UNITED THEY STAND

Manteca-based Team Unity's under-10 girls fastpitch softball team placed fifth in the Amateur Softball Association National Championships in Johnson City, Tenn. July 27-Aug. 2. Team Unity finished with a 4-2 record. The team will move up to under-12 this fall and is looking to add players to its roster. For tryout information, visit the team's website at www.unityfastpitch.com.

Team MVP leaves mark at state

Can't wait to take new toy out for hunting

Field & Stream back-pager Bill Heavy penned a column a couple seasons ago about his early courtship with a new rangefinder.

Cougars finish fifth at West Coast FC Classic

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – The California Cougars Under-19 soccer team finished fifth overall at the West Coast FC Classic soccer tournament last weekend in Orange County.

COWBOYS BATTER PANTHERS

The Manteca Cowboys junior varsity squad made short work of the Central Valley Panthers Saturday in Modesto, 22-0, to move to 1-0 in NYFL play. Nate Arriola ran wild, scoring three touchdowns, including a 65-yard scoring scamper in which the bruising back sent a Panther defender head over heels with a stiff arm. Nick Lucchetti added a safety on defense. The Cowboys take on the Patterson Redskins Saturday at Manteca High.

RIDING HIGH

Meghan Matthews is the third-ranked 16-year-old amateur BMX racer in the nation and first in California.

BATTLING CATS

THE RANCH’S THIRD BIRD

WESTON RANCH - Tyra Vickers-Kearney isn't using wins and losses as a gauge for success.

Practice parking before heading into launch ramps

Learning how to back up a trailer should be practiced before you get to the launch ramp. In a recent e-mail sent by Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports located in Angles Camp, I was reminded of how much chaos can be witnessed while hanging around a busy launch ramp.

Aquatics finish strong

The long course swim season came to a close on a high note for the Manteca Aquatics swim team at the beginning of the month, as seven Aquatics swimmers competed at the Junior Olympics event and four more went on to compete at the Far Western Championships.

Late model returns to championship chase

In a bold effort to build up car count and increase the championship drama down the homestretch of the season, Madera Speedway president Kenny Shepherd made a surprise announcement last week that the 2009 Western Late Model championship at the 1/3 mile oval would be determined by the last four races with only the top 10 drivers in the points being eligible.

East Union freshman takes third — twice

It's Day 3 of Sarah Phillips' transition from New Haven School 8th grader to East Union High freshman.

GROUND AND POUND

In the meantime, spin those yarns

For the sportsman, transitions from season to season are usually the best time for stories, or at least, when the stories get better.

BOWLING NEWS

Cortez shines in Titan’s Cage 7 co-main event

East Union graduate Jason Cortez Jr. and Nico Lozada didn't take long to get acquainted in a co-feature bout for The Titans Cage 7 event held at McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento this past Saturday.

No shortage of excitement in Long Beach

Last Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for the Verizon IndyCars proved to be one the most entertaining and action packed races in the 40-year history of the event.

Bowling news

• SUNDAY SUNSETTERS: Andrew Schneider 232-241/695, Ron Brown 243-230, Albert Cimafranca 201, Phil Maxwell 211, Mitch Spence 207, Jeff Stevens 235-235/685

Ski report

Alpine Meadows - Mon 6:35 am spring snow machine groomed 46-91 base 66 of 100 trails 66% open, 7 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p

Ripon’s Regelman wins modified main

STOPCKTON - Under cool and clear weather conditions the historic Stockton 99 opened its 2014 season with a five division NASCAR Whelen All American racing Series program on Saturday night.

Getting up to Speed

Manteca native Scott Speed continues to prove that he is capable of racing just about anything that has a motor and four wheels.

Ski report

Alpine Meadows - Mon 6:34 am 1 new powder machine groomed 48 - 89 base 66 of 100 trails, 7 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p;

Ski report

Alpine Meadows - Mon 6:28 am MG machine groomed 28-62 base 66 of 100 trails 66% open, 7 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p

Bowling news

• YOUTH BOWLING: AnthonyFavaloro 207/589, Alex Simnitt 119/343, Alyssa Roller 93/152, Athena Roller 93/235, Sean Frye 82/162, Jordan Bates 128/242, Jedric Uganiza 119/313, Noah Bandalan Bradley 124/308, Blake Darter 77/145, Andrew Pearson 1632/420, Tony Ries 140/375, Danny Santos 149/359, Aaron Sharafian 174/447, Noah Morrison 76/219, Gabe Onate 99/272, Zelmar Vedder 161/411

Bowling news

Manteca Bowl

Ski report

Alpine Meadows - Mon 6:22 am MG machine groomed 32-65 base 75 of 100 trails 75% open, 7 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p

Stockton to honor Sprint Car Hall of Famer

The start to the 2014 Stockton racing season is just a week away, as the best Sprint Car drivers in the world prepare for the two-night "FVP Western Spring Shootout" featuring the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, on March 21-22 at the Stockton Dirt Track located at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

Bowling news

• BRING HOME THE BACON: Sokha Mao 212-223-247/682, Shedrick Bryant 247, Mike Marshall 201, Patrick Dean 221, Charlie Parde 203-210, Dennis Pine 267, Brenda Pine 156/413, Jerome Carl 226, Jeff Spohn 218, Jeremy Puhlman 207, Mike Huntington 202, Pat Baron 202, Tony Long 200, Stan Rodgers 185/506, Geri Butler 196/499, Inga Perryman 183/413

Ski report

Alpine Meadows - Mon 6:39 am MG machine groomed 34-67 base 75 of 100 trails 75% open, 10 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p

Woodward sweeps MUST hoops

The Woodward Mustangs pulled off yet another sweep of the Manteca Unified Student Trust basketball championships last week at Stella Brockman.