http://www.pressdemocrat.com Local News from The Press Democrat en-us Copyright, http://www.pressdemocrat.com Editorial http://www.pressdemocrat.com http://www.pressdemocrat.com/images/logo2.gif http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090702/sports/907029883
]]> Let’s see, in the past seven weeks Maya DiRado has shattered a North Coast Section record held by an Olympic legend, moved onto a list that includes some of the biggest names in swimming history and been wooed by the top college programs in the nation. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:01:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090702/sports/907029883 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090630/sports/906309874
]]> Fred Austin was in his truck Tuesday afternoon, staring out at Fred Austin Field, staring at the memories, and his eyes began to water. It wasn’t something in the air. It was something in his heart. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:32:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090630/sports/906309874 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090629/sports/906299937
]]> The North Bay League first-team first basemen were omitted from Sunday’s listing of all-league baseball teams. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:49:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090629/sports/906299937 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090627/sports/906279945
]]> BASEBALL NORTH BAY LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Kevin Lavarta, Montgomery, Senior Pitcher/First base FIRST TEAM Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:18:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090627/sports/906279945 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090626/sports/906269887
]]> Jake Arnold entered the U.S. Track and Field Championships hoping for a breakthrough performance and an invitation to the IAAF World Championships. Well, he’s going to Berlin in August. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:26:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090626/sports/906269887 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090625/sports/906259862
]]> When Bryan Clay, the gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics, withdrew before the start of the decathlon at the U.S. Track and Field Championships on Thursday, Santa Rosa’s Jake Arnold didn’t celebrate. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:23:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090625/sports/906259862 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090624/sports/906249835
]]> It didn’t take a village to help Taylor Stroud earn a college softball scholarship. But a small army? That sounds about right. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:22:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090624/sports/906249835 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090624/sports/906249833
]]> Mitch Delfino, whose statistics at Cloverdale High this season ranked among the best in the state as a hitter and pitcher, was one of only 20 high school players in the country selected to USA Today’s 2009 All-USA Baseball Team. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:30:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090624/sports/906249833 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139942
]]> While scoring averages and individual statistics are usually the center of attention in high school basketball circles, this year’s All-Empire players seemed more intent on making sure their teams were operating smoothly. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:19:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139942 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139935
]]> LUCAS DEVENNY, PINER It was another dominating season for the 6-9, 245-pound center who is headed to UC Santa Barbara. Devenny averaged 20.7 points, 14.7 rebounds and 4.2 blocks a game. He saved some of his best work for the postseason. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:33:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139935 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139932
]]> MIA GRECO, PETALUMA Greco played varsity basketball at Petaluma for four years, and in that time the Trojans had more championships (four) than losses (three) in Sonoma County League play. No, it’s not a coincidence. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:37:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139932 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139940
]]> ROBBY ROWLAND, CLOVERDALE Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:26:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139940 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139937
]]> MADDY DENSBERGER, ST. HELENA Though it may not have been acknowledged with a banner over Highway 29, it was definitely the Year of the Densberger in St. Helena. Senior Morgan Densberger was the MVP of the Saints’ football team. His dad, Will, coached the girls’ basketball team to a 23-3 record. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:29:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090613/sports/906139937 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090611/sports/906119850
]]> Matt Nadolski, a hard-throwing left-hander, was taken in the 32nd round by the Baltimore Orioles. Former Casa player D.J. Gentile was selected by the Cleveland Indians and Sonoma State pitcher Gary Moran was drafted by the Giants. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:56:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090611/sports/906119850 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090610/sports/906109851
