June 2011 Archives

Colony cornerback Bryan Harper picked up four scholarship offers in the past week alone. The senior was issued offers by Arizona, UCLA, Washington and Colorado last week, according to Colony head coach Matt Bechtel, giving the 6-foot, 180-pound transfer from Carter a total of nine offers.

Arizona State made Harper his first offer on May 29, but the rising senior's recruitment has since fast gained momentum. His other offers include Colorado State, Montana and New Mexico State.

Colony teammate Robert Wagner has added an offer from UTEP to give the rising senior linebacker a total of six. Arizona offered the 6-foot-2, 215-pound inside backer his first scholarship on March 9 and shortly afterward he was extended offers by Arizona State, Utah State and San Jose State.

Player of the Year: Michael Fagan, Linfield Christian
Pitcher of the Year: Trevor Oaks, Woodcrest Christian
Coach of the Year: Glen Prater, Woodcrest Christian

First team
Mickey Chupek, Jr., Woodcrest Christian
John Davis, Jr., Woodcrest Christian
Caleb Dirks, Sr., Woodcrest Christian
Edwin Gibbs, Jr., Woodcrest Christian
Trevor Oaks, Sr., Woodcrest Christian
Parker Strebel, Jr., Woodcrest Christian
Clint Hibma, Sr., Ontario Christian
Jordyn McMath, Jr., Ontario Christian
Alex Bush, Jr., Linfield Christian
Zach Cope, Jr., Linfield Christian
Michael Fagan, Sr., Linfield Christian
Sean Egan, Sr., Arrowhead Christian
Christien Pena, Sr., Arrowhead Christian
Brock Dudley, Sr., Calvary Murrieta
Jonathan Ruiz, Sr., Aquinas
Mark McMahon, Sr., Western Christian

Player of the Year: Danielle Vega, Jr., Infielder, Aquinas
Pitcher of the Year: Cecily Ruiz, Fr., Aquinas
Coach of the Year: Chris Ybarra, Aquinas

First team
Chelsea Casas, Jr., Aquinas
Heaven Murguia, So., Aquinas
Cecily Ruiz, Fr., Aquinas
Corrina Smith, Jr., Aquinas
Jessica Valenzuela, So., Aquinas
Danielle Vega, Jr., Aquinas
Kayla Hatch, Jr., Calvary Murrieta
Julia Howell, Sr., Calvary Murrieta
Loryn Nichols, Jr., Calvary Murrieta
Mackenzie Hammar, Fr., Woodcrest Christian
Brooke Uribe, Jr., Woodcrest Christian
Mackenzie Magro, Jr., Arrowhead Christian
Sarah Stromwall, Sr., Arrowhead Christian
Jasmine Lara, Sr., Western Christian
Breezy Bernard, Sr., Linfield Christian
Taylor Lott, Sr., Ontario Christian

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Garza, Junior, Bonita, Pitcher

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Melissa Taukeiaho, Junior, Etiwanda, pitcher/third base

After five years as the Ayala High School head football coach, Tom Inglima was forced to transfer to Chino High in order to keep a teaching job, losing his position as football coach in the process. Budget cuts were cited as the reason for the transfer of Inglima, who was the least tenured of the physical education teachers at Ayala.

"It has long been the policy of Ruben S. Ayala to have the varsity football coach as an assigned teacher," said Julie Gobin, the Chino Valley Unified School District director of communications. "Given Mr. Inglima's transfer to Chino High, a new varsity football coach will be named within the next two weeks."

Inglima turned the Ayala football program around, literally going from winless to league champs in his first three years. After a 0-10 season in his first year, Inglima led the Bulldogs to a 4-1 mark in the Sierra League in 2007 while earning Inland Valley Coach of the Year from the Daily Bulletin. In 2008, Ayala went 9-3 and claimed a share of the league title.

Kaiser senior pitcher Chance Fuglistahler has accepted scholarship offer from Division I Long Island University, according to Kaiser head baseball coach Mike Spinuzzi. The four-year starter at Kaiser, who holds nearly every school pitching record, went 9-5 with a 2.59 ERA this year and struck out 72 batters in 89 innings. Fuglistahler also batted .343 with nine RBIs and 20 runs scored as a senior.

