Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Two cross country rivals, a tennis partnership and a history-making football program are all featured among this week’s Humboldt Sports athletes and team of the week.

Eureka’s Ian Bennett and Fortuna’s Collin Stockwell both had big showings at this past Saturday’s NCS CC championships in Hayward, and will both now advance to this week’s state championships.

And that earns each the nod for co-boys athlete of the week.

For the girls, the Arcata duo of Aimee Reiner and Keona Gutierrez earn the honor after becoming the first H-DNL pairing to ever take home an NCS pennant in tennis.

And speaking of a first ever, Del Norte football earns this week’s team of the week honors after qualifying for an NCS championship for the first time in the program’s history.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Ian Bennett

Eureka Cross Country, Junior

Collin Stockwell

Fortuna Cross Country, Junior

Bennett led the local charge at Saturday’s NCS Division-4 championships placing sixth overall, just four spots ahead of Stockwell in 10th.

And that was good enough to send both runners on to this weekend’s state meet, a prestigious honor for the two juniors, who along with McKinleyville’s West Wood have been the top performers all season in the H-DNL.

For more on the two state qualifiers, see Bennett and Stockwell advance to state meet …

Aimee Reiner

Arcata Tennis, Sophomore

Keona Gutierrez

Arcata Tennis, Freshman

The doubles pairing placed second last week at the Division-II NCS tournament at Napa Valley College, giving the H-DNL a first-ever pennant in the sport, boys or girls.

Reiner and Gutierrez won two of their three matches at the big tournament, losing the championship match in three sets.

For more on the duo’s big week, see Arcata girls claim H-DNL’s first-ever NCS pennant in tennis …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Del Norte Football

This Warriors are enjoying a season for the ages, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

On Saturday night, Del Norte defeated Moreau Catholic 28-7 in the NCS Division-5 semifinals, advancing to a section decider for the first time in the program’s history.

And that separates this year’s team from any that has ever played for the school before.

For more on Del Norte’s big achievement, see Warriors make history, reach first NCS championship …