© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-14-12) — The El Cajon City Council unanimously voted the approval of Douglas Williford as its new city manager Tuesday (Feb. 14). The selection followed a nationwide search which found 64 qualified candidates.

Williford currently serves as the deputy executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments. He previously worked for the City of El Cajon's Planning Department, along with similar posts in Santee and Irvine.

"The City Council and I were highly impressed with Doug's leadership skills, pro-development experience, knowledge and insight into the key issues facing the City of El Cajon , and expertise in economic development," said mayor Mark Lews.

Lewis also acknowledged Williford's experience and record of substantial accomplishments in the private sector, plus 30 years of experience in local government.

Williford, who earned both Bachelor's and master's degrees in Urban & Environmental Geography from San Diego State , begins his new duties on March 22nd.

Making the tackle for Helix is Jimmy Pruitt (8). (File photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com)

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (2-3-12) — San Jose State bound wide receiver-defensive back JIMMY PRUITT, a member of the state bowl football champion Helix Highlanders, is offering a unique opportunity by offering a youth football clinic for area residents. FLYER

As part of his senior project at the charter high school, the senior and members of the Scotties coaching staff will teach proper techniques and allow youth football players to sharpen their skills, plus speed drill training.

The 3-hour camp will be held on Sat., Feb. 11, starting at 11 a.m., at the Sweetwater Lane Sports Complex, located at 1312 Sweetwater Lane in Spring Valley . Registration begins at 10 a.m., or you may guarantee an opening by signing-up in advance by EMAIL or by calling (619) 865-1253.

Pruitt was an All-CIF San Diego Section first team selection this past season, a two-time All-East County selection, and was the 2010 East County Sports' Rookie of the Year.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
ALPINE (1-17-12) — Padre Dam Municipal Water District experienced the break of a 24-inch water main Thursday (Jan. 26), causing interruptions in service throughout the area

The break of the 40-year old pipe occured around noon on Arnold Way, between Hatbison Canyon Road and Petra Way.

"This pipe is the main transmission line which serves all of Alpine," said Padre Dam communications director Melissa McChesney. "Because of this, the only water Alpine had access too during the pipe fix was water that was stored in five reservoirs east of where the break occurred."

In order to ensure Alpine customers did not run out of water while the pipe was being fixed, customers were asked to conserve water. Crews will work overnight with repairs slated to be completed by Friday afternoon.

Customers were asked to continue to conserve water until Saturday so that Padre Dam could pump water back into the reservoirs.

In addition, Padre Dam issued a Boil Order Notice for areas west of the break. The BON includes residents on or off of the following streets: Silva Road, Dunbar Lane, Bridon Rd., Chocolate Summit Drive, Hunter Pass, Hunter Lane, Summerhill Point, Chestnut Roan Way and Bridle Run and Arnold Way west of Petra Way were notified of the need to boil/disinfect all tap water for drinking and cooking purposes. This was done as an advisory because we had customers in this area that experienced a loss of water during the initial pipe break.

UPDATE: Padre Dam MWD, in conjunction with the California Department of Public Health, determined through comprehensive testing of the water, the water is now safe to drink. As of Saturday afternoon customers were notified it was no longer necessary to boil tap water or for customers to consume bottled water. Thank you to these customers for their patience and cooperation.

Additional repairs to the pipe and the road will continue into this week but should not have any impact on water service.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-17-12) — El Cajon AYSO youth soccer (California region 168) saw a pair of teams capture Area V East County All-Star Tournaments over the weekend. The triumphs advance both squads to the Section 11 Southern California Championships in Garden Grove, February 18-19.

The league dominated in the Boys Under-10 flight, with both of the league's teams advancing to the championship contest, where the "B" team coached by Maggie Beltz rallied from a 2-0 deficit to claim a 3-2 overtime decision over the "A" team.

In the Boys Under-14 division, the El Cajon AYSO club coached by Caesar Franco and Jose Arteaga claimed its third tournament of the season.

The two-weekend event saw El Cajon sweep five pool-play contests to gain a berth in the final, where they defeated La Mesa, also 3-2 in overtime.

Earlier, the U14 squad earned first-place trophies at the league's own Turkey Tournament over Thanksgiving, then the New Year's Round-Up in Lakeside.

Six other El Cajon AYSO teams also gained berths in the event's semifinals over a variety of age-group divisions.

