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Kelsey (Hudson) Dillon in 2004-05 action. (Courtesy, Azusa Pacific University)

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EL CAJON (7-29-07) -- The carousel of women's basketball coaching changes in the Golden State Athletic Conference reached San Diego Christian College over the weekend with the hiring of KELSEY DILLON as its new coach.

The announcement was made by newly hired director of athletics ED GARRETT. Dillon replaces WILL CUNNINGHAM, previously the only coach in Hawks history, who resigned in June to take over the high school program at Cathedral Catholic.

Dillon comes to SDCC from Azusa Pacific after the Cougars' coaching staff disbanded when head coach Danelle Bishop resigned to take over the program at GSAC rival Cal Baptist, Azusa Pacific then hired T.J. Hardeman, who turned around the program at Fullerton's Hope International, as schools continued to raid the opposition.

Dillon, then Kelsey Hudson, was the GSAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2002-03, then an All-America selection (third team) in 2004-05 as a forward for Azusa Pacific

"We are so blessed and excited to have Kelsey guiding our women’s basketball program,” said Garrett. “She has the experience and leadership ability to make a strong impact in the GSAC.”

Dillon led the Cougars in scoring (15.9 avg.) and rebounding (7.5 avg.) to help Azusa to its first NAIA national tournament appearance in 25 years. She was one of just two players to rank in the GSAC’s top 10 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage, finishing her career with 1,243 points, which ranks ninth on the Cougars’ career scoring chart.

She is just the sixth APU player ever to be named to an NAIA All-America team, then graduated APU with a BA in Social Work. She and her husband reside in San Diego.

Dillon is part of a military family and played her basketball and softball during her high school years in Landstuhl, Germany, with the Rota Admirals Association club while attending D.G. Farragut High.

© East County Sports.com
DEL MAR (7-26-07) -- The life of a bullrider has its ups and downs.

"Last week, it was the downs," said La Mesa's WES MARTINEZ. "I did a good job of bouncing off the floor in Lakeside."

Despite getting bucked off, Martinez and two dozen other professionals will be at it again this weekend when the PBR Professional Bull Riding series visits Chevrolet Del Mar Arena for the Del Mar Invitational. The PBR Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour event runs Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8 p.m.

Martinez started riding bulls at the age of 13 while living in Palm Springs.

"Sure I played football, baseball and tried some wrestling," noted Martinez. "But bullriding was the biggest challenge -- that's what attracted me to it."

Although a pro bullrider for just over a year, Martinez already owns a few Jackpot Rodeo victories against some of the industry's top stock with the most notoriously mean and nasty bulls, creating non-stop, edge-of-your-seat action.

"The PBR's focus is strictly on bulls, while the PRCA is spread out over all rodeo events," he said. "Thus, we have the best stock of bulls because they are just dedicated to bulls."

Martinez welcomes the assistance of the U.S.Navy to give him the time needed to dedicate his focus on bullriding. Since enlisting,the Navy stationed Martinez at NAS North Island in Coronado, working his bullriding schedule around his naval duties. Included was Wednesday's (July 25) tune-up event in Norco.

Following his discharge, Martinez plans to perform on the rodeo team at UNLV, one of two dozens schools in the western United States to offer such programs.

Notes -- There will be more than the traditional bullriding events. New this year will be Bull Poker and Cowboy Teeter-Totter — action sports at its best. Who will be brave enough and remain seated long enough to win the Bull Poker game? Can the four cowboys on the teeter-totter jump fast enough to stay out of harm's way?

Tickets range from $25 to $65 (military discount available), with 2-day passes available at a savings. The public is also invited to share dinner with PBR cowboys prior to the event for an additional $16. Tickets are available at fairgrounds box office, Ticketmaster, or the El Cajon location of Boot Barn.

For further PBR information, visit the San Diego Fairgrounds website HERE.

Chris Young (Courtesy: www.Padres.com)

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (7-20-07) -- San Diego Padres pitcher CHRIS YOUNG, Major League Baseball's earned-run average leader this season, will be the featured personality at this Saturday's (July 21) Padres Carvana, to be held at locally reknowned Karlin's Mi Pueblo Market. The appearance is part of the team's promotional series which caters to both English and Spanish language fans.

Young, a right-hander, will greet Padres fans and sign autographs from noon to 1 p.m., joined by Padres Spanish-language broadcasters Eduardo Ortega and Juan Avila, who will host a live remote on La Invasora radio (99.7 FM). The event will feature an autograph signing by Young and prizes, with festivities running until 2 p.m.

The event will feature an autograph signing by Young and prize drawings. This is the third of a line-up of caravans by Padres players throughout the region on both sides of the border.

Kaelin's Mi Pueblo is located at 1435 E Main St., at the northeast corner of Madison Ave., midway between Kennedy Park and Wells Park.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-21-07) — Coaching turnover is an annual event, no matter what sport is involved.

Among those changes involving basketball coaches are DAVE BURGESS returning to the helm to coach the West Hills girls, and JAMES CARROLL stepping in to grab the reins of the Monte Vista boys basketball team.

Burgess, who was an all-league performer at Monte Vista in the mid-1980s and a graduate of UC Davis (1990), is returning to the Wolf Pack for his second tour of coaching duty.

“I’m excited to get back into the gym,” said Burgess, who took a brief hiatus when his son and daughter were born.

During his first coaching tenure (2000-2003), Burgess guided the Wolf Pack to a 54-37 record.

A 34-year-old graduate of UC Davis, Carroll becomes the third Monarchs boys head basketball coach in as many seasons. He replaces KEVIN MAHADY, who has returned to Palmdale after leading Monte Vista to an 18-11 season. Carroll was the assistant coach to Mahady last year.

Mahady has since taken the head boys basketball coaching position at Quartz Hill High School, while former West Hills girls basketball coach CARLOS MOSS has taken a similar post at Crawford High.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-15-07) — El Capitan has hired FRANK QUINONES as the girls basketball coach, taking over for JASON CAVAZOS, who will coach the Vaqueros boys basketball team following the coaching retirement of long-time Vaqueros boys coach ROSS FURROW.

Quinones left Steele Canyon girls basketball coaching position where he was a successful fundraiser for the Cougars, having initiated annual basketball tournaments and various other fundraisers. In his five years as the Cougars girls coach Quinones’ teams improved every year, from 0-26 the first year to 16-13 the last.

“I’m excited about the traditions that El Capitan has,” Quinones said. “There is a talented group of young ladies over there. I want them to trust me. I’m in it for the long haul. I’m bringing the tournaments that I’ve built over the years with me. We’ll be holding the Barona Classic with over 60 JV and varsity teams.”

The El Capitan girls return all but one senior and are expected to rank among the section’s elite next season.

Cavazos, 30, coached the El Capitan girls varsity basketball team last season, leading the Vaqueros to a 12-14 finish and into the Division II playoffs. Cavazos, a 1995 graduate of El Capitan , played three varsity seasons for Furrow. He also served as boys junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant under Furrow before taking the girls coaching post last year.

When Furrow resigned last month he urged Cavazos to apply for the boys coaching position.

“It was a tough decision,” said Cavazos. “Not because it involved choosing between the girls and boys. I really enjoyed coaching that group of girls. But, at the same time, I’ve been groomed for and always wanted a shot at coaching the boys’ varsity.”

The Vaqueros’ boys won only three games a year ago, but have all but one senior returning.

Cougars coach Bernie Balikian steps down
Boys basketball coach BERNIE BALIKIAN has stepped down from his post at Steele Canyon where he compiled a 23-32 record over two seasons. Former assistant coach Derek Stephens will take over the Cougars reins. Balikian, who has coached basketball for 30 years, primarily at the collegiate level, will continue his teaching career at Steele Canyon.

“I love teaching at Steele Canyon and I love the Science team I teach with. Basketball has been a huge part of my life. If a good situation came along, I would consider getting back into it, but getting away from it for awhile will be refreshing,” Balikian said.

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (5-17-07) -- Helix High football coach DONNIE VAN HOOK announced the annual Helix Green & Gray spring football game and alumni flag football game to be held on Friday (June 1).

There will be two games: Junior Varsity at 3:15 p.m. and Varsity at 5:15, plus a ceremony honoring Helix alums KARL DORRELL, the UCLA head football coach, and DANNY HAMMERSCHMIDT, Colorado State offensive coordinator, at 7 p.m. The alumni flag football game will follow at 7:15 p.m. under the lights at Jim Arnaiz Field.

During all three contests there will be BBQ and sales of Highlanders memorabilia and clothing.

The public is invited to attend this jamboree, where parents, fans and alumni can come together to watch the past, present and future varsity football players carry on the Helix football tradition.

Alumni are requested to contact Coach Van Hook (whether or not you plan to participate in the alumni game) at (619) 972-4984 or email at: dvanhoo@HelixCharter.net.

Coaches needed
El Capitan High School is seeking girls volleyball and girls tennis coaches, athletic director STEVE VICKERY announced. Persons interested should contact him at (619) 938-9190 or by email at: svickery@guhsd.net.

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (4-15-07) — Things have been tough enough for the Monte Vista Monarchs this season as they sport a 4-8 record. But that’s not the half of it.

Just one day after Monte Vista finished hosting half a dozen Lions Tournament games – a profitable fund-raiser for their program – vandals nearly destroyed the varsity and junior varsity baseball diamonds sometime in the wee hours of Friday (Apr. 6).

“They cut off 15 valves on the varsity field and 14 on the JV field,” Monte Vista varsity baseball coach LARRY RINEHART said. “They were cut with a pipe cutter. The investigating Sheriff’s Department people said it was too much for a kid to do, so it had to be adults.”

It was determined that the thieves were most likely stealing the bronze and copper sprinkler fixtures with plans of turning them in to recycling centers for metal salvage.

“For whatever money they get, it can’t be worth the effort they went to,” Rinehart said.

He estimated the damage at $14,000.

“And then they also broke into our snack bar and stole $350 worth of stuff,” Rinehart added. “This is really a sad situation. The guys causing all these problems for us are not stealing money from the district or me personally. Mostly they’re stealing money that the kids worked hard to raise.”

This was the second time this season that vandals have clipped the sprinkler heads on the JV field. Thieves also broke into the equipment shed and swiped a $1600 lawnmower a few weeks ago.

“They’re not going to steal another lawnmower,” Rinehart said. “I’ve got it chained down with one of those towing chains, and we’re in the process of putting up bars to secure the concession stand.”

Rinehart hopes the district can help repair the damage to the fields, which have gone without water for eight days.

“It’s a dustbowl out there,” he said. “I have a couple of 5-gallon water jugs that I fill up and try to keep the mound and the plate in decent condition, but the grass is in pretty bad shape.”

Rinehart said one of the reasons he is going public with his misfortune is to warn other coaches to beware.

“Since we’ve been out of school for two weeks (spring break), we haven’t been able to get the district to do anything yet,” said Rinehart, who believes that once everyone returns to work on Monday (Apr. 16) that assistance be will forthcoming.

In the meantime the Monarchs are looking for a little immediate help.

“If there’s anybody out there who has access to one of those construction water trucks, we sure could use it,” Rinehart said.

Anyone with information or remedies to help solve the Monte Vista drought can contact Rinehart at (619) 300-8132.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-4-07) -- The Grossmont College men's volleyball team came back from one of the biggest deficits possible to not only win, but defeat the top-ranked team in California.

After getting pounded in the first two sets, Orange Coast was poised for a sweep after building a 25-22 lead in the third. However, Grossmont scored the final seven points to extend the match, capped by a service ace by JIMMY LOPEZ.

