Quick look at 2016
What a year 2016 was. In the year, Madera residents saw four teams win a valley championship and two individuals also earning Valley Champion status.
The year also saw 14 college signings, numerous records set, league championships won and other titles.
See the Year in Review in the B Section of The Madera Tribune to find out which sports stories made the list of the top sports stories of 2016. Before heading there, here’s a quick recap of some of the other highlights of the year.
College signings
Emily Chavira (softball), Madera- York College
Aaron Alvarez (baseball), Madera South- Providence Christian College
Anissia Gonzalez (soccer), Madera- Fresno Pacific
Kris Bueno (football), Madera- Minot College
Jasmine Gonzalez (cross country), Madera- University of the Pacific
Evan Rios (football), Madera- Nevada-Reno
Summer Mendoza (softball), Liberty- Farleigh Dickinson
Jonnie Montano (cross country), Madera South- Fresno Pacific
Dominique Andrews (volleyball), Madera South- UC Merced
Eduardo Herrera (cross country), Madera South- Colorado
Angelica Costilla (cross country), Madera South- UC Merced
Izzy Navarro (soccer), Madera South- College of St. Rose
Aaliyah Cuevas (softball), Madera- Fresno State (verbal)
Ashley Hansen (basketball), Madera- Kansas Wesleyan
Records set Ethan Richardson set the Madera Coyote boys basketball scoring record for most points in a game, season and career last season. In March, Madera National Little League began softball play for the first time in history. In May, the Madera South Stallions softball team won its first playoff game in school history with a 10-0 win over Washington Union. Liberty quarterback Markie Brandt set the school passing record in October with 270 yards in a win over Patterson.
League championships The Liberty girls soccer team won its eighth consecutive North Sequoia League championship in February. The Madera Coyote wrestling team also won its sixth straight County/Metro Athletic Conference championship in February. Madera South diver Jaylan Neal and Madera diver Sophia Garcia won the CMAC championship in May while Addyson Smith won the CMAC shot put competition. Eduardo Herrera of Madera South and Madera’s Jasmine Gonzalez each won the CMAC title in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter run. With its win over Kerman in November, the Liberty Hawks won a share of the NSL football championship. The Madera South Stallions swept through the CMAC championships, winning every race from freshman to junior varsity to varsity in November.
Tournament titles In March, the Madera Coyote softball team won the Redwood Invitational to begin its run to the Valley Championships. Later in the month, the Madera South boys volleyball team won the Central Valley Championship. The Liberty girls volleyball team won the Madera Classic in November during the same weekend the Madera Coyote boys water polo team won the Sunnyside Tournament championship. Madera South’s Dylan Miracle won the Chukchansi Invitational at Madera South in early December. The Madera South Stallions boys basketball team (Kingsburg), Liberty Hawks boys basketball team (Hawks Classic) and Madera Coyotes girls basketball team (Madera Shootout) each won tournament championships in December.