2011 HOLIDAY BOWL: TEXAS 21, CALIFORNIA 10 STORY
	Top: Cal quarterback Zach Maynard feels heat from Texas pass rushers Emmanuel Acho (18) and Alex Okafor. Left: Texas running back Ryan Roberson celebrates his touchdown, as the Longhorns topped Cal, 21-10. (Photos by Frank Price and Nathan Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Left: The U.S. Navy Seals parachute team perform during introductions. Middle: Texas running back Ryan Roberson with the first-quarter touchdown. Right: Cal QB Zach Maynard. (Photos by Frank Price and Nathan Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Cal State San Marcos goalie Kaycee Gunion. (CSUSM courtesy photo) Gunion named CSUSM's first-ever first-team All-America © East County Sports.com SAN MARCOS (12-8-11) — Former Helix High standout KAYCEE GUNION became the first Cal State San Marcos women's soccer player to earn first-team All-America recognition by the NAIA. Gunion, a senior, finished her final collegiate season with a stellar 0.32 goals against average, ranking second in the nation. She allowed just 6 goals over the team’s 20 games, playing a major role in posting the best record (15-4-1) in Cougars history. Gunion leaves CSUSM as one of the most decorated athletes in the athletic program’s history. The goalie was recognized by the NAIA in all four of her seasons, including a Honorable Mention All-America selection as a freshman in 2008, followed by Second Team All-America selections in 2009 and 2010. Gunion was also named A.I.I. Conference Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2011, and was a four-time All-Conference selection. Gunion was not the only Cougar soccer player to receive a national post-season honor this week. The team’s dynamic forward duo of senior Lauren Johnson (8 goals, 2 assists) and junior Shelby Bush (10 goals, 3 assists) gained Honorable Mention All-America citations. Jan. 3 Update — Gunion also was named an NAIA national scholar-athlete award winner by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, gaining a third-team berth. She will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon held in conjunction with the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City.

Cougars rock America © East County Sports.com ORLANDO, Fla. (12-12-11) — The Steele Canyon Youth Football 8th-grade (former Midget Division) football team captured the American Youth Football national championship over the weekend. After posting a perfect 12-0 record and winning the San Diego County championship over Menifee (south Riverside County) Red, 49-6, the Cougars traveled to central Florida along with titlists from seven other regions.for a single-elimination tournament. Steele Canyon posted victories over the Oviedo (Fla.) Raiders, 34-6, and the Warrenville (Ohio) Warriors, 43-0, to reach the finale. then the Cougars bounced the top-seeded and defending national champion Mint Hill (Charlotte, N.C.) Chargers, 34-19. Local music instrument manufacturer honored © East County Sports.com EL CAJON (12-13-11) — Taylor Guitars, a locally-based business founded in 1974, will be named State Senate District 36 Business of the Year later today (Tue., Dec, 13). The honor will be presented by Senator Joel Anderson at the company's Gillespie Field area factory at 10 a.m. The company, founded in building with a leaky roof, now operates out of a modern, 25,000-square foot facility, employs hundreds of constituents who make a world-class guitar. Taylor Guitar has also given back to their community through their support of local high school wood shop programs that are building the critical career development skills of our youth. "Taylor Guitars is an example of the American dream come true," Sen. Anderson said. The Senator will present a framed resolution from the State Senate to Taylor Guitars president Bob Taylor, CFO Barbara Wright, and CEO Kurt Listug.

ECVHS's Chelsea Ball (right in white) was named Player of the Year in the Grossmont Valley League by the coaches in girls volleyball this past season. (File photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com)

Milestone victory for former Braves mentor Courtesy, North County Times ESCONDIDO (11-27-11) — Former El Cajon Valley High volleyball coach LORI BECKER recently captured her 500th career victory. She is now in her 24th season guiding the Escondido High program, yet once led the Braves to a 15-9 single-season mark, plus 3 seasons at San Pasqual in the 1980s.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-23-11) — CHELSEA BALL, an all-league standout in three sports for El Cajon Valley High, became the first member of the Braves in more than 20 years to be named the league's top player in girls volleyball. Ball was recently voted the Grossmont Valley League player of the year by circuit coaches at their season-ending meeting.

Ball, a senior middle-blocker, led ECVHS in both spiking and blocking, propelling the Braves to a runner-up finish in GVL action.

"I began playing better when I started working on my jumping and reaching higher," said Ball, who is also a member of the Starlings Volleyball Club program.

Anchoring the middle, Ball twice powered the Braves past El Capitan to earn second-place finish behind league champion Santana (coached by former Braves standout KAREN ADAMS).

"The first match was close, then we swept El Cap the second time we played them," she added. "That was an important win for our team. We demonstrated that we could compete and continue to improve."

