Sports

The Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) serves a population of 1,236 students, which reflects an increase in enrollment from last year. HUSD generated an increase of 7.2 percentage points in their graduation rate over one year, for a 2025 graduation rate of 96.7 percent.

Healdsburg’s cross country program is historically strong, but this year’s runners have set a high bar even for Greyhounds. At the North Bay League Championships meet last weekend, on Nov. 8, three of the top four finishers in the boys varsity, and five of the top 10, represented Healdsburg.

Said Meher Dhiman, " “The most valuable thing I’ve learned in these four years is to play for every point. It’s never too late to make a comeback—when games get hard embrace it, and leave it all out on the court!”

The NBL Redwood championship tourney delivered picture-perfect fall conditions—mid-70s temperatures, bluebird skies, dry fairways and firm greens. The setting helped the Healdsburg girls golf team finish the regular season with a flawless 10–0 record in league play.

“Healdsburg Varsity Boys is in a great position to qualify as a team for the CIF State Championship this year, especially after beating Convent & Stuart Hall at the Artichoke Invitational,” said coach Kate Guthrie, herself a former all-American.

Like many other baseball fans, Pierre Ratte was impressed by Shohei Otani's performance in the final game of the National League championship game.

Hoot Owl is one of the oldest vineyards in Alexander Valley, but for the past seven years it’s been the training and competition course for Healdsburg’s cross country team. Known as the Top of the World for its expansive vineyard views, the 3.1-mile course provides an aerobic hill workout for runners—a challenge not only for Greyhounds but for visiting teams as well.

The scoreboard showed a tie game, 14-14, which reflected the two touchdowns each the scored in the first half. But with Healdsburg's star player out with a twisted ankle, the second half was a disappointment.

“As far as securing a win, we just really need to maintain focus and take care of the little things,” said coach Taylor Tappin. “Most of our games have been lost because we lose focus on defense or special teams, and give up too many big plays. If we can lock in and do our jobs, then we should be able to play with anyone in our league.”

With just three regular-season matches remaining, the team’s focus is beginning to shift toward the NCS Championship at Baywood Country Club in Arcata on Oct. 27, where they’ll look to finish their remarkable season in style.