Sports

Third annual ‘Battle in the Bay’ moves Back Bay water polo rivals from pool to ocean

It’s been a big week for Newport Harbor High junior Connor Ohl. The sharp-shooting boys’ water polo player committed to Stanford earlier this week. He then turned 18 on Thursday, the same day the Sailors hosted the third annual “Battle in the Bay” showcase against rival Corona del Mar in the water next to Marina […]

Published

2 months ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

It’s been a big week for Newport Harbor High junior Connor Ohl.

The sharp-shooting boys’ water polo player committed to Stanford earlier this week. He then turned 18 on Thursday, the same day the Sailors hosted the third annual “Battle in the Bay” showcase against rival Corona del Mar in the water next to Marina Park on the Balboa Peninsula.

Ohl gave himself a birthday gift.

Corona del Mar's Cooper Kelly (3) finds a gap in the defense as he scores a goal on Thursday.

He was named the KAP7 Player of the Game for the boys’ match, earning a stand-up paddleboard for his efforts.

Newport Harbor swept the two games, winning the girls’ game 17-5 before earning a 15-8 win in the boys’ game.

“We really came together and our crash defense was just amazing,” said Ohl, who led the Sailors with four goals in the boys’ game. “When you play good defense, the offense will come, and that’s what happened today. Our defense complemented our offense.”

Newport Harbor's Kai Kaneko (8) fires in a penalty shot against CdM on Thursday.

The Battle in the Bay has become an annual event that the Newport Beach water polo community circles on its calendar. Newport Harbor looked the part of a team that was a CIF Southern Section Open Division champion in the boys’ season last fall, and an Open Division finalist in the girls’ season in the winter.

“It’s such a unique spot,” Sailors coach Ross Sinclair said. “It’s unique to play in the Battle of the Bay, and I think this is another added element of celebrating the community and being able to play in the bay. It’s a novelty.”

Members of the Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar girls water polo teams shake hands after the game on Thursday.

Kai Kaneko added three goals for the Sailors boys, while Dash D’Ambrosia, Hudson Parks and Mason Netzer scored twice each. Koosha Mirrafati led CdM with three goals.

“It’s a cool thing for our community to come together and do something that no other programs in the country get to do,” CdM coach Lucas Reynolds said, adding that he was a bit jealous the event wasn’t around when he was a CdM student. “Being able to play in the bay, play so close to home in a really cool environment, I think it’s an awesome opportunity for our kids.”

Newport Harbor senior goalkeeper Lydia Soderberg was the Player of the Game for the girls’ match. Some of her Sailors teammates blew up her inflatable paddleboard and watched the boys’ game while perched on it.

Newport Harbor's Audrey Metcalf (5) fires a shot to the goal against Corona del Mar on Thursday.

Caitlin Stayt and Gabby Alexson led the Sailors with three goals each, while Josie Alaluf had two goals for CdM.

Newport Harbor also benefited from strong play from freshmen, including Lily Tomalas, Vivian Muir, Olivia Bryant and goalkeeper Sutton Lohman. They stepped up, as four Sailors — Madison Mack, Kennedy Fahey, Addison Ting and Caroline Daniels — are currently playing for the U.S. Cadet National Team at the PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships in Colombia.

“This is just a really unique experience,” Stayt said. “We love coming out here and being with the community, being with each other.”

CdM's Camyrn Spruill (12) shoots in a goal against Newport Harbor between the boat docks in Marina Park on Thursday.

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Julian Katz, the man South Bay Assemblymember Al Muratuschi called “The Cycling King of the South Bay”

Published

14 minutes ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Rabbi Joshua Kalev, Gila Katz, California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Hermosa Beach Mayor Rob Saemann, and Beach Cities Health District CEO Tom Bakaly attend Shabbat service on Saturday, June 28, at the Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach. The late Julian Katz, who Assemblymember Muratsuchi described as “the cycling king of Hermosa Beach,” was honored after the service. Julian Katz helped create the South Bay Cycling Master Plan. “He shared his love of cycling with people of all ages,” Muratsuchi said. The annual Julian Katz Memorial Bike Ride will be on July 20.

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Sports on TV for Sunday, July 20

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, July 20 AUTO RACING 7:30 a.m. FS2 — FIM MotoGP:… (All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, July 20 AUTO RACING 7:30 a.m. FS2 — FIM MotoGP: The Czechia Grand Prix, Ostrovacice, Czechia 8:30 a.m. FS1 — NTT IndyCar Series: Warmup, Streets […]

Published

33 minutes ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, July 20 AUTO RACING 7:30 a.m. FS2 — FIM MotoGP:…

(All times Eastern)

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

Sunday, July 20

AUTO RACING

7:30 a.m.

