Local athletes compete at Orognen Invitational
The weather cooperated just enough to see 17 high school track and field teams converge at Yuba College or the annual John Orognen Invitational on Thursday afternoon.
The top local athlete at the varsity-only meet was Wheatland senior standout Erica Grotegeer, who was a double-winner by placing first in the girls shot put with a throw of 39 feet, 9 inches, and first in the discus with a mark of 150-0. Junior teammate Abby Meder was right behind Grotegeer in both events, taking second in the shot put (36-2) and second in the discus (107-0).
Wheatland’s CJ Duncan won the boys 800 (2 minutes, 6.28 seconds) and was third in the 1,600 (4:55.44), and Michael Sappa placed second in the boys discus (112-5½) for the Pirates.
With midterms this week, River Valley sent a small team to the invite and saw three individuals take first – Kevonni Gibbs in the boys 200 (23.14), Abhishek Singh in the boys long jump (20-6) and Alaira Smith in the girls triple jump (32-6).
The Falcons’ boys 4x100 relay team of David Kyambadde, Elias Saracco, Rex Baker and Gibbs also took first in a time of 44.59.
Joseph Miguel placed second in the shot put (41-2) and third in the discus (109-0), John Kroeger was second in the 100 (11.65), while third-place finishes for River Valley’s boys went to Kyambadde in the high jump (5-8), Aidan Jukes in the 800 (2:10.86) and Emmanuel Castrellon in the pole vault (11-6).
Taking fifth for the Falcons were Baker in the 100 (11.89), Singh in triple jump (37-6), David Castrejon in the 200 (24.65) and Gurpreet Deol in the 110 hurdles (19.07).
Third-place finishes for River Valley’s girls team went to Lisa Po’oi in the discus (94-6), Grecia Rodriguez in the 100 hurdles (18.68) and Isabella Hanson in the high jump (4-2). Abigail Titus took fourth in the discus (88-11), Genevieve Hagen was fifth in the 200 (29.19), and the 4x400 relay team of Rodriguez, Hannah Graham, Lovejot Kaur and Smith took fifth with a time of 4:40.71.
Marysville’s boys team saw two first-place performers with Gavin Battista winning the pole vault (12-6) and Tim Spence winning the discus (147-9). Spence also placed third in the shot put (41-0), while taking fourth for the Indians were Nathanuel Webb in the high jump (5-8), Jose Ramirez in the triple jump (37-10) and Ethan Maycroft in the pole vault (10-6).
Eugene Barajas took fifth in the 300 hurdles (46.90), and Marysville’s 4x100 relay team of Bryce Handy-gray, Nathanuel Webb, Blake Clavelle and Gary Walker placed second in 46.36. The Indians’ 4x400 relay team of Nikalaus Bennett, Jose Ramirez, Colton Schilperoort and Lonnie Williams also took third in 3:48.21.
Associated Press photos Loyola-chicago guard Marques Townes celebrates after making a 3-pointer against Nevada in the final seconds of Thursday’s NCAA Tournament regional semifinal in Atlanta. Townes’ shot lifted Loyola-chicago to a 69-68 victory and a spot in the Sweet 16. Kansas State forward Xavier Sneed shoots against Kentucky forward Wenyen Gabriel during Thursday’s second regional semifinal in Atlanta. No. 11 Kansas State pulled of another upset with a 61-58 victory.
SACRAMENTO – Justin Jackson scored 11 of his season-high 20 points in the third quarter and the Sacramento Kings beat the Atlanta Hawks 105-90 on Thursday night in a game that was delayed due to protesters who were locked arm-in-arm surrounding entrances to Golden 1 Center.
Jackson shot 7 of 8 and was perfect on four shots beyond the arc to help the Kings split the season series with the Hawks while avenging their worst loss of the season. Atlanta beat Sacramento 126-80 in November.
Buddy Hield and Frank Mason
Associated Press Many seats sit empty for the Sacramento Kings’ game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night after protesters blocked the entrance to the Golden 1 Center. The demonstration was over the shooting death of Stephon Clark on Sunday by two Sacramento police officers.
scored 16 points apiece, while Kosta Koufos added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings.
A massive crowd shut down
nearby freeways and gathered in the surrounding streets to protest the police shooting of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man who was in the backyard
On the girls side, Marysville was led by Samantha Sellers, who took second in the high jump (4-6). Sydney Shrader placed third in the pole vault (6-7), Amelia Adamson finished third in the long jump (15-6), Destiny Mcbride took fifth in the high jump (4-0) and Ellie Bell was fifth in the 800 (2:46.96) to round out the leaders for the Indians.
No information was provided by the other schools that competed at the invite.
BASEBALL Gridley 9, Central Valley 2, 4 inn. Gridley 11, Las Plumas 1, 5 inn. In Anderson – The Bulldogs opened play at the 32-team American Christian Tournament with a pair of convincing victories. In the first game, Gridley took advantage of three walks, three hit batsmen and two errors to beat Central Valley in a game shortened to four innings due to time constraints. The Bulldogs recorded only four hits in the game, but they were all timely.
Conner Alexander drove in two runs, and Triston Platter earned the win by allowing two hits and striking out five over four innings.
Gridley wasted little time getting going in the second game, scoring four runs in the first and fourth innings to come away with a mercyrule win over Las Plumas. Platter led the way offensively by going 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI, Kellen Brothers hit a two-run triple and Ty Cota knocked in a pair of runs.
Lance Santerre picked up the win on the mound, striking out 12 and allowing no earned runs on three hits over five innings.
The Bulldogs (6-1-1) will continue tournament play today at 4 p.m.
BOYS GOLF Dixon 286, Marysville 295 In Linda – Rex Rollins finished with a round of 40 and David Carr shot a 49 to lead the Indians in a Golden Empire League loss to the Rams at Peach Tree Golf & Country Club.
Marysville (1-2, 1-1 GEL) will compete at the first league meet of the season on Monday. River Valley wins again by forfeit In Woodland – Trey Davis shot a 1-under 35, and the Falcons picked up their fourth straight forfeit win in Tri-county Conference play by beating Pioneer at Yolo Fliers Club.
Riley Bell was right behind Davis with an even-par 36, Andrew Davidson carded a 42 and Guramrit Ghoman finished with a 43 for River Valley, which posted a team score of 204.
The Falcons (6-0, 4-0) will take on Inderkum on Tuesday at Peach Tree.