Kathleen Miller leaves Gilroy High as by far the best female
long distance runner in school history and the Dispatch’s Female
Athlete of the Year. See who else won awards for their efforts this
past year or made the All-Gilroy Team.
GILROY – Kathleen Miller leaves Gilroy High as by far the best female long distance runner in school history, making her the Dispatch’s Female Athlete of the Year.
It would be helpful if one could compare her to GHS runners of years past, but for the last three seasons of Miller’s high school career, she has taken the road less traveled. Actually, she’s taken roads never traveled by other Lady Mustangs.
The only female runner from GHS to ever qualify for the state cross country meet individually, Miller accomplished the feat three times while raising the program to heights never before reached. Her cross country career culminated with a third place finish at the Central Coast Section meet, leading to a first-ever trip to state for the team last November. The group finished in 16th place.
Consistently the leader of Gilroy’s pack of runners, Miller took second at CCS as a junior, fourth as a sophomore and 14th as a freshman. Her top finishes at the state meets were 31st and 34th during her junior and senior years, respectively.
The recent GHS graduate called the experiences she’s enjoyed during her career “phenomenal” from start to finish.
“I started out on that team not knowing what to expect at all and the places it’s taken me – I’m just really thankful,” Miller said.
Art Silva, who coaches the cross country program with his wife, Cathy, has said he’s just as thankful for having Miller. Silva said in November there is no doubt that the program, which was struggling for an identity when Miller joined her freshman year, is in the best shape in school history after the Lady Mustangs took second at this past season’s Central Coast Section meet.
On top of her cross country accomplishments, Miller also holds the school record for the 3,200-meter race in track (11 minutes, nine seconds). Her best finish at CCS was fifth at this past spring’s championships in Gilroy.
What makes Miller’s career all the more impressive, though, is the manner in which she has exemplified the definition of a student-athlete. Boasting a 4.3 GPA in the classroom, Miller will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall. She said doesn’t plan to run competitively in college but will most like join a running club because of the camaraderie that so often goes hand in hand with the sport.
“It’s a really great stress relief for one thing and I really like the community of people,” she said.
An avid reader and writer, Miller could end up using the experiences she’s had while running as inspiration.
“It definitely took me a lot of places in learning more about myself and other people,” she said.
Ariana Vera – Senior of the Year
It wasn’t uncommon to see Ariana Vera getting bullied by other players when she was standing still. Defenders had few other options to go to in slowing down Gilroy girls soccer’s all-time leading goal scorer, nicknamed “Cheetah” for her blazing speed.
Finishing her GHS career with 35 goals in four seasons of varsity, Vera is in a company all her own. Her impact on the club’s fortunes can’t be overstated considering she scored 33 of those goals in her final three seasons, which all featured the Mustangs winning a Tri-County Athletic League title.
Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Vera has never played club soccer, leaving Gilroy’s most lethal scorer to hone her skills in a much shorter period of time while other players generally play the game year-round.
The progression has been noticeable, though, as Vera was named the TCAL’s Co-Sophomore of the Year before going on to share the league MVP award as a junior and be honored as the TCAL Senior of the Year this past season.
Vera has plans to play soccer in junior college in hopes of earning a scholarship to a four-year institution.
Sarah Unadia – Junior of the Year
Sarah Unadia has all the tools to become a Central Coast Section track and field champion. It will be combining her physical gifts with a mental approach that so often develops over the course of a high school career.
In her junior year, Unadia made strides in events such as the 100 and 300 hurdles, as well as the high jump. She won Tri-County Athletic League titles in both hurdles events, and she tied the school record of five feet, four inches in the high jump.
Taking the next step seems possible considering how hard Unadia has worked with her coaches to improve in each of the least three years.
Unadia’s talents aren’t just limited to the track, though. She also contributed as an outside hitter to the GHS girls’ volleyball team.
Dani Hemeon – Sophomore of the Year
Dani Hemeon played three different sports this past season, and the sophomore was one of the best on her team in almost all of them.
A second baseman on the Central Coast Section runner-up softball team, Hemeon boasted a .333 average at the plate.
In basketball, she provided a spark off the bench for the varsity while providing leadership on the junior varsity level.
Perhaps Hemeon’s best sport, though, is field hockey. Blessed with quickness, coordination and a work ethic that sets her apart from most of the competition, Hemeon is likely to end career at GHS as one of the best to ever pick up a stick, which is saying quite a bit considering the talent the Mustangs have showcased in recent seasons.
