Time Machine: 2000 baseball playoffs: Justin-Siena vs. Calaveras

Sometimes you remember a game more as the culmination of a journey than the game itself. Granted, the Justin-Siena High baseball team’s 4-1 win over the Calaveras (San Andreas) Redskins in the 2000 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. III championship game had its share of great moments but to appreciate the victory, you had to understand the Braves’ journey.

I must be honest, if you relocated that game to say, March 27th, I probably wouldn’t have remembered it even if I covered it in person. However, given the stage and the ramifications, I remember it like yesterday.

Setting the scene: Before the 1999 season, Steve Meyer stepped down as the Braves head coach after 12 seasons. The fact that Meyer juggled Dean of Students duties with varsity baseball head coach was a tough task. In stepped Allen Rossi, who had a long run of success as a manager for the Joe DiMaggio Baseball League. Rossi compiled a record of 238-55 with six league titles and a state championship in 1993.

Rossi immediately made the Braves relevant by going 17-9 in 1999 and though the season ended in the first round of the playoffs, it was clear that a new day had dawned for Justin baseball as it made its first postseason appearance since 1989. Meyer, however, would remain in the program as the Braves’ JV coach and led Justin to a co-Superior California Athletic League title in 2000.

The Braves established dominance in 2000 going 25-1 with the lone loss being a 9-8 loss to Vanden. Though Justin had many that contributed to its success that season like Steve Andres, Jon Foreman, A.J. Paniagua Eduardo Borrego, Ron Duvall, Carl Gray and Matt Siegal to name a few, but if there was one guy that truly epitomized that Braves team, it was catcher Rick Carpenter. Take one glance at him and you think of the word “throwback” -- as lambchop sideburns, eye-black and being a catcher undaunted by physical contact. He led both by example and vocally. If John Madden had an “All-Madden” high school baseball team -- Carpenter would have been on it.

Thumbnail sketch of the game: Despite all of their immediate success under Rossi, Calaveras was the last hurdle that stood between the Braves and a section title. Carpenter drove in three runs while ace Jon Foreman pitched a complete-game six-hitter. The Braves scored two runs in the first inning, one in the third and one more in the fifth. Paniagua, who was the Braves shortstop and leadoff hitter, set the table in going 2 for 3.

Calaveras cut Justin’s lead to 2-1 with its lone run in the second inning but got no closer. While Foreman and the Braves defense was strong throughout the game, and season for that matter, there were a couple of dicey moments late in the game. In the sixth inning, Foreman gave up leadoff singles in the fifth and sixth innings but worked his way out of both situations to hold the Redskins scoreless.

In the sixth inning, it was a spectacular defensive play that saved the Braves’ bacon. With Kyle Duke on first base with one out, Matt Kubat blasted a pitch deep to right-field that sent Andres, who was a converted catcher, in pursuit. Andres reached to make an over the shoulder catch and subsequently fired a strike to Duvall at first base for the inning ended double play.

In the seventh inning, Shane Dougherty got a one-out single but Foreman struck out the next two batters to end the game and the celebration began as Braves players charged the mound as Carpenter jumped into Foreman’s arms and the dog-pile ensued.  

What it meant: This game marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. This was the last game Justin would play as a member of the Sac Joaquin Section. The SCAL disbanded and Justin became a member of the North Coast Section, moving to the Marin County Athletic League.

Rossi continued to coach until 2006 before resigning to care for his wife, who had been injured in an automobile accident. The Braves would appear in five consecutive NCS title games, winning three straight from 2003-2005 including an undefeated ‘05 campaign. Justin reached the ‘02 and ‘06 title games before falling to St. Bernard (Eureka) and John Swett (Crockett) respectively.

Scott Wright took over as the Braves coach from 2007-2012. Justin was successful on some level in going 76-58-2 including an NCS D-IV runner-up finish in 2007 under Wright but filling Rossi’s shoes is a tall order. Wright was dismissed after the 2011 season. Rossi returned in 2012, guiding Justin to the NCS D-IV semifinals followed by consecutive section titles in 2014-2015. In 2012-2013, the Braves immediately returned to prominence only to lose in the NCS D-IV semifinals.

