May 10-11: Antelope Hills GC, Prescott

Tanque Verde finished in the top 10 for the first time in school history. Thatcher’s Kennedie Montoya moved up from a 15th place finish last year to fourth place this year.

Montoya, only a junior, has been a regular member of the TC.com basketball and golf All-Star lists.

Michael Rooyakkers. Andy Morales Photo.

Team
1 Valley Christian 300-296 596
2 Horizon Honors 308-302 610
3 Estrella Foothills 295-325 620
10 Tanque Verde 317-333 650
13 Safford 339-332 671

Championship Results
1 Chris Petefish, Scottsdale Christian 64-64 128
4 Kennedie Montoya, Thatcher 68-76 144
16 Michael Rooyakkers, Tanque Verde 73-78 151
18 Nick Jevas, Thatcher 73-79 152
24 Nick Latta, Desert Christian 77-79 156
36 Weston Lewis, Safford 85-76 161
39 Robert Dybus, Tanque Verde 77-85 162
50 Grayson Barghols, Pusch Ridge 78-89 167
55 Ryan Karnes, Safford 84-84 168
59 Ethan Karnes, Safford 87-83 170
60 Jacob Giacoma, Pusch Ridge 84-86 170
64 Jacob Barnes, Desert Christian 84-88 172
70 Seth Lowery, Safford 85-89 174
71 Cameron Moncada, Tanque Verde 80-94 174
76 Steven Vlassis, Safford 85-93 178
80 Drake Regalado, Willcox 91-89 180
81 Nathan Tipler, Willcox 96-88 184
Nick Varin, Tanque Verde 82
Jordan McDonald, Tanque Verde 88
Stephen Sprague, Tanque Verde 87
Greg Wheeler, Tanque Verde 98

When:
Session 1 – June 3-6
Session 2 – June 10-13

Where: James Kreigh Park, Green Field

Times: 8-11 am

For more information and registration forms please visit www.dirtbagbaseball.net

Desert Christian head coach Grant Hopkins (right) has spent the last few seasons preparing for this moment. Andy Morales Photo.

Desert Christian (25-4) outlasted Phoenix Christian 11-9 Saturday night to win the school’s first baseball title.

Head coach Grant Hopkins has spent the last couple of years preparing his players for the big stage by playing in invitationals with “bigger schools” and by bringing in former Sabino and CDO coach Mike Hanson and his son Ryan Hanson to help coach. Mike has been a coach for over 20 years and Ryan played on Sabino’s 1997 championship team.

Hopkins lost pitching standout Trevor Beck to graduation last year but players such as sophomore Zach Malis have stepped in to help take the Eagles to the next level.

The team went to back-to-back championship appearances in 1994 and 1995 under Allen
Nielsen in the old 1A conference and other Southern Arizona teams had taken turns winning a championship since then with Patagonia, St. David, Green Fields, St. Gregory, Duncan, Valley Union and Tanque Verde stepping up to the plate.

A complete story on the game can be found HERE.

Tom Belter has now guided Empire (25-6) to two state final appearances in his six short years at the school and the Ravens came up short again 5-4 against Fountain Hills on Saturday night at the Surprise Stadium.

Sophomore Andres Hackman gave Empire an early 3-0 lead with a bases-clearing double in the first inning and Jared Kromminga added another RBI in the third to put the Ravens up 4-0.

Fountain Hills scored three runs in the bottom of the third off of Donny Sands (4-1) and an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth tied it up at 4-4. Meanwhile, Andrew Bryniarski (8-1) shut down 11 Empire batters in a row heading into the seventh.

Empire was able to load the bases in the top of the seventh. An error placed Colton Stokes on first base to start things off and then Joe Smith put down a bunt and Bryniarski chose to attempt a tag on the sacrifice but the tag was late, placing Smith at first on the sacrifice/fielder’s choice play.

Bryniarski forced a couple of fly balls but Stokes was able to move to third base on the second out to place runners at the corners with two outs. Sands was intentionally walked after picking up two balls and the bases were loaded. Connor Geurts came up an drilled a full-count pitch to the right side but the line drive was caught to end the threat.

Fountain Hills scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on an infield hit with two outs.

Tucson High and Ironwood Ridge finished their seasons in third place with the Badgers losing to Chaparral in D-I and The Ridge losing to Notre Dame in D-II Saturday night.

Both teams came back late to tie their games but they both ultimately fell in extra innings. The Ridge tied their game 2-2 in the sixth but Notre Dame scored in the bottom of the eighth and Tucson battled back from being down 5-0 to tie it up in the seventh only to give up two runs in the eighth.

DIVISION I

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 11: Diablo Stadium
2 Tucson High lost to 10 Chaparral, 7-5 (8)

DIVISION II

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 11: Camelback Ranch
6 Ironwood lost to 3 Notre Dame, 3-2 (8)

DIVISION III

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, May 11: Surprise Stadium
13 Empire lost to 3 Fountain Hills, 5-4

DIVISION IV

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, May 11: Phoenix Municipal
4 Desert Christian beat 3 Phoenix Christian, 11-9

Felicia Medina holds the championship trophy. Medina is surrounded by her family. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

San Manuel (28-8) won it’s eight state championship with a 5-4 victory over the top seeded Northwest Christian (28-6) team Saturday night in Phoenix.

Freshman pitcher Lyana Waddell (20-6) went the distance and gave up two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth to put her team in a 2-1 hole. Junior Angelica Zuniga had put the Miners up 1-o on a solo shot in the second inning.

Down to their last at bats against Elizabeth Bostwick (26-5), the Miners scored four runs with two outs to go back up 5-2. Waddell drew a lead-off walk and Mireya Tamayo hit an infield single two outs later.

Felicia Gomez drew another walk to load the bases and Alyssa Cuellar picked up another walk to bring in Waddell to tie the game 2-2.

