Motz, Martinez win Race The Commons

Motz, who inked her name in top three on other occasions, blistered the course in 21 minutes, 33 seconds.

Emily Motz of Monterey and Andrew Martinez of King City won the women’s and men’s Race The Commons Series 5K for March.

Motz, who has inked her name in the top three on numerous other occasions, blistered the 3.1-mile hilly course in 21 minutes, 33 seconds, finishing 15th overall among men and women.

Stevenson junior Anna Watson, a state meet qualifier in cross country as a freshman in 2018, clocked the second fastest female mark in 22:38, with Marina Hobson of Carmel placing third.

Competitors are allowed to run the course as many times as they choose during the month. Distances and courses change each month in the series, which is entering its sixth month.

A former Hartnell College distance ace, Martinez covered the 3.1-mile loop in 16:42, averaging 5:23 a mile.

Pro ultra-distance runner Jeffrey Stern of Santa Barbara took a stab at the lead on the final day of the month, clocking 17:03 to finish second.

Reigning Big Sur Marathon champion Adam Roach of Pacific Grove also dipped under 18 minutes to finish third with Justin Carrancho placing fourth.

Carrancho, another former Hartnell standout, held the top time until the final three days of the month at 17:21.

Runners that registered helped raise $500 for the Wednesday Night Laundry Runners scholarship fund.

Solid spring numbers for Martinez at San Diego

Emilio Martinez is making the most of an abbreviated spring football season for the University of San Diego, leading the team in rushing with 311 yards and a touchdown in four games.

Martinez piled up 74 rushing yards on just 12 carries recently against Davidson.

The versatile tailback also has 19 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown this spring. Martinez leads the Toreros in multipurpose yards with 422.

The Palma product, Martinez has chalked up 2,524 yards in 36 career games at San Diego.

Martinez is the county’s alltime and single-season rushing leader, having compiled just under 2,500 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior at Palma in 2016.

Bruno putting together a career year at Portland State

Being granted another year of eligibility, Marissa Bruno is tearing up pitching for the Portland State softball team, hitting a team-high .365 through 23 starts.

The left-handed swinging senior leads the Vikings in six different offensive categories, having driven in 15 runs. She has 29 hits, has scored 12 runs, has two triples and is 12-for-12 in stolen bases.

Bruno has also belted two homers — a career -igh. She’s been flawless in the outfield, having handled all 20 chances.

Bruno was a four-year starter at Santa Catalina, earning a spot on The Herald’s All-County softball team three times.

Freshman teammate Logan Rigginbach has started 14 games for Portland State. The former Notre Dame slugger has driven in three runs and scored four. One-time Aptos slugger Shea Garcia is hitting .298.

Ramos solidifying himself as a defensive leader at Southeastern Louisiana

Alexis Ramos has had an impactful spring football season at Southeastern Louisiana, leading the team in tackles with 58 through five games.

The one-time Alisal High and Hartnell College linebacker is averaging over 10 tackles a game, having compiled two sacks and a fumble recovery.

The 6-foot-2 senior produced 11 tackles in the team’s win over Lamar last week, enhancing his draft stock going into his senior season this coming fall.

Ramos led the Lions in tackles in 2019 with 80 in 13 games, including 40 solos. While at Hartnell in 2018, he was the Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Return to the hardwood for Palma grad Rowland

At 37, E.J. Rowland clearly has some gas left in the tank as a pro basketball player competing overseas.

Playing for Chemidor B.C. of the Iranian Basketball Super League, Rowland has made a splash in seven games since being signed, averaging a teamhigh 19 points a night.

The 6-foot-3 former Palma and Hartnell College point guard is averaging 33 minutes a game, doling out 5.1 assists, while averaging 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals.

Rowland, who led St. Mary’s

to the NCAA Tournament nearly 20 years ago as a junior, has been playing professionally since 2005.

Enshrined into the Russian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019, Rowland was the VTB United League Most Valuable Player in 2013, the league scoring champion, and the Latvian League playoff MVP.

Ozel helps Sonoma State to women’s golf title

Freshman Brenna Ozel used an eagle and four birdies to shoot 2-over 74 on the second day of the Sonoma Spring Invitational,

helping the Sonoma State women’s golf team capture the team title.

Ozel, who prepped at Carmel, finished ninth overall over the two-day, 36-hole invitational. She was one of three Seawolves to place in the top 10 individually.

A medalist at the Gabilan Division finals in 2019, Ozel has recorded three top 10 finishes this year, taking third overall at the NNU Nighthawks Invitational.

A multiple-sport athlete at Carmel, Ozel has spent most of the season as Sonoma State’s No. 2 or 3 golfer.

CJS Sports Academy basketball signups

Sign-ups are being taken for the CJS Sports

Academy traveling basketball teams for boys and girls, grades fourth-12th. Contact Chris Jackson at coach@cjssportsacademy. com or 831-794-1559.

GANAS Coaches Association

The newly formed GANAS Coaches Association will be holding clinics and seminars for basketball coaches of all levels and backgrounds this summer.

Gil Basketball Academy director Jose Gil said the GBA is dedicated to establishing a culture of empowerment, development and support, with an emphasis on enhancing their communities. Visit www. gilbasketballacademy.com