‘Catz’s magical season over following loss to Alisal in CCS play-in match
Watsonville High senior Joshua Anaya leaps for a kill over a pair of Alisal High defenders during the teams’ Central Coast Section boys’ volleyball play-in match on May 8. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian) Correction: A previous version of this story said the Watsonville boys’ volleyball team last won a league championship in 2016, which is not […]
Watsonville High senior Joshua Anaya leaps for a kill over a pair of Alisal High defenders during the teams’ Central Coast Section boys’ volleyball play-in match on May 8. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian)
Correction: A previous version of this story said the Watsonville boys’ volleyball team last won a league championship in 2016, which is not true. Watsonville won a league championship in 2022.
The historical run for the Watsonville boys’ volleyball team came to a crushing end following a loss to Alisal in the Central Coast Section postseason play-in match on May 8.
Despite capturing the Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division crown with a perfect 14-0 record in league play, the Wildcatz still had to claw their way in for a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
They fell in three sets 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 to the Trojans—third place finishers in the PCAL Gabilan Division, which is two levels above the Cypress.
“We worked so hard not to lose a single game, and be first within our division,” Watsonville senior and team captain Joshua Anaya said. “I think we should at least be considered to get into CCS rather than having to fight a team that’s third, not even the first [place] team in a different division.”
Anaya and his fellow ‘Catz teammates put up a fight for most of the match, yet they were highly outmatched by a more seasoned Alisal squad that competed in the PCAL’s top tier this season.
“The thing that makes it challenging is because a couple of us are young,” Anaya said. “The whole team for Aliso plays club, so it’s just a different tempo, different background to that.”
Watsonville head coach Crystal Cornejo-Perez wasn’t too keen on having to play the Trojans, who had already swept the ‘Catz in three sets on March 11.
“The boys definitely improved over the season, they did much better today,” she said. “I think we could have done better, but I also think it kind of sucks that we got set up with one of the top dogs in the toughest [division]. Just kind of felt they always try to shut the little ones out.”
The ‘Catz finished with a 15-9 overall record, including last week’s CCS play-in loss. It was a dramatic turnaround season for them after they finished with a 5-15 overall record in 2024, and placed fifth in the Mission Division with a 3-9 record in league play.
This year they nearly swept through the Cypress Division by losing just five sets in league play, and en route to the program’s first league title since 2022 and third championship overall.
“I wasn’t expecting much, however, I’m incredibly proud how far we’ve actually come,” Anaya said. “I think it’s a huge accomplishment coming from being a freshman going to CCS, and then finishing it off going to a play-in [match] senior year.”
The closest match for them was a victory over Pajaro Valley in five 25-16, 25-12, 26-28, 22-25, 15-11 on April 28. Anaya had 15 kills and 16 digs that evening, while teammate junior Logan Franc finished with 20 kills and 11 digs.
“Repspectfully, the competition wasn’t as high as I expected,” Cornejo-Perez said. “Other schools were struggling with getting boys’ volleyball, so they had a lot of new players, as well. Luckily we had those experienced players that formed the little ones and taught them.”
However, the ‘Catz did finish 1-8 in non-league play with losses to formidable opponents such as Salians out of the PCAL Gabilan, and Mission Division champion Palma.
Alisal along with Palma each qualified and lost in the CCS playoffs that featured just three divisions: Open Division, D-I and D-II. Each one of those divisions was packed with even more challenging opponents from far and near.
Perhaps it was the lack of experience, and strength of schedule, that caught up to this young group of ‘Catz. But either way, they should have a bright future ahead of them.
“It was rough from the start but it continued to go on, I think we built a family together,” Anaya said. “We were discouraged a little bit, however, each individual has grown so much. Overall, that was the important part of being able to play on this team, being together as one.”
Anaya this season led the ‘Catz with 150 total kills and 43 served aces, and was second on the team with 112 digs, according to statistics on the Monterey Bay Preps website. Franc finished with a team-best 136 digs to go along with 40 aces and 131 kills, finishing just behind Anaya.
“As much as we joke around and everything, sometimes it’s time to be serious,” Anaya said. “However, we still have that mentality of we’re here for fun. We all hang out together, play video games. Just building that bond, knowing that we have each other’s backs.”
Other ‘Catz standouts this season included sophomore Ricardo Ramirez, who led the team with 251 assists, and senior Diego Hidalgo with 170 assists. Teammate senior Andres Cardenas was also a big contributor as he finished with 74 kills, 60 digs and 32 aces for Watsonville.
The rest of the group was made up of rising underclassmen in sophomores Edwin Cornejo and Danny Lopez, and freshmen Kaiden Peña and Khriss Reyes.
