I’m not afraid to say it. I’m sick of Mel Kiper and his slick
hair. Every time I turn on ESPN, he’s explaining once again how
Aaron Rodgers fell to the 24th pick while camera lights glare off
his well-groomed locks.
I’m not afraid to say it. I’m sick of Mel Kiper and his slick hair. Every time I turn on ESPN, he’s explaining once again how Aaron Rodgers fell to the 24th pick while camera lights glare off his well-groomed locks.
Please, let the analysis be over. Just let training camp start and we’ll see soon enough who’s NFL material and who’s not.
Still, I’m compelled to follow Kiper’s example as an analyst (not as a hairstyle selector), but with a Gilroy-Hollister flavor. And there will be no talk of football. It’s time to give props to the best of the best in our local spring sports. If you haven’t been paying attention, here’s hoping my rundown can catch you up on what you’ve been missing.
Where better to start than the diamond? I don’t know that there’s been as dominant a local guy this spring than Gilroy’s Peter Mickartz. The guy is plain solid, the player you want on your team in clutch situations. In a game like baseball that is largely based on chance and momentum, first baseman/closer Mickartz has been consistent, on offense and on the mound. He’s leading the ‘Stangs with two home runs, nine doubles and eight multi-hit games. Hollister’s Jason Sims has also been a big pitcher and hitter for the ‘Balers. He’s got two home runs and two doubles at the plate this year and a 5-3 pitching record.
On the softball side, as far as I see it, Hollister pitcher Dani Hernandez needs to take on the late Dale Earnhardt’s nickname – the Intimidator. She improved her record to 14-5 with a win yesterday at Gilroy. Hernandez has been such a crucial part of the lineup that head coach Scott Smith said his Haybalers will only go as far into the CCS playoffs as his ace can take them. That’s quite a responsibility, but judging by her wins and losses, I don’t think Hernandez minds the pressure.
Though not as dominant as Hernandez, Gilroy pitcher Sarah Villar deserves some praise. The junior has been downright tough for the Mustangs. Upon first glance, Villar’s record (10–10) and stats may not impress you. But they should. Villar has started all but two of the Mustangs’ 22 games out of necessity, but you wouldn’t know it by the way she manages every game. Kudos also to senior Kayla Aldridge, who has been huge offensively for the ‘Stangs, leading the squad with seven doubles. Head coach Julie Berggren also calls her the team’s best defensive player.
If you’ve attended any Gilroy boys’ volleyball games, you’ve no doubt seen the front row three–headed monster threat of Ryan Chisolm, Vinny DeLorenzo and Dominic Jackson. The three basketball–converts combine for a virtual wall against opposing teams. DeLorenzo (231) and Chisolm (219) are second and third in the area in kills. Meanwhile, Jackson leads the area in blocks with 91. Of course, those three wouldn’t be nearly as productive without setter Patrick Largo running the show. He’s second in the area in assists with 528.
And finally, you can’t talk about the track scene around here without talking about Hollister. The boys’ team just finished seventh as a team at the CCS Top 8 Meet. The Haybalers’ 400m and 1600m relay teams, led by sprinters Chuck Thompson and Jesse Rice (who took second in the 400m at the Top 8) are among the best in the Cental Coast Section. In distance events, junior Amanda Boyd continues to get stronger. At Top 8, she took fifth in the 1600m and second in the 3200m. Then there’s pole vaulter Todd Merrigan, who just broke former UCLA and NFL quarterback Cade McNown’s school record of 15–00.00. The way I see it, regardless of how Merrigan does the rest of the season, at least he’ll have the rest of his life to brag to people that he was once better than a professional athlete at some type of athletic feat. Hey, I’m impressed.
And we can’t forget Gilroy’s thrower Robert Best. The big man just keeps getting better. He recently PR’d in shot put and both his best discus and shot put marks are top five in CCS.
If you haven’t seen any of these athletes, I assure you, it’s not too late. Playoffs are just around the corner. But you better catch them before summer’s here.
