Competition is growing more intense for athletes at Riverbank High School as the various spring sports seasons begin winding down. This past Friday, April 19, saw a day-long series of competitions keeping the facilities at the high school busy, with tennis, softball and track rounding out activities. Elsewhere, play continued this week on the baseball diamond and volleyball court for the Bruins.
Bruin Co-Ed Tennis
Riverbank netters wound down their regular season on April 19 and 20, hosting the Trans-Valley League Tournament on all the tennis courts in town.
RHS Coach Bruce Edwards said the top two players in each category qualified for the section competition, with the Riverbank squad placing the most.
In girls singles play, Lady Bruins Kaelyn Tongson and Nathalie Garcia placed first and second respectively, he said.
In mixed doubles, both pairs qualifying were Riverbank’s Victor Jacobo and Maya Williams and Matthew Hardin and Zaira Villegas. Edwards said they “will play Wednesday for first and second as it was getting late and they’re from the same school.” He said the two Bruin teams beat teams from Escalon.
In other results, boys singles found Ripon first, and Escalon second. In boys doubles, it was Hughson then Escalon.
Edwards noted that the results showed Ripon competing in one event, Hughson in two, Escalon in three, and his Riverbank squad qualified four entrants.
Lady Bruin Softball
Riverbank girls uncharacteristically lost both games they played last week, on the road at Hilmar on Wednesday, April 17, falling 4-1, and at home on Friday, to Ripon, 5-0. The loss to the Indians marked the end of a 13-game win streak at home going back to last season.
RHS is to host Escalon on Wednesday afternoon, April 24 while celebrating Senior Night, then travel to Hughson on Friday.
Bruin Track
Riverbank celebrated its annual German Fernandez Distance Carnival on Friday evening, April 19 at the Angelo Novi Stadium on campus. Participants from many area high schools pushed competition to numerous heats for most events.
The meeting is a celebration of Fernandez’ record-setting career at RHS, from the early 2000’s. A number of those records still stand, and he went on to set collegiate distance records as well as competing in the Olympics.
Riverbank got a strong performance from Jessica Vigil with a personal record of 2:35.24 in the varsity girls 800 meters for sixth place, and a time of 5:42.81 and third place in the 1600 meters.
The squad is scheduled to compete at Livingston on Wednesday, April 24.
Bruin Baseball
In action this past week, Riverbank lost a pair of games against Hilmar, away on Tuesday, April 16, 17-4, and at home, 13-0, on Thursday. They’ll host Big Valley Christian in non-league play on Wednesday afternoon.
Bruin Boys Volleyball
Riverbank lost two matches last week, at Ripon on April 16, and hosting Hilmar on April 18, falling in both 3-0. They were to host Escalon on April 23, while celebrating RHS Senior Night.
Bruin Boys Golf
RHS linksters are to play at Jack Tone Golf Course, in the next TVL Tournament, on Thursday, April 25.
