By Keith Lair Staff Writer
James O’Brien, who led the Arcadia High School cross country team to two CIF State and the last three CIF-Southern Section championships, has been fired.
“The only reason I was given was, ‘We want to go in a different direction,’ and despite my pressing the issue for a legitimate explanation, the party line was, ‘I am not at liberty to discuss it any further,’” O’Brien said.
Early Tuesday, athletic director Ryan Press could not discuss the situation.
O’Brien coached the Apaches to their third consecutive Southern Section title and second State title in the last three years last November, then led a team made up of his Arcadia runners to a surprising victory at the Nike Nationals championship in Portland, Ore. a week after taking the state crown at Woodward Park in Fresno. It was the team’s second national championship.
The decision was made in a meeting Monday. Also, softball coach Maurice Sibolboro was let go after one season in a separate meeting on Monday.
“I really feel terrible for these kids,” said O’Brien, who coached the team for 17 seasons.
In a way, the decision by the Arcadia administration is not surprising, considering the rift that gradually developed between O’Brien and track and field coach Chris Scholtz. O’Brien said earlier this year that Scholtz did not want him to help coach the team this past season.
As a result, O’Brien formed a spring physical education cross country conditioning class in which 80 of the cross country team’s 88 runners joined.
The scope and size of the conditioning class was evident at open events at meets such as the Pasadena Games, where the distance events were dominated by athletes from O’Brien’s Army.
Of the top Apaches, only senior Mitchell Pratt and freshman Phil Rocha joined the track and field team, and shortly after the season began, Pratt, who recently accepted a scholarship to run at Navy, suffered a stress fracture and did not compete for the season.
Rocha had the west San Gabriel Valley’s second-fastest times in both the 800 and 3,200 and area’s fourth-best time in the 1,600 this past season, but did not compete at the CIF-SS preliminary meets in any of his events, even though he won the 1,600 and his 9:40.33 time in the 3,200 was fast enough to advance.
The other top Arcadia cross country athletes, including Star-News boys and girls runners of the year Estevan De La Rosa and Roni Yamane, opted to train in O’Brien’s class. De La Rosa, a senior-to-be, was second in both the CIF-SS and State races last season. Yamane, a senior-to-be, won the Pacific League title and advanced to state as an individual.
Because of the defection, the Apaches did not have a distance runner in the CIF-SS finals or CIF-SS Masters meets for the first time in four years.
Sibolboro coached the Apaches to an 18-7 record in his season. They defeated Crescenta Valley for the first time in 13 games and took second in the Pacific League with an 11-4 record. In the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs, they lost to eventual semifinalist La Habra ion the second round.
“He did some real positive things for the program,” Press said. “It was not a good fit. He is a very good person.”
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Michelle Floyd’s incredible numbers during her career as the ace of the San Marino High School softball team won’t soon be forgotten.

The record books prove as much.

Floyd capped off her four-year varsity career with a bang this spring. She struck out 299 batters in 160.2 innings pitched. She was also a force at the plate, hitting .429 to go along with 20 RBIs.

For those reasons, Floyd is the Star-News Softball Player of the Year.

“I’ve always wanted to get it, but I never got it until this year,” Floyd said of the award. “Just seeing the players who got it the past few years, I want to be up there with them. This is extremely exciting.”

Floyd’s numbers this season are just a microcosm of the staggering stats she put up during her career. Floyd ranks ninth all-time on the CIF-Southern Section’s career strikeouts list with 1,136.

Floyd fired seven no-hitters this season. She had 12 shutouts. Not bad for the once lanky freshman who was filled with potential bad had her doubters.

“Coming in freshman year, nobody knew what to expect,” Floyd said. “I love pressure. Part of the reason I’m a pitcher is because I love the pressure and attention that goes with it.

By the time I was a sophomore and junior, I showed that I was here and I wasn’t going anywhere.”

Floyd, now 6-foot-3, parlayed her prep career into a scholarship to play at Arizona where she will begin playing later this summer.

Even with an ace like Floyd, San Marino found itself caught up in a head-scratching race for the Rio Hondo League championship.

