Garces athletes of the week for Oct. 8

It was another great week for Garces athletics, highlighted by the girls tennis team beating Stockdale 7-2 to move to 5-0 in Southwest Yosemite League play and all four levels of water polo winning both games last week in East Yosemite League action.

Here are your Garces Athletes of the Week. 

Cross country

Boys

Fletcher Bank, sophomore: Finished 13th overall at the first SWYL meet at Kern County Soccer Park on Wednesday in a time of 17 minutes, 24 seconds last week and took fourth in the Golden West Invitational Boys Open on Friday in 17:07. 

Girls

Natalina Antongiovanni, senior: Natalina had the top time for the Rams at the first SWYL meet in 22:57 and finished in 13th place at the Golden West Invitational Girls Open in 23:08. 

Football

Elijah Toppila, junior: The defensive back came up big all night long, including making plays on a crucial three-and-out series for the defense that set up a potential game-winning drive on Friday in a 40-35 loss at Frontier. Recorded three tackles and a pass deflection. 

Girls Golf: The girls golf team was out of action last week, but will compete in the fifth of six SWYL tournaments on Wednesday at North Kern Golf Course. 

Girls Tennis

Sierra Kent, junior: In two pivotal SWYL matches last week, Sierra won three-set tie-breakers in both matches over Liberty and Stockdale as the Rams are 5-0 in league play. 

Volleyball 

Jana Dulcich, senior: A critical part of the volleyball team this season. Moved from the middle to outside hitter and lead the Rams with 20 digs last week. Has become a threat both on offense and defense and continues to improve daily. 

Water polo

Boys

Peter Gonzalez, freshman: In the first two East Yosemite League games last week, Peter scored twice, had three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Girls

Mia Sill, senior: The lone senior on the team had 10 goals in four games last week, including six over Tulare Union in EYL play on Wednesday.