Felicia Medina singled to right to bring in two more runs and then Mackenzie White singled to bring in the fourth run.

Up 5-2 San Manuel had enough insurance runs to hold on and they gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t enough for NW Christian. 5-4 San Manuel.

Medina is hitting .583 on the season with 68 hits, 57 RBIs, 22 doubles, 5 triples and 7 home runs. Her older sister Noelle Medina plays softball for Pima.

SAN MANUEL
2013 Deanne Brewer win
1994 Jeff Rupright win
1991 Jeff Rupright
1990 Jeff Rupright win
1987 Jeff Rupright
1986 Jeff Rupright
1984 Sheila Baize
1983 Sheila Baize
1982 Sheila Baize win
1981 Sheila Baize win
1980 Sheila Baize win
1979 Sheila Baize win
1977 Sheila Baize win

DIVISION II

CHAMPIONSHIP: Monday, May 13: ASU
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 1 Sunrise Mountain, 5:30 pm

DIVISION IV

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, May 11: Rose Mofford
2 San Manuel beat 1 NW Christian, 5-4

Pantano River Park: May 10

Tucson Council Member Shirley Scott and County Supervisor Ray Carroll were on hand to read the names of the many people who had a tree planted in their memory along the Pantano River Park Friday morning.

Andy Morales Photo.

MORE PHOTOS

May 8-11: Mesa Community College

Stephanie Boulger. Courtesy Photo.

Courtesy Photo.

Stephanie Boulger became the sixth athlete from Southern Arizona to snag an individual title at the AIA Track & Field Championships. Boulger cleared 11-feet in the pole vault to capture the Division IV title for St. Gregory.

“I was seeded second going into the meet with a girl from Benson (Rhiannon Reece) a few inches ahead of me,” explained Boulger via email. “After 9’6″ there were three of us left, me and two other Benson girls, and once the bar went to 10′ 6″ there were two of us.

“I made 11 feet on my second try and once I saw the Benson senior miss her third attempt I knew that I had won. I attempted to clear 11’3″ but missed, although I know I could have cleared it!”

Boulger, only a junior, has another year to improve upon her personal best and get those three extra inches.

“I have been competing since my freshman year and I always did gymnastics so when my old high school did not have a gymnastics team my parents suggested I try pole vault because it uses a lot of the same muscles and skills,” added Boulger.

All partial results through Friday

CHAMPIONS

Girls 3200 Meter Run Division IV
1 Sarah Macdonald: Pusch Ridge 11:35.11

Girls High Jump Division IV
1 Shea Cottrell: St David 5-02

Girls High Jump Division III
1 Jordan Abalos: Safford 5-04

Girls Pole Vault Division IV
1 Stephanie Boulger: St Gregory 11-00

Girls Triple Jump Division II
1 Alyssa Thompson: Salpointe Catholic 39-07

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division II
1 Andrew Garcia: Canyon Del Oro 9:31.12

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay Division II
1 Catalina Foothills 8:04.76
(Reagan Glynn, Liam Ahlers, Vetle Bergmann, Emilio Vasquez)

RUNNER-UPS

Girls 4×800 Meter Relay Division IV
2 Pusch Ridge 9:54.53
(Sarah Macdonald, Kaylee Bowers, Grace Johnson, Cayley Hensley)

Girls Discus Throw Division IV
2 Miranda Jackson, St Augustine 111-08

Girls Pole Vault Division IV
2 Rhiannon Reece: Benson 10-09

Girls 800 Meter Run Division II
2 Melanie Zibrat: Ironwood Ridge 2:18.29

Girls Triple Jump Division II
2 Nicole Fotinos: Sahuaro 37-07

Boys 800 Meter Run Division III
2 Braulio Lopez: Rio Rico 1:56.67

Boys 800 Meter Run Division IV
2 Kyle Cajero: Pusch Ridge 1:58.01

Boys 1600 Meter Run Division IV
2 Kyle Cajero: Pusch Ridge 4:21.10

Boys High Jump Division I
2 Justice Somerset: Mountain Vie 6-06

Boys Long Jump Division II
2 Cole Sterns: Sahuaro 22-00.75

Boys Pole Vault Division IV
2 Jacob Manuel: Benson 13-09

THIRD PLACE FINSHERS

Girls Pole Vault Division IV
3 Alysha Thomas: Benson 10-00

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division I
3 Ryan Silva: Rincon University 9:12.00

Boys Discus Throw Division II
3 Garrett Kohnke: Sahuaro 147-08

Boys 1600 Meter Run Division III
3 Ben Noriega: Rio Rico 4:23.95

COMPLETE RESULTS

GIRLS

Girls 3200 Meter Run Division III
21 Tineo, Petra Catalina 12:26.17
22 Valencia, Marielena Rio Rico 12:36.69

Girls 3200 Meter Run Division IV
1 Macdonald, Sarah Pusch Ridge 11:35.11
4 Hensley, Cayley Pusch Ridge 11:59.31
9 Hamilton, Jessica Benson 12:31.33
14 Bowers, Kaylee Pusch Ridge 13:00.04
16 Scarbrough, Brooklyn Thatcher 13:15.70

Girls 4×800 Meter Relay Division III
7 Safford 10:18.60
Aguilar, Isabel Burge, Mikala Fox, Trina Lopez, Joie
13 Douglas 10:38.47
Loreto, Karla Blair, Laura Parra, Zenaida Hurtado, Laura
14 Rio Rico 10:45.98
Valencia, Marielena Giron, Jackie, Edith Delgadillo, Maria
17 Catalina 11:20.95
Tineo, Petra Ibarra, Yaritza Leon, Karen Tineo, Stephanie

