Professional Sports

With the 2023-24 sports year officially in the books, it’s time to reflect on some of the best moments that took place throughout this past year.  Watsonville native selected in MLB Draft A lifelong dream came true for Watsonville native Luke Keaschall, who was selected by...

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...

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....

MONTEREY—The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am kicked off Wednesday morning with a trio of golf events that entertained spectators and benefited local charities.  PGA Tour Professionals teamed up with professional athletes in a putting challenge that went down to the wire, while celebrities swung and chipped...

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...

Haley Batten placed ninth in the women’s mountain bike event three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics. One would figure that’s already quite the accomplishment itself just being able to get to that point. Instead, she departed the “Land of the Rising Sun” feeling as...

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,...

MONTEREY—The 74th installment of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was well underway as professional golfers teamed up with celebrities and professional athletes for Day 2 of the tournament.  It was my first experience at such a high level golfing event, so the objective was to...

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”...

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,...