Pressure was starting to distract the Wolfpack at the Orange County Boys Volleyball Championships. They won the first set, 25-22, but their opponent, Woodbridge High, just came back from the second set, 25-20, on March 22.
Head Coach Bernie Wendling saw they were down, 14-10, in the final set. Every move, every block, was crucial for the Wolfpack to make a comeback. After digging for the ball and blocking offensive maneuvers, they managed to produce six consecutive scores for the win, 16-10.
But there was another accomplishment that occurred that day. Coach Wendling earned his 500th career win in his 16th year coaching volleyball for Claremont High School.
The afternoon sunlight glared as senior Cameron Lorek began a final showdown with Ayala High on Wednesday. As the wind picked up and specks of trash flew over the tennis court, Lorek stayed focused.
Both teams—the Wolfpack and the Bulldogs—stood on the other side of the fence and rooted for their respective athletes. The match finally ended at 7-6, with Lorek adding another team point for the Wolfpack. The Wolfpack performed well for their first league meet against Ayala, winning 13-5.
“It was a great team effort,” Head Coach Clint Rees said. “The singles are on the verge of sweeping, but our doubles need some work.”
It was a tough barrier but it was not insurmountable. Whenever Canyon High made a slight error, the Claremont boys volleyball team responded by breaking through their defense.
A slight pause from the Comanches would prompt senior setter Eran Bechor to spike the ball; a misstep allowed sophomore opposite Bronson Sloboudnik to strike the ball back into Canyon territory. All the action was followed by fist pumps. But that was the good news.
The Comanches’ defensive barrier withheld as the Wolfpack ended up losing, 3-1. Check out our boys golf update inside. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
UPDATED: The Claremont boy’s baseball team defeated Pasadena High, 6-3, Tuesday at Claremont High, starting their overall season strong with 11 hits and four runs by the sixth inning.
Head coach Geoff Ranney said they did better when a few players stepped up, including senior Brent Hollinger who managed to get hits when the team needed it most.
Since last season, the Wolfpack had trouble putting the ball in play, along with hitting with runners in scoring position. But after this game, it seems the team found a way to avoid old habits.
“I have never seen a level of intensity that I have never seen before,” Ranney said.
The next game is away at Alta Loma High Thursday. The time is still to be determined.
Claremont High School senior Omar Mahmoud and freshman Kyle Scalmanini gang up on Elsinore High School senior Tommy Wilson on Tuesday during CIF southern section playoff action at CHS. Though the Pack worked hard against the higher ranked Tigers they trailed most of the game and were eliminated from the tournament by a score of 68-66. Check out complete game story. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Claremont High School forward Tomas Negritto, center, celebrates with teammate Mark Ramos on Thursday evening after Negritto scored the Wolfpack’s third and final goal during first round CIF playoff action at CHS. Claremont out shot the visiting Vista del Lago Ravens throughout the game winning 3-1 and advancing to the next round. Check out our game story.
Claremont’s Javon Turner attempts to head the ball past Charter Oak goalkeeper Ernesto Flores on Thursday during Sierra League action at Claremont High School. The two teams were scoreless after regulation time but the Pack drove in a single goal in overtime to win 1-0. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The first-half of the Claremont High School girls soccer match on Tuesday was ending and senior midfielders Megan Renkin and Merin Arft attempted to make an elaborate goal. As Renkin kicked the ball in the air, Arft picked the perfect moment to use a headshot to redirect it towards the net. She just happened to miss it. Check out our complete sports round-up.
Chino Hills’ Amanda Ball fights for the ball with Claremont’s Karsyn Jordan and Merin Arft on Wednesday at Claremont High School. The Chino Hills team consistently out ran Claremont during their Sierra League match and came out on top 4-0. Check out our complete game story. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Claremont High School’s Malik Webster gets control over Charter Oak’s Matt Fortugno on Tuesday during varsity wrestling action at CHS. Webster eventually pinned Fortugno but the Pack was not able to pull off a team victory falling to the Chargers 30-41. Check out our complete sports coverage. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Claremont High School’s Laura Schroerluke takes aim at the Charter Oak net on Tuesday during girls’ water polo action in Covina. Schroerluke had a good game, scoring multiple times, but the Pack did not fare as well falling to the Chargers by a score of 9-4. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Claremont High School’s Baron Franklin drives for the basket past a pair of Damien players on Wednesday during varsity basketball action in La Verne. The Spartans out played the Pack for the first three quarters and had a comfortable lead going into the final quarter. CHS rallied and got within one point with about two minutes to play but were not able to capture the lead and ended in a 59-54 loss. Check out our complete high school sports coverage including a slideshow. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The Claremont Golf Course may be gone, but the longtime fixture’s youth programs have found a new home. The junior golf clinic starts at its new location at the Marshall Canyon Golf Course in La Verne on Saturday, February 15.
The clinic, led by Bruce Thompson of the former Claremont Golf Course and Marshall Canyon’s head golf professional Kenny Murray, will run for four consecutive Saturdays.
In its first Sierra League match, the Claremont High School boys soccer team topped the Ayala Bulldogs, 2-0, on the road on to move to 8-3-2 on the season.
The win gave the Wolfpack their sixth win in seven games and their third road victory of the season, making them a perfect 3-0-1 on the road this year.
Behind a stingy defense and a selective offensive approach, Claremont took a 1-0 lead into the half and looked to be in control with its tempo and ball handling. Check out our complete sports coverage inside. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
