Overview: Grossmont High spring sports
“Our goal for the remainder of the season is to get as many of our players into the post-season as possible,” Curiel stated.
With the spring scholastic sports season winding down, a number of Grossmont High School teams are in pursuit of championships.
On the baseball diamond, the Foothillers under head coach Andre Simpson were 8-8 heading into recent action.
According to Simpson, key players have included senior pitcher Jesse McCormick, senior third baseman Trey Crawford, senior first baseman Max Tufugafale, junior center fielder Logan Struck, junior catcher Tyler Holmes, and freshman shortstop/second baseman Dominic Guerra.
“The goals for us the rest of the season are to continue to work hard and be aggressive at the plate,” Simpson said. “We also want to be pitching to walk fewer players and continue attacking the plate. One big goal is to make the playoffs and see what happens when we are in the dance.”
On the softball diamond, Grossmont headed into recent play with a record of 9-5-1 under head coach Jerry Lerud.
Leurd noted players to watch include junior shortstop Madison Busch, junior pitcher/center fielder/infielder Saraya Roope, freshman pitcher and center fielder Sahara Roope, and freshman first baseman Drew Winchester.
“Our main goal is to win CIF and on the way win the league,” Lerud commented.
In boys’ lacrosse action, head coach Ian Maunsell’s team was looking at a 5-6 record recently.
Key members of the team, according to Maunsell, include senior midfielder Rylan Symmons, senior attacker AJ Wilcher, freshman attacker Keoni Lewin, and sophomore long stick midfielder Uriah Salas.
“We are heading into league play this week with three of the four teams in the league all ranked within five spots of one another, so it looks to be highly competitive down the home stretch,” Maunsell said.
“Our goal is to win the Grossmont Valley league and head into the playoffs with a home game.”
In girls’ lacrosse play, Grossmont was sitting at 10-1 for head coach Jordan Alcarez.
“Some key members of our team so far this season include freshman Morgan Symmons, who leads the team in scoring with 56 goals,” Alcarez said. “Our goalie and one of our senior team captains, Kaydon Casner, has been a strong presence in the cage with 90 saves so far this season.
“Senior and team captain Emma Wuertz, along with junior Mia Osuna, have also been key contributors, leading the team in draw controls, with Mia recording 38 and Emma adding 28.”
“Looking ahead, our goal for the remainder of the season is to continue competing as one of the top teams in the Grossmont Valley League and to earn a spot in the Division III CIF playoffs for the second year in a row,” Alcarez added.
In boys’ tennis action, head coach Bobby Godoy’s squad was sitting at 8-0 in league play and 11-6 overall, with regular-season play finished.
“Key team members are Gavin Ferris (sophomore), who has a league singles winning percentage of 86% with a 19-3 record, Shane Dickinson (senior), and Hunter Dreyer (junior), who have a league doubles winning percentage of 95% with a record of 22-1,” Godoy said.
“The regular season is over, so our current goals are to compete and do well in the league tournament and CIF the following two weeks.”
All three seniors (Shane Dickinson, Jesus Soto, and Nicolas Calsada) were undefeated in their respective matches on Senior Day last week against El Cajon High School.
In swimming action, head coaches Briana Reynolds and Phil Cook have their eyes set on leagues and CIF action.
The boys’ team was sitting recently at 5-1 overall (2-1 in league action).
Some key members to date include senior captains Reilly Reynolds and Jackson Meyer; seniors Peter Nelson, Keola Nakamura, and Nathan Bennett; juniors Jackson Coplin and Nathan French; sophomores Aramis Willet and Connor Williams, and junior diver Billy Maurer.
In girls’ action, Grossmont was at 2-4 overall, 1-2 in league competition.
Key members to date have included captains Helena Campbell and Anabella VanCotthem; junior Melina Raymond; and sophomores Taylor Smith and Gabby Meyer. Top divers are senior Kennedy Moe (undefeated in the league so far) and sophomore Keahi Nakamura.
Both head coaches noted, “Our goals for both teams are to have some great swims at league finals in two weeks and have our athletes make second swims in both leagues and CIF.”
In track and field competition, the boys’ and girls’ teams were a combined 10-2 heading into this week.
Jillian Dawson, head coach of the girls’ squad, noted, “Sophomore thrower Miley Christenson continues to excel, breaking our school record with a 40’3″ throw in the shot put ring.
Senior Gabi Thomas has a heavy weight on her shoulders following a fourth-place finish at state finals last year. She has risen to the occasion with a new school record in her 300m hurdles. She is also an integral part of our 4×100 and 4×400 teams, which have broken school records and continue to improve.
Pole vaulters Torin Sotelo (junior) and Will Smith (senior) have broken every vaulting record at Grossmont this season. Torin has achieved 16 feet 6 inches, while Will topped 15′ 8″ to finish in fifth-place at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational.
“Our goals for the rest of the season align with how we began: compete at the highest level possible for our athletes for as long as possible,” Dawson said. “As we approach the end of the season, many of our athletes have a legitimate shot at the state finals in Clovis, the ultimate goal for high school athletes. Finishing the season in good standing not only in our league but across the county remains an important part of our program.”
In boys’ volleyball action, head coach Aaron French’s team was sitting at 8-8 overall, tied for first place in the Grossmont Valley League at 3-1.
According to French, key players have included sophomore outside hitter Madden Ruiz, junior middle blocker and outside hitter Rhyden Doering, and senior setter Sajad Shirzai.
“We have been developing some young players the past two years and are starting to come together,” French said. “We started off the season not doing very well, but we have really turned things around. We are hoping to continue to improve and win the league.”
On the boys’ golf links, Grossmont for head coach Christian Curiel was at 2-10 recently.
Curiel noted key members include senior Titus Jackson, junior Jonah yost, and sophomore Kane Mills.
“Our goal for the remainder of the season is to get as many of our players into the post-season as possible,” Curiel said.
Editor’s note: All varsity spring sports head coaches were asked to provide information for this article.