FS2 — FIM MotoGP: The Czechia Grand Prix, Ostrovacice, Czechia

8:30 a.m.

FS1 — NTT IndyCar Series: Warmup, Streets of Toronto, Toronto

Noon

FOX — NTT IndyCar Series: The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Streets of Toronto, Toronto

2 p.m.

TNT — NASCAR Cup Series: The Challenge Round 4 – AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Dover Motor Speedway, Dover, Del.

TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: The Challenge Round 4 – AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Dover Motor Speedway, Dover, Del. (In-Season Challenge Alt-Cast)

2:30 p.m.

FS1 — NHRA: Qualifying, Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash. (Taped)

4:30 p.m.

FOX — NHRA: The Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash.

BASKETBALL (MEN’S)

12:30 p.m.

FS1 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

2:30 p.m.

FOX — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

5 p.m.

FS1 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

7 p.m.

FS1 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

FS2 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

9 p.m.

FS1 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

FS2 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

11 p.m.

FS2 — The Basketball Tournament: TBD, Round of 32

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Noon

CBS — AVP: Week 6 – Day 2, New York

2 p.m.

CBSSN — AVP: Week 6 – Day 2, New York

BIG3 BASKETBALL

3 p.m.

CBS — Week 6: LA Riot vs. Chicago Triplets, Dallas Power vs. Miami 305, DMV Trilogy vs. Detroit Amps, Houston Rig Hands vs. Boston Ball Hogs, Detroit

CYCLING

6:30 a.m.

PEACOCK — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 15, Muret / Carcassonne, France

2 p.m.

NBC — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 15, Muret / Carcassonne, France (Taped)

FLAG FOOTBALL (BOY’S)

Noon

ESPN — 2025 NFL Flag Championships: Semifinal, Canton, Ohio

1 p.m.

ESPN — 2025 NFL Flag Championships: TBD, Semifinal, Canton, Ohio

4 p.m.

ABC — 2025 NFL Flag Championships: TBD, Championship, Canton, Ohio

FLAG FOOTBALL (GIRL’S)

2 p.m.

ESPN — 2025 NFL Flag Championships: Semifinal, Canton, Ohio

3 p.m.

ESPN — 2025 NFL Flag Championships: TBD, Semifinal, Canton, Ohio

5 p.m.

ABC — 2025 NFL Flag Championships: TBD, Championship, Canton, Ohio

GOLF

4 a.m.

USA — DP World/PGA Tour: The Open Championship, Final Round, Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Ireland

7 a.m.

NBC — DP World/PGA Tour: The Open Championship, Final Round, Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Ireland

6 p.m.

GOLF — DP World/PGA Tour: The Barracuda Championship, Final Round, Tahoe Mountain Club, Truckee, Calif.

GYMNASTICS

4 p.m.

NBC — USAG: The U.S. Classic, Hoffman Estates, Ill. (Taped)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL (BOY’S)

9 a.m.

NBATV — EYBL Peach Jam: TBD, Augusta, S.C.

10:30 a.m.

NBATV — EYBL Peach Jam: TBD, Augusta, S.C.

1 p.m.

NBATV — EYBL Peach Jam: TBD, Augusta, S.C.

2:30 p.m.

NBATV — EYBL Peach Jam: TBD, Augusta, S.C.

HORSE RACING

1 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: Saratoga Live

MLB BASEBALL

1:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at Atlanta (1:35 p.m.) OR L.A. Angels at Philadelphia (1:35 p.m.)

4:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Houston at Seattle (4:10 p.m.) OR Milwaukee at L.A. Dodgers (4:10 p.m.)

7 p.m.

ESPN — Detroit at Texas

ESPN2 — Detroit at Texas (StatCast)

NBA BASKETBALL

6 p.m.

ESPNU — Summer League Tournament: TBD, Consolation Game, Las Vegas

8 p.m.

ESPNU — Summer League Tournament: TBD, Consolation Game, Las Vegas

10 p.m.

ESPN — Summer League Tournament: TBD, Championship, Las Vegas

RUGBY (WOMEN’S)

4:10 a.m.

FS2 — NRL: New Zealand at Newcastle

SAILING

11 a.m.

CBSSN — SailGP: Event 7 – Day 2, Portsmouth, England

2 p.m.

CBS — SailGP: Event 7 – Day 2, Portsmouth, England

TENNIS

5:30 a.m.

