Professional Sports

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...

SEASIDE—Monterey Bay F.C. announced Tuesday that the club signed Watsonville native Adrian Rebollar to a two-year contract extension in advance of the 2023 USL Championship campaign, pending league and federation approval.  “There’s no better feeling than knowing that I’ll be coming back next year to...

Watsonville High senior Itzel Martinez has been a terror on the field as of late, scoring each and every way possible to help the Wildcatz girls flag football team improve during the program’s inaugural season.   The standout quarterback tossed three touchdown passes in a 25-8...

Dominique “Dom” Parrish’s legacy continues to grow after the former Scotts Valley High wrestling star qualified for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The 27-year-old Scotts Valley native beat 2016 Olympian Haley Augello, two matches to none, in the 53 kilograms division finals at...

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,...

The Santa Cruz Warriors pulled ahead early and never looked back en route to a 112-101 victory over the Iowa Wolves at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Tuesday evening.  Two-way center Quinten Post led the charge with a career-high 30 points for the...

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....

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,...

The Monterey Bay Football Club announced Aug. 5 it hired Jordan Stewart on a multi-year deal to become the club’s permanent head coach.  Stewart—a former San Jose Earthquakes standout—is set to establish a new era for the Union, who currently sit eighth with a 7-9-6...

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...