How to resolve AdBlock issue? Senior swimmers leave mark on Villanova program despite shortened season
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Villanova senior Nick Maulhardt, shown here on the soccer pitch, was one of three seniors on this year’s swim team who had their season cut short.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
When Villanova Prep coach Tim Settem talked about the three seniors in his swim program, he mentioned that all three had terrific attitudes and even better work ethic. This year’s seniors included Nick Maulhardt, Isabella Angulo and Dana Gramckow.
Sundowners kick off 30th season
Photo submitted
Erik Wilde was one of the first players to tee off during the opening day of the 2020 Sundowner season. The popular league was delayed due to COVID-19, but it is now officially underway.
James Casey, Ojai Valley New contributor
The Sundowner Golf League finally started its 30th season of play after a four-week delay due to the COVID-19 virus. Players made sure to adhere to social distancing guidelines and local regulations governing safe golf practices. Despite a slightly different feel than past years, players were all smiles as they began their golf season.
Rodarte resigns, Heath to head NHS softball
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Don Rodarte huddles with members of his 2019 CIF championship team. Rodarte recently resigned as head softball coach after 15 years at the helm.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
After leading the Nordhoff High School softball program for the last 15 years, Don Rodarte recently resigned. The school has hired Emily Heath to take over the program, announced athletic director Rene Nakao-Mauch.
They come from away, to Ojai
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Some of the world’s best bicycle racers in the world zipped through the Ojai Valley back in 2008 as part of the Tour of California. Ojai has hosted athletes from all corners of the globe in recent years.
This is the sixth in a series of reflections during this COVID-19 shutdown on some of the people and stories that have graced the pages of the Ojai Valley News.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
About a month before we were all told to stay home, I was fortunate enough to attend the musical opera Come from Away, which relates the true story of 6,700 passengers from 38 commercial airplanes stranded by the 9/11 attacks in the small town (population 10,000) of Gander, Newfoundland.
Ojai’s Hardwood All-Stars, Part Two
Photo by Ted Cotti
Mark Sebek of UC San Diego (left) faces his brother Tim Sebek, who played for Azusa Pacific University, back in 1998. The Sebek brothers were two of the best players to ever play on the hardwood in the history of Ojai basketball.
This is the fifth in a series of reflections during this COVID-19 shutdown on some of the people who have graced the pages of the Ojai Valley News.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News contributor
Last week we took a walk down memory lane to recollect the best female basketball players to find their way into the Ojai Valley News during the past three decades. This week, we revisit the boys who graced OVN sports pages since 1989.
Honoring Ojai's senior student-athletes
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
The Ojai Valley News would like to honor our senior student-athletes who had their athletic careers cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This week we feature Villanova Prep’s Christian Roe who was a three sport star for the Wildcats. Roe participated in water polo, soccer and baseball.
Two Thacher freshmen earn All-CIF honors
Photos by Carin Yates
This winter, the Thacher girls’ soccer team went 10-4-1 and 5-2-1 in Frontier League play to clinch a post season berth. The team’s success was driven in part by the play of two freshmen, Hattie Hatton (No. 15) and Jordan Yates (No. 9).
Ojai's Hardwood All-Stars, Part One
Ojai Valley News photo by Greg Cooper
Nordhoff High School Hall of Famer Erin Barker (left) is regarded as one of the best basketball players ever to play in the Ojai Valley.
This is the fourth in a series of reflections during this COVID-19 shutdown on some of the stories and people that have graced the pages of the Ojai Valley News.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News contributor
While most local sports fans assert this is a “football town,” Ojai has certainly produced its fair share of outstanding basketball players. And unlike football and most of the other sports, almost every high school in the Ojai Valley fields a basketball team. Indeed, one of the best things about covering basketball for the Ojai Valley News has been the opportunity to watch local teams face off against one another, when the student bodies who crowd into the gyms are almost as excited as the athletes about the opportunity to claim bragging rights for the year.
Honoring Ojai's senior student-athletes
Photo by Holly Roberts
The Ojai Valley News would like to honor our senior student-athletes who had their athletic careers cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This week we feature Villanova Prep’s Jacob Fabbian (right), who starred in soccer and baseball for the Wildcats.
Libbey Courts reopen to the delight of many
Photo by Holly Roberts
The Libbey Park tennis courts reopened last weekend after being shutdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Players were welcomed back to the courts provided they practice safe social distancing. Above, Ojai resident Ginny McConnell shows good form as she volleys with her husband Ted. With the weather warming up and certain restrictions slowly starting to ease up, more players are expected to be out enjoying the world-class Libbey courts.
Nordhoff football aiming for June 25 return
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff student athletes like Jake Palmer (left) are hoping life gets back to normal soon after the COVID-19 outbreak. Palmer had a massive junior season and hopes his senior campaign will earn him an opportunity to play college football.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The COVID-19 outbreak continues to present serious health concerns and will impact our way of life for years to come, but at some point life will get back to some sort of normalcy. For the Nordhoff High School football program, that day can’t come soon enough. According to head coach Lance Wiggins, the team is hoping to resume offseason activities June 25, but what that will look like is anyone’s guess.
Kaiser-Gibson play one of the best of all time
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Damian Kaiser fights for yards against the Centennial Apaches back in a 2007 playoff game, which turned out to be one of the most exciting games in Nordhoff history.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
In last week’s Ojai Valley News sports section, my colleague Ted Cotti recapped some of the greatest finishes he witnessed as a sports reporter for the Ojai Valley News. That got me to thinking back to the most exciting games I have ever covered, and hands down I have to go with the 2007 football playoff game between the Nordhoff Rangers and the Centennial Apaches.
Remember when?
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Back in 2012, the Nordhoff Rangers and Villanova Prep Wildcats met in a key Frontier League showdown. The two programs had a number of hotly contested games over the span of a few years and fans would turn out in force to cheer on their respective teams.
Fantastic finishes to remember
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Former Nordhoff Ranger Micah Thornton hauls in a tough touchdown against the Ventura Cougars back in 2010. The game provided plenty of drama right now to the final moments with the Rangers holding on for a 26-20 victory.
This is the third in a series of reflections during this COVID-19 shutdown on some of the stories and people that graced the pages of the Ojai Valley News.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
Banners on gym walls memorialize the best teams, and halls of fame remind us of the best athletes, but what about the best, or at least the most exciting, finishes?
The Ojai Tennis Tournament vows to make 2021 an event to remember
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Local tennis fans will miss out on seeing top collegiate players like USC standout Brandon Holt this year because the The Ojai Tennis Tournament has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Steve Pratt, Ojai Valley News correspondent
The Ojai Tennis Tournament turns 125 years old this week, but will do so without the playing of one of the longest-standing and unique events in the world.
Soule Park reopens with restrictions
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
A foursome enjoys the friendly confines of the Soule Park Golf Course shortly after the popular course reopened. The course has implemented a number of safety measures as a condition of reopening to the public.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
Local golfers got some very welcome news last weekend when the Soule Park Golf Course sent out an email letting the public know it would reopen April 19. The decision to reopen public golf courses was made by the County of Ventura and by the county’s public health officer, Dr. Robert Levin.