May 18, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Silver Creek Cheerleaders place second at High School Spirit Nationals

The 2007 Silver Creek cheerleading team took second place at the 2007 United Spirit Association High School Spirit Nationals at the Anaheim Convention Center, held March 23-25.

The Silver Creek cheerleading squad recently returned from the 2007 United Spirit Association High School Spirit Nationals at the Anaheim Convention Center, which took place March 23-25.

The team competed in the Co-Ed Varsity Show Cheer Novice division against seven other teams for two spots in the finals. After an almost flawless prelim performance, the team was able to make it into finals. This was the first time in Silver Creek’s history that a team made it into the finals. After it was all said and done, the Silver Creek cheerleaders were able to bring home a second place trophy.

The win had several cheerleaders on the Raiders squad eager to return for another run at Nationals next year.

“It has been a great year and I am looking forward to next year at Nationals,” said sophomore Amanda Vega. “We have a great cheer squad and with tryouts coming soon for cheerleading, I hope we will have an even stronger team that can maybe take first place at Nationals.”

(From left) Silver Creek cheerleaders Amanda Gonzalez, Andrea Pinon, Brittney Cuen and Amanda Vega display their medals after the team took second place at the 2007 United Spirit Association High School Spirit Nationals.

Vega’s sentiments were echoed by Silver Creek cheerleading veterans such as junior Andrea Pinon, who noted that a little support from the home crowd at Nationals gave the squad a boost.

I’m looking forward to another year cheering for Silver Creek and hopefully taking 1st place at Nationals in 2008,” said Pinon. “I can’t believe that we made it to finals. Nationals is very important to us and it makes it more special when we have our moms and dads and family members traveling with us and providing support.”

Silver Creek head cheerleading coach Ojae Balgos said he’s looking forward to seeing an even better team next season. Balgos, who has been the head coach since 2002, added that improvement will only be accomplished by working hard at practices, and said next year's cheerleaders will also be encouraged to better themselves by taking classes outside of practice for tumbling, among other things. Still, Balgos said improving on this year will be a tough task, noting that the team will lose seven seniors to graduation, out of a team of 25 that went to Nationals.

CCS Softball Roundup

Silver Creek and Evergreen softball teams end year with first round
losses in CCS Playoffs; Cougars head coach Lisa Baker retires

A stellar performance at the plate by Evergreen’s Janel Salanoa was not enough as the No. 9 seeded Cougars softball team dropped a 5-3 loss to No. 8 Milpitas in the first round of the CCS Division I Playoffs at the Salinas Sports Complex on May 16.

Evergreen pitcher Jennifer Ames fires off a pitch during a 5-3 loss to Milpitas in the opening round of the CCS Division I Playoffs on May 16. Photos by Diego Abeloos

The opening round loss, which came on the heels of a third place finish at 7-7 in Mt. Hamilton Division play by Evergreen, ended an otherwise promising season for the Cougars and also saw the end of head coach Lisa Baker’s run at the helm of the program. Baker has decided to retire from coaching for the foreseeable future so that she can spend more time at home with her young children. Despite the season-ending loss, Baker said she was proud of her team’s season-long efforts.

“We had a good season,” Baker said. “When we were 2-4 in the beginning of the season, CCS just left my mind. I thought, ‘okay, where are we going to go from here?’ I mean 2-4 in the A (Mt. Hamilton) Division wasn’t looking too hot. But for my team to battle back, I’m just proud of them. They never quit the entire season.”

The game, however, didn’t come without a controversial play during a time when the Cougars were trailing 5-3 in the sixth and had Salanoa at second base. On the play, Salanoa took off for third base on an attempted bunt at the plate and slid in safely as the ball was thrown wild to the base. With the ball trickling into foul territory, Salanoa quickly took off for home plate but was blocked by Milpitas catcher April Delacruz, who eventually received the ball and tagged Salanoa out to end the inning.

The out call by the home plate umpire saw Baker race toward home plate to vehemently argue the call, which was not overturned. Baker said she argued that the play should’ve been ruled as an interference call on Delacruz, who was blocking the baseline without the ball, thereby obstructing Salanoa’s path to home plate.

“That’s a two-year-old rule,” said Baker, who added that she plans to protest the call with CCS. “But he’s a young umpire and they don’t ever want to be questioned. He thinks he’s in the right, but he’s not. They changed that rule two years ago. You cannot sit there in the baseline. …As long as you have the ball, you can enter the baseline. You can’t start in the baseline (without the ball). She (Salanoa) should’ve been safe.”