Girls 4×800 Meter Relay Division IV
2 Pusch Ridge 9:54.53
Macdonald, Sarah Bowers, Kaylee Johnson, Grace Hensley, Cayley
6 St David 10:40.99
Trejo, Shaelyn Stover, Chelsey Dahl, Hannah Cottrell, Shea
11 St Augustine 10:58.26
Gardener, Grace Harding, Sydney Sand, Emily Alderete, Katrina
15 Benson 11:45.01
Birkner, Alyssia Palma, Rara Martin-Rodriguez, Carla Hamilton, Jessica

Girls High Jump Division III
1 Abalos, Jordan Safford 5-04
14 Bingham, Miranda Safford 4-08

Girls High Jump Division IV
1 Cottrell, Shea St David 5-02
3 Stover, Chelsey St David 5-00
4 Rojas, Jandi Thatcher 4-10
10 Galyean, Lea Bisbee 4-08
13 Gudvangen, Emily Benson 4-06

Girls Pole Vault Division I
15 Amanda Widen: Cienega 9-06

Girls Pole Vault Division IV
1 Boulger, Stephanie St Gregory 11-00
2 Reece, Rhiannon Benson 10-09
3 Thomas, Alysha Benson 10-00
6 Moore, Jerica Benson 7-06
9 Gaskill-Hull, Nicole Benson 7-00

Girls Triple Jump Division I
10 Kenniss Pannell: Cienega 34-05.50

Girls Shot Put Division I
6 Candice Butler: Buena 38-09
10 Shalise Borden: Marana 35-01
15 Tatum Hale: Mountain View 33-10

Girls 800 Meter Run Division II
2 Melanie Zibrat: Ironwood Ridge 2:18.29
4 Katie Izzo: Catalina Foothills 2:19.92
5 Bridgette Doucet: Canyon Del Oro 2:20.51
10 Melissa Williams: Sahuarita 2:23.25
13 Anza Wiedenkeller: Catalina Foothills 2:24.05
14 Sarah Lansey: Catalina Foothills 2:25.34
15 Sarah Bock: Ironwood Ridge 2:25.75
17 Sarrah Boughan: Canyon Del Oro 2:26.10

Girls 1600 Meter Run Division II
5 Doucet, Bridgette 10 Canyon Del Oro 5:12.10
10 Heather Dowdall: Sahuaro 5:23.32
11 Sarah Bock: Ironwood Ridge 5:25.92
13 Hannah Whetzel: Catalina Foothills 5:26.70
14 Sarrah Boughan: Canyon Del Oro 5:28.16
15 Barbara Bruno: Canyon Del Oro 5:29.83
17 Katheran Otto: Ironwood Ridge 5:33.13
18 Ciara Kennedy: Salpointe Catholic 5:33.35
19 Madeline Roberts: Ironwood Ridge 5:33.81
21 Alessandra Vanasco: Catalina Foothills 5:34.31
22 Carissa Lucero: Flowing Wells 5:37.38

Girls Triple Jump Division II
1 Alyssa Thompson: Salpointe Catholic 39-07
2 Nicole Fotinos: Sahuaro 37-07
4 Emily Gerard: Catalina Foothills 35-00
8 Haylee Thompson: Salpointe Catholic 33-09.75
13 Lauren Pisani: Salpointe Catholic 32-08.50

Girls Long Jump Division III
7 Goodwin, Brianna Sabino 16-02.75
8 Castillo, Grecia Douglas 16-01.75

Girls Long Jump Division IV
4 Galyean, Lea Bisbee 15-04.75
8 Beals, Brittney Thatcher 15-01.75
13 Snyder, Olivia Green Fields 14-06.50
15 Reece, Rhiannon Benson 14-02.75
20 Ramos, Justice Benson 13-06.25
21 Thomas, Alysha Benson 13-03.75
22 Lizarrga, Leah Benson 13-01.75
23 Maksyythis, Maddy Green Fields 11-00.25

Girls Shot Put Division II
5 Caitlin Campbell: Flowing Wells 35-09.50
18 Alejandra Gomez: Nogales 32-10.75
24 Elle Rubner: Catalina Foothills 28-03.50

Girls Discus Throw Division III
13 Williams, Tatiana Empire 88-05

Girls Discus Throw Division IV
2 Jackson, Miranda St Augustine 111-08
5 Conser, Tanya Benson 92-00
6 Shafer, Cherokee Tombstone 91-10
8 Urias, Isableea AZ School for Deaf 87-11
13 Johnson, Chandler Benson 83-08
14 Roman, Sydney Benson 82-09
17 Taylor, Sadie Benson 77-11
19 Lara, Maximilliana San Manuel 77-00
20 Hudson, Elizabeth Valley Union 75-05
21 Robles, Analisa San Manuel 75-00
22 Phillips, Lexi Thatcher 69-05

BOYS

Boys 800 Meter Run Division III
2 Lopez, Braulio Rio Rico 1:56.67
4 Villareal, Carlos Rio Rico 1:58.54
10 Logo, Amanuel Catalina 2:00.67
11 Abdikadir, Mohamed Catalina 2:01.57
14 Polanco, Tyler Safford 2:03.22
18 Loreto, Jesus Douglas 2:06.34

Boys 800 Meter Run Division IV
2 Cajero, Kyle Pusch Ridge 1:58.01
5 Alderete, Zach St Augustine 2:00.55
9 Tvrdy, Josh Pusch Ridge 2:02.72
10 Spinney, Liam Benson 2:03.08

Boys 1600 Meter Run Division III
3 Noriega, Ben Rio Rico 4:23.95
12 Jones, Lee Rio Rico 4:33.94
13 Gutierrez, Jose Rio Rico 4:34.28
19 Sprung, Sawyer Sabino 4:36.87
23 Amaya, Oscar Rio Rico 4:39.22