Time out with Kristen Max (2000 Vintage High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Kristen Max: I loved everything about playing sports. The friendships and camaraderie that was involved with each team, adrenaline when stepping onto the court or field, and the discipline that I learned at such a young age.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Max: I lived in San Diego from 2001-2010.  I obtained my Bachelors Degree from San Diego State University in Child & Family Development.  In January 2011 I moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on an Internship through the University of Northern Iowa, working on an Army installation at the Child Development Center.  In May 2011, I joined as a permanent member working for Child, Youth and School Services.  While in Germany I joined a co-ed softball team. I can’t get away from organized sports. I have also met my better half and in August 2013 we had the pleasure of welcoming twins. Yes, I said “twins.” Hanna Marie and Rylee Jane. (Stay Tuned: Future Beach Volleyball Players)

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Vintage High?

Max: US History with Mr. (Dan) King.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Vintage High?

Max: There were so many I couldn’t just pick one. Being a three sport athlete I have so many great memories throughout the four years.  If I had to choose one though, it would have to be when I received Senior Athlete of the Year for Vintage High 2000.  

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Max: Playing team sports since I was 8, has helped me in many ways.  It has helped me  to get

along with colleagues, leadership, mentoring and overall being a team player.  I have overcome

many obstacles, but I believe with the discipline that I placed on myself throughout the years has

carried on into my adulthood.  

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Max: No doubt my parents. They were always there for me when I needed them.  Between pitching practice, basketball camps, volleyball & softball tournaments, I could always count on

them to pick out the right uniform. They were my rock growing up and I wouldn‘t change a

thing.  

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Max: “Say Hey Kid” - Willie Mays.

Time Out with Betty (Lu) Hart -- 1990 Justin-Siena High graduate

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Betty Hart: I truly enjoy the lifetime of friendships and teamwork mentality that you learn through playing sports. You learn to work with others of all different backgrounds to achieve a common goal. You learn to put both your teammates and team first before your own personal goals. I have also enjoyed the competitive aspect athletics had to offer and have learned to persevere in everyday life no matter what the circumstance. I have learned that nothing comes without hard work and desire and I greatly attribute that to athletics.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Hart: I graduated from Occidental College with a BS in Kinesiology, took a little hiatus from academics and began coaching the Freshmen girls squad at Justin-Siena in 1995, where we were undefeated, which was fun. At Occidental, I started at both the point guard and 2-guard positions for four years and was nominated team captain and MVP senior year. I also played softball for three years (sophomore through senior years) for Occidental starting as center fielder receiving Rookie of the Year honors and Best Defensive player. After coming back to Napa for one year, I began working as a graduate assistant for Oakland University in Michigan during their transition from Div II to Div I athletics. I was a graduate assistant for the athletics department doing marketing and ticket sales. I received an MS in Exercise Physiology from Oakland University.

I then decided to continue onto podiatric medical school in San Francisco which led me to a surgical residency in St. Louis, MO. While in St. Louis, I met my husband, John, and we decided to stay out this way and began working in Tennessee. I am in private practice doing both podiatric medicine and surgery in Tennessee with three practice locations.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?

Hart: I enjoyed my English classes with Mr. Bob Morrish the most. He was entertaining as a teacher and was so intelligent in the way he would educate us and get his point across. His class always brought a smile to my face.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?

Hart: My favorite moment was my senior year during our playoff season when we had to travel to one of the, and an anonymous donor sponsored an entire fan bus to follow us to the game and cheer for us. It meant a lot to me to see the immense support we had from both our school and our community. We won that game and continued with the post season tournament finishing two games from state, losing to Campolindo High School who went on and played the next game winning the state championship that year.  

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Hart: I have grown a lot personally since graduating from high school and I attribute my competitive mentality and persevering attitude to athletics. I have learned never take anything for granted and that hard work and honesty will never come without reward. I also contribute my personal growth to my Christian upbringing and Catholic education.

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Hart: My mom is the most influential person in my life. She has taught me to work hard for what you want to achieve. She worked two jobs for us while growing up and was always there to support me in my athletic activities.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Hart: I have always been a fan of Michael Jordan.  I just think that he was truly a basketball legend and he brought the game to a whole new level.  His passion for the game and his desire to succeed are very admirable.