DIVISION 1
Player of the Year: Henry Owens, 12, Edison
Coach of the Year: Steve Madril, Riverside North

A.J. Balta, 10, Valencia
Tyler Brashears, 11, El Toro
Nick Catalano, 11, Esperanza
Matt Chapman, 12, El Toro
Gabriel Clark, 11, Riverside North
Ryan Cooper, 12, Esperanza
Luke Dykstra, 9, Westlake
Luke Eubank, 11, Newbury Park
Gabriel Franca, 11, Riverside North
Tyler Glasnow, 12, Hart
Austin Hedges, 12, JSerra
Christian Lopes, 12, Edison
Jeff Moberg, 11, Vista Murrieta
Ty Moore, 11, Mater Dei
Steven Pallares, 12, Corona Santiago
Cody Ramer, 11, Simi Valley
Eric Snyder, 12, Edison
Nick Torres, 12, Lakewood
Shane Watson, 12, Lakewood
Trey Williams, 11, Valencia

DIVISION 1
Player of the Year - Lauren Sweet, Corona Santiago, 12, Catcher

A.C, Borden, Esperanza, 12, Pitcher
Emily Lockman, Norco, 11, Pitcher
Shannon Bustillos, Anaheim Canyon, 12, Catcher
Lauren Rendon, Cypress, 12, Catcher
Allison Brown, Los Alamitos, 12, Infield
Bethany Kemp, Valencia, 12, Infield
Melina Martinez, El Modena, 12, Infield
Danica Mercado, Great Oak, 11, Infield
Yvon Minogue, Corona Santiago, 11, Infield
Shelby Pickett, Chaparral, 12, Infield
Sierra Romero, Vista Murrieta, 11, Infield
Paris Shipp, Thousand Oaks, 12, Infield
Jennifer Soria, Simi Valley, 11, Infield
Jamie Sullivan, Marina, 11, Infield
Dawna Tyson, Corona, 11, Infield
Desiree Ybarra, Riverside Poly, 12, Infield
Lauren Young, Anaheim Canyon, 11, Infield
Michelle Solomon, Redlands, 12, Outfield
Savannah King, Orange Lutheran, 12, Utility
Aubree Munro, Brea Olinda, 11, Utility
Melissa Taukeiaho, Etiwanda, 11, Utility

MVP: Andy Crowley, Sr., San Gorgonio

First team
Ronnie Bunse, Sr., Cajon
Ruben Rios, Sr., Cajon
Aaron Cisneros, Jr., San Bernardino,
Andrew Montoya, Sr., Colton
Tyler Rich, Jr., Colton
Joe Romero, Sr., Colton
David Robles, So., Rialto
Juan Rocha, Sr., San Gorgonio
Luke Staples, Sr., San Gorgonio

MVP: Sharon Estrada, Sr., Cajon

First team
Janice Burling, Sr., Cajon
Kaylie Garcia, Jr., Colton
Sabrina Garcia, Jr., San Bernardino
Courtnee Laughlin, So., Colton
Alicia Morris, So., Cajon
Allison Muhar, Sr., Rialto
Lauren Salazar, So., Colton
Marcilena Valenzuela, So., Colton
Janel Von Oesen, Jr., Cajon

One of the last remaining of the old guard, Etiwanda athletic director Brice Sunderland has resigned in order to accept a position at Eastvale Roosevelt High School as an athletic director and assistant principal. Sunderland, one of the longest tenured athletic directors in the Inland Valley, was at Etiwanda for 16 years and held the athletic director position for the last 14.

"I got my administration credential in February and there was an opening at Roosevelt to not only be an athletic director but an assistant principal," Sunderland said. "There were over 80 candidates and I was fortunate enough to get it. I just couldn't pass it up."

Last week the University of Idaho offered Upland High School running back Donta Abron his first scholarship, according to a press release. The rising senior, who rushed for 1,132 yards and 12 touchdowns on 149 carries last season, was offered by Idado secondary coach Patrick Libey.

"I spoke with Coach Libey and it was like a dream come true for me when coach told me University of Idaho is offering me," Abron said. "I put a lot of hard work in and it's great to see it pay off. I'm excited to see what Idaho is all about."