Boys 1600 Meter Run Division IV
2 Cajero, Kyle Pusch Ridge 4:21.10
5 Alderete, Zach St Augustine 4:27.77
10 Tvrdy, Josh Pusch Ridge 4:43.62
18 DeSpain, Mati Thatcher 4:52.86
21 Springston, Matt Tombstone 5:00.17

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division I
3 Ryan Silva: Rincon University 9:12.00
15 Jacob Boubion: Mountain View 9:44.85
16 Brandon Dorr: Rincon University 9:46.31
23 Lance Pedersen: Mountain View 9:59.95

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay Division I
6 Mountain View 8:02.14
13 Buena 8:12.57

Boys High Jump Division I
2 Justice Somerset: Mountain Vie 6-06
4 Christian Poe: Cienega 6-06
4 Quinton Anzalone: Tucson 6-06

Boys Discus Throw Division I
5 Alexander Wellington: Tucson 160-02

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division II
1 Andrew Garcia: Canyon Del Oro 9:31.12
4 Brandon McKay: Ironwood Ridge 9:36.36
6 Emilio Vasquez: Catalina Foothills 9:47.98
7 Jacob Bruno: Canyon Del Oro 9:48.97
11 Kyel Powell: Sahuaro 9:54.80
12 Jeffrey Gautreau: Salpointe Catholic 9:55.35
14 John Henry Hervol: Flowing Wells 9:56.07

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay Division II
1 Catalina Foothills 8:04.76
10 Sahuarita 8:22.19

Boys High Jump Division II
4 Obang Odol: Canyon Del Oro 6-06.00
12 Trej Bell: Sahuaro 5-10

Boys Pole Vault Division II
10 Mark Crawford: Ironwood Ridge 13-00

Boys Pole Vault Division IV
2 Manuel, Jacob Benson 13-09
7 Dastrup, Dallas Benson 12-06
8 Chavez, Tony Bisbee 12-00
9 Lee, Andrew Benson 12-00
11 Munoz, Eric Bisbee 11-06
12 Lindsay, Josiah Benson 11-06
14 Stewart, Jacob Bisbee 11-00

Boys Long Jump Division I
7 Levi Wallace: Tucson 22-04
8 Christian Poe: Cienega 21-11.75
14 Ben Sims: Buena 21-04

Boys Long Jump Division II
2 Cole Sterns: Sahuaro 22-00.75
26 Christian Chaira: Sahuaro 18-09.25

Boys Discus Throw Division II
3 Garrett Kohnke: Sahuaro 147-08
8 Javier Castillo: Nogales 135-04
14 Aubrey Littleton: Sahuaro 123-07

Boys Triple Jump Division III
7 Figueroa, Rob Empire 41-11
10 Cruz, Oscar Douglas 40-10
12 Crowder, Lorenzo Catalina 40-08.50
13 Fox, Aaron Safford 40-06.75
17 Maki, James Sabino 40-00
20 Martindell, Tyson Safford 39-08.75

Boys Triple Jump Division IV
6 Reilly, Mitch Pusch Ridge 40-09
16 Alexander, Zach Pusch Ridge 37-11.25
17 Carollo, Josh Pusch Ridge 37-11
19 Bierman, Jacob Thatcher 37-01.75
21 Fagin, Darius Tombstone 36-08.50

Boys Shot Put Division III
7 Allen, Conner Safford 45-04
15 Guimond, Andrew Empire 43-02.25
18 Crandall, Will Catalina 42-09.75
22 DeYonge, Drake Palo Verde 40-07.25

Boys Shot Put Division IV
10 Manuel, Joshua Benson 41-01.25
18 Putnam, CJ Tombstone 38-04.75
21 Miller, Ben Willcox 36-08.75
23 Battraw, Kaleb Thatcher 35-08.50

Laura Graziano. Courtesy Photo.

Salpointe Catholic standout swimmer Laura Graziano, a four-year high school state finalist for individual and relay events, and 2012 team captain who helped lead Salpointe Women’s Swim Team to first ever state title, signed to swim at Pepperdine University.

Laura is also the 2012 recipient of the Rebarchak Memorial Award. The award is given annually by Salpointe swim coaches to one swimmer who best exemplifies leadership, team unity, inspiration and a positive attitude.

Laura also swims with Tucson Ford Dealer Aquatics club team.

Graziano was part of the first batch of athletes that I have reported on and followed in my short time here. This is one of those special signings.

Ironwood Ridge coach Randy Anway will be coaching his final game with the Nighthawks on Monday night. Andy Morales Photo.

San Manuel will play Northwest Christian for the D-IV championship on Saturday night. It will be the 13th championship appearance for the school dating back to their first title in 1977.

Former TUSD athletic director Sheila Baize coached seven title games and won five of them before passing the torch over to Jeff Rupright. Rupright won two titles in five tries.

This will be Deanne Brewer’s first chance at a title for the Miners. The game will take place on Saturday night and will be shown on aia365.com.

SAN MANUEL
1994 Jeff Rupright win
1991 Jeff Rupright
1990 Jeff Rupright win
1987 Jeff Rupright
1986 Jeff Rupright
1984 Sheila Baize
1983 Sheila Baize
1982 Sheila Baize win
1981 Sheila Baize win
1980 Sheila Baize win
1979 Sheila Baize win
1977 Sheila Baize win

Randy Anway will make his third final appearance in five years after he takes on the top-seeded Sunrise Mountain team on Monday night at ASU (aia365.com Fox Sports tape delay).

As first explained here, this will be Anway’s final season with the Nighthawks so the final game will surely be something to see. On the other side, Jody Pruitt was an All-American catcher at Arizona during the Susie Parra era (1993).

Also on that list were Jamie Heggen, Laura Espinoza (Watson) and Amy Chellevold. Current Salpointe coach Stacy Redondo (Schulte) was part of the 1993 championship team and an All-CWS selection.

