Nado Natterings Back to Islandersports
A weekly column by David Axelson

Nado Natterings
by David Axelson, Chief Executive Officer
The Islander Sports Foundation

26 March 2008 Issue No. 12

Coronado High School is often portrayed in ‘David vs. Goliath’ terms when it comes to athletics. For a school of approximately 1,100 students, the Islander sports program has for years won more than its share of CIF honors and accolades. During the 2007-08 academic year, the school has won CIF titles in Boys and Girls Water Polo, as well as Boys and Girls Soccer.

Last week the small, but valiant ‘David’ theme held for the CHS Baseball Team, as the Coronado Nine defeated in succession La Costa Canyon (enrollment 2,548), Fallbrook (2,901) and Eastlake (2,666), while playing in the Premier Division of the Lions Club Tournament. The winning skein ended with a loss to Vista (3,174) the second largest school in San Diego County , in the division championship final.

At the nexus of the large school vs. small school discussion is the fact that larger schools have a mathematically greater chance of having bigger, better, faster and stronger athletes, due to their larger enrollments. Success in baseball at all levels revolves around a smaller statistical sample – the number of pitchers you have that can retire opposing batters. This year Coronado is particularly strong pitching staff and in the five games the Islanders played last week, Coronado sent nine different pitchers to the mound, with several hurlers making more than one appearance.

Last Tuesday Coronado hosted La Costa Canyon and won the game 8-7 in eight innings in their second game of the Lions Club Tournament. Trailing at one point 5-2, Head Coach Sam Ceci received run support in the form of a three-run homer from Justin Parsons to tie the game. In the fifth inning, a hit batter, a walk, an RBI single from Parsons and an RBI sacrifice fly from Alex Rowan pushed across two runs for Coronado and gave the Islanders a 7-6 lead.

The Mavericks countered with a game-tying run of their own in the seventh inning, but a botched suicide squeeze attempt, which found Coronado’s catcher Blake Malkemus running down the LCC runner on the base path between third and home, limited the visitors to one run.

In the eighth inning, reliever Steve Conrad executed a unique pitching feat, retiring the side on three consecutive called strikeouts. In the bottom of the eight, shortstop Mason Mills reached on a walk and Malkemus doubled down the third base line, enabled Mills to score from first. The play was relatively close at the plate, but Mills was able to score the game-winning run.

The game also included a couple of fine defensive plays by Coronado, including an amazing throw from right fielder Bryan Crabb, who cut down a Maverick runner at third base, who was running on the front part of a well-executed hit-and-run play. Crabb threw a seed from deep right on the fly to just nip the LCC runner at third. There are numerous players patrolling Major League outfields who would not have been able to make that throw.

Another fine play was turned in by senior centerfielder Alex Rowan who made a very nice running catch for the first out in the sixth inning, covering a lot of real estate in the process.

The Islanders then embarked on a mini tour of San Diego County, playing their next game against Fallbrook at Vista High School, the location of which can best be described as ‘a long ride in a Cadillac.’ Neither the ride nor the Warriors did much to deter Coronado as the Islanders prevailed 6-3 on a complete game pitching effort courtesy of Bryan Crabb.

Fallbrook scored single runs in each of the first three innings, but Coronado came roaring back. “Bryan got a couple of hits himself,” Ceci recounted. “He had a triple and two RBIs. He hit the triple in the fifth inning and after that he was lights out on the mound. Parsons was 3-3 at the plate and Jake McMahon was 2-3 with a double. We had a total of 12 hits and we had some big hits with guys in scoring position. Fallbrook threatened a couple of times in the game, but couldn’t get it done.”

The following day the Islanders traveled to the campus of UCSD to face Eastlake in the Premier Division semi-finals and emerged with another victory, this time by the score of 5-0. Coronado’s Tucker Johnson started for Coronado, pitching four shutout innings. He was followed to the mound by the ubiquitous Parsons, who tossed three additional shutout innings. Fittingly, Johnson was awarded the win and Parsons earned the save.

“They couldn’t get the big hit,” Ceci said of Eastlake. “And things went right for us. We turned a couple of double plays. Once they had guys on first and third with nobody out and we got the guy on third in a rundown. We were pretty blessed. Timmy Leary crushed a home run for two RBIs. Rowan and McMahon both had RBI doubles. Eastlake didn’t challenge us in the game.”