Lopez, the setter, then went to brother ARMANDO LOPEZ to force a 5th-set tiebreaker, as the outside hitter collected seven of his match-high 19 kills in the 4th.

In the final set, Coast again was ready to run out Grossmont, as a pair of blocks by Matt Knutson and Rick Schroeder gave the Pirates a seemingly insurmountable 12-7 lead. However, the Griffins scored 8 of the last 9 points, capped by a stuff block by ANDREW FRONTZ for the victory in front of a season-high crowd of more than 200.

Orange Coast fell to 12-2 (6-1 OEC), while the Griffins (9-4 overall) moved to within a game of the Pirates at 5-2. Grossmont can clinch a COA playoff berth with wins in two of its final three matches, with the possible clincher at home next Wednesday (11) at 7 p.m. against Palomar.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-22-07) -- The El Cajon Valley High football team will be volunteering in a community service project on Saturday (Mar. 31) on the northwest corner of Magnolia and Wisconsin avenues – behind the Crystal Ballroom – from 9 to 11 a.m.

The project is sponsored through the Community Development Corporation’s “Lend a Hand Program” and will entail picking up trash on the streets, around buildings and shrubbery, and identifying graffiti for later removal as part of the beautification of downtown El Cajon. The effort includes the planting and maintenance of trees and other plants.

The Braves, under the leadership of new head football coach DANNY GOODRICH, will be involved with this program on a monthly basis to help beautify the city. Kudos to the Braves!

Reggie Bush (Courtesy: USC)

© East County Sports.com
MISSION VALLEY (3-14-07) -- REGGIE BUSH, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner from Helix High who helped the New Orleans Saints to the NFC Championship game in his rookie season, is hosting his first "Reggie Bush Camp 619" on March 24 at Qualcomm Stadium.

The free football clinic is for boys and girls ages 7 to 17. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the camp runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For further information or to register, visit the San Diego Hall of Champions website HERE.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-11-07) -- It may not be an official birthday party for skateboard legend Tony Hawk of Carlsbad, but athletics will be the focus on Sat., May 12, when El Cajon Valley High School hosts its 7th annual golf tournament to support the Braves athletic department.

The shotgun start is slated for 7:30 a.m. at Admiral Baker Golf Course, located just east of Qualcomm Stadium off Friars Road in Mission Valley.

The cost is only $100, which includes green fees and golf cart, five raffle tickets, a mulligan, tournament T-shirt, lunch and prizes. For a foursome and a hole sponsorship, supporters can save $50 when you do both.

If you can't attend, but would like to support the school, raffle tickets may be purchased -- in advance only. Donations of door prizes are also welcome. For further information, contact Mike Sterner at (619) 401-4722 or (619) 401-4725.

Note -- Other notable people who celebrate May 12 birthdates include: comedian George Carlin, actors Emilio Estevez, Stephen Baldwin and Katharine Hepburn, news-talk show host Tom Snyder, musicians-composers Steve Winwood and Burt Bacharach, and medicine's Florence Nightingale.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-9-07) -- The San Diego Padres have announced the addition of three new athletic facilities for diamond sports to be opened in the next few weeks, including one here in East County, as El Cajon Girls Softball will be a recipient of a new softball field.

The Little Padres Park will be located on the ECGS grounds at Magnolia Elementary School, located at 650 Greenfield Drive. The official dedication ceremony is set for April 28, with members of the Padres staff and local dignitaries expected to attend.

In addtion, the Petco Park grounds crew will attend to dress the new grounds with Red, White & Blue bunting and to line the field, while The Swinging Friar will be on hand to help children enjoy the new diamond.

This Little Padres Park will be the 31st to open in the region (San Diego and Imperial counties, plus northern Baja California) since the program launched in September 1996. Plus, the field at El Cajon Girls Softball is just the third committed solely to softball.

The program’s aim is to build or refurbish diamonds where youngsters can play in clean, safe settings.

Other upcoming openings include two fields at Twin Hills ASA Softball, which are set to open on March 10.

El Cajon Girls Softball develops many of the players who now perform for El Cajon Valley and Granite Hills high schools, among others.

© East County Sports.com
MIRA MESA (3-2-07) -- The annual San Diego County All-Star basketball game for graduating seniors has found a new home, with the contests for boys and girls moving to Mira Mesa High this year. The event will be played on Fri. (Mar. 30) starting at 5:30 p.m.

Many of the top seniors in the CIF-San Diego Section are scheduled to be participating, including Helix High's DAVID JEFFERSON and LAWRENCE HURDLE (alternate) among the boys, plus PRECIOUS ROBINSON of Mount Miguel and Grossmont's LA'KENYA SIMON-WEST and THERESE REIDEL among the girls.

Also selecrted were ANDRIUS MIKUTIS of Christian to the boys stars, while other girlshonorees include LaShaWN JOHNSON (Mount Miguel) and MORGAN SABALA (Granite Hills), whle DANIELLE BALOUGH (Santana) is an alternate.

Additionally, 3-point shooting contests will be held at halftime of each contest, along with a slam-dunk contest. Several high school pep bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams have been invited to participate, too.

Tickets are now on sale at the CIF offices at $8 for adults and $6 for students/seniors. For further information on the 2007 Senior All-Star Basketball Games, visit the CIFSDS website at www.cifsds.org.

The Senior All-Star rosters:

GIRLS SOUTH -- Justine Chacon, Mira Mesa; Danisha Corbett, Montgomery; Te'ahnalin Harris, Kearny; Lashawn Johnson, Mount Miguel; Paris Johnson, San Diego; Brittany Palmer, Eastlake; Therese Riedel, Grossmont; Precious Robinson, Mount Miguel; Morgan Sabala, Granite Hills; Nicole Salem, Our Lady of Peace; Erica Sanchez, Eastlake; La'Kenya Simon-West, Grossmont. Alternates: Danielle Balough, Santana; Ashley Rogers, Kearny; Chelsea Jugo, Morse.

BOYS SOUTH -- LaShard Anderson, Serra; Domenic Cosentino, Otay Ranch; James Hancock, Mission Bay; Robert Hayes, St. Augustine; Jamelle Horne, San Diego; David Jefferson, Helix; JayDee Luster, Hoover; Gerald McLemore, Scripps Ranch; Andrew Mikutis, Christian; Greg Murray, Serra; Tyrone Shelley, Crawford; Kenton Walker, Scripps Ranch. Alternates: Lawrence Hurdle, Helix; Gabriel Alcala, Hilltop; Todd Doxey, Hoover.

GIRLS NORTH -- Cara Breite, Mt. Carmel; Jenna Breite, Mt. Carmel; Tiffany Hunter, Fallbrook; Sage LeBlanc, Valley Center; Kathleen Roerhkasse, Bishop's; Lauren Zaniboni, Torrey Pines; Sabrina Valenzuela, Brawley; Nabila Gaines, Calipatria; Katie Girten, Westview; Kristin Marquardt, El Camino; Liz Moten, Torrey Pines; Ali Pia, Francis Parker. Alternates: Carly Lackey, La Costa Canyon; Robin Darcey, Santa Fe Christian; Phylicia Egbuna, Horizon.

BOYS NORTH -- Tyler Bernardini, Francis Parker; Marquis Carter, Horizon; Kris Corso, La Costa Canyon; Pat Eveland, San Pasqual; Greg Grimm, Rancho Buena Vista; Miles Hamilton, Calipatria; Carl Hauke, Rancho Bernardo; Orlan Jackman, Army-Navy; Richard LaFleur, Escondido; Shawn Lasalita, Francis Parker; Theo Overstreet, Escondido; Goose Peterson, Carlsbad. Alternates: Caleb Stratton, La Costa Canyon; Kurtis Voris, Mt. Carmel; Derek Jones, El Camino.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-18-07) -- San Diego Christian College basketball coach KELVIN STARR reached a milestone Saturday (Feb. 17) by capturing his 100th career victory in the Hawks' 68-53 victory over Fresno Pacific in Golden State Athletic Conference action at the Ryan Athletics Center.

Starr, who is completing his fifth season as head coach following several seasons as an assistant, broke the record by his predecessor -- current Point Loma Nazarene coach ART WILMORE -- in achieving the mark in the fewest number of games. Starr owns a 100-58 ledger (.633) guiding the 9th-ranked Hawks; Wilmore needed six seasons to reach the century mark.

In his term guiding San Diego Christian, Starr, the 2005-06 GSAC coach of the year and 2004-05 NCCAA national coach of the year, owns an NCCAA national title, an NAIA Final Four appearance, and has directed a pair of NAIA All-America players plus an NCCAA national player of the year..

In achieving the milestone, SDCC pasted the Sunbirds in the first half, mounting a huge 35-12 lead by the intermission. All-American candidate ROWAN GRAY, a senior center, hit 9-of-10 shots from the floor to finish with a game-high 19 points.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (11-9-06) -- Valhalla High senior center fielder TOMAS KARAGIANES has accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Arizona beginning with the 2008 season.

A superb outfielder, who batted .325 with 10 steals, two home runs and 16 RBI as a junior, Karagianes is an untapped talent who figures to blossom as a senior this spring.

A multi-talented southpaw, who was a standout quarterback for Valhalla's 6-6 football team, is only scratching the surface of his athletic talent. Credit the Arizona coaches for recognizing Karagianes' potential.

The San Diego Padres' "Winter Warm-up" featured the return of the Giles brothers -- Brian (left) and Marcus -- to Granite Hills, joined by school principal, Georgette Torres. (Photo by Greg Eichelberger)

Giles brothers set for Granite Hills return

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-20-07) -- Former Granite Hills High baseball standouts Brian and Marcus Giles are among the players scheduled to appear, when the school hosts one in a series of San Diego Padres' Winter Warm-Up events. The program serves as a prelude to the 2007 baseball season.

Along with the Giles brothers, Padres players, coaches and club executives will make appearances, including Greg Maddux, Chris Young, Clay Hensley and Manager Bud Black. Padres CEO Sandy Alderson and Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers will also slated to participate in activities.

The Granite Hills event will be hosted in the school gymnasium, slated for Thurs., Jan.25, at 6:30 p.m. For further information, visit the Padres website HERE.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-19-07) -- A pair of girls fastpitch power hitters from East County -- SARAH SEYMOUR of Christian High and former West Hills High player BRITTANY MYTINGER -- accepted scholarships from a pair of NAIA schools located in the Midwest.

Seymour will play both softball and basketball for Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. Meanwhile, Mytinger, who red-shirted at Grossmont College last year, accepted a fastpitch scholarship offer from Culver-Stockton College and is already attending classes at the Canton, Mo., campus.

Seymour ranked fifth among East County batters in 2006, sporting a .416 average and was listed among the leaders in several power-hitting categories, including home runs, where the first baseman tied for third with five bombs. In the current basketball season playing at center, Seymour leads the Patriots with a 12.4 scoring average and is fourth in the East County with 11.8 rebounds per contest.

Seymour has earned numerous honors in softball, earning All-CIF Div. IV berths as a freshman and sophomore, All-East County honors as a sophomore and junior and claimed All-Eastern League honors all three seasons.

Mytinger, a solid club performer, was hampered with injuries both at West Hills and at Grossmont College. Her sister, Kasey, was the 2005 Grossmont North League player of the year and currently plays for San Diego State.

Dordt College is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Culver-Stockton College is a member of the Heart of America Conference, an 11-school circuit which has heavily recruited Grossmont Conference athletes over the past decade, including former El Capitan High standout SUMMER KIMBLE, who earned All-America honors in 1999 and 2001 for Evangle College (Mo.).

