Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (March 11, 2005)

Locals wrestlers scrap at state

Los Altos senior Fernando Munoz became the first Eagle grappler to win a match at the CIF State Championship meet in more than three decades. Competing in the 112-pound classification, Munoz hung close in his first match, before getting pinned in the third round. He then won his first consolation match by a 6-4 decision before completing his showing with a narrow 5-4 loss.

St. Francis junior Joel Shaw, competing in the 145-pound classification, finished in 8th place in a field of 38 wrestlers. He won twice to advance to the quarterfinals, in which he lost a 7-5 decision. He split his next two matches before falling in the seventh-place match, finishing the tournament with a strong 3-3 record. St. Francis seniors Jason Sapudar (130-pound), Kevin Cunningham (140-pound) and Mike Morales (189-pound) all got knocked out with a record of 0-2

Eagle swimmers score big

The Los Altos swimming teams had standout performances as they hosted the Los Altos High School Invitational on March 4 and 5.

The Eagle girls, in particular, excelled over the weekend, winning the championship in their competition against six other schools, including perennial powerhouse Palo Alto.

The girls relay teams earned two third-place finishes, in the 200-yard freestyle (against 17 teams) and the 200 medley (16 teams). The Eagles also placed fourth in the 400 freestyle relay (15 teams).

Sophomore Caitlin Beyer won the 100 butterfly race in a time of 1:02.37 (against nine swimmers) and finished second out of 22 swimmers in the 100 backstroke.

The Los Altos boys finished in fourth place, competing against seven other schools.

The boys 200 freestyle relay team won third place (against 19 teams). The Eagles also placed fourth in the 200 medley relay, a competition among 20 teams.

Seniors Connor McColl and Michael Orton had the most success in the individual events. McColl earned third place in the 200 IM (against 12 swimmers) in a time of 2:04.74 and finished fourth in the 100 backstroke (25 swimmers). Orton finished fifth in both the 100 butterfly (12 swimmers) and 100 freestyle (28 swimmers) events.

All individuals and relay teams listed above qualified in their events for the Central Coast Section Championships to be held at Stanford on May 13-14.

The Los Altos boys and girls teams host Gunn on March 22.

MV wins softball opener

Behind a complete-game shutout by freshman Kendra Vanek, the Mountain View softball team defeated visiting Piedmont Hills 3-0 on March 2.

Vanek surrendered only two hits, while recording seven strikeouts and no walks.

After three scoreless innings, the Spartans offense came to life in the fourth inning. After two singles, Mountain View stole three bases on the way to scoring all three of its runs despite only one additional hit in the inning.

Senior Ana Olmos and sophomore Lauren Burks each had two hits and a run for the Spartans.

Mountain View (1-0) visits Milpitas to begin De Anza Division play on March 17.

Lancers looking to defend baseball title @text The St. Francis baseball team, the three-time defending champion of the West Catholic Athletic League, is ready to welcome its challengers with the 2005 season on deck.

With a 3-2 win over host Cupertino on March 5, the Lancers ran their pre-season record to 5-1.

St. Francis, backed by the strong pitching of junior Kevin Hinsch, overcame four errors to hold off Pioneers. Senior Jared Lansford completed the game for his first save.

Senior Chris Coleman led the Lancers offense with two of his team's six hits.

St. Francis visits Valley Christian to begin WCAL play on March 15.

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