Professional Sports

It’s been nearly four years since Watsonville native Ruben Ibarra was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft.   Since then, the former St. Francis High star athlete climbed his way through the Minor League Baseball ranks....

AROMAS—Watsonville native Hugo “Prince” Chavez Jr. won his professional boxing debut in February that ended with a technical knockout, taking him less than one round to get the job done.  On Saturday, the 18-year old will attempt to keep his unblemished 2-0 record intact.  The “Prince”...

Aptos native Nikki Hiltz captured their third consecutive USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships title after winning the 1,500-meters in 4 minutes, 03.15 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. on Aug. 2. The 30-year-old former Aptos High standout edged Sinclair Johnson (4:03.77) and Emily...

SEASIDE—Monterey Bay F.C. midfielder Adrian Rebollar continues to ride the wave during the team’s inaugural season in the United Soccer League Championship.    Rebollar and company are in a good position to still clinch a postseason berth after a 5-0 win over Indy Eleven during Hispanic...

Aptos native Nikki Hiltz advanced to the women’s 1500-meters semifinals after they placed third in their preliminary heat at Stade de France on Aug. 6.  “It was all about patience, and this is incredible. I think I can officially call myself an Olympian now,” Hiltz...

A trio of Santa Cruz County Olympians shined on the big stage during the first week of action at the 2024 Paris Games.  Santa Cruz resident Haley Batten (mountain biking) and Aptos native Caspar Corbeau (swimming) are bringing home a silver and bronze medal, respectively,...

For the first time in 52 years, the annual Wharf to Wharf Race will not begin at the traditional starting line in front of The Grove, aka the Coconut Grove, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.   Instead, the 16,000 expected participants will wait for the...

Everlyn Kemboi glanced behind her shoulder once moments just before covering her face as she came storming down Cliff Drive in Capitola to win Sunday morning’s Wharf to Wharf women’s division race.  The 24-year-old American crossed the finish line first in 30 minutes, 29 seconds,...

EDINBERG, Texas— Lester Quiñones led the way for the Santa Cruz Warriors with 23 points in a 126-119 win against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday evening. The Golden State Warriors two-way guard also added five rebounds and five assists...

Watsonville native Adrian Rebollar and Monterey Bay FC teammate Carlos Guzmán were both named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for their performances in the Union’s 3-1 victory over the Phoenix Rising FC on March 29.  Rebollar notched his first goal of the...