“I felt it was a really young, inexperienced team, and I was really surprised with the outcome this year,” Cornejo-Perez said. “I was just gonna go with the flow, see what the season brought us. But the boys really impressed me, and they really took it home.”
Marshall closes freshman season with 11th-place finish at 2025 USATF U20 Championships
Story Links
EUGENE, Ore. – Indiana State freshman thrower Olivia Marshall wrapped up her debut season as a Sycamore Friday, placing 11th in the shot put at the USATF U20 Championships. Marshall recorded a top throw of 13.61m (44-8) in Friday’s competition, which also closed the 2024-25 season for […]
EUGENE, Ore. – Indiana State freshman thrower Olivia Marshall wrapped up her debut season as a Sycamore Friday, placing 11th in the shot put at the USATF U20 Championships.
Marshall recorded a top throw of 13.61m (44-8) in Friday’s competition, which also closed the 2024-25 season for Indiana State. The Sycamores had four freshmen – Marshall, Gnister Grant Peyton Smith and Emma Yoder – earn spots at the U20 Championships.
The 2024-25 season was a strong one for Marshall, as she placed in the top 10 in the MVC in four of the five events she competed in between the indoor and outdoor conference championships. She finished in a scoring position for the Blue and White in the shot put at the indoor championships, and placed in the top 10 in both the shot put and hammer throw at the outdoor championships.
With the 2024-25 season coming to a close Friday, the future for Sycamore Track and Field remains extremely bright. More than 80 percent of the Sycamores’ scoring from their MVC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship came from freshmen and sophomores, while nearly 60 percent of the Sycamores’ 200-plus points in the MVC Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship came from underclassmen. Indiana State also had six program records, including one MVC record, and 45 program top-10 marks set during the 2025 outdoor season.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track & Field and Cross Country teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
San Diego High’s Jasir Fontenot leads All-CIF boys track and field team
2025 All-CIF San Diego Section boys track and field team Track Athlete of the Year: Jasir Fontenot, San Diego A freshman, Fontenot took the track world by storm. He posted the third-fastest mark all-time and a California record in the 100 hurdles, running a time of 13.31 seconds in the state meet Prelims. He won […]
2025 All-CIF San Diego Section boys track and field team
Track Athlete of the Year: Jasir Fontenot, San Diego
A freshman, Fontenot took the track world by storm. He posted the third-fastest mark all-time and a California record in the 100 hurdles, running a time of 13.31 seconds in the state meet Prelims. He won the state meet with a 13.21, but the mark was wind-aided. He won the CIF San Diego Section championship with a wind-aided 13.40. He also won at the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays after placing second at the Arcadia Invitational.
Field Athlete of the Year: ZeShaun Daley, El Camino
A senior, Daley placed sixth in the state in the triple jump with a season best 47 feet, 10 ½ inches. He was the San Diego Section champion, jumping 47-9 1/4 at the section championships and placing fourth in the long jump with a mark of 22-10 1/4.
Coach of the Year: Danny Perez, Mission Bay
First team
Event: Name, School, Year
100: Elliot Getz, Mission Bay, Sr.
200: Laurence Burston, Helix, Sr.
400: Davis Slaughter, Mt. Carmel, Sr.
800: Josiah Bowman, Sage Creek, Jr.
1,600: Cameron Yarbrough, Del Norte, Jr.
3,200: Liam Beighley, Mission Hills, Sr.
100 hurdles: Jasir Fontenot, San Diego, Fr.
300 hurdles: Jayden Bailey, Mission Bay, Sr.
4×100 relay: Harlem Harris (Sr.), Spencer Gray (Sr.), Jeremy Robinson (Fr.) and Laurence Burston (Sr.), Helix
4X400 relay: Abdul Gray (Fr.), Harrison Caufield (Sr.), Bryce Barrus (Sr.) and David Slaughter (Sr.), Mt. Carmel
4×800 relay: Thijs van Eldik Thieme (Sr.), Benjamin Stephens (Jr.), Brandon Sun (Jr.) and Nathan Bamford (Jr.), Scripps Ranch
Long jump: Mekhi Oluwa, Mater Dei Catholic, Jr.
Triple jump: ZeShaun Daley, El Camino, Sr.
High jump: Alijah Cheeks, Mission Bay, So.
Discus: Jayden Gibbs, Oceanside, Jr.
Shot put: Jayden Gibbs, Oceanside, Jr.
Pole vault: Dylan Yarbrough, San Dieguito Academy, Jr.
NOTE: Team based on results from CIF San Diego Section championships.
