Gilroy High School

2013 was an exciting year for local sports in Gilroy.

The Gilroy wrestling team maintained its shining reputation, taking on top programs from not only California, but Colorado, Washington and Utah Friday and Saturday at the Doc Buchanan Invitational at Clovis High School. The Mustangs walked away with four medalists — including two champions — out of the 10 wrestlers they brought. The team finished seventh overall. Christopher also competed at the meet, having only two wrestlers — Felipe Duenas (106) and Jimmie Lopez (113) — picking up a win. The Cougars JV team, however, finished first.   Nikko Villarreal and Paul Fox both walked away with first place finishes for the Mustangs after the grueling two-day meet.  Villarreal (145) picked up his third Doc B Championship, but it was no easy feat. He ran into trouble in the quarterfinals, falling behind in the third round which led to him having to come back with four points for the victory. Villarreal picked up a 5-0 win in the semis before taking on No. 2 ranked Chris Garcia (Clovis West) in the finals. It was another easy bout for the senior state and Central Coast Section champ, who won 5-0 to walk away on top. "One of Nikko's goals going into the season was to win his third cowboy hat (Doc B title)," Gilroy coach Greg Varela said via email. "It means a lot to Nikko to do well at what is called the best preview to the state meet."    Fox, wrestling at 152, entered the invitational on a two tournament win streak. The senior breezed through his competition, going undefeated in the tournament and beating each opponent 4-0 until facing No. 2 ranked Tyler Zimmer (Clovis West) in the finals. Fox scored three takedowns and an escape to capture his first Doc B title by a score of 7-2.  "This title means a lot to Paul because he finally gets the coveted cowboy hat (Doc B title) each winner receives for winning Doc B," Varela said. "Now he can put it on the mantle next to the one his older brother Willie (Fox) won a few years back on his way to a state title." Also taking home medals from the meet are twin brothers Matt and Mark Penyachek, who took third and fifth respectively. Matt (170) was pinned in the quarterfinals by No. 3 ranked Austin Flores (Clovis North). He went on to win three straight matches to set up a rematch with Flores in the third place bout. After three rounds the wrestlers were tied at 1-1. The match went into triple overtime, finally being decided by a reverse by Matt on Flores in the fourth sudden death OT in which he gained two points for the victory to claim third.  "This was by far the best tournament Matt has ever wrestled in his life," Varela said. "I couldn't be more proud of him for this performance. This year Matt has beaten state ranked wrestlers, but Flores is the most decorated athlete Matt has beaten this year." Mark (182) made it to the consolation quarterfinals after losing to the No. 2 state ranked wrestler. It was here he met AJ Nevillis (Clovis), who is ranked No. 5 in the state. Mark was taken down right away, but scrambled to score a reversal and nearfall to gain a two-point lead. He went on to score three more points to win 7-3. He then faced a nationally ranked opponent from Ponderosa, Colo. who pinned him in the second round, sending him to the fifth-sixth place match. He took on No.7 Young Wu An (Buchanan) who he would eventually pin for the win.  "As a coach I'm very pleased with the effort and composure the team displayed during those gut wrenching matches that got intense as the matches carried on," Varela said. "When you see your team raise themselves to a higher level to compete at such an elite level, I get excited for these guys because I see them starting to believe in themselves and grow as young men. In the end, that's what wrestling is about." The Cougars JV team walked away with a first place team finish in addition to Keanu Calimpong (132) taking first individually. Dean Agustin (106) and Tobias Mendoza (145) finished second, while Justin Garza (113) was third and Ray Tapia (195) and heavyweight Collins Orokow placed fourth.  Gilroy will compete at a dual meet against No. 4 Buchanan and No. 26 De La Selle at De La Selle Saturday. Christopher will compete at North Salinas at 6 p.m. Wednesday.  GIRLS BASKETBALL

GILROY — It’s rare that a preseason game bares so much significance. But for the seniors of Christopher and Gilroy High Schools, this was one of the biggest games of the year.

It was a battle, but a 38-point second half showing from its opponent was too much for the Christopher girls basketball team to overcome.

