Latest news with #CIFSouthernSection
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Estancia baseball back in CIF final after another one-run victory
Everything has fallen into place at the best moment imaginable for Estancia's baseball team, which heads into this weekend's CIF Southern Section finals on a six-game roll and a second title in four seasons in sight. The Eagles, a most uncertain prospect back in February, have emerged from a roller coaster campaign that hadn't gone as desired before the playoffs began two Fridays ago steeled by missed opportunities, fused as championship teams should be, and filled with expectation. Estancia (19-13) rode Nico Viramontes' outside fastball and a growing knack for two-out heroics in Tuesday afternoon's semifinal victory over Rancho Mirage, pulling out another tense 4-3 triumph to set up Saturday's 1 p.m. Division 6 title-game showdown with Marshall (20-6-1) at Cal State Fullerton's Goodwin Field. Viramontes (9-0) surrendered two hits and one unearned run while working out of several jams over six innings and the Eagles twice responded quickly to the visitors' forays to go ahead. 'Our stats are not pretty,' head coach Nate Goellrich said. 'Our batting average is the second-worst batting average in my [14-year] history here. Our team ERA is the second-worst. But we've come together as a group. The chemistry works. We respond when we're down, and all that is is heart. And the ability to understand that they can do it and have faith in themselves, have faith in each other. That's the big thing. 'They've come together at the right time. And that's what you need in the playoffs is that. And can't ask for anything else out of the guys.' Estancia turned a two-run deficit into a 3-2 advantage behind back-to-back run-scoring doubles from Sawyer Atkinson and Viramontes, then Vaughn McCrea's two-out RBI single in the the third. The Eagles answered the Rattlers' audacious tying run in the fifth with a two-out rally in the bottom half of the inning, bringing home Sean Sweeney on Carlos Hauser's single to right field. McCrea got the save with the tying run at third on Jacob Ramirez's racing, diving catch on a dipping fly to shallow left field. 'I'm at a loss of words right now,' said Viramontes, who fell behind after an error gifted Rancho Mirage (18-13) two runs in the top of the third but twice escaped innings unscathed with runners in scoring position. 'We've always dreamed for this, and we worked really hard for it, so it's a great feeling.' This run, one marked by a first-round stand as Alhambra rallied and last week's down-to-the-last-out, extra-inning quarterfinal thriller with Pacifica Christian, followed back-to-back, one-run, late-inning losses a month ago to Coast League champion Century, the first with a piece of the league title within reach. That was, Atkinson noted, 'not the outcome we wanted.' 'It made us want to win this even more,' Viramontes said. 'That's what we're doing right now, showing that we deserve to win this.' Said Atkinson: 'I don't think any of us thought it would go this far. But here we are.' It came down to a series of battles with Rattlers talisman Kobee Finnikin, their only All-CIF honoree after reaching the semifinals last year. He went two for three, was on base four times, scored twice and stole three bases: second, third and home in succession, the last 90 feet for a sixth-inning tie with a two-out dart as Atkinson, Estancia's catcher, tossed the ball back to Viramontes. The Eagles twice duped Finnikin into taking off early, both times from second base, with Viramontes in the first inning and McCrea in the seventh delaying their motions and catching the Cal Baptist-bound shortstop on the basepath. Rancho Mirage had two on with one out the second time. 'We knew coming in their leadoff guy was a little bit undisciplined on the bases,' Goellrich said. 'We knew we could take advantage of that. And that was huge for us. Two spaghetti moves, picking him off, taking that away. That's a lot of their offense.' Rattlers head coach David Shaw had no regrets. 'We live with his energy and his reads,' he said. 'It's something we will definitely learn from, but I don't ever second-guess that kid. He's our fire.' Estancia's two-out acumen was pivotal. The Eagles put seven runners on base after the second out, five into scoring position, and, with McCrea's and Hauser's singles, brought two of them home. 'It's something coaches pounded in on us, working with two outs, finding a way on,' Atkinson said. 'That's been a thing all year. We just keep finding our way on with two outs, and that's what makes our team. That's what gets us the wins, you know?' Goellrich said he's 'pretty sure about 80% our runs in the playoffs are with two outs.' 'That just shows the heart, the character of these guys,' he said. 'We have that next-guy mentality, and they really bought into that philosophy. So an inning's never over.' The Eagles will take that approach into Saturday's final. 'Baseball is the toughest championship to win, right?' Goellrich said. 'We told our guys, even coming into the playoffs, you're here, go out and win. See what happens. And so for us to be there the second time in four years is huge. But we're not satisfied. We'll go out and give us our best shot. And, you know, the goal will be [to go] 1-0. 'Just go 1-0 that day. Doesn't matter how. Doesn't need to be pretty. A win's a win.'
