THEMVCSVISTA
Monte Vista Christian School Newspaper
MVC Mustangs Sports Section
WATSONVILLE -- As the season begins, Monte Vista Christian’s baseball team is hoping this is the year when the program gets back to the form of its 2009 and 2012 seasons.
And, given his squad’s raw talent, speed and power, coach Don Keathley thinks that can happen.
“2016 is a lot like 2012 and 2009,” Keathley said. “The guys that make up this roster have more talent and drive to play than any other year. I believe this could be our year to get back on track and win league and even make a good run for a (Central Coast Section) title.”
In 2009, when Keathley arrived, the Mustangs’ made it to the CCS Division 3 title game. A tradition of winning was started.
Keathley had come into a program with beaten down players who had no drive or love for the game anymore due to the previous coach. Keathley had a lot of hearts to heal and only a short amount of time to accomplish this.
He did, but the Mustangs have had a few down years as they’ve started competing in the Monterey Bay Gabilan Division. The division is full of the area’s top players, constantly producing college athletes and even the occasional professional.
The Mustangs have learned to bounce back from hard times in the past.
At the start of the 2009 season, they lost nine games.
Trying to stop the bleeding, Keathley approached well-respected catcher Charlie McClung. The coach wanted McClung to know that he would not be like the previous coach. They could trust him. An immediate turn around occurred.
The team fought its way to the CCS Division III final at San Jose Municipal Stadium against Palma. The Chieftains won a close battle, 7-6.
The 18-man roster has shown some serious power and ability to swing the bat during practice. Averaging about 3 home runs a practice, the Mustangs are a force to be reckoned with as the season quickly approaches. League play begins March 8, at San Benito High School.
“Last year we played them extremely well, and should have won all three games but due to late game slacking we lost twice,” junior shortstop Dylan McPhillips said. “This year’s team is twice as good as last year’s team, and we swing the bat way more, and we swing with a purpose to get the job done.”
The Mustangs lineup consists of six seniors, two juniors and a competitive sophomore. Due to a large returning database, the team is already ahead of the game.
“The team so far this year is off to a great start,” senior outfielder Jason Morrell said. “We are struggling a little but everyone is showing some serious heart and drive to win a title this year.”
Mustangs Field First Ever Boys Volleyball Team
By Bronson Kirchick
Sports Editor
bronsonkirchick@students.mvcs.org
WATSONVILLE -- Monte Vista Christian is starting its first boys volleyball season in school history. And with no previous season as a benchmark for the team, no one knows what to expect.
Will the team have a rough first year and fail to win a league game? Or will it prevail and surpass expectations?
“It’s really exciting,” senior player Jesse Persing said, “having the opportunity to start something new and leave a legacy for future years to come.”
The MVC Boys’ Volleyball team is a direct testimony to sports at MVC as a whole. It wasn’t so long ago that they didn’t even have a football or a wrestling team. However, readily available resources such as gym space and equipment allowed the integration of Boys’ Volleyball into the already existing sports.
MVC is expecting to have one varsity team, and a possible practice squad. With the conclusion of winter sports, more boys will be joining volleyball, making a clearer picture of how many teams there will be.
“I am expecting my guys to give their best effort,” first-year coach Scott Nystrom said. “This is an opportunity for them to build a love for the game and fight to win as a team.”
The volleyball team will play in the Monterey Bay League Pacific Division. With most teams in the Pacific Division being new as well, MVC at least is not alone.
And although boys’ volleyball will be new to MVC, there are some players with prior volleyball experience.
“My dad really encouraged me to play…He played a ton of beach ball in Florida (where he grew up),” sophomore player JP Thrasher said. “I have played club volleyball, where I learned about the game and developed my skills.”
MVC is always surprising its students, parents, faculty, and community with new things. What sport will be next? Lacrosse? Water Polo? Who knows!
Watsonville -- The wrestling season has come and gone for Monte Vista Christian, and it was a historical one as the Mustangs won the first league championship in school history.
MVC was co-champ with Salinas in the Monterey Bay League after beating the Cowboys 43-36 in the final match of the season on Feb. 16.
Seniors Ryan Spohn (145 pounds), Thomas Blocker (160) and Michigan State bound Christian Rebottaro (heavyweight) were all winners on their senior night, but seniors contributed throughout the season.
Other winners for MVC included JJ Trementozi,Thor Oglsby, William Lim, Amman Klaire, and Ethan Dean
After the meet against Salinas, Spohn talked about what life would be like now that wrestling is over.
“It's been pretty good but I've had to lose a lot of weight,” Spohn said. “When I leave high school wrestling I'll be eating a lot more and I'll just miss the team and competition.”
The Mustangs ended the season with a 5-1 record.
After the meet, coach Michael Espinoza talked about his seniors and the way that they have affected the program he is building.
“I think the biggest way they have helped the program is by sticking with it all these years and being dedicated to the sport and allowing the school and their fellow underclassmen to see all the opportunity that can come with this great sport of wrestling, if you just have the heart and dedication and will to push through,” Espinoza said.
As shown, this year's senior class has made an impact on the program. However, they haven't only helped the program and had a good season. They have helped the younger wrestlers below them as well as future generations.
“I have learned new moves, proper ways to cut weight, the best way to train to be the best as well as the proper way to act after a match such as showing respect and maturity,” junior Ethan Dean said.
WATSONVILLE--At the start of the year, Monte Vista Christian installed three disc golf baskets near the school entrance to give students something to do during free time and flex period.
Now, the school has added a disc golf team, and a full 9-hole course.
“It is a fun course”, said junior disc golfer Dennis Yang, “but it is too short. It needs to be longer.”
English 3 teacher, Laramie Holtzclaw, came up with the the idea of creating a disc golf team and course. He will coach the team of just three players in its first year.
Before the new course was installed, the team played at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville.
“I wanted to have fun again and I wanted to be outside,” Holtsclaw said.
Holtsclaw also said that he read an article about a high school that created a bunch of billionaires that were entrepreneurs. According to Holtsclaw, the article said the students developed their business skills through disc golf. He wanted to give his students the chance to do the same.
The disc golf team has already competed in a couple of tournaments against other teams in the area, and Monte Vista has plans to host a tournament as well.
“We have done pretty good so far but we will get better as a whole” senior leader Ryan De Los Santos said. “I personally have not placed lower than third in the tournaments.”