Pruitt will be coaching her third final appearance (2004 and 2012) on Monday for Sunrise Mountain although the team won in 2006, 2008 and 2009 while Pruitt took a break from coaching the team.

To get past Greenway, the Nighthawks relied on the long ball with Robyn Porter hitting a three-run shot, Alex Rapp hitting a two-run home run and Erin Rocker bringing in another two-run home run.

Rapp’s and Rocker’s home runs came with two out in the bottom of the sixth to put Ironwood Ridge over the top and into the final.

IRONWOOD RIDGE
2011 Randy Anway
2009 Randy Anway

Empire came into the D-III playoffs as the top seed but the Ravens also came with a lot of emotional baggage.

Espinoza-Watson resigned in early April and the team was taken over by interim coach Shannon Woolridge. The team also lost their standout short stop in the process. Even with all that, the team marched on through the playoffs until they met Estrella Foothills.

Estrella Foothills knocked Empire out of the playoffs last year and the year before. Although both Empire and Estrella Foothills will remain in D-III next year, they will be joined by larger schools such as Nogales. Many felt this was the perfect time for the Ravens to breakthrough before the realignment in divisions takes place.

The team is loaded with standouts who will be returning such as Brittany Woolridge, Kelsey Smith, Tazia Hernandez, Kaelyn Smith and Gracie Tabor.

DIVISION II

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Friday, May 10
4 Ironwood Ridge beat 7 Greenway, 7-5

CHAMPIONSHIP: Monday, May 13: ASU
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 1 Sunrise Mountain, 5:30 pm

DIVISION III

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10
1 Empire lost to 5 Estrella Foothills, 2-1

DIVISION IV

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10
2 San Manuel beat 14 Miami, 3-2

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, May 11: Rose Mofford
2 San Manuel vs. 1 NW Christian, 5:30 pm

May 10-11: Antelope Hills GC, Prescott

Team
1 Estrella Foothills 295
2 Phoenix Country Day 299
3 Valley Christian 300
9 Tanque Verde 317
14 Safford 339

Day One Results
1 Chris Petefish, Scottsdale Christian 64
2 Kennedie Montoya, Thatcher 68
3 Boston Richardson, Estrella Foothills 70
4 Trevor Lampson, Valley Christian 71
5 Morgan Gonzales, Phoenix Country Day 71
10 Michael Rooyakkers, Tanque Verde 73
12 Nick Jevas, Thatcher 73
30 Robert Dybus, Tanque Verde 77
33 Nick Latta, Desert Christian 77
37 Grayson Barghols, Pusch Ridge 78
44 Cameron Moncada, Tanque Verde 80
64 Ryan Karnes, Safford 84
65 Jacob Barnes, Desert Christian 84
66 Jacob Giacoma, Pusch Ridge 84
73 Weston Lewis, Safford 85
74 Steven Vlassis, Safford 85
75 Seth Lowery, Safford 85
78 Ethan Karnes, Safford 87
79 Stephen Sprague, Tanque Verde 87
83 Greg Wheeler, Tanque Verde 98
86 Drake Regalado, Willcox 91
88 Nathan Tipler, Willcox 96

Tom Belter (center) talks to his team after an early-season victory over Salpointe. The Ravens are now playing for the D-III championship. Andy Morales Photo.

With his Division III win over Payson on Friday night, Tom Belter has now guided Empire to two state final appearances in his six short years at the school. A runner-up finish in 2010 put the small Vail school on the map in baseball circles and his second appearance will now – hopefully – earn the school some proper recognition in the media.

When I say “earn” I mean it. A 24-6 record would usually demand some respect but a 17-0 loss to Sahuarita back on April 17 was what his team was defined as even though the small school had started out the season with a narrow loss to Cienega and a victory over Salpointe.

Those who knew the “smaller” schools knew that the Ravens were much more than a blow-out loss to a bigger school, they knew of the four players hitting over .500 and a pitching crew that included two undefeated hurlers. It was just a matter of time.

And the time is now.

With their 13-3 mercy win over Payson, the Ravens will meet up against Fountain Hills on Saturday for the D-III championship.

Likewise, Desert Christian (24-4) has struggled with recognition even though they have spent a few years playing in invitationals featuring D-I and D-II schools to prepare them for their D-IV battles.

The team went to back-to-back championship appearances in 1994 and 1995 but have had a difficult time cashing in on their success over the last decade but that now changed with the likes of sophomore Zach Malis leading the way.

Head coach Grant Hopkins will face Phoenix Christian on Saturday night for the D-IV championship.

The Empire and Desert Christian games will be played live on aia365.com.

DIVISION I

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 11: Diablo Stadium
2 Tucson High vs. 10 Chaparral, 6:30 pm

DIVISION II

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 11: Camelback Ranch
6 Ironwood vs. 3 Notre Dame, 6:30 pm

DIVISION III

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10
13 Empire beat 9 Payson, 13-3 (5)

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, May 11: Surprise Stadium
13 Empire vs. 3 Fountain Hills, 7 pm

DIVISION IV

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10
4 Desert Christian beat 17 Pima, 11-0 (5)
18 San Manuel lost to 3 Phoenix Christian, 8-6

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, May 11: Phoenix Municipal
4 Desert Christian vs. 3 Phoenix Christian, 7 pm

DIVISION I

WINNERS BRACKET FINAL: Thursday, May 9
2 Tucson High lost to 1 Desert Mountain, 5-4

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 11: Diablo Stadium
2 Tucson High vs. 10 Chaparral, 6:30 pm

DIVISION II

WINNERS BRACKET FINAL: Thursday, May 9
6 Ironwood Ridge lost to 5 Sunnyslope, 8-3

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Thursday, May 9
4 Sahuaro lost to 3 Notre Dame, 10-4

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 11: Camelback Ranch
6 Ironwood vs. 3 Notre Dame, 6:30 pm

DIVISION III

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Surprise Stadium
13 Empire vs. 9 Payson, 6:30 pm

DIVISION IV

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Phoenix Municipal
4 Desert Christian vs. 17 Pima, 6:30 pm
18 San Manuel vs. 3 Phoenix Christian, 4 pm

The Pima Community College women’s tennis team finished the NJCAA National Tournament in 13th place out of 24 teams after the final matches were played on Thursday at the Jim Reffkin Tennis Center.

