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.
Claremont girls varsity faced an intense battle at Chino Hills High School Wednesday, but their end result was determined by their final track and field event: the 4x400-meter relay.
Both teams were cheering near the final straightaway as each squad tried to outsmart the other against the strong winds. With a final push by junior Julia Cantrell, the Lady Wolfpack finished first in 4:08 and they won overall—Claremont 68.5; Chino Hills 67.5.
The Lady Wolfpack finished their regular season as co-champions of the Sierra League along with the Huskies, according to girls Head Coach Jose Ancona.
When Claremont senior Mary Hanna won the 100-yard backstroke, it was obvious the Lady Wolfpack was going to dominate St. Lucy’s Wednesday at Damien High School.
Hannah just kept piercing through the waters, unfazed by her opponents, finishing first with 1:09.23, kicking off the Wolfpack’s 99-71 victory.
“I tried to have long, smooth strokes,” Hanna said. “After the turn, I just sprinted and hoped for the best.”
Many have said there are Smartphone and computer apps for everything. When it comes to tracking your running and biking for regular exercise, this is clearly the case. There are dozens of exercise apps out there. So many in fact, that deciding what works best for you can be a challenge.
As someone who bikes on a regular basis, using an app on my Smartphone to track my efforts has had many benefits.
They all work on one basic premise. These programs all have a built-in GPS to track exactly how far, what route, how fast, how many calories, and even elevation gain/loss of your ride or run.
Claremont High’s softball team almost claimed victory at Cahuilla Park Wednesday. With the Wolfpack ahead, 6-4, and Ayala High School down to their last out in the seventh inning, junior pitcher Rosalie Keirns was focused on getting the last out.
But with one pop from the bat, the Bulldogs got the ball past freshman shortstop Katie Kempton, allowing two runs for a 6-6 tie, and stretching the game into extra innings. Further mishaps allowed the Bulldogs to win the game 8-6 in the ninth inning.
Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times editor and longtime writer in the area of sports, attracted a considerable crowd during a recent appearance in Claremont at Pilgrim Place, discussing his theme of “A Writer’s Journey.”
Not a stranger to Claremont by any measure, Mr. Dwyre has, for many years, been involved with the Casa Colina Hospital for Rehabilitation and the establishment of Padua Village along with his longtime friend, the late John Rountree. The two shared a friendly rivalry in the sports world, with their respective support of Army for Mr. Rountree and Notre Dame, Mr. Dwyre’s alma mater.