The Titans were swept by eventual league champ Temple City, but turned around and swept perennial power La Canada in what Floyd considered the highlight of the season.

The entire process was a growing experience.

“Being in the circle was my second home,” Floyd said. “I really developed a sense of self and confidence in the circle. I never really played to get somewhere. I played just to have a lot of fun.”

Coach of the Year: BOB ELLINGSWORTH, Temple City

After finishing dead last in the Rio Hondo League a year ago, there were many doubters around the Temple City softball diamond.

Rams head coach Bob Ellingsworth was not one of them. Ellingsworth told his team early in the season that he felt they could win the league title.

Of course, that would mean a major form reversal and holding their own against perennial power La Canada, pitching-rich San Marino and up-and-coming Monrovia.

It wasn’t picture perfect, but the Rams got the job done … for the most part.

Temple City swept San Marino and ace Michelle Floyd. The Rams won one out of three vs. La Canada and did the same against Monrovia.

But when the smoke settled, Temple City had done just enough to win the Rio Hondo by a game. Proving it was no fluke, when the playoffs came the Rams won their first-round game, something no other league team did.

In fact, Temple City was one of precious few teams in the area to make it out of the first round. Not bad for a club that won just six games a year prior.

Ellingsworth’s players made a major attitude adjustment and proved their coach prophetic. For those reasons, Ellingsworth is the Coach of the Year.

FIRST TEAM

Anjelica Amezquita, Jr., Pitcher, Maranatha
Amezquita posted a 9-3 record in the circle and helped lead the Minutemen to the Olympic League title, which also won her league MVP honors. Amezquita also took care of business at the plate by hitting .505 and smacking 11 home runs to go with 35 RBIs. She also scored 42 runs.

Dee Dee Logan, Fr., Pitcher, Pasadena Poly
Logan’s debut season was a special one and a sign of things to come. She earned MVP Pitcher in the Prep League after going 9-2 with a 2.15 ERA. At the plate, Logan was also a force, hitting .525 with four home runs. With Logan’s help, the Tigers tied for the league title.

Alexis Parker, Jr., Rio Hondo Prep, Catcher
Parker, also an All-Area basketball player, was a major reason why the Kares won the Prep League championship. She hit a whopping .479, belted four home runs and drove in 30 runs. She also scored 25 runs. Parker closed the season on a 12-game hitting streak.

Haylie Roach, Sr., Temple City, Infield
Roach was a major reason why Temple City emerged on top in a contentious Rio Hondo League race this season. Roach hit .389 and scored 21 runs as the spark plug of the Rams’ offense. She also stole 10 bases. Roach had 10 multi-hit games this season and had .993 fielding percentage.

Mary Rose Magnolia, Sr., Duarte, Infield
Magnolia was one of the most feared hitters around this season. She hit a whopping .554 to go along with five home runs, 15 RBIs and 26 runs. She also spanked nine doubles and two triples. Magnolia also stole 14 bases. Duarte won the Montview League and finished 18-5 overall.

Amy Zeronian, Sr., Marshall, Infield
Zeronian simply couldn’t be kept off base as evidenced by stellar .594 batting average. She also added 31 runs scored and 12 RBIs. Zeronian’s power numbers were also solid with six home runs, five doubles and three triples. Zeronian also stole 15 bases for the Eagles.

Caroline Knop, Jr., La Salle, Infield
Knop continued her tear as one of the area’s top athletes by shining on the softball field. The standout volleyball and basketball player hit .430, scored 25 runs and drove in 16 runs. Knop finished with 11 multi-hit games as the Lancers won 13 games.

Elise McCarthy, Jr., Monrovia, Outfield
McCarth was nearly impossible to get out as evidenced by her .556 batting average. She led the Wildcats in runs scored with 20. She also had eight RBIs. Once on the base paths, McCarthy was relentless, stealing 15 bags. McCarth had 13 multi-hit games this season.