Upland teammate Kenny Lawler continues to add to his growing list of scholarship offers, Oregon State being the latest to offer the 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior-to-be. Lawler now has offers from Arizona State, to which he issued a soft verbal commitment in February, Nebraska, Arizona, UCLA, Washington, Oregon State, SMU and Northern Arizona.

Ontario High School hired new head football and baseball coaches that were approved by the school board on Tuesday.

Ronald Stocking Jr. will take over the football program after two seasons as the linebackers coach and assistant head coach at Alta Loma High School. Gregg Givens, a longtime teacher at Ontario and former assistant baseball coach for the Jaguars under Bob Beck, will assume control of the baseball program after the resignation of head coach Mike Sweeney.

Former Ontario head football coach Steve Randall, who resigned following last season, bequeaths a program to Stocking that the new coach is very familiar with seeing as Stocking was an assistant coach for five seasons at Colony High School, a fellow member of the Mt. Baldy League.

MVP: Justin Garza, Pitcher, Bonita, Jr.

First team
P: Kenny Mathews, Diamond Bar, Sr.
P: Henry Omana, Diamond Bar, Jr.
P: Kyle Peck, Los Altos, Sr.
P: Jacob Chonsky, Walnut, Jr.
INF: Robert Mier, Bonita, Sr.
INF: Justin Row, Bonita, So.
INF: Rouric Bridgewater, Diamond Ranch, Sr.
INF: Gio Morales, Los Altos, Jr..
OF: Matt Gelalich, Bonita, Sr.
OF: K.C. Huth, Bonita, Sr.
OF: Josh Viloria, Diamond Bar, Sr.
OF: Will Walters, Walnut, Sr.
C: Dylan Goodwin, Diamond Ranch, Jr.
Utility: Mark Lindsay, Bonita, Sr.

MVPs: Courtney Gano, Bonita, Sr., Stephany La Rosa, Diamond Bar, Sr.

First team
Bree Sandoval, Bonita, Sr.
Aninssa Sanchez, Bonita, Fr.
Jazzlyn Costa, Bonita, So.
Liz Rubalcava, Diamond Bar, Jr.
Brianna Gonzalez, Diamond Bar, So.
Alyssa Villapando, Los Altos, Jr.
Mariah Midyette, Los Altos, Jr.
Lexi Garcia, Los Altos, Jr.
Mercedez Cundiff, Rowland, Sr.
Kaylea Snaer, Rowland, So.
Justine Chavira, Walnut, Sr.
Taylor Castro, West Covina, Jr.
Dakota Monarrez, West Covina, Sr.
Alex Blanco, West Covina, Jr.

MVP: Joseph Keller, Chino Hills, Jr.

First team
Keith Cooper, Ayala, Sr.
Kory Brown, Charter Oak, Fr.
Oscar Montenegro, Charter Oak, Jr.
Nathanial Acosta, Chino Hills, Sr.
Chris Kriarte, Chino Hills, Jr.
Cameron Pongs, Chino Hills, Sr.
Kevin Sprague, Chino Hills, Sr.
Antonio Gonzales, Damien, Sr.
Griffin Lord, Damien, Sr.
Adrian DeHorta, South Hills, So.
Ty France, South Hills, Jr.
Dominique Martinez, South Hills, Sr.
Jeff Moran, South Hills, Sr.
C.J. Saylor, South Hills, Jr

MVP: Nikki Girard, Chino Hills, Jr.

First team
Brianna Celaya, Ayala, Jr.
Stevie Knapp, Ayala, Jr.
Sarah Moore, Ayala, Jr.
Jennifer Gonzalez, Charter Oak, Sr.
Nicki Sprague, Charter Oak, So.
Garie Blando, Chino Hills, Jr.
Paige Gumz, Chino Hills, Jr.
Nikki Innamorato, Chino Hills, Jr.
Patricia Parks, Chino Hills, Fr.
Faith Song, Claremont, Sr.
Brandi Harkness, St. Lucy's, Jr.
Danielle O'Toole, St. Lucy's, Jr.
Laura Swan, St. Lucy's, Jr.
Sam Nieves, South Hills, Sr.
Lexi Robles, South Hills, So.
Britney Rodriguez, South Hills, Jr.
Kristen Stewart, South Hills, Jr.

