All County softball team

Meghan Amaral, Notre Dame: Asked to be a leader on a team filled with underclassmen, Amaral did it by example, hitting .385 with six home runs for the Central Coast Section Open Division semifinalists.

The lone senior on the roster, Amaral drove in 32 runs while scoring 23, posting a 1.281 OPS. She also walked 12 times and sported a .989 fielding percentage in the outfield. Amaral was also a member of The Herald's All-County volleyball team.

Jessica Clements, Santa Catalina: Returning to the lineup for Gabilan Division play, Clements hit over .600 for the Cougars.

In 11 league games, the junior led the team with 26 hits, while hitting a pair of homers. She also scored 12 runs for Santa Catalina.

Angelita Fuentes, Notre Dame: Spending most of the game in the squat behind home plate, the sophomore catcher fueled the Spirits at the plate.

Fuentes hit .445 for Notre Dame, with a team high nine homers and 40 runs batted in. She also led the team in doubles and pounded out 40 hits, scoring 21 runs.

Sofia Gombos, North Salinas: The junior hit .370 for the Vikings with a pair of homers and 22 runs batted. She also had 10 doubles and scored 17 runs.

In the circle, Gombos posted a 1.49 earned run average, striking out 70 hitters in 75 innings for North Salinas, who reached the CCS Division I playoffs.

Kendra Hyles, Carmel: What offensive category didn't Hyles lead the Padres in, finishing with a .500 on base percentage.

Hyles hit .429 for the Mission Division champions, with 21 hits, 15 runs batted in, 13 runs scored and five doubles -- all team high's.

Jessica Pavloff, Carmel: Sensational in the circle, Pavloff posted a 15-3 record for the Padres with a 1.54 earned run average.

The senior hurler collected 100 strikeouts in 105 innings. At the plate, she hit .289 for Carmel with eight runs knocked in.

Neveah Pinon, Salinas: The senior slugger hit .408 for Salinas with 21 runs batted in. Pinon shared the team lead in doubles and finished second in hits.

Bound for Sacramento State, Pinon struck out just four times in over 100 at bats for the Cowboys, and was second in the team in stolen bases and walks.

Samantha Rocha, Notre Dame: Brought up as a freshman, Rocha won 21 games for the Gabilan Division champion Spirits.

The right-hander sported a 1.42 earned run average, tossing eight shutouts, striking out 167 in 136 innings. At the plate, she hit .333 for Notre Dame, driving in 14 runs.

Logan Riggenbach, Notre Dame: A repeater on the all-county team, Riggenbach quietly hit .425 for the Spirits this spring.

A three-year starter, the outfielder belted three homers and drove in 24 runs. She scored 29 runs, leading the team with 14 walks, striking out just six times in over 100 at bats.

 Alyiah Robles, Alvarez: Scholarship bound, Robles pounded pitching this year, hitting over .400, leading the team in home runs and runs batted in.

Robles also led the team in extra base hits, multi hit games and hits, finishing among the leaders in every offensive category for the Eagles.

Corrine Sargenti, Notre Dame: A slick fielding shortstop, the sophomore carried a potent bat this spring for the Spirits, hitting .430.

A three-sport standout, Sargenti hit six home runs, with 21 of her 40 hits being extra bases. She also shared the team lead in hits (42) and drove in 30 runs for Notre Dame.

Kayla Stone, Salinas: Spraying the ball all over the field, Stone led the Cowboys in hitting this year with a .500 batting average.

The junior won the triple crown for Salinas, hitting a team high four homers, while driving 25 runs. She also led the team in hits (42), extra base hits (15), walks (20) and runs scored (32).

 Tom Cardinale, Notre Dame coach: Penciling in a lineup with seven freshmen or sophomores on the field, Cardinale took the Spirits to their first Gabilan Division title in four years.

Notre Dame rattled off 13 straight non-tournament wins, beating two reigning league champions and a defending CCS champion in the final two weeks of the season. Nine of the 13 wins came against playoff bound teams.