Mountaineers Cap Competition at the USATF U20 Championships
Story Links
EUGENE, Ore. – Nine Mountaineers represented App State at the USATF U20 Championships in Eugene, Ore. on Thursday and Friday. The Mountaineers tallied a trio of top-five finishes on the week.
“It was a great learning experience for the U20 athletes to come out here to historic […]
EUGENE, Ore. – Nine Mountaineers represented App State at the USATF U20 Championships in Eugene, Ore. on Thursday and Friday. The Mountaineers tallied a trio of top-five finishes on the week.
“It was a great learning experience for the U20 athletes to come out here to historic Hayward Field,” said director of track & field/cross country Damion McLean. “For those who may qualify next year, it will be a different story for them, but this meet is a great opportunity for our newcomers who qualify to build excitement to compete in the Black and Gold and be part of the Mountaineer family.”
Rising sophomore Henry Stark finished fourth with a time of 8:30.53 and fellow rising sophomore Memphis Rich placed fifth with a time of 8:32.46 in the men’s 3,000 meters. The pair moved to fourth and fifth in the App State all-time list for the event. In the men’s 1,500 meters, incoming freshmen Bryant Young and Tate Shore placed fourth (3:55.31) and sixth (3:55.86), respectively.
Incoming freshman Allie Kinlaw placed eighth in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:15.71. Rising sophomore Thomas Wlazlowski also finished eighth in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking a time of 9:18.80. He remains 10th in the App State all-time list in the event with a personal best of 9:03.65, which he set at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships (May 8-10).
In the women’s triple jump, incoming freshman Alana Braxton recorded a leap of 12.24m (40′ 2″) to place eighth overall. Braxton went on to place 11th in the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.55m (18′ 2.5″), while fellow incoming freshman Kelly MacBride took 12th with a leap of 5.25m (17′ 2.75″).
Thomas records runner-up finish at USATF U20 Championships
Story Links
Results
USA Track & Field Statement on Pan American U20 Championships
EUGENE, Ore. – North Dakota track and field thrower Ethan Thomas competed in the shot put at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships on Friday night and finished […]
EUGENE, Ore. – North Dakota track and field thrower Ethan Thomas competed in the shot put at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships on Friday night and finished as the runner-up with a toss of 68-7 3/4 (20.92m). With that throw, Thomas currently ranks No. 9 in the United States all-time with the 6kg shot put weight. His second-place finish was also the best by any individual at the meet in UND’s Division I history.
In the shot put on Friday, Thomas recorded the runner-up finish with his opening throw of 68-7 3/4 (20.92m). Jackson Cantwell was the only competitor with a better mark than Thomas and won the crown with a toss of 69-8 (21.23m). Historically, both Thomas and Cantwell would have advanced and competed for the United States in the Pan American U20 Championships in July, but USA Track & Field announced 10 days ago that they would not be fielding a team for the meet due to logistical concerns. The Pan American U20 Championships will take place from July 11-13, in Villavicencio, Colombia.
Thomas also took part in the discus on Thursday evening but did not record a mark in the event. He is the first North Dakota student-athlete to compete in both the shot put and discus at the USATF U20 Championships in UND’s Division I era.
At the Triton Invitational at the beginning of April, Thomas qualified for the USATF U20 Championships with a shot put throw of 63-7 3/4 (19.40m) in the elite section and captured the title. With that throw, he obliterated the previous program record of 58-10 (17.93m), which was set by Chris Evenson at the 2021 Mizzou Spring Opener.
During the final week of the regular season, Thomas also qualified for the meet in the discus with a mark of 181-3 (55.24m) at the NDSU Tune-Up and won the crown. That throw currently sits No. 2 in UND history.
Most recently, Thomas finished 35th in the shot put with a throw of 57-11 1/4 (17.66m) at the NCAA West Preliminary Round. His throw gave him the longest throw at the NCAA West Regional in program history. By throwing the shot at the regional, he became just the fourth UND student-athlete on the men’s side to compete in the event at the meet in program history.
At the Summit League Outdoor Championships, Thomas was a two-time All-Summit League performer and was named the Newcomer of the Championship at the conclusion of the meet. He was the silver medalist in the javelin (201-10, 61.53m) and earned the bronze medal in the shot put (58-0 1/4, 17.68m).
During the regular season, Thomas set the school record in the shot put (63-7 3/4, 19.40m), is No. 2 in UND history in the discus (181-3, 55.24m), No. 5 in the javelin (201-10, 61.53m) and No. 10 in the hammer throw (175-8, 53.54m). He won nine event titles during the season, highlighted by four shot put crowns.
For more information on North Dakota track & field, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDtrackfieldXC.
