Twenty years ago, on August 19, 1995, Manteca High football coach Joe Miller and his staff took some time from their early practice routine to meet with parents and fans at the annual football social. The social, put on by the Manteca High Athletic Boosters at the Delicato Winery, raised money for the program while at the same time giving the coaches a chance to meet informally with the parents of their players. “You get to meet people on a little different level than you meet them on Friday nights,” Miller said. Miller and Booster Club president Galen Smalley said the group spent $21,000 last year in providing new uniforms and equipment for all of the sports teams at Manteca High.
In other sports stories from the Bulletin files:
100 years ago: August 20, 1915 – The Manteca Merchants had a worthy bunch of opponents on Sunday when they traveled to Brentwood to play the B-B’s, who have been playing a strong game all season. They collected 13 hits off two Manteca pitchers, Libhart and Blodgett, making the final score Brentwood 11, Manteca 3. Libhart and Nelson Potter each got two hits for the Merchants.
40 years ago: August 20, 1975 – Manteca and East Union High schools have announced increases in ticket prices to football and basketball events. In each sport the ticket price will increase 25 cents per ticket. Adults will now be charged $2 for admission to football games. Children accompanied by an adult will pay $1. Basketball admission will increase to $1.75 for adults, students without cards and unaccompanied children. Price for student body cards will remain at 75 cents for basketball events. Both high school principals, Ed Brasmer of Manteca High and Dick Durham of East Union High, said rising costs in athletics were reasons for the increases.
Girls’ volleyball is beginning its third year at East Union High. Preseason practice will begin this week. Linda Joplin and Chris Chisholm will co-coach the varsity and junior varsity teams this year.
Football hopefuls at East Union High complete their week of pre-season conditioning this evening and have to contemplate twice-a-day drills which await them beginning Monday. The Lancer grid staff, headed by Vern Gebhardt, will be running candidates on to the field at 6:15 in the morning and at 5 p.m. in the afternoon. Gebhardt was pleased with the conditioning phase of the workouts. “The people we wanted to see here have show up,” said the EU mentor.
Football is just beginning to happen at Manteca High. Head coach Walker Vick and his staff will wind up the first week of practice this week and will be going full tilt next week.
30 years ago: August 19, 1985 – Manteca High junior Kevin Wentworth fired a 73 Tuesday to take the Big I Youth Golf Classic title with a four-over-par 293 at the Otter Creek Golf Club in Columbus, Indiana. Wentworth finished six shots ahead of Dudley Hart of Miami, Florida, who shot a 79 in the final round.
20 years ago: August 22, 1995 – The Luna Painting Hot Shots men’s softball team rallied from a first-round loss to place fifth in the U.S.S.S.A. California State Championship Tournament during the weekend. The Hot Shots team, which is made up primarily of players from Manteca, went 5-2 in the 32-team tourney. Team members Ken Culis and Barry Fisk were named to the All-State team. After beating teams from Hayward, Newark, Yuba City, Fresno and Milpitas, they were downed 10-5 by Pray for Rain from Pleasanton.
Manteca swimmers set numerous personal records and collected a dozen first-place ribbons at the Delta Valley Aquatics Meet held at Lincoln High in Stockton during the weekend. The DVA team, which includes 19 Manteca youths, hosted the tourney which drew more than a dozen teams from California and Nevada. Leading the local swimmers with a trio of victories was 11-year-old Quentin Chaves. His wins were in the 100 breaststroke (1:21.15), the 50 breast (38.7) and in the 100 backstroke (1:17.46). Stroking to a pair of wins was 10-year-old Nicole Draa (50 back in 35.11 and the 100 IM in 1:25.16). Eleven year-old Erin Pritchard (100 breast in 1:16.97) and the 50 breast in 35.18; 15 year-old Silke Bradford (50 freestyle in 25.6) and the 100 free in 56.06; and 17 year-old Ryan Yamasaki (100 butterfly in 1:12.42 and the 100 free in 55.39.
Manteca High’s volleyball team became the first local squad to open the new season Thursday when it lost to Turlock High in four games. After blasting past the Bulldogs 15-1 in the first game, the Lady Buffs lost 15-12, 15-11 and 16-14 in the next three. Beth Cochran led MHS with 11 kills, seven blocks and five aces in the match.
10 years ago: August 17, 2005 – The Manteca High football program will be holding its annual Manteca High Football Social on Friday evening. The event will be hosted by Delicato Winery from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. All guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend the gala.