Honorable mention: Emily Gonzalez, Salinas; Kailey Clymo, Stevenson; Parker Llantero, Pacific Grove; Marlene Quintero, Notre Dame; Quinci Cox, Carmel; Celeste Meza, Alvarez; Katelyn Calvetti, Monterey; Emily Valdez, Carmel; Melissa Finona; Monterey; Lauren Coppla, Pacific Grove; Abby Gunter, Santa Catalina; Siena Davi Trinity; Victoria Cervantes, Notre Dame; Grace Atkins, Santa Catalina; Melissa Finona, Monterey; Lailah Sanchez-Vega, Soledad; Natalia Martinez, Salinas; Victoria Castillo, Alvarez; Rhea Cosand, Stevenson; Ellie Yamashita, Stevenson; Ashley Ortiz, Alisal; Kaili Holt, King City; Sofia Prieto, Gonzales.

Female Athlete of the Year candidates

Soana Laulotu, Carmel: Volleyball, basketball, track
Jordan Olivares, Seaside: Volleyball, basketball
Meghan Amaral, Notre Dame: Volleyball, softball
Julie Foley, Salinas: Volleyball, track
Laurel Wong, Santa Catalina: Field hockey, track
Yesenia Tinajera, Alisal: Volleyball, soccer
Nancy Andrade, King City: Volleyball, basketball, track
Logan Riggenbach, Notre Dame: Volleyball, softball.

MPC basketball

 Talili Leaea and Quinn Ryan are both scholarship bound for the Monterey Peninsula College men's basketball team.

 Leaea and his state leading 71 percent field goal percentage will play at San Diego Christian while Ryan is headed next winter to Randall University.

 A Coast Conference second team selection last season, Leaea shot 71.7 percent from the field for the Lobos, averaging 16.8 points and 9.3 rebounds.

 He was fourth in the conference in rebounds and eighth in scoring.

 Ryan averaged 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds last winter for MPC, hitting 34 percent from the 3-point line.

Jim Pingree

Burn out, frustration or fatigue weren't apart of the equation.

In fact, with the exception of coaching his daughter in softball, Jim Pingree has never enjoyed the sport more.

Yet, as he nears retirement from the City of Carmel, Pingree felt it was time to start looking towards the future, as he stepped down Thursday as the softball coach at Carmel.

"It's been one of my most enjoyable years," said the 56-year-old Pingree. "But I need to dot some 'I's' and 'T's' at work. I look forward to potentially coaching again in the future in some aspect."

Pingree never suffered a losing season in 12 years as a head coach -- the first nine at Santa Catalina, guiding Carmel to a Mission Division title this past spring.

"It's been a fun ride," Pingree said. "The relationships you build with the players and families. You become a part of their lives. You watch them grow as athletes and become leaders."

Pingree is one of the winningest coaches in county history with 10 or more years of service, having piled up 223 wins in 12 years as a head softball coach, posting a .769 winning percentage.

"I'm proud of the record outside league and in the playoffs," Pingree said. "Our teams were able to compete with the elite teams in the postseason. We were prepared."

Pingree won seven league championships, got to the section title game four times, and won a Central Coast Section crown with Santa Catalina in 2012.

In his three seasons at Carmel, he won 55 games, two league titles, and took the program to its first ever CCS title game in 2018, falling to Santa Catalina, whose head coach was his daughter Alex.

"I was proud of my daughter and I was proud of my team getting to the finals," Pingree said. "I felt I was in a no lose situation. It was uncharted waters for Carmel. It wasn't about me."

Ironically, it was his daughter that turned Pingree from a baseball coach to a softball coach 15 years ago, taking the Santa Catalina position with very little experience.

"It was the best decision I've ever made," Pingree said. "I had to learn this game. I wasn't afraid to call other coaches and bend their ear. I exhausted my resources for a couple of years."

On the job training came with success. Pingree reached the postseason in 11 of his 12 years as a head coach. He took the Padres to a 23 win season in 2016.

While at Santa Catalina, he improved in the win column seven straight years, setting a school record with 25 in 2011 and a CCS title in 2012.

"It's more than I could have ever imagined," a humbled Pingree said, when reminded of how many wins he piled up.

Pingree's reason for walking away from Santa Catalina were the same reasons he took the job -- to spend time with his daughter.

"I did need a break," Pingree said. "But my daughter had been through a couple of hip surgeries. It was her senior year at UC Santa Barbara. I didn't miss a game she pitched her senior year."

But he did miss coaching the sport.

Returning after a years absence, Pingree took the Carmel job, changing the direction and attitude of the program, going 55-17 in three years. Expectations were created.

"That's what you want," Pingree said. "That means you're having success. We were young. We had a lot of unanswered questions coming into the season. A lot of these kids are coming back."