MVP: Brennan Salgado, Glendora, 12, C

First team
Garrett Dean, Alta Loma, 10, C
Jake Gallaway, Etiwanda, 12, SS
Jason Broussard, Etiwanda, 12, P
Nick Cooksey, Glendora, 12, 2B
John Alexander, Glendora, 12, 1B
Sean Beckman, Glendora, 12, P
Josh Luevanos, Glendora, 12, CF
Andrew Vasquez, Los Osos, 12, P
Cody Dill, Los Osos, 12, P
Taylor Grace, Rancho Cucamonga, 11, 2B
James Zamarripa, Rancho Cucamonga, 12, OF
Daniel Robertson, Upland, 11, 3B
Konner Butler, Upland, 12, IF
Dustin Frailey, Alta Loma, 11, CF
Marcos Flores, Alta Loma, 12, SS

MVP: Melissa Taukeiaho Etiwanda 11 P/3B

First team
Devin Dean, Alta Loma, 12, P
Emilee Valadez, Etiwanda, 12, OF
Delaney Spaulding, Etiwanda, 10, SS
Kelsey Barak, Etiwanda, 12, 2B
Taylor Langdon, Glendora, 11, P
Tori Hernandez, Los Osos, 12, SS
Bri Meyer, Los Osos, 12, 1B
Krista Mann, Los Osos, 10, SS
Katee Aguirre, Rancho Cucamonga, 11, C
Justine McLean, Rancho Cucamonga, 11, CF
Caitlyn King, Rancho Cucamonga, 12, SS
Madison Hernandez, Upland, 11, C
Amanda Criscione, Upland, 12, 3B

Rancho Cucamonga High School wide receiver Donovan Harden has signed with Illinois State, an FCS school in Normal, Ill. Helping the Cougars to the CIF-SS Inland Division semifinals last season, the 6-foot, 165-pound Harden had 60 receptions for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns. Harden had scholarship offers from Sacramento State, New Mexico and Eastern Washington in additoin to invitations to walk on at USC and Washington State, according to his father, Jeffrey Harden.

MVP: AARON BERNAL, COLONY, JR., P/1B

FIRST TEAM
SHAWN SWEENEY, COLONY, JR.
MARK BRUN, COLONY, SR.
KYLE ZOSKY, COLONY, JR.
J.J. FRANKLIN, CHINO, SR.
JACOB ANDERSON, CHINO, SR.
ALEC CORDOVA, CHINO, SR.
MICHAEL JOHNSON, DON LUGO, SR.
NATHAN VIRGEN, DON LUGO, JR.
ANTHONY VIRGEN, DON LUGO, JR.
BRETT EARLY, DON LUGO, JR.
DILLON GRAP, DON LUGO, JR.
ANDY PEREZ, MONTCLAIR, SR.
DAVID ROMAN, MONTCLAIR, SO.
EDUARDO GONZALES, ONTARIO, SR.
ANGEL BOJORQUEZ, CHAFFEY, SR.

MVP: BELINA RENNE, DON LUGO, JR., P/1B

FIRST TEAM
JESSICA GUILLEN, DON LUGO , SR.
MARINA DURAN, DON LUGO, FR.
KAILEY PALAZZOLO, DON LUGO, FR.
KYLIE PADILLA, DON LUGO, SO.
BRIANNA MURILLO, DON LUGO, JR.
ABRE LANDEROS, CHINO, SR.
LEIA RUIZ, CHINO, JR.
CELYNA LUJAN, CHINO, JR.
ALYSSA CORDOVA, CHINO, JR.
JORDON SAUCEDO, COLONY, SR.
NICOLE PIRES, COLONY, SR.
BRE LOCKETT, COLONY, SR.
CRYSTAL MUNOZ, GAREY, SR.
CELINA FELIX, MONTCLAIR, JR.
MELINA PRECIADO, ONTARIO
CRISTINA ALARCON, CHAFFEY, JR.

The first and only Miller High School baseball coach is stepping down after 20 years on the job. Frank Martinez, who began the program at Miller's inception, resigned at age 52 but will retain his physical education teaching position at the school.