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (1-3-07) -- Monte Vista High will host a series of M.Y. Sports Camps in both basketball and volleyball for girls and boys throughout the winter. The camp is for youngsters in grades 1 through 8.

Registration is this Sunday (Jan. 7), from 1-5 p.m., at the Monarchs gymnasium, located at 3230 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., a half-mile south of State Fwy. 94.

The cost is $55 per camper, and includes: four camp sessions (all four Sundays in January), plus 10 games/matches over seven days of competition on almost (not all) every Sunday in February and March.

Campers will be divided into the following co-ed categories: Basketball -- Grades 1 and 2; Grades 3 and 4; Grades 5 & 6; and Grades 7 & 8. Volleyball -- Grades 5 & 6; and Grades 7 & 8.

All M.Y. programsl focus on sports specific fundamentals, multiple opportunities, and overall fitness of the student athlete. Through repetition, each club team member will have an opportunity to develop the skills needed to compete at a higher level.

For further information, contact Monte Vista basketball coach Michael Skibbe at (619) 741-9000 or mdskibbe@cox.net.

© East County Sports.com
MISSION VALLEY (12-7-06) -- Former Santana High football coach JERRY RALPH, who recently guided St. Augustine High to a second consecutive San Diego CIF Division III football championship, is organizing dozens of interested graduating seniors for the 15th annual Down Under Bowl. The event is a series of two games to be played in Australia in July 2007, plus a stop in Hawai'i.

Organizational meetings will be held throughout the Southland in upcoming weeks, including a 1-hour meeting to be held at Holiday Inn (Cabrillo East Room) on Hotel Circle on Sat., Dec. 9, starting at noon. Interested parties are asked to check-in 30 minutes prior to the event. Parents, supporters, and anyone who has an interest in attending our Down Under Sports program are strongly encouraged to attend.

At the meeting, information will be distributed on sightseeing events and the travel itinerary, learning what to expect in terms of weather, clothing, transportation, visas, and other concerns.

For further information, contact Ralph at jralph@sahs.org. The 11-12 day trip, which includes a stop in Hawai'i , is operated by International Sports Specialists. The organization may be reached in Utah by calling (800) 456-4732.

"As a participant, you get to play two football games, and have the unique opportunity to experience the culture and friendship of Australia and the Australian people," said Ralph. "Football is a great way to prepare to be successful in life, and this experience greatly enhances this opportunity."

"I have seen players literally turn their lives around because of this experience."

More than 11,000 players from across the United States have played in the down Under Bowl over the years, including over 400 participants from California.

"The trip will be the best time of your life," added Ralph. "You will have the opportunity to represent your state, city, and school by playing football with the finest players from across the state, and the nation. A 3-day stop for fun and relaxation in Hawai’i is also set to be a great highlight of the trip."

With 14 years of experience, the trips have proven to be a safe and well-supervised opportunity for you. The trip is not free, yet ISSI provides a number of good fundraising programs and ideas that can assist you in raising the money for the trip.

(c) East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (12-1-06) -- After being announced as a national finalist for the NFL's Pass, Punt & Kick competition, El Cajon resident DANNY PETERSON needed to settle for third place in the Boys-13 regional final, held prior to Sunday's (Nov. 26) Chargers-Raiders game at Qualcomm Stadium. The regional included youngsters from Southern California, Hawai'i and Nevada.

Danny Peterson (Chargers courtesy photo)

Peterson was originally placed in second, which would've earned a trip to the national finals at the site of either the AFC or NFC title games in January, but acknowledged the error so the family did not protest the ruling.

All of the regional finalists were allowed near the sidelines at the tunnel entrance to the playing field during pregame warm-ups to watch the NFL players upclose, and were treated to a pregame barbecue.

Peterson will attend El Cajon Valley High next school year.

Special to East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-22-06) -- FELIX ROGERS, longtime East County basketball coach and athletic administrator who served as Pacific Coast Conference commissioner since January 1998, announced his retirement from the post, effective Aug. 31, 2007.

JOHN WOODS, who will retire as Palomar College athletic director the same time, will become PCC commissioner the following day.

It will be the third retirement for Rogers. He retired as Grossmont College head men's basketball coach after the 1978-79 season, then was Grossmont's director of athletics for 12 years before retiring from that post in June 1997. He also served as department chair after his retirement from coaching until his retirement from the college.

Prior to his Grossmont College career, Rogers was head boys basketball coach at Monte Vista High School.

Woods will be the third commissioner in conference history. CHET DeVORE was the conference's founding commissioner, serving from its inception in 1982-1983 until his retirement in 1997. DeVore was followed in the post in 1998 by Rogers.

Woods came to Palomar in 1973 as Health Education/Nutrition instructor and head wrestling coach. He compiled a 179-19-3 record with five team titles in 16 seasons coaching the Comets' wrestlers, producing 58 community college All-Americans before becoming the Comets' A.D. in 1986.

He was inducted into the NCAA College division Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998, the NCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999 and the California Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Pacific Coast Conference merged selected programs from the original Mission and South Coast conferences, and now includes nine community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties.

(c) East County Sports.com
POINT LOMA (11-16-06) -- West Hills High boys basketball coach JEFF ARMSTRONG has coached internationally and been a winner wherever he's hung his hat.

Armstrong, who is beginning his 11th season at West Hills, is being inducted along with 15 others, to the Point Loma Nazarene University's Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday (Nov. 18) at 5:30 p.m. in the Nicholson Commons Dining Room. The ceremony is part of PLNU's Homecoming festivities. Banquet tickets are $30 and available through the athletic department (619-849-2265).

Armstrong, a standout guard in his college playing days in the mid 1970s at the seaside university, has also coached successfully at Granite Hills and St. Augustine as well a lengthy stint in Saudi Arabia.

(c) East County Sports.com
QUINTEN WOMACK, a former standout for Grossmont College, will again participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs after his Northwest Missouri State Bearcats qualified as the top seed in the Southwest Region. The Bearcats gained a bye into the regional semifinals and will host the winner between Midwestern (Tex.) State and Missouri Western State on Sat., Nov. 25. Womack, despite missing four starts with a high ankle sprain, is among the Northwest leaders in tackles and interceptions...

JOE STAAB, a former all-league defensive back at Grossmont High, registered a trio of solo tackles Saturday, helping the University of San Diego move its record to 10-0 after whipping Dayton, 56-14, in a Pioneer League contest. The game was the first advance sellout for the Toreros since expanding their stadium to 7,000 spectators. USD is ranked 14th in the NCAA Division I-AA, and will learn its playoff fate on when the pairings are announced Sunday at 10 a.m.on ESPNews...

It might be a long season for the injury-plagued Stanford Cardinal football team (1-9), yet sophomore linebacker CLINTON SNYDER is taking full advantage of the situation. Snyder, the Monte Vista High product who was both the All-East County Sports.com and San Diego CIF Defensive Player of the Year to earn a second-team All-state berth, ranks third on the Cardinal defense in tackles. Snyder has registered 71 stops in 10 contests (9 starts), including are a pair of sacks, an interception and forcing three fumbles...

NICK FORSTON, former quarterback at Granite Hills HS, saw his Dresden Monarchs of the German Football League finally fall in the conference semifinals to the Stuttgart Scorpions, 47-27. Forston was 19-of-28 for 247 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, including a 68-yard bomb to Dominic Hanselmann for an early lead, but the Monarchs defense failed to stop "De Scorp" for the third time this season. View Forston's Trading Card HERE...

DANNY PETERSON, 13, of El Cajon, the top seed from Southern California, advanced to the sectionals of the NFL Pass, Punt & Kick competition. He can earn a shot at the nationals by winning the 12-13 boys division at Qualcomm Stadium on Sun., Nov. 16, when the San Diego Chargers host the Oakland Raiders. Peterson posted the second-best score behind David Smith of Hawai'i.

(c) East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (11-14-06) -- Valhalla High senior BOBBY WILKINS, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed pitcher, has accepted a baseball scholarship offer from San Diego State University.

Wilkins was 6-3 with a 2.72 ERA for the San Diego CIF Division III-champion Norsemen last spring. He struck out 75 batters in 64.1 innings as a junior.

Wilkins is the second Valhalla player from the Class of 2007 to accept a college scholarship. Middle infielder GREG GARCIA agreed to terms with Hawaii last week. TOMAS KARAGIANES is also being widely recruited by baseball coaches and now by football coaches.

Other East County products who have agreed to play at SDSU include: West Hills pitcher STEPHEN STRASBURG; outfielder TED KLEIST of Cathedral Catholic; Grossmont College right-handed pitcher SHANE KAUFMAN; and Granite Hills middle infielder by way of Long Beach State, BRANDON DECKER.

(c) East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-9-06) -- Two weeks ago, prior to a football road game at El Capitan Stadium, Santana High girls basketball coach WADE VICKERY was asked about accepting another project in his longtime role as San Diego County's leading coach in the sport.

Vickery politely turned it down, for he was envisioning more important changes in his storied career. So on Wednesday (Nov. 8), the rumors from over the past 12-15 months came to fruition when Vickery, the all-time winningest coach in the CIF-San Diego Section, announced his immediate resignation one week prior to the official start of training camp.

Wade Vickery (far left) poses with Sultans coaches and players after capturing the 2005-06 SDCIF Div. III girls basketball title. (East County Sports.com file photo)

Vickery, 52, will remain at Santana as a full-time math teacher and the Sultans' director of athletics. His coaching position will be taken by former El Capitan head coach JIM MOTTERSHAW, who just joined the program as an assistant this past season in time for Santana's winning run to the SDCIF Division III championship -- Vickery's ninth section title, equaling the Southern California record.

It was believed Vickery would step down following the 2006-07 season after his youngest child, senior Carina, a point guard, will graduate. However, when she decided not to play, it opened the door for her father to walk away, too.

Vickery acknowledged that Carina's decision not to play was a major deciding factor in his decision to relinquish the reins.

"I don't feel like I've done a real good coaching job three of the last four years," Vickery said. "I've had trouble motivating the kids to do a good job. I know it's the right decision to step down now."

(c) East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (11-9-06) -- Valhalla High senior GREG GARCIA, a starting middle infielder for the San Diego CIF champion Norsemen baseball team, has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawai'i.

Garcia, who batted .347 in the regular season, accepted the offer Wednesday (Nov. 8) according to Valhalla head baseball coach STEVE PERDUE.

Spending most of his time at second base, Garcia was honored by both coaches and media for his play last season. He was named to the All-Grossmont South League first team by coaches, then was tabbed to the All-East County second team by the media. He opened the season batting second in the Norsemen lineup before moving to the No. 3 slot in time for the GSL opener.

The Norsemen gained a second-place GSL finish with Garcia's help, then a 4-game run through the consolation bracket en route to the school's first-ever SDCIF baseball crown, capped by a 4-1 decision over Cathedral Catholic in the Division II contest at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

He selected Hawai'i over UC Irvine, UC Riverside, USD and Baylor.

Garcia (5-foot-9, 165 pounds) is the grandson of former major league manager DAVE GARCIA.

Hawai'i (45-17) finished strong in both postseason events last season. They gained the final of the Western Athletic Conference tournament before falling to Fresno State. The Warriors then advanced to the finals of the NCAA Regionals before No. 5 Oregon State eliminated them.

(c) East County Sports
BALBOA PARK (11-3-06) -- The San Diego Hall of Champions’ Sports At Lunch series for November will feature Chargers wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Kassim Osgood.The luncheon is Tue., Nov. 7, starting at 1 p.m.

