In certain sports—including tennis, cross country and track and field—individuals may shine even when the team as a whole struggles. Conversely, a stellar performance of one athlete can also lift a team, making everyone play better. This of course, is the desired outcome.
Such has been the story for CHS wrestling recently. Last year, the Pack sent nine wrestlers to the CIF championship tournament, a school record, even though Claremont continued its near drought on winning dual meets. As always the hope for a turnaround is then pinned on the next season.
Nationwide, 2018 is being called the “year of the woman,” and for Claremont High School athletics that certainly rang true. CHS girls claimed championships, both individual and team, in cross country, tennis, golf, water polo and track and field.
Girls cross country’s continued domination on a statewide and now national level is by far the biggest sports story of 2018.
During the halftime break, Coach Fred Bruce-Oliver told the boys soccer team not to think about the score but to focus instead on playing the game. With the New Year approaching, this seemed like excellent advice in general, as well as for a sporting event.
Unfortunately for the Pack, they were not able to overcome an early deficit and ended up losing their Palomares League opener, 2-0, to visiting Alta Loma on Wednesday at CHS.
The Wolfpack has extended its winning streak to seven straight games defeating Santiago Corona, 14-7, on Wednesday at home.
A day earlier they got another win, 21-14, over La Serna, and last Thursday topped St Lucy’s 22-7.
The girls had an away game against Los Osos after press time on Thursday.
The Claremont Wolfpack football team is participating in a fundraising campaign to support the family of their JV quarterback, James Brazzill, whose mother, Krista Brazzill, was brutally beaten in the backyard of the Upland home she shares with James.
The attack happened on December 2 at 11 a.m. when Ms. Brazzill was at her residence and heard a man later identified as Armando Ramirez Jr, a 29 year old transient, attempting to break into her house. When she went into her back yard Mr. Ramirez attacked her.
In the COURIER’s preview of winter sports, one longtime coach, Fred Bruce-Oliver, keeps plugging along while another, Tim Tipping, says goodbye. Catch up on high school sports as the Pack preps for another busy season. Girls water polo is off to a roaring start with a sweep of the fourth annual Wolfpack Invitational Tournament last weekend at CHS.
The girls varsity water polo team took first place in the fourth annual Wolfpack Invitational tournament this weekend. Claremont swept the competition defeating San Pasqual 17-2, West Hills 18-5, Palos Verdes 13-10 and Valhalla 12-6.
The temperature hovered around 60 degrees and there was a slight mist on Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno. Not exactly the best weather for a leisurely stroll, but as it turns out, it was ideal for a footrace.
At 10 a.m. the best of the best CIF Division 2 girls cross country runners came to the starting line for the 2018 CIF California State Cross Country Championships.
Claremont freshman Maddie Coles, right, runs just behind Granada senior Colleen McCandless on Saturday during the California State Cross Country Championships in Fresno. Coles edged out McCandless by three seconds at the line for a second place finish in the division two race anchoring a third consecutive state team title for the Pack.
Claremont High School’s girls varsity cross country team won the Division Two CIF finals race Saturday in Riverside, the third consecutive title for the Pack, according to a news release from the school.
CHS runners finished 1-11-14-19-24, scoring 69 points to win the CIF Southern Section team title ahead of Mission Viejo, 114 pts, Serrano, 118 pts, Saugus, 131 pts, and 20 other teams.
Claremont High School freshman Kelly Xu finished in a three-way tie for fourth place on Wednesday at the CIF Girls State Championships at the Victoria Country Club in Riverside. Photo Phil Vitek SCGA
Led once again by freshman Maddie Coles, the Claremont High School girls cross country team claimed another Palomares League title last Saturday at Whittier Narrows Park.
Claremont’s 25 points came in at less than half of second place Ayala’s 58, followed by Colony, 102, Alta Loma, 108, Bonita, 118, and Glendora, 125.
In competitive sports it takes great planning and some luck to reach peak performance right as playoffs begin. The Claremont High School boys water polo team did just that by ending Palomares League play with a six-game winning streak. It was capped off with a decisive 12-6 win over visiting Flintridge Prep Rebels, in the first round of CIF competition.
The only downside to peaking late is Claremont fell just shy of catching first place Alta Loma—despite defeating the Braves—and must settle for second place in league.
Last Wednesday CHS freshman Kelly Xu shot a three over par 75 for a seventh place finish in the CIF individual qualifier at Western Hills Country Club. Kelly’s performance was good enough to earn a berth for the finals this Thursday at River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard. Senior Sally Wang was also at the qualifying tournament but missed the cut with her score of 88 shots.
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