SD Prep Sports: Field Hockey
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Field hockey starting to catch on in the South Bay
By Jacob Reed
Posted Sept. 12, 2002
Long overlooked in the South Bay, girls field hockey is emerging as a popular female sport. The popularity can be attributed to clinics, propaganda and even good, old-fashioned word of mouth.
Area veteran programs include Bonita Vista, Eastlake and Hilltop. For the 2002 season, both Chula Vista and Castle Park are also putting out teams. The latter two schools will not compete in league play with their more established cross-town rivals but will play teams from all around San Diego County. Bonita, Eastlake and Hilltop are members of the Harbor League that also includes El Capitan, Santana and Morse.
While the longevity of teams fielded by the South Bay's three Harbor League members has been established, the two upstarts will have to take a wait and see attitude. A full-fledged Metro Conference coming into existence hinges largely on the success of the fledgling Chula Vista and Castle Park programs -- not necessarily in accumulating massive numbers of wins but in being able to compete and retain athletes.
The continued success of Hilltop’s program can be attributed to coach Lynn Garcia’s involvement. She has been coaching at the varsity level four years and before that was at the helm of the junior varsity team for six years. Every June she runs a three-day clinic for her players that also doubles as an outreach for prospective athletes. Middle schools are invited so interested students can get started early in their field hockey careers.
Visits to campuses and flyers in the mail help spread the word about the program. Such involvement provides a model for other schools hoping to put out a field hockey team in the years to come.
So what is so special about Lancer field hockey? Just ask the coaches from Eastlake, Bonita and Scripps Ranch. They are all Hilltop alumni.
Garcia has high hopes for this year’s Lancer team as Hilltop faces a schedule boasting nine of the top 10 teams in the county. This is testimony of her expectation of an inexperienced but talented squad. The Lancers lost eight seniors to graduation and have only five returning. Garcia has faith in her young athletes, including sophomores Giselle Ibanez and Courtney Crowe. Among the seniors this year, key players include Brianne Martinez and Geny Torres.
Garcia’s athletes are also top notch students, and tend to be involved with other sports including soccer and track and field . With such a talented bunch of athletes, the Lancers hope to offer their non league foes steadfast competition and go into league play with momentum.