The luncheon is a lead-in to the Sat., Nov. 11, SDSU vs. UNLV football game, where McCardell and Osgood’s alma maters will take the field at Qualcomm Stadium. McCardell played at UNLV and Osgood at SDSU.

Now in his 15th season of professional football, McCardell ranks 10th on the NFL’s all-time receiving list. While at UNLV, McCardell played under then head coach Wayne Nunnelly, the Chargers’ defensive line coach for the past 10 seasons.

Osgood, an SDSU standout who ranked second in the nation with 108 catches in 2002, took the opportunity to remain in San Diego and play professionally with the Chargers.

For reservations information, click HERE.

(c) East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (10-27-06) -- Homecoming activities for El Capitan High School began Thursday (Oct. 26) night, when six new members were inducted into the Vaqueros' Athletics Hall of Fame, at a sold out dinner held in the El Capitan Stadium Association Rodeo Hall.

The ninth annual event welcomed 2006 inductees (listed alphabetically): Brian Boggess (track), Dennis Duke (coach), Melissa (Hadfield) Odom (girls fastpitch), George Millspaugh (community member), Jack O'Malley (coach), and Santo Pernicano (community member).

"It took my breathe away when I was told -- I didn't even know El Cap had a Hall of Fame, so I'm deeply honored," said Odom, who now teaches at West Hills. "Everything good that's happened in my life started because of athletics -- it was an important time in my life."

Odom (then Hadfield) earned 12 varsity letters in her four years with the Vaqueros, but was best-known for softball, earning a scholarship in the sport from Cal State Fullerton following an all-CIF season. At Fullerton , she was the Big West Conference Senor of the Year in 1994.

Boggess was a track standout in the throwing events, eventually winner the CIF state title in the shot put, then an NCAA discus crown while attending Stanford.

"There were so many coaches I have to thank because they showed me the importance of sport and how to dedicate myself," said Boggess, the 1986 East County student-athlete of the year by this website's predecessor, The Daily Californian. "Leaving junior high, I really wasn't interested in being great at anything, but people like coach (Joe) Brooks and coach (Jack) O'Malley showed me the value in athletics, not just my classroom work."

O'Malley, a former Vaqueros football and wrestling coach, and Dennis Duke, also a football coach, were also inducted. They were joined by community leader George Millspaugh, an ex-board member of the Stadium Association, and Santo Pernicano, who played baseball, basketball and cross country, then helped with improving campus sports facilities.

Each honoree was recognized with a plaque, with a second plaque to be displayed in the Hall of Fame display case located inside Foster Gymnasium.

(c) East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (10-22-06) -- The El Capitan Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony for 2006 will be held Thurs., Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Rodeo Hall building, located just south of the campus.

The inductees for 2006 are Brian Boggess (track), Dennis Duke (coach), Melissa Hadfield Odom (girls fastpitch), George Millspaugh (community member), Jack O'Malley (coach), and Santo Pernicano (community member).

Tickets are $10.00 per person and may be purchased from the school Finance Office. For further information, please call (619) 938-9100.

(c) East County Sports.com
MURPHY CANYON (10-22-06) -- For the second time in as many seasons, an East County youngster has captured the San Diego County finals of the NFL Pass , Punt & Kick competition.

DANNY PETERSON, 13, of El Cajon , defeated a large field of competitors with a combined distance of 288-feet, 10-inches, in the meet held at Chargers Park . The mark was almost an exact copy of his winning score at the local meet held in Chula Vista two weeks ago.

Should his score hold up against the winners from six other sectionals in Southern California in the Boys 12-13 division, Peterson would qualify for the national finals, which will be hosted by the Chargers over Thanksgiving weekend, when the Bolts host the Oakland Raiders.

Peterson, an 8th-grader at Greenfield Middle School , is the son of RONNIE PETERSON, an assistant football coach at El Cajon Valley HS, who also operates East County Kicking camps (www.eteamz.com/eckicking).

Last season, an East County youngster made it to the PPK nationals in Indianapolis , when El Cajon 's MARIN MARTINEZ, then a 13-year old and daughter of Santana High soccer and field hockey coach DANNY MARTINEZ, earned a berth.

(c) East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (10-17-06) -- El Cajon Valley football coach JASON TEXLER and Grossmont High baseball coach ROB PHILLIPS have been named among the coaches of the year for the 2005-06 season by the San Diego High School Sports Association. The organization is staffed by former high school coaches from the CIF-San Diego Section, and operates fundraising events such as the Alex Spanos All-Star Football Classic.

Texler, in his first season as coach of the Braves (11-3), was named in football after leading the school to their first-ever appearance in a CIF championship game, advancing to the Division II final at Qualcomm Stadium before falling to Oceanside. In addition to the Sports Association award, Texler was tabbed coach of the year by the San Diego Hall of Champions' Breitbard All-CIF team.

Phillips, the EastCountySports.com co-coach of the year along with STEVE PERDUE of Valhalla , guided the Foothillers to a second consecutive CIF Division II championship, closing the season with an impressive 11-game winning streak (4-0 postseason). Grossmont (26-8) was later tabbed the 9th-best team on the West Coast by USA Today.

Also named as coaches of the year for 2005-06 were a pair of mentors from El Capitan: ANTHONY GARCIA for girls cross country, and MARY-ALICE HILLIARD for boys tennis.

(c) East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA -- Danny Peterson, son of former San Diego Christian College soccer coach Ronnie Peterson, won first place in the local South Bay division of the National Football League's annual Pass, Punt & Kick competition.

Peterson won the boys 12-13 division held at Chula Vista High on Sept. 29, advancing to the San Diego County finals on Oct. 21 for a berth to the national championships. The 8th-grader at Greenfield Middle School posted a winning total of 99 yards, including a 32-yard punt, a 28-yard pass, and a 39-yard kick. He will attend El Cajon Valley High next school year, where his father is an assistant football coach.

(c) East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (10-10-06) -- The Pat Miller U-Can-Shoot Clinic, a nationally acclaimed basketball skills development program, is coming to Cuyamaca College later this month, announced JIM GLEBOFF, the new women's basketball for the Coyotes.

The 2 1/2 hour lecture on the mechanics of shooting -- including Coach Miller's 5 simple drills to a fluid successful shot -- will enhance a lifetime of practice and playing. This will be highlighted by taking players and improving their shot in minutes before your very eyes with special emphasis on the "GO" method of shooting free throws successfully. Coaches and parents are encouraged to attend.

The U-Can Shoot method had turned bad shooters into shot-makers with this simple, easy to learn approach to shooting the basketball. Visit www.u-can-shoot.com to view sample videos.

The clinic will be held at the Cuyamaca College gymnasium on Sat., Oct. 21. The morning session (9-11:30 a.m.) is open all boys and girls in grades 6-8. The afternoon session (noon to 2:30 p.m.) is for those in grades 9-12.

The cost for the clinic is only $20, and includes a practice manual. To pre-register or for further information, contact coach Gleboff at (619) 660-4501.

(c) East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (10-3-06) -- Cuyamaca College will celebrate the reopening of its running track at an hour-long ceremony this Thursday (Oct. 5), starting at 10 a.m. The ribbon-cutting notes the conclusion of a $150,000 resurfacing project, with members of the Coyotes track and cross country teams participating in a trot around the 400-meter surface, along with college and district officials, plus a special appearance by the college mascot, the Cuyamaca Coyote.

The Coyotes track team will compete on a brand-new, state-of-the-art, Atlas Poly-5000 track running surface. (Cuyamaca College courtesy photo)

The all-weather, rubberized Atlas Poly-5000 track – the only competition-grade track at a San Diego County community college – was touted as state-of-the-art when it was built 12 years ago as part of Cuyamaca’s $7.5 million sports complex, but with the track exceeding its 10-year life without the necessary resurfacing, it became rutted and, in some spots, worn down to its asphalt base.

“It was unsafe for competition and practice,” said Patrick Thiss, coach of the college’s Pacific Coast Conference champion men’s track team. “We had seen a rise in shin splints over the last several seasons. Had we been unable to complete this project this fall, we would have had to train at a local high with an all-weather surface.”

Among the attendees at the commemoration will be a representative of the Cuyamaca College Foundation, which contributed $50,000 for the refurbishing of the NCAA-approved competition track – the same track used at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.

“We were very happy to make the donation because, in addition to benefiting the college, the track benefits the community,” said foundation president Patty McCormack, who explained the $50,000 donation was part of the $105,000 lump sum the group gifted to Cuyamaca last year.

The balance of the cost of the track’s renovation was covered by state scheduled-maintenance monies and funds from Prop. R, the $207 million local bond measure approved by East County voters in 2002 to repair and build new facilities at Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges. Grossmont's track was reopened earlier this year.

At Cuyamaca, Prop. R is helping fund the construction of a science and technology mall; a communication arts building to house disciplines including English, speech, American Sign Language, and the performing arts; and a student center.

At Grossmont, Prop. R is funding a new science building and a digital arts and sculpture complex that includes a digital arts building housing conventional and digital art and photography labs, video and audio studios, and faculty offices. The sculpture building will provide a sculpture studio, a 3-D design /jewelry studio, and an outdoor sculpture work yard.

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (9-26-06) -- The CIF-San Diego Section announced the names of this year's San Diego Coaching Legends, who will be honored in ceremonies this November.

Among the eight coaches to be inducted are a pair from East County: former Granite Hills soccer coach SAMI NEDJAR and Monte Vista aquatics coach PHIL POIST.

The others include: Art Anderson, Clairemont (cross country, track); Chuck Boyer, La Jolla (cross country, track)' Peggy Brose, Mt. Carmel/Rancho Bernardo (basketball); Shan Deniston, Lincoln (football); Dan Kuiper, Francis Parker (football); and Jerry Van Zandt, Ramona/Poway (football)

The ceremonies will take place on Nov. 15 at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley.

(c) East County Sports.com
RIVERSIDE (9-18-06) -- Mark Hall, a former basketball player at Granite Hills and Hoover high schools, and a childhood friend, died of injuries in a car crash on Saturday (Sept.16).

Mark Hall

Hall and Latosha Wallace, both 20, had been friends since middle school in El Cajon, and were both students at UC Riverside, where Hall, a 6-foot-8 forward, was to play for the Highlanders basketball team this season, earning a scholarship after transferring from Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan.

Hall and Wallace died after being thrown from a silver Ford Explorer that Hall was driving, according to the California Highway Patrol. The report stated that Hall had swerved to avoid hitting a car that was stalled on State Hwy. 60 west of Day Street in Riverside. He lost control of the vehicle, which rolled several times.

Hall was pronounced dead at Riverside Community Hospital about an hour after the crash. Wallace died early Sunday at Riverside County Regional Medical Center after under-going surgery for internal injuries. Neither Hall nor Wallace was wearing a seat belt, according to the coroner's reports. Three other students were injured in the crash.

After leaving Granite Hills following his sophomore season, Hall helped Hoover advance to the 2004 CIF finals for the first time since 1974. His college career began at Long Beach St. before moving on to Kansas.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON ((9-8-06) -- In order to maintain continuity among its many programs, Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon announced the renaming of its high school, as Venture Christian High became known as Foothills Christian High concurrent to the start of the present school term.

The school’s athletics program will remain known as the Knights, with many of their home contests will continue to be held at Seau Field at Parkway Middle School (football, soccer), the Kroc Center in La Mesa (basketball, volleyball), and various other locations. depending on sport. Foothills Christian, which competes in the Pacific League (football) and Citrus League (most other sports) holds an enrollment of more than 200 students.