Best beaches in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie: Blind Creek nude beach
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, South Causeway, Jetty Park, Avalon, Gulfstream, John Brooks, Frederick Douglass, Kimberly Bergalis top the list. Let’s go to the beach — in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie. These are the best beaches in the area, either popular and packed with people or lesser-known with small parking lots to […]
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, South Causeway, Jetty Park, Avalon, Gulfstream, John Brooks, Frederick Douglass, Kimberly Bergalis top the list.
Let’s go to the beach — in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie.
These are the best beaches in the area, either popular and packed with people or lesser-known with small parking lots to keep crowds away.
This list includes whether these beaches have restrooms and outdoor showers, as well as other amenities such as picnic pavilions and sand volleyball courts. All have parking lots, some paved and others not.
No lifeguards are on duty unless otherwise noted. All are free except state parks. No pets, alcohol, fires, camping or fireworks are allowed at beaches in Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County — with the exception of Walton Rocks Beach in Jensen Beach, which allows pets.
Here are the 16 best beaches in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie, from north to south in St. Lucie County.
Vero Beach: 15 best beaches includes Jaycee Park, South Beach, Round Island, Sebastian Inlet
Staff pick: Entertainment reporter loves Fort Pierce beach for surfing, snorkeling
Avalon State Park
North State Road A1A, 4 miles north of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park or 9 miles south of Vero Beach
Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
$2 per vehicle, pedestrians and bicyclists (use honor box to pay fees; correct change required)
Includes 1.7 miles of beach, restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, paved parking, nature trail
Popular surf spot for beginner and intermediate surfers
Pepper Park Beachside
3302 N. State Road A1A, Fort Pierce
52-acre park next to National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
Open 24 hours daily
Lifeguards on duty during day
Includes restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, grills, sand volleyball court, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball court, paved parking
Popular beginner surf spot and snorkeling spot because of shallow reefs about 100 yards offshore and Urca de Lima shipwreck, the state’s first underwater archeological preserve located in about 20 feet of water
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce
Half-mile of dune, coastal hammock and pristine beach
Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
$6 per vehicle up to 8 people; $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist, extra passenger
Includes restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, hiking trails, bicycle path, paved parking
Popular experienced surf spot and snorkeling spot because of rocky jetty to see snook, lobsters, sea turtles, nurse sharks, tropical fish, jacks and the occasional hogfish
Snorkeling: 6 best snorkel spots in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Stuart
Surfing: 6 best beginner surf spots in Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Stuart
South Causeway Beach
Jetty Park Beach (Fort Pierce Beach)
Seaway Drive and State Road A1A, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, pavilions, deck, bike rack, paved parking lot
Walk along the South Jetty to see manatees and dolphins when conditions allowed and watch kite surfers on windy days fly across the water
Porpoise Beach
Gulfstream Beach
State Road A1A and Gulfstream Avenue, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Small paved parking lot
South Beach Park
Kimberly Bergalis Memorial Park
S. Ocean Drive and Melaleuca Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, showers, pavilions, grills, paved parking lot
Named after 23-year-old woman who died of AIDS-related illnesses in 1991 after she was infected with HIV by a Jensen Beach dentist
Surfside Park
Coconut Drive Park
Blue Heron Beach
John Brooks Park Beachside
3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
226-acre upland and wetland preserve with 2 miles of beachfront dunes
Includes wooden ramp dune crossover with covered viewing area, small unpaved parking lot
Named after environmental activist John Brooks
Only beach that allows horseback riding tours
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park
3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, pavilions, picnic tables, unpaved parking lot
Named after the famous African-American abolitionist, editor and author
Middle Cove Beach
Blind Creek Beachside
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.
Wednesday, June 25, Coronado Fire Station Venue (126 Orange Ave) You’re invited to an evening of fun, community, and purpose as we come together to support the Alzheimer’s Association in the heart of Coronado. Enjoy a lively cocktail hour starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a spirited game of Bunco from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned Bunco […]
Wednesday, June 25, Coronado Fire Station Venue (126 Orange Ave)
You’re invited to an evening of fun, community, and purpose as we come together to support the Alzheimer’s Association in the heart of Coronado. Enjoy a lively cocktail hour starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a spirited game of Bunco from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned Bunco pro or brand new to the game, it’s all about rolling the dice for a cause that matters.
Enjoy raffles, prizes, signature cocktails, light bites, and surprises throughout the night. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Bring your friends, your lucky dice, and your heart for giving. Let’s roll for awareness, support families, and raise critical funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. For more information and to purchase your ticket, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1393131938129?aff=oddtdtcreator.