Olivia Leyva, Jr., La Canada, Outfield
Leyva was one of the better bats around after hitting .405 to go along with six home runs, 30 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Leyva was also a perfect 6-for-6 on her stolen base attempts. Leyva had six games in which she drove in three or more runs. She also had nine multi-hit games for the Spartans.

Kelly Jacobs, Sr., Flintridge Sacred Heart, Outfield
Jacobs was one of several Tologs to put up huge offensive seasons. The senior outfielder hit .346 to go along with 14 runs batted in, and 18 runs scored. Jacobs had 10 multi-hit games and was also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts. She only struck out eight times all season.

Sumner Hanula, Sr., Flintridge Sacred Heart, Utility
Was an across-the-board force at the plate. The senior put up a .529 batting average to go along with 33 RBIs and 28 runs scored. Hanula also stroked seven doubles, four triples and three home runs. Hanula had 13 multi-hit games and also managed to go 12-for-12 on stolen base attempts.

SECOND TEAM

P — Elisa Ponce, Temple City, Jr.
P — Adrienne Guerra, Monrovia, Jr.
C — Elysha McCallister, Maranatha, Sr.
INF — Cassandra Baca, South Pasadena, So.
INF — Katy Lee, La Canada, Jr.
INF — Madison Loomis, Rio Hondo Prep, Jr.
INF — Brooke Mann, Monrovia, So.
OF — Sara Kubo, Temple City, So.
OF — Beverlee Valerio, La Salle, Jr.
OF — Ileana Vilor, Alverno, Sr.
UTIL — Kenzie Grimes, Arcadia, Jr.

Here are the photos: http://photos.pasadenastarnews.com/2013/06/13/photos-pasadena-star-news-all-area-softball

Here are the photos: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_23402864

The breaststroke wake-up calls came early in their high school swimming careers.
La Canada High School’s Brandon Nguyen got the call four years ago, during his freshman season. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s Kirsten Vose answered last season, her sophomore year.

Both had impressive seasons in the stroke this year and earned Star-News Swimmer of the Year honors as a result.

Nguyen dropped two seconds off his time this year, going under 57 seconds for the first time, and he finished seventh in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 finals.

Breaking the school record in the breast as a freshman completely changed my perspective of swimming,” the recently graduated senior said. “It kept pushing me for more. The 100 breast set the standard for me.”

Vose, a sophomore, won her first CIF-SS Division 1 title, going 1:02.57 in the event.

“It was quite exciting to win the breast,” she said. “It was really a big challenge with all of the other people in the meet. I have raced them in club and I know how fast they are and I know how big of a challenge it is.

“It was a dream of mine to win.”

It wasn’t quite all a dream season for Nguyen. He originally accepted a nomination to swim for Navy, but his application was rejected because of a peanut allergy. He said he will take the next school year off and train, hoping to land a scholarship at another school starting with the 2014-15 season.
“It’s best for me,” he said. “I won’t burn out.”

The highlight may have been winning the Rio Hondo League title in a personal best time of 56.96. He swam a 57.02 in the CIF finals.

“That 56 was a shock to me,” he said. “I definitely enjoyed four years of high school swimming, starting from the bottom to the top.”

Nguyen had the area’s fastest time in the 200 individual medley, going 1:51.35 to finish sixth in CIF. He swam the second leg for the 200 medley relay team, which finished eighth, and the anchor leg for the 400 freestyle relay team, which finished 15th.”

Vose won the Mission League title in the breast with a 1:02.82 swim. She also won the league’s 200 IM crown and finished sixth in the CIF finals, going 2:05.63. Her fastest time of the season was in the CIF prelims, when she went 2:03.47.

She swam the first leg of the 200 medley relay team, which featured a stirring performance from teammate Kate Herrill to give the Tologs the CIF-SS title.

“In CIF the most exciting race was the medley relay,” she said. “It was so close. We knew it would be hard, but we were hoping for the best.”

She also swam the anchor leg for the 200 free relay team, which finished fourth.

Vose and her teammate’s performance helped the Tologs to fourth overall, the best finish by a Mission League team.

“It was definitely fun with all of my teammates,” Vose said.

