Twelve-year-old Jakob Vanderaa is soaring to new heights, and not as a result of his practice with Claremont Youth Basketball, where the local athlete has been training as a point guard for the last several years. His latest venture has taken him significantly higher than any dunk in CYB history.
With the completion of a recent backpacking trip, Jakob became one of the youngest climbers to complete southern California’s trio of big peaks—Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, which he completed over the holidays. Just 3 years after he began his climbing career, Jakob’s grand total now comes to 103,619 feet of vertical climb, plus over 135 miles in the dust behind him.
And this budding athlete is just getting started.
The Claremont High School girls’ varsity basketball team celebrates their upset victory over South Hills on Friday in Claremont. The Pack trailed the visiting Huskies through the first half but rallied in the 3rd quarter coming out on top 47-43. The victory was particularly stunning because the last time the 2 teams met South Hills won by 24 points. More in our next edition. COURIER Photo/Steven Felschundneff
On Wednesday night, Claremont girls soccer played 100 scoreless minutes against the Ayala Bulldogs. “There you have it, you have to finish your chances,” said coach Tim Tracy. After dominating possession in regulation and having a number of clear-cut opportunities, the Wolfpack played out 2 goalless extra periods and the match finished 0-0. Claremont came out in a midfield-heavy formation, looking to continue their quick passing game. Indeed, the strategy looked to have paid dividends early on.
Wolfpack wrestling put in a dogged effort against the Chino Hills Huskies last Thursday night, winning 2 individual matches by technical decision and one by a pin. However, the Huskies’ upper weights (Wolfpack's 170 pound Sam Piibe in photo) took the final 5 matches of the night. Chino Hills won the overall meet by the score of 46-30.
Claremont’s first 3 wrestlers received scratch victories, so the first bout of the night involved 126-pound wrestler TJ Hinkson. He was pinned by Gabriel DeLeon after 2 rounds. Next up was Pedro Cordero in the 132 pound class. After 3 tough rounds, Cordero’s opponent Eugene Laksana won by technical decision. Catch up with all CHS sports inside. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The girls under 14 AYSO soccer team Dream Crushers represented Claremont in the area tournament, and took home the first place trophy. Coached by Joseph Armendarez, the team won its semifinal match down one player, and then beat Chino in the final down another player because of injury. Oksana Sosnovsky’s goal and Ryanna Curtis’ heroic goalkeeping preserved a 1-0 win for the Dream Crushers and a bid to the sectional tournament.
The Wolfpack girls basketball team lost the 2013 opener last week to South Hills 46-22, but rebounded with a huge win against conference rivals St. Lucy’s. Kegee Limbe, Melissa Oei, and Danna Robles all finished in double figures for the Pack, who finished the game with 17 steals as a team. Claremont’s strong 4th quarter propelled the team to a 47-39 victory. Claremont travels to Chino Hills on Wednesday, January 16 at 4:45 pm, and then hosts Charter Oak on Friday, January 18 at 4:45 pm. More game highlights inside.
Claremont High School midfielder Ben Santia heads the ball over the reach of South Hills High School’s Alan Garcia during their Sierra League match Wednesday night in Covina. The Pack spent most of the game one goal behind the Huskies but tied the game in the second half, forcing an overtime period. When the game resumed, CHS quickly scored and held on to the lead to win 3-2. More in our next edition. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Claremont High School senior Andrew Guerra gets tangled up with Alta Loma sophomore Dylan Moinian while chasing a rebound on Thursday in Claremont. The Pack never trailed in their 69-45 victory over the Braves but the visiting team did tie the game briefly in the third quarter. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Early Christmas gifts made their way to a surprised group of coaches this week as Claremont’s Sunrise Rotarians bestowed $8000 to the city’s youth sports.
Santa Claus and a parade of Sunrise Rotarians arrived at the Youth Sports Committee meeting last Tuesday, checks in hand. The unexpected interruption came without any complaint from committee members as members of the service club handed over their largest donation yet to Claremont’s budding athletes, thanks to the success of their fifth annual Turkey Trot charity run
Claremont boys basketball showed composure and a fluid offensive unit at last weekend’s Sonora Tournament, finishing with 2 wins and a loss. First the Wolfpack beat Downey in double overtime 86-80, and then followed up by beating Diamond Bar 44-32. In the Pack’s final game against King, they could not recover from a rough 2nd quarter. Claremont lost 65-61 to close out the weekend. Top performances in the game were from Omar Mahmoud, who had 21 points and 4 assists, and Max Allen, who scored 14 points. The Wolfpack will travel to Ontario on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. More sports coverage inside.
Claremont High School midfielder Merin Arft takes a shot on goal late in the Pack’s match against Alta Loma on Tuesday at CHS. Claremont dominated possession of the ball throughout the game and came out on top, 2-1, with Karen Parga scoring both of CHS’ goals on free kicks. The defending CIF champions have gotten off to a good start this season with a 6-1 record overall. More in our next edition. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The Wolfpack played their second game of the 18th annual Wolfpack Classic Girls’ Basketball Tournament Wednesday night against the Chaffey Tigers of Ontario.
In a fast-paced, physical game, the Pack built a 9-point halftime lead and never looked back winning 48-37. Coach Darryl Kennedy had much to say about the girls’ hustle. “I am happy we are able to play man-to-man defense successfully; we showed big effort today.”
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