Ball is now off to a fast start in basketball. On Tuesday (Nov. 22), the center registered game-highs of 32 points and 20 rebounds in a scrimmage.

The effort was a continuation from a strong junior season, when Ball became the first ECVHS basketball player to lead the East County in any major statistical category in more than a decade after grabbing 13.7 rebounds per contest.

"Sure, we'd like to think we could beat Mount Miguel," noted Ball of the state-ranked Matadors basketball team. "But a second-place in league would be a great accomplishment for our team, just like in volleyball."

Former Braves softball coach DOUG HARTUNG, who recently accepted the same position at Grossmont College, is pleased by Ball's development.

"Chelsea's not only a hard worker, she helps everyone else on the team with her leadership on and off the field," said Hartung.

In the spring, Ball is a shortstop and center fielder for ECVHS softball. She carries a 3.30 grade-point average and hopes to receive a scholarship offer for college, where she would major in psychology.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-10-11) — Following a perfect 12-game run to another Sunset League girls volleyball championship, Foothills Christian High opened the CIF San Diego Section Division V playoffs Wednesday (Nov. 9) by posting a 3-game sweep over visiting Calvary Christian of Vista.

The 3rd-seeded Knights skated past the Lions, 25-12, 25-18, 25-23, at Granite Hills High. They advance to Saturday's (Nov. 12) 7 p.m. quarterfinals at home against Escondido Adventist (16-6), which posted its own blanking of Borrego Springs, 25-15, 25-11, 25-17.

Foothills Christian (15-14) received a match-high 12 kills by senior outside hitter KARRIS ESSELSTROM, while junior opposite JEANNIE LAMBERT added 8 kills and 8 service winners to gain an early jump on Calvary.

"We were good enough to win, but we can be better," said Esselstrom, who has her college choices down to Biola or Simpson. " Calvary had a good travel crowd which bothered our serve-receive."

However, the Knights already mounted a 2-0 lead, then led wire-to-wire in the final set, although Calvary did get to within a point before Foothills finished them off.

"Our mental game is getting stronger – we now know we can do it," added REGAN FALDUTI, a senior middle, who twice salvaged plays with assists on rare chances when setter MIKAILA SANTOS couldn't get to the ball. Santos still finished with 21 assists.

Meanwhile, Foothills seeks a victory based on two fronts come Saturday. The Knights, the 2nd-seeds last season, were upset in the 2010 quarterfinals. Also, they are meeting an Escondido Adventist ballclub which defeated them in their last meeting.

"All four games were super close," recalled senior LARA PLUM, who is headed for Colorado Christian College . "So if we can beat them, we get a shot at (No. 2 seed) Pacific Ridge."

Falduti and OLIVIA TOMLIN each registered solo stuff blocks for Foothills Christian, while libero GABY MERLO recorded three service winners.

Alpine Fire Chief Bill Paskle (left) accepts an award for the district's 50th year compiling weather observations from Roger Pierce, Meteorologist-In-Charge of the San Diego National Weather Service. (Photo by Mary Tedesco)

Discover the Alpine Fire Protection District website.

AFPD is the official weather reporting station for the community of Alpine. Originally, weather measurements were taken at the fire station on Alpine Blvd. and they have continued at the current fire station on Tavern Road.

“Weather and fire fighting go hand in hand," said AFPD Chief Bill F. Paskle. "Knowing the current and expected weather conditions aids firefighters in attacking and extinguishing wild fires. We are honored to play a small part in recording the weather.”

Recently, AFPD installed a Davis Weather Station tracking system at the fire station. Data from the new equipment is included on the San Diego NWS website on the San Diego Mesonet page.

Founded in 1957, AFPD covers more than 27 square miles for a population of 15,000 residents.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-26-11) — DAN BARNES, a former football and girls basketball coach at Granite Hills High School, has been named principal at Grossmont High School.

Barnes replaces Theresa Kemper, who ends a 9-year stint after being elevated to Grossmont Union High School District assistant superintendent for educational services following the retirement of Mike Lewis.

Barnes, who has worked in the district in several capacities for more than two decades, had served as one of Kemper's assistant principals for the past eight years.

Barnes is a graduate of San Diego State who earned his teaching credential from Christian Heritage College (now San Diego Christian College). He later earned a master’s degree and educational administrative credential from National University

He started as a campus supervisor, then taught geography and U.S. history, along with his coaching duties before eventually becoming a dean at Granite Hills.

Under Kemper, Grossmont High was named a California Distinguished School and attained status as a California Exemplary Career Technical Education School.

