Blankenship was named the junior of the year on the Blossom Valley Athletic League (BVAL) Santa Teresa Division all-league team the year before, and Westmont coach Tony Santos had high expectations for his senior passer this season.

Blankenship didn't disappoint. The quarterback threw well enough to lead the Warriors to a winning season and was recognized for his efforts by winning the division's most outstanding offensive back award at the year's end.

Blankenship was joined on the league's special honors list by teammate Burt Codera. The junior cornerback was named the league's most outstanding defensive back.

Six teammates joined Blankenship and Codera on the all-league squad for Westmont.

Linebackers Robert Jennings and Jacob Goytia and defensive back Brian DeWitt, all seniors, were named to the all-league first team defense.

Claiming all-league second team honors were senior running back Mike Jiosa, sophomore running back Daniel Weller and senior linebacker Gregg Barr.

In games actually contested, Westmont posted a 6-3 record for the year and 3-2 mark in the Santa Teresa Division (two forfeits in the final two games of the year marred the otherwise solid showing for the Warriors). Westmont won four straight games to open the season and won five of its first six games.

Prospect's Joey Puccinelli walked off with a special award after the all-league voting. The junior was named the division's outstanding special teams player.

Joining Puccinelli on the all-league list for the Panthers were junior running back Jeremy Nuia and senior linebacker Austin Baumgarten, who were both named to the first team.

Claiming all-league second team for the Panthers were senior running back Steve Kong and senior linebacker Ted Piggins.

Del Mar nailed a couple of spots on the all-league team. Senior wide receiver Brett Payton was selected to the first team offense and junior defensive back Chris Little was tagged to the second team defense.


Saratoga football

Greg Van Hoesen topped a list of four Saratoga football players to earn recognition on the all-league team in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL).

Van Hoesen, a talented two-way starter for the Falcons, was named as the league's co­outstanding outside linebacker along with Janal Arthur of Milpitas. The Saratoga senior also started at offensive guard for the Falcons.

Offensive linemen Chris Barrett and Jon Anderson and running back John Griffin were other Falcons honored with all-league spots.

Barrett, a senior tackle, and Anderson, a senior guard, were selected to the all-league first team offensive unit.

Griffin, a senior who starred at running back and as a kick returner for the Falcons, was named an all-league first team utility player.

Barrett, Griffin and Van Hoesen joined Jeff Lee and Marc Crosby as co-captains for Saratoga's 2002 football team.

The five, along with Anderson, were all seniors on the Saratoga squad that played in the De Anza Division. Other seniors wrapping up their football careers at Saratoga this fall were starters Jonny Miroyan, Buck Wright, Brett Behnke, Kenny Keast, Kyle McMullin and Matt Bickenbach, and Gene Lu, Ricky Castellanos, Kevin Yen and Shahab Vahabi.

Saratoga will move to the SCVAL's El Camino Division next fall when quarterback Brett Granum, running back Dayne McGee, linebacker Ryan Newberry and offensive linemen Jon Cha and Chris Kowitz will be among the top returners.


Girls volleyball

Sara Kolstad of Del Mar and Kathryn Overmeyer of Westmont were each among the special award winners on the all-league volleyball team in the Santa Teresa Division of the BVAL.

Kolstad, a senior middle blocker, was named along with junior middle blocker Kelsey Roseland of Willow Glen as co­most valuable players in the division.

Overmeyer, a setter for the Warriors, was tabbed the sophomore of the year in the division. Middle blocker Brianna McQuay of Santa Teresa was the junior of the year and middle blocker Fuatino Aiomo of Overfelt was the freshman of the year.

Westmont's Hilary Collins and Christine Barbin, both senior middle blockers, were selected to the all-league first team. Teammate Megan Merril, a junior outside hitter, was named to the second team.

Prospect's Alicia Telfer was named to the all-league team in the rugged Mt. Hamilton Division of the BVAL. The senior middle hitter was picked to the second team.