It could be purely coincidence, but a link now exists between the greatest four-year career by a Gilroy High athlete and the most accomplished athlete to continue competing after leaving the school.

The Dispatch's Male Athlete of the Year, Martin Gonzalez, is the only Mustang wrestler to ever win two state titles. Coached by his father, Armando, Gonzalez's upbringing centered around wrestling from the age of seven, and culminated in March with back-to-back titles at the most difficult state wrestling tournament in the country. The feat is made most impressive considering the only thing that separates the competitors is weight class rather than divisions based upon school enrollment.

Jeff Garcia, a four-time NFL pro bowler who had success at GHS but saw his star shine far brighter long after he left the city limits of Gilroy, was also tutored by his father, Bobby, who coached at Gavilan College over the course of three decades.

Gilroy wrestling, winners of an unprecedented seven straight Central Coast Section titles, has reached a level on par with, or better than, the best programs in CCS history for any sport. As a by-product, a line of succession has been created for the title of Best Wrestler in GHS History.

Kordell Baker, the first Mustang to win a state title in 1987, was unmatched for two decades, but 2008 graduate Hunter Collins took over the throne with his state title as a senior last year, finishing his GHS career as a four-time CCS champ and four-time state placer, never finishing worse than eighth at the season-ending tournament.

Martin Gonzalez quickly dethroned Collins, his best friend, by becoming the first two-time state champ from Gilroy to go with two CCS titles. He placed seventh at state as a sophomore, but if the goal each season is to finish with your arm raised by a referee in triumph, there is no debate about Gonzalez's standing amongst the best to come from GHS. Two state titles is all that need be said.

Gonzalez's place atop the annals of Gilroy wrestling could be short-lived, though, as his training partner for the last three seasons, Jesse Delgado, finished third at state as a freshman and sophomore and broke through for his first state title as a junior this past season.

Unless Delgado is able to match his teammate's two state titles, Gonzalez will remain the undisputed champ of GHS wrestling. Competing in the notoriously stacked 119- and 125- pound divisions the past three seasons, Gonzalez will leave GHS having accomplished more than any other individual Mustang. He also has placed second and fifth at national competitions.

Joining his brother, Armando Jr., at Cal State Fullerton on an athletic scholarship in the fall, Gonzalez could very well capture an NCAA title before he's completed his collegiate career.

"Now, I'm just focusing on the next chapter: the D-I college level," Gonzalez said.

Winning an NCAA title would be the next step in Gonzalez becoming a name as fabled as Garcia following his days in Gilroy.

Peter Guenther - Senior of the Year

Over his four years at Gilroy High, Peter Guenther molded himself into one of the best track and field athletes the school has ever produced. Winning the 110 and 330 hurdles at this spring's Central Coast Section championships, Guenther joined elite company while proving himself worthy of the athletic scholarship he received from UC Riverside. He became just the second Mustang to win two CCS titles in the same year and ended his season with a seventh-place finish at state in the 300.

A diligent worker with a humble attitude, Guenther's coaches say few athletes in the program's history have maximized their potential to the extent Guenther did over the course of his four years at GHS. On top of his work on the track, Guenther showed versatility by playing a key role on this past season's Tri-County Athletic League champion football team, for whom he starred as a running back. Away from athletics, Guenther also played a key role in the school choir, which made a trip to Carnegie Hall earlier this year.

Jesse Delgado - Junior of the Year

Jesse Delgado is so talented on the mat that the junior viewed his outstanding accomplishments in the first two years of his Gilroy High wrestling career as failures. Taking third place in the state as a freshman and sophomore, Delgado was more than disappointed. He was crushed. The 121-pounder known as "Little Man" expects nothing short of winning every match, which made his state title this past season as thrilling as it was a relief.

Matching this season's effort, while every wrestler of his weight in the state thinks of beating him during their training, will be no easy task, but Delgado has one clear advantage: talent. It can be contained for a period of time, but talent generally wins out when it's paired with work ethic. And Gilroy wrestling has found few teams willing to make the sacrifices that the Mustangs make on a daily basis to be the best in the Central Coast Section and a state contender year in and year out.

