Sports Shorts

Falcon swimmers lose to Cardinals
Scotts Valley took a swim at the Santa Cruz High pool on April 1st. The varsity girls, though down a few key swimmers, swam well but came up short, falling to the Cardinals 88-56. Aria Leonard was a double winner for the Falcons, winning the 100 Freestyle in a personal best 57.92 and the 100 Breaststroke in another personal best of 1:14.04. Elizabeth Von Hanaulter took the win in the 200 Freestyle in a season best 2:14.39 and Abby Utic, Ali Ayers, Lia Burrowes and Kelsey Van Valer teamed up to win the 400 Freestyle Relay in 4:50.14. “The girls swam very well and even though down some key swimmers, they hung right in there, winning 4 of 11 events and placing in the top three in all events,” said Coach Mike Ayers, “Aria’s times are just over the CCS qualifying times and I’m sure she’ll work very hard and we’ll taper those times down to qualifiers.” The Lady Falcons are now 2-2 on the season and travel next to Fresno to swim in the Clovis West High School Invitational.
Derby Girls host home game
On Saturday, April 16th, the Santa Cruz Derby Girls’ Harbor Hellcats will face off against the Merced Rollin’ Roulettes in their first home bout of the season at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. The Hellcats are 1-1 this season. Their first game of the season was a brutal loss against Santa Barbara’s Brawlin’ Betties which was quickly followed by a redeeming win versus Bakersfield’s Diamond Divas. Halftime will feature a mini-bout with the Santa Cruz Derby Groms, SCDG’s junior derby team, versus Merced’s junior derby team. This will be the Santa Cruz Derby Groms first interleague bout. Tickets for SCDG’s bouts can be purchased online at: www.santacruztickets.com, by phone at (831) 420-5260, or at the Civic Auditorium’s box office, located at 307 Church Street in downtown Santa Cruz.
Falcons go 1-1 at Steinbeck Classic in first day
Seryna Tapolua hit a home run that helped lift Scotts Valley over Pacific Grove 7-3 at the Steinback Classic Softball Tournament at the Salinas Sports Complex. Nicole Whitney and Danica Houseman both tripled for the Falcons and Whitney added two walks. Nikki Owens struck out five in three innings to earn the win. The Falcons next dropped a pitching duel to Presentation High 2-1. Owens took her first loss of the year after tossing a complete game, allowing no earned runs, and striking out 13 batters. Houseman and Jackie Eicholz had two hits each.