Segerstrom’s boys water polo team picked up a key league victory last week, but the Jaguars aren’t interested in relaxing.
The reigning CIF Division 7 champion has entered this week’s Canyon/Valencia tournament, which runs Friday and Saturday. The tournament includes JSerra, Division Ayala and Empire League contender Valencia among others.
Last week, Segerstrom (16-2) defended its No. 2 ranking in Division 6 by defeating Ocean View, 11-9, in the Golden West League.
Super-reserve David Molina scored five goals and Chris Sanchez made 12 saves.
“It was an eye-opener against Ocean View … (because) we didn’t play well,” Segerstrom coach Tim Fredericksen said. “Our defense needs to get better.”
Segerstrom returns Molina and two starters from its 2013 championship team: Martin Madrigal and Nick Navarro. …
Among the top games this week: Troy plays host to Division 4-ranked Sunny Hills in the Freeway League, Tuesday, 3:15 p.m; El Toro, which was considered for this week’s county rankings, plays host to San Clemente in the South Coast League, Tuesday.
– DAN ALBANO
GIRLS TENNIS
University’s girls tennis team will go for its 50th straight Pacific Coast League victory today when the top-ranked Trojans host No. 3 Corona del Mar in the second meeting this season between the two tennis powers.
University (13-1, 7-0) dropped its first match of the season last week when it struggled against CIF-SS No. 1 Peninsula, 14-4. The Trojans rebounded the next day with a 13-5 win over Beckman for the school’s 49th straight PCL win.
The Trojans toppled the Sea Kings, 13-5, on Oct. 2. Another win over CdM today and University will be well on its way to capturing its fifth straight Pacific Coast League title.
– KENNY CONNOLLY
CROSS COUNTRY
There will be no rest for Orange County’s best distance runners this week after competing in the county’s premier showcase over the weekend.
The top-ranked Brea Olinda boys and Capistrano Valley girls teams defended their titles at the Orange County Championships at Irvine Regional Park on Saturday.
This week, they will take part in the Mt. SAC Invitational. The meet will feature many of the state’s top programs, including CIF Division 1 leader Great Oak of Temecula.
Brea Olinda junior Austin Tamagno had been hoping to beat Garrett Corcoran’s O.C. Championships course record of 14:28, but he finished seven seconds off the pace. Tamagno said he is prepared to go full-tilt against the top competition at Mt. SAC.
“I wasn’t too happy with the time, but I’m glad I kind of didn’t go my hardest today, save it for next weekend at Mt. SAC where I’m racing against Division 1 guys,” he said. …
Crean Lutheran senior Lauren Maurer committed to USC. She will run cross country and track and field for the Trojans.
“When you think of the word dedication, she is the epitome of dedication,” said Saints coach Tim Brink. “She is a team captain in both sports.”
– ANDREW TURNER, Contributing writer
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The key number that seems to be on everyone’s mind in the Sunset League is five. As in five-set matches.
Huntington Beach enters the second half of league play in first place at 5-0, which includes five-set victories over Los Alamitos and Newport Harbor.
The Sailors (4-1) have also gone five sets with Los Alamitos and Edison. Last week, the Chargers (2-3) lost five-set matches to Newport Harbor and Los Alamitos. …
Here are some of the top matches this week:
Beckman at Northwood, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.: Northwood begins the second half of league in second place in the Pacific Coast League, one match ahead of Beckman. The Timberwolves edged the Patriots in five sets in their first meeting.
Los Alamitos at Newport Harbor, Tuesday, 5:45 p.m.: Their first match went five sets. The Sailors begin the week in second place, one match ahead of the Griffins.
Santa Margarita at Mater Dei, Wednesday, 6-6:15p.m.: The teams meet for the final time in the regular season. On the court, the Monarchs have two victories over the Eagles, one of which was turned into a forfeit. The Eagles defeated the Monarchs in five sets in their first Trinity League match.
Huntington Beach at Los Alamitos, Thursday, 5:45 p.m.: The Oilers defeated the Griffins in five sets in their first match. Another extended match is always possible when these two meet.
Tesoro at San Clemente, Thursday, 6 p.m.: The Tritons and Titans begin the week tied for first in the South Coast League. The Tritons won the first meeting.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
GIRLS GOLF
Foothill junior Madie Chou is a defending league champion, and so is Yorba Linda senior Brooke Graebe.
They have never had to beat each other to win a league title. Thanks to league realignment, that will change this week. Graebe and Chou will tee off Tuesday in the first round at Goose Creek Golf Club in Mira Loma to battle for the inaugural Crestview League title.
Both are hoping to reach the state championship again this season. But first they have to finish in the top seven in the league finals. That would earn them a spot in the CIF-SS Northern Individual Regional at the River Ridge Golf Club, Vineyard Course in Oxnard.
Placing in the top seven in the Crestview Legaue finals shouldn’t be a problem for Chou or Graebe. Chou has won three AJGA tournaments since April, and Graebe has made it to the state tournament the past two seasons, finishing eighth last year.
But repeating as a league champion? Well, that’s a different story. Not only do they have each other to contend with, but the 2013 Junior PGA Champion will also be in the field, Brea Olinda senior Amy Lee.
Lee, who has committted to USC, returned to high school golf this season. She has become one of the top juniors in the nation. Last month, Lee helped the United States win its fourth consecutive Junior Ryder Cup, delivering th.
– DAMIAN DOTTORE
SWIMMING
Edison All-County swimmer Thomas Smith committed to LSU, the senior said Friday.
Since his freshman year at Edison, Smith has shared his journey of swimming with a benign tumor in his left knee.
He posted some of the fastest times in Orange County. Last season, Smith finished third at the CIF Division 1 finals in the 200-yard freestyle and fifth in the 100 back.
His best event in college might be the 200 back. He holds the Southern California Swimming record with a 1:43.71.
– DAN ALBANO
