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Fall Sports Athletes Recognized At Riverbank High School
COACH
Girls golf coach Ismael Mercado, left, receives his Trans-Valley League Coach of the Year award from RHS Athletic Director John Bartlett at the RHS Fall Sports Banquet. His team went undefeated and won the TVL Championship. News Photos By Ric McGinnis

Riverbank athletes, friends and family gathered in the Ray Fauria Memorial Gymnasium recently for the athletes to be recognized for their excellence, both on the field and in the classroom for the recently completed fall season at RHS.

Football boys, volleyball girls, girl’s golf and co-ed cross country teams were recognized with patches and plaques on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the awards banquet.

Scholar-Athletes were at the top of the list on the program, with 11 seniors named as having a 3.5 GPA or higher during their season.

Representing cross country were Carlos Aguilera, Valeria Aguiniga, Alondra Hernandez, Damian Lopez, Angelina Moreno and Alex Solorio.

From football, it was Allen Brown and Jorge Yepez. Volleyball honored Bryse Allen and Hailey Rodgers, while girl’s golf recognized Citlali Martinez.

In addition, seven juniors, eight sophomores and 13 freshmen were named.

Most notably, there was an award to a Riverbank coach. Girl’s golf coach Ismael Mercado received the Trans-Valley League’s Coach of the Year Award, presented by RHS Athletic Director John Bartlett. Mercado coached his team to an undefeated season and the TVL Championship.

He said league matches involve six-player teams, counting the lowest five scores. Riverbank only fielded a team of five players, so their scores counted towards the total every time they played.

Players were also recognized on the individual teams.

For golf, it was Angela Calderon, named Most Valuable Golfer, and All-Bruin went to Marci Capetillo.

In varsity volleyball, coaches awards went to Areli Zamora and Andrea Ruiz, while Hailey Rodgers was named All-Bruin.

In boys cross country, it was Carlos Aguilera named Bruin Built, while Rising Star went to Isaiah Bargas. All-Bruin was Chris Martinez.

Girls cross country awards were presented to Rising Stars Diane Murillo and Anastasia Toscano, while Alondra Hernandez was named Most Valuable Runner and All-Bruin went to Angelina Moreno.

As for football, varsity player Nic Certuche was named Defensive MVP while Billy Williams was tagged Offensive MVP. All-Bruin went to Jorge Yepez.

After the main announcements, the teams adjourned, with their coaches, to classrooms around campus for Block ‘R’ and other individual awards. They returned to the gym’s lobby for desserts, organized by the Bruin Boosters organization.