The girls are a new addition to the competition and compete in the C category. Elizabeth Hernandez said she started playing about a year ago because she thought it was a unique sport and there weren’t a lot of girls playing.
During the tournament she partnered with 15-year-old Sandy Martinez.
“Some just think we’re just girls, even though we beat them,” Sandy said.
She says that, but during the tournament I heard the boys cheering them on and saying things like, “Oh the girls are getting better” and expressed disappointment that the girls didn’t place first in the C category.
The other two girls competing in the C group, Elizabeth Garcia and Brenda Vargas, placed second to Jack Bunter and Edward Mendoza.
Some of the competitors were dressed in jeans as they sweated their way through round after round. The part I really wished the parents were there to see was the smiles. You should have seen the smiles.
These are teenage boys and girls used to donning a serious look — they need to make sure everyone knows they’re tough.
The whole time security staffers Richard Gomez and Albert Marron made sure the tournament went smoothly.
They arranged the trophies, added up the team points and made sure everyone had enough handballs and water.
I wasn’t sure what to expect at the tournament. There were less parent spectators than I hoped for. But there were a few friends and family members out watching.
Karari Bravo is a Costa Mesa High School alumnus and veteran player with nine tournaments and seven wins under his belt.
This year the 21-year-old was out to support his cousin, Mario Bravo, 16. I asked him why he thought there weren’t a lot of parents out watching. He pointed to his dad who was there, but said that not many parents come out.
“If it’s football or basketball they’ll come, but handball ”
