High School Sports

The Aptos High dance team shimmied and grooved their way to a successful 2024 season that was capped off with a strong outing at last month’s USA Dance Nationals in Southern California.  Bella Garvey, a senior, took seventh in the Solo Champion division, while Zoey...

Aptos High twin brothers Gabriel and Rafael Suarez-Abraham both made an immediate impact as freshmen on the Mariners boys’ water polo team in 2023. Gabriel, a utility player, led the team with 21 goals, while goalie Rafael recorded 57 saves and three wins, according to...

St. Francis High senior infielder Noel Aquino hit a game-changing home run that helped lift the Sharks baseball team past Watsonville High on Monday. Aquino’s three-run blast in the bottom of the fourth inning was the difference in a 5-4 win against the Wildcatz in...

WATSONVILLE—Monte Vista Chirstian School senior Mark Spohn came into this year’s football season having to replace Brendan Doyle, last season’s Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League A Division MVP.   The first-year starting quarterback made quite the first impression Thursday night, passing for two touchdowns and sneaking...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville High School girls’ volleyball coach Tina Pendleton was placed on administrative leave earlier this week pending an investigation into actions that Watsonville High Principal Clara Fernandez says put students in danger. Fernandez said she could not disclose any information about why Pendleton, who has...

This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of Jan. 9-15.  Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores, stats and photos to [email protected]. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes on Twitter @jmreyes831 for scores...

Aptos’ Nick Bjorn shot 10-over-par 80 at Pasatiempo Golf Course to place second at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Championship on Tuesday afternoon.  Bjorn was runner-up to San Lorenzo Valley senior James Dahlen (77), who stormed his way back to victory after falling behind...

No pain, no gain.  It’s an idiom often used by athletes for motivation during some of the most grueling moments of their lives. Watsonville High graduate Ruben Mora had his fair share of those moments while donning a Wildcatz uniform. Whether it was overcoming injuries or...

WATSONVILLE— The Monte Vista Christian girls’ basketball team began league play exactly how they intended.  With a decisive win. The Mustangs defeated Notre Dame Salinas, 38-11, in the teams’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division opener Tuesday night.   Sophomore guard Sophia Cortes made her presence known with...

WATSONVILLE—After starting off the season struggling through adversity, Pajaro Valley battled for its first victory against visiting Greenfield on Saturday afternoon.  Senior running back Isaac Ortiz had 261 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the Grizzlies in a 28-7 victory over the Bruins (3-6, 2-2)...