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Boys Coach of the Year: ART LOPEZ, La Canada
La Canada won the Rio Hondo League crown and then tried improving in the ultra-competitive CIF-SS Division 1 finals. The Spartans finished a respectable 10th. They had four entries in the championship finals and five entries in the consolation finals. It is the third year the league has competed in Division 1.

Girls Coach of the Year: STEVE BERGEN, Flintridge Sacred Heart
It’s hard to make an impact in the CIF-SS Division 1 finals with only a handful of swimmers. Bergen manipulated his Flintridge Sacred Heart team to find a way. The Tologs came through with two wins and six finishes in the top nine and a seventh-place overall finish.

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FIRST TEAM — BOYS
Dane Bell, So., La Canada
The distance swimmer placed 13th in the CIF-SS Division 1 500 freestyle in an area-leading time of 4:33.57 He won the Rio Hondo League 200 free title in 1:46.32. He did not swim in the 200 free in CIF. He swam the third leg on the 400 free relay team, which finished 15th in CIF.

Justin Chiu, Jr., Keppel
The Aztecs stepped up to Division 2 and Chui did not win CIF-SS titles like he did in 2012 in Division 3. He finished third in the 100 breaststroke in an area-best time of 55.61 and he was fifth in the 100 butterfly in 51.01, the second-fastest time in the area.

Peter Loakes, Jr., La Canada
The junior won Rio Hondo League titles in both the 50 and 100 freestyles. He dropped his 50 free time to 21.44 in the CIF-SS Division 1 finals. He swam a best 47.20 in the 100 in league and was 20th in CIF. He swam the anchor leg of the 200 medley relay, which placed eighth in the CIF finals.

Javier Lopez, So. San Marino
The sophomore finished ninth in the CIF-SS Division 1 100 butterfly and helped the Titans to ninth in the 200 medley relay. He broke 50 seconds for the first time this season in the Rio Hondo League finals, going 49.45. He was 18th in CIF in the 200 individual medley in 1:54.64.

Ryan Yue, Sr., Keppel
He anchored the distance events for the Aztecs, placing eighth in the CIF-SS Division 2 500 freestyle in 4:41.77 and ninth in the 200 free finals. He swam a 1:44.09 in the prelims. He also swam the opening leg of the 200 medley relay team, which finished seventh and the second leg of the 12th-place 400 free relay team.

FIRST TEAM — GIRLS
Kate Herrill, Fr., Flintridge Sacred Heart
The most stirring race of the freshman’s season was in the 200 medley relay. She rallied the Tologs to a Division 1 victory with a 22.82 anchor-leg split. She finished fourth in the division’s 50 free race in 23.66 and then fifth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.81.

Kailyn Koh, Sr., San Marino
The senior established sprint records in winning Rio Hondo League titles. She finished seventh in the Division 1 100 free in an area-best time of 51.29 and eighth in the 50 free. She swam a 23.63 in league, her fastest time of the postseason.

Victoria Lepesant, Sr., Pasadena
The senior had the area’s fastest time in the 500 freestyle, swimming a 5:00.11 in the Pacific League finals. She finished ninth in the CIF-SS Division 2 finals in the event. In the 200 free, she swam a 1:51.87 in league, the area’s No. 2 time, and was eighth in CIF.

Samantha Torrez, Sr., La Salle
Torrez helped the Lancers to a CIF-SS Division 4 title in 2012 with a pair of victories, but La Salle moved up a division and Torrez took a pair of thirds. She swam a 56.91 in the 100 butterfly and a 59.79 in the 100 backstroke. She took another third in the 200 medley relay.

Yida Wang, So., Keppel
The sophomore adjusted very easily to the Aztecs’ move up in CIF-SS divisions. She placed sixth in the Division 2 backstroke in 59.02, the area’s fastest time in the event this season. She was also sixth in the 200 individual medley in 2:08.54 and swam the opening leg for the 200 medley team, which finished ninth.