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (11-18-11) — El Capitan High School will induct five new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday (Oct. 20) at the 14th celebratory dinner at the Lakeside Rodeo Association Hall at 6 p.m.

This year’s crew of inductees includes basketball standout STEPHANIE (KINDREICH) CASEY, CARRIE (VICKERY) SVENDSEN, ERIC ROCKHOLD, and brothers JASON PHILLIPS and KYLE PHILLIPS.

Doors open at 6 pm and dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Induction ceremony starts at approximately 7:30 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (9-28-11) — National Pro Fastpitch, which has featured local players such as CARRI LETO-MARTIN and SAVANNAH BROWN of Valhalla High School and SARAH HERSHMAN of San Diego State over the past decade, announced it will return to San Diego this fall.

NPF will again hold its Back to School Tour, with San Diego State hosting the 16th of 17 stops on Fri., Nov. 4, when the Aztecs meet a ballclub composed with many of pro softball's rising stars.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to play against professional softball players right here on our own campus," said Aztecs coach KATHY VAN WYK. "It’s a great chance to test ourselves against the best while helping the NPF promote the league.”

It's the second straight season for San Diego State to host a Tour contest.

“We are honored that the NPF has again chosen San Diego and our program as one of the tour stops," added the Aztec coach. "The draw of professional athletes helps us promote our program as well.”

Participating NPG players include Olympic medalists Andrea Duran, Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe; former Canadian Olympic Team member Caitlin Lever; former Canadian Olympic Team members and NCAA Champions Danielle Lawrie and Jenn Salling; 2010 NPF Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Norris; 2011 All NPF Team Members Ashley Charters, Bianca Mejia, Megan Wiggins, Brittany McKinney, and Sam Marder; and NPF Rookie of the Year, Alisa Goler.

Along with softball, other professional women's team sports leagues in North America include WPS soccer and WNBA basketball, while AVP beach volleyball may soon be returning.

“As we near the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the fact that we have a professional league for women’s fastpitch players is yet another testament to its impact," Van Wyk noted. "Opportunities for girls and women continue to grow and by coming out to this game and helping us support the league, people can help ensure these opportunities continue.”

The Tour begins with a game against the University of Memphis on Sept. 30, concluding on Sat., Nov. 5, at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. Complete Tour SCHEDULE.

Tickets will become available soon. Visit the SDSU women's softball website for further information.

Historic note – Back in the 1970s, the original women's pro softball league played games at San Diego State and Oceanside High School with a local franchise, the San Diego Sandpipers.

In the first year, a minimum of 60 games will be produced and in subsequent years, a minimum of 80 games will be produced for the life of the 15-year contract.

The CIF has grown to become one of the largest youth sports organizations in the nation and has a proud heritage of providing equitable athletic competition for more than 1,500 high schools in California. Through this new partnership, Time Warner Cable brings additional elements to the overall high school athletic experience benefiting more than 757,000 student athletes involved in CIF competitions.

“We are excited for this opportunity to work with Time Warner Cable,” said CIF Executive Director Marie M. Ishida. “They have made a commitment to air championship sporting events that include teams throughout the State. This unprecedented partnership will bring exposure to CIF schools and athletes like never before.”

Time Warner Cable’s CIF sports programming will feature a variety of sports, including coverage of boys and girls sports, as well as profile pieces on student-athletes and coaches.

“High school sports and the CIF have long been cornerstones in providing countless opportunities to our youth, developing future leaders and creating stronger communities both on and off the field,” said Barry Rosenblum, Time Warner Cable’s Senior Vice President, News and Local Programming. “Our agreement with CIF will provide high school sports fans in-depth opportunities to connect with teams, players, coaches, parents and fans across the State on multiple distribution platforms. We are thrilled to have the privilege of covering our hometown heroes.”

A leader at providing local production and sports programming to millions of subscribers across the country, Time Warner Cable currently manages 34 local channels, featuring news, weather, traffic and many featuring local sports programming.

In addition to full length High School game coverage, Time Warner Cable’s regional News and Local Programming Channel SoCal 101 will feature weekly high school sports programming. Varsity Round-Up, a roundtable analysis and preview of the top games of the week, airs on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, and Prep Sports Night Live, a weekly interactive call-in show that features up-to date scores, highlights, interviews and more, airs Fridays from 10:30 PM until midnight. Viewers interested in learning more about these programs and SoCal 101 can visit www.twcsocal101.com.

About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting more than 14 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video, and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and, through its NaviSite subsidiary, enterprise-class hosting, managed application, messaging and cloud services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.timewarnercable.com, www.twcbc.com, www.navisite.com, and www.twcmedia.com.