The last few games have been tough for the Christopher girls basketball team. The Cougars have dropped their last three straight, including back-to-back losses in the West Coast Jamboree Tournament. Christopher fell 71-42 to Enochs of Modesto Friday and 45-35 to Mercy Saturday.  Cydney Caradonna led the Cougars with 14 points against Enochs, but stats from the Mercy game were not yet available.  Christopher will have a chance to snap its losing streak today, wrapping up the tournament against Petaluma at 9 a.m.  BOYS BASKETBALL Mustangs drop third straight The Gilroy boys basketball team lost its third straight game, a 70-57 loss to Harbor at home Saturday.  Justin Hale led Gilroy with 21 points, but it wasn't enough. The Mustangs are now 4-6 on the season.  Gilroy will look to rebound at 7 p.m. Thursday against Christopher at home. 

GILROY — The nets were on fire at Gilroy High Saturday.

Gilroy's Nikko Villarreal and Paul Fox are off to a dominate start to the season. 

GILROY — It had been more than a week since Gilroy had been on the court and at first, it showed.

Don't get too close to the Christopher girls soccer team or you might get burned.  The red hot Cougars maintained their perfect record with a 7-1 win over Soledad Wednesday at home. Christopher has now outscored its opponents 32-2 through six games.  Zidant Okere led the way with two goals and two assists in the game. Paulina Llamas scored her eighth goal of the season and also picked up an assist. Jamie Boutee, Jasmine Contreras and Summer Rodriguez each added a goal.  The Cougars have one game left before breaking for the holidays. They will play Pinewood at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Burlingame Tournament.  BOYS SOCCER Mustangs throttle Soquel If the game ended at halftime, Gilroy still would've beaten Soquel by a long shot. But the Mustangs went on to score seven second-half goals to beat Soquel 10-0 at home Thursday. Andres Jimenez picked up a hat trick in an assist in the game to lead Gilroy. Jimenez now has 13 goals this season. Emmanuel Cruz, Carlos Jimenez, Gaspar Figueroa, David Solorzano, Marc Rivera, Sean Kauffman and Tony Barredas each added a goal.  The Mustangs maintained their blemish-free record to improve to 5-0-1 on the season and will take on Mountain View in the 2013 Oak Grove Gold Cup Finals Saturday. Cougars fall to The King's Academy The King's Academy scored its lone goal in the first half, but that was all it took to top Christopher. The Cougars lost 1-0 at home Thursday to drop to 1-4-1 on the season.  Christopher will have a long break to heal up and regroup before returning to action at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 when it hosts Monta Vista — the team's last game before league play begins.  BOYS BASKETBALL Bob Hagen Tournament continues today The 34th Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament continues today at Gilroy High School.  Christopher will play Harbor after losing to Aptos Thursday. The Cougars will play at 5 p.m. today and win will propel them into the Consolation Championship game.  Gilroy, who beat Anzar 66-34 Thursday, will face Oakwood — who beat Live Oak in a 58-55 overtime thriller — at 6:30 p.m. today.  Anzar and Live Oak will play at 3:30 p.m., while Aptos will play Gunderson at 8 p.m.

The Christopher girls basketball team is on a roll. The Cougar won their third straight, a 46-30 win over Soledad Wednesday at home. Cydney Caradonna led her team once again, putting up 15 points in the game. Dejah Rajah Raoof and Ally Foster both scored eight.  Christopher (5-2) will play Eastside College Preparatory School at 4 p.m. Saturday at Presentation High.  Mustangs fall to Gunderson The Gilroy girls basketball team lost it's second straight game, falling 48-28 to Gunderson on the road Wednesday. The Mustangs (3-3) will have a long break before returning to action at 7 p.m. Jan. 3 to play at Carmel.  BOYS BASKETBALL Bob Hagen Tournament kicks off today The 34th Annual Gilroy High School Bob Hagen Memorial Boys Basketball Tournament tips off today at GHS.  Morgan Hill's Live Oak and Oakwood will open the tournament at 3:30 p.m., followed by Christopher vs. Aptos at 5 p.m. Gilroy will square off against Anzar at 6:30 p.m. and Day 1 will conclude with Gunderson playing Harbor at 8 p.m. Check back with us for stories and bracket updates as the tournament progresses.