Local runners shine on the track

Mira Costa’s Michael Koger, a three-time champion at the 2009 Bay League individual track finals, won the 110 hurdles Saturday at the Mustang Relays. File photo

Winning three events, El Segundo’s Alison Reaser was the individual star of the Mustang Relays while host Mira Costa recorded six first place finishes at the 23-team event held Saturday.

Reaser, who will be attending San Diego State in the fall, captured gold in the 110 hurdles (14:66), 300 hurdles (44:65) and the long jump (18-3).

In girls competition, Mira Costa shattered a school record in the 4 x 1600 relay, breaking the old mark by 25 seconds with a time of 21:25.36. The team also placed first in the 4 x 800 (9:56.44) and the distance medley (12:28.04).

Claire Voepel was an individual winner, taking top honors in the triple jump with a distance of 35 feet, 9 ? inches.

The Mustang boys team captured the distance medley with a time of 10:53.15. Michael Koger placed first in the 110 hurdles with mark of 15:11.

Competing at the Meet of Champions at Azusa Pacific University, Redondo won three events in the girls competition. Chloe Curtis continued to show she is among the elite distance runner in the country.

Redondo’s Chloe Curtis recorded the nation’s fast time this season in high school girls 800 meter competition. File photo

With a time of 2:09.07, Curtis won the 800 meter race, posting the nation’s best time among high school girls this season. The senior also set a meet record in the 3,200 (10:31) which is the third fastest time in the nation this year.

Fellow Sea Hawk Lyndsey Mull had the fastest time in the 1,600 with a mark of 4:53.49.

In boys competition, Redondo’s Simon Schermerhorn placed 4th in the 800 with a time of 1:56.11.

Volleyball

Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team continued to prove why it is the top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll. The Mustangs defeated the third top-ten team in a week with a sweep at No. 6 Newport Harbor. They had previously beaten No. 10 Orange Lutheran after knocking Loyola out of the top spot.

Mira Costa gained valuable confidence, rebounding from a seven-point deficit with a 13-3 run to win the second game while playing in a hostile environment on the road. The Mustangs downed the Sailors 25-23, 25-22, 25-22.

D.J. White led the Mustangs with 12 kills, Eric Mochalski added 11 kills and three blocks while Bryce Miller and Michael Beals combined for 37 assists.

Mira Costa (10-1) opens Bay League play after returning from spring break. The Mustangs will travel to face rival Redondo Thursday, April 8 at 7 p.m.

Redondo (13-5) continues to improve, scoring an impressive 25-16, 2025, 25-20, 25-15 win at Harvard-Westlake last Thursday. Riley Theunissen had 14 kills and five aces, Ryan Olson recorded 12 kills and three blocks and Michael Vellutato added 48 assists and five blocks for the Sea Hawks.

Coach Duncan Avery’s team opened Bay League action Tuesday, sweeping West 25-21, 25-15, 25-23 behind Olson’s seven kills and seven digs. Austin Moore added six kills and four blocks for the Sea Hawks who have won six straight.

Redondo can get a jump on the rest of the league with a home victory Thursday over Palos Verdes. The match is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.

Baseball

Redondo (6-7) lost to South 6-4 Monday despite two home runs by Chris Jump. Down 5-0, Jump led off the bottom of the fourth inning with his first home run of the season. In the sixth inning, he narrowed the margin to 5-4 with a blast over the left field wall.

Dylan Hatch also had two for the Sea Hawks who defeated Westchester 6-2 Saturday when Nick Ridio went 2-for-3 and Jump recorded four strikeouts in four innings of relief work.

The Sea Hawks host Bishop Montgomery Thursday at 7 p.m. and will face West Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Redondo Tournament.

Mira Costa began action Monday in the 60th annual San Diego Lions Tournament, hoping a little out-of-town success will get the Mustangs in the right groove. Mira Costa was shutout by Torrey Pines 3-0 but rebounded Tuesday to record a 12-3 victory over Temecula Valley. The Mustangs complete pool play today when they take on a tough Rancho Bernardo team.

Coach Cassidy Olson’s team lost both games of a double header at El Segundo last week. In the opening game, Anthony Lombardo ripped a grand slam to cut the Mustang’s deficit to 5-4 in the fourth inning and Lucas Whitehill hit a 3-run homer in the fifth inning, but it wasn’t enough as the home team won 12-7. Kris Kayton had four hits in the first game.

It was all Eagles in the nightcap as El Segundo shutout the visitors 4-0.

Softball

Redondo can’t seem to catch a break. Brett Aspel hurled a no-hitter for the Sea Hawks last Friday but lost the game 1-0 when visiting Marymount scored an unearned run in the fourth inning.

The following day, Coach Jennifer Dessert’s team lost two one-run games 4-3 and 6-5 in a non-league double header at Camarillo.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Sea Hawks who play in the prestigious Woodbridge Tournament Saturday and Monday before hosting Bishop Montgomery Wednesday at 3 p.m.

After splitting a doubleheader with Cypress 6-5, 4-7, Mira Costa (7-3) crushed its first two opponents in the Katella Tournament that began Saturday.

The Mustangs opened the day with a 7-2 victory over Godinez. Stefanni Lajeunesse scored three runs while going 2-for-3 and Katie Sanders went 3-for4 and Chloe Krasnoff knocked in two runs while going 2-for-2.

In a mercy-rule game, Mira Costa beat Bolsa Grande 13-0 in five innings. Rachael Lee and Sabrina Stewart each went 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

Mira Costa continues play in the Katella Tournament Saturday, facing Orange in the semifinals at 9 a.m. The championship game will held later in the day.

Girls Lacrosse

High scoring Redondo remained undefeated in the Bay League, throttling visiting Beverly Hills 19-2 Friday. Meesha Robinson scored five goals in the victory

After routing Culver City 22-0, the Sea Hawks showed no mercy on Chaminade in a 22-1 win. Joining Robinson in last week’s scoring barrage were Torrey Brugger, Sabrina Buendia, Chantel Celotto, Baily Czech, Julia Denney, Mariah Linnett and Kimber Logan.

The Sea Hawks defeated host La Canada Tuesday in a 15-7 non-league contest. Robinson and Celotto scored three goals apiece.

Redondo travels to Palos Verdes Friday and hosts Culver City Tuesday. Both games begin at 6 p.m.

Mira Costa remained in the league race with a 14-6 victory over visiting Palos Verdes. Robin Brown scored eight goals for the Mustangs, who host Redondo on Friday, April 8.

Boys Lacrosse

Redondo beat Beverly Hills 16-6 Friday behind Bennett Trotter’s five goals. The Sea Hawks host Palos Verdes Friday before playing at Culver City and Chadwick Tuesday and Wednesday. All games are slated for 6 p.m.

Mira Costa defeated Downey 12-5 before beginning competition in the Carmel Tournament. Nick Espriella and Marcus Egeck each scored three goals for the Mustangs.

Swimming

Marisa Purcell took second in the 100 freestyle (54:51) and 100 backstroke (1:02.9) to lead Mira Costa to a 7th place finish at the John Marrow Invitational at Beverly Hills.

The Mustang girls placed third in the 200 medley relay while Mira Costa’s boys team finished 6th in team competition.

Redondo swims at Palos Verdes today at 3 p.m. in a Bay League match up. ER

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