Eric Vegas - Sophomore of the Year

"Power to burn" is the expression Clint Wheeler, Manager of this past season's Gilroy High baseball team, commonly used in reference to sophomore Eric Vegas. Playing mainly first base in the field, it was Vegas' bat that had the ability to catapult Gilroy's offense from steady to lethal. He led the Mustangs in hits (37) and home runs (7), and tied for the team lead in RBI (27).

Possessing a big frame that doesn't tell the whole story of his athleticism, Vegas looks poised to become the next big two-sport star at Gilroy. On top of his work on the diamond, Vegas is receiving rave reviews from GHS football coaches, who think he can be a force as a defensive lineman or linebacker. Either way, Vegas will be all about that hard hit.

Rafael Garcia - Freshman of the Year

It didn't take long for Rafael Garcia to wow everyone in the Gilroy High baseball program. A sweet swing, smarts on the basepaths and a dragnet for a glove in the field left Mustangs Manager Clint Wheeler thinking Garcia could become a four- to five-tool player by his senior year, and possibly the best player the school has ever produced. Obviously that's high praise considering Chris Gimenez, a 2001 GHS graduate, broke into Major League Baseball this season.

Unfortunately for fans of Gilroy, the freshman's impact isn't likely to continue beyond this past season, as Garcia is rumored to be transferring to join his brother at Valley Christian.

2008-2009 All Gilroy Team

Dante Fullard, Football: Dante Fullard will go down as the best receiver in school history after snagging 78 catches for 1,378 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. His numbers were aided by a spread offense, but Fullard was often a man among boys on the field.

Jamie Jensen, Football: Jamie Jensen was the quarterback everyone was talking about going into the season and his numbers backed up the hype. Jensen threw for 3,210 yards and 29 touchdowns to extend his lead on every GHS passing record.

Tony Travis, Football: An excellent athlete who had ball-hawking skills on par with the best of them, safety Tony Travis was an All-Tri-County Athletic League selection after picking off four passes as a senior.

Richie Sotelo, Football: Richie Sotelo could get it done on defense, special teams and offense, which is why he was an All-TCAL selection. A safety with great acceleration, Sotelo was often a huge gamebreaking threat on kickoff returns.

Greg Calimpong, Volleyball: No setter has distributed the ball with more precision and grace than Greg Calimpong. The TCAL MVP set new school records for assists in a game while leading the Mustangs to the

CCS playoffs.

Jordan Holler, Baseball: Jordan Holler's smooth swing started to cause havoc for the rest of the Tri-County Athletic League, as the center fielder boosted his average over .400 by the end of the season.

Taylor Chris, Baseball: A lefty who could get it done on the mound as well as at the plate, Taylor Chris often took the challenge of being the Game 1 starter of each series on top of being one of the most consistent hitters on the team.

Tyler Hartman, Basketball: A unique blend of size and skill allowed Tyler Hartman to lead the Mustangs to a surprisingly strong season - 15-13 - after winning just eight games a season prior.

Bruce Ocana, Soccer: Fiery on the field at almost all times, Bruce Ocana was the rock of this season's soccer team. He led the Mustangs to the CCS playoffs with 10 goals and 11 assists on the year.

Eddie Malick, Swimming: Eddie Malick could be on his way to a CCS title if the junior continues the progress he made this season. He took fourth at CCS in the 100 breaststroke while also helping to break the school record in the 400 free relay.

Honorable Mention

The following is a short list of some of the top performers in boys' sports this past season at Gilroy High.

Football: Ray Gonzalez, Chris McMurray, Brandon Elam, Logan Sweeney; Basketball: Greg Hamik, Elijah Harrell; Baseball: Roberto Celestino, Michael Hartman, Lukas Fortino, Derek Engen; Volleyball: Sam Howard, Alfred Medenceles, Thomas Costa, Nico Sandoval; Soccer: Jorge Sanchez, Andy Moya, Carlos Cortez, Tennis: Vinh Vong, Matt Chan; Swimming: David Pribyl, Wrestling: Willie Fox, Luis Barragan.