Spring break is upon us which in the high school sporting world means a lull in the action as the eight spring sports teams can take a break before getting back in the action. The local teams from San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley high schools have found plenty of spring success as they head into the mid-way point in most of the team schedules.
Baseball
n The Cougars have been on a streak lately that has brought them into second place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League with a record of 7-2 overall and 3-1 in league play. SLV’s only league loss came at the hands of the first place Harbor Pirates 4-3.
The Cougars have been led by the strong pitching arms of senior Tyler Gilbert and sophomore Jordan Peabody.
Lucas Trader, Scott Trent and Peabody have helped at the plate as the Cougars have scored 56 runs while their stingy pitching and defense have only allowed 22.
n For Scotts Valley, Sean Varenkamp and Joe Gillette have taken matters into their own hands for the 4-6 Falcons (1-3 SCCAL). The duo has combined for 18 hits, three doubles and a triple as well as batting in six runs as the Falcons battle their way up from the No. 4 spot in the league standings.
Softball
n The Falcons (4-5 overall, 1-2 SCCAL) are intent on regaining their composure after a 2-4 start to the season. Sirgid Halthrop has smacked two homers this season and teammate Jordan Rodgers has crushed three doubles to lead the Falcons offensively. The team has scored a respectable 50 runs to their opponents 40.
n The Cougars (6-1, 3-0 SCCAL) currently sit atop the SCCAL standings but Santa Cruz and Soquel are hot on their heels. Michelle Hitt leads SLV offensively. The Cougars are ranked No. 21 in the Central Coast Section. The team has only allowed 21 runs while scoring 41.
Boys Volleyball
n SLV senior Eric Lange, the only upperclassman on the team, and teammate Derek Wolf have led the charge for SLV, but the inexperience of the young Cougars has shown as the team is 2-7 overall and 1-5 in SCCAL play. Sophomore setter Adam Lopez has learned the ropes to his new position quickly and despite the record the team has a bright future.
n The Falcons have a young team and have yet to make a dent in the winners column and stand at 0-6. The group of lowerclassmen has been sparked by freshman Ryan Rodriguez and others.
Track and Field
n The Falcons have taken the track by storm as the sprint medley relay team has posted the third fastest time in the state and the fastest in Central Coast Section, finishing the event in 4:15.01 at a recent meet.
Distance sensation Vanessa Fraser has run the fastest 3000 meters in the state, finishing in 9:56.67. Fraser also boasts the No. 6 time in the state in the 800 meters.
n The SLV distance runners are turning heads, and the varsity girls distance medley relay team holds the 4th best time in the nation at 12:08.18.
Sophomore Anna Maxwell has turned in top ten times in the nation in four events (800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters and the distance medley relay).
Claire MacMillan has posted the No. 6 time in the CCS in the 1600 meters at 5:16.93 and teammate Abby Sherman posted the 11th fastest 800 meters in CCS at 2:23.52. Junior Cody Johnson leads the Cougar boys in the 800 meters with a 15th fastest time in the state at 1:56.52 and teammate Nick Hicks has posted a 4:29.93 1600 meters. Landis MacMillan is ranked 30th in the state in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:17.60.
Lacrosse
n The Falcons (9-1, 4-1 SCCAL) fell from the undefeated pillar after losing to their arch-rival Aptos Mariners who topped the Falcons 8-7 in the final two minutes on March 23. The team had been cruising, led by captains Wesley Koenig and Spencer Fogelquist and assisted by senior Collin Corbella. The Falcons have scored 168 goals and only allowed 38 to their opponents on the season.
n Under first-year Head Coach Paul Owens, the Cougars (2-4, 2-3 SCCAL) have earned league victories over Soquel and Harbor. The team has amassed only 27 goals to the 60 they have given up this year. Still their record is good enough for third place in the SCCAL standings.