Offensively, the Cougars were supported by Salanoa, who tied the game 2-2 in the fourth inning by blasting a deep drive into right-center field that went for a two-run inside-the-park home run. The Trojans, however, came back and scored three more runs – all on RBI singles – in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead.

Salanoa also drove in Evergreen’s third – and final – run of the game in the sixth just prior to the controversial call when she laced a single up the middle, scoring Priscilla Olmos from second base to cut Milpitas’ lead to 5-3.

“She’s a gamer,” Baker said of Salanoa. “She has the most game-winning RBIs in our league as a sophomore. …She’s awesome. When she comes up to the plate, I know something’s going to happen and tonight, she did her best.”

As for Baker, she said retirement comes out of necessity, so that her children can have more time with their mother. Still, Baker readily admits that breaking an old habit – that of coaching – will be hard to do. Coaching won’t be out of her blood altogether however, as Baker said she plans to coach her children in T-ball, as soon as they’re old enough to participate.

“The little one’s going into T-ball early, but I might have to change her birth certificate,” Baker said jokingly.

Silver Creek drops 4-0 loss to No. 5 Salinas
A season in which the Silver Creek softball team lost just one league game came to an end on May 16 when the No. 12 seeded Raiders dropped a 4-0 loss to No. 5 Salinas in the first round of the CCS Division I Playoffs at the Salinas Sports Complex.

The Raiders, who finished the regular season as West Valley Division Champions, could not solve Cowboys starting pitcher Sammy Rodriguez, who allowed just two hits and struck out 13 in the 4-0 final. Regardless, Raiders head coach Trish Sunseri said she was pleased with her team’s effort, noting that the playoff appearance itself was a steppingstone for the school’s softball program.

“This is definitely a building block, a stepping stone for us and our program,” said Sunseri, whose team will move up to the Santa Teresa Division for the 2008 season. “We have a very young team, but we do also have a few key seniors. …We just have to try and find people to fill those spots (next year) with some freshmen or whatever, who knows? But yes, this is a definite step in the right direction.”

And while the offense struggled, Raiders starting pitcher Krystal Koellnberger pitched well, Sunseri noted. The sophomore right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out four in six innings of work.

Silver Creek starting pitcher Krystal Koellnberger connects with a pitch from Salinas’ Sammy Rodriguez during a 4-0 loss in the opening round of the CCS Division I Playoffs on May 16.

The Cowboys took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first one a two-out RBI single and added a second run on an error at third base that saw the Cowboys score on a throw that sailed into foul territory. The Cowboys padded their lead in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of two-out RBI singles.

Sunseri said the playoff atmosphere, as well as the large number of quality teams in the playoffs, was a new environment for her Raiders. And while the Raiders managed just two hits after spending the regular season in what it known as a hitters’ league in the West Valley Division, Sunseri said she was pleased to see her team try and battle at the plate the entire game.

“The reason our league is a hitting league is because the pitching isn’t anything like this (in the playoffs),” Sunseri said. “We haven’t seen pitchers like this all year. …They (Silver Creek) could’ve said, ‘whoa, these girls throw really fast,’ and given up, but they didn’t.”

All told, Sunseri said she was happy to see her players get the experience of playing in the CCS Playoffs, something several previous teams in previous years didn’t get the chance to do. Sunseri added that the loss also revealed the team’s character and talent.

“These girls fought the entire game,” Sunseri said. “It was a two-run game pretty much, for most of the time. But I’m extremely proud, they gave it everything (they had). I mean, we don’t go to CCS very often. This is the first time in five years and before that, it was probably 10 years, and this is a quality A-team we just played. We just showed everyone who was watching that we could hang with these teams.”

EVERGREEN SPORTS
SCHEDULES 5-21 to 6-1

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
5/22 – Boys’ tennis CCS Singles/Doubles opening round and quarterfinals at Cabrillo College, 10 a.m.
5/22 – Softball CCS Semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

5/23 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA
5/23 – Softball CCS Semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

5/24 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA
5/24 – Softball CCS Semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA
5/24 – Boys’ tennis CCS Singles/Doubles Semifinals and Finals at Cabrillo College, 1 p.m.