TENNIS — Gstaad-ATP Final

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Gstaad-ATP Final

8 a.m.

TENNIS — Hopman Cup Final; Bastad-ATP, Iasi-WTA Finals; Kitzbuhel-ATP, Umag-ATP Early Rounds

5 a.m. (Monday)

TENNIS — Kitzbuhel-ATP, Prague-WTA Early Rounds

6 a.m. (Monday)

TENNIS — Kitzbuhel-ATP, Prague-WTA Early Rounds

_____

Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Solvang celebrates the 4th with parade, fireworks

Perfect weather greets residents, proving that ‘Anything is Possible in America’ on its 249th birthday It was the perfect day, weatherwise, to celebrate the 4th of July. Throngs of people from near and far lined the sidewalks of Solvang to celebrate America’s 249th anniversary of its Independence Day with a patriotic parade whose theme this year was “Anything is Possible in America.” […]

Published

39 minutes ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Perfect weather greets residents, proving that ‘Anything is Possible in America’ on its 249th birthday

It was the perfect day, weatherwise, to celebrate the 4th of July. Throngs of people from near and far lined the sidewalks of Solvang to celebrate America’s 249th anniversary of its Independence Day with a patriotic parade whose theme this year was “Anything is Possible in America.”

The Grand Marshals of this year’s parade were Kay and Walt Alves. They moved to the Valley in 1959, and for the past 66 years, they have been steeped in volunteering. The couple has donated countless hours to Old Mission Santa Ines, the San Lorenzo Seminary and the Seminary Foundation, and the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum. But above all, the Alveses have been committed to the Rotary and Rotary International, both actively fundraising for Rotary’sscholarship program, with the two of them always cooking for Old Santa Ynez Days and Danish Days.

The winner of the Best Automobile, single, is the George Family 1929 Model A Roadster. Photos by Devyn Marseilles

There were 74 entries in this year’s colorful parade, all bedecked with red, white, and blue and the American flag. Following the singing of the national anthem by sixth-grader Evie Gerritsen, daughter of Griffin and Gigi Gerritsen, the parade started promptly at 10 a.m. with the Color Guard American Legion Post #160 leading the way, soon followed by the Alveses as Grand Marshals.

After that, the parade included several dignitaries, including the Solvang and Buellton mayors and City Councilmembers; newly named 2025 Danish Queen Addie Madrid, riding in a 1936 Ford Roadster; 2025 Youth Rec Queen Kacy Caplan with SYV Youth Recreation; and Miss Santa Ynez Old Days Rodeo Queen Hailee Taylor.

Many local organizations were present at the parade, including the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Solvang Senior Center, Atterdag Village, and Solvang Theaterfest. Santa Ynez High School sports programs were represented, among them the varsity and JV football teams — some of whom jumped off the back of the trailer and did push-ups — as well as players from the water polo and girls volleyball squads.

Many entries came to entertain and perform, such as local parade and event staple Garcia Dance Studio of Lompoc, Pacific Flips Gymnastics, and the dancing horses of Cuadras del Valle de Lompoc.

And there were the different vehicles that traveled down Mission Drive. They included military vehicles from the Flat Fender Friends, vintage cars from the Santa Maria Model A’s Ford Club, a coffinmobile right out of “The Munsters,” and of course, the Viking Ship steered by the Vikings from Solvang.

Central Coast Mini Riders Go Cart Hot Rod, and a Munster Coffinmobile was awarded the Most Original entry. Photo by Devyn Marseilles

