By Steve Breazeale
Wrestling
The Triton wrestling team had five wrestlers place first; four place second and three place third in their respective weight classes at the Ontario Invitational on January 5. The all-around performance paid off and for the fourth time this year, the Tritons took home a tournament championship trophy. The Tritons scored 293.5 points, clearing the second place team by 119 points.
Ash Ryan (197-pounds) and Austin Aceves (222-pounds) continued their strong level of play by winning their weight classes. John Castellini (140-pounds), Mike Marshall (162-pounds) and Tony Flores (172-pounds) were among the other Tritons who won their weight classes.
San Clemente was set to compete against Capistrano Valley on January 8. Results were not available at press time.
Next Match: 1/15 vs. Aliso Niguel, 5:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer
The Tritons lost a non-league match to El Toro 2-1 on January 4, ending a 13-match unbeaten streak that stretched back to December 5.
El Toro (17-1-0) got out to an early lead and held the Tritons (17-2-1) scoreless in the first half. The Tritons’ Gage Zerboni was able to equalize in the second half but the Chargers’ James Suri scored the go ahead goal to seal the win.
The Tritons will now prepare for the start of South Coast League play, which starts January 11.
Next Game: 1/11 vs. Aliso Niguel, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer
The Tritons were bested 3-0 by rival Dana Hills in both teams’ league opener on January 8 at Dana Hills High. The Tritons (7-3-3, 0-1) goalie Koryn Marsh recorded three saves, but it was not enough to stave off the Dolphin offensive attack, which tallied two goals in the first half and one in the second.
Boys Basketball
The Tritons have not played since their 79-63 win over Woodbridge on January 4. Senior Cody Bean dropped eight 3-pointers for a school record. For a full re-cap of the game, visit our ‘sports headlines’ page on www.sanclementetimes.com.
The Tritons were set to play their final non-league game against visiting Capistrano Valley on January 9. Results were not available at press time.
Next Game: 1/11 vs. San Juan Hills, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
In a one-sided affair the San Clemente girls basketball team trounced visiting Aliso Niguel 70-27 in both teams’ South Coast League opener. The Tritons (11-4, 1-0 league) shot well against the Hawks defenders, completing 23 out of 45 field goal attempts (51 percent) and made five out of eight from beyond the arc for a season high 63 percent clip. Senior guard Frankie Pinto paced the team with 19 points while senior forward Alexa Johnson contributed with a double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling in 10 rebounds.
Next Game: 1/12 vs. Capistrano Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Water Polo
San Clemente shook off the cobwebs of their four game losing skid to defeat South Coast League rival Dana Hills 14-9 on January 8. The Tritons’ (4-6, 1-1 league) battled with the Dolphins back and forth all night and eventually pulled away thanks to a six-goal fourth quarter effrort. The Tritons outscored Dana Hills 9-4 in the second half to earn their first league win of the season, keeping them in the hunt for a league title.
San Clemente was set to play Laguna Hills in a non-league match on January 9. Results were not available at press time.
Next Game: 1/10 vs. San Marcos, at Santa Barbara High, 5:30 p.m.
Football
Standout offensive and defensive lineman Sean Harlow officially de-committed from Washington and has verbally committed to go to Oregon State in the fall of 2013, according to head coach Jaime Ortiz. Harlow, a high touted recruit, recently played in the Semper Fidelis All Star Game on January 4 at the Home Depot Center.
Lacrosse
Triton attack/midfielder Peyton Garrett verbally committed to High Point University to play lacrosse at the Division 1 level. Garrett is only the second player in San Clemente’s history to commit to a Division 1 lacrosse team.
Garrett (6-1, 180-pounds) was part of the Triton team that reached the Orange County Finals last season. He scored 48 goals and 45 assists en route to being named the South Coast League’s Offensive Player of the Year. He also earned a second team All-Orange County mention.