Pingree isn't ruling out a return to coaching at some point after he retires, but in an assistant capacity.

"Oh, I know I'm going to miss it," Pingree said. "I've been around the sport since my daughter started playing as an eight-year old. I am leaving the program in good hands. But you know when it's time."

Male Athlete of the Year candidates

Rashaan Ward, Carmel: Football, track
Nathan Martorella, Salinas: Football, baseball
Kai Lee, Carmel: Football, basketball
Pablo Villasenor, Gonzales: Football, basketball, track
Roderick Gaskins, Salinas: Football, track
Zach DeZee, Carmel: Football, basketball
Evans Charles, Monterey: Football, basketball
Brandon Ducusin, North County: Football, basketball

Final softball rankings

1. Notre Dame: Fell in the CCS Open Division semifinals to reigning champion St. Francis.

2. Watsonville: Advanced to the finals of the CCS Division I championship.

3. San Benito: Were knocked out in the Division I semifinals by Watsonville.

4. Gilroy: Season over.

5. Salinas: Season over.

6. Carmel: Season over.

7. Christopher: Season over.

8. Santa Catalina: Season over.

9. Alvarez: Season over.

10. North Salinas: Season over..

 On the bubble: Monterey, St. Francis, Pacific Grove, Monte Vista, Stevenson.

What to watch

Prep golf
 State championships at Poppy Hills, 7:30 a.m.

Cypress Division baseball

Cypress Division baseball
Player of the Year: Xando Mendez, Gonzales
Pitcher of the Year: Jaime Soto, Greenfield
First team
Xando Mendez, Gonzales
Jaime Soto, Greenfield
Sebastian Ramirez, North County
Dalton Rainaud, Seaside
Isaiah Banuelos, Gonzales
Andy Espinosa, Greenfield
Josh Peyton, Stevenson
AJ Valdez, North County
Gabe Mendez, Gonzales
Gonzalo Villagomez, Gonzales
Oscar Villagomez, Greenfield
Second team
John Ramos, Pajaro Valley
Ryan Smith, Trinity
Caleb Wong, Trinity
Skye Franklin, Stevenson
Tony Magana, North County
Jesus Soto, Greenfield
Wyatt Ramos, North County
Ryan Herbert, Trinity
Tyler Garrett, Stevenson
Eddie Renteria, Trinity
Agustin Pantoja, Greenfield
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team
Jonathan Ganaden, Gonzales
Izaiah Mora, Greenfield
Rudy Diaz, North County
Rocky Ramirez, Pajaro Valley
Chris Wilbon, Seaside
Ian Murdock, Stevenson
Anton Guerra, Trinity
Elgie Bellizio team: Greenfield.

Mission Division baseball

Mission Division baseball
Most Valuable Player: Justin Heyn, Pacific Grove
Pitcher of the Year: Hunter Hanes, Pacific Grove
First team
Justin Heyn, Pacific Grove
Hunter Hanes, Pacific Grove
Josh Mares, Pacific Grove
Kevahn Ebron, Pacific Grove
Rowan Trosky, Carmel
Tristan McCallister, Carmel
J.T. Byrne, Carmel
Jabin Trosky, Carmel
Nathan Magana, Alvarez
Andru Holguin, Soledad
Joseph Calderon, Soledad
Sal Lopez, Alisal
Second team
Trevor Heyn, Pacific Grove
Kai Toves, Alisal
Fabian Cabrera, Soledad
Daniel Rosas, Pacific Grove
Matt Gooden, Alvarez
Dylan Vargas, Watsonville
Bryan Serrano, North Salinas
Daniel Miranda, Alisal
Joey Barroso, Soledad
Yungjai Chee, Carmel
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team
Daniel Villegas, Alisal
Logan Beucke, Carmel
Andrew Simon, Alvarez
Julian Camacho, King City
Jordan Espinosa, North Salinas
Freddy Albert, Pacific Grove
Diego Morales, Soledad
Joaquin Mosqueda, Watsonville
Elgie Bellizio team: North Salinas