Time Out with Frank Aguirre (1993 Justin-Siena High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Frank Aguirre: Throughout my life, sports has created an opportunity to meet and connect with people I may have not had the chance to do so in regular daily life, throughout school or family functions. I can not say for sure if I athletics is where I learned to be more outgoing or if I came into sports already being outgoing, but I can say that athletics definitely facilitated the opportunity. I truly enjoyed meeting new people throughout athletic experience in life.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Aguirre: My career interest and dream throughout high school was to one day own my own restaurant. Since graduating high school almost 22 years ago, I have spent the first 15 years pursuing my dream to own and operate a restaurant which I did own from 2004 to 2009. Since getting out of the restaurant business, not through my own choice because it went bust on me, I have spent my time advocating, consulting and learning to help and support small business owners and entrepreneurs. I currently work for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in the Mayor's Office of Economic Development as a Business Development Specialist focusing on Small Business resources, initiatives and policy. I type these responses in a computer lab at Claremont Graduate University where I am slowly working on a PhD in Higher Education Leadership. My dream had been to own a restaurant, but things didn't go as expected. I feel fortunate to have a new passion in educating people and students about business and entrepreneurship.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?

Aguirre: I enjoyed my study skills course my freshman year. It was made up of a wide range of grade level students. It allowed me to meet and connect with students in other grades and classes that I may not have had a chance to connect with otherwise. That type of class allowed me to feel comfortable and allowed me to connect with upperclassmen. I felt more comfortable in my high school environment as I made more friends. You might remember, you were also in that class and we continued our friendship by having a course together. When I was an upperclassman, I consciously made the effort to connect with the lowerclassmen because of the positive effect that type of goodwill had on my experience and I wanted to be sure and return that same effort to other members of the student body who may not have felt comfortable in their new school.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?

Aguirre: Sophomore year in track and field. I was competing at the Sac-Joaquin Section track meet. My last throw in the competition and the last competitor in that event for my age group and I performed the best I had ever performed in my life and it was my personal record or my "PR" as we called it in that sport. While I had an excellent senior year in football and track in field, the experience I just described one specific moment that captures many situations that are and have been important to me for many different reasons.

To put things in context, this was for a shot put competition. I was the first one to use a spinning technique that I knew of in California, which is now a common technique used in competition. I was an undersized running back on the football field and I was not your typical shot put high level competitor in that I did not look like or resemble all the other shot putters at that level in any way shape or form. I simply looked different, I was one of the shortest, the smallest weight, and I sounded different with my typical grunt after each throw. My winning throw set me ahead at least by five feet from the nearest competitor, which was significant at that time. This might not sound like a big game story or 1,000 yard rushing milestone that some that know me might have expected for me to identify, but it was my favorite moment because it highlights the focus on technique, passion to compete and understanding of a personal commitment for reaching a personal record. The whole season and many seasons before that came down to one moment.

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Aguirre: I have grown a lot. I feel like a much more well rounded person. But most importantly I've learned that life is a constant maneuvering of Xs and Os, ups, downs, success and failures. Learning and continued development is key.  I'm sure much of that came from the lessons earned by passing years, but I feel fortunate to have had athletics as a point of reference in my life. These lessons and experiences I learned in sports easily transferred to my other endeavors, such as higher education, entrepreneurship, and to my current job. Once I decided to competed in my last track meet at Sacramento Community College, I found success in my education by referring back to the skills, efforts and commitment I had applied in sports. Whether it is the the effort to score and A grade in a course, make a free throw, a personal record in a track and field meet or a touchdown or great block on the football field, the process, focus and effort is basically the same. I've learned that success is transferable, whether it’s from a classroom, the playing field or in overcoming personal challenges, the lessons learned in sports can apply to all situations in one’s life if we allow ourselves to learn and apply from them.

