The 2021-2022 year was undoubtedly the most successful one in the history of Dublin High School Athletics, with multiple team and individual milestones to celebrate.
One of the top stories of the year was the accomplishments of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. For the first time in the 107-year history of the North Coast Section (NCS), the Boys’ teams came away with titles in their league and section (4 total). In Track and Field, Dublin also sent a record number of athletes to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track and Field Championships.
This year’s Boys Cross Country team became the first team in NCS history to ever record a perfect score of 15 points, finishing individually 1-2-3-4-5. By winning a 5th consecutive NCS championship, the Gaels not only extended a school record in any sport for consecutive (and total) NCS titles, but it also set a record in the history of Division I. All of the previous marks for consecutive NCS first place finishes came in lower divisions, but the remarkable feat has never been accomplished at the highest level (Division I). Dublin duplicated its dominance from Cross Country in both the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) and NCS Track and Field championships, doubling the scores of their next closest competitor in EBAL (140-70) while winning the NCS Meet of Champions by an even wider margin (121-39).
History was also made by the Girls Cross Country and Track and Field teams. The Girls earned their first ever appearance in the CIF State Meet for Cross Country, and also had 3 athletes win state titles at the CIF State Track and Field Meet (Jathiyah Muhammad in the Pole Vault, Rachel Okwudiafor-Johnson/Nyla Williams in the 100m Unified). In addition, the Girls Track and Field team finished 2nd place in EBAL and 2nd place in NCS.
Another team with their 1st ever appearance in the CIF State Championships this year was the Dublin High Girls Volleyball team. The Gaels upset top-seeded Foothill in the NCS Quarterfinals to earn a CIF bid, and nearly knocked off Amador Valley before falling 15-13 in the 5th set of the NCS Semifinals to earn an opportunity to play for an NCS title.
In the category of continuing milestones, the Boys Basketball team made its 5th consecutive appearance in the CIF State Championships after finishing the regular season with the best record in the highly competitive EBAL. The Girls Basketball team also added to its ongoing school record 19th consecutive winning season (and 18th consecutive NCS appearance due to the pandemic) by making a run into the NCS Division 1 Semi-Finals (their highest finish since winning NCS in 2015).
Several teams also had their best seasons in the past decade (or longer) in 2021-2022. The Boys Soccer team had its highest EBAL finish since the early 1980’s after coming in 2nd place, while advancing to the NCS Quarterfinals for the 3rd consecutive time. Another team advancing to the NCS Quarterfinals was the Boys Volleyball team, who ended a 21-year playoff drought while causing a scare to the #1 seed and eventual champions (College Park). The Baseball team posted its most wins since 2006 (15) while nearly knocking off #2 seed Clayton Valley Charter in the NCS playoffs. The Girls Soccer team also had its most wins since 2012 (14) while making it to the NCS playoffs for the first time since 2018.
This past year also saw the Football team return to NCS for the 1st time since 2017, while the Girls Tennis, Girls Golf, Boys/Girls Swim, and Badminton teams also finished with winning records. Several Wrestlers also placed well in EBA and advanced to NCS, Stunt compiled its highest winning percentage and most competitive results in the history of the program, both Boys Tennis and Boys Golf had some of EBAL’s top performers, while both the Boys and Girls Lacrosse and Softball programs continued to improve.
Although it will be difficult to match the accomplishments of 2021-2022, with a full offseason of training and a lot of returning talent in all of our programs, the future is certainly bright for Dublin High Athletics. More importantly, after a year of canceled and/or abbreviated seasons under heavy protocols and restrictions, it was just a relief to get back to some semblance of “normal” and have a full season of competition for our student-athletes.
