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SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD

(Doc: Sentinel athlete of year)

WINNERS FROM SCHS FROM 1977

GIRLS

1977 Evonne Sandas

1988 Tammy King

1991 Diane Gergen

1993 Kenna Karst

1995 Kelly Kaiser

2003 Andrea Woliczko

BOYS

1986 Johnny Johnson

1993 Reggie Stephens

1994 Reggie Stephens, Jermaine Robinson

2005 Junior Russell

SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL ACADEMIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

AWARD FROM SCHS FROM 1986

GIRLS

1987 Lynette Mungai

BOYS

2005 Will Wetmore

 

 

SENTINEL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR.
(Doc: Sentinel athletes yr 09)

We all have our favorite moments. For whatever reason, they create memories that resonate with us ahead of the hundreds of other games. Assistant Sports Editor Ryan Moses most fondly remembers the SC girls basketball team winning the CCS title. Monte Vista Christians baseball team, coached by SCHS alumni Don Keathley, improbable run to the CCS final was the highlight of the year for Senior Writer Jim Seimas. For Sports Editor Julie Jag, it was watching 17 year old Nat Young win the Cold Water Classic surfing title at Steamer Lane.

More than the events, though, the athletes are what made those moments special. So here is the Sentinel’s salute to those Santa Cruz County standouts who made the greatest impact in their sports and in our minds.

Only SC athletes are listed

SENTINEL BOY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Zeke Sanders, Football and Track and Field. Sanders was a standout running back and receiver on the football team and state qualifier in two events in track. On the football field, he finished the season with 17 touchdowns and was named the SCCAL C0-MVP. Sanders, also is a standout safety, signed a letter of intent to play for Oregon State of the PAC 10.

He averaged 7.1 yards per carry, more than any other rusher in the county with at least 500 yards. He finished with 680 yards and nine touchdowns on 96 carries. He averaged 16.3 yards per receptions, hauled in 19 passes for 310 yards and six touchdowns. He scored a total of 186 points in his final two seasons.

As a junior, he returned from injury to score the game winning touchdown in the CCS Small School championship, bringing the Cards their first title in the sport. Sanders had made the state track championships twice in the 100 meters and once in the 200. He also won three straight SCCAL 100 meter titles and two 200 titles.

A finalist in the 100 at state, Sanders ran a 10.86 race for ninth place. He qualified for the finals with a personal best 10.68 race.

Questions for Zeke Sanders. What was your favorite high school sports moment? “Definitely winning ‘The Stump football game’ my sophomore season. It was amazing. We came back from a three touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to win. Everyone rushed the field. It was pretty nuts.

Why did you choose Oregon State? “It was a fit from Day 1. I’ve always been a fan of Oregon State. The coaches were perfect for me. And I wasn’t into doing the big city thing, I’m into hunting … and it’s PAC 10 ball.

When was the last time you were intimidated on the field? When I was a sophomore on varsity, we went to Pacific Grove and they had big strong running back. I was playing corner at about 160 pounds and he ran a sweep and delivered a nice hit on me.

Why do you play sports? “It’s really enjoyable and I have fun at it. it’s just a game, but you learn a lot from it. You also gain friends and it helps keep your body in shape.”

What are your athletic goals in college” I want to be successful. I don’t have one set goal. I just wand to go out and make an impact on the team. Jim Seimas.

BEST GIRLS OF THE YEAR

LAUREN MILLER: senior, soccer. SCCAL Player of the Year. Led SC to the CCS finals with 27 goals.

GIANNA TINETTI: junior, track and field and basketball. Guided Cardinals to CCS title in basketball and reached CCS final in the long jump.

BEST BOYS OF THE YEAR would include Zeke Sanders athlete of the year.

GIRLS SCHOLAR ATHLETES. BRIGHTEST OF THE YEAR.

ALYSSA ROBERG: tennis. Dropped only one match on her way to winning four career SCCAL singles titles. Carried a 4.0 GPA.

No SC boys were included as a scholar athlete by the Sentinel, but that doesn’t mean there were none

YEAR IN REVIEW: 2008-2009

Nov. 4. SC tennis player Alyssa Roberg won her fourth straight SCCAL tennis title with a 6-4, 7-5 win in the finals. She lost only one match in league play in all four years.

Nov. 16. Brennan Lynch wins a share of the CCS Division IV cross country title, finishing in 15:38 and qualifying for state.

Jan. 30. SC clinches the SCCAL boys soccer championship early in league play. They pounded Scotts Valley 4-0 to start their way to a perfect 12-0 league record.

Feb. 5. SC girls soccer team closes out its third CCS championship in as many years with a win against Aptos 3-1, putting a cap on its 11-0-1 undefeated league record.

Feb. 28 SC girls soccer team reaches CCS final, but lose to Sacred Heart Prep.

March 8. SC girls basketball team sails by Mercy of San Francisco to win the CCS Division IV championship 42-32, cruising through the tournament with an average margin of 11 points.

March 22. Aptos won the Red Bull Riders Surf Cup Regional championship by beating SC 67.4-65.8 at Pleasure Point.

May 29. Sprinter Zeke Sanders finishes second in the 100 meter dash and third in the 200 at CCS to advance to the state meet.

May 30. The MBL co-champion Monte Vista baseball team, coached by former SC catcher Don Keathley, defeated SCCAL winner Scotts Valley 2-1 in eight innings in the second round of CCS Division III play. Then fell to a late charge by Palma of the Tri-County League 7-6 in the finals.

June 6. Zeke Sanders becomes the first SC athlete to make the state finals in 40 years. He took ninth in the 100 meters. (this is not correct. SC had participants in the 80’s)