Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Jared Gallegos, Mt. Diablo High
Jared Gallegos
Grade: Senior
School: Mt. Diablo High
Sport: Soccer
When Mt. Diablo High coach Octavio Guzman is asked about senior midfielder Gallegos, he’s quite emphatic, “As I’ve been saying for the past years, Jared is by far the best player in the area.” Since Guzman is likely the best male soccer player ever at Mt. Diablo and a former college and professional standout, his words hold quite a bit of weight.
Gallegos scored 16 goals for the Red Devils as they tied Clayton Valley Charter and Las Lomas for the Diablo Athletic League championship, the first-ever boys soccer title for Concord’s oldest school.
Playoffs
The senior and his teammates will be in their third straight North Coast Section playoff starting this Wednesday hosting Kennedy-Richmond in Hart Fairclough Stadium as the No. 3 seeds in Division IV. “Jared is a huge part of our success, and we will miss him next year. This will be the first time we get to host a [playoff] game here so we are very excited about that. It gives us an advantage.”
Gallegos was first-team all-DAL the past two seasons. This year’s Red Devils seniors were part of the abbreviated pandemic 2020-21 spring season when there were a limited number of games and no playoffs.
Gallegos not only shines on the field but in the classroom as well with a 4.3 GPA. “I am sure Jared will be playing college soccer somewhere next year,” says his proud coach, who starred at Chico State following his club and high school career before playing professionally for a number of years. Injuries then had him “rethink” his plans and led him back to his alma mater.
The Pioneer congratulates Jared and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@PioneerPublishers.com
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.