High School Sports

Even after victories, coaches tend to nitpick on things their teams could have done better. But Christopher High field hockey coach Dani Hemeon admitted there wasn’t much—if anything—she could offer in constructive criticism after the host Cougars dominated Leigh 3-0 on Aug. 26.  “They did...

Every sports team needs players who lead by example. Christopher High football stalwarts Payton Wheeler and Rossi Oteri are splitting reps in practice at one of the offensive tackle positions, a byproduct of the Cougars graduating their entire offensive line.  “Payton and Rossi are the...

Gilroy High football coach Tim Pierleoni liked what he saw after his team scrimmaged Seaside on Aug. 20.  “I’m very happy with the way the kids played,” said Pierleoni, who returned to his alma mater in the off-season after spending 11 seasons on the sideline...

The past year of uncertainty with high school sports has left the Gilroy High girls volleyball team excited about the upcoming season. “Our No. 1 goal is to enjoy the sport,” Mustangs coach Brian Calimpong said. “After the last 18 months, I am just thankful...

As the only remaining player from the 2019 Christopher High team that advanced to the CIF NorCal Division III Regional playoff semifinals, Elizabeth Holderman knows the effort and focus it will take for this year’s team to achieve its potential.  “The girls have already made...

For one of the few times in his 20-plus seasons as the coach of the Gilroy High field hockey team, Adam Gemar has inherited a roster that is 20 deep. That’s mostly a good problem to have, Gemar said, as it creates fierce competition...

When Ella Rodriguez got to the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Trials in Minneapolis last month, she and her coach Andrew Dela Cruz received news they were entirely unprepared for: Rodriguez was entered in the long jump competition.  “I went into the Trials training for...

When Cody Ahola suffered a devastating injury a week before the season-opener in March, he was understandably melancholic. After all, the junior season for many high school athletes are key in the recruiting process.  “When I got injured, I thought it would put a halt...

Don’t look now but the start of the high school football season is just seven weeks away. Gilroy and Christopher have already competed in two 7 on 7 passing league scrimmages, giving Mustangs coach Tim Pierleoni and Cougars coach Darren Yafai a small glimpse...

Gilroy native and recent Monte Vista Christian graduate Brendan Doyle wasn’t receiving offers from any four-year programs that piqued his interest, so he did the next best thing—he decided to enroll at the College of San Mateo (CSM).  The Bulldogs annually rank as one of...