By Steve Breazeale
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Cooper Finishes Seventh at CIF Regional, Team Preps for Championship
San Clemente junior Alex Cooper has been playing consistent golf throughout the 2013 season. After finishing third overall at the South Coast League finals, Cooper, along with teammate Madison Wiedeman, advanced to the CIF Southern Individual Regional at Mile Square Golf Course on October 28. Cooper continued her standout play by carding a round of 72 (E) despite rainy conditions, good for a T-7 finish.
Cooper joined five other golfers at the 72 mark. She will now advance to the CIF-SS Individual Finals at Talega Golf Club on November 7.
Wiedeman missed out on the cut line by seven strokes after carding an 84 (+12).
As a team, the Tritons will compete in the CIF Southern Team Divisional Championship. The Tritons were set to compete in the first stage of team competition on October 31 at Costa Mesa Golf Club. Results were not available at press time.
Tritons Girls X-C Wins at Mt. SAC Invitational
The Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational is regarded as one of the tougher tests in the southern California cross country circuit. It is an event that is historically placed midway through the season, when runners begin to hit their stride and offers a good litmus test for where they are headed as they enter the final stretch of the season.
On October 26 the San Clemente girls cross country team passed the test, as senior Melissa Eisele paced the Division 1 sub-sweepstakes field to post a winning time of 18:05. Teammate Kelsey Carroll (18:27) finished fourth and junior Grace Georgi (18:52) finished 16th to help round out a first-place team finish.
The San Clemente boys cross country team also competed at Mt. SAC and again, the team was led by senior Matt Parker. Parker posted a time of 16:51 and finished in 39th. Teammates Matt Shelton (47th), Tony El-Sokkary (49th) and Sean Riley (51st) all finished within ten seconds of Parker, suggesting the Tritons varsity boys time gaps are becoming more consistent.
Up next for both the boys and girls cross country teams is the South Coast League finals, which will be held on November 6 at Irvine Regional Park.
Girls Volleyball Bounces Back From Loss
After a 3-1 loss to South Coast League rival Dana Hills on October 17 snapped a three-game winning streak for the San Clemente girls volleyball team, the Tritons responded in impressive fashion.
San Clemente (11-11, 5-1 league) rattled off another three-game win streak, dropping only two sets along the way in wins over Aliso Niguel, Trabuco Hills and Tesoro.
The Tritons swept Aliso Niguel 3-0 on October 22. San Clemente’s service game was locked in, as they recorded a season-high 12 aces in the match. Sophomore setter Marie Paris led the team with four and senior Jesse Garrett had three.
In the Tritons 3-1 win over Trabuco Hills on October 24, standout sophomore outside hitter Cali Hoye set a season-high in kills with 26.
The 3-1 win over Tesoro on October 28 puts the Tritons one game behind first-place Dana Hills (17-4, 7-0), who only has a November 4 rematch against the Tritons remaining on their schedule.
San Clemente was set to play against Mission Viejo on October 30. Results were not available at press time. If San Clemente records its second win of the season over the Diablos, the November 4 match against the Dolphins will decide the league title.
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Julia Yeam (pictured) and teammate Stephanie Neilson advanced to the semifinals of CIF-SS Doubles Championship play. Photo by Steve Breazeale Tritons Girls Tennis Ready for Playoffs
The San Clemente girls tennis team finished the season with a 9-4 overall record. They placed third in the South Coast League and will compete as a team in the CIF-SS playoffs on either November 5 or November 6, according to head coach John Stephens.
Several Tritons also qualified for individual competition. Natalie Nasonghkla was set to compete in the format at the Laguna Niguel Racquet Club on October 31. Results were not available at press time.
After winning their first two matches of championship doubles play, Julia Yeam and Stephanie Neilson were set to play in the semifinals on October 31. Results were not available at press time.
Boys Water Polo Holds off El Toro
An 11-7 loss to Dana Hills on October 22 did not slow the San Clemente boys water polo team down, as they rallied for a crucial come from behind win over El Toro on October 24.
El Toro, who is currently tied with the Tritons for second-place in the South Coast League, held a narrow 3-2 lead at halftime and things were all square at five goals apiece at the end of the third quarter. But in a late game flurry, the Tritons outscored the Chargers 4-1 to claim a 9-6 win.
Junior attack Chase Hamming led the way for San Clemente, posting a game-high five goals. Senior utility Ben Chong facilitated the ball for the Tritons, as he dished out a season-high five assists in the contest.
The win proved the be big for the Tritons, as it ensured a season split with El Toro, who defeated San Clemente 10-8 back on September 24.
The Tritons lost to University 8-7 in a nonleague match on October 26.
San Clemente returned to league play on October 29 with an 8-7 win over Capistrano Valley. Again, the Tritons relied on a big second half offensive effort to get the victory. The game was tied 3-3 heading into the second half but a four-goal third quarter effort from San Clemente proved to be the difference as they outscored the Cougars 5-4 down the stretch.
San Clemente will host Aliso Niguel on November 5 before ending their season with a rematch against first-place Dana Hills on November 7.
Tritons Football Set to Host Tesoro
The San Clemente football team is coming off a much needed bye week and will host Tesoro in a South Coast League matchup on November 1.
San Clemente (2-6, 0-2) has won four out of the last five games against the Titans, including a memorable come from behind 29-21 win last season.
San Clemente is struggling to find a rhythm following their sixth straight loss of the season and Tesoro (6-2, 2-1) comes into the contest looking to pad its postseason resume in their final league game of the year.
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