The bad news in tournament play is that final round games are often played back-to-back and Coronado finished the Eastlake contest and turned right around a couple of hours later to face Vista in the division finals. “Vista just came out smoking,” Ceci said of the Panthers. “We were down by 3-0 going into the fourth inning and Leary hit a three-run homer to tie the score 3-3. Vista played inspired ball and they played with a lot of enthusiasm. They blasted Rancho Bernardo in the semi-final game. We ran out of gas at that point.”

The score in the Premier Division final was 11-4, but the larger picture was that Coronado after losing their first two games of the season ran off nine straight victories before being stopped by Vista. Coronado is now 9-3 overall. “It was a great week,” said Ceci.

Statistical leaders for Coronado through a dozen games include Tim Leary leading the way in batting average (.541), home runs (4), and RBIs (21). Leadoff hitter Kyle Pokorny leads the team in runs scored (13), while Keith Englehart has stolen a team-leading seven bases. Bryan Crabb leads in ERA at 1.65 and in strikeouts with 19, while Steve Conrad leads in wins and winning percentage with a record of 3-0.

The Islanders will now compete in the City Conference Tournament, where they play three more games this week. The tournament starts with a home game Monday against San Diego High School, a Wednesday game at Mira Mesa and a Friday home game against Crawford. All three games start at 3 pm.

CHS Softball Defeats Mater Dei 6-5

The Islander Softball Team displayed some tenacity on the field last week as well, traveling to face fellow Division IV opponent Mater Dei (formerly Marian Catholic) and coming away with a 6-5 victory. The offensive fireworks started in the second inning, with a leadoff triple from Jessica Adair. Two Islanders were retired and a walk was issued to Briana Feist before leadoff hitter Rosie Harris stroked a solid single to left, which drove in Adair.

Islander Head Coach Marti Bonelli picks up the narration. “The left fielder misplayed the ball and allowed Feist to score from first base and Harris ended up at third. Alexis Wright followed by lining a pitch to left center to drive in Harris and allow Coronado to take a 3-0 lead.”

Mater Dei scored once in the second and twice in the third to tie the game, but the Islanders rallied to score twice in the fourth, according to Bonelli. “Wright lined a single to center and Kyla Englehart grounded to short for what looked like a sure force play at second, but the shortstop made a bobble and Wright was safe. It didn’t take long for Coronado to take advantage of the miscue. On the very next pitch, cleanup hitter Sandra Cepin belted a double to right center scoring both Wright and Englehart.”

Mater Dei put another run on the board in the fourth, but the Islanders scored the eventual game winner in the sixth frame. “Harris led off with a perfectly executed bunt,” Bonelli said. “And then Wright moved Harris to second. Englehart lined a solid single to left center to drive in Harris. This gave Coronado a two-run lead and it would turn out to be the winning run.”

After yielding a homer to the Mater Dei cleanup hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning, Islander hurler Briana Feist retired the next three hitters in order to earn Coronado the victory.

“Mater Dei is a team very similar to Coronado,” Bonelli continued. “Their defense had a few letdowns and we managed to capitalize. Alexis Wright had a great game (3-4, 1 run, 1 RBI) both offensively and defensively. Alexis has taken over second base and done a wonderful job. Rosie Harris continues to improve at shortstop, her new position (formerly a catcher). The rest of the team continues to work hard and contribute. We are looking forward to the beginning of Western League play Wednesday when we travel to Point Loma.

CHS Boys Golf at 4-1 and Improving

CHS Boys Golf Coach Dean Cummings has a boatload of talent on this team this season, a statement that can be proved with one relevant statistic. “Our best score was 201 last year,” said Cummings, who is an assistant pro at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course. “This year we are averaging 196 through our first five matches.”As a matter of fact, for their first match of the year, Coronado posted a 189 against University City.

The Top 6 players on the squad (six athletes play nine holes, with the best five scores counted toward the team total) are Dylan Hakes, Connor Pompa, Alex Valle, Mike Emerson, Robert Phelps and Matt Buss. Also participating on the team and receiving frequent playing time are Taylor Mitchell, Ryan Kieras and Joe McMahon. Hakes is the team’s No. 1 player, averaging 37 shots per nine holes and the senior is playing right at par for each round he plays.