East County Sports.com
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (7-26-06) -- The East County Scorpions 13-and-under travel baseball team recently drew national attention with a second-place finish and local television appeal in the Triple Crown World Series. The 34-team field was composed of several nationally ranked teams from across the nation. The East County Scorpions are comprised of local talent in which half will begin their 9th grade year at local high schools in the fall while the other half will be in 8th grade this coming fall.

The Scorpions breezed through their pool play 3-0 outscoring their opponents -- Midland, Texas, Parker, Colo. and Dallas, Texas -- 39-13 to earn the 6th seed in the 16-team championship bracket. That's when they began doing things the hard way.

They lost their opening game 7-5 in eight innings, leaving them a huge mountain to climb. However, the "little local team" captured six straight games through the challenger bracket to reach the finals.

The difficult schedule included four games in 100-degree hear on Saturday, including wins over the top team from Illinois, the No. 1 club from Kansas and a pair of Southern California aces, then two more on Sunday to reach the televised championship, stinging top-ranked Bellevue, Wash. 13-10 and the Dallas Yankees 12-10.

Obviously gassed from their climb from behind, the Scorpions were smothered by the Southern California Redwings 10-0 -- the No. 1 team in the nation -- before a television audience. Tyrone Wiggins batted .756 for the Redwings in the tourney.

The top players for the Scorpions included: KYLE HAYES (Santana; 19-30, .633) with three homers and 19 RBI. Hayes was dominant finishing games, posting a 4-1 mark with two saves over the course of the tourney.

Others East County standouts were: CODY SMITH (Santana; 14-31, ,452), KEVIN FERREIRA (Santana; .393, 16 runs scored); and TREVOR McKINLEY (Steele Canyon), who hit .482 and gave up three earned runs in 12 innings.

The championship game will be televised by San Diego Cox Cable Channel 4 at a date to be announced.

East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (6-22-06) -- A reward up to $1,000 is being offer by Crime Stoppers for information leading to the conviction of those involved in destroying sections of the new artificial surface at El Capitan Stadium, located on the campus of El Capitan High School. The vandalism occurred late last week and was discovered by workers renovating the area.

The center of the playing field, where the school's "Vaqueros" mascot is painted, was torn apart by a mini-excavator, a machine which is started by a universal key, similar to many in the industry.

The Sheriff's Department is seeking witnesses or information on the damage, according to Detective Andy Kendall.

"There are transients who stay near the San Diego River, or it could be a current or former student with a vendetta, whether from El Cap or another school," said Kendall. "Either way, this is someone who was familiar with operating this type of equipment."

School officials estimated the repairs at more than $10,000, yet should be completed in time for football training camp in mid-August. El Capitan is currently going a makeover from Proposition H funds, but money for the renovated stadium came from private sources, which included the synthetic turf last summer, and the rubberized track running surface this summer, all at a cost of some $800,000.

Ironically, security cameras were recently installed, which covers the entire campus except the stadium, which was rededicated to local humanitarian Wendall Cutting last October. Fortunately, only the turf was damaged, not the sophisticated drainage system.

"Hopefully, the $1,000 will be enough for someone to smoke out the person who did this," added Kendall.

Deputies gathered evidence at the scene, including fingerprints from the equipment and a broken beer bottle, plus a bag from a local convenience store, which has surveillance cameras which could lead to a suspect.

If you have information on the crime, contact the Santee sheriff's station at (619) 956-4000, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (7-12-06) -- The 20th annual San Diego Classic prep girls basketball tournament will be conducted Thursday-thru-Sunday (July 20-23) at various sites throughout San Diego County. With 380 teams, this is the largest tournament of its kind in the country, having grown from 348 teams last year. Tournament rules stipulate that all girls on each team must attend the same high school.

East County schools participating are Santana, Mount Miguel, Steele Canyon, Grossmont, Monte Vista, Valhalla and Patrick Henry.

Tournament headquarters are at the RIMAC Arena on the campus of UCSD, but games will also be played at the Aztec Recreation Center at SDSU, Alliant International University, USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion, Sports Center at USD, La Jolla Country Day High School, Harry West Gymnasium at San Diego City College, Cathedral Catholic High School, La Costa Canyon High School, and Westview High School.

Some of the top rated teams are Troy (Fullerton), St. Mary's (Arizona), Ventura, Redondo, Mount Miguel, Long Beach Poly and Mayfield (New Mexico). Games start at 11 a.m. on Thurs., July 20 at RIMAC/UCSD, San Diego State, Alliant and USD. The 2A championship games will be Sunday (July 23) at 4 p.m. at RIMAC, with the 3A championship contest at 5 p.m.

This event is widely attended college coaches at all levels.

Day passes -- good for re-entry at any site -- cost $6 and tournament passes are $20. Tournament director is Santana's Wade Vickery. For further information call (619) 448-9183.

East County Sports.com
TORRANCE (7-7-06) -- Cal-Hi Sports recognized a pair of East County athletes among its all-state teams in diamond sports, bestowing all-state berths to Grossmont High's A.J. GRIFFIN in baseball and Santana High's TAYLOR KELLY in fastpitch.

Griffin, a senior, was one of two San Diego Section athletes tabbed to the publication's first team in baseball, joined by Fallbrook senior pitcher Mike Leake. Griffin was also the EastCountySports.com player of the year and the San Diego Section's player of the year, as voted by media members through the San Diego Hall of Champions.

East County players were shutout from the second team, but CLIFTON THOMAS of El Cajon Valley was an honorable mention selection. On the specialty teams, Granite Hills junior catcher TRAVIS TAIJERON and Valhalla sophomore RYAN O'SULLIVAN were named to the all-underclassmen first team

In fastpitch, Kelly was a second-team, all-state honoree, and was joined by Sultans teammate SHAE BASS on the all-medium schools roster, along with SAMANTHA BEASLEY of Steele Canyon. All three were East County players of the year, as Kelly won among position players, while Bass and Beasley shared the pitchers award.

Among the small schools, freshman JESSIE OWENS of Christian was honored as a multi-purpose player.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (7-7-06) -- East County philanthropist WENDELL CUTTING, who served as a Congressional aide and district chief for Rep. DUNCAN HUNTER (R-Alpine), was remembered during memorial services held Thursday (July 6) at Shadow Mountain Community Church.

Cutting, 59, died late last month following a long battle with cancer.

Cutting served as president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District board and was an active volunteer with numerous civic and charity organizations, both locally and internationally, including a stint as vice-president of Rescue Task Force.

Last school year, the football field at El Capitan Stadium was named for Cutting, along with the Boys and Girls Club of El Cajon.

The family asked that donations be sent to Rescue Task Force, 864 North 2nd St., Suite 340, or to the Salvation Army's El Cajon branch, 1011 E. Main St.

East County Sports.com
ALCALA PARK (7-5-06) -- The 7th annual high school San Diego Showcase presented by the San Diego Baseball Coaches Association will be conducted on Sun., July 9 at the University of San Diego's Cunningham Stadium.

This event is San Diego's version of the Area Code Games. It was created by local high school coaches including El Capitan's STEVE VICKERY, Grossmont's ROB PHILLIPS, Mission Bay's DENNIS PUGH and Montgomery's MANNY HERMOSILLO when the San Diego Padres discontinued their sponsorship of the prestigious Area Code Games.

Only the cream of the Class of 2007 crop will be invited to the San Diego Showcase, which annually attracts hundreds of college coaches and professional baseball scouts. Players are nominated by their respective coaches to compete on teams from the East County, North County, South Bay and City Conference. This year’s event will allow the use of aluminum bats.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-20-06) -- Granite Hills High will install its third class to the Eagles' Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the annual Athletics Award Night, slated for Thurs., May 25. The event will be held in the school gymnasium, starting at 6:30 p.m.

This year's l Hall of Fame class will include: longtime administrator and former coach MIMI TEST, who was part of a core group of women who first established varsity athletics for girls in the Grossmont Conference in the 1960s; JOE ROTH, who quarterbacked Grossmont College to its first state championship in 1974 and then guided Cal-Berkeley to a Pac-10 title in 1975 and was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate before passing due to leukemia; and running back "Touchdown" TOMMY VARDELL, who later starred at Stanford and in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers.

In addition, annual awards will be presented to top Eagles athletes for both team and individual accomplishments, plus college scholarship winners. The public is invited.

East County Sports.com
LA MESA (5-20-06) -- Helix High will induct four new members to the school's Athletics Hall of Fame, part of the festivities during the second annual Green & Gray Jamboree, slated for Fri., June 2, at 3:30 p.m., at Arnaiz Stadium. Admission is free and open to the entire community.

In addition to the Highlanders' spring football game, the school will induct four former standout football players: offensive lineman BRUCE WALTON, safety CHUCK CECIL, wide receiver (and current UCLA head coach) KARL DORRELL and cornerback ALLAN DURDEN. Cecil was a standout safety in the NFL and now is an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans. Walton and Durden also had a cup of coffee in the NFL.

Sipau Lee-Noa

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (5-18-06) -- Palomar College's SIPAU LEE-NOA, a freshman outfielder out of Helix High School, has been selected to the 2006 Community College All-America first team by the National Softball Coaches Association.

Lee-Noa batted .453 for the season with five doubles, three triples, five home runs and 33 RBIs. She hit .475 in the Pacific Coast Conference, helping lead the Comets to their 21st consecutive conference championship.

East County Sports.com
NEW ORLEANS (5-18-06) -- Left-handed pitcher MATS MATTSON, a 6-foot-6, 180-pounder for the Grossmont North League champion Grossmont High, has accepted a scholarship to play baseball for the University of New Orleans for the 2007 season, his parents reported.

New Orleans is a member of the Sun Belt Conference (NCAA Div. I), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this season. The Privateers enter the final week of the regular season with a 26-26 overall record, then participate in the Sun Belt Championships in Bowling Green, Ky., on May 24-27.

David Dennis (SD City Coll. photo)

Dennis, an all-Pacific Coast Conference designated hitter for San Diego City College this past season, was a member of the 2002 All-East County team.

Playing first base for the Norsemen, Dennis batted .450 during his season year, gaining first team berths on the All-Grossmont South League and All-CIF Division I teams.

This past spring with the Knights, the left-handed Dennis batted .337, leading the ballclub in homers (4), doubles (19) and sacrifice flies (6), while ranking second with 19 RBI.

On Saturday (May 13), Oklahoma City (50-12) fell in the NAIA Region VI final to Lubbock Christian, 10-4, ending the Stars' string of four straight trips to the NAIA nationals. Lubbock Christian advances to the NAIA Mid-South Super Regional on May 18-20, meeting Culver-Stockton College (Mo.), a team which features East County's BOBBY ARMSTRONG (Granite Hills) and SCOTT DEEN (El Capitan). Culver-Stockton downed Benedictine College, 9-8, in the Region V championship.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (5-12-06) -- Former Valhalla High standout BOBBY MILES, who was a team captain for the Norsemen soccer team, has transferred from Cuyamaca College and will be a part of the inaugural season at Cal State San Marcos. Miles was a first-team, all-Grossmont South League performer at Valhalla, then received all-Pacific Coast Conference honors with Cuyamaca.

East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (5-10-06) -- The Barona-San Diego Stars, one of the nation's top semi-professional baseball teams with several top finishes at the National Baseball Congress national championships over the past decade, will soon be holding tryouts for the 2006 summer season.