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Aguirre: My immigrant mother and father. My mother is a courageous, but soft spoken lady. Over 50 years ago she came to this country, Napa specifically, as a single immigrant women, without knowing the language, the culture, and simply looking different. I was very fortunate that she and my father were able to square away their legal status before I was born, they were able to make a decent living, my mother as a janitor at the Veterans Home in Yountville, CA and my father as an Iron Worker and member of a local Iron Workers Union. I truly feel, especially as a child, that if they were not able to make a decent living working in one job, I would have had to spend my free time playing in a back yard instead of on a large practice field,  I would have had to spend my time at a child care center instead of out at a track meet, I would have had to watch basketball on TV instead of traveling to Sonoma to play our rivals. I still feel very fortunate and blessed that they had and I had the opportunities we had in the past and continue to benefit from today.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Aguirre: Abraham Lincoln. Favorite Abraham Lincoln Quote: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."

Breaking down the roots of Napa Valley sports rivalries

“Rivalry.” Sports fans hear the word thrown around vigorously but often times without truly examining its meaning. By Wikipedia’s definition, a rivalry is described as “an intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches, and management, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans.”

Having covered all of Napa County at one point or another in my former career or another, the biggest rivalries I’ve been in the middle of are Napa vs. Vintage, St. Helena vs. Justin, and Calistoga vs. St. Helena. Since American Canyon has only existed for five years, their truly defined rival is still being established.

At one time, Calistoga had an intense rivalry with St. Helena. But since the two schools do not play each other in every sport and infrequently in others, the rivalry is not there the way most people remember it. In fact, I’d go as far to say there is no rivalry. Or minimal at best.

Part of the reason why the Wildcats’ rivalry with St. Helena diminished is because St. Helena moved from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section and into the Superior California Athletic League with Justin-Siena in the mid-1980s.

Therefore, St. Helena’s rivalry emphasis shifted toward league foe Justin.

In 2000, the SCAL disbanded and the Saints and Braves went into separate leagues — therefore, also diminishing the “rivalry” notion.

I pose one more question: Does winning that “rivalry” game have the same meaning for both teams?

Based on my observation as an Upvalley sports reporter from 2004-2014, Calistoga vs. St. Helena and Justin-Siena vs. St. Helena do not belong in the rivalry discussion, despite what some want you to believe.

The former is much more of a rivalry to Calistoga than to St. Helena.

If Calistoga beats St. Helena, you would think the Wildcats won the World Series.

If St. Helena beats Calistoga, however, it’s “just another win.”

I saw an example of that earlier this season when Calistoga beat St. Helena 16-4 in softball, which is perhaps the only sport where one would give Calistoga the edge over the Saints. Anyhow, I remember seeing social media light up like a Roman Candle. However, I remember St. Helena beating the Wildcats on many occasions in other sports and it was not a peep from the Saints.

Right now, St. Helena’s rival is Middletown and to a lesser degree, Clear Lake. The rivalry with Middletown has particularly taken off with the Saints football program going 43-5 the last four seasons. Therefore they have become the biggest threat to Middletown.

Calistoga does not have a clearly defined rivalry. Some would say Rincon Valley Christian or St. Vincent but I beg to differ because it is a rivalry to Calistoga, not the other school. It also has not helped that the Wildcats’ league realigns on average of every two years. The closest would perhaps be Tomales because the Wildcats and Braves have generally remained league-mates (for lack of a better term.

As for Justin-Siena vs. St. Helena, when I was a student-athlete at Justin-Siena, the rivalry with St. Helena was very heated.

Now, however, I would say it’s more of a rivalry to St. Helena than Justin, for much the same reason Calistoga-St. Helena is much more of a rivalry to the Wildcats.

To that end, who is Justin’s rival? It’s hard to say because they are isolated from Marin County. I’m finding that it mostly depends on the sport.

So, that brings us to Napa vs. Vintage. This rivalry has lost a little bit of its luster because Napa has had a significant edge in football lately, winning nine in a row and 12 of the last 13, mostly in dominant fashion. To add further perspective, the last time Vintage beat Napa in football, the current graduates-to-be were in third grade. To that end, on the football side, Napa’s rivalry emphasis has turned to Vacaville since those two teams are constantly fighting it out for the MEL title.

No offense to other sports, but football alters the perception of a rivalry more so than any other sport.

However, what gives the Napa-Vintage rivalry its staying power is the social element, and winning that game carries equal meaning to both teams in virtually every sport.

