Christopher High School

Jourdan Soares said statistics could have been tossed out the window. That coming from a guy who shredded defenses in amassing more than 1,400 receiving yards last fall. But as candid as ever, the Gilroy High speedster astutely stated that the only thing on the minds of the 45 players suited up for the South prior to the 38th annual Charlie Wedemeyer Silicon Valley Youth Classic All-Star football game was finding a way to carve out a win.

Earlier this year, former Gilroy High School quarterback Niko Fortino had a message on his phone. On the other end of the voicemail, Independence High School head coach Norm Brown relayed the news Fortino had wanted to hear for quite some time. He had been chosen to be a member on the South squad in the Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star football game – the annual exhibition that showcases the upper-echelon of outgoing senior football players in Santa Clara County.

Dear Reader, So, I thought, ‘Hey, why don’t I set up an online vote for Senior Athletes of the Year?’ It isn’t unheard of. However, I did not contemplate the energetic response the endeavor received.

Connected in the batting lineup and on the field in their positions, lead-off hitter and third baseman Brennan Wilson, second baseman and two-hole hitter Brandon Pickens and shortstop and third-place hitter Bryant Cid are now tied together as a trio of Monterey Bay League first team selections for the Christopher High varsity baseball team.

Senior Patrick Mank received the distinguished recognition from the Mission Trail Athletic League, voted first team all-league for the 2012 lacrosse season, CHS head coach Tim Pirozzoli announced Monday.

Over the years, Christopher High softball seniors Aly Olvera and Mariah Martinez have played a lot of catch together. Without including Little League and travel ball, the duo has logged countless hours of pitch and catch as the starting battery for the Cougars.

Ever since missing a spot on the podium at last year’s Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships, Gilroy High senior Sarina Sandoval – the program’s record holder in the shot put – has had the number 40 flashing through her head.