Owner-manager MICKEY DEUTCHMANN, who also serves as an assistant coach at West Hills High, announced that two sets of tryouts will be held, both at Field of Dreams ballpark on the Barona Indian Reservation, located 1.1 miles north of the Barona Resort & Casino, on the west side of Wildcat Canyon Road behind the Barona Museum and softball field. The dates are Sat., May 13 and Sun., May 21, both at 1 p.m.

All interested players (ages 17 through ?? -- Talent Speaks!) who must have no further high school eligibility, are asked to be prepared to play. Bring your own wood bat, helmet, glove, cleats and other necessary equipment. Those who make the team will play a schedule which includes the Southern California Wood Bat League, plus tournaments throughout the Western U.S. and British Columbia, all in anticipation of qualifying for the NBC nationals in Wichita, Kan.

For further information, call the Stars Hotline at (619) 448-7900, email looper@n2.net , or check the Stars website,located at: www.baronastars.com.

East County Sports.com
EAGLE ROCK (5-3-06) -- Narrowing her choices to two schools, Grossmont High softball player ALYSSA ESCALANTE selected Occidental College to continue her fastpitch career.

Escalante, who plays first base and designated player for the Foothillers, picked the Tigers over Salem College (N.C.) because of its sports medicine program. She would like to become a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

"Alyssa's been one of our biggest hitters," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "She's among our top hitters for average and is our leader in home runs."

Escalante will play for an Occidental team now coached by San Diego State alumnus Amber Grahlman. In her first season, the Tigers started 1-11 out of the gate, yet showed improvement throught the recently-concluded 2006 campagn to post a 10-27 record (6-18 SCIAC) to double their win total after capturing just five games in 2005.

Mavericks on ESPN2

East County Sports.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (4-23-06) -- The El Cajon based West Coast Mavericks cheerleading club will appear on ESPN2 on Saturday (Apr. 29) at 11a.m., when they participate at the Universal Cheerleaders Association national championships, held at The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

The Mavericks, which feature performers from throughout East County, include eight student-athletes from West Hills High School, captured the "small senior co-ed" title last April. The club later went on to capture a major international competition in London over the summer.

Grossmont College holds tryouts

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-23-06) -- All high school cheerleaders who are seniors may try out for the 2006 Grossmont College cheerleading squad, which will be held Wed.-Sat., (Apr. 26-29).

The tryouts include an orientation, a workshop, a skills competition, then a final set of interviews. Cheerleaders must be attending Grossmont College next school year, with winners performing at many college and public events, including home games of the 2005 national champion Grossmont College football team.

For further information, contact team coordinator Allison Bobrow at (619) 644-3658, or visit the Griffins' website HERE.

Erin McKeown (Liberty Univ. photo)

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-06) -- Former Liberty University standout ERIN McKEOWN, who was an all-Big South Conference performer for the Flames, has accepted the position of head women's volleyball coach at San Diego Christian College. The announcement was made Tuesday (Apr. 11) morning by Hawks athletic director KELVIN STARR.

In addition to coaching, McKeown will also work in Student Development as the Spiritual Life Director, giving spiritual leadership to the ladies of San Diego Christian College. She will arrive following the summer, when she completes her masters' degree from Liberty in Business Administration. Her bachelor's degree is in sport management (2004).

McKeown has spent the past two seasons as graduate assistant coach to Flames head coach Shane Pinder. A four-year letterwinner at Liberty, located in Lynchburg, Va., McKeown accumulated numerous honors while playing volleyball for the Flames.

During her junior season, she earned a spot on the Big South All-Conference First-Team, Big South All-Tournament team and was recognized as the Big South Tournament's Most Valuable Player. Her success reached a peak in 2003 as she became just the third player in the Lady Flames' 27-year history -- and the first since 1999 -- to be named Big South Most Valuable Player.

After a superb senior season, McKeown penciled her name in the Lady Flames' record books, ranking third all-time in blocks (341) and digs (1,479), and fourth in matches played (134). She finished up her senior season setting career highs in attempts (49), block assists (11) and total blocks (11).

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (3-19-06) -- The CIF San Diego Section announces the 2006 senior class boys and girls basketball games on Friday (Mar. 24) at Point Loma Nazarene College. Girls'tip-off is at 5:30; slam-dunk contest 7:00; boys'tip-off 8:00. Also featured will be performances by local high school cheer squads, dance teams and pep bands, as well as 3-point contests.

East County senior girls participating and playing for the All-Stars South are JERICA WILLIAMS (Mount Miguel), ALLISON DUFFY (El Capitan), JORDAN FRANEY (Santana) and DIANA LEASAU (Helix).

East County senior boys participating and playing for the All-Stars South are CORY BROWN (El Capitan), PAUL IVANAUSKAS (Christian), and NICK TAYLOR (Granite Hills).

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. For information contact the CIFSDS office at (858) 292-8165 or visit their website at www.cifsds.org.

Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden (circa 1975), when the Bruins won his final NCAA title over Kenticky in San Diego. (Courtesy of U.S. Basketball Hall of Fame)

East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-11-06) -- Basketball coaching legends John Wooden and Morgan Wootten will speak at the San Diego Hall of Champions' Sports at Lunch program, to be held on Mon., Mar. 27. The public is welcome to attend.

The luncheon, which starts at 11:30 a.m., is in conjunction with the McDonald's All-American High School All-Star Game on Wed., Mar. 29 at San Diego State's Cox Arena.

Wooden, 95, the infamous "Wizard of Westwood," retired after capturing the last of his 10 NCAA titles here in San Diego in 1975. He finished with a career record of 664-112.

Wootten, meanwhile, mounted a 1,274-192 coaching record at DeMatha High (Md.), capturing five mythical national championships. Both are honorary chairmen for the 29th annual game.

Tickets for the luncheon are $75 with a portion of the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald's House Charities. For ticket information, please visit the San Diego Hall of Champions website at: www.sdhoc.com.

Among the people coaching this year's McDonald's games will be Santana High coach Wade Vickery, who just concluded his 26th season with the CIF-SDS Division III title, now with a career mark of 609-119.

East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (3-3-06) -- San Diego Chargers Pro Bowler Hank Milligan, along with football teammates Drayton Florence, Shaun Phillips and Greg Camarillo will be among the celebrities playing in the 3rd annual Celebrity Basketball Game on Saturday (Mar. 4) at Steele Canyon High School.

The game tips off at 6 p.m. and supports the Lady Cougars basketball program at Steele Canyon High, located at 12440 Campo Road. Tickets are $8 pre-sold and $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Steele Canyon High.

Other celebrity players include A.J. and Hula from 93.3 FM Radio, San Diego Charger Girls, and The Swinging Friar from the San Diego Padres. Fans attending the event will also enjoy music provided by Channel 93.3. For further information, call Frank Quinones (619) 252-4032.

For further information or to registet, please visit the Lemon Grove Little League website, at: www.go-lgll.com.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-17-06) -- San Diego Christian College officially announced that baseball will begin play next season and have named MIKE LORD as their head coach for the 2007 inaugural season. The expansion was first reported by East County Sports.com more than six months ago, but was made official Friday (Feb. 17) by an athletics department spokesperson.

Lord’s career spans over 20 seasons at every level of baseball. His coaching experience includes time as a high school head coach, a community college pitching coach, as well as a head coach at both NAIA and NCAA institutions, plus nine seasons with the San Diego Padres, where he served as a batting practice pitcher and defensive positioning coordinator.

Lord has been at Palm Beach Atlantic University the past two seasons where his teams were 62-30 with post-season appearances both years. His 2004 team finished second in the country in the NCCAA, losing the national championship game to Dallas Baptist University 2-0.

Lord prepped at Brethren High School in Huntington Beach, where he was an all-CIF Southern Section pitcher, then on to Long Beach City College where he pitched on a state championship team in 1976. The next year he pitched on a NCAA Division II National Championship ballclub at UC Riverside.

“To be asked to be a head coach is always an honor, but to be offered the chance to start this program is unbelievable. It is obviously an incredible opportunity," said Lord. "(San Diego Christian College president Jerry Huson is a former baseball coach (at Christian High) and he 'gets it.' He is going to give this program every chance possible to be successful from the start. Who could ask for more than that?"

The program will be offering baseball scholarships and will play a full 50-game schedule as well as compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference, one of the premier NAIA conferences in the country. Baseball is currently the only spring sports offered by the college. Details on where the team will hold practices and play games was not announced, but it is believed leading candidates include Grossmont College and Barona Diamond, home of the semipro Barona Stars of the National Baseball Congress.

East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (2-17-06) -- Wade Vickery, the winningest coach in CIF-San Diego Section history at Santana High School, has been designated as one of four head coaches for the 29th annual McDonald's All-America basketball games. The three-day event will run Mar. 27-29, capped by the all-star competition at San Diego State's Cox Arena.

Vickery, who has more than 600 coaching victories to his credit, will coach in the fifth annual girls contest, which features the top 24 players from across the country. Vickey's ledger also features 19 league championships and eight section titles. He will guide the West team, while Leta Andrews of Granbury High in Texas will head the East side.

The boys teams will be coached by L.A. Fairfax's Harvey Kitani (West) and Doug Lipscomb of Wheeler High in Marietta, Ga. (East). The contest will be televised on ESPN.

The event starts with the Powerade Jam Fest, to be held at San Diego State's Peterson Gymnasium, on Mon., Mar. 27. Many of the nation's top high school players will show off their skills during this action-packed slam dunk, three-point and shootout contests.

The next night will be the national awards banquet and silent auction, to be held at the Town & Country resort in Mission Valley. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased through the San Diego Hall of Champions website (www.sdhoc.com).

Final rosters will be announced Feb. 23. Tickets for the other events can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the SDSU Ticket Office at Window E at Qualcomm Stadium.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, which helps children and families by operating the Ronald McDonald House and making grants to other nonprofit children's organizations throughout San Diego County.

East County Sports.com
INDIANAPOLIS (1-16-06) -- MARIN MARTINEZ of El Cajon finished in third place at the national finals of the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick competition. The 13-year old, competing against 31 others who represented each team in the National Football League, finished with a composite marj of 235 feet, 3 inches, falling to youngsters representing the Carolina Panthers (286-7) and Minnesota Vikings (261-5).

Martinez registered a mark of 76-9 in the punt (the gross length, minus the distance from a line drawn straight down the middle of the field -- accuracy counts, too), 104-11 in the pass for the top mark in the Girls 12-13 division, then 53-7 in the kickoff. She entered the final as the top qualifier.

You go, girl

East County Sports.com
NEW YORK(12-28-05/UPDATED 1-9-06) -- MARIN MARTINEZ, a 13-year old El Cajon resident and daughter of Santana High soccer and field hockey coach DANNY MARTINEZ, has earned a berth to the national finals of the NFL-Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick program.

The younger Martinez captured the sectional title for the San Diego Chargers area. Plus, her total of 289.5 feet -- the combined distance (with accurancy) of her punt, her pass, and a placekick -- is also the best in the nation among the 32 sections. She recorded her total at Qualcomm Stadium on the day of a Chargers home game against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20.

Martinez' score is more than 15 feet better than the nation's next best total in the Girls' 12-13 Division. A competitor from Columbus, Miss., and representing the New Orleans Saints, registered a score of 273-feet, 11-inches.

For her accomplish, Martinez will receive an all-expense paid trip to the national PPK competition final over the weekend of Jan. 14-15, to be held at Indianapolis, the site for one of two AFC Divisional playoff games. More than 4 million youngsters competed this season, including over 350,000 in Martinez' division. For further information, visit the NFL Youth Football site HERE.