Gabilan Division baseball

Gabilan Division baseball
Most Valuable Players: Michael Carnazzo, Monterey, Nathan Martorella, Salinas
Pitcher of the Year: Chas Brown, Monterey
First team
Nathan Martorella, Salinas
Michael Carnazzo, Monterey
Chas Brown, Monterey
Jack Tomlinson, Christopher
Justin Deal, Monterey
Jordan Yeager, San Benito
Jon Jon Berring, Palma
Brady Miguel, San Benito
Tyler Keenan, Monte Vista
Max Farfan, Salinas
Nathan Chapman, Salinas
Second team
Jake Ornelas, Christopher
Matt Mendoza, Gilroy
Jackson Pace, San Benito
Marcus Aranda, San Benito
Moises Salazar, San Benito
Stevie Bull, Monterey
Aiden Lee, Monte Vista
J.T. Amaral, Palma
Donovan McAbee, Palma
Evan Maldonado, Salinas
Will Jewell, Salinas
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team
Justin Garrido, Christopher
Tanner Boykin, Gilroy
Alex Vodanovich, San Benito
Joey Pinto, Monterey
Matt Sanders, Monte Vista
Colin Neff, Palma
Shane Landa, Salinas
Dominic Cordova, St. Francis
Elgie Bellizio team: Monte Vista

Final baseball rankings

1. Monterey: Knocked out in the CCS Division II semifinals.

2. San Benito: Fell in the CCS Open Division semifinals.
3. Monte Vista: Defeated in the CCS Division III finals.

4. Pacific Grove: Were ousted in the CCS Division III semifinals.
5. Christopher: CCS Division II champions.

6. Salinas: Season over.

7. Carmel: Season over.

8. Palma: Season over.

9. Alisal: Season over.

10. Soledad: Season over.

 On the bubble: Greenfield, North County, Alvarez, Gonzales.

College Athlete of the Week

CSUMB men's golf: The Otters Elis Svard, Hayata Utsunomiya, Edward Hackett, Matthew Hedges and Brian Whitson combined to lead the team to a No. 5 ranking in the nation.

MPC Basketball Camp

The annual MPC Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 8-14 will be held Aug. 5-9 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Fee is $125. Call 831-601-0685 or mvillagrana@mpc.edu

Hartnell football golf tournament

 The Hartnell College football program will host a shotgun/scramble golf tournament on Friday, May 31 at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas.

 Registration is at 10 a.m. with a noontime start. There will be a hole-in-one contest, a putting contest for $10,000, two closest-to-the-hole contests and the longest drive contest.

 Contact Matt Collins at 831-770-6122 or mcollins@hartnell.edu

Santa Lucia softball

Santa Lucia Softball
Most Valuable Player: Kaili Holt, King City
Pitcher of the Year: Sofia Prieto, Gonzales
First team
Leah Salas, Gonzales
Angelina Flores, Gonzales
Sofia Prieto, Gonzales
Kaili Holt, King City
Skilar Reyes, King City
Sara Hunt, Trinity
Siena Davi, Trinity
Andrea Pantoja, Greenfield
Aligha Ramey, Greenfield
Lluvia Alvarez, Pajaro Valley
Abbigail Lyndholm, Anzar
Second team
Leah Flores, Gonzales
Sabrina Sabato, Gonzales
Brianna Perez, Gonzales
Elizabeth Hernandez, King City
Ariel Carrillo, King City
Victoria Peters, Trinity
Hannah Lopez, Trinity
Norma Ornleas, Greenfield
Azaria Simon, Marina
Na Leleia, Marina
Veronica Alvarez, Pajaro Valley
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team
Sabrina Sabato, Gonzales
Alejandra Tejeda, King City
Bianca Alvarez, Greenfield
Dallas Johnson, Trinity
Denise Salas, Marina
Ebony Teleford, Anzar
Nirel Ortega, Pajaro Valley
Blgie Bellizio team: Anzar

Cypress Division softball

Cypress Division Softball
Most Valuable Player: Rhea Cosand, Stevenson
Pitcher of the Year: Alicia Mendez, St. Francis
First team
Alicia Mendez, St. Francis
Lena Ciandro, St. Francis
Audrey Hernandez, St. Francis
Samantha Baer, Monte Vista
Kendall McPhillips, Monte Vista
Rhea Cosand, Stevenson
Nisha Singh, Stevenson
Ellie Yamashita, Stevenson
Ashley Ortiz, Alisal
Lailah Sanchez-Vega, Soledad
Skylar Hanamaikai, Seaside
Second team
Aaliyah Gomez, St. Francis
Angelina Heredia, St. Francis
Haley Hollingsworth, Monte Vista
Mariah Montalvo, Monte Vista
Gaby Perez, Stevenson
Tomi Main, Stevenson
Kailey Clymo, Stevenson
Leslie Ramirez, Alisal
Daniella Guedea, Soledad
Skylah Fragoso, Soledad
Phoenix Tulau, Seaside
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team
Gaby Perez, Stevenson
Briana Fowler, Monte Vista
Maia Madrigal-Hernandez, St. Francis
Celeste Parra, Soledad
Karla Martinez, Seaside
Alexi Ortiz, Alisal
Sportsmanship team: Seaside

