Dispatch sports staff
sp****@gi************.com
Oakwood School in Morgan Hill, which has students in both Gilroy and Morgan Hill, wrapped up a successful fall sports season.
Cross country
The Oakwood cross country team successfully concluded its regular season by advancing four of its 12 members to the Central Coast Section finals.
The MTAL league championship meet was held on the 3-mile course at Toro Park in Salinas.
Each member of the boys and girls teams posted a season personal best time. Senior Aaron Bagheri (20:30), junior Sarah Langerman (26:15), freshmen Ben Millward (19:30) and Harjot Saran (20:31) all qualified individually for the CCS finals at Toro Park in Salinas. Bagheri competed in his second consecutive CCS cross country meet.
Returning runners Bailey Mancini, Keegan Dahm and sophomore Jeff Henderson were a strong part of the boys team. Mancini, though, was unable to compete at the MTAL championships due to injury, but he qualified for CCS in 2011 as a sophomore. He was one of the team’s consistent finishers, contributing to team wins over the season. Â
The returning runners were joined by an outstanding group of young runners and new-to-running athletes. Along with Ben Millward and Harjot Saran, other freshman phenoms included Quinn Rickard, Matthew Mc Gregor, Bob Bagheri, and Miles Batey. Another excellent addition to the team, junior Gourav Divan reduced his mile-time as the season progressed and he inspired the team to volunteer at an aid station during the Morgan Hill Marathon.
Volleyball
The Oakwood high school girls volleyball team recorded five wins this season. Newcomer Lindsey Boyd quickly became the go-to player at the net. Shivani Mathur was also instrumental in the offense with her blocks and hits. Bailey Konold and Maddie Hanson provided the backbone to the defense with their bump passes and serves. Divya Gopisetty and Rachel Meek did a good job of setting the ball to hitters Lindsey Boyd, Jaylene Cisneros, Shivani Mathur and Janine Baustista.
Tennis
Oakwood girls varsity tennis team joined the MTAL this year. The girls practiced hard each week at the Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center. The following athletes competed this year: sophomore Autumn Bassett, sophomore Rose deVries, junior Amy Liu, junior Jamie McCain, sophomore Marie Verberckmoes and junior Pascale Vinkuyzen.
Highlights of the season included when sophomore Marie Verberckmoes won a nail-biting singles match against Gonzales. Doubles partners Rose deVries and Pascale Vinkuyzen battled to a tie-breaking win over Pacific Grove earlier this year.