East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (12-12-05) -- The South San Diego County High School Softball Umpires Association is
looking for new members. Some experience is desired, but not necessary,and training will be provided. For further information or to register, contact either Debbie Ahrenstein (619-420-7471), David Brown (619-294-5925) or Bob Kauffman (619-585-8304).

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (12-9-05) -- The CIF-San Diego Section is pleased to announce the participating teams for the Inaugural Winter Basketball Showcase, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21, at Cathedral Catholic High School.

This event will feature some of the top-rated teams in Southern California. All games will be played with teams from the San Diego Section versus high school teams from the Southern and Central sections.

The showcase begins at 11:15 a.m. with Central Section’s girls’ Division I champion Stockdale battling the San Diego Section South Bay favorite Eastlake. At 1:00 p.m., Southern Section’s boys’ Division III playoff-bound El Segundo takes on always-tough San Diego Section champion Horizon.

Southern Section’s girls’ Division III always-tough Santa Margarita plays San Diego Section champion La Jolla Country at 2:45 p.m. Villa Park, Southern Section’s perennial boys’ powerhouse, takes on San Diego Section’s up-and-comer Fallbrook at 4:30 p.m. Southern Section finalist and Southern Regional finalist in girls’ Division I Ventura goes against San Diego Section champion Carlsbad at 6:15 p.m. In the final game of the evening, Etiwanda, the Southern Section’s boys’ Division I finalist and Regional runner-up will face the San Diego Section’s Division I runner-up and perennial State CIF participant El Camino at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $6.00 and are now on sale! It should be an added attraction to the 2005-06 Basketball Season! For more information on the Inaugural Winter Basketball Showcase, contact the CIFSDS office at (858) 292-8165 or visit the website at www.cifsds.org.

Santana High School's (from left) Kristen Medrud, Taylor Kelly and Jordan Franey signed scholarship papers for full-ride athletic scholarships. (Santana High courtesy photo)

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-20-05) -- In a ceremony in front of dozens of fellow students, a trio of standout athletes from Santana High School signed letters of intent to accept athletic scholarships Wednesday (Nov. 9). All three have previously been honored as members of both the All-East County and All-San Diego County all-star teams.

Included are Sultans women's basketball player JORDAN FRANEY (UC Santa Barbara), and softball players TAYLOR KELLY (California) and KRISTEN MEDRUD (Loyola-Illinois).

All three were recruited following strong campaigns with their respective club teams over the summer.

"Santa Barbara first contacted me after my sophomore year,â"said Franey, who first played for her high school coach, WADE VICKERY, on the Santee Storm before later switching to Cal Swish Black. "It's an amazing school, where I discovered that they were good players on the court, but good people off the court, too. That was huge."

Franey comes from a Santana program that posted a 25-6 record and advanced to the first round of the CIF Division III State Tournament in 2004-05. After averaging 21.2 points per game, Franey earned berths to the All-County and All-East County teams. Franey's older sister, Janet (Helix High), was a four-year basketball letterwinner at California, where she played under current UCSB assistant coach Camille Burkes.

"Jordan is a real blue-collar kid, who is solid in all areas of her game but an especially strong three-point shooter," French stated about Franey, a member of Cal-Hi Sports' All-Junior class state team. "She's a very proud defender and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. I think a lot of our fans will appreciate Jordan's effort and intensity. Because of her work ethic and desire to be successful, she will be able to come in and help us right away."

Franey, a 6-foot forward, will be joined by guard Meagan Williams of Sacramento as the only two members of UCSB's 1006-07 recruiting class. Franey expects to major in anatomy or literature, and perhaps teach Shakespeare someday.

Meanwhile, Kelly and Medrud were discovered by coaches primarily looking at players on other teams. Yet their superior play earned them full-ride scholarships.

Kelly's club team, The Next Level, is composed mainly of players graduating from high school in 2007, so many colleges passed looking at the lone 2006 graduate on the roster.

"At first, they were not watching my team at all because we were so young," noted Kelly, a shortstop. "But after the (Cal) coach talked to my coach, he offered me a scholarship right there."

Kelly's choices came down to Washington, Tennessee, Northwestern and the Golden Bears, but the final decision came with ease.

"Cal is an amazing school -- I went there and fell in love," noted Kelly. "There are few schools with great softball and great academics, and I loved the diversity there, too."

Medrud received offers from Loyola Marymount and Louisiana Tech, but the "Second City" proved to be a comfortable fit for the pitcher-first baseman.

"I fell in love with Chicago when I took my trip," said Medrud, a San Diego Breakers club performer, who is penciled in as the Greyhounds' clean-up hitter in 2007. "I was in a showcase tournament in Colorado when they saw me. They were looking at other players, but chose me."

Medrud can play three different positions or be a designated hitter. She will be a four-year varsity performer for the Sultans.

Track signing -- San Diego State announced the signing of prep standout Janie James to a national letter of intent in women's track. The sprinter from Helix High will compete for the Aztecs beginning with the 2006-07 season.

James, currently a senior with the Highlanders, placed fourth in the 400-meter dash at the CIF state finals last June with a personal-best time of 54.37 seconds. James’ mark would put her 10th on the Aztecs’ all-time list.

"We're very pleased that Janie has signed with us," Aztecs head coach Rahn Sheffield said. "She is the first local prep standout we've signed since Sophia Hawker (of Grossmont High in 1997)."

Drew Brees

Enjoy lunch with Chargers’ Drew Brees; Salute to Champions tickets also on sale

East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (11-21-05) -- San Diego Chargers quarterback DREW BREES will be the featured speaker at the San Diego Hall of Champion’s monthly Sports At Lunch program for December. The event will be held on Tue., Dec. 6, at noon on the main floor of the sports museum.

Brees led the Chargers to the AFC Western Division title last season, and currently has the Chargers the thick of the National Football League playoff race this season.

60th annual Hall of Champions inductees
Terrell Davis	Gail Devers	Louie Kelcher
La Mesa's Volney Peters, pictured on his Topps trading cards from the 1957 Weshington Redskins (left) and 1961 San Diego Chargers. (Courtesy Topps, Inc.)

Tickets are $30 for members of the hall, or $40 for the general public. For further information, contact the Hall of Champions ar (619)-699-2321, or visit the Hall’s website, at www.sdhoc.com.

The Hall is also accepting reservations for the 60th annual Salute to the Champions dinner, slated for the Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley on Tue., Feb. 28. This year’s inductees include:

> Former NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP TERRELL DAVIS (Lincoln High/Georgia);

> World record sprinter GAIL DEVERS (Sweetwater ‘83/UCLA), who won a trio of gold medals (twice in the 100 meters, and the 1600 relay) over five different Olympic Games;

> 3-time Pro Bowl selection and Chargers’ Hall of Fame defensive lineman LOUIE KELCHER;

> Veterans Committee selection VOLNEY PETERS (Hoover ‘47/USC) of La Mesa, one of the first linemen from San Diego to make it to the NFL in the 1950s. Peters first played for the Washington Redskins, then later the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League as a defensive tackle.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-17-05) -- Several East County high school football coaches are asking the community to support the efforts of SEAN BRADY, the former West Hills High football player, who was partially paralyzed in a 2001 game versus Granite Hills.

Coaches have noted that Brady, who can’t move below the waist and is confined to a wheelchair, has never complained about his injury and has demonstrated a great deal of class and heart through his ordeal. So a request is going out to assist Brady to purchase a special chair so he may continue his athletics pursuits in the sport of Quad Rugby.

"As many of you may know, I have had my eye on a sport called Quad Rugby," Brady noted. "Back in September, I attended a tournament in Oceanside where beginners and novices alike were encouraged to come and play."

Players from throughout the country attended the tournament, but Brady didn’t know he was going to be quickly thrown into the mix.

"At the tournament, I met a guy from Arizona who made me get in his chair to see how it felt," said Brady. "After pushing around in it for about 15 minutes, I was told that I was going to be playing in the next game!"

Ever since, Brady's been hooked on Quad Rugby, even starting a San Diego County-based team to travel and compete. However, rugby chairs must be custom-made and are expensive at more than $3,000 each, so area coaches are getting together to raise the necessary funds.

If you would like to help, please send your donation to: 9321 Praful Court, Santee, CA 92071. You can also contact the football coaching staff at West Hills for further information, or write coach Frank Yancey at frankyancey@cox.net.

To see Quad Rugby in action, the 16th Annual Best of the West tournament is being held this weekend (Nov. 18-20) at Balboa Park in Municipal Gym (next to the Aerospace Museum). For further information on Quad rugby, visit: www.quadrugby.com/toc.htm.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-8-05) -- Registration is now being accepted for all former West Hills High football players to take part in an alumni flag football game, to be held during the spring semester.

Former Wolf Pack lineman JAMES SWINEY (Class of '99), who currently serves as an assistant line coach, is organizing the event, which will be played in May (actual date to be announced) as part of a fundraising event in conjunction with the varsity's Spring Football game.

The cost -- afterall, this is a fundraiser -- is expected to be between $20 and $50. If you're interested in playing or participating, please contact Swiney by email (James.Swiney@sdsheriff.org or sweendog53@hotmail.com) or KYLE CONERLY (fastaztec6@hotmail.com) so plans can be made..

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (10-31-05) -- Former Christian High girls volleyball coach KIM BELL is among the honorees to be inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions' High School Coaches Legends section.

Bell, along with 10 others, will be honored at the Hall's annual Legends Banquet, slated for Wed., Nov. 16, at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m.

Bell will be inducted along with Dennis Lottermoser (Cross Country, Crawford/Mira Mesa), Sue Minnock (Badminton, Serra), Hal Niedermeyer (Football, Coronado), George Ohnesorgen (Football, Chula Vista), Jeff Ukrainetz (Swimming/Water Polo, San Pasqual/Mt. Carmel/ Rancho Bernardo), Ed Wiley (Wrestling, San Dieguito) and the late Gene Edwards (Football, La Jolla).

In addition, Meritorious Achievement Award Winners include: Cheryl Ernst, Ash Hayes, Kathy Curran and Robert King.

In her 11 seasons at Christian, Bell guided the Patriots to nine CIF championship match appearances, capturing five titles (1990 and 1995 in Division IV; 1991, 1992 and 1999 in Division V). Included among her top players were six CIF players of the year, including BECKY JOHNSON (1990), TIFFANY STUTZ (1991), two-time winner LEEANA MILLER (1992-93), JENNY WENNING (1995), and KATIE WILKINS (1999), who was also the San Diego County player of the year for all divisions.

Upon taking over the program in 1989, Bell's extended the school's streaks of 103 consecutive league victories (either the Central, Harbor or Eastern leagues), including 58 straight at home to claim 11 straight league titles.

Upon retiring, the veteran coach moved andf now resides in Albuquerque, N.M.

Tickets are $45, and they may be purchased by contacting Mary Woodall at the San Diego Hall of Champions at (619) 234-2544.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-25-05) -- The list of East County standout athletes who have accepted scholarships to continue their careers at NCAA Division I schools climbed after seven more students recently signed letters of intent during the early signing period in three sports.

In baseball, El Capitan catcher AUSTIN RAUCH signed selected San Diego State over two other finalists, while JOE INZONE of the Steele Canyon, the Grossmont Conference batting champion, will head north to University of the Pacific.

In softball, a pair of Santana stallworths signed letters, as shortstop TAYLOR KELLY will play in the Pac-10 Conference with nationally-ranked California, whill all-around utility performer KRISTIN MEDRUD travels east to Loyola-Chicago.

And in women's basketball, JERICA WILLIAMS, who helped Mount Miguel move within a game of the CIF state title game, will join UCLA, while Jordan Franey of Santana moves on to nationally-ranked UC Santa Barbara. Earlier in the year, ALLISON DUFFY of El Capitan agrees to play for coach BETH BURNS at San Diego State.

