The ten-month high school sports season was filled with milestones, historic runs, and unforgettable memories that will be remembered for years to come. It all began with Peyton Hutten’s record-breaking five touchdowns at Rancho San Juan in August, and Logan Saludeto finishing second in the long jump at Parma in June.
In football, Hutten set a record pace with over 1,800 rushing yards in 10 games and 35 touchdowns, leading Rancho San Juan to an impressive 8-2 season and the Gavilan district title. Salinas, led by quarterback Adam Shaffer and Nysiah Hunter, took home their fifth consecutive Gavilan Division title.
Soledad had a school-record nine-game win streak to clinch the Cypress title, culminating in a thrilling overtime victory against St. Francis. Monterey’s new coach Alex Bessaud brought discipline and raised four sophomores who dominated the field.
In women’s sports, Salinas won the Gavilan Division volleyball title for the umpteenth time, Pacific Grove won their first basketball title in nine years, and Stevenson took home their first women’s water polo championship. In individual sports, sophomore golfer Nikki Iniakov led Stevenson to a third-place finish in the section finals and a state tournament qualification.
The spring season saw Leighton Alonso go undefeated in 17 singles matches for Monterey’s tennis team and Cameron Rodgers set a new school record for the 500-yard swim in Carmel. Sebastien D’Aste took home the Volleyball Division Most Valuable Player award and helped Carmel’s Gavilan district win their sixth consecutive title.
Stevenson continued their 30-year dominance in men’s lacrosse, Carmel won their eighth CCS baseball title and advanced to the Northern California Division III semifinals, and Vilanova’s Torrent Tool took the Pirates to uncharted waters.
Individual athletes also had incredible seasons, with Juliette Cosmont making her second straight state 100m and Parma’s Logan Saludeto finishing second in the state finals for the long jump. The season was filled with excitement, hard work, and unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come.