5/25 – Track CCS Finals at Gilroy High School, 4 p.m.
5/25 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA

5/26 – Softball CCS Finals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

6/1 – Track CIF State Championships at Hughes Stadium/Sacramento City College, 1 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
5/22 – Boys’ tennis CCS Singles/Doubles opening round and quarterfinals at Cabrillo College, 10 a.m.

5/23 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA

5/24 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA
5/24 – Boys’ tennis CCS Singles/Doubles Semifinals and Finals at Cabrillo College, 1 p.m.

5/25 – Track CCS Finals at Gilroy High School, 4 p.m.
5/25 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA

5/26 – Softball CCS Finals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

6/1 – Track CIF State Championships at Hughes Stadium/Sacramento City College, 1 p.m.

Silver Creek High sports schedule
5/22 – Boys’ tennis CCS Singles/Doubles opening round and quarterfinals at Cabrillo College, 10 a.m.
5/22 – Softball CCS Semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

5/23 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA
5/23 – Softball CCS Semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

5/24 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA
5/24 – Boys’ tennis CCS Singles/Doubles Semifinals and Finals at Cabrillo College, 1 p.m.
5/24 – Softball CCS Semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

5/25 – Track CCS Finals at Gilroy High School, 4 p.m.
5/25 – Badminton CCS Playoffs, times and opponents TBA

6/1 – Track CIF State Championships at Hughes Stadium/Sacramento City College, 1 p.m.

For more information on local games, log on to the BVAL Web site at http://www.bval.org/.For up to date information about CCS Playoff contests, go to http://www.cifccs.org/.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Evergreen Valley College soccer to hold summer camps in June and August
Evergreen Valley College will be holding summer soccer camps for boys and girls ages five and six, as well as ages 7-14 in June and August.

The Baby Hawks summer soccer camps, for ages five and six, will take place on the following dates:

- Session I – June 18-21, 5:30-7 p.m. (girls only)
- Session II – Aug. 6-9, 9-10:30 a.m. (boys and girls)
- Session III – Aug. 6-9, 10:30 a.m.-noon (boys and girls)

In addition, the Advanced Hawks summer soccer camps, for ages 7-14, will take place on the following dates:

- Session I – June 18-21, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (girls only)
- Session II - Aug. 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon (boys and girls)

For more information about the camps, call Evergreen Valley Women’s Soccer head coach Felicia Perez at (408) 274-7900 ext. 6910 or email Felicia.Perez@evc.edu.

Youth Compete in San José Track Meet to Qualify for Statewide Competition
Evergreen Valley High School will host the City-Wide Youth Track Meet on Sunday, May 20. Registration is from 8 - 9:30 a.m. followed by the Track Meet from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This event is open to boys and girls ages 9 - 14 years old, born between the years of 1993 – 1998. There is no entry fee.

Registrants will participate in a wide variety of track and field events including: 50 Meter, 100 Meter, 200 Meter 400 Meter, 800 Meter, 4 x10 Relay Race, Standing Long Jump and a Softball Throw. The top two winners will be eligible to compete in the Hershey Nor-Cal State Track Meet on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at San José City College.

This event is sponsored by the City of San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department and the San José Police Amateur Athletic Foundation. For more information, please call City-Wide Sports at (408) 871-3826 or Judi Baxter, City-Wide Youth Track Meet Director at (707) 546-3986.

Skyhawks Sports Program signups
The summer months are an exciting time for children of all ages, especially those students who are enrolled in a Skyhawks Sports Program through San Jose, Recreation & Neighborhoods Department.

Skyhawks is based in the Pacific Northwest (Spokane, WA) and is nationally recognized for their outstanding recreational sports programs. Skyhawks has been around for more than 20 years. Skyhawks has experienced extremely successful growth due to its underlying philosophy for teaching youth sports.

In order to provide top quality instruction, each Skyhawks program is based upon three things: Safety, Fun, and Skill Development. In addition, Skyhawks programs are non-competitive, and promote sports in a positive and enthusiastic manner. Each participant at a Skyhawks program receives a t-shirt as well as a sport specific ball.

This summer, San Jose will be offering half-day (9 a.m. to noon) and/or full day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) sports programs to accommodate kids 4 to 14 years old, of all abilities. Program sports include basketball, baseball, soccer, and flag football along with many others.

To find out more information about specific times and locations of programs in your area, please call the Evergreen Community Center at (408) 270-2220, or contact Skyhawks at (800) 804-3509.