Mission Division softball

Mission Division Softball
Most Valuable Player: Kendra Hyles, Carmel
Player of the Year: Jessica Pavloff, Carmel
First team
Kendra Hyles, Carmel
Jessica Pavloff, Carmel
Emily Valdez, Carmel
Aliyah Robles, Alvarez
Victoria Castillo, Alvarez
Alyssa Allen, North Salinas
Parker Llantero, Pacific Grove
Sofia Gombos, North Salinas
Nina Franklin, Carmel
Celeste Meza, Alvarez
Katelyn Calvetti, Monterey
Second team
Lauren Coppla, Pacific Grove
Jasmine Malone, Pacific Grove
Dillian Chiewpanich, Carmel
Quinci, Cox, Carmel
Stephanie Vasquez, Alvarez
Bella Contreras, North Salinas
Melissa Finona, Monterey
Olivia Calvetti, Monterey
Debora Guzman, North County
Malorie Ramirez, North County
Alondra Navarro, Alvaerz
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team
Madi DiGirolamo, Carmel
Mia Arellano, Alvarez
Jackie Bautista, Monterey
Bekah Bueno, North County
Veronica Mendoza, North Salinas
Lyndsay Llantero, Pacific Grove
Sportsmanship team: North County

Gabilan Division softball

Gabilan Division Softball
Most Valuable Player: Juliana Wilson, Watsonville
Pitcher of the Year: Jessica Rodriguez, Watsonville
First team
Samantha Rocha, Notre Dame
Angelita Fuentes, Notre Dame
Amber Rodriguez, San Benito
Drew Barragan, San Benito
Victoria Cervantes, Notre Dame
Sarah Starks, Christopher
Abby Clark, Gilroy
Jessica Clements, Santa Catalina
Kayla Stone, Salinas
Juliana Wilson, Watsonville
Jessica Rodriguez, Watsonville
Second team
Maliyah Sandin, Watsonville
Nevaeh Pinon, Salinas
Gabi Howard, Christopher
Christina Chavez, Gilroy
Malia Mah, Gilroy
Domonique Monteon, San Benito
Giavanna Felice, San Benito
Logan Riggenbach, Notre Dame
Olivia Robledo, Salinas
Anastacia Alba, Watsonville
Abby Gunter, Santa Catalina
Sportsmanship team
Meghan Amaral, Notre Dame
Kaiya Dickens, San Benito
Emily Ornelas, Watsonville
Abby Clark, Gilroy
Bella Delgado, Christopher
Daisy Chavez, Salinas
Brooke Borgia, Santa Catalina
Sportsmanship team: Christopher

Preps of the Week

Boys

 Vicente Jordan Vanderlipe, Alvarez: After breaking the school record in the pole vault at the state trials with a mark of 15-9, Vanderlipe placed sixth at the state finals, sailing 15-5.

Honorable mention: Azjani McGill, Monterey track; George McNeely, Carmel golf; Justin Deal, Monterey baseball; Daniel Papacica, Carmel tennis; Brendan Moore, Pacific Grove baseball; Hunter Hanes, Pacific Grove baseball.

.

Girls

 Meghan Amaral, Notre Dame softball: Had two hits and four runs batted in for the Spirits in one playoff game, and drove in two more runs in a semifinal loss to St. Francis.

 Honorable mention: Lauren Pritchard, Carmel track; Laurel Wong, Santa Catalina track; Jessica Pavloff, Carmel softball; Victoria Cervantes, Notre Dame softball.

Hartnell youth basketball camp

The Hartnell College men's basketball team will host a youth boys basketball camp June 10-14 for ages 5-14. Fee is $100. Go to www.hartnellpanthers.com/camps/camps-list

Golf scholarships

The AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association awarded five $5,000 scholarships to golfers that intend to pursue their education and sport.

 Among them was Carmel's George McNeely, who is competing next week in the CIF State finals at Poppy Hills.

 McNeely was presented the R.J. Harper Memorial Scholarship. The Gabilan Division MVP will golf next year at the University of North Carolina.

