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| Stories of success mark 2007 for Patterson High athletics |
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| Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Wednesday, 02 January 2008 | |
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Each year, Patterson High School sports provide the town with victories, losses and drama. With a tradition going back decades, there are countless stories that blend together to create that heritage. This year’s students and teachers put their stamp on the high school’s legacy, as the boys soccer and football teams made it to their respective section championship games, major renovations were completed at Patterson Community Stadium and the school received its first girls cross country league title since 1983, sealing an undefeated season in the Western Athletic Conference. Runner Amanda Moreno qualified for the individual section meet in November. Two teams made it within one victory of being crowned section champs this year. All that stood between the varsity football team and the title was Central Catholic, the team that has dominated the region’s pigskin scene for more than a decade. For the varsity boys soccer team, it was rival Livingston, which also handed the Tigers one of their only losses this past season. Neither Patterson team managed to produce a win in the finals. Still, it was the closest the football team had come to winning it all in 31 years — and by making it to the section finals, the soccer team reached a milestone that had eluded it the past two years. Even with the final losses, both teams’ seasons were superb. The soccer team went 23-5, and the football team went 11-2. This was the last year for many of the players on the soccer team: Fifteen out of 27 were seniors. For the football team, the year may have laid the foundation for a new dynasty, as it was just head coach Rob Cozart’s fifth season with the team. The girls varsity basketball team also continued its winning tradition with a new coach guiding the team. Jason McCleery led the girls to the playoffs in his first year as head coach, keeping a nearly 10-year-old streak of consecutive playoff appearances alive. Patterson golfers got into the action with Jessica Hansen and Brooke Borba qualifying for the sub-section playoffs — a fitting way for the seniors to finish a successful high school career. In the field of cheerleading, Patterson High School senior Bethany Jackson experienced some individual success, after being named to the Golden State Spirit Association’s 2008 All Star Squad. And while the 2007-08 wrestling season hasn’t gotten into full swing yet, it could be said the team has already had one major victory. The program managed to get nearly 70 students to sign up, including six girls — the largest wrestling team the school has fielded. It wasn’t just the wrestling team that saw big growth this year. The brand-new swim team has a home thanks to the brand-new Patterson Aquatic Center. That went hand in hand with perhaps the most significant development for Patterson High sports in recent memory, the renovation of Patterson Community Stadium. Thanks to a slew of people and agencies working together, the stadium has gotten new turf and a scoreboard and is getting a new track and bleachers. It all seems to bode well for an athletic program that has experienced much success in 2007. To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  YEAR IN REVIEW: Clockwise from top, the renovated Patterson Community Stadium is dedicated Sept. 14 before the Patterson football team's 28-13 win over Escalon; the Tigers' varsity football team gathers at midfield to revel in its first win at the new stadium. Frank Martinez (top) gets a hold on his Summerville competitor during an early 2007 match - a school-record number of wrestlers will compete for playing time on the 2007-08 team. Amanda Moreno, who ran in the individual section championship cross country meet, leads her teammates to a Western Athletic Conference title. Despite much success in an overall winning year, the 2007 season ended on a down note for Patterson High School varsity soccer players Heriberto Hernandez (left) and Eric Mejia as the Tigers lost in the section championship game. Courtney Mahaffey prepares for a last-second free throw in a February game in overtime. The PHS girls basketball team made the playoffs, but Livingston won the league title. Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator
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