Registration forms can be picked up at Evergreen Community Center (4860 San Felipe Road, San Jose, CA 95135) or you can register online at: www.skyhawks.com.

Bay Area Starters Softball Program
Competitive "A" Ball Program has a few openings for 15U/16U 2007 Summer Roster.  Season begins May 15th upon the completion of High School Ball.    Bay Area Starters' goal is to provided Talented, Committed, Hard Working Student/Athletes further opportunities to better their Softball Skills through training and aggressive work-outs, while introducing Age-Appropriate High School Athletes to the College Environment and Scouting Events.   For more information, visit our website www.BayAreaStarters.com or e-mail BayAreaStarters@aol.com.

Sports Briefs: Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC. To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. 408-494-7078 (fax) Limit 200 words. Questions? Call 494-7000 x225.

Turnaround season ends with comeback win for Silver Creek baseball

Raiders finish with 14-7 record after 13-6 come-from-behind win at Gunderson to end regular season

By Diego Abeloos
Editor

A comeback season ended in an all-too-appropriate way for the Silver Creek baseball team on May 11 – with a comeback win.

Silver Creek’s Sheldon Daquioag connects with a pitch during a 13-6 comeback win over Gunderson to end the regular season on May 11. Photo by Diego Abeloos

The Raiders finished off the 2007 season in winning fashion, rallying for two runs in the top of the seventh for a 6-6 tie at Gunderson before breaking out with a seven-run top of the eighth for a 13-6 win. The win put a nice, tidy celebratory ribbon on a rebound season for the Raiders, who finished 2007 West Valley Division play at 14-7 after going winless the entire 2006 season as members of the Santa Teresa Division. The Raiders finish was good enough for third place among league competitors, with Lincoln taking the league crown at 18-2.

“It does feel really good coming back, especially in this game, but also from last year. It’s a real good thing,” said Raiders head coach George Verdugo. “It shows us that we’ve got a lot of heart. …This game here, we came back, we believed in ourselves that we could do it, and we did it. That’s what I was talking to the kids about out here, that they have to believe in themselves and that they can come back and play some ball.”

Trailing 6-4, the Raiders got two runs on a single by Degoberto Balcazar to tie things at 6-6 before putting more pressure on the Grizzlies in the top of the eighth. After a leadoff double from John Martinez, Rodino Bautista hit a sharp grounder that glanced off the Grizzlies’ pitcher, and then bounced off the chest of the second baseman, scoring Martinez for a 7-6 lead. With two outs, the Raiders added a few more insurance runs, getting a bloop single from Chidi Onongaya, scoring both Bautista and Sheldon Daquioag for a 9-6 advantage.

The Raiders followed with an RBI single from Andrew Belknap, before loading the bases and getting a two-run double off the bat of Martinez, bumping the lead to 12-6. Gabriel Sanchez later scored on a wild pitch from third base, padding the lead to 13-6.

And while the win was a solid way to finish off the season, Verdugo said the difference this season came down to one key word – confidence.

“When we came out here and we started winning some games in convincing fashion, they saw that they could play well and compete with the teams in the West Valley Division,” Verdugo said of his team’s growing confidence throughout the regular season. “They said, ‘yeah, we can compete,’ and they come out here that way, with confidence that we can win a game.”

One key stretch of the season came early on, after the Raiders compiled a 2-3 record. A little pep talk from the coaching staff helped refocus the players, Verdugo said, and the team went on to win six of its next seven games, thrusting the team among the league’s best teams.

Silver Creek pitcher Quinn Wafer fires a pitch during the Raiders’ 13-6 comeback win over Gunderson on May 11. Photo by Diego Abeloos

“We were 2-3 in league and we sat down and talked about the things we needed to do,” Verdugo said. “There were some things we needed to correct as far as coming out and having the right attitude. Even though we lost some games, and they were tough games, we had to fix those mistakes. They had to believe that, ‘okay, we can go out there and we can do it. We can go out there and play, and compete with these guys.’ That’s what they had to realize for themselves.”

Verdugo also noted the contribution from the team’s pitching staff, which featured the likes of Taylor Crawford, Quinn Wafer, Daquioag, Martinez and Bautista. Bautista and Crawford picked up the majority of starts throughout the season, and combined with Daquioag, all three pitchers sported ERAs below 3.50.

