News from around the Ojai Valley

The weight is almost over: Lift-a-thon kicks off NHS football season

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Returning letterman and lineman Manny Bautista shows off his strength in the dead lift.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley sports editor
The Nordhoff High School (NHS) football program hosted the Friday Night Lights Family Festival July 13 on the school campus and according to head coach Lance Wiggins, the purpose of the event was to connect the Ojai Valley community to this year’s team and help fundraise for the upcoming season.
“We didn’t raise as much money as we’d hoped, but I thought the work we were able to do around building relationships with the community was well worth the effort,” said Wiggins. “There were a lot of families and lots of kids, which I thought was great. Also, a lot of the parents of our players got the opportunity to get up close while the kids were working out.”

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Daniel McGrew bench-presses 225 pounds during the Friday Night Lights Family Festival lift-a-thon.

Casitas fishing still good, but low water levels are causing concern

Photo submitted

A visitor to Lake Casitas shows off his prize catch for the day, but just as noticeable as the fish is the new island that recently emerged in the background as a result of low water levels.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley sports editor
Despite Lake Casitas only being at 33 percent capacity as of July 18, the lake is still attracting avid fishermen from all over the state. According to local angler and fishing guide Marc Mitrany, the fishing is as exciting as ever on the lake.
“From my perspective, the fishing is great. We are still able to move around the lake and catch fish in different locations. We’re able to provide a great experience for our guests every time out,” he said.

Summer fun requires Olympic-sized effort

Ojai Valley News photos by Holly Roberts

The Ojai Recreation Department (ORD) hosted a Summer Olympic event July 17. The event included touch football, the 100-yard dash, leap frog races, Frisbee throw and ball toss. Event winners were able to collect points to use towards prizes at the end of the day. Summer Olympians (above photo) hurl their Frisbees for distance and accuracy. A group of sprinters (below photo) power their way to the finish line in the 100-yard dash. The ORD will continue to have a diverse set of offerings this summer. Visit http://ojairec.com for more information.

Nordhoff football wrapping up off-season activities

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

With the start of the 2018 football season right around the corner, the Nordhoff High School (NHS) football program will host a Family Festival and Lift-a-Thon so family and fans can see the progress this year’s players have made in the weight room this summer. The activities will be held July 13 and will begin at 5 p.m. in the NHS parking lot. Nordhoff will open its season Aug. 17 at home versus West Ranch. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Bogeymen looking scary in second half

The Bogeymen put together another solid week despite being down one player and remain in first place in the second half of the Sundowner season.
Jethro Todd led the team with a season-best round of a gross-45, for 22 points. Todd said he has seen the team struggle in recent years and is happy to see they are serious contenders for the Callender Cup this year.
Sean Frakes continued his good play by shooting a gross-40, for 19 points. He has seen his handicap drop by three shots since the season began and is now behind only Mike Doran, of Gary's Foreplayers, for the highest average score by any player this year.

Team Knight tops softball standings

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Ryan Cuthbert, former Nordhoff High School football Hall of Famer, pitches during a recent Ojai Recreation Department co-ed softball game. Cuthbert plays for Team Knight which currently sits atop the summer standings with a 5-1 record. In second place is Zephyr Marines who are 4-1-1. The Bears are in third with a record of 4-2, Mas Cerveza is 3-2-1, the Warriors are 1-5 and the Basic Pitches are still looking for the first win of the season. The summer league will continue into August.

Campers participate in diverse activities

Photo by Misty Hall

Sixth-grader and Ojai resident Charlotte Sittig enjoys an afternoon ride on Layla at the OVS Equestrian Summer Camp.

Photo by Misty Hall

Third-grader Taylor McClung, of Ojai, takes a turn on the tetherball court.

Kids of all ages are spending their summer break at the Ojai Valley School (OVS) for the annual Summer Camp, a six-week day and sleep-away camp. The camp runs through Aug. 4 and goes in two-week sessions for kids ages 3 to 16.

Nordhoff names Scott Hannah new basketball coach

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School (NHS) boys’ basketball program has a new leader. The NHS athletic department recently announced the hiring of Scott Hannah who will take over as head varsity coach.
Hannah will replace Matt Murphy who recently resigned as head coach.
“We are excited Scott is joining the Ranger program. We are sorry to see Matt go, but wish him well,” said Nordhoff athletic director Rene Nakao-Mauch.

Deason makes pro baseball pitching debut

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
After getting drafted in the fifth round by the Houston Astros in this year’s major league baseball draft, former Nordhoff Ranger Cody Deason made his professional debut June 29.
Deason, who was assigned to the Tri-City ValleyCats after the draft, faced the Hudson Valley Renegades in his debut and pitched two innings of scoreless baseball. He surrendered one hit but left the game with the lead. The Renegades managed to rally late in the game and won, 4-3.

ORD helps local youth survive summer heat

Photos by Holly Roberts

This summer the Ojai Recreation Department (ORD) is offering swim classes on the Villanova Preparatory School campus for swimmers of all levels. Above, Paige Chisholm (above photo, center) hits the pool with Violeta Velez (left) and Valentina Oliphant to learn the trick of floating on their backs. This summer’s swim faculty (below photo from left) Renee Rapp, Andrew Rapp, Bob Loughman, Abby Coker, Cecilia Elizalde, Paige Chisholm and Derek Kaiser sport their favorite towels poolside.

Melton claims Women’s Club title

Photo submitted

Peggy Melton recently earned the title as the new Women’s Club golf champion at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. In a close competition Melton defeated Claudia Wunderlich on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Adult softballers showcase their skills

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Adult co-ed softball is in full-swing this summer at the Ojai Recreation Department (ORD). In June 26 action, former Nordhoff High School athlete Brook Marquez (left) stretches to make a catch at first base, but opponent Jeremiah Claxton beat the throw and was safe on the play. The slo-pitch games are played Tuesday nights and teams are guaranteed 14 games during the season. This year’s summer league is comprised of six teams and play will continue into August. Marquez, Claxton and the rest of the league are eyeing the league championship that will be determined Aug. 14 when the playoffs are held. Visit http://ojairec.com for more information about ORD offerings.

Hundreds ride Ojai Century

Photo submitted

Participants of the Ojai Century Ride enjoy some shade and cold ice cream during this year’s bike ride.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News reporter
More than 400 bike riders converged on Ojai to take part in the 2018 Ojai Century Ride June 2. The event featured a number of  rides ranging from 31 miles to 134 miles.
According to ride director Tren Morris, all proceeds from the event will go to support Boy Scouts Troops 103, 128 and 179.
Valerie Salazar, race board member, explained the group is still paying expenses and calculating registration fees to figure this year’s contribution, but during past events $12,000 has been raised and divided equally among the troops.