Riverbank High School’s boys and girls soccer teams were able to return to the home pitch last week, with the girls playing a rare Saturday afternoon match over the weekend.
Lady Bruin Soccer
RHS soccer girls got to play in the sunshine for what seems like the first time in a couple of years, since the California Interscholastic Federation moved all matches in the state to the winter schedule. It was a make-up Trans-Valley League game from earlier in the season, where the home field was too wet to play on.
On Saturday, the Riverbank varsity hosted Livingston in the Angelo Novi Stadium on campus, with a 5-0 victory the result. The Lady Bruins fell, 5-2, in Hughson, on Jan. 26, and fought to a 0-0 tie against Escalon on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
They ended the week with a 1-2-3 TVL record, 6-6-6 overall. RHS girls soccer was set to travel to Livingston on Jan. 31 and host Hilmar on Feb. 2.
Bruin Soccer
On the boys side, on Tuesday, they traveled to Escalon, tying the Cougars, 1-1, then blanking Hughson’s Huskies, 2-0, on Jan. 26, both in TVL matches.
This week, the Bruins were to host the Livingston Wolves on Tuesday, Jan. 31, then travel to face off with the Hilmar Yellowjackets on Thursday, Feb. 2. At the end of last week, their TVL record was 4-0-2, putting them in first place.
Lady Bruin Basketball
Riverbank’s varsity girls hosted the Escalon Lady Cougars on Tuesday, Jan. 24, winning 53-37, then hosted Ripon’s Lady Indians, winning 60-38. At the end of last week, their TVL record stood at 7-1, for second place in the standings. Coach Janelle Luu said the team has a shot at winning the league title this season, if things go well.
They were to travel to Hughson on Jan. 31, then host Ripon Christian on Thursday. They’ve got a senior recognition night scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, their last home game of the TVL season, hosting Livingston.
Bruin Basketball
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Riverbank’s boys played in Escalon, falling to the Cougars, 58-34. Their win-loss record is 5-3, putting them at third place in the TVL at the end of last week.
They were scheduled to host Hughson’s Huskies on Jan. 31, then travel to Ripon Christian on Friday, Feb. 3. The Homecoming game is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10, against the Yellowjackets of Hilmar.
Bruin Wrestling
Head coach Khrys Daniel said his team is working hard and continuing to show improvement. They fell to Escalon at a double dual hosted by the Cougars on Jan. 25 but saw many grapplers battling throughout the five matches wrestled. They had previously come away with some medals in tournament action and Daniel said the goal is to continue to grow the program.
“So, my team this year had a total of six wrestlers,” said Daniel. “I have wrestled off and on since I was a kid and then all through high school. I love this sport because it really helps these kids, it helps give them confidence in themselves and helps character building because you really find out what your limits are and if you have the mental toughness to push past them which is where that confidence will come from. My assistant coach is my father, Robert Daniel.”
Bruin wrestlers are: senior Anthony Torres, 142 pounds; senior Richard Torrez, 160 pounds; senior Diego Hernandez, 160 pounds; team captain junior Kaydon Brawley, 182 pounds; senior Christopher Moreno, 182 pounds; and sophomore Randall Freitas, 220 pounds.
“Kaydon and Anthony are second year wrestlers, everyone else is a first year wrestler,” added Daniel. “Anthony went through most of his final season injured from a previous sport event. The final dual against Escalon was his first match of the season; he started being able to practice three weeks prior to the dual and he had the courage and determination to get back on the mat before the end of season because of his love for the sport.”
Though they took the loss to Escalon, Daniel said there were plenty of positives.
“Kaydon is our team captain; he currently holds the most pins on the team and gives every match 100 percent. His match against Escalon was definitely his toughest match of the season so far and he showed that he will continue to push until the final whistle,” explained Daniel. “Christopher really showed a lot of heart as well, regardless of the outcome he was ready for more, he definitely shows promise in the sport if he continues to wrestle beyond high school. Randall shows a ton of potential, as a sophomore wrestling at 220 he is fast, strong and dedicated. For his first year of wrestling he has definitely shown his love for the sport and he will be coming back next year even stronger.”
Daniel said it has also been a special season, working with his father, who coached and mentored him in the sport.
“It is definitely an awesome experience to coach these kids as well as the bonding experience to be able to coach a team with your father,” he said.
News Editor Marg Jackson contributed to this report.
