The Claremont USTA Pro Classic returns to Claremont for the 19th consecutive year, and once again will feature some of the rising stars in pro tennis on September 8-14.
The first of three consecutive $10,000 USTA Pro Circuit hard-court men’s events held in Southern California following the US Open, the Pro Classic is run by tournament director Barry Friedman and USTA Tour Supervisor Peter Kasavage. It is one of nine USTA Pro Circuit men’s events taking place in California this year.
Qualifying continues this weekend with main draw singles and doubles matches starting on Tuesday. The doubles final is scheduled for Friday, the singles semifinals Saturday and final a week from Sunday.
Claremont showed its Pack Pride on Friday, September 5, making their first win at their second non-season game against the Salesian Mustangs with a score of 21-13.
Despite their loss on the first game against the El Rancho Dons, the Wolfpack defeated the Mustangs, who were the CIF champions last year and were nominated as one of the top 15 football teams in California.
Racquel Pedroza fulfilled a lifelong dream recently competing in her first US Open tennis tournament in New York. But to hear her talk, you get the feeling she will be playing on one of tennis’ largest stages for years to come.
The 16-year-old Claremont resident had an unfortunate draw having to face No. 2 seeded Lucie Wargnier of France in the first round of qualifying to get into the main draw of the junior portion at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY. Racquel played Wargnier tight in the first set but dropped a 7-6 (9-7) tiebreaker. In the second set she fell, 6-1.
The Claremont High School football team is getting ready for the beginning of the 2014 season, which begins next week with a scrimmage at CHS.
Head Coach Mike Collins, in his 20th year leading the Pack, is optimistic about the team’s chances this year after a disappointing result in 2013 ending with a 1-9-0 record in league play.
“We have a tough team and they have been bonding well,” said Coach Collins. The team has taken a different approach leading up to the season including attending sports camps to work on their speed.
It came down to the final match on the final day with No. 2-seeded Southern Section hanging on to beat No. 1 Midwest and capture the USTA Girls’ 18s National Team Championships played at the Claremont Club on Tuesday.
With the score all knotted at three matches all, all eyes were focused on the No. 4 singles match between Amy Yang of Southern and Midwest’s Bianca Moldovan, who won the first set, 6-4. But Yang took the second, 6-4, and went up 4-0 in the third set, eventually clinching the dramatic finishing match, 6-3.
The top two-seeded teams advanced to Tuesday’s final of the USTA Girls’ 18s National Team Championships being played at the Claremont Club in Claremont.
The top-seeded team from the USTA Midwest Section eliminated No. 3 Southern California in one semifinal, 4-2, and No. 2 Southern downed No. 4 Florida, 5-2.
Led by one of the nation’s top players in Courtney Dolehide, Midwest will face Southern in a 2 p.m. final on Tuesday during the last day of the tournament.
Kudos are in order for the members of the El Roble Intermediate Cheer Team who garnered second place in the USA Jr. Nationals, held this past March at Disney’s California Adventure. This is the first El Roble team to place in the top three at the annual event.
During a routine whose start was marked by a panther roar, the Lady Panthers danced to a mix of music by pop performers like Lady Gaga, Selena Gomezand Bonnie McKee.
This summer, the City of Claremont and the Claremont Senior Bike Group are sponsoring a series of free bike safety classes, teaching safe bicycling techniques on public roads and streets. As certified instructors with the League of American Bicyclists and avid riders themselves, Tom Shelley, Steven Frieson and Peter Boor, know a thing or two about the joys and challenges of cycling in the City of Trees.
“Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles and motorcycle drivers,” explains Mr. Shelley. “A lot of people don’t know that, particularly children.”
COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger
The Lady Wolfpack distance squad is used to meeting high expectations. After winning the 2013 Sierra League Cross-Country Championships, the team was ready for the 2014 track season.
For freshman and Claremont native Annie Boos, the sport was so new, it was hard to figure what would be her strongest event. The 1600-meter is more tactical, while the 400-meter is more explosive. So naturally, that led her to try the 800-meter race.
“I was timid to do the 800,” Annie said. “It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship, but Coach Rob pushed me into it.” COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Katrina Strash could feel the tension slowly increasing during the 2014 CIF Southern Section Swimming and Diving Championships at Riverside Community College. With a cluster of teams and individuals representing 43 high schools, she kept her nerves in check while warming up for the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle.
Only a freshman, her previous performances in CIF Prelims—24.24 in the 50-freestyle and 53.37 in the 100—had her ranked fourth in the 50-freestyle. For Katrina, finishing within the top 10 would be exciting enough.
“I was just hoping to place high,” she said.
Junior pitcher Tyler Witt was determined to avoid a Charter Oak comeback Tuesday at Charter Oak High School.
With the final out called at the bottom of the seventh inning, the Wolfpack broke their 8-game losing streak and defeated the Chargers, 5-4. Despite five errors, they ripped 11 hits with a batting average was .393.
“(During the game) I was thinking, ‘Let’s end this season strong. Let’s change the thought of this season,’” Witt said.
Claremont High School pitcher Tyler Witt delivers during the first inning of the pack’s away game against Charter Oak in Covina. Witt earned the win, 5-4, thanks to timely hitting and some good fortune late in the game. See our complete sports coverage on Friday. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundenff
The South Hills Huskies kept making runs and hits but the Lady Wolfpack’s only pitcher, junior Chloe Amarilla, still attempted to stop them Wednesday at South Hills High School.
With no back-up pitcher available to help Amarilla, the Huskies took advantage and ended the game at the bottom of the fifth inning, winning 15-4. Head coach Vincent Hernandez said their other pitcher, Rosalie Keirns, was unable to attend because of schedule conflicts with her drama class. Check out our complete sports coverage inside.