When asked if Christian, who Coronado recently defeated, was their Central League rival, Cummings provided a surprising answer. “Actually our rival now is Crawford. They have had a youth golf program going in the area for 10 years. The kids are coming up now from that program and it’s starting to show in their results.”

Coronado is currently 4-1 on the season, with their lone loss coming to St. Augustine by the score of 194-201. The Islander victories came against Mira Mesa, Christian, University City and Point Loma.

Cummings noted that early results this season indicate La Costa Canyon, Torrey Pines and Cathedral Catholic are the top teams in San Diego County this season.

Girls Lax Dominates Two Opponents

Before embarking on a one-week sabbatical from playing and practicing, the CHS Girls Lacrosse Team dominated San Dieguito 16-3 Tuesday before taking the measure of Monte Vista by the score of 20-7 the next day. Among the highlights of game action last week were the first prep career goal from Cassandra Fisher and goals in both games from Jillian Reidy.

“Sandy Shepherd did very well in both games,” said Head Coach Jessica Battle. “She played D wing and had a couple of goals in the Monte Vista game, which was great. She had a late start to the lacrosse season due to soccer.”

Most of the balance of the scoring in both games was handled by the troika of Hannah Sebenaler, Greer Goebels and Bria Phillips, or as Coach Battle referred to them, “the usual handful.”

The next game on the horizon is April 2^nd when Coronado plays Cathedral Catholic, but The Big Game will be against defending CIF champion La Costa Canyon April 7^th. Battle knows the game will be tough. “The LCC game will be our big, true testament as to how good we are this year. They just stomped Poway 13-6, which was a pretty big win. It will be interesting to see how we do. I know we are as good as they are.”

Between then and now, the Islanders are taking the week off, or as Battle described it, “a little break. I need the break just as much as they do. I’m going to relax and enjoy the weather.”

CHS Boys and Girls Swimming Overview

More than 80 athletes are currently involved in the CHS Swimming program and both The Boys and Girls Swim Teams have been working hard, according to Head Coach Dave Throop. “They have had great efforts and attitudes thus far and both teams have a chance to finish in the top two or three in both the conference and the CIF Division II championships.”

Throop went on to discuss the Boys squad. “This may be the fastest team the Boys have had since the 2001-02 team that won back-to-back CIF titles. While that group was two or three swimmers deep in each category, this team is unique in that we have top quality depth as opposed to just the overall depth of previous squads.  Seniors Jacob Smith, Sean Cook, and Norby Karoly will contribute tremendously in the sprint freestyle events. Senior Jake Hunzecker along with juniors Adam Ratcliffe and Jackson Hummeldorf and sophomores Andrew Ireland, Tommy Schofer, Alex Johnson and Rex Butler, and freshman Chris Barnard will offer a lot of flexibility in stroke and freestyle events.”

Throop then turned his attention to the CHS Girls Swim Team. “Powered by senior Alana Burgess in breaststroke and Heather Ireland in the freestyle and backstroke events, the CHS Girls Team will challenge the traditional powerhouses of girls swimming Mt. Carmel, Cathedral Catholic and La Jolla. Juniors Alex Adamson, Michelle Carroll and Kathy Bailey (who is sidelined now while rehabbing a back injury) along with sophomores Kelly Ronimus, Ashley Young, Maddie Murphy, Kaylee Ginnane, Selina Schmeck, Hillary Estrada and Hllary Hansen, plus freshman Hannah Green, make this the deepest group we’ve had.

Compared with the Boys, who have top quality and individual finisher potential, the Girls have depth in multiple positions that may not individually place in the Top 1, 2 or 3 positions, but their overall quantity of depth may allow them to sneak up and surprise a few teams in the conference and sectional finals.”

Brian Bent Memorial Aquatics Center to Host CIF Swimming Championships

The CIF San Diego Section Swimming Championships will be held at the Brian Bent Memorial Aquatics Center May 14, 15 and 17, 2008. The CIF Division I preliminary events will be held May 14; the CIF Division II (which includes Coronado) prelims will be held May 15; with the finals for both divisions to be held May 17^th. The Division I finals will be held starting at 9 am and the Division II finals will commence at 3 pm.

