This year: Ben Hodges
Last year: Jose Moreno
How we choose: With so many talented athletes competing for Riverbank High each year, The News focuses on Bruin seniors for its Athlete of the Year selections, allowing for a new crop of AOY hopefuls each season. Athletes with success in multiple sports are the first to see serious consideration.
Runners-up: This year The News introduces runner-up selections to highlight other Bruin seniors who came close to Athlete of the Year honors.
Not all of them are multiple sport athletes, but their exploits were widely recognized this school year.
Runner-up selections
follow:
Angel Duarte
One of only a few three-sport senior athletes, Duarte made noise his senior year by performing well for his football, wrestling and track and field teams. He stepped in to provide a big rushing attack for the football team during the fall, then hit the mat during the winter to muster the best Trans-Valley League record of any 189-pounder during the dual meet season. During track this spring, Duarte emerged as one of the top shot-put performers in the league, and qualified to the Division IV/V championships.
Zack Gonzales
One of the best basketball players in Riverbank history added one more stellar year to his repertoire during the 2010-11 season. Gonzales led Riverbank in both rebounds and scoring, and was a huge part of the Bruins' tremendous preseason and push into the Division IV playoffs. He was a first team All TVL selection and was also named the 2011 High School All Star Classic MVP. The lanky guard/forward is expected to do big things for Fresno City College next year.
Miguel Hernandez
Local pitchers still couldn't solve the Miguel Hernandez equation this year, and allowed the Bruin senior to belt hit after hit for the best year of a fantastic four-year varsity career. Hernandez found success at the plate against every opposing TVL team, played brilliantly at shortstop and even pitched some sharp games during a terrific final year with the Bruins. He was an easy first team ALL TVL choice and nabbed selection for the 2011 Modesto Rotary All Star Classic baseball game for the second consecutive season.
Last year: Jose Moreno
How we choose: With so many talented athletes competing for Riverbank High each year, The News focuses on Bruin seniors for its Athlete of the Year selections, allowing for a new crop of AOY hopefuls each season. Athletes with success in multiple sports are the first to see serious consideration.
Runners-up: This year The News introduces runner-up selections to highlight other Bruin seniors who came close to Athlete of the Year honors.
Not all of them are multiple sport athletes, but their exploits were widely recognized this school year.
Runner-up selections
follow:
Angel Duarte
One of only a few three-sport senior athletes, Duarte made noise his senior year by performing well for his football, wrestling and track and field teams. He stepped in to provide a big rushing attack for the football team during the fall, then hit the mat during the winter to muster the best Trans-Valley League record of any 189-pounder during the dual meet season. During track this spring, Duarte emerged as one of the top shot-put performers in the league, and qualified to the Division IV/V championships.
Zack Gonzales
One of the best basketball players in Riverbank history added one more stellar year to his repertoire during the 2010-11 season. Gonzales led Riverbank in both rebounds and scoring, and was a huge part of the Bruins' tremendous preseason and push into the Division IV playoffs. He was a first team All TVL selection and was also named the 2011 High School All Star Classic MVP. The lanky guard/forward is expected to do big things for Fresno City College next year.
Miguel Hernandez
Local pitchers still couldn't solve the Miguel Hernandez equation this year, and allowed the Bruin senior to belt hit after hit for the best year of a fantastic four-year varsity career. Hernandez found success at the plate against every opposing TVL team, played brilliantly at shortstop and even pitched some sharp games during a terrific final year with the Bruins. He was an easy first team ALL TVL choice and nabbed selection for the 2011 Modesto Rotary All Star Classic baseball game for the second consecutive season.