About CIF
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) was created in 1914 and is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. CIF is uniquely positioned to foster student growth in values and ethics. CIF’s ideal of “Pursuing Victory with Honor,” provides the opportunity to influence the actions of the athletic community. CIF strives to promote equity, quality, character and academic development. CIF is a nonprofit federation and the state office, located in Sacramento, CA, represents the interests of its member Sections. The 10 Sections represent geographic regions within the state: Central, Central Coast, Los Angeles City, North Coast, Northern, Oakland, Sac-Joaquin, San Diego, San Francisco and Southern. CIF represents more than 1,500 public and private member schools and more than 757,000 student-athletes. CIF conducts regional and state championships in cross country, football, volleyball, tennis, wrestling, basketball, soccer, track & field and golf. CIF Sections conduct championships in more than 22 sports.

San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Antonio Garay (bottom) is styled by Sergio "El Capitan" Millan, who designs and creates Garay's famous hair. (Courtesy photo, Fresh Up Barber Shop)

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (8-19-11) — When San Diego Chargers defensive tackle ANTONIO GARAY, known throughout the National Football League for his wild and unusual haircuts, feels like changing things up, there is only one person to see.

Welcome to the unique world of haircutting by SERGIO MILLAN, better known to his football-playing clientele as "El Capitan" for being more than a person who cuts hair for a living. Millan's persona makes him considered a pure virtuoso in his artistry to create singular designs, becoming the barber to the Bolts.

So when Garay reaches the sidelines on the Chargers bench and removes his helmet, you will see anything but the commonplace with his hairstyle.

"With someone like Antonio, it can take two hours to create," noted Millan, a 26-year-old resident of Lemon Grove . "After cutting his hair, you need to bleach it, inscribe the design, then add color -- it can be quite an undertaking."

Sergio "El Capitan" Millan (Courtesy, Fresh Up Barber Shop)

Millan began cutting hair at the age of 13 for family, friends and neighbors.

"I learned to cut hair in backyards, garages and family barbecues," he added. "Now it's a way to express myself -- it's not just a haircut, it really has become an art form."

Most of Millan's work is completed at Fresh Up barber shop, located at Westfield's Parkway Plaza . It opened last September to strong reviews because of the types of people he hires to cut hair.

"Perhaps one out of every 20 people who apply join our team." he added. "I'm very particular because everyone should look their best, whether it's a cut like Antonio gets or a regular haircut."

"And each of them gets a nickname, like "Country" or "Cash" -- sort of like soccer players with one name."

Students from Grossmont High School celebrate after capturing the $25,000 grand prize in front of thousands of spectators at U.S. Open of Surfing in the Hurley Walk the Walk dance competition. (Courtesy, usopenofsurfing.com) Grossmont dancers know 'The Walk' Capture $25K prize at U.S. Open of Surfing © East County Sports.com HUNTINGTON BEACH (8-4-11) — Students from Grossmont High School earned a check for $25,000 following an award-winning dance performance Thursday (Aug. 4) at the Nike U.S. Open of Surfing Championships at Surf City, USA. VIDEO Performing a routine entitled "Power of One," an online poll saw Grossmont's 20-member student troupe tally more than 50,000 votes to edge Peterborough High of Toronto, Ont., by a mere 389 votes to capture the Hurley "Walk the Walk" fashion show contest, held at the Huntington Beach Pier. The prize money will go to the school's Associated Student Body general fund. FACEBOOK Presenting the award to Grossmont was actor BooBoo Stewart, 17, who was once the 2002 and 2003 Junior Martial Arts world champion. Stewart appeared in the third installment of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. By advancing to the finals, Grossmont was assured at least a $5,000 prize, but then beat out 19 others dance teams for the trophy. Jeremy Hersch, the Grossmont ASB faculty adviser, said the prize money would go toward ASB activities or projects, which will be decided by students. He noted some of the funds will serve as grants for performing arts students. The school started with 60 participants, which whittled down to the final 20 following weeks of rehearsals held three times per week all summer.

2010 Grossmont College camp participants

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (7-3-11) — Grossmont College men’s basketball is hosting its annual Youth Basketball Camp for boys and girls entering the 3rd through the 8th grades. Camp will run from 8 a.m. to noon from August 8-11, at the college gymnasium (next to Parking Lot No. 3).

Cost for the camp is $75 and space is limited – sign up by July 10th.

Contact coach Doug Weber by EMAIL or by calling (619) 644-7878 for further information. Click for FLYER with details and to order a t-shirt.