 Carmel's Priscilla Caballero was awarded the Louis Russo Memorial Scholarship. She will compete next year at Glendale Community College.

 Reed McCullough was presented the Pebble Beach Company Foundation Scholarship. The Salinas High golfer will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

 His brother Mason McCullough was awarded the Johnny Miller Scholarship, while Jake Pereles of Carmel received the Jim Langley Memorial Scholarship, and will attend North Carolina.

 In addition, Lauren Hickam of Carmel was awarded a $2,500 Payne Stewart Memorial Scholarship. She will golf next fall at Cal State University, San Marcos.

 Megan Yang of Lynbrook High also received a $2,500 Payne Stewart Memorial Scholarship. She will attend UC Irvine.

Marisa Given

The junior slugger was named to the Big West second team as an outfielder for the UC Davis softball team.

Given hit .329 for the Aggies this past spring with three homers and 30 runs batted in. She led the team in doubles with 11 and scored 24 runs. She was 5-for-5 in stolen bases.

A former two-sport standout at Notre Dame, Given was The Herald's Softball Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year in 2015. She also holds the school record for 3-point goals.

Jordyn Enos

Having turned in her high tops for some cleats, Jordyn Enos was named the Colby-Sawyer women's rugby teams Most Valuable Player.

A North Salinas graduate and former Herald Basketball Player of the Year, Enos changed sports while at Colby-Sawyer, which is in New Hampshire.

The team won the Bowdoin Polar Bears Tier 2 tournament. In 21 games, Enos produced 11 tries for the Chargers. She was also named to the Deans List with a 3.85 grade point average.

Enos was a four-year starter at North Salinas, helping the team to a section title. She earned spots on the Herald's All-County basketball and softball teams.

Chris Clements

The former Pacific Grove hurler was named to the All-West Coast Conference baseball team for the University of Portland.

 Clements, who is a semifinalist for the National Pitcher of the Year, posted a 7-1 record this spring with a 1.69 earned run average -- the fifth lowest in school history.

 Having transferred from UC Santa Barbara, the right-handed Clements struck out 76 hitters in 86 innings. Opponents hit just .180 off  him.

Clement was named the WCC Pitcher of the Week three times, posting one shutout. His ERA is ranked No. 8 in the nation.

While at Pacific Grove, Clements was 16-0 as a junior, helping the Breakers to a school and county record 31-0 season and a Central Coast Section Division III title.

Wrestlers sparkle

 Kaelyn Siason and Melanie Martinez of Alvarez joined forces with Monterey's Valerye Trevizo and Lima Sadozai to help form a state championship wrestling team in their respective weight classes.

 The foursome were a part of the Santa Clara Valley Wrestling Association team that claimed the state dual meet championships in both greco and freestyle.

 Siason was a Central Coast Section wrestling champion last winter at 116 pounds for Alvarez, while Martinez, Trevizo and Sadozai all placed at the section finals.

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a junior varsity volleyball coach. Contact Juan Cisneros at jcisneros@mpusd.k12.ca.

Alisal is looking for a girls tennis coach. Contact athletic director Jose Gil at jose.gil@salinassuhsd.org

Rancho San Juan High School in Salinas is looking for coaches this coming fall for football, cheer, volleyball, boys and girls cross country, girls golf and girls tennis. Contact Matthew Briney at matthew.briney@salinasuhsd.org

Carmel is looking for a head varsity and JV girls water polo coach, a head JV boys water polo coach, a JV assistant football coach, an assistant field hockey coach, and a JV and varsity head girls basketball coach. Apply online at www.carmelunified.org

Kaila Uota

The Salinas volleyball defensive demon was awarded the Positive Coaching Alliance Triple Impact Scholarship for the San Francisco Bay Area region.

 Uota, who will play volleyball this coming fall at CSU-Monterey Bay, was the only winner from the Monterey County area.

 Last season Uota helped the Cowboys go undefeated in the Gabilan Division, reaching the state Nor Cal tournament. She finished fourth in the state among Division I schools in digs with 656.

What to watch

Prep track and field
 State Meet finals at Buchanan High, Clovis, 3 p.m.

State track trials

It crossed Laurel Wong's mind for a brief moment while sitting next to the pole vault runway. Could this be her last attempt in her specialty as a high school athlete for Santa Catalina?