So much so, it can define the success of a team’s season.

In addition, no matter how bad both teams are, the stands are packed.

Both teams could enter the game undefeated or without having won a single game, but when they play each other, the game is played at a fever pitch.

So what about the new school of Napa County, namely American Canyon? Who could be its rival? Too soon to tell, because rivalries develop over time.

Vintage could be a possibility because until AmCan opened in August of last year, many AC kids went to Vintage.

Since American Canyon did not have all four grades until the start of the 2012-2013 school year, Vintage High will had seniors from AC.

Benicia would be a good potential rival for AC as well.

I, for one, have noticed a feeling of tension on both sides when the two schools meet.

Both communities have a similar population, and distance and proximity can be a common denominator in rivalries, too, in that those parents, players or fans see each other on a regular basis.

High school and college fans are more passionate about their teams on the whole than pro sports fans, because our level of sports hasn’t been polluted with lockouts, exorbitant salaries and steroid testing.

With pro sports, rivalries have also been diminished by the free agency culture. Look at the NFL, Dallas Cowboys star running back DeMarco Murray has signed a contract to become a Philadelphia Eagle. With this move being common, it’s hard to give credence to rivalries in pro sports.

In college, the rivalry element has diminished somewhat too because in a business sense, college has become similar to pro. Plus, conferences realigning has taken away some rivalries but there are some rivalries that will always have staying power such as Ohio State-Michigan, Auburn-Alabama, and Duke-North Carolina. While you might have star athletes transfer schools it would never be to a rival. It’s not like you are going to see Tim Tebow transfer from Florida to Alabama.  

Time Out with Crystal Stober (2002 Napa High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Crystal Stober: Being an athlete growing up was always a big part of me. When I was young, I tried many different activities to keep me busy. I was in dance, I played the piano, but there was something about sports, softball in particular, that was just in my blood. I definitely had that competitive spirit, that drive to push forward and do the best that I could. I loved winning games and to get there you have to have a lot of dedication and practice. Being on the field as a pitcher and having all your teammates and fans look up to you to get the job done was one of the best feelings to have. I also really enjoyed the friendships that I formed with my teammates, most of whom I’m still in contact with these days. I feel like we brought the best out of each other which made it easier for us to achieve our goals and be winners.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Stober: After graduating from Napa High in 2002, I started working for a family business. It was great but not playing softball anymore was hard for me. So with my dad, Robb, and a good friend of mine we started coaching a team for the Napa Junior Girls Softball. I was having so much fun coaching and giving back all I learned over the years and seeing these young girls perform and excel we decided to put together another Screamers team. This was a traveling softball organization my dad formed back in the late 90's and now being a coach for that was a pretty awesome feeling. I started teaching girls how to pitch and watched them grow right in front of my eyes. A few years later I was approached by Vintage's varsity head coach at the time, Ward Mullins, and he wanted me to help assist on the JV team. Being from Napa High it was a little hard to say yes, but I couldn't turn it down, I was doing it for the girls. I was lucky enough to coach a Vintage for five years and was the JV head coach for three. I miss playing and coaching softball and it will always be something I treasure. Maybe one day I will start coaching again, but for now I am loving what I do being a photographer in this beautiful valley and owning my families design business.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Napa High?

Stober: 3. It’s hard to pick my favorite class in high school. I actually enjoyed going to school, well for the most part, I was a teenager. On a serious note, some of the classes I really enjoyed was photography with Mr. Fogle, even though he couldn't tell the difference between me and my best friend, Holli. Also journalism with Mr. Benson, both of these classes really brought out my creative side and probably another reason I have a photography business today. Another favorite on the more fun side was our Econ & Gov class with Mrs. Imrie. It was senior year and the whole class was pretty much friends. There was never a dull day in that classroom.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Napa High?

