As we near the end of 2017, 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 best moments from the second half of the year in words and pictures.
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. The following is part two of the series.
(1) Boys of summer – The 11-under Cal Ripken all star team was one of two squads advancing to their respective Pacific Southwest Regional tournaments in July. Led by manager Scott De Mars and coaches Robert Johnson and Jason Wright, the team posted an overall record of 16-3 in Cal Ripken tournament play, outscoring their opponents by a whopping 143-41. Players included Samuel Wright, Joseph Campbell, Carson Dillon, Giovanni Lucchesi, Diego Boardman, Clayton De Mars, Jacob Spessard, Jacob Scott, Landen Rota, Elijah Hackathorn, R.J. Johnson and Brayden Collette. Photo provided
(2) All stars – The Cal Ripken 12-under all star team was equally good in summer tournament play, advancing through the Pacific Southwest Regional tournament bracket in Beaver, Utah before eventually falling to Hawaii in the title game. The squad was led by manager Marco Rivera and coaches Damon Neidlinger and Jeramy Dominguez and included players Xavian Dominguez, Griffin Quan, Quintin Robinson, Antonio Rivera, Tyler Nordyke, Cameron Crean, Brett Neidlinger, Nate Niehaus, Josh Volmerding, Damian Escarcega, Brady Boyd and Dominic Roderick. Photo provided
(3) Happy trails – Junior cross country star Lucas Chung wrapped up a great season at the CIF State Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno in November, finishing the 3-mile course in 16:36 to finish 46th place overall among Division 3 runners. Under the guidance of veteran coach Pete Stefanisko, the “Running Jags” enjoyed a competitive fall season, interrupted by the devastating fires that swept Sonoma County in October. Other team standouts included Hunter Larson, Michael Freitas, John Cionci and David Kvamme. Pacing the varsity girls were Erin O’Mara, Jayda Pignataro, Nataleigh Johnson and Kaliana Brown. Photo Michael Lucid
(4) Holding court – The Lady Jaguars celebrated a winning point during a strong fall volleyball campaign under longtime coach Rich Schwarz. In a season of emotional highs and lows, the team dealt with injury and illness before fires put a temporary halt to the season in October. The setbacks brought the team closer together, logging a 6-5 record in league before landing a spot in the North Coast Section playoffs to end the year at 12-11. Team leaders were seniors Kylie Benjamin, Erica Rennie, Kaitlyn Alger and Samantha Stewart, juniors Destiny Clark, Elena Dyer, Brittany Johnson, Nikki Howard and Rene Tolson and sophomores Madison Omiotek, Madison Weber, Isabella Earl, Katie Todd and Brooke Rooney. Photo Guy Foster
(5) Between the tackles – Sophomore running back Lorenzo Leon (#6) was wrapped up by Campolindo defenders in the North Coast Section Division 2 football semifinals in Moraga in November. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Kevin Ballatore, the Jaguars weathered a tough preseason schedule and the North Bay wildfires with strong defensive play to finish with an overall record of 5-6, including playoff wins over Mt. Eden and Livermore. The offense was led by sophomore quarterback Nick Pariani, all-purpose back Jorgen Sarganis, Max Gonzalez, receivers Patrick Tappin, Thomas Kulas and Zack Racham. Defensive standouts were Brett Stibi, Bas Osborn, Justin Fa’agata Mikey Contreras, Oscar Mayorga, Ryan Weir, Clay Woo, Jairo Mejia and Tanner Tobon. Photo Greg Clementi
(6) Different strokes – Junior Mia Vera blasted a forehand in fall tennis action for the Lady Jaguars. Under the coaching tandem of Anna Kohtz and Arcadio Fogel, the Jags had a resurgent 2017 campaign, rising to the upper echelon in the NBL. Other team standouts included singles players senior Cecellia Smith and sophomore Bella Fogel and sophomore Sorrelle D’Agosta. Top doubles teams were Karli Gugel-Alyssa De Casa, sophomores Grace Nusair-Lauren McCabe and juniors Kimberly Nguyen-Ember D’Agosta. Photo provided
(7) Going to the hoop – Senior basketball forward Riley Smith got the Jaguars off on the right foot in November with a great performance against visiting Elsie Allen, a harbinger of great things to come. Under veteran coaches Travis Taylor, Steve Kramer, Gabe Jenkins and Mike Farmer, the Jaguars posted a 6-3 preseason mark (7-3 overall), including a third-place finish in the Brett Callan Memorial Tournament in December. The team also included seniors Justin Smith, Travis Carlozzi, Kyle Bozzetto, Uli Vielma and Josh Brown, juniors Massimo Dicochea, Vince Corday, Jordan Merical, Jack Amormino, Andrew Corcoran and Gavin Hansen and sophomore Jaden Ruybalid. Photo Guy Foster
(8) Tip-off – Gabby Giddings went up for the opening tip in the Windsor Rumble in the Jungle Basketball Tournament in December. By year’s end the Lady Jags were off to a strong start under the guidance of head coach Joe Passalacqua, who returned in 2017 for a second tour of duty. Other veterans on an experienced Windsor squad included seniors Hannah May, Sabrina Simili, Mattie Murphy, Alysha Woods, Jackie Vieyra and Cecellia Smith, juniors Caitlyn Murphy and Tori Russotti and sophomores Pauline Woodard and Riley West. Photo Greg Clementi
(9) Battle on the pitch – Madison Monroe (right) fought for possession in a chilly December soccer clash with Analy, a match ending in a scoreless tie. The Lady Jaguars got off to a great start to the 2017-18 campaign, racing to a 5-3-2 record, including a 2-2 mark in the tough North Bay League. The team featured veteran standouts Katie Bianchi, Amber Balogh, Madi Baer, Gillian Day, Olivia Seivers, Monroe, Kelly Berndt, Audrey Devenuto, Mackenzie Hernandez, Samantha Moberly, Alyna Gonzales, Daniela Chavez, Taylor Brogdan, Megan Williman and varsity newcomers Sophie Vega, Isabella Chavez, Carmi Dotario, Emily Moberly, Kaitlyn Erickson and Kira Anderson. Photo Greg Clementi