“The pitching was very crucial to us,” Verdugo said. “…They were very consistent. They came in and we knew we’d get a good game out of both (Crawford and Bautista) of them. When they came in, we knew we’d have a chance to win.”

With the season at an end, Verdugo said he’s looking forward to seeing the strides his players have made when the team gets ready for next season in January of 2008. The Raiders will lose just two seniors - Andrew Demarest and Sanchez – from this year’s squad.

“Better days are still ahead,” Verdugo said of his young squad. “For the next couple of years, I expect a lot of things out of these guys. That’s what I tell them, ‘I expect more from you; more than you expect from yourself.’ I feel that they can do it, right down to the very last one of them.”

Local track athletes shine at BVAL Finals

Cougars send 19 to CCS semifinals; Cardinals take most medals
at BVAL meet; Silver Creek sends nine to CCS Semis

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Evergreen capped a banner year under first-year coach Jonathan Hubbs with a second place finish in both boys’ and girls’ action at the Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals on May 10 at Mount Pleasant High.

In fact, the track and field team’s sole loss came versus Mount Pleasant on both sides. And while those losses hurt, said Hubbs, since the Cardinals are cross-town rivals, Mount Pleasant is a favorite to vie for the Central Coast Section Division I title.

The Mount Pleasant girls’ 4X100 relay team passes the baton during the 4X100 relay event at the Blossom Valley Athletic League finals at Mount Pleasant High School on May 10. Mount Pleasant set the meet record on the run with a time of 46.54 seconds. Photos by Dan Miranda

“We get a lot of interest in track and cross country at Evergreen,” said Hubbs. “A lot of that has to do with the program that Frank Slaton—who stepped down as coach this year—built. He basically created the whole program.”

Hubbs said that the Cougars benefit from good numbers and will continue to build the track program in coming years.

“When you get a lot of numbers, then you are also getting a lot of talent here,” he said.

Based on the results at league finals, approximately 19 Cougars qualified for the CCS semifinals set to take place at San Jose City College on May 19.

Of the qualifiers, junior hurdler Golde Ibia led the way. She will appear in the 100-meter high hurdles, 300-meter intermediate hurdles, and the 4x100 meter relay events at CCS.

Ibia’s time of 14.04 seconds in the 100-meter high hurdles is currently fifth best in the state of California.

“She is a very positive person to be around,” said Hubbs. “She is good, but she is not arrogant. She is a very positive person to be around. She doesn’t flaunt it.”

Nathan Goodrich, meanwhile, was the top male for Evergreen. The junior qualified for CCS with the ninth best state triple jump mark of the year at 45-feet and 11-inches.

Goodrich will also appear in the quarter-mile race, as well as both relays.

Matt Nelms was impressive also, according to Hubbs, winning the 100 and 200-meter sprint events. Nelms carries the second best CCS mark this season into the semifinal meet, with a 10.93-second time in the 100-meter.

Other Cougar qualifiers include B.J. Miller, Darien Taylor, Laeh Randazzo, Jasmin Taylor, Whitney Garret, Leah Larot, Caroline Pham, Jessica Gonzalez, Melissa Davidson, Candace Marquez, Brianna Straeker, Jalisa Taylor, Erica Arenas, Ryan Thomas, Cameron Duran and Damian Capizzi.

Mount Pleasant takes most medals at BVAL finals
Mount Pleasant ran hard and came away with impressive numbers at the Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals May 10.

The Cardinals dominated in both boys’ and girls’ action, sending more athletes to the Central Coast Section Semifinals than any other school present.

“We are happy that everybody qualified and got through,” said Cardinal head coach Steve Nelson.

In the case of Mount Pleasant, a favorite with its girls’ team to repeat as CCS champions, a poor showing at league meets can take away from outstanding yearlong efforts with a disqualification.

However, no Cardinals fouled, including reigning 100 and 200-meter champ Jeneba Tarmoh, and Vashti Thomas, the state’s 100-meter high hurdle favorite.

In addition to Tarmoh and Thomas, Mount Pleasant qualified both relay teams on the girls’ side, as well as Marshea Brown, Diedra Piedegroo, Camyle Boxton, Stephanie Bautista, Denise Murphy, Asha Jones, Michelle Veracruz and Nicki Kadan.

For the boys, Nick Kuand, Mark Flores, Matt Brown and Victor Martinez all qualified on the 4x100 meter relay team.
Brown, Dexter Sulit and Tony Hong each qualified individually in the 100-meter high hurdle event.