SECOND TEAM — BOYS
Garrett Chin, Jr., La Canada
Carlo Sivilotti, Jr., Flintridge Prep
Daniel To, Sr. San Marino
Samuel To, Jr., San Marino
Matt Varraveto, So., La Canada

SECOND TEAM — GIRLS
Katie Altmayer, Jr., Flintridge Sacred Heart
Samantha Campbell, Jr., La Canada
Siyao Li, Sr., Keppel
Tiffany Warmuth, Sr., San Marino
Madison Witt, So., Flintridge Prep

HONORABLE MENTION — BOYS
Alec Brierty, Sr., Pasadena
Marco Flores, Jr., Flintridge Prep
Victor Ginelli, Jr.. Maranatha
Victor Lau. Jr., Keppel
Dennis Lee, Sr., Temple City
Paul Gouw, Jr., La Salle
Brett Mirly, Sr., La Salle
Benjamin On, Sr., Keppel
Nathan Tsai, Sr., San Marino
Jamison Vaught, Sr., Maranatha

HONORABLE MENTION — GIRLS
Emily Balog, Sr., Flintridge Sacred Heart
Courtney Chan, Sr., Keppel
Laura Chun, So., Arcadia
Liza Echeverria, Jr., South Pasadena
Eliza Koh, So., San Marino
Annika Lenz, Sr., Pasadena Poly
Jennifer Langen, Jr., Flintridge Prep
Alisha Mah, Jr., Keppel
Jacqueline Torrez, Fr., La Salle
Samantha Zavala, Jr., South Pasadena

FASTEST TIMES — BOYS
(Compiled from league, CIF finals)
50 free: Peter Loakes, Jr., La Canada: 21.44
100 free: Peter Loakes, Jr., La Canada: 47.20
200 free: Ryan Yue, Jr., Keppel: 1:44.09
500 free: Dane Bell, So., La Canada: 4:33.57
100 back: Daniel To, Sr., San Marino: 50.96
100 breast: Justin Chiu, Jr., Keppel: 55.61
100 butterfly: Javier Lopez, So., San Marino: 49.45
200 IM: Brandon Nguyen, Sr., La Canada: 1:51.35
FASTEST TIMES — GIRLS
(Compiled from league, CIF finals)
50 free: Kate Herrill, Fr., Flintridge Sacred Heart: 23.66
100 free: Kailyn Koh, Sr., San Marino: 51.29
200 free: Tiffany Warmuth, Sr., San Marino: 1:51.50
500 free: Victoria Lepesant, Sr. Pasadena: 5:00.11
100 back: Yida Wang, So., Keppel: 59.02
100 breast: Kirsten Vose, So., Flintridge Sacred Heart: 1:02.57
100 butterfly: Katie Altmayer, Jr., Flintridge Sacred Heart: 56.63
200 IM: Kirsten Vose, So., Flintridge Sacred Heart: 2:03.47

They’re calling it the Summer Block Party.
Maranatha will hold a six-day basketball tournament that will feature 15 teams, many considered among the upper echelon in high school circles.
The tournament starts Monday with games being played through June 22, all at Maranatha.

Here’s a schedule:
Monday June 17
Brentwood vs. St. Francis, 3:30 p.m.
Campbell Hall vs. La Salle, 6:30 p.m.
Loyola vs. West Ranch, 5 p.m.
Calabasas vs. Pasadena, 8 p.m.
Tuesday June 18
Alemany vs. Fairfax, 3:30 p.m.
St. John Bosco vs. Cantwell/Sacred Heart, 5 p.m.
Price vs. Chino Hills, 6:30 p.m.
The Spirit vs. Maranatha, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 19
Brentwood-St. Francis loser vs. Campbell Hall-La Salle loser, 3 p.m.
Loyola-West Ranch loser vs. Calabasas-Pasadena loser, 5 p.m.
Brentwood-St. Francis winner vs. Campbell Hall-La Salle winner, 6:30 p.m.
Loyola-West Ranch winner vs. Calabasas-Pasadena winner, 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 20
Price-Chino Hills loser vs. The Spirit-Maranatha loser, 3 p.m.
Alemany-Fairfax loser vs. St. John Bosco-Cantwell/Sacred Heart loser, 5 p.m.
Alemany-Fairfax winner vs. St. John Bosco-Cantwell/Sacred Heart winner, 6:30 p.m.
Price-Chino Hills winner vs. The Spirit-Maranatha winner, 8 p.m.
Friday June 21
Games at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m.
Champonship semifinals at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m.
Saturday June 22
Games at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m.
Third-place game at 6:30 p.m., championship game at 8 p.m.