Stober: I was lucky enough to have a lot of successful moments and games during my softball career at Napa High. Being a pitcher on the Varsity team my JV year I thought was a great accomplishment. One of the games that always sticks out in my mind until this day was my during my senior year, it was a game against the Fairfield Falcons. The game was away that day and I was excited to be the starting pitcher. Fairfield was a really good team and their pitcher, Alicia Hollowell was incredible. She held a national strikeout record for high school, she was always on point and she had a lot of speed. It was an intense game and both teams battled hard. I ended up striking her out and I also got a nice hit off of her, one of the only three to do that during the game. A lot of people in the league probably thought we couldn't win but we did 2-1. We also broke their winning streak right at the end of the season which was pretty incredible. I personally couldn't have been happier with my performance that game. To beat a team and a player (Alicia) that was so successful was an amazing feat in my softball career.

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Stober: Since graduating high school I have grown in a lot of ways. I have taken a lot that I have learned from my teachers and coaches and implemented them into my life. As I mentioned earlier being an athlete, playing softball and being a part of a team meant a lot to me growing up. Not only was I a part of a team, I was a part of a family. We grew up together through those rough teenage years and I couldn't be more thankful to have had that bond. We were a group of hard working girls that wanted to be the best. Now as an adult having that drive a passion to win and be better is something that I use everyday. I feel like I am always learning something new and striving to be the best me that I can be. If I hadn't play sports I really don't know the kind of person that I would be today.

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Stober: My dad, hands down. He was my biggest fan and he's the one that got me started into sports. There is no doubt that I got my competitiveness from him. Not only was he my biggest supporter he was my coach. He was not one of those parent coaches that babies you and puts you in to play every time because you were their kid, he loved me but was probably always the hardest on me when something didn't go right or I was goofing off. At times back then I thought he was just being mean but he knew my potential and I saw that he was just pushing me to do better and succeed, and I did. He also would drive me out to Sacramento every week for pitching and hitting lessons. The lessons were only 15 minutes each but to him it was worth it to have me learn from some of the best! Not only did he drive me out there every week but other girls on my team as well for hitting and catching lessons. It's hard to put into words how thankful I am for his dedication to me and something I loved to do.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Stober: This is a tough one. I look up to a lot of people in the sports world but I'm probably going to have to say Jenny Finch. I always wanted to be like her, to be the best. She played in the summer olympics which was a dream of mine. In more ways that one she made a name for herself in the softball world and I would love to just meet her one day.

Time Out with Melinda Herrera (2000 Vintage High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Melinda Herrera: The thing I enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout my life is the adrenalin rush I got when playing. The rush of your nerves before a basketball game would start, or feeling her heart beat before the gun fire at a track meet. The buildup and excitement was amazing.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Herrera: After graduating high school, I played 1 1/2 years of college basketball, and then called it quits.  I coached for a couple years between 7-8 girls basketball and freshman high school basketball. I'm happily married with three children, and have a successful photography business.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Vintage High?

Herrera: My favorite class at Vintage was definitely photography. I had the ability to do what I wanted and create something through my perception.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Vintage High?

Herrera: That's a tough one. I've been blessed with a lot of awesome athletic memories with some amazing people. The one that sticks out the most is the Big Game in basketball at Vintage, where I was benched the entire first half of the game, and we came back and beat Napa.  Napa hadn't been beat by Vintage in years, so it was very exciting.

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Herrera: I've grown a tremendous amount since high school, from living a life without sports, to raising my own family, it's been an awesome ride and very eventful. Athletics I would say helped shape the woman/mom I am today. I learned hard work, dedication, drive, highs and lows, and teamwork from athletics. It's a great outlet for young kids, and learning to work through your emotions, and leaving your feelings at the door to concentrate on something else is something I hope to pass down to my kids. Learning to work hard, to see in yourself what others see in you.

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Herrera: Within my family the most influential people would be my parents. Growing up with very athletically talented parents has been hard and amazing at the same time. They not only were amazing athletes but had the ability to help coach me throughout the years. They lived the shoes they preached from, they walked to road I was on, and they encouraged me but kept me humble.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Herrera: Well, he's not really historical but his story is amazing. I would love to meet "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson. Coming from a life where he had little, to having a lot and living for his family, and keeping his family a priority through all his success is amazing.  I grew up watching him in the WWF wrestling and now watching him on film ... but the best parts are watching his interviews about his family, whether it be his wife or mom ... he speaks from his heart and that is hard to find in someone so known.