"When I got into my 50s, I started looking at other things I wanted to do with my life," Martinez said. "It was coaching year-round and with the budget cuts, I had to become a lot more of a fund raiser. It was just a lot of things that added up and I decided to hang it up."

After stints as an assistant coach at Tustin Foothill, Corona and Norco High Schools, Martinez accepted his first head coaching position at Miller in 1991. In the last six seasons, Martinez has led Miller to a five playoff berths and a pair of Citrus Belt League championships.

First Team
Michelle Solomon, Redlands
Amanda Weis, Redlands
Kendall Apodaca, Redlands
Narissa Garcia, Redlands
Gabby Martinez, Redlands
Courtney Brown, Yucaipa
Justine Burdine, Yucaipa
Ashley Huff, Yucaipa
Melissa Roberts, Yucaipa
Sahvanna Jaquish, Redlands East Valley
Savannah Moore, Redlands East Valley
Ashlyn Bender, Redlands East Valley
Jenna Jaquish, Redlands East Valley
Sonja Garza, Eisenhower
Sarah Pineda, Eisenhower
Julia Gilbert, Miller
Diauna Nelson, Miller
Sarah Yniguez, Fontana

MVP: Kevin Davidson, Sr. Yucaipa

First Team
Leonard Malfavon, Yucaipa
Tyler Sapp, Yucaipa
Jackson McClelland, Redlands East Valley
George Thanopoulos, Redlands East Valley
Angel Landazuri, Redlands
Kavan Pardo, Redlands
Sean Smith, Redlands
Anthony Ayala, Fontana
Justin Lewis, Yucaipa
Alec Mordbito, Yucaipa
Frankie Alvarez, Redlands East Valley
Joseph Molina, Redlands East Valley
Matt Wilson, Redlads East Valley
Jacob Nottingham, Redlands
Brian Ruhm, Redlands
Luis Martinez, Eisenhower
Tyler Campbell, Miller

After four years on the job, Claremont baseball coach Steve Jackson was fired following the season, according to Claremont athletic director Rick Dutton. Jackson, who was a firefighter in addition to a baseball coach, failed to lead Claremont to a playoff berth in his four seasons.

"When you're an off-campus coach, for some two or three hours is enough but baseball requires a little more than that," Dutton said. "Part of the issue with Steve was that he was a little too involved (as a fireman) and we were concerned that he didn't have enough time for baseball."

Claremont is currently accepting applications for the coaching vacancy and hopes to have someone in place by July.

MVP: Courtney Hine, San Dimas, Sr.

First Team
P: Ana Mejia, Northview, Fr.
P: Elizabeth Celaya, San Dimas, So.
P: Anita Llevanos, Wilson, Jr.
INF: Sarina Jaramillo, Northview, So.
INF: Jazmin Chavez, Northview, Sr.
INF: Molly Ross, Covina, Jr.
INF: Miah Fernandez, Pomona, So.
INF: Aleena Avalos, San Dimas, Sr.
INF: Sarah Moore, San Dimas, Sr.
OF: Mercedes Menchaca, Northview, Sr.
OF: Candice Orozco, Covina, Jr.
OF: Blanca Lopez, Baldwin Park, Sr.
C: Janell Wheaton, San Dimas, Fr.
UTL: Erinn Jaramillo, Northview, So

MVP: Matt Lee, San Dimas, Sr.

First Team
P: Jason Martinez, Covina, Sr.
P: Steven Baltierra, Wilson, Sr.
P: Eddie Gutierrez, Baldwin Park, Jr.
INF: Andrew Carillo, Covina, Jr.
INF: Matt Munoz, San Dimas, Sr.
INF: Brandon Yepiz, San Dimas, Sr.
INF: Fernando Gonzalez, Baldwin Park, Sr.
OF: Albert Lemus, Nogales, Jr.
OF: Bobby Fraijo, San Dimas, Sr.
OF: Vinny Venegas, Covina, Jr.
C: Nick Hynes, Covina, Jr.
C: Ryan Dominguez, Baldwin Park, Sr.
UTL: Rames Nava, Covina, Sr.
UTL: Jake Ehret, San Dimas, Sr.

Co-MVPs: Krystel Gabbard, Kaiser, Jr.; Stacy Cavazos, Riverside Patriot, So.

