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Blaker Kinser eighth-graders compile 10-0 record
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Emanuel Jimenez led the Sharks in scoring this season with 15 goals. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

The members of Blaker-Kinser Jr. High's co-ed eighth-grade soccer team posed for a group picture following their season-ending 6-0 win over visiting Hilmar on Oct. 2.

"I've been at Blaker-Kinser for seven years," Sharks head coach Sen Saelee said. "I can't remember the last time a team was undefeated. It's rare."

Blaker-Kinser posted a combined record of 10-0 versus Hilmar, Mae Hensley, Cesar Chavez, Turlock and Dutcher this season.

Emanuel Jimenez scored twice against Hilmar last week.

Pedro Vargas, David Magallanes, Angel Leon and Axel Bautista all had one goal.

Jimenez totaled a team-leading 15 goals on the year.

"The team's goal was to go undefeated," Saelee said.

"They reached their goal. They worked hard at practice and played for each other. I knew we were going to have a special team when they were seventh-graders."

Blaker-Kinser's eighth-grade roster featured 18 players: Jimenez, Vargas, Magallanes, Leon, Bautista, Amanda Calvo, Uriel Hernandez, Abby Martinez, Rodolfo Martinez, Gabriel Rodriguez, Sarah Silva, Mixtly Vega, Brian Villeda, Daniela Yepez, Edivaldo Yepez, Nestor Yepez, Juan Zaragoza and Yesenia Zuniga.

Emanuel, Pedro, Amanda, Uriel, Angel, Abby, Gabriel, Sarah, Mixtly, Edivaldo, Nestor, Juan and Yesenia helped lead the Sharks' seventh-grade squad to an 8-1-1 record in 2013.

David, Axel, Daniel, Brian and Rodolfo were new additions to the team.

"The team chemistry is amazing, the way they move the ball around," Saelee said. "Sometimes, it's hard to believe they're in junior high. They worked really hard and achieved their goal. If they stay together, they're going to be really good."

Blaker-Kinser serves as a feeder program for nearby Central Valley High School.

The Hawks' varsity boys soccer team qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section finals for the fourth time in five years, totaled a program-best 26 wins with just two losses, won its sixth straight league title and participated in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season in 2013.

Former Shark Ozzie Ramos starred at CV prior to earning a scholarship to Division-I San Diego State.

"The kids know the history of how good Central Valley is," Saelee said. "We post newspaper clippings on the walls in our locker room."