High School Sports

GILROY—This time last year, Gilroy field hockey coach Adam Gemar was scratching his head and wondering how he was going to make it through the season with only 13 girls. When the Central Coast Section mandatory dead period ended on Aug. 15, the Mustangs saw between 30 and 35 girls turn out for practice. What a difference a year can make.

GILROY—The familiar sounds of pads crunching and helmets clashing echoed throughout the Garcia-Elder Sports Complex on Friday evening. That sound could only mean one thing: Mustang football is back.

GILROY—While other football players in California were sleeping and dreaming about the upcoming season, Christopher’s were watching their dream come true and working towards achieving a new one.

GILROY—Kairo Barrosa’s prayers were answered last season. After two years of missing the cut, the then-junior at Gilroy High received word that he would be competing in the Central Coast Section cross country tournament and he found out while sitting in church of all places.

The Gilroy All-Stars will host the Beijing Ducks, the Chinese Basketball Association champions, in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Gilroy High School.

GILROY—The Gilroy boys water polo team ended last season on a high note. After losing to San Lorenzo Valley four times over the past two seasons, the Mustangs finally beat the Cougars 11-10 in the Monterey Bay League consolation playoffs—their final game of the year.

Last year, three girls’ teams claimed league titles at Christopher in golf, swimming and track and field. There were two other Cougar teams, boys and girls water polo, who were close to hanging their own banners up and they are determined to take their rightful places in the gym this season.

GILROY—There’s a new, but familiar face leading the Christopher Athletic Department this year.

TRES PINOS—Alyssa Elliott and Rachel Tripoli are students at San Benito and Christopher, respectively, and neither one plays a sport in high school.

GILROY — Among the hoards and within the wafting aroma of literally tons of garlic were athletes and coaches who see and smell it all as the revenue of a new season.