Esparto High School Athletics expanded its reach well beyond Yolo County this week in three respective boys sports.
For the first time in program history, the varsity golf team has qualified for the playoffs that begin next week. Meanwhile on Wednesday night, three Spartan seniors signed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Golf
The Esparto golf team, led by first-year head coach Tom Nelson, clinched a berth in the Division VI CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Divisional Tournament with a 9-2 overall record.
“The regular season was fantastic for us. It started off a little turbulent, our best player (Cohen Sihapanya) ended up breaking his ankle. We fought through some adversity. New kids got a chance to come out and play to fill in some match spots,” Nelson recalled. “In our second match against Vacaville Christian, (Sihapanya) slipped on the sixth (hole) at Yocha walking off the back of it.”
Nelson was a right-handed golfer at Dixon High School from 1997-2000 and is now building the Spartans program from the ground up.
“I never made it to this tournament,” Nelson recalled. “I’m thrilled for the kids and to be coaching in it.”
The roster includes: seniors, Noah Cox, Aaron Lopez and Aaron Valenzuela; juniors, Sihapanya, Xavi Camargo, Manny Covarrubias, Diego Soltero, Leo Tafolla and Angell Torres; and sophomore Jonah Barnes.
“We had Lopez and Valenzuela, two kids that were on the soccer team, come out a few times and practice. Once Cohen got hurt, it forced me as a coach to look deeper at what was there and develop players,” Nelson explained. “We had some rotational spots open. Cohen was the top returner from last year with the most experience. He qualified individually for the Divisional playoffs.”
Lopez and Valenzuela weren’t the only athletes to go from the pitch to the course, being joined by Covarrubias and Soltero. Lopez and Soltero each received individual recognition recently as members of the All-Sierra Delta League team, which is based on scoring average.
“Valenzuela is the secret star of the golf team,” Nelson proclaimed. “The four soccer players were the anchor of the team. They legitimately have had the best scoring averages and competed in the most tournaments. All four of those kids are first-year golfers and I don’t think any of them had played a full 18 on a golf course prior to February.”
Nelson made it clear that Esparto would not have had as much success this season without its supporters from golf courses like Davis Municipal, Wild Wings and Yocha Dehe.
“Honestly, it was a whole group effort. People donated clubs,” Nelson explained. “These kids did all of this with borrowed clubs. They don’t even have their own sets but went out and beat kids with full sets that have played golf.”
The Spartans’ tournament competition Monday in Elverta includes Woodland Christian. The Yolo County rivals tee it up at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at Cherry Island Golf Course. According to Nelson, the six starters will be: Barnes, Covarrubias, Lopez, Soltero, Tafolla and Valenzuela.
“We’re going to play very loose and compete the same way that we always have, one shot and hole at a time,” Nelson foreshadowed. “You don’t worry about your score, just hit the shot that is in front of you. I have all the confidence in the world that the student-athletes are going to compete the same way they have previously.”
Signing day
On Wednesday evening in Esparto, three seniors put pen to paper and agreed to compete at the next level. Antonio Seastrunk will play football at Sierra College in Rocklin.
“Seastrunk is set to shine as a linebacker at Sierra,” stated Spartans athletic director Juan Juarez. “Coach Carr praises Antonio as a dedicated, hardworking and passionate mentor to younger athletes. He’s also a top-notch student-athlete who welcomes constructive criticism and is poised to excel at Sierra College.”
The Esparto boys varsity soccer team won the D6 CIF SJS title in February and two Spartans will continue to play on the pitch in college. The reigning SDL Offensive MVP, Valenzuela, is headed to Folsom Lake College.
“Valenzuela is hailed by coach (Brad) Brinegar and I as a stellar student and phenomenal athlete,” explained Juarez, who was also soccer co-head coach. “Leading in both goals and assists, Aaron’s playoff performance showcased his prowess, setting a high standard for future Esparto community student-athletes.”
After graduation in June, two-time SDL Defensive MVP David Fuentes will join fellow Esparto alumni, Guillermo Avina and Jose Gomez, at Woodland Community College. Fuentes is joining a formidable roster that won its league title in the inaugural season, led by coach Andres Olmedo.
“Fuentes, recognized for his defensive prowess, leaves a void in the backline,” Juarez stated. “David’s leadership both on and off the field sets him apart. Joining fellow Spartans at WCC, he’s poised to continue his soccer journey.”
