With every touchdown he scored, every basket he sank, and every fly ball he chased down in his four years at Sobrato High School, Jerry Jacob thought of his “biggest fan” who wasn’t there to see it.
Yvonne Jacob would have been if she could. She attended Jerry’s practices and games when he was in youth sports and was a consummate supporter of her son until she died from breast cancer at age 51 in 2008.
“She was always there to encourage me,” Jerry said.
Jacob had the kind of high school career that would have made Yvonne proud. He capped it last week by sharing the annual SHS Booster Scholarship with volleyball and basketball standout Jessica Westall.
“It feels great, unbelievable,” Jacob said. “I really didn’t expect it at all. It’s kind of shock; there’s so many good athletes at this school that play a lot of sports. It’s just an honor.”
The Booster Scholarship is awarded to the top senior male and female student-athletes.
“Jerry and Jessica are the two that, to me, are deserving of this because of the different sports they played and what they’ve meant for their teams,” Sobrato athletic director Jeff Bernstein said. “What Jerry was able to do with the football team was amazing, and he was a solid contributor in basketball and baseball. Jessica was an excellent leader, someone who her teams looked up to. She’s a very mature and excellent student – she really epitomizes what a student-athlete should be.”
Jacob led the Bulldogs to their first Santa Teresa Division title in football this fall, completing almost 70 percent of his passes for a school-record 1,467 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 5-foot, 9-inch dual threat was named MVP of the league.
“He was very deserving,” Sobrato coach Nick Borello said in December, praising Jacob’s passing and running ability. “I would say his progression was exactly how you would script it. He went from getting a few reps sophomore year to starting as a junior … and then as a senior he had a full grasp of our offense and used his arm and his mind more than anything and had a ton of yards.”
During basketball season, Jacob started at point guard in all but two games and was the Bulldogs’ second-highest leader in assists (35) and steals (27). Coach Lee Washington said Jacob brought out the best in teammates with his work ethic and personality. Jacob scheduled players-only meetings and wasn’t shy to speak up during halftime.
“He blossomed as far as his impact,” Washington said. “He was our most mature player out there, and that helped build our chemistry and helped build the team. He kept guys accountable in practice and games. I can’t tell you enough about him and what he did as far as being a glue guy.”
Jacob’s offensive numbers this baseball season didn’t jump off the page, but his fielding percentage (.909) in left showed he was as reliable as any of the Bulldogs outfielders.
Balancing three sports and school was the toughest task for Jacob, who plans to play football next year for Hartnell or De Anza College.
“I wanted to be dedicated to all three sports and maintain my grades as best I could,” he said. “My mom passing away at the end of my eighth-grade year really inspired me. It pushed me to do my best for her.”
Simply put, Westall was the face of the girls volleyball and basketball teams this year, as both relied heavily on their captain’s height, athleticism and spirit.
The 5-foot-11 middle hitter was named Santa Teresa Division Senior of the Year and made a late push for MVP while leading the Bulldogs to a 7-0 finish in the second half of league play.
“Anything she does, she applies 100-percent effort,” said SHS volleyball coach Jason Medenceles, whose team placed second in the division, narrowly missing the Central Coast Section playoffs, and was voted up to the Mount Hamilton Division for 2012. “She learned from her mistakes and applied them to her next move. Her ability to do that makes her invaluable as a person and as a player or any role she takes on.”
As a first-team All-Santa Teresa Division center, Westall’s role was especially big on the girls basketball team, which leaned on her even more for scoring after all-league forward Alyssa Firato suffered a concussion in Sobrato’s opener. Westall led the team in point (254) by a wide margin, averaging 10.6 a game, and was the Bulldogs’ top rebounder.
“I’ve learned to always be confident and to set yourself up to be successful,” said Westall, whose overall-grade point average was above 4.1. “If you don’t think you can do something, you won’t be able to.”
Like Jacob, Westall was surprised to receive the Booster Scholarship.
“It was really cool to get it,” she said Wednesday. “I didn’t expect it. It was definitely an honor.”
Westall’s favorite memory from high school was playing varsity volleyball alongside her older sister, Kelsey, as a sophomore. The two will be on the same campus again next year at Baylor University.
Westall’s family has been her inspiration.
“My dad always wanted me to do well,” she said. “I just tried to do my best.”
