Sierra standout closes at CIF State meet

FRESNO – Only a select few had the privilege of grinding out another race during t the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park Saturday and Sierra High senior John Bowers was the only Manteca area athlete to make the cut.

SIERRA EDGES BENICIA TO ADVANCE

On the last big play of a game full of them, Jarrod Daniels made a statement while sealing Sierra High's thrilling 40-39 victory over No. 6 Benicia Friday at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.

Defensive backfield shines vs. air attack

Offense might win games, but it was defense that allowed Sierra to hold off a prolific Benicia passing attack that was unlike anything the team has seen so far this year.

T’Wolves don’t miss a beat behind back-up QB

It's one thing to run the opposing team's offense during scout-team practice, and it's another guiding a team to a second-round Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Football playoff victory.

READY OR NOT

Fortunes have followed the Ripon High volleyball team for the majority of its 2009 season, but the squads' blessings took new heights when its second-round opponent, Notre Dame High of Salinas, knocked off No. 2 seed Salesian, handing the Indians home court advantage for the CIF NorCal Championship match Saturday.

NO HOLIDAY BREAK FOR TIMBERWOLVES

The Sierra Timberwolves have reason to be thankful. The Sac-Joaquin Section's third-seeded Division III playoff team will celebrate Thanksgiving with practice starting at 9 this morning. Sierra (10-1) is preparing for its second-round matchup with No. 6 Benicia (9-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium. After qualifying for the section playoffs for the first time in its 14th varsity season in 2008, head coach Jeff Harbison is grateful that his ...

EAST UNION OPENS WITH WIN

Shalane Jackson gave a nice glimpse of what to expect from her sophomore season, leading East Union High to a season-opening 49-34 win over the visiting Bear Creek Bruins Wednesday at the Dalben Center.

Seven area players on all-TVL team

The loss of record-holding goal scorer Eric Cavanaugh had little effect on Ripon this season. The Indians repeated their third-place finish in the Trans Valley League, set a new program record with 21 single-season overall victories and five players were named to the all-conference first team. Rival Ripon Christian had two players named to the first team. Senior Matty Gay and freshman Arik Anaya picked up where Cavanaugh left off. Gay, who holds the frosh-soph ...

END OF THE ROAD

RIPON - Ripon Christian showed it more than deserved its berth into the CIF Northern California Division V State Volleyball Championships, yet the Knights were unable to extend their magical season after a four-game loss (11-25, 25-22, 13-25 and 18-25) to Castilleja of Palo Alto.

Ripon hosting second-round match after easy win

COTTONWOOD - The trip ended up being much longer than the match. Ripon did what was expected in a four-game victory (25-23, 25-14, 16-25, 25-22) over North Section champion West Valley to open the Northern California Regional Division IV Championships Tuesday. Head coach Larry Keethe wasn't too happy with his team's effort in the third game, however. "They were pretty much packed up and ready to go home," he said. Fortunately for the Indians (38-10), ...

Cougars drop season opener to McNair

STOCKTON – The Weston Ranch Cougars had a strong sense of how they wanted their season to get underway, but the McNair Eagles had a different agenda beating the Cougars 54-50 in both teams' season opener.

Ripon teams return to NorCal tourney with high hopes

Tiger Shelton sees Ripon Christian's first-round draw in the CIF State Northern California Championships as a good news-bad news proposition.

EAST UNION FALL AWARDS

BUFFALOES BUCKLE LATE

Friday's Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff opener between No. 8 Manteca and No. 9 Casa Roble at Guss Schmiedt Field didn't start out to be the game it was anticipated to be.

Sierra cruises into quarterfinal round

It was business as usual Friday for Sierra High. In the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Division III section playoffs, the No. 3 Timberwolves simply overpowered No. 14 Mira Loma of the Capital League at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium, rolling to a 59-6 win. "We just asked for intensity coming into this game," Sierra coach Jeff Harbison said. "I'm proud of the fact we were able to do just that." Business as usual included fullback ...

Past, present stars honored

The past along with the present is being recognized this week in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Central California Lions All-Star Football Classic, one of the state's four original prep contests of its kind.

RC baseball highlights all-SL list

A productive year at the plate might be an understatement when referring to the type of season Ripon Christian's now-graduated senior Dominic Nelson just had.

RISING TO NEXT LEVEL

Guillermo Nunez was praised for his high basketball IQ.

Brink ends outstanding prep career at state

Backed by a good-sized contingent of supporters - including former teammates, classmates, teachers, and friends and family - Will Brink played his final round as an East Union Lancer during Wednesday's CIF/CGA State Boys Golf Championship in scenic Carmel.

Sierra named state’s D-III Team of the Year

Nick Olmo reiterated on Tuesday that he doesn't put much stock into rankings.

RIPON ON THE RISE

Ripon's softball team certainly pitched and played defense this spring.

Weston Ranch’s McDonald reaches state finals

One of just two sophomores in the sprint events, Weston Ranch High's John McDonald was understandably wide-eyed upon his rival at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis - the site of the CIf State Track & Field Championships.

Nine area players make first team All-VOL

Manteca High junior Jake Corn had an astounding season on the bump this spring.

YOUNG MCDONALD

ELK GROVE - The kid they call "Texas" is competing in the California Interscholastic Federation Track and Field State Championships for the first time next week.

BEST OF THE BEST

Allie Walljasper has already won two section titles, three Valley Oak League MVP awards, two VOL crowns and was named this year's all-league Pitcher of the Year for the first time.

Elijah, Sierra 4x100 win preliminary heats at Masters Meet

ELK GROVE - Run the straightaway or walk the podium?