Jay Gauthier, who built the Rosemead High School girls basketball program into one of the San Gabriel Valley’s consistently best teams, has stepped down.
Gauthier coached the Panthers for 12 seasons, winning 10 Mission Valley League titles. The Panthers have won their last 46 league games and Gauthier’s teams went 108-12 in league play in his 12-year stint. Gautheir’s daughter, Melody, who recently completed her senior season, establishing numerous school records in the process.
Rosemead finished 20-7 this season and lost in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section 3AAA playoffs.

Here are the players selected for the Private team for the annual public vs. pivate all-star game on Wednesday June 12:
Sumner Hanula, Flintridge Sacred Heart
Kelly Jacobs, Flintridge Sacred Heart
Elysha McAllister, Maranatha
Caroline Simmons, Maranatha
Claire Penney, Mayfield
Jessica Parada, Mayfield
Ashley Kim, Flintridge Prep
Erin Murphy, Rio Hondo Prep
Olivia Treister, Pasadena Poly
Kathryn Hathaway, Pasadena Poly
Katie Smither, La Salle
Stephanie Ferri, La Salle
Megan Reid, La Salle
Cynthia Anaya, SG Mission
Priscilla Hernandez, SG Mission
Raylene Acevedo, Alverno
Ileana Vior, Alverno
Christine Ulin Westridge

Practices are Tuesday June 11. The punlic practice is from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The private practice is 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m,
Email keith.lair@sgvn.com for questions

Here are the seniors for the Public team who have been invited to play in the annual Public/Private all-star softball game:
Brianna Rodrigo, Temple City
Hayley Roach, Temple City
Ciara Snyder, Temple City
Jennifer Peg, Temple City
Michelle Floyd, San Marino
Erin Stenwell, San Marino
Emily Stenwell, San Marino
Larissa Phillips, San Marino
Selina Mohr, La Canada
Kelsey Drange, La Canada
Jessica Ogden, La Canada
Aubri Thompson, La Canada
Annie Monroe, La Canada
Theresa Stratis, Monrovia
Erika Rodriquez, South Pasadena
Cynthia Ream-Garcia, South Pasadena
Mary Rose Magnolis, Duarte
Mackenzie Grimes, Arcadia
Amy Zeronian, Marshall
Rachel Albright, Pasadena
Rachel Bustillos, Gabrielino
Emily Price, Gabrielino

The Private team will be revealed later today or early on Thursday

The annual public vs. private senior all-star game iwll be played Wednesday June 12 at Temple City’s Live Oak Park. There wll be a home-run hitting contest with the game scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Practices will be on Tuesday, June 11 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and then between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Here’s final results from the CIF State track and field meet in Clovis:

South Pasadena junior Claire Kieffer-Wright 10th in the high jump at 5-3 3/4
South Pasadena senior Laura Anuakpado seventh in 400 in 55.37
South Pasadena girls 4×400 relay team of Claire Kieffer-Wright, Kamia Rodil Willis, Anika Renken and Laura Anuakpado ninth in 3:53.06
La Salle senior Daniel De La Torre 9th in 3,200 in 9:10.09

Temple City High School baseball coach Barry Bacon has decided to resign after 16 years of coaching the Rams.
Bacon said he wants to devote more time to his two children and their activities, including Little League baseball, flag football and golf.
Temple City, in a rebuilding year, went 7-17-1 this season and missed the CIF-Southern Section playoffs for only the second time since Bacon has coached the Rams. Temple City made its first CIF-SS finals appearance last year, losing to Palm Desert, 4-0. The Rams also went to the semifinals in 2006.
He cited the year-round aspect of the sport for another reason for stepping down.
He will remain as a math teacher at Temple City.