Denair Wrestlers Hope to Build on Last Year’s Success

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Don Helnore was encouraged by the success of last year’s Denair High wrestling team, which finished third in the rugged Southern League. And though the Coyotes lost five seniors, the veteran coach is optimistic that his 16-man group can live up to similar expectations this time around.

Three wrestlers who qualified for the Division V Tournament return – senior Jordan Cervantes (132 pounds), junior Kyle Prock (138) and senior Kyle Perkins (220).

“For me, I want each guy as a returnee to improve and do better for himself and the team,” said Helnore, who has run the program for nine years. “For the new kids, I want them to find a love for the sport.”

In addition to Cervantes, Prock and Perkins, Helnore is high on 145-pound sophomore Blake Davis. “He’s already making big leaps from last year, when he really pushed some guys.”

The early part of the season features some regional tournaments and a handful of dual meets. For now, Helnore said the focus is on “conditioning and technique work.”

“We have a basic plan for all our guys. As you see them wrestle and move, you find out what they’re good at and build on that,” he said. “But like in any sport, you have a basic foundation that you teach.

“Right now, we’re working on stances, hand position, head position. What am I trying to do? Motion and movement. Once we get into league season, there’s more wrestling.” Continue reading “Denair Wrestlers Hope to Build on Last Year’s Success” »

Optimism Runs High for Denair Boys Basketball

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Denair boys basketball 2015

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Five games in five nights. Thirteen games in 19 days. The three-month basketball season may be a mini-marathon, but December promises to be a sprint for the Denair High boys team. It won’t take long for the Coyotes to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

“My whole thing in December is to define roles. That’s where we’re at,” said fourth-year coach R.J. Henderson. “Everything we do in the first month is to gauge where we are come January and February.”

Henderson begins the season with more depth than he’s ever had. Fourteen players will suit up for the home opener against Stone Ridge Christian – five more than he had on the varsity roster at the end of last season. He is hopeful that will allow the Coyotes to be more aggressive offensively and defensively, and compete for one of the Southern League’s three playoff berths. Denair was 8-18 overall and 4-8 in league play last year.

“We’re going to be more up-tempo, especially when we get to league,” Henderson said. “Talent-wise, we have the players to do that. We want to push the ball up the floor and do the things we haven’t been able to do in the past.”

Much of the optimism surrounding this year’s team revolves around senior point guard and captain Isaac Starks. This will be his third season with the varsity. Last year, he averaged 12 points and 4.3 assists per game, and was named to second-team all-league. Henderson has higher expectations this season.

“He’s got the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. He’s one of the two of three best guys in our league at that,” the coach said. “He’s got great range for a high school kid. He’s by far the best shooter I’ve had in my four years here.”

Starks made 40% of his three-pointers in limited action as a sophomore and 35% as a starter last season. Henderson said it will be rare when Starks comes out of a game this year. Continue reading “Optimism Runs High for Denair Boys Basketball” »

Tragedy Strikes Twice Among Denair Staff

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Mark Selee

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Students and employees of the Denair Unified School District are mourning the sudden losses of two popular educators in the past month.

Over the weekend, fourth-grade teacher Mark Selee died of an apparent heart attack while traveling away from his home. On November 1, para-educator Elizabeth De La Rosa succumbed to injuries suffered when she was hit by a pickup in Turlock while walking in late October.

Their deaths, coming so close together, have been a tragic and emotional blow for their colleagues as well as their students.

“To lose two in such a short time is heartbreaking,” said Michelle Bush, the district’s director of student support services.

Selee, 44, had worked on the elementary campus since 2002. He was in his second year as a fourth-grade instructor and previously had taught physical education. He also oversaw the student safety patrol in front of the Denair Elementary Charter Academy campus each day.

“He was one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met,” said DECA Principal, Sara Michelena. “He was absolutely kind to everyone. He was the one who always took troubled students under his wing and worked with them, without judgment.

“I had numerous requests to put kids in his class. Parents just loved him. First and foremost, he just loved his kids. He always wanted to make sure their needs were met. He challenged students and still made kids feel accepted.”

Michelena said Selee had “an amazing work ethic.” It was easy to tell where he was, she added, because his “distinctive” laugh often could be heard all across the campus. “He always found something to be happy about. He was like everyone’s brother.”

Michelena spent Monday calling the families of all of Selee’s current students. And though the DECA teachers are off this week, she invited everyone to a meeting Tuesday afternoon to talk and plan for next week. She said grief counselors will be on hand for students and staff, and roaming substitute teachers will be available for teachers who need a break during the day. Continue reading “Tragedy Strikes Twice Among Denair Staff” »

Denair Cheerleaders Perform at Sacramento Kings Game

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Denair cheerleaders 1

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Twenty members of the Denair High School cheerleading team performed at halftime of the Sacramento Kings game on Sunday at Sleep Train Arena in front of more than 17,000 people.

The squad has known for about a month of the opportunity, which was arranged by coach Robyn Hilton.

The Coyotes cheerleaders were given a minute-long routine and the accompanying music about two weeks ago so they could begin to practice, said assistant coach Hannah Yanez. The Kings asked them to arrive Sunday by 9 a.m. so they could rehearse the steps.

The team joined five or six other high school cheerleading squads and dance groups for the routine at halftime, which wasn’t until about 7 p.m.

“They really enjoyed it and had a good time,” Yanez said. “It’s exciting for them to perform in such a big arena and with other groups.”

It was the second time in two years that Denair’s cheerleaders have appeared at a professional sporting event. Last fall, they performed in Oakland at a Raiders game.

Denair Tornado Damage Photo Gallery

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The National Weather Service has categorized Sunday afternoon’s tornado as an EF-1 storm, with winds from 86 to 110 miles per hour.  Twenty one structures were damaged, fences knocked over and many trees were uprooted or damaged. No serious injuries were reported. The tornado followed Zeering Road, moving east across Santa Fe Avenue. A photo gallery of the damage is provided below.