A Clovis West running back is coming back from a serious injury, while a goalkeeper from Fresno chases his dream at Barca Academy in Arizona, a standout midfielder at Bullard looks to build on a successful junior season and an up-and-coming hooper aims to make a name as a floor general.
D’ante Benjamin
After missing most of his sophomore season due to injury, Clovis West running back D’ante Benjamin is ready to bounce back.
“I’m looking forward to playing again because I was injured and was out for the season,” the junior said. “I’m also looking forward to playing on the varsity level and bettering my game.”
It was a busy summer for Benjamin as he spent most of the time working out with his coach and trainer as well as constantly studying the playbook and gaining weight.
“Some people who have helped me is coach Martinez. He has been training me since July, helping me perfect my craft,” Benjamin said. “Another person is my teammate Dereck Moreland. He has been helping me find ways to gain weight and just motivating me.”
The running back also credits his teammate, John Parks.
“He has been teaching me things about playing the running back position — when it comes to making the right cuts, knowing where the linemen are blocking, and overall how to become better at my position,” the junior said.
Benjamin is looking forward to showing off the improved aspects of his game when football resumes.
“The areas I’m most focused on when it comes to improving my game is being able to make defenders miss, working on my speed, and being able to make the right reads in the backfield, and being able to break tackles,” he said.
The Clovis West atmosphere will be a welcome site for Benjamin as he makes his return to the field.
“What I like about playing for Clovis West is the atmosphere,” he said. “The coaches and players are cool people. Plus we have a really good team this year and I know were going to do big things this season.”
Austin Montoya
Fresno native Austin Montoya is getting valuable life experiences as he pursues his dream of playing professional soccer. The 13-year-old goalkeeper is currently staying at Barca Academy in Arizona, where he lives on campus with his teammates and trains with the top coaches in the country while attending school.
“Living on my own at 12 years old has been different,” Montoya said. “I have made so many new friends from all over the states and different countries. Barca Residency Academy brings different people and cultures together, for the same reason — the love of game. I am getting the best coaching and playing with some of the best players from all over.”
As he learns to be independent, Montoya is already taking care of adult responsibilities, including doing his own laundry and making Orthodontic appointments.
“Moving to Barca Residency away from my family is a huge sacrifice, but what we decided is best to help me achieve my dreams of playing professionally,” he said.
Montoya took part in another life-changing experience last year when he traveled to Germany to train with Bayern Munich Academy.
“The players, coaches and competition was like nothing I had experienced,” he said. “We also had the opportunity to attend a Champions League game, Bayern Munich vs Olympiacos. Training with Bayern Munich Academy opened my eyes to bigger dreams for the future on the pitch.”
Working with Fresno trainer Matias Fernandez and Jason Smith, another Central Valley native attending Barca Academy, as well as several more coaches and his father, Montoya continued to improve his skills during the summer.
“Over the summer, I worked out five days a week,” the rising soccer star said. “We worked on speed, strength/conditioning and technique. I began resistance training to help build muscles and stretch. Yoga was a part of my training too.”
Montoya is also focused on being more of a leader on the field.
“I am working to be more commanding, communicating with my teammates and directing traffic at all
times,” he said. “As a keeper, I see the entire field, what is happening and what needs to happen next. I am also working on attacking the ball while diving. When you move forward you get to the ball more quickly.”
The student-athlete has also enjoyed success in the classroom, earning honor roll and character counts awards.
“I was chosen by my teachers to be a part of PASA (Principal’s Advisory on Student Affairs),” he said. “This was a group of leaders that helped keep a good culture on campus.”
Julianna “Nia” Hernandez
Bullard soccer standout Julianna Nia Hernandez is looking to follow up on a stellar junior season. The senior has been training with her club team, Alliance, during the offseason and working on her technique when she’s at home, doing footwork and agility drills.
“Currently, I am focused on attacking open space with speed and taking as many chances as I can in one-vs-ones and in shooting,” Hernandez said.
Playing for the Knights, the midfielder has enjoyed the positive and competitive environment the players create for each other.
“All the coaches are really supportive and encouraging in and outside of soccer,” she said. “We all push ourselves and one another in game and in practice to get the best out of each other.”
Hernandez credits all the coaches she has through the years, including current Bullard coach, Jonathan Vivian.
“Coach Vivian helped me realize how much potential I truly I had and pushed me all the way through into becoming the player the am today,” the senior said.
Hernandez is also grateful for her parents, who she says have been supportive of decisions she makes.
“I will always be grateful for all the people that have gotten me to where I am,” the Bullard student-athlete said.
In what was an all-around standout junior campaign, Hernandez was named CMAC Player of Year, totaling 20 goals and five assists. Oh by the way, she also earned a 4.16 GPA last year.
Abram Potts
Abram Potts had an unforgettable year in 2019. The Rio Vista Middle School hooper was named MVP of his team and also recognized for his academic excellence, earning Merit List honors.
Potts enjoyed another memorable moment last year when he hit a game winning shot in the championship game of the Mamba Cup Tournament.
“We lost to this team earlier in the tournament,” Potts said. “We met in the championship game and beat them.”
But the young guard wasn’t satisfied with all that he achieved in 2019. Instead, he has continued to take his work to the next level.
“All Summer, I’ve worked on my body, conditioning, ball handling, agility , catch and shoot and moving without the ball drills,” the eighth-grader said.
“I’m currently working on getting more down hill, attacking the basket , creating off the dribble for myself and my teammates.”
Playing for the Fresno Wildcats during the summer, Potts has been traveling to places such as Rocklin in the Bay Area and Bakersfield.
“My goal is to become a floor general with an attacking mentality. Help our team win games,” the guard said. “My ability to knock down shots, it helps bring value to the team.”
So who is responsible for helping the young hooper come this far?
“My Dad,” Potts said. “He has trained me since I was four years old. He is the major reason for my development.”
