2018, a year to remember in local sports: Part Two

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.

Day of Inspiration
Windsor High School teacher and co-meet director Beni Comma (right) ran the mile race with Windsor Middle School 7th grader Ricky Vigil at the second annual Special Olympic track & field meet on April 27. The event included some 250 participating athletes, including special needs kids ages 10 to 20 from schools all over Sonoma County. The meet was organized and run by the WHS Exercise Science program of the freshman and sophomore class, a collaborative effort that involved 72 students. It was overseen by a group of teachers that included Stephen Tinelli, Comma, Christin Perrill, Kate Fitzgerald, Amy Cortese, Ashley Spooner, Loren Fryer and Chris Catelli. Photo Greg Clementi
 

Ground game
Windsor quarterback Nick Pariani (#14) handed off to running back Lorenzo Leon (#6) in a varsity football clash at Santa Rosa. Under head coach Brad Stibi, the Jaguars navigated a brutally tough preseason and league schedule, finishing the inaugural NBL Oak Division with a 1-4 record and 3-7 overall. Other team standouts included seniors Nick Landeros, Landan Estrela, Mikey Contreras, Cy Soltanizadeh, Ben Smith, Aidan Boettger, Austin Jacob and Octavio Vega, and juniors Christian Jernigan, Jeremiah Pignataro, Oscar Mayorga, Otis Cain and Jake Sievers. Photo Michael Lucid
 

Historic Campaign
Senior four-year cross country star Lucas Chung and talented freshman sister Lilja Chung made school history in November, becoming the first WHS siblings to qualify for the prestigious CIF State Cross Country Championships in the same season. After finishing a strong second at the NCS meet, Lucas Chung captured 12th place in Division 3 in his second straight state appearance, negotiating the classic, 3-mile Woodward Park course in a sizzling 15:50. Making her first state appearance after battling painful shin splints in the second half of the season, Lilja Chung put a stamp on a tremendous fall campaign in completing the Division 3 race in a fast 21:13. Under veteran coach Pete Stefanisko, the Windsor varsity boys and girls each captured the team title in the North Bay League Oak Division, the first ever for both teams. Photos Greg Clementi and Michael Lucid
 

Mat Strength
Medalists at the Yuba City girls wrestling tourney were Carmen Perez, Ivory Osborn, Dulce Chavez, Ashley Culver and Annette DeLaPena. The squad, coached by Richard Dixon, was among the top girls teams in the North Coast Section and part of a wave of popularity in the fastest growing high school sport in California. Photo provided
 

Tough in the Paint
Junior center Christian Jernigan pulled down a rebound in a preseason varsity basketball visit to Petaluma. Under head coach Jared Greninger, the Jaguars got off to a terrific start to the 2018-19 campaign, racing to an early 6-3 record. Other team standouts included guards Jordan Merical, Billy Boyle, Jaden Ruybalid and Andrew Corcoran and forwards Jack Amormino and Carter Daniel. Photo Dwight Sugioka