Sports Briefs: Warren runners reunite

DOWNEY – Warren High School girls’ cross country head coach Jay Waldron honored 20 of the most influential people to his program over the past 20 years Tuesday night at his team’s banquet held at the Rio Hondo Event Center. It was quite an extraordinary event with past runners, coaches, administration and staff and parents being recognized for their contributions to the Lady Bear cross country program.

Coach Waldron started the evening off by honoring Dr. Mary Stauffer. Waldron stated, “Dr. Stauffer needs no introduction. Her commitment and devotion to Downey Unified is epic.” Waldron continued by saying, “speaking on behalf of both boys’ and girls’ programs, I’d like to thank her for her contributions to Warren Cross Country.”

Waldron then recognized past athletes Danielle Rodriguez (2008-12), Daniela Moreno (2006-10), Monique Diaz (2006-10), Melissa Quintero (2008-12), Robyn Guggiana (2001-05), Yajaira Zarate (2009-13) and Samantha Rushforth (1994-97).

Coach Waldron then recognized his coaches from the past and present. First honored was Ramon Miranda (1995-Present). Waldron then honored Nadia Roldan (athlete 1995-96, coach 2005-07), Mike Morgan (1994-96; 2000; 2004) and Eric “Leche” Nilsen (2010-Present).

Waldron then honored past Warren High School administration and staff. First honored was former principal Eileen Wannett (2003-07), former principal John Harris (2007-13), former Athletic Director Steve Hill (1994-2011), current Athletic Director Russ Heicke (2011-Present), College and Career Advisor Rita Rodarte-Myers (2004-Present) and former teacher Jacquie Emerson (2001-Present).

Coach Waldron concluded his honorees with the contributions of parents. Paulene Olsen (2002-06) was recognized first followed by Yvette Moreno (2006-10), Cynthia Rodriguez (2008-11), Bob Lake (1999-2013) and concluded with Heriberto and Rosa Castellanos (2009-Present).

It was a great night to recognize those individuals responsible for the strength and growth of the girls’ cross country program at Warren High School. Coach Waldron would like to thank all of those individuals, both past and present, for their dedication and continued support of the Warren girls’ cross country program.

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The Warren High School girls’ cross country team had their awards banquet Tuesday night at the Rio Hondo Event Center. Coach Jay Waldron and his staff recognized both junior varsity and varsity runners for their outstanding performances and resulting league championships for this past season.

The Warren Lady Bear cross country team had over 100 team members compete this season and were S.G.V.L. champions at both levels. The varsity team swept the top seven places at S.G.V.L. finals to claim their crown. The junior varsity team took 6/7 of the top league places and 11 of the top 13. Simply put, the Lady Bears dominated San Gabriel Valley League competition in 2014. Warren advanced to the C.I.F. Division 1 Finals for the ninth time since 2003.

Several varsity runners earned awards for their character, dedication, effort and perseverance. Senior Sadie Encinas earned the Most Improved Runner award. Senior Sofia Ramos earned the Most Dedicated award and junior Janeane Hernandez earned the Coach’s Award.

Junior Gwendolyn Hurtado won the Perseverance award and senior Lisa Vasquez won the Outstanding Newcomer award. Senior Marissa Pluma earned the MVP award and junior Samantha Tabares earned the Clutch award. Senior Alexis Jimenez was given the Team Captain award for her leadership qualities.

Warren returns three of their top seven runners next year and 8 of the top 10 junior varsity runners from league finals. According to Waldron, “this was my deepest team ever.” The Lady Bears are not rebuilding for next season, they are reloading.

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The Downey High School wrestling program sent two teams to compete at the Juan Enriquez Memorial individual Tournament last Saturday at John Glenn High School in Norwalk.

Downey’s “A Team” finished in seventh place with a total of 97.5 points while Downey’s “B Team” finished in 25th place with 47 points. Downey had four tournament placers with their “A Team” and three placers with their “B Team.”

Millikan finished first overall with a total of 238 points. Holtville finished second with 168 points, Gabrielino finished third with 168 points, Santa Fe finished fourth with 142 points, Lakewood finished fifth with 141.9 points, John Glenn finished sixth with 127 points, Downey finshed seventh, Alhambra finished eighth with 95 points, Long Beach Poly finished ninth with 87 points and Coachella Valley finished tenth with 85 points to round out the top ten finishers.

Downey “A Team” 106 pounder Joseph Lopez finished in fourth place after being defeated 2-0 in his last match against Matt Saldana of Millikan. Downey “B Team” 106 pounder Dylan Ajtun finished in fifth place after he pinned Michael Medina of Alhambra at the 2:33 mark of the second period. Downey “A Team” 113 pounder Roland Dominguez finished in first place after defeating Harry Yun of South Pasadena 5-4.

Downey “A Team” 132 pounder Esteban Blanco finished in seventh place after defeating Angel Amaral of South Pasadena 4-2. Downey “B Team” 145 pounder Giovanni Leon was pinned by Amahn Mallett of Long Beach Poly at the 3:06 mark of the second period and finished in eighth place.

Downey “B Team” 182 pounder Nick Arrellano pinned Lawrence Mason of Agoura Hills at the 3:07 mark of the second period and finished in seventh place. Downey “A Team” heavyweight (285) Angel Baez finished in fourth place after being defeated by Kevin Cavender of Peninsula 2-1 in his last match.

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The Downey-Warren cross-town rivalry renewed itself again this week with local athletes competing against each other for city bragging rights.

Girls’ water polo and wrestling will only face each other once during league play while soccer and basketball will face each other twice in a home and away format.

Warren girls’ water polo defeated Downey on Tuesday afternoon to start this week’s competitions. Downey boys’ soccer hosted Warren last night at 6 p.m. (score unavailable at press time).

Warren girls’ soccer hosted Downey last night at 5 p.m. (score unavailable).

Downey wrestling hosted Warren last night, while Downey boys’ basketball will host Warren tonight at 7 p.m.

Downey girls’ basketball will host Warren tonight at 5:15 p.m. Games in all sports should be exciting and highly competitive.

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Middle school sports are gearing up for their third season of the school year. Football and girls’ volleyball went first followed by boys’ volleyball and girls’ soccer. Up next is basketball for boys grades 6, 7 and 8 and girls grades 6, 7 and 8. There will be six total teams competing in basketball.

Boys’ soccer will also be featuring two teams. One team will be comprised of 6th and 7th grade boys while the other team will consist of 8th grade boys. There will be a total of eight championships up for grabs with basketball and soccer.

Games will begin Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 2:15 p.m. at selected school sites.

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Published: Jan. 15, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 40