By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Journal to cover Delhi athletics
Hawks share league with TC, Denair
Delhi preview pic1
Delhis Hayden Stegar and his teammates participate in a tire flipping workout on Friday as the Hawks prepare for the 2012-13 football season. - photo by FRANKIE TOVAR / The Journal

Historically, the Turlock Journal has covered Turlock, Turlock Christian, Pitman, Hilmar and Denair High athletics as well as other youth athletes from these areas, providing our readership with up to date results and information for everything from football to swimming.

Now, starting with the 2012-13 school year, the Journal will add Delhi High to the mix, widening our coverage and giving the school’s athletes an opportunity to be recognized for their accomplishments. Delhi’s close proximity and connection to Turlock was one reason to include the Hawks in our coverage but the glaring fact that they are part of the Southern Athletic League and regularly compete against TC and Denair was more than enough reason to add them as our sixth school.

Like TC and Denair, Delhi has struggled in the past with low turnouts for athletic teams; a defining characteristic of many small schools. Recently, however, Delhi has begun to turn the tide.

The shift in performance and public perception started two years ago with Delhi’s first SAL title in school history coming by way of the Hawk tennis team. Although Delhi failed to repeat its championship performance this past season, they still forced stiff competition with stalwart Ripon Christian High and earned recognition from the other SAL teams as a squad to be reckoned with.

The tennis team’s accomplishment resulted in new found enthusiasm among the rest of Delhi’s athletes, sparking a desire not only to do well but excel and be top contenders. Delhi plans to continue its assent in the SAL this fall in football as the team looks to challenge Ripon Christian, Mariposa, and Le Grand High.

Besides football, Delhi’s boys soccer team is poised to make a run for a SAL championship this season after finishing in second place last year behind Gustine High. The school’s unique boxing program has been expanding and competing in matches across California. The growth of Delhi’s athletics isn’t relegated to existing sports either. The Hawks are currently developing a golf program with the help of Stevinson Ranch as they attempt to get athletes interested in the game and see the sport as a viable option.

It seems the timing couldn’t be more perfect to include Delhi in the Journal’s sports coverage. We will report on the Hawks’ successes and shortcomings. We will highlight promising athletes as well as up and coming programs and we will do so with the same diligence and interest afforded to the schools we’ve always covered.

So watch out readers, there’s a new kid on the block sporting cardinal red and black — the Delhi High Hawks.