Kari Emery. Citizen File Photo.

Kari Emery (Flowing Wells) signed her letter of intent to play tennis at the University of Nebraska Kearney.

ACCAC All-Conference

First Team
Helena Meyer (Nogales) – women’s doubles
Vivian Pierson (Catalina) – women’s singles

Second Team
Kari Emery (Flowing Wells) – women’s singles and doubles

The following athletes from Southern Arizona will be recognized by Luz Social Services at the 29th Annual Hispanic Sports and Academic Enrichment Program to be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Reid Park on Saturday:

Amphitheater-Jesus Barrera
Amphitheater-Geovanni Payan
Canyon del Oro-Alejandra Sosa
Canyon del Oro-Joshua Henkel
Catalina-Enrique Salido
Catalina-Karen Leon
Cholla-Mackenzie Nieto Aguilar
Cholla-William D. Hohmann
Desert View-Crystal Castro
Desert View-Brandon Leyva
Douglas-Marissa Aguirre
Douglas-Joseph Alvarez
Flowing Wells.-Bianka Camacho
Flowing Wells.-Ruben Tadeo Vildosola
Nogales-Mariana Elias
Nogales-Edgar Teran
Rincon-Victoria Beckham
Rincon-Arthur E. Reyes
Sabino-Marines Aquino-Rodriguez
Sabino-Mario Jimenez Suarez
Safford-Isabel Aguilar
Safford-James Michael Holguin
Sahuaro-Owen Sanchez
Sahuaro-Gabriela Ruiz
Sahuaro-Alex Verdugo
Salpointe-Elizabeth Valenzuela
Salpointe-Rodrigo Ojeda
San Manuel-Aubrianne Monique Estrada
San Manuel-Andres Hector Sierra
San Manuel-Analisa Lauren Robles
San Miguel-Korinna Cheyenne Alvarado
San Miguel-Pablo Monreal
Santa Cruz-Elizabeth Ashley Flores
Santa Cruz-Mario Castillo
Sunnyside-Julieta Poroj
Sunnyside-Raul Moraga
University-Elena Bauer
University-Ryan Silva
Willcox-Mayra Hernandez
Willcox-Raymond Arroyo

Courtesy Photo.

The Tucson Rattlers 15u team played in their first tournament together and finished in third place going 3-1 and losing in the Final Four to eventual champion Team Arizona.

Their 17u team went undefeated (5-0) and won the championship beating the Arizona Elite 40-32 in the Championship game.

Top performers were:

15U
Sammi Hacker, F, Sahuaro – averaged 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal per game

17U
Sydni Stallworth, PG, Palo Verde – averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals per game
Gabby Banales, SG, Cienega – averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals per game
Moriah Roters, SF, Pusch Ridge – averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals per game
Shalise Fernander, F, Flowing Wells – averaged 10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals per game

From news release

All results through Wednesday

CHAMPIONS

Girls Triple Jump Division II
1 Alyssa Thompson: Salpointe Catholic 39-07

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division II
1 Andrew Garcia: Canyon Del Oro 9:31.12

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay Division II
1 Catalina Foothills 8:04.76
(Reagan Glynn, Liam Ahlers, Vetle Bergmann, Emilio Vasquez)

RUNNER-UPS

Girls 800 Meter Run Division II
2 Melanie Zibrat: Ironwood Ridge 2:18.29

Girls Triple Jump Division II
2 Nicole Fotinos: Sahuaro 37-07

Boys High Jump Division I
2 Justice Somerset: Mountain Vie 6-06

Boys Long Jump Division II
2 Cole Sterns: Sahuaro 22-00.75

THIRD PLACE FINISHERS

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division I
3 Ryan Silva: Rincon University 9:12.00

Boys Discus Throw Division II
3 Garrett Kohnke: Sahuaro 147-08

COMPLETE RESULTS

(Through Wednesday)

Girls Pole Vault Division I
15 Amanda Widen: Cienega 9-06

Girls Triple Jump Division I
10 Kenniss Pannell: Cienega 34-05.50

Girls Shot Put Division I
6 Candice Butler: Buena 38-09
10 Shalise Borden: Marana 35-01
15 Tatum Hale: Mountain View 33-10

Girls 800 Meter Run Division II
2 Melanie Zibrat: Ironwood Ridge 2:18.29
4 Katie Izzo: Catalina Foothills 2:19.92
5 Bridgette Doucet: Canyon Del Oro 2:20.51
10 Melissa Williams: Sahuarita 2:23.25
13 Anza Wiedenkeller: Catalina Foothills 2:24.05
14 Sarah Lansey: Catalina Foothills 2:25.34
15 Sarah Bock: Ironwood Ridge 2:25.75
17 Sarrah Boughan: Canyon Del Oro 2:26.10

Girls 1600 Meter Run Division II
5 Doucet, Bridgette 10 Canyon Del Oro 5:12.10
10 Heather Dowdall: Sahuaro 5:23.32
11 Sarah Bock: Ironwood Ridge 5:25.92
13 Hannah Whetzel: Catalina Foothills 5:26.70
14 Sarrah Boughan: Canyon Del Oro 5:28.16
15 Barbara Bruno: Canyon Del Oro 5:29.83
17 Katheran Otto: Ironwood Ridge 5:33.13
18 Ciara Kennedy: Salpointe Catholic 5:33.35
19 Madeline Roberts: Ironwood Ridge 5:33.81
21 Alessandra Vanasco: Catalina Foothills 5:34.31
22 Carissa Lucero: Flowing Wells 5:37.38

