Athlete of the Week: North Salinas High School’s Jesus Organista is a difference maker

With all talented local student athletes, The Californian decided to start a new tradition. It’s about time we start recognizing individual athlete's effort, don’t you think?

Each week we will be recognizing an “Athlete of the Week” from Salinas.

You can nominate your favorite high school star, local college hot shot or even someone in the community with an outstanding athletic achievement. It’s not always the top team with the athlete who has done the most, it’s the difference makers we are looking for.

Last week, that was North Salinas High School’s Jesus Organista.

The 17-year-old senior linebacker and running back has been a leader for the Vikings this year. His standout performance in last week's game against the Gilroy Mustangs was no exception. Organista was able to help move the chains on offense and make the stops they needed on defense.

Although the team had a slow start, they were able to build up their energy, Organista said.

“We came out with a lack of energy in the first half,” he said. "But after scoring and building on momentum at halftime everyone came out and played with confidence.”

In the last four games he’s had 10 touchdowns, six runs and four receptions. Organista makes the stops on defense wherever the ball may be, and has been a reliable part of Coach Ben Ceralde’s team.

Ceralde affectionately refers to Organista as his “workhorse,” crediting him with carrying momentum on both sides of the ball.

"He’s a hard working kid,” Cerale said. “He's always striving and giving everything he has.”

The feeling is mutual.

“Playing for Coach Ceralde is fun,” Organista said.

Born and raised in Salinas, Organista has been playing the game since he was 6 years old. Although he’s a three sport athlete (baseball and wrestling), he prefers football over anything.

He’s also the starting catcher on the Vikings baseball team, sporting a .286 batting average in his last full season.

It should be noted that Organista comes from a family of linebackers, with two older brothers who played the position for the Vikings previously.

“I get a lot of help from them (siblings),” Organista said. "Even more now because of playoffs.”

Organista has been playing with quarterback Adan Perez since they were 7 years old, their connection is a strong one. He says it’s more than just practice that’s kept the team strong this year.

“Being with these guys for three years," he said. "Building friendships and trust are what makes us."

Off the field, Organista works equally as hard.

He maintains a 3.0 GPA and is taking several health-based classes with a goal in mind. He has his eyes set on becoming a firefighter and plans to attend Monterey Peninsula College, and is considering playing football there.

When he’s not practicing or doing school work, Organista likes to spend time with his brothers and family, riding dirt bikes or going beach fishing.

There is one thing that you may not know about Organista — a habit that makes people laugh.

“I like to make monkey noises,” Organista laughed. “Gorilla noises specifically. It’s what people know me for.”

Editor’s note: Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Nominate next week’s ballot through email. Readers can email nominations to sports freelancer Marvin Green IV at marvinrgreeniv@gmail.com. Please include a player’s statistics and a photo if possible.

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: North Salinas High School’s Jesus Organista is a difference maker