With their winter sports seasons off and running, a number of Grossmont High School teams have their eyes on CIF prizes.
Girls’ water polo
In girls’ water polo action, head coach Danielle Cook’s team went an outstanding 24-7 (8-0 league play) a season ago. They finished runner-up in the Open Division, going further than any previous team in the Grossmont Union District.
According to Cook, some key members this season look to be senior Sarah Niskey (utility), senior Camden Conrad (guard, set), senior Ameila Braun (set and strong side) and junior Hadde Hall (utility).
“Our goals as a team this season is to win league for the third year in a row,” Cook stated. “We always want to do better each season. Winning a CIF title has always been the top of the list for this amazing group of athletes.”
Boys’ soccer
In boys’ soccer action, the Foothillers finished 8-10 a season ago for head coach Jeff Harns. That was after beginning the season with a 1-8 record.
The team ended up winning the Grossmont Hills League and made the playoffs, falling to Oceanside High.
According to Harns, some key members of this year’s team will include sophomore Parker Vanderburgh (forward), senior Zeke Maleno (forward/midfield) and senior Owen McCulloch (midfield).
“Our goal this year is to compete for a league championship again,” Harns commented. “We want to not just make the playoffs but advance into the later rounds. We want to build on the momentum from the end of last season.”
Boys’ basketball
On the hardwood, Grossmont boys’ basketball under head coach Jacob Ober went 18-13 a season ago, finishing 8-2 in league play.
The Foothillers won their league crown and made it to the semifinals of the CIF’s where they lost to eventual champ San Dieguito.
According to Ober, key players this season look to be senior forward Tavian Coleman, senior forward Isaiah Fairchild, senior guard Elijah Qunitero, junior guard Adrian Contreras and junior guard Justin Brown.
“Our goals for the season are to become the best teammates and student-athletes we can be,” Ober commented. “We want to do that by playing hard in practice and in games. Staying focused in the classroom and on the court. And being good people in the community and at school. As it is every year, our on-court goal is to compete for a league championship and then see if we can make a run in CIF playoffs.”
Girls’ basketball
In girls’ basketball play, head coach Grace Campbell’s squad went 14-6 a season ago with a first-round appearance in the playoffs.
According to Campbell, some key players this season look to include senior guard Kaylee Cole, senior forward Domineece Silvels (pictured above) and junior guard Kellan Hayden.
“Our goals remain the same, which is continue to improve, build the program and of course make a run in the playoffs,” Campbell stated.
Girls’ soccer
In girls’ soccer play, Grossmont is led by head coach Carrie Taylor.
Taylor noted some key players to look to this season would be senior cornerback/forward and captain Ashlee Austin, senior defender and captain Bridget Wilson and junior wing Guliana Balistreri.
“Goals for the season are to win our league, develop more tactically, and enjoy the season,” Taylor stated.
Wrestling
* On the wrestling mat, Grossmont under head coach Aaron Anderson has a fairly young and inexperienced team with several first-year wrestlers and only a few veterans.
“Our more inexperienced wrestlers are picking up the sport rather quickly and showing a ton of promise to improve this season, possibly fill in some of our varsity weight classes and show the Grossmont League and SD County wrestling that we will have some really good competitors throughout this season and for the next several seasons,” Anderson stated.
This season, the junior varsity squad wrestled at a tough Valhalla tournament and finished fifth overall. Grossmont brought some of those jayvee wrestlers to the recent Mira Mesa Varsity Tournament where they finished in 10th place out of 30 teams with only 10 scoring wrestlers out of a potential 14. The Foothillers had two wrestlers place in the top four at their respective weight classes at Mira Mesa.
Last year, Grossmont finished in last place in the Grossmont Hills League having only six true varsity wrestlers out of 14 weight classes.
“Our goals for this season were to increase our athlete numbers (which we have done), build towards the end of season CIF tournament and be extremely competitive at our League Dual Meets,” Anderson continued. “The same six varsity wrestlers competed and finished as a team in the top 11 at every tournament, which is impressive considering they didn’t have a full varsity roster. Four of the six were CIF placers and Masters qualifiers.”
Last year’s Grossmont girls’ competitors we had their first girls CIF champion, a CIF runner-up and two more CIF placers. All four qualified for Masters where they had a Master’s runner- up and a third place finish. Both girls qualified for the state tournament where Kyli Stanley finished in the top 16 with a 2-2 record. Chloe Tolentino finished in the top 24 with a 1-2 record at the States.
According to Anderson, this year’s girls to watch include: junior Evelyn Escobedo (121) and sophomore Melony Galeana-Hernandez (160, 170).
Anderson also noted some key wrestlers to keep an eye on this season include: junior Caleb Osegueda (113, 120), junior Isaac Osegueda (120, 126), junior Jacob Barnes 126), sophomore Brian Stevens (132, 138), sophomore Mason Emerson (138), junior Alfredo Gomez (138, 145), sophomore Alex Resico (145), sophomore Nikolas Gayda (152, 160), sophomore Leo Virgen-Gonzalez (152, 160), junior Luke Freeman (182), senior Jakob Smith (195), senior Abdullah Arabyet (220, 285), junior Caleb Smith (285) and junior Samuel Adame (285).
