Spartan girls finally won state
By DAN NIED/Times-Herald sports writer
Posted: 01/03/2009 01:03:59 AM PST
Hogan High's Christine Alcantara, in blue, has the upper hand against Vallejo's Jennifer Fernandez in a 2008 match. Alcantara helped Hogan High finally overcome Vallejo to win the unofficial state championship. (Times-Herald file photo)
Editor's Note: The Times-Herald continues its countdown of the top 10 local sports stories of 2008 with No. 4.
It seemed like their best was never good enough.
For three straight years, Hogan High's girls wrestling team would head to the unofficial girls state tournament, only to be stiff armed by crosstown rival Vallejo.
Second place, way to go. But still not the best girls wrestling program in your own city.
But in 2008, the tables turned dramatically for Hogan. The Spartans found themselves with a bona fide glut of talented wrestlers, and they were just good enough to beat Vallejo when it counted most. The Spartans placed nine wrestlers to Vallejo's four at the Northern California Regional tournamnet, and that momentum carried over into state.
At state, Hogan scored 203 points, while Vallejo fell to fifth place with 125.
"We might have been overshadowed (by Vallejo), but that's kind of what inspired us," said Hogan coach Ric Manibusan It used to be like 'Man, we're going to be behind Vallejo again.' But this year was 'No, we want to beat Vallejo, we want to beat those teams.' You could only settle for so long."
The main power-shifting catalyst between the two schools was obvious. First, Hogan had senior Monica Gonzalez, who had transferred from Vallejo before her junior year. As a senior, Gonzalez won the state championship at
154 pounds and led Hogan to the title she once helped deny them as an Apache.
Meanwhile, Vallejo's top wrestler, Angie Miller -- fresh off a second place finish at the national tournament -- was forced to quit the sport because of injuries.
Ultimately, that gave Hogan an insurmountable advantage.
But Hogan also had fresh talent making its way up. Sophomore Alice Hoover ended up fourth at 114 pounds. Junior Christine Alcantara won Hogan's other individual state title at 98 pounds. Ariana Reyes was sixth at 103 pounds, Dominique Carter was fifth at 189 and Card Parker got to the quarterfinals at heavyweight.
Even without Miller, though, Vallejo had a formidable team, led by Jennifer Fernandez, who would go on to become the first girl to win a match at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters tournament. She took the state championship at 108 pounds.
In the end, Hogan had too much firepower for Vallejo and the rest of the state. They were second best no longer.
Posted: 01/03/2009 01:03:59 AM PST
Hogan High's Christine Alcantara, in blue, has the upper hand against Vallejo's Jennifer Fernandez in a 2008 match. Alcantara helped Hogan High finally overcome Vallejo to win the unofficial state championship. (Times-Herald file photo)
Editor's Note: The Times-Herald continues its countdown of the top 10 local sports stories of 2008 with No. 4.
It seemed like their best was never good enough.
For three straight years, Hogan High's girls wrestling team would head to the unofficial girls state tournament, only to be stiff armed by crosstown rival Vallejo.
Second place, way to go. But still not the best girls wrestling program in your own city.
But in 2008, the tables turned dramatically for Hogan. The Spartans found themselves with a bona fide glut of talented wrestlers, and they were just good enough to beat Vallejo when it counted most. The Spartans placed nine wrestlers to Vallejo's four at the Northern California Regional tournamnet, and that momentum carried over into state.
At state, Hogan scored 203 points, while Vallejo fell to fifth place with 125.
"We might have been overshadowed (by Vallejo), but that's kind of what inspired us," said Hogan coach Ric Manibusan It used to be like 'Man, we're going to be behind Vallejo again.' But this year was 'No, we want to beat Vallejo, we want to beat those teams.' You could only settle for so long."
The main power-shifting catalyst between the two schools was obvious. First, Hogan had senior Monica Gonzalez, who had transferred from Vallejo before her junior year. As a senior, Gonzalez won the state championship at
154 pounds and led Hogan to the title she once helped deny them as an Apache.
Meanwhile, Vallejo's top wrestler, Angie Miller -- fresh off a second place finish at the national tournament -- was forced to quit the sport because of injuries.
Ultimately, that gave Hogan an insurmountable advantage.
But Hogan also had fresh talent making its way up. Sophomore Alice Hoover ended up fourth at 114 pounds. Junior Christine Alcantara won Hogan's other individual state title at 98 pounds. Ariana Reyes was sixth at 103 pounds, Dominique Carter was fifth at 189 and Card Parker got to the quarterfinals at heavyweight.
Even without Miller, though, Vallejo had a formidable team, led by Jennifer Fernandez, who would go on to become the first girl to win a match at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters tournament. She took the state championship at 108 pounds.
In the end, Hogan had too much firepower for Vallejo and the rest of the state. They were second best no longer.
