{"id":8715631,"date":"2023-01-13T07:15:54","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T15:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8715631&preview=true&preview_id=8715631"},"modified":"2023-01-13T08:52:55","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T16:52:55","slug":"bay-area-news-group-boys-high-school-athlete-of-the-week-rudy-cruz-hayward-soccer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/13\/bay-area-news-group-boys-high-school-athlete-of-the-week-rudy-cruz-hayward-soccer\/","title":{"rendered":"Bay Area News Group boys high school athlete of the week: Rudy Cruz, Hayward soccer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hayward soccer player Rudy Cruz is the Bay Area News Group’s boys high school athlete of the week for Jan. 2-7 after he had received 51.96% of the vote at the 5 p.m. deadline Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Dougherty Valley basketball player Blake Hudson (44.33%) finished second and Newark Memorial soccer player Ricardo Aceves took third.<\/p>\n

Congratulations to all the candidates for this week’s recognition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cruz scored a hat trick \u2014 three goals \u2014 as Hayward defeated crosstown rival Tennyson 7-1 to run its record to 7-2-2 overall and 5-0 in league play. The junior began this week with six goals and two assists for the season.<\/p>\n

To nominate an athlete for next week’s poll, email highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com<\/a> by Monday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. Please include stats and team results.<\/p>\n

\"Hayward
Hayward High School soccer player Rudy Cruz is the Bay Area News Group boys high school athlete of the week for Jan. 2-7, 2023. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps.com<\/a> by coaches\/team statisticians for consideration.<\/p>\n

Winners are announced each Friday on the\u00a0Mercury News<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0East Bay Times<\/a> websites and, starting Sept. 30, in the print edition of the Mercury News and EB Times sports sections.<\/p>\n

Past winners<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dec. 12-17: Nicholas Ruiz, Benicia soccer<\/a><\/p>\n

Dec. 5-10: Eli Roth, Acalanes soccer<\/a><\/p>\n

Nov. 28-Dec. 3: Austin Shelton, San Ramon Valley football<\/a><\/p>\n

Nov. 21-26: Jae\u2019Von Reels, Bellarmine football<\/a><\/p>\n

Nov. 14-19: Dashiell Weaver, Campolindo football<\/a><\/p>\n

Nov. 7-12: Nate Bell, Liberty football<\/a><\/p>\n

Oct. 31-Nov. 5: Angel Barraza, Dublin football<\/a><\/p>\n