First team
Jesslene Contreras, Kaiser, Jr
Marisa DeAnda, Kaiser, Jr
Crystal Cerpa, Kaiser, Jr
Linda Garcia, Kaiser, Fr
Destiney Henderson, Kaiser, Fr
Nicole Larsen, Bloomington, Jr
Felisha Gomez, Bloomington, Jr
Rhea Benavente, Bloomington, Sr
Alex Reyes, Bloomington, So
Diamond Turner, Patriot, Jr
Danyelle Sturm, Patriot, Jr
Ronni Pettis, Summit, Jr
Lianna Escobar, Summit, Sr
Earnysha Scroggins, Jurupa Valley, Sr
Jozleyn Salazar, Jurupa Valley, Jr
Alex McBride, Notre Vista, Sr

I remember hearing the disappointment in Ricky Oropesa's voice the day after he watched and watched and watched as his name wasn't called until the 24th round of the 2008 draft. There was talk of the lefty corner infielder going as high as the first round when he came out of Etiwanda High School three years ago, but once he dropped past a certain point nobody wanted to draft the slugger for fear he was unsignable for less than top-round money.

After spending the mandatory three seasons in college at USC, Oropesa got his due Tuesday as the San Francisco Giants selected him in the third round of the MLB first-year player draft. Proving himself as perhaps the premier left-handed power hitter on the west coast while at USC, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior was rewarded when he was made the 116th overall pick.

In his three seasons at USC Oropesa batted .331 with a .596 career slugging percentage. He is tied for fifth place on USC's all-time list with 40 career home runs and his 159 career RBI place him fifth on USC's all-time list. Oropesa was heralded coming out of high school - Perfect Game rated him the No. 2 high school third baseman in 2008 - and he proved it with three years of stellar play in college.

The first local player to be selected was Chino High School outfielder Jacob Anderson, who was made the 35th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior certainly has the size that projects well at the next level.

As unplanned as her high-jumping career has been, so was the leap that earned a state championship for Miller High School's Rachel McCoy. The only one without jumping shoes, the only one to not use a mark for where to begin her stride, she was the only jumper to clear 5 feet, 8 inches at Saturday's CIF State Track and Field finals, but the sophomore did it when she wasn't even planning to jump.

"I was just going to do a run- through, but I said, `Hey, this feels good,' " McCoy said. "And I ended up making it. I almost had 5-10, but I didn't have the form, as usual."

McCoy, a basketball phenom, did it in wet conditions at Clovis Buchanan High School, and the puddle that formed in front of the mat never quite went away. The lone local state champion is curious to see how high she can go as she molds her raw talent. And maybe gets a pair of jumping shoes.

"I wouldn't have believed I could win a state championship if somebody would have paid me to believe it," McCoy said. "It feels good. I'm so excited, I don't know how to express it."

Miller's Devonte Stewart put it best as he waited to learn whether his high school track career would last one more day.

"Friday matters," the USC-bound senior said. "But it doesn't matter."

Stewart can prove himself right after doing just enough to sneak into Saturday's 100-meter final at the CIF State track meet at Clovis Buchanan High School. The Miller sprinter claimed the ninth and last spot in the state finals, qualifying at Friday's preliminaries in 10.75 seconds.

Stewart held the state's third-best time in the 100 entering Friday, thus he has reason to believe he can contend for his first state championship despite a less than stellar showing on Friday. Stewart is joined by several local competitors who qualified for today's finals, just not in the fashion they hoped.

It took five playoff games, but the Etiwanda High School baseball team finally ran into someone cooler under pressure. Namely, Mission Viejo pitcher Willie Kuhl.

The senior pitcher threw a complete game and limited the Etiwanda offense to one hit over the final five innings as Mission Viejo claimed the CIF-SS Division 2 championship with a 6-2 victory Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

After winning the final two games of the regular season to pull out of last place in the Baseline League, Etiwanda battled its way from the wild-card round through the postseason, winning the four games previous to the title game by two runs or less. But the magical playoff march finally came to an end.

"It was unbelievable," Etiwanda first-year coach Don Furnald said. "I knew we had a team that would battle and that's what we did all the way to the last pitch. I told the guys after the game that what they've done, they don't even realize it yet. These last three of four weeks they put Etiwanda baseball on the map."