Boys and girls from this year's spring sports act tough for the camera.

A great year for the Grizzlies
Marissa Martinez | 05/19/08 | Sports Wrap up

With just less than a month of school, the 2008 season is coming to an end as well.

This year’s varsity softball team started off with a real kick as varsity girls soccer coach Gabe Rodriguez took on the team. Practices were on Saturday’s and everyday of the week as girls pushed their physical limits everyday.

Senior players Natalie Garcia, Sarah Blackburn, Sabrina Hernandez, and Kari Burroughs wanted nothing more than to take the softball team as far as possible.

“It was a good year, but it could have been better,” Garcia said.

But, even with all the support of friends and family the Lady Grizzlies couldn’t make it into play-offs this season. The ladies went with an overall record of 9-16 and EYL (East Yosemite League) record of 4-8.

Batting leaders this year were outfielder Stephanie Fletcher with a .417, first baseman Hernandez with a .357, shortstop Stacie Compos with a .286, and outfielder MaryKate McAleavey – Herrera with a .282. This year’s homerun leader was Hernandez with three over the fence homers.

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Boys baseball had their hopes high, but weren’t able to make playoffs (EYL 1-11 and overall were 6-17).

Lead hitters this year were junior pitcher Jason Tredway with three homeruns, senior Stephen Dummer with three homeruns, and Alex Lamb with one.  

“We had rocky games this year,” Lamb said. “Next year we’ll be ready to play though.”

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This year’s varsity tennis had a real push from varsity coach Randy Smee. The Grizzlies took third in EYL and had their first valley team match.

Tom Yang, Will Neal, Anthony Tiernan, D.J Tiernan, Dean Blackstone, Johnny Yang, Ben Jetter, and Josh Dewitt all went to Valley. In Valley the Grizzlies only lost by one, 5-4.

“This was one of the best years we have had,” Smee said.   

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Varsity track coach Chris Ross pushed one freshman to do her best this year. Freshman Katie Taylor ran the 400 meter race in Valley this year, but didn’t place in the top.

“It was a great experience to go to Valley,” Taylor said. “I’m only a freshman, so overall I have time to grow as a runner.”

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As a whole the Granite Hills golf team wasn’t at their top of their game this year with a record of 0-12, EYL. But, sophomore Joel Jacuinde really made history this year when he qualified to go to EYL and area.

Jacuinde shot an 89 at the Tulare golf course under windy conditions. When he went to the area meet in Lemore, he shot an 82, missing the cut off for Valley by just two strokes. He is considered one of the top 20 golfers in EYL this year.
 
“Next year is going to be a better year,” Jacuinde said. “I have improved tons and I am proud of myself, my team played well too.”

On June ninth and 10th the Stevinson Golf Ranch will help any golf players that are willing to become better players. This exclusive ranch is only for Granite Hills golfers and is located between Medesto/ Mercede. If anyone has any questions please contact Mr. Coldiron.

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Anna Griggs is not only an outstanding diver she is an outstanding tennis player that had a few scholarship offers over her high school career. Griggs and Chance Ballew both went to EYL this year. Griggs took first place and Ballew, a first year diver, placed fifth.

Griggs and Ballew went to Valley this year and did very well, but didn’t place in the top.

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Juliane Wright, Sal Ramirez, Doug Maynor, Austin Jones, and Erik Bartlett who went to the Valley division II swim meet in Bakersfield. They were the only Grizzlies to go to EYL this year. Wright took first in all of her events and Manyor got seventh in the freestyle swim.