"Just for a moment," Wong admitted. "Then I started computing what I needed to fix. I have to adjust and adapt. I need to make it over this height."

The defending CIF State Meet pole vault champion made it interesting Friday, waiting until her last attempt to get over 12-feet.

She followed that by sailing 12-4 on her second attempt to catapult herself back into the state track and field finals for the fourth straight year at Buchanan High in Clovis.

"It wasn't so much if I'm going to make it. It was more I have to make it," Wong said. "It is a better mindset when you tell yourself that. I didn't want to cope with it if I didn't make it."

Wong was one of three athletes from Monterey County to advance to the finals. She will be joined by Alvarez's Vicente Jordan Vanderlipe in the pole vault and Azjani McGill of Monterey in the 200.

Both broke school records in their respective events. Wong owns the Monterey County record in the pole vault.

"I'm not here for the approval of others," Wong said. "I have four more years at Stanford. I don't need to stand at the top of the podium for that to be verified."

That doesn't mean Wong doesn't have a goal. She will go into the finals ranked fifth based on misses, as 12 competitors cleared 12-4.

Last year Wong won the competition with a mark of 12-6.

"Obviously I want to clear a big height," said Wong, who has vaulted 13-1 this year. "Knowing this is my last high school meet, I'm trying to have fun with it."

Wong, who finished a disappointing third at the Central Coast Section finals last week, cleared 11-6 on her first attempt before seeing her season on the line at 12-feet.

"I was a little scared," Wong said. "My standards were off on my second attempt. The winds were inconsistent. But I was confident I could make it. It was all in the run."

Sailing over 12-4 came with inches to spare.

"I was better on my second attempt at 12-4," said Wong, who holds the county record in the pole vault at 13-3. "I needed that."

Vanderlipe shook off the disappointment of his third place finish at the CCS finals by breaking the Alvarez school record in the pole vault, clearing 15-9 on his second attempt.

"My stomach was bothering me in warmups," Vanderlipe said. "My knees were aching. I didn't have good warmups."

Yet, all those butterflies vanished when he cleared 14-9 on his second attempt and 15-3 on his second attempt. Sailing over 15-9 on his second attempt was a blur.

"Honestly I blanked out," Vanderlipe said. "As I was falling, I let my body do whatever it could. I do not remember looking at the bar as I was coming down."

Vanderlipe didn't show a lot of emotion after the clearance, as his expectations turned to vaulting at a higher mark in the finals.

"I just thought of it as another bar," the 5-foot-8 Vanderlipe said. "The championships are what matter. I want the medal. I want to podium. I have a lot more in me."

The junior, who had a best of 15-6 1/2, was one of only four vaulters to clear 15-9.

Vanderlipe's clearance is three inches off the Monterey County record of 16-feet, set in 2009 by John Prader of Salinas.

McGill turned his third event of the night into a spot in the finals, blistering the track in the 200 in 21.40, breaking the school record of 21.52, set in 2003 by three-time Olympic bobsledder and current Carmel track coach Nick Cunningham.

The Central Coast Section 100 and 200 meter champion, McGill will go into the finals ranked seventh in the 200.

"I got out very well," McGill said. "My start was phenomenal. I have no words to describe it. It set the tone for the rest of the race. In my mind, I'm thinking I'm going to set a personal best."

McGill did more than that, lowering his time by over three-tenths of a second in breaking his third school record of the season.

"My chin was up the last 30 meters," McGill said. "I can fix that. I felt relaxed. I was confident. I ran my race. I didn't concern myself with others."

McGill also lowered his school record time in the 100, clocking 10.71 to finish fifth in his heat for the Toreadores -- and 12th overall.

"I felt good in the 100 as well," McGill said. "Once we got to the middle of the race, the speed of some these guys showed."

McGill ran the second leg on the Toreadores 400 relay team that included William Caliz, Eris Hutchings and Jaiden Russell.

For the fourth straight week, the foursome set a personal record, clocking 41.91 to rewrite their own school for the second consecutive week.

Yet, Monterey, who came into the competition ranked eighth overall, finished 10th, 0.04 seconds off qualifying for the finals.

The top nine in each running event advance to Saturday's finals. Clovis North recorded a time in 41.15.

Carmel's 400 relay quartet of Nick Sloan, Benicio Cristofalo, Lavar Edwards and Rashaan Ward finished 20th overall in 42.70.

"It's never easy going into a season with a new coach whose bringing in a new philosophy," Cunningham said. "This team bought into the culture we wanted to establish."