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The trans athletes who are ruining teen girl's chances on the track
Teenage girls across America have been pushed out of sporting wins by transgender competitors as furious parents demand action to protect women's athletics. The latest controversy erupted at a California track meet where teenage high-school athlete Reese Hogan made a statement after being beaten into second place by transgender competitor AB Hernandez. After posing for the official photo with Hernandez on the winner's podium, Hogan stepped up to claim the top spot herself once the cameras stopped rolling. Political activist Riley Gaines praised the bold move. 'When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause. THIS is the way. Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!' she wrote on X. Hernandez dominated the CIF Southern Section Finals last Saturday, winning both the triple jump by over four feet and claiming the long jump title while finishing seventh in high jump. The victories follow a pattern of trans athlete's overwhelming success against biological female competitors. Just weeks earlier, a trans high-school athlete won a girls' triple jump and long jump event at the Roosevelt Invitational in California in March. And weeks before that, Hernandez sparked outrage by winning the triple jump at Ontario Relays by a staggering eight feet over the runner-up. Hernandez's participation has sparked anger on social media. Jennifer Sey, founder of the organization XX-XY - which vows 'to protect women's sports and spaces' - shared video of Hernandez on X and wrote: 'This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump in a CA track meet over the weekend. He won the triple jump by 8ft. He's really crushing it!' Collin Rugg, the co-owner of Trending Politics, also shared footage of Hernandez competing and said: 'Transgender high school track star demolishes the female competition by *8 feet* in the triple jump at a track meet in California. 'Wow, what an accomplishment. I'm sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male. AB Hernandez says they plan to win 1st place in the state of California for the triple jump.' Similar incidents have occurred in other states this month. In Illinois, parents expressed 'shock' and 'disbelief' after a transgender middle school athlete reportedly won three events against seventh-grade girls. It's alleged that the transgender pupil won three events while competing against seventh-grade girls during the Naperville School District 203 meet. The beaten kids were said to be 'distraught' and 'devastated' and the controversy prompted fury among families. 'I was actually shocked. At first, I couldn't believe it,' Marie Davis told KBCD . 'I started talking to other parents, and it's like, is this really happening?' Doug Krein added: 'It's pretty upsetting to see your kid distraught out there trying to do her best and doesn't really have a shot.' Krein's 12-year-old daughter would have won a 200m medal if not for the transgender athlete. He told Fox News: 'My job as a parent is to advocate for my daughter and protect her. And the hardest thing is trying to tell her why she lost to a boy in seventh grade... it's like they're trying to erase women's sports. Erase women.'
National Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Runner-up track star takes ‘rightful place' on podium after losing to trans jumper
Article content A track and field star who set a new personal record for herself and her high school took the top spot on the podium after being crowned runner-up to her transgender competitor. Article content Article content Reese Hogan, 16, placed second in the triple jump event at the CIF Southern Section Finals in California on Saturday. Article content Her jump of 37 feet, two inches was a personal best and also set a record for Crean Lutheran High School. Article content But it wasn't enough to best trans athlete AB Hernandez ,of Jurupa Valley High School, who boasted a jump of 41 feet, four inches — more than four feet longer than Hogan's. Article content Hernandez, who also took the top spot in the girls' long jump, posed with her competitors on the podium. Article content But once all the athletes stepped off, Hogan sauntered up to the middle of the podium and smiled away. Article content Riley Gaines, a women's sports advocate and former NCAA swimmer, applauded Logan for her actions. Article content 'When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause,' Gaines posted on X. Article content Article content When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause. THIS is the way. Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!! — Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 18, 2025 Article content In another post, Gaines — who became a staunch activist after publicly criticizing her competitor, trans athlete Lia Thomas — branded Hernandez a 'fraud.' Article content 'The boy standing atop the podium holding up a 'number 1' is a fraud enabled by @CIFSS, @CA_Dem, & @CAgovernor,' she wrote. Article content Hernandez has been open about the backlash faced at track and field events. Article content The athlete showed her dominance last month after winning the girls' triple jump at an event by more than two metres. Article content At a meet earlier this month, Hernandez placed first in triple jump, eighth in high jump and third in long jump. Article content Article content Article content
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Hero girl's moving podium act after transgender athlete hammered her into second place
A teenage girl made sure she still got her moment to shine after a transgender athlete pushed her into second place at a track meet in California. Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School competed in the CIF Southern Section Finals on Saturday, setting a new PR and record for her school. After the meet, Hogan stood beside competitors from other schools, including AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley - a male-born transgender athlete competing in girls track and field. After they all posed for a picture - with Hernandez standing on the top, first place podium - Hogan 'assumed her rightful spot,' Riley Gaines, a political activist who fights against trans women in female sports, said. 'When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion,' Gaines wrote on X alongside a short clip of Hogan beaming as she stood at first place. 'The crowd erupts with applause. THIS is the way. Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!!' Gaines also said Hernandez, who was seen holding up the number one and a medal, is a 'fraud.' Hernandez won against Hogan in the triple jump by just over four feet. The trans athlete also won the long jump title and finished in seventh place for the high jump during the event, Sports Illustrated reported. Hogan 'assumed her rightful spot,' Riley Gaines, a political activist who fights against trans women in female sports, said Hernandez now qualifies for the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet held on May 24 back at Moorpark High. Hernandez currently holds the top marks in long jump in the state, along with triple jump. Just weeks before this moment, Hernandez sparked backlash after winning the triple jump by an astonishing distance. According to official records, won the jump by nearly three feet, while the margin of victory in the long jump came in at a distance of nearly two feet. A week prior, Hernandez won the triple jump at Ontario Relays by eight feet over the runner-up. Hernandez's participation have sparked anger on social media as Jennifer Sey, founder of the organization XX-XY - which vows 'to protect women's sports and spaces' - shared video of the athlete on X and wrote: 'This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump in a CA track meet over the weekend. He won the triple jump by 8ft. He's really crushing it!' Colin Rugg, the co-owner of Trending Politics, also shared footage of Hernandez competing to his 1.7million followers and said: 'Transgender high school track star demolishes the female competition by *8 feet* in the triple jump at a track meet in California. Transgender high school track star demolishes the female competition by *8 feet* in the triple jump at a track meet in California. Wow, what an accomplishment. I'm sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male. AB Hernandez says they plan to win 1st place in the state… — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 2, 2025 'Wow, what an accomplishment. I'm sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male. AB Hernandez says they plan to win 1st place in the state of California for the triple jump.' According to Newsweek, Hernandez also finished third last year in the triple jump behind two seniors at the 2024 track state championship meet. Hernandez has been outspoken about transgender women participating in female sports. In a recent interview with Capital & Main, Hernandez said: 'There's nothing I can do about people's actions, just focus on my own. 'I'm still a child, you're an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person.' In reference to placing first, Hernandez said: 'All I thought was, "I don't think you understand that this puts your idiotic claims to trash. She can't be beat because she's biologically male." Now you have no proof that I can't be beat.' The latest moment involving transgender women in female sports comes as President Donald Trump's bill to ban that from happening fell into the senate earlier this month. Legislation that aimed to bar transgender women and girls nationwide from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes failed to advance in a divided Senate as Democrats stood united against an issue that Republicans leveraged in last year's elections. A test vote on the bill failed to gain the 60 votes needed to advance in the chamber as senators stuck to party lines in a 51-45 vote tally. The bill sought to determine Title IX protections 'based solely on a person´s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.'
