Spring season begins for preps
Umbrellas remain at the ready, fireplaces still glow in the evenings and local youth recently enjoyed a few days off from school for “Ski Week.” But the season has changed for high school athletes who begin their spring season this week.
On the diamond, Mira Costa and Redondo begin their baseball seasons with new head coaches. On the court, both schools continue their rivalry in boys volleyball with Mira Costa ranked No. 2 in the CIF Division I pre-season poll, and on the track, a pair of accomplished distance runners will lead the Mustangs and Sea Hawks in girls track.
Mira Costa hurler James Glawe is one of four All-Bay League players returning for first-year head coach Cassidy Olson. Photo
Baseball
Both schools open their seasons competing in the El Segundo Tournament. Mira Costa plays at San Pedro tomorrow at 3:15 p.m. before hosting Long Beach Poly at 11 a.m. Saturday and Torrance at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Cassidy Olson begins his first year as skipper for the Mustangs after a one-year – and controversial – stint at rival Redondo. Mira Costa comes off a 20-12 season and a second-place finish to Palos Verdes where it went 7-1.
Olson will benefit from returning first team All-Bay League selections Kyle Demarco and Jake Jelmini along with second team honorees James Glawe and Lucas Whitehill.
Demarco was the team’s leading hitter in 2009, boasting a .429 average. He will anchor the infield at the shortstop position. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Jelmini led the team with a .611 slugging percentage while Whitehill led the Mustangs in home runs (5) and RBIs (36). Glawe will play a key role on the pitching staff.
After serving many years as an assistant coach, Bradey Thurman returns as head coach at Redondo. He’ll have the task of turning around a program that finished 10-19 last season, including a disappointing 1-9 league record.
Key returners are third baseman/pitcher Chris Jump, shortstop/pitcher Alex Mistuloff, outfielders Joey Hoy, Nick Ridio and Shawn Sokolsky and second baseman Daniel Marquez.
The Sea Hawks open the El Segundo Tournament at South in a 3:15 p.m. contest tomorrow. They host Narbonne at 11 a.m. Saturday and travel to Oak Park for a 3:15 p.m. game Tuesday.
Boys Volleyball
Mira Costa ran the table in the Bay League in 2009, finishing with an impressive 33-2 season record. Unfortunately, its second loss came in an upset to Mater Dei in the semifinals of the CIF Division 1 playoffs.
Head Coach Mike Ninnis continues to run the perennial powerhouse volleyball program that is Mira Costa. This season’s edition will be led by 6-foot-5 Eric Mochalski, a third team All-CIF selection last year.
Joining the basketball star will be first team All-Bay League players D.J. White and Davis Waddell. Second team honoree Kevin Donohue will help form a strong nucleus for the Mustangs.
Mira Costa hosts Long Beach Wilson tomorrow at 7 p.m. and Bishop Montgomery Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Redondo outside hitter Ryan Olson will play a key role for the Sea Hawks who look to dethrone rival Mira Costa in the Bay League. Photo
Redondo comes off a second-place finish in the Bay League and a 14-1-1 record. The young Sea Hawks lost to San Clemente in the opening round of the 2009 playoffs.
Coach Duncan Avery will rely heavily on first team All-Bay League outside hitter Ryan Olson (6-6) along with second team selections Michael Vellutato, a 6-foot setter, and 6-foot-5 middle blocker Austin Moore.
The Sea Hawks host the Redondo Varsity Pre-season Tournament tomorrow and Saturday before playing at North Tuesday at 4:45 p.m.
Softball
Coach Dick Amberik has four All-Bay League players returning to his Mustang squad, which finished with a 12-17-1 record and was runner-up to Palos Verdes in league play.
Catcher/outfielder Katie Saunders (.412, 19 RBIs, 6 triples) and middle infielder Amanda Gard (.286, 17 runs) will join second-team all-league centerfielder Jonele Conceico (.449) and outfielder/pitcher Amanda Padilla (.445) as team leaders.
Mira Costa opens its season competing in the Cypress Tournament this weekend.
Redondo kicks off its season playing in the Downey Classic Saturday. Coach Jennifer Dessert also has four returning all-league players. The Sea Hawks, who had only two seniors on their 2009 roster, finished fourth in the Bay League and the season with a 9-18 record.
Pitcher/first baseman Brett Aspel (.326) and catcher/outfielder Sonia Colavita (.329, 14 RBIs) are returning first team All-Bay League players. Second team members returning are catcher/outfielder Cindy Zamudio (.388) and centerfielder/third baseman Linda Park (3 HR).
Boys Lacrosse
Mira Costa Coach Dave Vinci’s boys team competes in the Foothill Tournament Saturday at 5 p.m. The defending Bay League champions host Peninsula Monday at 7 p.m. before traveling to Chadwick for a 4 p.m. match Tuesday.
The Mustangs went 13-5 in 2009, falling to undefeated Loyola 8-7 in the finals of the LA Regional Tournament.
Coach Phil Comito’s Redondo squad begins its season at Crespi next Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. The Sea Hawks finished the 2009 campaign with a 6-8 record.
Girls Lacrosse
Redondo begins its fourth season Monday, March 15 hosting Peninsula at 6 p.m. Coach Tom Borgia’s Sea Hawks are the defending league champions and are coming off a surprising 17-2 season that saw the team reach the title match of the LA County Championships.
Mira Costa comes off a 16-5 season and was the only team to beat Redondo during the regular season. Coach Patty Perkinson’s Mustangs play at Peninsula Wednesday.
Boys Tennis
Last season, Mira Costa was ranked No. 8 in CIF Division 1 entering the playoffs. The Mustangs play at Marina today at 3 p.m. before taking on Loyola Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Bay Area Classic Tournament.
Redondo hosts Santa Monica today and El Segundo Monday before traveling to South Tuesday. Each match is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
Redondo’s elite distance runner, Chloe Curtis, is the defending CIF Division 2 and Southern Section Master Meet champion in the 1,600 meters. Photo
Track and Field
Redondo’s boys are defending Bay League champions. The Sea Hawks travel to Beverly Hills today for a 2:45 p.m. meet. The squad will compete in the Paramount Relays Saturday at 8 a.m.
Mira Costa hosts Warren today at 2:15 p.m. The Mustangs host a three-way meet with El Segundo and South Saturday.
Swimming
Mira Costa begins its season in the J. Marrow Invitational in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, March 23. The Mustang boys and girls teams placed second in the Bay League last season. The boys finished 14th in CIF Division 2.
Redondo swims at El Segundo today at 3 p.m. Both teams finished fourth in the Bay League in 2009.