Athena Alarcon – Freshman of the Year
Athena Alarcon entered her first high school season as an athlete to watch, and she didn’t disappoint.
Taking over a key role on the girls’ cross country team in the fall, Alarcon didn’t stop running until the end of track and field season in June.
Alarcon stunned some at the Central Coast Section cross country meet, taking 10th place in the 5K at Toro Park in Salinas. She was followed shortly thereafter by fellow GHS freshman Savanna Silacci, an incredible athlete in her own rite (see All-Gilroy Team). The Mustangs went on to the state meet in Fresno, a first-ever trip for Gilroy’s girls squad, where Alarcon finished in 85th, fifth among freshman runners in the Division I race.
Alarcon carried that success over to the track season by qualifying for CCS in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter races.
2008-09 All-Gilroy Team
Laura Spellman, Field Hockey: The only thing that could slow Laura Spellman down this past season was a foot injury. Still, the senior midfielder helped lead her team to the CCS semifinals while showing rare skill and grace on the field.
Jennifer Rose, Field Hockey: Jennifer Rose grew immensely over the course of four years at GHS, eventually showing the talent to earn a partial scholarship to UC Berkeley, where she will continue playing with Spellman.
Elise Ogle, Field Hockey: Elise Ogle’s dedication in the offseason paid off as the junior was the team’s most consistent scorer. Her skill with the stick should allow her to join Rose and Spellman at the next level.
Chelsea Hill, Basketball: A talented power forward who is still working on her ballhandling and outside shooting, Chelsea Hill has proven to be one of the best in the section at attacking the rim while also grabbing tough rebounds in traffic.
Sovi Nou, Basketball: Sovi Nou’s outside shot was lethal toward the end of the season as the sophomore became more confident in her game. Nou could be the best guard in the TCAL next season.
Ariana Carrillo, Soccer: Pairing with Senior of the Year Ariana Vera, Ariana Carrillo also proved to have a knack for placing the ball in the back of the net. The junior went on to score 10 goals while also recording four assists on the year.
Irene Figueroa, Soccer: The vocal leader of the team, Irene Figueroa took over a role vacated by her sister Kristi, last year’s Sr. of the Year. A strong presence in the back, Figueroa had a key role in the Mustangs’ third straight TCAL title.
Katelyn Nebesnick, Soccer: A strong presence with the ball in the midfield, Katelyn Nebesnick will be a key leader on next year’s team after scoring five goals and handing out seven assists. She also starred for field hockey.
Savannah Silacci, Three-sport athlete: Freshman Savannah Silacci played a key role on three varsity teams. She was a top runner for the state-qualifying cross country team, she scored five goals in soccer and she made a mark in track.
Jasmine Perez, Softball: Jasmine Perez’s uppercut swing could change a game in moments, which is why the senior centerfielder has been one of the most feared hitters in the TCAL. She hit .316 with three home runs this past season for GHS.
Sarah Lira, Softball: An excellent freshman year didn’t result in a sophomore slump for Sarah Lira, who led the Mustangs in batting average (.343), home runs (four), RBI (21) and also tied for the team lead in wins with five.
Melanie Morelos, Softball: Developing into a strong vocal leader for the Mustangs as a catcher, Melanie Morelos became an All-TCAL selection in just her sophomore year. Her stellar defense was paired with a .316 average.
Honorable Mention
The following is a short list of some of the top performers in girls’ sports this past season at Gilroy High.
Water Polo: Alana Osaki, Nicole Nelsen, Lauren Van Herk; Swimming: Meagan Collett, Bella Comin; Basketball: Ashley Lambert, Lindsey Foster, Lauren Rhodes; Soccer: Indra Garcia, Rahni Giardina, Monique Barragan, Samantha Saenz; Softball: Emily Castro, Alissa Castro, Ashley Harrington, Sam Parraz, Stephanie Rodriguez; Volleyball: Lindsay Meazell, Loryn Ferreira, Melissa Avila; Cross Country: Paty Hernandez, Brandie Rodriguez Christine Bobula, Field Hockey: Mandi Jo Torres, Jenna Vivian, Marissa McBride, Geralyn Moon; Track and Field: Kim Johnson, Chelsea Kalata, Reyna Burzota.
