San Mateo's Top 10 Sports Feats of 2011

What were the most memorable accomplishments of the high school teams and athletes in San Mateo in 2011? We’re glad you asked.

Here is a look at the city’s top 10 difference makers of the past year:

1. Serra Football: The Padres’ season will be remembered for three main things: the program’s first Central Coast Section championship since 1990 (and second overall), the decision to not opt into the CCS Open Division for the first time, and senior Erich Wilson’s record-breaking senior season. Serra finished 11-2, defeating Menlo-Atherton 42-21 in the CCS Division I final, and saw the Washington-bound Wilson set several school records, including career touchdowns (52), single-season rushing (2,106 yards) and career rushing (3,361).

2. Lauren Croshaw – Aragon Girls Cross Country and Track: After finishing third and second at CCS the previous two years, the Peninsula Athletic League cross country champion streaked to her first section title as a senior by winning the Division II race in 18 minutes, 5 seconds. During her junior track season, the two-time PAL champ broke a school record in the 1,600-meter race by finishing fourth at CCS in 5:02.08.

3. Hillsdale Softball: The Knights rolled to 24 wins and their second consecutive title in the Peninsula Athletic League’s top-tier Bay Division behind Memphis-bound pitcher Jordan Richwood, the PAL Bay’s Pitcher of the Year. Hillsdale finished just short of winning the program’s first CCS championship in 20 years, losing to star-studded Mitty in the Division II semifinals.

4. Aragon Girls Soccer: One year after the Dons claimed their first CCS title, they secured their first championship in the PAL’s top-tier Bay Division on the final day of the regular season. Rachel Killigrew was named the PAL Bay Defender of the Year and midfielder/forward Kat McAuliffe (now a Santa Clara Bronco) starred on offense for a team that finished 14-3-5 overall and advanced to the CCS Division II semifinals.

5. Serra Basketball: For the second straight year the Padres lost a heartbreaker in the CCS Division I final, falling 46-44 to Santa Teresa as the program’s sixth section title remained elusive. Senior guard Connor McGrath sparked Serra all season, guiding the team to a 21-10 overall record and an appearance in the Northern California playoffs.

6. Ronald Chen – San Mateo Boys Swimming: Chen broke the PAL Ocean Division finals record in the 100-yard breaststroke (59.56) and the 200 individual medley (1:55:47), making him the meet’s record-holder in three of the eight individual events. He then capped his standout junior season by advancing to the CCS finals in two events for the second straight year, finishing sixth in the 500 freestyle (4:38.75) and eighth in the 200 IM (1:53.34).

7. Dalyn Pacheco and Ben Parodi – Serra Track and Field: The Padre seniors both won a West Catholic Athletic League title -- Pacheco in the triple jump (44 feet, 5½ inches) and Parodi in the shot put (56-4). At the CCS finals, Pacheco took second in the high jump by clearing 6-5, and Parodi was fourth in the shot put (54-7¼).

8. Jesse Wong – San Mateo Boys Track and Field: Wong had a superb performance at the PAL finals, winning the league championship in the 110 hurdles (15.91) and 300 hurdles (41.16) and finishing third in the triple jump (41-10¾). The senior then took fifth in CCS in the 300 hurdles in 40.29.

9. Miya Oto – Aragon Girls Swimming: The senior enjoyed a fantastic day at the PAL Bay Division championships, finishing as one of just two double winners among the girls. Oto defended her 2010 league title in the 50 freestyle in 25.28 and also won the 100 freestyle (55.03).

10. Grayce Ujihara – San Mateo Girls Basketball: In a strong senior season, Ujihara was named the PAL Bay Division’s MVP and led the Bearcats to their first CCS victory in three years. The fleet guard also set a PAL record by making 10 3-pointers in a game against Terra Nova, the eventual league champion.