As we near the end of another year, it’s only fitting that we look back and pay tribute to some of the best moments in local sports.
Although there were too many stories to list, we’ve tried to capture some of the highlights from the second half of 2018 in words and photographs.
We’d also like to take time to thank the many contributors that help make our sports pages a true product of the community each week. Your continuing support is greatly appreciated.
The following is part two of a two-part series.
Boys of summer — The Sebastopol Little League Junior division all star squad made league history in July, bouncing back from an early loss in the District 35 tournament before running the table to capture the title. The team eventually advanced with two wins in the Section 1 tourney before the run ended in the championship round. It was the farthest any Sebastopol Little League all-star team had ever gone. The junior squad was led by manager JP Merlaud and coaches Jim Brown and Geoff Fox, and featured 13-14 year-old players Henry Baggett, Hunter Cassatt, Colin Davis, Meyer Feilecan, Jacob Fitch, Ahren Fowles-Parnay, Brenden Fox, Miles Gaberman, Ruben Guiterrez, Kyle Hardesty, Cade Martignoli, Devin O’Brien, Reid Olson and Aaron Knuth.
Clash of rivals — El Molino senior running back Sam Wilson-Mietz (#1) dug for yardage in the 54th annual Golden Apple Bowl in Forestville in September. The game was the most hotly contested in nearly a decade as the Tigers jumped out to an early lead before holding off a determined Lions squad in the fourth quarter to preserve a 14-7 victory. The win was the eighth straight for Analy and pushed their overall lead in the series to 31-23. It was an historic year for both teams in the first season after league realignment, as the Lions competed in the NBL Redwood Division while the Tigers occupied the NBL Oak Division.
Battle for the Paddle — The El Molino volleyball team displayed the ceremonial paddle after defeating league rival Healdsburg in the annual Battle for the Paddle in October. Led by coach Becky Sani, the Lions enjoyed a strong 20-13 season, competing for the NBL Redwood Division title before settling for second place and a trip to the NCS playoffs. Team leaders included senior libero Grace Anderson, junior outside hitters Kassidy Sani and Sasha Senal and sophomore MB/OH Yasmin Sierra.
Tournament hoops — Analy’s Isabel Housman drove on a pair of Montgomery defenders in the Lady Dragon Classic Tournament in Sonoma in December. Under veteran coach Raquel Gomes, the Tigers enjoyed a strong preseason in the first year following realignment, taking a
10-3 record into the inaugural NBL Oak Division. Other team leaders included Samantha Davis, Lucca Lowenberg, Aleah Armstrong, Sierra Atkins, Lucia Jameau, Minh-Tam Le, Bailey Alberigi and sisters Bre and Leah Lawrence.
Tough on the mat — El Molino wrestlers (l-r) Lynnea Olson, Ardenne “Chevy” Chevrolet and Hannah Ricioli gathered for a photo at the Menlo-Atherton Tournament in November. Under the guidance of coaches Ron and Josh Wright, the Lions’ girls program has flourished in the fastest growing high school sport in California. Ricioli, a budding sophomore star, has already established herself as one of the top athletes in her weight class in the North Coast Section.
Happy trails — Analy junior cross-country star Alec Dierke (left) battled with Windsor’s Dustin Smith in the home stretch of a league showdown with the Jaguars at Ragle Ranch Park in October. Under coach Mark Grismer, the Tigers fell just short of a league title in a season that was shortened by poor air quality in November as a result of the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise. The varsity girls squad was led by freshman phenom Carolina Dawson.
