Athletic School of the Year: W stands for Whitney

The 2022-23 athletic year saw amazing moments from a plethora of teams in the South Placer area. Granite Bay High won section championships in baseball and boys' tennis while sending multiple swimmers, golfers and wrestlers to the State Championships. Rocklin High won a section title in girls' tennis while sending athletes from boys' golf, wrestling, and track and field to state. Woodcreek High made it to the section semifinals in football for the first time in school history, won multiple titles in girls' water polo and won a section title in boys' volleyball. Oakmont High won a section title in baseball and made a run into the NorCal playoffs. Valley Christian Academy won section titles in boys' and girls' basketball. All of these schools, along with others, had teams who were also league champions and/or made playoff runs in multiple sports having great success. While these schools have earned recognition for their notable teams and athletes, one school dominated in many sports and won eight section titles. Athletic School of the Year: Whitney High School The Wildcats had their way in a number of sports this past year with eight section titles and a state champion, Ashanti Elie, in track and field. In the fall, Whitney High won the Sac-Joaquin Section in boys' and girls' cross-country and were also section champions in girls' volleyball. In the winter season, the boys' and girls' basketball teams won section championships on the same day at Golden 1 Center with the boys team being one win away from playing in the state championship. Junior wrestler Anthony Berg won an individual section title and qualified for state. Boys' soccer made it to the section title game. Whitney High continued its dominance in the spring with the boys' and girls' track and field team winning section titles and sent multiple athletes to state, including Ashanti Elie who won a state championship in the high jump. The softball team won its second section title in school history and made a run into the NorCal playoffs. Sophomore swimmer Jada Duncan won individual section titles in two different events. Boys' volleyball and baseball both competed for a section title. "I am just so proud of everyone involved with our high school and our athletic program," said Nick French, athletic director and head boys' basketball coach at Whitney High. "Everyone involved, from the amazing support we get from our Principal Scott Collins and our VP in charge of athletics Penny Shelton to our athletic support staff in the office. Our amazing coaches, they care so much about the kids and put in so much time building relationships, and then our student athletes, the ones that make it happen. Balancing school and sports at Whitney High School is no small task. Our athletes have committed themselves to their sports, teams and sports programs. They deserve everything that has happened this year." The Wildcats will look to have another successful year when fall sports start up in August.