There was action for multiple Escalon High School teams this past week, playing non-league matches and participating in invitationals as they get work in prior to starting Trans-Valley League play. Here is a look at how cross country, volleyball, flag football and golf did as they suited up for contests.
CROSS COUNTRY
On Friday, Aug. 21, the Escalon Cougars cross country team traveled to Lodi Lake for the Flame Invitational.
“There were lots of teams that competed and the Cougars had a good showing for the first meet of the season,” said head coach Arend Jones.
The JV boys and girls ran first with sophomore Alden Schultz finishing first for the Cougar boys with a time of 12:28, and senior Miroslava Torres finished first for the girls.
The freshman boys and girls ran next with Ivan Isidro finishing first for the boys with a time of 13:33, and Jocelynn Jelinek and Andrea Calderon placing fourth and eighth, both receiving medals with times of 14:38 and 14:56 respectively.
The sophomore girls ran afterwards with Maria Calderon finishing first for the Cougars with a time of 17:00.
“Finally, the varsity boys and girls ran their three-mile races. Senior Kenneth Vargas finished first for the boys with a time of 20:27 and for the girls, senior Victoria Calderon finished first with a time of 23:50,” Jones said. “The team has added many more underclassmen and a few upperclassmen, looking forward to the growth and how the season progresses.”
VOLLEYBALL
Taking on Central Catholic in the Foundation Game on Aug. 18, Escalon’s varsity Lady Cougars came away with a sweep on their home court, putting away the visitors 25-11, 25-20, 25-13.
“It truly was a team win,” said head coach Stephanie Ceja. “Everyone was contributing from all areas of the court. We have a very strong serving team, and we served Central very tough.”
Leaders for Escalon were Aniston Hunt with four aces, 20 assists and seven digs; Emma Strong with three aces, nine kills and four digs; Avery Bartelink with one ace, eight kills, one block and eight digs.
“We were able to get them out of system a lot and capitalized on their free balls,” added Ceja of sweeping past Central. “It was a great start to the season.”
FLAG FOOTBALL
It was a shutout win for Escalon’s varsity flag football girls, as they shut down Gregori 36-0 on Thursday, Aug. 20. First year head coach Danelle Hagen said they had touchdowns from several players in the victory. Rachelle Barker scored two, with one each from Bretta Brooks, Lola Duenas, Kenadie Baker and Georgia Northcutt.
Also coming home from Gregori with a win was the JV team, which crafted an 18-7 victory.
“Kyla Holback had three touchdown passes, two to Lauryn Siegel and one to Eden Airola,” said head coach Lisa Luis. “We played well on defense with three interceptions – Lauryn Siegel, Monique Coelho and Hadley Casazza – and Maci Woodruff with two sacks. It was a nice way to start the season.”
GOLF
With girls getting in some work during the summer and head coach Chris Casazza being joined by returning assistant coach Lucy Allbaugh and new assistant Ricardo Herrera, the Lady Cougar golfers have started the season with enthusiasm.
“We are very excited to return to the Escalon Golf Course for our home matches this season,” Casazza said. “The crew at the course has improved the course, especially the greens, which allows us to play home matches there. I am extremely thankful for all the work they have put in.”
The girls got in three matches this past week, including one at home on Aug. 17 against Bret Harte.
“Even though a number of our girls had some butterflies, they were able to overcome them once they finished their first hole,” Casazza said. “I was proud of them for powering through.”
The girls won 189-204 over Bret Harte and were paced by the 41 of team captain, senior Samantha Bruns and senior Jayci Trimble, who shot a 47.
Wednesday, the girls traveled to Ripon Golf Club to play Riverbank and once again came away with a win.
“It was nice to get our first away match under our belt,” said Casazza. “We always love playing Riverbank. Coach Mercado is a great guy and his players are always friendly and kind. Our Escalon girls always absolutely love playing against Riverbank.”
Bruns set the pace with a 44, Areli Herrera was right behind at 47 as the girls won 202-227.
The final match of the week was at Greenhorn Creek to play Bret Harte.
“Although it is beautiful it harbors an almost infinite number of hazards, quirks, areas of elevation, and difficult approaches that frustrated our girls,” noted Casazza. “I was very proud that our girls maintained positive attitudes and remembered to have fun.”
Bruns carded the team low of 59, with Herrera at 64.
“I want to compliment our sophomores who filled in on the varsity team for this match,” Casazza said of Natalie Paxman and Marissa Miller. “They stepped into a really tough spot playing Greenhorn. They did great.”
Final was Bret Harte 235, Escalon 270.