Los Angeles Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
4 local high school divers advance to CIF State meet
WALNUT — Laguna Beach High senior Chase Shipp saved the best for last on Tuesday afternoon at the CIF State diving qualifier. He nailed his sixth and final dive, a reverse 1 ½ somersault 2 ½ twist free. The seven judges gave him a total score of 64.50, his top mark of the day. 'I was really happy with it,' Shipp said. 'I knew that I had to hit it to hopefully get first. I would have liked another four points on it hopefully, but it's all good. I felt the board really move well under my feet, and felt the entry line up pretty well.' Shipp ended up placing a close second to Grant Schneider of Capistrano Valley Christian at the qualifier meet, held at Mt. San Antonio College. The effort was more than enough to get him to next week's CIF State Meet for the third time. Edison sophomore Allison McNichols and Newport Harbor juniors Corinna Ruffini and Violet Carone also advanced to the state meet. Diving finals for boys and girls will be held May 15 at Clovis Olympic Swim Complex. McNichols qualified third from the CIF Southern Section on the girls' side, with Ruffini in fifth. Carone took the sixth and final qualifying spot, among the 12 divers assembled for Tuesday's meet. The conditions were cool and misty Tuesday, so the hot tub was the area of choice when the divers weren't actually executing their 1-meter dives. 'It could be a lot worse,' noted Shipp, who is bound for Harvard University. 'Last weekend, up at Novato [at the USA Diving Junior Region 10 Championships], 20 miles per hour gusts were literally blowing people off of the boards.' Shipp, who won his second straight CIF Southern Section Division 2 title last week, has little left to prove but is looking for a solid meet to cap his high school diving career. He finished seventh at the state meet last year, and sixth as a sophomore. 'I'm just going in there hoping to do as well as possible,' he said. 'I don't see a big difference in it being senior year. I'm just going out every time to do the best I can.' McNichols is headed to the state meet for the first time, and said she was thrilled. She started strong on Tuesday, with her first dive, an inward 1 ½ somersault pike, netting her a score of 50.40 that tied for her best. 'That's probably my favorite dive,' she said. 'I feel like that dive, I always hit really good. I really like it. At practice it's always a good, solid, consistent dive for me.' Newport Harbor's Ruffini and Carone are headed to the state meet for the second and first time, respectively. Ruffini, who finished second at the Division 1 finals, overcame a rough start with her second dive Tuesday. Her final dive, a forward 2 ½ somersault tuck, earned a score of 50.40 that was tops among girls' divers in the sixth round. 'My first two dives weren't my best, but I definitely came back,' she said. 'My last few, I had better scores on, which I was really stoked about. At state, I'm just going to need to be a little bit more consistent. That's definitely something that I've been working on this year, consistency.' With only the top six divers in each gender moving on, other locals saw their seasons end Tuesday. Newport Harbor junior Nikka Asgarian placed eighth at the qualifying meet on the girls' side, while Edison senior Ian Dien finished 12th on the boys' side. Asgarian, who dives club for Crown Valley Divers along with Shipp and Carone, was one of the most vocal in encouraging her fellow competitors after strong dives. McNichols and Ruffini dive for Coast Divers, which is headed up by Newport Harbor coach Kaeden Cogbill. 'We're not just competitors, we're all really good friends,' Shipp said. 'It's a really tight-knit community. That's one of the things that makes diving so much fun, instead of just intense, that collaborative community.'
