All-league honor given for success

WOODLAND CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Cardinals’ fall sports award winners named

Woodland Christian quarterback Isaiah Hunt runs for a nice gain during the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI quarterfinal matchup against Liberty Ranch on Nov. 15. PHOTOS BY CARLOS GUERRERO — DAILY DEMOCRAT

Woodland Christian’s Gabbi Jaime (10) and Elena Ganyo (9) go up for a block during the Cardinals’ CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoff game against John Adams Academy on Oct. 29.

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By Carlos Guerrero

cguerrero@dailydemocrat.com

Woodland Christian’s array of sports programs had a lot to be proud of in the fall of 2024.

Like their neighboring city rivals, Pioneer High School, Woodland Christian said goodbye to a league they’ve dominated for years, the Central Valley California League, and said hello to the Sierra Delta League, which came with a steep increase in competitiveness. Despite the move, the fall sports programs, primarily volleyball and football, kept the wins coming.

For their troubles, five teams across four sports received recognition from the league in terms of first or second-team awards and Honorable Mentions.

Football >> It would have been very difficult for the football team to reach the same heights as the year before, when they made it to and won the CIF State Football Division 5-A Championship with an undefeated record, defeating Banning of Wilmington 23-13 at El Camino College in Torrance. However, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t try.

While the season got off to a less-than-ideal start thanks to a 27-6 loss to Bradshaw Christian, the Cardinals, led by head coach Mike Paschke, bounced back to win 10 straight games, reaching the CIF Sac-Joaqin Section D6 semifinals.

Ultimately, their season ended after a rain-drenched 28-0 loss to eventual section and state champions Sonora.

For a fantastic season, the Cardinals were awarded a whopping 12 postseason awards, including two MVP awards, six first-team all-league selections, and four second-team nods.

Star junior and starting quarterback Isaiah Hunt was named offensive MVP, while lineman Zander Gimenez was named the Lineman MVP. If not for the MVP nods, both would have undoubtedly added to the six all-league selections, including juniors Noah Hinkle, Malachai Durham, Cole Haines, and seniors Devin Herrera, Carter Lang, and Ethan Johns. Second-team selections include senior Dominic Banks, juniors Abraham Villegas and Lincoln Paschke, and sophomore Daniel Jauregui.

Volleyball >> Despite the switch to a new league, the end of the season remained the same as the Cardinals ended the 2024 season in first place, going 13-1.

After winning their 14th game in a row and clinching a share of the SDL title on a senior night, the Cardinals enjoyed a first-round matchup against John Adams Academy in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs.

After a seemingly routine three-set sweep, the Cardinals faced off against Westlake Charter in the second round and found a way to sweep them as well, advancing to the D5 semis. However, their section playoff run came to an end against old foes Bradshaw Christian in a thrilling four-set match.

Their season wasn’t over just yet, as the Cardinals had an impressive enough resume to qualify for the D5 state tournament as a No. 9 seed. After another three-set sweep over Quincy in the first round and a fantastic five-set win over No. 1 seed Pierce in the second round, Bradshaw Christian played the spoiler once again and ended the Cardinals season for good, this time after a four-set win on Nov. 16.

The Cardinals dominated the postseason awards for their troubles, taking home four first-team selections and two second-team nods. Senior Paisley Carinio, juniors Bella Galeassi and Gabbi Jamie, and sophomore Elena Ganyo took home first-team awards, while senior Gabby Martinez and sophomore Bailee Broward were awarded second-team awards.

Cross Country >> Nuno Periera and basketball star Keziah Maldonado-Lemus took home first-team awards for the school’s cross-country team.

Girls Golf >> Before signing a letter of intent to play golf for Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Woodland Christian golf star Allie Nguyen proved to be instrumental during the girls team’s journey of winning back-to-back Golden Empire League titles in the program’s first two years of existence.

For her troubles, Nguyen won back-to-back GEL golf MVP awards and two individual section titles. This past season, she also led the team to its own team section championship.

Teammate Isadora Weiner took home a first-team all-league award.