No. 14 – Sal Gutierrez
THIS YEAR: Senior Sal Gutierrez is a hard-hitting player who is expected to be a leader among the Cougar linebackers ... Good athlete, who reads the field well and is known for his tenacity in play ... Is the Cougars' third-leading returning tackler and could push for postseason honors.
2008 (junior): Played in all 10 games of his 2008 junior season, coming on strong and starting 7 of the final 8 games ... Was sixth on the team with 44 tackles (16) ... Had 4.5 tackles for loss and had a hand in 1 quarterback sack ... Best showing came against Dixie State when he registered a season-high 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and blocked an extra point ... In a season-finale win over East Texas Baptist, collected his only interception of the season, returning 14 yards to set up a Cougar TD.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played 2 seasons for head coach Mike Clemens at Sacramento (Calif.) City College ... As a 2007 sophomore, appeared in 9 of the Panthers' 10 games ... Was fifth on the team with 37 tackles, which included 6 for loss ... Also had an interception for the 4-6 Panthers ... Intercepted a pass and blocked a field goal in the Panthers' 41-39 victory at Diablo Valley.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 seasons of varsity football for Pete McFadden at Tokay High in Lodi, Calif. ... As a 2005 senior was named Tri-City League defensive MVP after setting a school season-record with 174 tackles (96) solo in just 10 games ... Broke the school single-game record with 26 tackles vs. West High ... Tallied 13 tackles, 1 interception and a blocked punt in a victory over Edison High ... As a 2004 junior recorded 60 tackles (24 solo) ... Also lettered 3 seasons in varsity basketball (guard), 2 in track & field and 1 in swimming.
PERSONAL: Born July 11, 1987, in Stockton, Calif. ... Parents are Salvador and Anna Gutierrez ... Has 3 sisters (Yessenia, Priscila, Selinda) ... Majoring in exercise & sport science ... Would like to be a physical therapist ... An excellent student, was a scholar-athlete all 4 years of high school and made the honor roll for 4 semesters in junior college ... Enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding and camping.
GUTIERREZ at AZUSA PACIFIC Year G-GS Solo As't Tackles TFL-Yards Sacks-Yards Int-Yards 2008 10-7 16 28 44 4.5-15 0.5-4 1-14
