Sports is back in season

If seeing Claremont High School football players out on the football field for "Hell Week" is any indication, high school sports, college sports and other organizational sports will be coming back into season this September.

This fall season, CHS will begin its new journey in the Sierra League after many years in the Baseline League. Instead of playing the likes of Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Etiwanda and Los Osos every year, Claremont will now encounter opponents such as Ayala, Chino Hills, South Hills and Damien in their league contests.

With the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer sports teams also slated to kick off in September, along with Claremont AYSO and the Claremont Jr. All American Football league, next month's sports coverage will kick back into full swing.

Expect a preview on the CHS football team in the COURIER this Saturday and a look at Claremont High's move into the Sierra League next Wednesday.

Senior ladies find fountain of youth on the tennis court

For the past 10 years, a senior group of women have been keeping an active lifestyle and enriching their friendships by getting together to play tennis twice a week. With their ages ranging from 73 to 99, they are a source of inspiration to those who know them and to each other.

Doris Drucker, Shirley Harris, Jean Jackman, Noreen Kistner, Shirley Moses, Eleanor Pierson and Tina Van Zandt represent the group that meets every Monday and Friday at the Claremont Club. Ms. Drucker, the wife of the late Peter Drucker, is the oldest participant at 99 years old.

Pick up tomorrow's issue of the COURIER to read the full story on this amazing group of women who have used tennis as their fountain of youth.

Claremont Fastpitch wins respect at Western Nationals

(Photo courtesy of Claremont Fastpitch)

The Claremont Fastpitch 10-and-Under Gold, 12-and-Under Gold and 14-and-Under All-Star teams all had Top 10 finishes in last week's Western Nationals.

The 14U squad led the way by finishing 4th of 41 teams in Roseville, the 12U team took 5th place in Las Cruces, New Mexico out of nearly 30 teams and the 10U team placed 9th out of 40 teams in Tucson, Arizona.

"We really want to thank the community for their support," said Claremont 10U manager Keven Kempton. "Without their support, we wouldn't have been able to go to the tournaments. This is something the girls will remember for the rest of their lives."

This year marked the first time that 3 Claremont teams went to Western Nationals. Another first for the Claremont squads was competing in Level "B" play after playing in Level "C" last season.

For the full story, check out today's edition of the COURIER.

10U & 14U Claremont Fastpitch teams still alive in Western Nationals

Both the Claremont Fastpitch 10U and 14U All-Star teams are still in the championship hunt according to the latest results from Tucson, Arizona and Roseville respectively.

The 10U team has won all 3 games it has played this week, defeating the Gila Valley Suncats, North Shore and the Hanford Flames to advanced to Saturday's game against the winner of Chino Hills Red and La Vegas Mystic Blue.

Though the 14U team dropped its first game to Po'Okela on Tuesday, the team rebounded to claim victories over the Roseville Thumder Blue and the San Carlos Force over the past 2 days. The Claremont squad plays the Eugene Thunder today.

Check below for scores and upcoming game info. No information has yet to be reported for the Claremont 12U team.

*****

Claremont 10U Results
8/3: Defeated Gila Valley Suncats, 15-0
8/4: Defeated North Shore, 4-3
8/5: Defeated Hanford Flames, 15-0

Next game: Saturday vs winner of Chino Hills Red/Las Vegas Mystic Blue

Claremont 14U Results
8/3: Lost to Po'Okela, 12-0
8/4: Defeated Roseville Thunder Blue, 6-1
8/5: Defeated San Carlos Force, 10-2

Next game: Today vs Eugene Thunder, 3 p.m.

Five Pomona-Pitzer track & field athletes named to All-Academic team

Anders Crabo, Ellie Chestnut, Alicia Freese, Brian Gillis and Claire McGroder of Pomona-Pitzer were all recently named to the U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Division III All-Academic Track & Field teams. Crabo and Gillis were selected for the men's team while Chestnut, Freese and McGroder were picked for the women's team.

To qualify for the All-Academic Track & Field team, candidates must hold a GPA of at least 3.30 and have met the automatic or provisional NCAA Division III standard in their respective events. All 5 Sagehens qualified for the NCAA Nationals this season.

Three hundred thirty women from across the country were named to the women's All-Academic team while 202 men nationwide were selected to the men's All-Academic team.

Candaele to retire, Retzlaff named interim coach

Longtime Claremont-Mudd-Scripps head football coach Rick Candaele recently announced his plans to retire, effective August 15th.

As Candaele retires, assistant football coach Steve Retzlaff will be promoted to interim head coach for the 2011 season as C-M-S conducts a nationwide search for the official successor to the longtime coach.

Candaele coached C-M-S for 15 years and joined the football program in 1993. Retzlaff also joined C-M-S the same year.

"I'm thankful to Rick [Candaele] for turning the football program around and putting the Stags in a competitive position through increased participation, retention, and on field success," said C-M-S Athletic Director Mike Sutton. "His ability to encourage our team to play hard and well for reach other has been our key to success."

The Stags begin the 2010 season on September 11th vs Lewis & Clark at home (7 p.m.).

(Photo of Coach Candaele courtesy of the C-M-S Athletic Department)