After winning an ongoing record 17th Central Coast Section championship last year–capping a 17-0-2 season–the Los Gatos High School field hockey team remains firmly entrenched as the gold standard in the area.
Regardless of sport, few programs have had the sustained success as the Wildcats, who are 4-0, having outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 34-0. Despite the dominating victories, the Los Gatos players won’t get complacent–Henry Reyes will make sure of that.
“So, we have things to learn. We’re going to get better and refine what it is we have to do,” said Reyes, who is in his 33rd season as the Los Gatos coach. “By the midpoint of the season, we will be clearly more comfortable with what our roles are. We’re going to keep adjusting and fix things when necessary.”
With a 43-player roster, uber-talented athletes and a 67-year-old coach who is still at the top of his game, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the Wildcats are hoisting up the CCS trophy again in November.
Reyes loves his senior captain trio of Alice Anckarman, Margo Rawlings and Clare Torres. Anckarman leads the charge at forward; Rawlings anchors the defense; and Torres has already made her presence felt, even though she won’t see a single minute of playing time this season.
A standout player from last year’s squad, Torres suffered a torn ACL during the spring softball season. Rather than being a mere sideline spectator, however, Torres has found a way to make an invaluable contribution.
“She’s giving tremendous guidance and mentoring, above and beyond what she would’ve done,” Reyes said. “That’s a big deal and it’s huge for us because she’s right there in the know. She sees and understands what the kids are feeling and experiencing.”
Junior Leaya Cleary enters her third season as a starter and has a knack for scoring in crucial moments. Fellow juniors Kendall Sutherland and Leighton Ozawa and seniors Addi Sorto and Gabriella McGrath all make an impact in different ways.
Junior Emma Barrier is in her first season as the starting goalie. She has a clean sheet through three matches.
“These are all kids who have had strong performances. But it’s such a big group we have, and we’re still observing,” Reyes said. “So, during the course of the year, maybe some of the names will change as to who we’re talking about.”
So, how does Los Gatos stay on top, especially in an area where the private schools from the powerful West Catholic Athletic League typically dominate the CCS landscape?
It starts with Reyes, who coached Branham High for three years before landing at Los Gatos High in 1992. The Wildcats won their first CCS title a year later, igniting an unprecedented level of success that includes the aforementioned 17 CCS titles to go along with six runner-up finishes.
During this dynastic run, Los Gatos has failed to reach the CCS playoff semifinals just twice–in 1994 and 2005–a remarkable level of consistency. When asked how the Los Gatos field hockey juggernaut stays on top, Reyes cited four key factors: urgency, adjusting, talent and culture.
“I’m not doing anything different than anyone else, to be honest with you,” Reyes said. “Not getting complacent is important. You can never get complacent and expect to stay ahead. I have my technique, foundation and principles I’m working with, but like anything over time the game has changed and times change. And if we weren’t prepared to make adjustments, then that four-year drought would increase.”
Reyes was referring to the 2004-2007 seasons, Los Gatos’ longest period in between winning championships.
The end of a dynasty? Not a chance.
The Wildcats proceeded to win the championship in 11 of the next 15 seasons.
“We retooled after losing those four years,” Reyes said. “We’ve been extremely aware of changes in the game, changes in philosophy—of what the kids see and what we want to do. We’re a lot more alert now than ever before, and I attribute that to my coaching staff, who all played for me.”
Reyes and his assistant coaches focus on fundamentals while always being on alert for shifts in the sport.
“I see another trend coming, but we’ll have to reexamine it and see if we can adapt it to the next level,” he said.
Reyes credits the players he’s had for their work ethic, consistency and ability to take in new information and immediately apply it in games. Los Gatos doesn’t just win on the scoreboard–they’re tops in participation as well.
Even with 43 players on the varsity team and 30 on the junior varsity squad this season–low by Los Gatos standards–the Wildcats routinely boast the largest roster in the CCS. Part of that is due to the popularity of field hockey in Los Gatos, and the other factor is Reyes doesn’t cut players.
“If Los Gatos kids decide they want to stay, who in the world am I to tell some little freshmen…‘Thank you very much, but nah, you’re not good enough,’” Reyes said. “My concept is, you stay (on the team)—if you run your guts out and don’t come up with excuses.”
Coaches typically don’t carry a surplus of players, because there’s only so many minutes to dole out.
However, Reyes approaches the numbers game differently.
“When we started to get our roster to the 60s, 70s and 80s, people wondered if there was value in having the other 30, 40 kids stay on,” Reyes said. “And all I have to say about that is the level of exposure for the kids was huge. And the track record speaks for itself so there must be something to it.”