Evergreen's Candice Marquez gets some air during the girls’ long jump event at the Blossom Valley Athletic League finals at Mount Pleasant High School on May 10.

Flores will also appear in the quarter-mile.

Mitchell Fong, Isiah Dugall, Aaron Sulfrod, Anthony Bui, Eric Nguyen and Long Nguyen also all qualified in field events.

“Our off-season program is the huge thing with us,” said Nelson. “Especially with the girls. I would say what we are doing in the off-season is equivalent to what any football team would do, in terms of squats, cleans and dead lifts.”

Nelson noted that weightlifting produces lean muscle mass.

“For the girls to develop that is what has to happen,” said Nelson. “You see girls from other schools level out in their junior and senior year, and that is because they are not in the weight room.”

Nelson called this year’s crop a well-rounded group of kids.

“We have pole vaulters, sprinters, (and) distance runners,” said Nelson. “The boys are not on the level where the girls’ team is as far as state and (being) nationally ranked. But in another year, we will be running for the CCS title.”

Silver Creek sends nine to CCS Semis
Silver Creek will also be represented well at the CCS Semifinals at San Jose City College, predominantly on the boys’ side.

Silver Creek senior Caleb Russom leads the way, qualifying for the boys’ 110-meter hurdles (15.15 seconds at BVAL Finals), the boys’ high jump (6 feet), and the boys’ 300-meter hurdles (42.11 seconds). In addition, Silver Creek junior Ryan Saldivar-Ellison will join Russom in the boys’ 300-meter hurdles (39.88 seconds). Saldivar-Ellison also qualified for the boys’ pole vault (11 feet, 6 inches).

Russom and Saldivar-Ellison aside, the Raiders will also send Darren Sumida (boys’ shot put and boys’ discus), Richard Jennings (boys’ pole vault), Joe Ma (boys’ 100-meter dash), C.J. Nwuzi (boys’ triple jump), Jay Balena (boys’ long jump) and Paulo Semedo (boys’ discus) to the CCS Semifinals at San Jose City College on May 19.

On the girls’ side, Silver Creek’s lone representative at the CCS Semifinal will be Tina Linhsamount, who qualified for the girls’ pole vault with a height of 8 feet at the BVAL Finals.

Evergreen Times editor Diego Abeloos contributed to this report.

Former Evergreen Valley High softball players help lead SJCC Jaguars to Elite Eight State Playoffs

First Baseman Melissa Gonzalez (Evergreen 2002-06) and Outfielder Debra Grijalva (2005-06) already knew each other when they took the field for the San José City College Lady Jaguars.

Both had played at Evergreen Valley High School, but what they didn’t know was that they would be sparkplugs in the SJCC Lady Jags’ drive into the playoffs. This weekend, the Lady Jags will enter the elite eight round of the State Playoffs after dispatching the Ohlone Renegades last weekend by scores of 7-6 and 3-2 in two hard-fought games. The Lady Jags won game one with a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, sparked by Gonzalez, who led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch.

SJCC Lady Jags Debra Grijalva (left) and Melissa Gonzalez (right).

The fourth ranked Lady Jags will head to Southern California to continue their run at the State Championship against the Mount San Antonio Mounties. The team’s playoff success comes on the heels of a year in which the Lady Jags were ranked fourth in Northern California and completed an undefeated conference schedule at 22-0, as well as an overall undefeated home schedule at 26-0.

Both players credit their success to Evergreen Valley High School head softball coach Lisa Baker.

Gonzalez said, “Coach Baker helped me understand the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship. She also knew about the great program here at SJCC and she introduced me to Coach (Debbie) Huntze-Rooney.”  
Grijalva echoed those sentiments about Baker as well.

“Coach Baker taught me the mechanics I needed to become a good softball player,” Grijalva said.

Grijalva was named to the First Team State Team as well as earning All Conference recognition while Gonzalez was named to the All Conference Second Team. Lady Jags.

Coach Huntze-Rooney said, “Melissa and Debra were very important to our team effort. They both came to listen, practice and play. They were great every day of the year.”

The Lady Jags are not only athletically strong, but academically strong as well, ranked 13th in the nation in the past two years by the NFCA (National Fast Pitch Coaches Association) for team academics. The 2006 Lady Jags were ranked second in California with a team GPA of 3.148. In 2006, three Jag student-athletes were named NFCA All American Scholar Athletes.