Sports

Watsonville star freshman cross country runner Layla Ruiz is now on the track, and is bolstering the Wildcatz’ chances of returning to the top of the Monterey Bay League Pacific division. Watsonville has finished second each of the last two seasons, but head coach Rob Cornett hopes the dynamic duo will be enough to get his squad over the hump.

Behind stellar pitching and timely hitting, Watsonville won its first-ever CCS title this season, beating Homestead High for the Division I crown in late May. The Wildcatz also became the first softball squad from Santa Cruz County to win a section title.

WATSONVILLE—Senior Joey Garibay threw on his white St. Francis High uniform and stepped on the Sharks’ home court for what could have been his last time. The Sharks’ star guard and his senior teammates rose to the occasion, as they defeated Soledad High, 65-35, on...

Aptos lost five games by one run last season. Three of those one-run losses came against Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League competition, leading to the Mariners’ fifth-place finish in the league with a 5-7 record.

WATSONVILLE— The Saint Francis High boys’ soccer team struggled throughout the preseason to barely get just enough players on the pitch to begin a match. It’s been quite the challenge for Sharks’ first-year coach Valentin Barrelleza, who saw roster numbers reduced to as little as...

Monterey High’s sophomore infielder Michael Mugan belted a three-run homer in the Toreadores’ four-run first inning, and M.V.C.’s late push fell short in its 9-5 league-opening loss on Tuesday.

After weeks of deliberation, Watsonville senior Brianna Leon officially decided Tuesday evening on where she would like to continue her flag football career. The Wildcatz’s standout two-sport athlete signed her National Letter of Intent to play on the inaugural women’s flag football team at La...