3:30pm
Oct. 20 North Salinas JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 25 Salinas JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 27 at Sobrato JV/V Sobrato HS Morgan Hill 3:30pm
Nov. 1 TCAL Finals JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 3:30pm
Nov. 2 TCAL Finals JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 3:30pm
Nov. 8 CCS Finals Varsity TBA TBA TBA
Girls’ Volleyball
Date Opponent Level Place City Time
Aug. 30 Alvarez Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Aug. 31 at Anzar JV/V Anzar HS S. Juan 4:30pm
Sept. 1 at N. Monterey Fr/JV/V N. Mont. HS Castroville 4pm
Sept. 6 San Lorenzo Valley Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Sept. 8 at Alisal Fr/JV/V Alisal HS Salinas 4pm
Sept. 13 at Monterey Fr/JV/V Monterey HS Monterey 4pm
Sept. 15 Seaside Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Sept. 17 Westmont Tourney Varsity TBA Campbell 8am
Sept. 20 Hollister Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Sept. 22 at Live Oak Fr/JV/V Live Oak HS Morgan Hill 4pm
Sept. 27 BYE — — — —
Sept. 29 Notre Dame Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Oct. 1 Mustang Classic Varsity Gilroy HS Gilroy 8am
Oct. 4 at North Salinas Fr/JV/V N. Salinas HS Salinas 4pm
Oct. 6 at Salinas Fr/JV/V Salinas HS Salinas 4pm
Oct. 10 Sobrato Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Oct. 12 at Hollister Fr/JV/V San Benito HS Hollister 4pm
Oct. 18 Live Oak Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Oct. 20 Santa Teresa Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Oct. 24 at Notre Dame Fr/JV/V N. Dame HS Salinas 4pm
Oct. 26 North Salinas Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Nov. 1 Salinas Fr/JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4pm
Nov. 3 at Sobrato Fr/JV/V Sobrato HS Morgan Hill 4pm
Nov. 9 CCS Champ’ships Varsity TBA TBA TBA
Boys’ Water Polo
Date Opponent Level Place City Time
Sept. 6 Sobrato JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 21 Monterey JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4:30/6:30pm
Sept. 28 Carmel JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30/5:30pm
Oct. 4 Live Oak JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 11 R.L. Stevenson JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4:30/6:30pm
Oct. 12 Salinas JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Oct. 26 at Hollister JV/V San Benito HS Hollister 3:30pm
Girls’ Water Polo
Date Opponent Level Place City Time
Sept. 6 at Sobrato JV Sobrato HS Morgan Hill 3:30pm
Sept. 13 Notre Dame JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30/5:30pm
Sept. 21 Monterey JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
Sept. 28 Carmel JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 4:30/6:30pm
Oct. 4 at Live Oak JV/V Live Oak HS Morgan Hill 3:30pm
Oct. 11 R.L. Stevenson JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30/5:30pm
Oct. 12 at Salinas JV/V Hartnell Coll. Salinas 3:30pm
Oct. 24 at S. Catalina JV/V S. Catalina HS Monterey 3:30pm
Oct. 26 Hollister JV/V Gilroy HS Gilroy 3:30pm