Girls Triple Jump Division II
1 Alyssa Thompson: Salpointe Catholic 39-07
2 Nicole Fotinos: Sahuaro 37-07
4 Emily Gerard: Catalina Foothills 35-00
8 Haylee Thompson: Salpointe Catholic 33-09.75
13 Lauren Pisani: Salpointe Catholic 32-08.50

Girls Shot Put Division II
5 Caitlin Campbell: Flowing Wells 35-09.50
18 Alejandra Gomez: Nogales 32-10.75
24 Elle Rubner: Catalina Foothills 28-03.50

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division I
3 Ryan Silva: Rincon University 9:12.00
15 Jacob Boubion: Mountain View 9:44.85
16 Brandon Dorr: Rincon University 9:46.31
23 Lance Pedersen: Mountain View 9:59.95

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay Division I
6 Mountain View 8:02.14
13 Buena 8:12.57

Boys High Jump Division I
2 Justice Somerset: Mountain Vie 6-06
4 Christian Poe: Cienega 6-06
4 Quinton Anzalone: Tucson 6-06

Boys Long Jump Division I
7 Levi Wallace: Tucson 22-04
8 Christian Poe: Cienega 21-11.75
14 Ben Sims: Buena 21-04

Boys Discus Throw Division I
5 Alexander Wellington: Tucson 160-02

Boys 3200 Meter Run Division II
1 Andrew Garcia: Canyon Del Oro 9:31.12
4 Brandon McKay: Ironwood Ridge 9:36.36
6 Emilio Vasquez: Catalina Foothills 9:47.98
7 Jacob Bruno: Canyon Del Oro 9:48.97
11 Kyel Powell: Sahuaro 9:54.80
12 Jeffrey Gautreau: Salpointe Catholic 9:55.35
14 John Henry Hervol: Flowing Wells 9:56.07

Boys 4×800 Meter Relay Division II
1 Catalina Foothills 8:04.76
10 Sahuarita 8:22.19

Boys High Jump Division II
4 Obang Odol: Canyon Del Oro 6-06.00
12 Trej Bell: Sahuaro 5-10

Boys Pole Vault Division II
10 Mark Crawford: Ironwood Ridge 13-00

Boys Long Jump Division II
2 Cole Sterns: Sahuaro 22-00.75
26 Christian Chaira: Sahuaro 18-09.25

Boys Discus Throw Division II
3 Garrett Kohnke: Sahuaro 147-08
8 Javier Castillo: Nogales 135-04
14 Aubrey Littleton: Sahuaro 123-07

May 10-11: Antelope Hills GC, Prescott

FIRST TEE

11:44 AM
Kennedie Montoya, Thatcher

11:52 AM
Nick Jevas, Thatcher

12:00 PM
Weston Lewis, Safford
Michael Rooyakkers, Tanque Verde
Jacob Barnes, Desert Christian

12:08 PM
Ryan Karnes, Safford
Robert Dybus, Tanque Verde
Nick Latta, Desert Christian

12:16 PM
Ethan Karnes, Safford
Cameron Moncada, Tanque Verde
Grayson Barghols, Pusch Ridge

12:24 PM
Steven Vlassis, Safford
Stephen Sprague, Tanque Verde
Jacob Giacome, Pusch Ridge

12:32 PM
Seth Lowery, Safford
Greg Wheeler, Tanque Verde
Drake Regalado, Willcox

12:40 PM
Nathan Tipler, Willcox

All-ACCAC Conference

MEN

First Team
Caleb Herrera (Pusch Ridge) – 5,000-meter race
Labriel Leach (Catalina) – 400-meter hurdles

Second Team
Ruben Canastillo (Pueblo) – 4×100-meter relay
Jose Rojas (Rio Rico) – 3,000-meter steeplechase
Lance Ross (Flowing Wells) – 4×100-meter relay
Lucas Ruiz (Flowing Wells) – 1,500-meter race

WOMEN

First Team
Esther Estrada (Nogales) – 5,000-meter race
Nikki Regalado (Cienega) – 1,500-meter race

Second Team
Kathy Fisher (Sahuaro) – 400-meter hurdles
Kathy Fisher (Sahuaro) – 4×100-meter relay
Alexandra Haskell (Empire) – 4×100-meter relay
Alexandra Haskell (Empire) – 400-meter race
Diona Johnson (Buena) – 4×100-meter relay

Emily Robinson. Andy Morales Photo.

MORE PHOTOS

Before Wednesday night, Canyon del Oro had only missed playing in one state championship game since 2005. A third place finish in 2010 was their only blemish in that streak until Ironwood Ridge shut them down 4-0.

Leading the way for the Nighthawks was junior pitcher Emily Robinson. Robinson recorded her third straight shutout in the Division II playoffs on the back of an excellent defense that helped hold the Dorado hitting machine to only three hits.

Becca Ziegler recorded two of those hits against Robinson and Niki Gonzalez had the other but there was no real threat against Robinson in the game.

CDO senior pitcher Alexis Alfonso collected eight strikeouts against Ironwood Ridge but the Nighthawks were able to come up with some timely hitting while also taking full advantage of several Dorado miscues.

Robyn Porter and Loriann Olson opened up the third inning with back-to-back hits but Alfonso was able to keep them off the scoreboard by recording three straight outs but that changed with a lead-off double by Alex Rapp in the fourth.

With Rapp waiting at second base, Crista Braunreiter reached on a fielding error and Rapp came around to score on a throwing error on the same play.

Erin Rocker reached on a fielder’s choice and then Lexi Adelberg walked to set up Porter who then picked up her second hit of the game to score the second run.