The Rotary Club of Solvang, who sponsors the annual event, listed this year’s entry winners in numerous categories as follows: Sweepstakes: Hi Way One Hooligans, Rod Simmons; Best Use of Parade Theme: Miss Santa Ynez Old Days Rodeo with Queen Hailee Taylor and Beefer the mini cow; Most Patriotic: Daughters of the American Revolution; Most Original: Central Coast Mini Riders Munster Coffinmobile; Most Amusing: Solvang Theaterfest Comedian Orny Adams Show Sept 13, 2025; Most Unique: First Street Leather, Solvang; Best Band: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.; Best Singing Group: Agin Brothers, Cars & Cowboys; Best Singing, Single: Sanger Family of Wines; Best Family Group: Bob Jones, Four Generations of Joneses; Best Church Group: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Best Senior Group: Solvang Senior Center; Best Animal Group: Cuadras Unidas del Valle; Best Wagon Group: Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 Officer Wagon and Color Guard; Best Automobile Group: Vapor Trail Vettes; Best Automobile, Single: George Family 1928 Model A Roadster; Best Automobile, Restored: Bob and Margo Gould’s 1956 Chevy Nomad and 1958 Shasta Trailer; Best Automobile, Antique: Santa Maria Model A Ford Club; Best Automobile Antique Group: Rotary Club of Buellton; Best Fire Engine: Summerset Farm’s 1928 Stanford Fire Truck; Best Tractor: Chloe Hinnrich’s 1945 Farmall M Tractor; Best Equestrian Group: Charros Unidos of Costa Central; Best Equestrian, Single: Santa Maria Elks Outrider; Best Viking Ship: Vikings of Solvang; Best Color Guard: VFW Post 7139, American Legion Post 160; Best Street Sweeper: SP Maintenance Services; Road Apple Crew: Espuelas y Rebozos; Best Uncle Sam: Kevan Harder, Nielsen Building Materials; Best Sport Group: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School JV Football Team; Best Military Group: Flat Fender Friends; Best Dancing Group: Garcia Dance Group; Most Energetic: Pacific Flips Gymnastics; Best Group for a Cause: SYV Youth Recreation; Best School Group: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Water Polo Teams and Aquatics Foundation; Best Youth Group: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Girls Volleyball; and Best Audience Participation: Veggie Rescue.

“I love that I belong to this community,” said Becky Sutherland of Buellton. “The parade celebrates belonging here.”

After the parade, a 4th of July celebration was held all day, topped off with an evening of fireworks at the Santa Ines Mission.

Before the fireworks, though there was plenty to keep the crowd busy on the lawn in front of the mission. The area was full of food trucks with all varieties of cuisine, along with several vendors selling their products, as well as rides and activities for the kids. On the main stage, musical artists like King Bee, Jayden Secor, The Molly Ringwald Project, and DJ Peete had the crowds dancing.

Many people, though, chose to relax on the berm and wait for darkness to fall for the fireworks show.

Two of them were Celeste and Cathy Drach, who had seat right at the front, and they had to come early and get them.

“They allow us to come out and reserve a spot and we got to claim on Wednesday (July 2),” Celeste Drach said. “And there were people who got theirs earlier; I think the earliest I heard was June 30.”

Once it got dark and the berm filled up and it was time.

Incoming Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Board President Jennifer Hertler addressed the crowd, thanking the crowd and crediting the Solvang Rotary Club for their great job on the parade. And after a rousing version of the national anthem from recent SYHS graduate Ruby Andreu, the crowd enjoyed a magnificent fireworks show, again put on by local pyrotechician Kief Adler, which elicited many “oohs” and “aahs.”

4th of July 2025 Fireworks at Mission Santa Ines in Solvang. Photo by Mike Chaldu/SYVS

The Best Automobile Group was Vapor Trail Vettes. Photo by Devyn Marseilles

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UK government backs London bid to host the 2029 athletics world championships

LONDON (AP) — The British government has announced its support of London’s bid to host the 2029 athletics world championships.… LONDON (AP) — The British government has announced its support of London’s bid to host the 2029 athletics world championships. London hosted the biannual premier track-and-field event in 2017 at the London Stadium, which also […]

Published

44 minutes ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LONDON (AP) — The British government has announced its support of London’s bid to host the 2029 athletics world championships.…

LONDON (AP) — The British government has announced its support of London’s bid to host the 2029 athletics world championships.

London hosted the biannual premier track-and-field event in 2017 at the London Stadium, which also held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games. The plan is to stage the 2029 worlds at the same venue.

Saturday’s announcement included the government’s support of a bid for Britain to host the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships.

“Subject to funding from partners being confirmed, the government has agreed to provide significant funding for both bids, reflecting the UK’s ambition to once again bring the world’s greatest athletes to UK shores,” it said in a statement.

The announcement came with London hosting a Diamond League event on Saturday.

This year’s athletics worlds will take place in Tokyo in September. The 2027 edition will be held in Beijing.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he’s “delighted to support the bid.”

“The event would provide a boost for UK businesses and support jobs as well as bring our communities together,” he said in a statement.

___

AP Sports: https://apnews.com/sports

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NRLW: Jacinta Carter on embracing the Cronulla lifestyle

After winning the premiership with Newcastle in her first season of NRLW, Jacinta Carter has now moved to Cronulla in search of opportunities and she’s loving life in the Shire. Chatting to Declan Byrne on ‘The Saturday Sledge’, Carter talks about how she’s embraced her new home, who sat her down to tell her what […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Your Sports Nation