Sports

After going through a year full of growing pains, Monte Vista Christian junior Dominic Pierini was feeling vigorous and ready to take charge of the Mustangs football team in his first full season under center.    “I put in a lot of work, so I knew...

A group of local runners will compete in the upcoming CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno this weekend.  Watsonville High junior Katelynn Ruiz punched her ticket to the state finals after she placed seventh in 19 minutes, 13.3 seconds in the...

Several words come to mind when describing longtime Aptos High football coach Randy Blankenship. Most will say he’s stern when it comes to his coaching methods, while others might call him caring, enthusiastic and motivational.   Yet, it might take just one word when talking about his...

There were several key elements this season that helped the Aptos High girls’ water polo team reach last week’s Central Coast Section Division II championship game.   But none was more impactful than having senior Fiona Carey take charge of the Mariners, who fell in a...

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...

Aptos High freshman Ella Dueck was a stalwart on the court in her first year with the Mariners girls’ volleyball team.   The standout outside hitter finished with a team-best 262 kills to go along with 220 digs, 43 serving aces and 12 blocks in 82...

Watsonville High cross country coach David Knight said qualifying for the Central Coast Section Cross Country Championships will and always be the end goal for them.  Mission accomplished. The Wildcatz boys’ and girls’ teams both advanced to the section finals following another strong performance at the...

Watsonville High senior and football junkie Joselyn Gutierrez has been playing competitive flag football since her days of ruling the grass fields at Lakeview Middle School. When she became a freshman, her career was momentarily cut short only because the sport wasn’t an option in...

Watsonville High’s Daisy Cornejo was one of several impact players that helped the Wildcatz girls’ volleyball team earn a trip to the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs in 2023.  The junior outside hitter and defensive specialist was all over the court this season. Cornejo...

The future of the Monte Vista Christian cross country program is brighter than their cobalt blue mascot—whose speed and endurance seems to have been acquired by the runners. After an offseason focused on preparing a team of young runners, the Mustangs have been triumphant in...