Ironwood Ridge scored two more runs in the sixth. Porter reached on a one-out walk and Olson followed with a bunt for a hit. Reina Bondi loaded the bases after she reached on an error and Merilee Miller followed that with a perfect bunt to score Casey Fisher who was running for Porter.

The bases remained loaded for Alexis Clinton and she drew a walk to score Olson. Alfonso picked up a double play to get out of the jam but the damage was done, 4-0.

Ironwood Ridge erased both of their regular season losses to Canyon del Oro by winning when it counted the most. It was in direct contrast to last year when the Nighthawks had a 3 games to 1 advantage only to lose to CDO late in the playoffs.

Randy Anway had coached the Nighthawks to a third place finish last year after reaching the 5A-II title game in 2011 and he is now one game away from getting back to the final game again. (Anway also guided the team to a final appearance in 2008).

Ironwood Ridge will face Greenway on Friday night in Phoenix for a shot at the top-seeded Sunrise Mountain team on Monday night. Anway will be stepping down after this season and it appears he just might have all the pieces in place this year to get him over the top.

He has guided his final group of standouts from a 16 seed in 2010 to a contender two years in a row.

Likewise, Stephanie Nicholson put together a winning team that competed against the very best in the post Kayla Bonstrom era. A fourth place finish would normally be considered a successful season but I’m sure the team will be back again next year.

A few local teams had talent equal to or greater than CDO but Nicholson was able to build a winning chemistry.

NOTES

It has been confirmed that CDO third baseman Heather Knight suffered a concussion in the game.

As you may know, my daughter Maggie plays for CDO. As an early starter, she contributed to the team on the field until she was called upon to play more of a supportive role near the end of the season. I am even more proud of her after she continued to contribute in any way she could.

Watching her play made it difficult for me to get out and see a lot of other sports with boy’s volleyball suffering the most. I feel I was still able to see a lot of teams and a lot of kids play – I know more than anybody in the state.

Finally, this is what I wrote at the end of last season:

“The attention now shifts to Anway and Ironwood Ridge. They, by far, have the most talent coming into their program and will be the team to beat in the next generation of softball.”

Ironwood Ridge, Empire and San Manuel are the only Southern Arizona teams left. All three are scheduled to play on Friday night in Phoenix.

DIVISION II

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Wednesday, May 8
4 Ironwood Ridge beat 2 Canyon del Oro, 4-0

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Friday, May 10: Rose Mofford
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 7 Greenway, 5:30 pm

DIVISION III

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Rose Mofford
1 Empire vs. 5 Estrella Foothills, 5:30 pm

DIVISION IV

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Rose Mofford
2 San Manuel vs. 14 Miami, 7:30 pm

Morgan McKeever. Southern Miss Photo.

Former Sahuaro standout Morgan McKeever was named to 2013 Conference USA’s 11-member All-Freshman team on Wednesday, May 8.

McKeever transferred in to Southern Miss in January from Miami of Ohio and made an immediate impact as the team’s opening day third base starter. After 11 games, an injury to starter Meaghen Nelson forced her to move to second and 17 games later, a defection from the team put McKeever at shortstop where she has started the past 25 games. According to a news release, no other team member who has started at three positions has started more than five games there.

Prior to taking over the shortstop position, that spot in the defense had committed 10 errors through 29 starts. In McKeever’s 25 games at short, she has committed just two errors and those came in the same game against Memphis back on April 6 meaning she has played 98 consecutive innings without making an error and has just seven on the year encompassing three positions.

McKeever has also led the conference in assists with 123 for the majority of the season and enters the tournament second behind Houston’s Holly Anderson (125).

Former Buena pitcher Kaitlin Wilson also made the move from Miami of Ohio to Southern Miss after Kelly Kovach Schoenly resigned from Miami to accept the Ohio State position.

Former University of Arizona standout Brittany Lastrapes was hired as one of Miami of Ohio’s new assistants. (The school uses one of my photos of Lastrapes).

Southern Miss is co-coached by the husband and wife team of Jon Malgradi and Kirsten Voak. Malgradi coached at Seton Catholic, Central Arizona and Mesa before being hired at Southern Miss two years ago.

Voak was a standout pitcher at ASU and later became an assistant coach for the Sun Devils before joining her husband at Southern Miss.

Portions from news release.

In what St. Augustine coach Tim Bentley believes was a clerical error on the part of the AIA, the Division III qualifying times in the 100 meter dash might have been applied to D-IV participants when names were entered into the system.

The correction and use of the corrected provisional time of 11.65 (down from 11.93) eliminated the following athletes from participating:

16 Rios, Christian 12 Ray 11.66
17 Bernal, Dylan 12 Benson 11.67
18 Kirker, Christian 10 Morenci 11.68
19 Galvan, Josh 10 St Augustine 11.69
20 Bates, Tyler 11 Morenci 11.74
21 Otey, Dontae 10 Tombstone 11.75
22 Parker, Xavier Canyon State 11.77
23 Scott, Jatwon Canyon State 11.77
24 Boberg, Will 10 Tombstone 11.79

For our purposes, Benson, St. Augustine and Tombstone are part of Southern Arizona.

Bentley points out that only 15 boys in the state would have qualified for the 100m last year under the lower standard, “The nine boys removed from the 100 would have provisional, and sometimes automatic, qualifying marks in every year since 2008 that the AIA has had qualifying marks.”

Bentley believes the correct qualifying time should have been 11.89 if properly applied yet coaches are forbidden by the AIA to enter athletes that do not qualify (mistake or not), which, oddly, means the fault lies with the coaches rather than the use of an incorrect qualifying time.

At any rate, there will only be 15 D-IV athletes in the 100m dash this spring unless, of course, a court injunction is put in place such as was used last year when Cienega’s Edgar Poe was left out of the 110-meter hurdles.

No word if one was being sought this year.