Cunningham, who took part in the state meet as a senior in the 100 and 200 in 2003, put the state meet on his schedule this year with a purpose.

"I knew this group had the talent," Cunningham said. "It was a matter if they were willing to pay the price of hard work. These kids here today are paving the future. Success breeds success."

Ward, who will play football next fall at the University of San Diego, set a school record in the 100 while Edwards broke the school mark in the 200 last month.

"All the goals I set before the season were met," Ward said. "I'll miss track. But I'll be doing my thing in football."

Sophomore Lauren Pritchard equaled her career best in the high jump for Carmel, clearing 5-feet-2 on her opening height.

Yet, three attempts at 5-4 were not successful in her first state meet appearance. Pritchard was one of eight underclassmen among the 30 competitors in the competition.

State track

 Keep an eye on Azjani McGill. He's going to open some eyes today at the CIF State track and field trials in Clovis.
 The Monterey sprinter ran 21.56 in the 200 virtually alone at last weeks Central Coast Section finals. That will not be the case tonight.
 Meaning the junior will be pushed in his attempt to make the finals and perhaps break another school record at Monterey. He will go into the trials with the sixth fastest overall time.
 McGill is on the bubble in the 100, seeded No. 12 at 10.82. However, he has a season best of 10.71, which could move him into contention for a spot in Saturday's finals.
 The Toreadores 400 relay team of McGill, William Caliz, Eris Hutchins and Jaiden Rusell will go into Friday's trials ranked eighth at 41.92.
 The top nine in each event advance to Saturday's finals.
 Carmel's 400 relay unit of Nick Sloan, Benicio Cristofalo, Lavar Edwards and Rashaan Ward will need a big personal record to inch their way into the top nine, as they are seeded No. 11.
 Vicente Jordan Vanderlipe will look to make amends in the pole vault. The Alvarez junior set a new school record earlier this year, clearing 15-6 1/2.
 Defending state girls pole vault champion Laurel Wong will look to podium for the third consecutive year.
 The Santa Catalina senior finished a disappointing third at last week's CCS finals. Wong, though, has a season best of 13-1.
 Sophomore Lauren Pritchard is the first Carmel girl to qualify for state in over a decade, as she will compete in the high jump, having sailed 5-2 last week.

What to watch

Prep track and field
 State Meet trials at Buchanan High, Clovis, 5 p.m.

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a junior varsity volleyball coach. Contact Juan Cisneros at jcisneros@mpusd.k12.ca.

Alisal is looking for a girls tennis coach. Contact athletic director Jose Gil at jose.gil@salinassuhsd.org

Rancho San Juan High School in Salinas is looking for coaches this coming fall for football, cheer, volleyball, boys and girls cross country, girls golf and girls tennis. Contact Matthew Briney at matthew.briney@salinasuhsd.org

Carmel is looking for a head varsity and JV girls water polo coach, a head JV boys water polo coach, a JV assistant football coach, an assistant field hockey coach, and a JV and varsity head girls basketball coach. Apply online at www.carmelunified.org

King's Academy-Pacific Grove baseball

Central Coast Section Division III Semifinals

Thursday's game

No. 5 King's Academy (16-13) vs. No. 2 Pacific Grove (22-4) at Washington Park, Santa Clara, 6 p.m.

 So we were pushed back two days because of weather. 

 You can still make the argument that the Breakers have not played a meaningful game in 17 days, as their postseason opener was a glorified scrimmage.

 Riding the wave of a 15 game winning streak, the Mission Division champions erupted for 14 runs in four innings in their route of Summit of Daly City.

 The Knights, who finished third in the Peninsula Bay Division behind Menlo and Carlmont, erupted for their third highest run output of the season in an 11-3 win over Palma.

 Without a lot of power at the plate, King's Academy manufactures runs and relies on its pitching and defense to keep games close.

 The Breakers are similar, although Hunter Hanes packed a punch in their playoff opener with a home run over the right field fence.

 Pitching has carried Pacific Grove most of the season with Hanes and tonight's likely starter Kevahn Ebron having dominated opponents in the Mission Division.

 Josh Mares continues to be productive with runners in scoring position while Trever Heyn has been invaluable at the top of the order. Daniel Rosas and Nathan Wood have been consistent.

 Pacific Grove hasn't reached the semifinals since winning the CCS Division II title in 2013.