Photos by Michael Ramirez
Special team awards winners for the Gonzales High boys track team were, from left: Dominic Emery, Jacob Amador, Hernan Mojica, Pedro Ramirez, Pablo Villasenor, Damian Acosta, Isaiah Castillo, Angel Anguiano and Jorge Manriquez. Below, Special team award winners for the Gonzales High girls track and field team were: Veronica Rodriguez, Alyssa Martinez, Isabel Mendoza, Leslie Hernandez, Bianca Sanchez, Madisyn Schweitzer, Cecilia Espinoza, Athena Landeros and Ashley Ochoa.
GONZALES — A night of food and memories was shared by the Gonzales High track and field program with friends and families on May 31 at the annual team banquet and awards night. The packed house enjoyed a meal of stuffed baked potatoes and desserts to kick off the event.
Head coach Margie Daniels opened the event with a senior night presentation to honor the 17 athletes that will graduating this week and have spent the past few years running, jumping and throwing for the Spartans team.
The athletes were introduced and escorted down the aisle of the cafeteria with family or friends after receiving personalized posters that honored their achievements.
“This is the largest group of seniors I have had here at Gonzales,” said Daniels. “I will miss them and I thank them for being loyal to the team.”
After presenting team members with certificates, pins, and block Gs, athletes received recognition for their achievement in the classroom as many were given certificates for high grade point averages from Gonzales High and the Central Coast Section.
Special team awards were then presented to the following girls team members: Isabel Mendoza (Sportsmanship Award); Alyssa Martinez and Bianca Sanchez (Spartan Award); Veronica Rodriguez (Rising Star); Madisyn Schweitzer and Leslie Hernandez (Coaches Award); Cecilia Espinoza (Most Improved); Athena Landeros (Most Outstanding Athlete); and Ashley Ochoa (Most Valuable Performer).
Boys special team awards winners were: Jacob Amador (Most Improved); Angel Anguiano and Jorge Manriquez (Coaches Award); Pedro Ramirez and Isaiah Castillo (Rising Star); Dominic Emery (Most Outstanding Athlete); Hernan Mojica and Damian Acosta (Spartan Award); and Pablo Villasenor (Most Valuable Performer).
Coach Daniels presented CCS certificates to the boys 4 x 100 relay team of Emery, Acosta, Manriquez, and Mojica; high jumper Eric Correa, and Villasenor as a shot and discus thrower. Correa and the relay team competed in the section semifinals and Villasenor competed in the semifinals and placed seventh at the CCS championships in the shot put. Villasenor was the Mission Trail Athletic League champion in the shot put and discus.
