NHS water polo starts season with no water
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
As July turns to August and the school year begins, high school fall sport athletes reconvene to prepare for the season ahead. Cross country runners hit the streets and the mountain trails; football players march into the weight room and stadium; volleyball athletes head to the gym; and water polo players dive back in the pool.
Ranger football sharpens skills against Santa Ynez
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff’s Jake Palmer makes a fingertip touchdown catch against the Santa Ynez Pirates in the Rangers’ final tune-up opportunity.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School football program had its final tune-up of the preseason when they hosted the Santa Ynez Pirates for a scrimmage Aug. 16. Both teams made a number of big plays on the afternoon and Ranger fans got a good glimpse of what they’ll see this fall.
Bugsy's Bandits claim Callender Cup
Photo submitted
Bugsy’s Bandits, from left to right: Josh Rood, Marc Sauer, Steve McCurry, Sam Houseman, and Ted Cotti, recently captured the 2019 Callender Cup.
After 16 weeks of regular season play, frontrunners Bugsy's Bandits sealed the deal and took home the 2019 Callender Cup as champions of the Sundowner Golf League.
Nordhoff football debuts in Blue and Gold scrimmage
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff High School senior Korey Stevens (left) beats a defender to the edge in the team’s annual Blue and Gold scrimmage.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
With their season opener right around the corner, the Nordhoff High School Rangers hosted their annual Blue and Gold scrimmage in front of family, friends and fans. Prior to hitting the field, the Rangers hosted a family day which included tailgating and a barbeque.
Local youths catch waves with ORD
Ojai Valley News photos by Holly Roberts
The Ojai Recreation Department has offered a diverse set of activities for local youth this summer. Last week a group of surfers enjoyed some good waves and instruction as part of the 2019 Surf Camp. Left, Campbell Brandstrom focuses on the task at hand while fellow surfer Maya Allen catches a wave with Mitchell Rivers and Caleb Sauceda looking on. For more information on ORD offerings, visit www.ojairec.com.
Villanova Prep Wildcats hope to continue playoff streak
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
The Villanova Prep football team will open its season Aug. 30 on the road against the Malibu Sharks. VPS is looking to return to the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season in 2019.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
This season the Villanova Preparatory School football team will face the Malibu Sharks in its season opener Aug. 30 in Malibu. The Sharks played in the Citrus Coast League in 2018; but because of low numbers they were forced to drop down to eight-man football and should present an interesting match-up for the Wildcats.
Sundowner's season ends with a bang
The Sundowner Golf League regular season ended with an exciting finish. Tony Vacca of Bob Martin's Leftovers ended the season with a bang Aug. 13 by scoring a hole-in-one on the 3rd hole. This was the second week in a row that the league saw an ace, as Grahm Sisson of Boom Sticks had one last week.
Three Ojai Valley teams on volleyball watch list
Three Ojai teams were recently listed on the CIF Southern Section volleyball teams to watch list for the 2019 season. In Division 6 the CIF SS listed the Nordhoff Rangers as a team to keep an eye on this fall. The Rangers are sure to compete for league title; and should be in the race for a CIF SS Divisional title as well.
NHS spikers gearing up for run
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
With returning players like Kolby Fink, the Nordhoff girls’ volleyball team will be one of the strongest in Ventura County.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
With eight key returning players from last year’s CIF Southern Section finals team back on the floor this fall, the Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball squad is understandably excited to get the season started.
Ojai Heatwaves swim at the 2019 California Junior Olympics
Photo submitted
Local swimmers (left to right) Quin Seider, Isabella Coleman, Dahlia Bates-Torres, Tayten Neiderhiser, Eva Lechner-Hill, Melina Seider, Danielle Jowell and Amellina Seider recently competed in the California Junior Olympics.
The Ojai Heatwaves qualified eight swimmers for the Long Course Meters Junior Olympic Championships in Clovis, Calif. July 25 - 28. With daily, scorching temperatures of 110+ degrees, the Ojai Heatwaves appeared to be in their element, stepping it up and achieving new personal best times almost every time they entered the pool. Not even a 2 a.m. fire-induced, full-hotel evacuation on Friday night could stop these athletes from performing at their very best.
Villanova Prep volleyball opens season Aug. 20 at St. Bonaventure
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Villanova Prep is set to have another thrilling season on the volleyball court thanks to a core group of returning players.
The Villanova Preparatory School girls’ volleyball team is also set to make some noise this fall. A season ago the Lady Wildcats went 14-7 overall and 7-3 in Frontier League play. They caught fire late in the season and made it to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 8 tournament. Due to their strong late-season showing, VPS also received an invite to the state tournament.
Sisson scores an ace in Sundowner play
Sundowner golf league saw the first regular-season hole-in-one by a league member in more than five years on Aug. 6. Grahm Sisson of the Boom Sticks used an 8-iron from 153 yards to can his tee shot on the par-3 16th hole.
Nordhoff aims to repeat as league champs
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
The 2019 Nordhoff Ranger football program recently returned to the field in preparation for the upcoming season. Fans will be able to see the team in action Aug. 10 at the Blue and Gold scrimmage.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
When Nordhoff High School football coach Lance Wiggins took over the program, the number of players suiting up was lackluster at best. Fast forward to 2019 and the Rangers have healthy numbers once again, including players who are coming out for the first time as juniors and seniors.
Pair of NHS football players breaking barriers
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
This fall the Nordhoff High School football program will welcome two female team members to the gridiron and head coach Lance Wiggins is thrilled.