Athletes who excel in every sport they play, athletes like Live
Oak’s Brooke Willis and Sobrato’s Sarina Santiago, are special
MORGAN HILL — Athletes who excel in every sport they play, athletes like Live Oak’s Brooke Willis and Sobrato’s Sarina Santiago, are special.
Every time the ball came to them, whether in field hockey, basketball or softball, you had the feeling something big was going to happen.
Santiago was first-team all league in field hockey, second-team in basketball and an everyday starter in softball. She was named Sobrato’s 2009 female Athlete of the Year and became the school’s first to collect 12 varsity letters — almost enough to spell her full name. Santiago also was a second-team all-leaguer in softball as a junior.
Willis was the Lady Acorns’ leading goal-scorer in fall and batted cleanup and played third base — the hot corner — in spring. She had a hand in 75 percent of her field hockey team’s goals, easily making the first-team all-league list.
Willis had the athleticm to excel in any sport.
“She was one of three team captains, and she was a leader in every sense of the word,” Live Oak field hockey coach Gina Sanders said. “She motivated our younger players to do their best.
“When there was a problem, she found the solution.”
Whether on the back line, the hardwood or the outfield, Santiago never quit.
“Once Sarina showed up at the end of field hockey season, there was an immediate increase in hustle at practice. She was always out there giving 100 percent,” Sobrato basketball coach Natalie Bobuk said of her team co-captain. “She was always so positive. She’d be the one to get girls pumped up before games.”
Santiago provided life off the bench for the playoff-bound basketball team, so much that she became a starter at shooting guard by the end of the season. She collected the Lady Bulldogs’ second most steals (53), third most assists (37) and was their second-leading scorer (233 points).
“Her numbers increased each game,” Bobuk said. “She was going to make an impact every time.”
Statistics say a lot about these two seniors, but only hint to how much they loved playing their sports. They smiled during and after every game.
“I’m sad I only got two years to coach Brooke,” Sanders said. “I’m hoping some of her effort and knowledge of the game passes on to some of our younger players. They have some big shoes to fill.”
Added Bobuk: “To have the kind of success we had this year, we needed someone like Sarina; someone that could be a fire-starter on the court. I knew right away she was going to be a tough one to lose.”
