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Liberty softball team honors seniors
Liberty softball player Shelby Hunt was just one of the team’s seniors recently honored for their four-year contributions to the program. Photo courtesy of Stacie Del Chiaro
The Press continues its look at the archived athletic moments and feats that frame history and provide much-needed sports action during this pandemic-induced stoppage of play.
2019
Heritage High School sophomore pitcher Christian Machado threw six shutout innings, and the Patriots’ offense broke through in the first and fourth innings to secure Heritage’s 4-0 win over Freedom High School in the first round of the North Coast Section baseball playoffs.
“I think our pitcher was working so hard they wanted to take the pressure off of him a little bit, which they ended up doing,” said Heritage head coach Kevin Brannan of his team’s hitters.
2018
The Pittsburg, Heritage and Liberty track and field teams finished first, second and third, respectively, in both the boys’ and girls’ varsity sections of the Bay Valley Athletic League meet at Pittsburg High School.
The host Pirates claimed victory in 14 individual events including all four relays. Freshman Ariane Nelson, senior Tatiana Crayton, senior Triniti McCutchen and sophomore Trinity Bolden combined to win the girls’ 4x100 relay. Bolden, Crayton, junior Elizabeth Hernandez and Nelson
Diving into Press archives: A look back at the best
The Liberty High School’s varsity softball team’s seniors may have missed out on most of their final season due to the COVID-19 shelter-inplace restrictions, but nothing could stop their teammates and coaches from finding a way to honor their four-year contributions.
The Lions recently caravanned to each of the team’s six seniors’ homes to individually acknowledge their achievements.
The squad’s senior stars, Mackenzie Boone, Aiko Sherman, Shelby Hunt, Kristela Villanueva, Jessica Topor and Sawyer Stoddard were each recognized with balloons, flowers, gifts and cards.
“These six have been with me since their freshman year, and they have grown so much, and I am proud of each and every one of them,” said Liberty head coach Stacie Del Chiaro. “These six have accomplished a lot in the four years at Liberty, not only on the field, but off the field as well. They are super smart and were able to balance academics and athletics.”
The senior six and the rest of the squad began playing without spectators in early March, and then, a few games into the season, play was suspended indefinitely — just days later.
California’s high school sports governing body officially canceled the spring sports season in early April.
But the seniors’ accumulated success remains. • Boone, who played both in the infield and outfield, hit .216 with 24 hits, 11 runs and seven RBI in 40 games for the Lions in her career. • Sherman, also an infielder and outfielder, hit .250 with 19 hits, 15 runs and six RBI in 35 games. • Hunt, an outfielder, hit a career .350 with 28 hits, 19 runs and seven RBI. • Villanueva, a pitcher, had a stellar 2.82 ERA, with 191 strikeouts in 236 career innings. • Topor, also a versatile player, hit .280 in her career, with 21 hits, 12 runs and seven RBI. • Stoddard, an infielder and outfielder, hit .263 in three seasons, with 25 hits, 11 runs and seven RBI.
“They have a bright future ahead of them, and even though this is a little road block and hiccup, this will not define them, but it will make them stronger,” Del Chiaro said. “If they can overcome this and move forward with positive attitudes and upbeat spirits, they can get through anything.”
Press File Photo
Heritage High School sophomore pitcher Christian Machado helped the Patriots defeat Freedom 4-0 in the North Coast Section Baseball Championships in 2019.
won the 4x400 relay.
2017
Heritage High School freshman tennis player Seiya Duran made school history at the North Coast Section (NCS) championship, when he defeated James Logan’s Phillip Lopar to become the first Heritage singles player to win a match in an NCS singles tournament.
Duran, who won 6-4, 6-2, also went on to defeat Monte Vista’s Josh Hertz 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, before falling to Dougherty Valley’s Kevin Ma 6-0, 6-1. Duran finished fourth in the tournament after injuring himself in the third-place match against De La Salle’s Danny Nomura.
The only other BVAL singles player to advance to the tournament was Freedom High Schools’s Kyle Matabuena. He fell to James Logan’s Kobe Tran 6-0, 6-0, in the first round.
2016
At the Wild West bass tournament at Big Break Marina, Douglas Jones and Joe Bitker walked away with the first-place, $5,800 prize, after bagging seven fish weighing a total of 32.13 pounds.
“We found two spots,” Bitker said. “We worked it hard. People were coming through, blowing through it, and we just slowed down and drop-shotted. In the morning, we caught one on a rat, then we started drop-shotting. We caught five good ones, two small ones and a bunch of small(er) ones after that. We had fun.”
2015
The competitive dance team from Fabulous Feet Dance and Athletics Studio received all-platinum awards at its Star Systems Dance competition in San Jose, including first overall for its lyrical dance routine. Star teachers De
see History page 17
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Former
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School water polo star Lindsey Heaney, now playing for Concordia University Irvine, was recently named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Division II Women’s Varsity All-America Team. Heaney, who graduated from Liberty in 2016, ranks fourth in scoring and seventh in recorded steals in program history, according to a news release. Her season stats were unavailable as of press time. Like other athletic programs, the team’s season was cut short in March. The squad played only 10 games. Photo courtesy of Concordia University Irvine
History from page 16
nise Williams and Kimberley Karbowski also received Top Teacher awards.
2014
The Warriors Elite sixth-grade girls AAU squad was off to a hot start. The team was 13-0, including tournament wins in Rocklin, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Hanford. The team was comprised of Paige Zieman, Kennedy Fountain, Jayme Blackard; Kali Hurtado; Abby Muse, Skylar Tyson, Stephanie Redding, Sierra Barnett and Ashlyn Drewry. The team was coached by Mark Hurtado, Chris Zieman and Doug Muse.
2013
The Delta River Rats 10U team swept the competition in the NorCal Cup Series, going undefeated in all three tournaments they played throughout the season. The River Rats finished with an impressive 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks in the NorCal Cup finals to take home the gold. Goalie Drake Daley was named Top Goalie, and Jack Wedoski and Dominic “Boogie” Hofferber took the Fastest Skater and Top Sniper awards in the skills competition.
by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Name: Ryan Jackson School: Heritage High School Sport: Baseball Year: Senior Coach: Kevin Brannan About:
Brentwood resident Ryan Jackson has been playing baseball his whole life. His parents started him with tee ball at the age of 4, then moved him to a travel ball team when he was 8. Jackson has loved every minute of it.
“I love all the different people I get to meet,” Jackson said. “I love the competition and ... I’ve met a lot of good people through baseball, people who have inspired me to get better.”
Jackson, a noted shortstop and pitcher, has worked hard to get where he is. In addition to practice, he spends four to five days a week strength-training in the weight room and two days a week conditioning. He said the desire to play well is as important to a good player as his skill.
“It takes heart to be great,” Jackson said. “Skill is there, but heart will push you through everything; your hard work and dedication takes you through everything.” Future Plans:
Jackson has already signed to play with the University of Nevada in Reno.
Photo by Dawnmarie Fehr
He said he is still considering his options for a degree and may arrive undeclared. A degree would be a backup plan, though — Jackson intends to play Major League Baseball. Coach’s Quote:
“Ryan is a very gifted player. What makes him so good is his work ethic.”
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Josh Robins
Heritage High School We are very proud of you! We cannot wait to see what lies ahead of you as you enter into a new chapter of your life. Love, Mom, Dad and Sis