Overview
Rauch ranked third in the East County in doubles, finishing his junior season with a solid .373 batting average, with six homers and 27 RBIs. In addition, Rauch showed rare speed for a catcher by stealing 13 bases. He selected SDSU over UC Riverside and USD because he likes MARK MARTINEZ, the newest Aztecs assistant coach, who moves here from the University of Nrw Mexico.

Inzone batted .446 last season -- second in the East County to Shance Stanovic of Christian -- and recorded 24 RBI. He belted three homers as the Cougars' leadoff batter and was solid on defense at several positions, mostly playing in the outfield.

Kelly is reguarded as one of the top shortstop's in the county, especially in important contests. Included was her two-hit performance in the CIF Division III playoffs last season, scoring the game-winning run in extra innings to defeat Steele Canyon. Kelly is also a top club performer.

Medrud could be found almost anywhere in the Sultans lineup, beit pitcher, first base, the outfield or as the designated player, helping the school to its first league title in 11 season. After claiming the East County Sports' Unsung Hero Award last season, she will be a four-year starter this season with a solid bat.

Williams, a 5-foot-10 forward, helped the Matadors to their third straight section Division II title and a berth in the Southern California Regional final. She averaged 18.7 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Franey was the CIF-SDS Division III Player of the Year and was named to the CalHiSports.com All-State Division III first team.
Duffy is one of Burns' first recruits since rejoining the Aztecs.

A three-year starter who was glittered by post-season honors, Duffy averaged 21.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.8 steals, 2.5 assists and blocked 45 shots for the Grossmont North League-champion Vaqueros (25-6).

All three basketball players made the All-East County team, All-CIF San Diego Section team, and the Cal-Hi Sports All-State team.
Meanwhile, Marian Catholic transfer SHANIUCE HOWARD, who will play for Mount Miguel this season, accepted an offer to Cal State Northridge.

Wendell R. Cutting (right) lifts an El Capitan football jersey, listing the '05' insignia as the year of Thursday's dedication of the new football field -- complete with artificial turf -- named in his honor at Vaquero Stadium. (Photo by Greg Eichelberger) CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (Sept. 28) -- Granite Hills High School is seeking all alumni for the third annual Homecoming Barbecue, which will honor former Eagles head football coach DWIGHT MORRIS on the 30th anniversary of the school's first team to advance the CIF-San Diego Section championship at San Diego-Jack Murphy Stadium (now Qualcomm Stadium).

The barbecue will be held Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m., with complimentary food and beverages provided by the GHHS Booster Club. On the following night, the school will celebrate homecoming with a 7 p.m. contest against Steele Canyon, featuring a halftime fireworks show.

Morris, who still lives locally in Alpine, guided Granite Hills during three standout seasons from 1975-77, when the Eagles posted a winning streak which would reach 28 games in Grossmont Conference contests, which remains the second-longest streak in section history.

"Dwight is a legend in coaching circles," noted JAKE GAEIR, the Granite Hills vice-principal for athletics and organizer of the event. "So we need as many alumni from the school -- not just players from his teams -- to contact the school to register. It will be a great way to honor him."

Morris was inducted into the Granite Hills Hall of Fame last spring. The barbecue will allow alumni and supporters of the Eagles to express their appreciation for Morris' years of service to the school, the community and to high school football.

You must RSVP to attend the barbecue. To register or for further information, please contact Gaeir by email, at: jgaeir@guhsd.net.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (Sept. 28) -- Former Helix High athlete Babey Wagnew, who now runs cross country for Southwestern College, had been selected the Pacific Coast Conference male athlete of the week for the period ending Seot. 24. Wagnew, a sophomore who was selected as PCC Athlete of the Week twice in 2004-05 — once in cross country and once in track— defeated a formidable field to capture the Golden West Invitational in Huntington Beach. Wagnew was timed in exactly 20:00 for 4.0 miles to claim the victory.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (Sept. 21) -- Cuyamaca College cross country runner NICOL NICASTRO and Grossmont College wide receiver MICHAEL OMAR was among four student-athleres selected as Pacific Coast Conference Athletes of the Week.

Nicastro, a sophomore from El Capitan High, defeated her next closest competitor by a full 40 seconds to capture individual honors and lead the Coyotes to the team championship at the Palomar Invitational. Nicastro completed the 3.1-mile course at Guajome Regional Park in Vista in 20:59, as Cuyamaca won the nine-team meet by a 214-86 margin over second-place finisher East Los Angeles.

Omar hauled in five passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, as the Griffins produced a school scoring record in a 83-35 whitewash of Mt. San Jacinto in the Foothill Conference opener for both schools. Included were a pair of 55-yard TD receptions, while the other went for 26, as a pair of Griffins quarterbacks connected for seven TD passes to blitz the previously undefeated Eagles.

Other winners included Palomar linebacker Adam Tenney and San Diego Mesa water poloist Coral Kubala.

Honorable mention went to Grossmont running back DERRELL HUTSONA (Helix), who returned a kick for a touchdown for the second staright week; Cuyamaca soocer goalkeeper ROBERTO VEGA (El Cajon Valley), who notched his fifth shutout of the season by making stop 10 saves in a scoreless draw with state-ranked Golden West; Cuyamaca volleyball player KRISTIN WOLFE (Valhalla), who helped the Coyotes to their best start ever after the team placed second at the school's Coyote Classic.

East County Sports.com
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Sept. 15) -- A two-sport standout throghout his prep career, Valhalla High catcher Tommy McClain announced he has accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Arkansas.

McClain, who helped lead the Norsemen to a 73-22 record and a pair of Grossmont South League championships in the past three seasons, joins a Razorbacks program that's been nationally ranked for decades. McClain was twice named to the All-Grossmont South League team by league coaches, posting a .300 career average in 224 at-bats with 47 RBI.

Included was a .303 (30-for-99) mark as a junior, then a .315 average (23-73) as a senior after returning at midseason after suffering an injury for the Valhalla soccer team. McClain was an All-East County and All-San Diego County goalie for the Norsemen as a junior, but was hurt in the first week of his senior season, but returned in time to heavily contribute to the school's baseball team.

East County Sports.com
LONG BEACH (Sept. 21) -- Granite Hills High infielder BRANDON DECKER, a two-time member of the All-East County baseball team, has committed to NCAA Division I powerhouse Long Beach State for the 2006 season.

Decker who helped the Eagles gain a share of the Grossmont South League baseball title, batted .389 during the regular season, as Granite Hills (28-6) rattled off 13 consecutive victories to advance to the CIF Division I championship game. For the season, Decker batted .360 and finished fifth in East County with 14 stolen bases. In his junior season, the second baseman batted .430, with 41 runs and 16 steals.

Long Beach State posted an overall record of 37-22 last spring, as the Dirtbags finished one game behind nationally-ranked Cal State Fullerton in the Big West Conference standings.

Grossmont leads 2-0, still falls to City College

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-3-05) -- A disappointing season dipped even gloomier Wednesday (Nov. 2), after Grossmont College built a 2-0 lead in games, yet still lost to visiting San Diego City College in Pacific Coast Conference action. The Knights rallied back to win, 26-30, 24-30, 30-20, 30-25, 15-11.

The Griffins were in anything but panic mood after dropping the third set with reserves filling in half of the rotation, but SDCC took the next two games against the Grossmont starters, adding to already difficult season.

The Knights came back on the play of freshman Kelly Kaiser, a graduate of USD out of Santa Cruz, who came to play intercolligate sports for the first time. Kaiser, after being held to a single kill in the firs sett, came back strong to register a game-high 20 kills.

"Coming back like that was huge," said Kaise. "Our girls go out there fight whether it's the first game of the fifth game. They do what they had to do."

LEAN TRASK paced the Griffins with 20 kills, but after recording 11 in the first two games, only mustered nine additional kills over the final three games. MEREDITH PERALTA picked up some the slack with 18 kills, but after Grossmont went on a 9-2 run to take a 17-11 lead in the fourth game, it all fell apart.

"We eased up and they kept working hard, which is City's M.O.,' noted Grossmont coach BERT NOVICIO.

Grossmont's last home match is Friday, Nov. 11 vs. Palomar, starting at 7 p.m.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (10-20-05) -- Lindsey Olhausen, the 2002 CIF player of the year out of Poway High School, registered game highs of 11 kills and 14 digs, leading Palomar College past visiting Grossmont College in Wednesday's (Oct. 19) Pacific Coast Conference women's volleyball match at the Palomar Dome. The Comets (8-4 overall, 3-1 PCC), the conference titlists two of the past three seasons, won in straight sets, 30-20, 30-17, 30-24.

MEREDITH PERALTA, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter from Phoenix, paced the Griffins (2-6, 2-3) with 11 kills, but the rest of the team failed to generate much offense in the sweep. Grossmont hosts Cuyamaca on Friday at 7 pm.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-12-05) -- A strong effort in the third game kept the Grossmont College women's volleyball team close, but even then, 16th-ranked San Diego Mesa came through to take the game and sweep Wednesday's (Oct. 11) Pacific Coast Conference match, 30-19, 30-16, 30-28.

Ashton O'Halloran recorded 11 of her match-high 12 kills over the final two games to pace the first-place Olympians (3-0 PCC, 10-3 overall). The Griffins (1-2, 1-5) received seven kills and three blocks from middle LEAH TRASK, with most of her points coming in the third game to boost the hosts to leads of 4-1, 13-10 and 23-21. However, O'Halloran went on a spiking spree by converting three straight chances during one rotation at the net to finally reclaim the late advantage. She also registered five straight kills early in Game 2.

Mesa jumped to early leads in the first two games when the Griffins' back row had trouble passing. Only ERIN MURPHY (seven of her 11 digs in the firdt game) and NICOLE WRIGHT (team-high 13 digs) were able to get the ball to the setter consistently.

"The third game is when we had our window of opportunity, we finally started to pass well," said Grossmont coach BERT NOVICIO. "We work on serve receive and passing at least 40 minutes every day in practice, but we're still not to the level we should be at."

Grossmont returns home Friday for a special 5 p.m. matinee contest, entertaining Imperial Valley College.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-6-05) -- Grossmont College fell a week behind its compeition, needing to scratch its season-opening match when Alliant International suddenly dropped its women's volleyball program at the last moment.

It's taken three weeks and three ddifficult matches (all losses) to catch-up -- yet they were ready just in time when it really counted, too. On Wednesday (Oct. 5), the winless Griffins opened Pacific Coast Conference action by sweeping visiting Southwestern College, 30-22, 30-22, 30-17.

Middle blocker LEAH TRASK paced the Griffins (1-3 overall, 1-0 PCC) with 12 kills, including five in the opening set to establish control of the match. However, Trask's nice hitting numbers wouldn't have occured without libero WENDY DURAN. The freshman from Los Angeles registed six of her match-high 14 digs in the first set, making life easy for the setter to operate.

"Wendy is probably the purest volleyball player on the team," said fourth-year Griffins coach BERT NOVICIO. "She's been there big time for us while the rest of the team is now coming up to her level."

During one stretch, three consectuive Duran digs led to quick transitions for points, as Grossmont took early leads in all three games, at 7-1, 9-2 and 8-2, respectfully.

MEREDITH PERALTA posted eight kills for Grossmont, NINA MARIE SANTIAGO added seven and NCIOLE WRIGHT had six. The Jaguars (1-4, 0-1) received nine kills from Cristina Gonzalez.