The complex, which is on the campus of Coronado High School, contains both an Olympic-sized pool for competition and a 25-yard pool.

CHS Sailing Team Performs Well in Gaucho Regatta

Only in the world of sailing could the words ‘Gaucho’ and ‘Regatta’ be combined in the same sentence, but that doesn’t detract from the recent update turned in by CHS Sailing Team Head Coach Jon Rogers regarding his club’s recent efforts.

“Based on last weekend’s performance at UCSB’s Gaucho Regatta in Santa Barbara, the CHS Sailing Team appears to be peaking just in time for the upcoming Pacific Coast Championships in April. The Varsity Team of Pike Harris, Karisa Chapa, Cragan Smith, Kaitlin Dunphey, Ryan Sullivan and Hans Henken finished 11^th in the Gold Division. This strong result secured seventh place among all schools in California, including the six events held since October 2007.

The JV team of Alex Wood and Sally Harris won the Silver Division over 27 teams who came from throughout the state. This represents the first victory by a CHS team in nearly six years.

The Varsity Team now begins final preparations for the Pacific Coast Championships to be hosted by the Treasure Island Sailing Center on San Francisco Bay, April 19-20. If CHS can finish in the Top 5 at that event, they will move on to the High School Nationals to be held in Annapolis, Maryland May 10-11. The Silver Team will compete in the Silver PCC’s to be hosted by the Mission Bay Yacht Club the same weekend.

The CHS Sailing Team would like to thank them for their donation toward the “Sponsor a Sail” program that has allowed the team to acquire five new sets of sails to upgrade the sails purchased many years ago in the memory of John Robert Darnell.”

CHS Track and Field Team Combines with La Salsa Restaurant for Fundraiser

One of the better and most tasty fundraisers held in recent years is back again as La Salsa Mexican Grill, located at 1360 Orange Avenue has combined with the CHS Track and Cross Country Teams for an event to be held Thursday, April 10^th from 4-9:30 pm.

The concept is simple, take a copy of the special fundraising flyer, which can be downloaded from IslanderSportsFoundation.com, with you to La Salsa and 20 per cent of the net sales of your food order will go to the CHS Track and Cross Country Teams. In addition, you can phone in your order ahead of time by calling 435-7778. Eating and donating at the same time is a wonderful concept.

Honors and Awards

A total of five CHS athletes were named to the All-Academic Teams in their respective sports for the winter season. The award recognizes both academic and athletic achievement.

The five athletes from Coronado who were honored include: Bria Phillips in basketball, Rosie Harris in soccer; Austin Speer in soccer; and both Carly Hoshko and Hannah Sebenaler in water polo. Congratulations to the five honorees.

Soccer and Sports in Coronado

One of the great things about being involved in youth sports in Coronado is that you see the kids grow, progress and quite often see them compete at a very high level as they move to the high school level. This was proven recently in a note Your Natterer received from Randy Coutts, whose daughter Mackenzie Coutts played on Coronado’s CIF Division IV soccer team. As a point of reference, Coronado defeated Francis Parker in the CIF semi-finals.

“There are three players on the Parker team, Marla Blanco, Olivia Ching and Alex Lyons who live in Coronado and at eight and nine years old, were playing club soccer with my daughter Mackenzie, Brianna Baszak, Paige Berube and Brooke Clifford. It was Brian Hiatt-Aleu’s (CHS Boys Varsity Soccer head coach) first year coaching a Girls club soccer team.

Some of the other girls on the team included Alex Adamson (CHS Girls Water Polo goalie) and Sallie Privett (CHS Track and Cross Country distance runner). Another player on the team was Ashlyn Angell, who now lives in North Carolina and is a top goalie on the East Coast. What a great group of athletes.”

Another soccer note is that Islander athletes Rosie Harris (see Softball and All-Academic references above) and Charlie Wood were both voted CIF Sportsmanship Awards for the Division IV Finals. The Wood and Harris families live across from each other, making theirs’ the most sportsmanlike alley in Coronado.