]]> After his team’s frustration-filled 18 holes were over on Wednesday afternoon, Cardinal Newman boys’ golf coach Matt Vukicevich stared out at a skinny Monterey Pine tree about 25 yards in front of the green at the 18th hole at Poppy Hills Golf Course. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:39:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090610/sports/906109851 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090608/sports/906089886
]]> There may end up being a better team among the six finalists at the state golf championship, but it would be hard to find a looser group than Cardinal Newman’s. Mon, 8 Jun 2009 22:30:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090608/sports/906089886 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090608/sports/906089890
]]> More than a dozen Sonoma County high school athletes and recent graduates are expected to compete at the 42nd Santa Clara International Grand Prix swimming event Thursday through Sunday at the Santa Clara/George Haines International Swim Center. Mon, 8 Jun 2009 21:38:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090608/sports/906089890 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090606/sports/906069965
]]> Casa Grande's Jacque Taylor finished fourth in the 1,600 meters with a time of 4 minutes, 50.70 seconds Saturday at the CIF State Track and Field Championships. Sat, 6 Jun 2009 18:46:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090606/sports/906069965 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090605/sports/906059895
]]> Windsor senior Mike Tracy (high jump), Ursuline junior Michelle Stone (pole vault), and Casa Grande junior Jacque Taylor (1,600 meters) were the only Empire athletes to qualify for today’s finals at the CIS State Track and Field Championships. Fri, 5 Jun 2009 21:43:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090605/sports/906059895 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090605/sports/906059928
]]> Benjamin Ziemer, with extensive coaching experience at many levels, has been named the new head boys’ soccer coach at Sonoma Academy. He will replace Mike Peller, who is moving to the East Coast, as the Coyotes’ head coach. Fri, 5 Jun 2009 18:01:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090605/sports/906059928 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090604/sports/906049863
]]> Casa Grande’s Jacque Taylor has been to the state meet before. But never quite like this. Taylor, the Gauchos’ distance-running extraordinaire, will arrive at the CIF Track and Field Championships in Clovis today with a chance to win a state title. Thu, 4 Jun 2009 20:52:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090604/sports/906049863 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090602/sports/906029898
]]> Windsor senior Cody Howe, an NCS champion and seventh-place finisher at state who recorded a 48-2 record, won male wrestler of the year honors. Tue, 2 Jun 2009 20:09:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090602/sports/906029898 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090601/sports/906019936
]]> The Sonoma County League scored two runs in the seventh inning and came from behind to defeat the North Bay League, 6-4, Sunday in the annual Kiwanis-sponsored all-star game at Casa Grande High. Mon, 1 Jun 2009 17:11:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090601/sports/906019936 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309967
]]> For the Montgomery softball team, a special and almost magical season came to a halt Saturday in the North Coast Section Division II championship. Sat, 30 May 2009 21:19:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309967 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309948
]]> Casa Grande's Jacque Taylor won the 1,600 and finished third in the 3,200 in the North Coast section meet. Including Petaluma's Isabel Andrade, 9 local athletes qualified for the state CIF championshiop Sat, 30 May 2009 22:27:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309948 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309946
]]> NOVATO - It took St. Vincent six innings to figure out Branson pitcher Kaela Guillon. Unfortunately, for the St. Vincent faithful gathered at San Marin High on Saturday night, the revelation came too late. Sat, 30 May 2009 22:49:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309946 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309950
]]> The Clear Lake softball team’s impressive playoff run fell one run short of a North Coast Section title, as the Cardinals lost, 2-1, at St. Patrick/St. Vincent in Vallejo on Saturday. Sat, 30 May 2009 22:18:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090530/sports/905309950 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090529/sports/905299805
]]> Ursuline junior Michelle Stone had the third-best pole vault in Empire history and Petaluma junior Kaleb Trembley picked the perfect time to unleash his personal-best leap in the triple jump Friday at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions at Cal’s Edwards Stadium. Fri, 29 May 2009 23:02:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090529/sports/905299805 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090529/sports/905299818
]]> You don’t have to remind Montgomery softball coach Mike Malvino that his 26-1 Vikings possess a tad bit of talent. Fri, 29 May 2009 19:59:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090529/sports/905299818 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090529/sports/905299815
]]> Softball Division IV Clear Lake (20-4) at St. Patrick/St. Vincent (24-2) Location: Vallejo Time: 2 p.m. Fri, 29 May 2009 20:11:00 -0400 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090529/sports/905299815