Bonus coverage for Joy Krupa

Claremont Wolfpack Jr. All American standout Joy Krupa was featured in this past Wednesday's issue of the COURIER. The 11-year-old girl led her team in tackles, interceptions and receptions during the 2010 and was one of the main reasons why the Jr. Pee Wee Division team was the only one to represent Claremont this postseason.

In order to read the story, pick up Wednesday's edition of the COURIER or log-in to the COURIER website. But for a bit of bonus coverage, click on the YouTube video below for a sample of what Joy is capable of on the field.

Congratulations to Joy and her success in her very first season in the San Gabriel Valley Jr. All American Football League and many thanks to her family for their hospitality.

Lydens named 'best in the west' by NCAA

Photo courtesy of Pomona-Pitzer Athletics

For Pomona-Pitzer sophomore Anne Lydens, finishing in 9th place at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships has its perks.

As a result of her strong performance last month and throughout the season, Lydens was recently selected by the NCAA as the top runner in the Division III's West Region. Along with the distinction, she became just the 3rd Pomona-Pitzer female athlete to earn All-American honors.

Lydens finished in first place during the NCAA Division III Cross Country West Regional in order to be the west region's top representative at the national championships. She also won the SCIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year Award for placing first in the SCIAC Multi-Dual meets and recording 2nd at the SCIAC Championships.

Congratulations to Lydens for all of her accomplishments this season.

C-M-S sweeps SCIAC 'Athlete of the Week' Awards

Photo courtesy of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletics

According to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, there were no 2 athletes better than Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' Tain Lee and Frannie Hemmelgarn during the week of November 22nd through 28th.

Lee continued his success on the golf greens that week as he finished in a tie for second place at the All-American Golf Classic in El Paso, Texas. His opponents included the other 31 top collegiate golf players in the country. The only NCAA Division III representative recorded a score of 204 (-9).

By averaging 17 points and 11.5 rebounds, Hemmelgarn led the Athenas to victory over UC Santa Cruz and Carleton College during the David Wells Classic held one day after Thanksgiving. The numbers were up from her season averages of 15.5 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per contest.

Congratulations to both C-M-S athletes.

Lowell impresses in first season at Seattle Pacific

Photo courtesy of Seattle Pacific University

Claremont High School 2009 graduate Nikki Lowell made a huge splash on the volleyball court at Seattle Pacific University this season as the middle blocker became an All-American and helped lead the team to one of its best seasons in school history.

“I’m shocked. It’s an honor and I didn’t expect it,” Lowell said in a released statement. “I just went with the flow and just played volleyball.”

Along with her “All-American” distinction, the red-shirt freshman was also named the All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s (GNAC) Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All GNAC Conference's First Team. Her .382 hitting percentage was the highest in school history and ranked her first among all players in the Northwest Athletic Conference and 13th in Division II of the NCAA.

Congratulations to Lowell for her success on the court. Check Saturday's COURIER for a fuller story on her and check below for YouTube clips on the freshman sensation.

'Claremont' football makes a successful comeback

Though there are several football teams that have "Claremont" affixed to their team title within the city, the Claremont High School varsity football team and the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football squads both had memorable seasons.

After 6 seasons of non-winning records, the CHS Wolfpack made the most it could in its first season in the Sierra League. Before dropping a close 28-21 defeat to Roosevelt last Friday, the Pack had recorded a 7-3 record throughout the season. With a strong aerial arsenal captained by senior quarterback Daniel Kessler (3490 passing yards, 37 TDs), this year's Claremont team was one of the most exciting in years.

The Stags of C-M-S had an equally impressive season by going 7-2 overall this fall. C-M-S defeated rival Pomona-Pitzer in a 31-30 overtime thriller on November 13th to clinch one of its successful seasons in memory with longtime coach Steve Retzlaff at the helm. Retzlaff became the team's interim head coach after former longtime head coach Rick Candaele retired this past summer.

The Stags played a smashmouth style of football that featured quarterback Peter Kimmey as the team's leading rusher (645 rushing yards, 14 TDs) and 2119 team rushing yards overall. C-M-S owned the first quarter throughout the season, outscoring its opponents, 73-27.

I had the privilege of seeing both teams in action this season and neither team disappointed. CHS blew out Ayala during its Homecoming game last month and C-M-S was solid in its tough overtime win over the Sagehens. Both teams show promise for the future but while the Stags will have Kimmey returning next year, Kessler will be graduating this coming June.

Congratulations to both the Wolfpack and the Stags on an incredible 2010 season. We're looking forward to next year.

Stags, Sagehens never disappoint

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the latest game in the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps/Pomona-Pitzer football rivalry at Merritt Field and it was well worth attending.

After a slow start of what seemed to be destined a low-scoring game, things picked up over the course of the game to the point where 4 quarters was just not enough for the 2 teams. At the end of regulation, both teams were tied at 24-24.

After C-M-S scored courtesy of Peter Kimmey's 11-yard touchdown run in overtime, Chet Corcos kicked his 4th extra point of the afternoon. Who would've known that the extra point would make the difference as after Pomona-Pitzer quarterback Jacob Caron hooked up with Robert Maki for a 6-yard touchdown reception, a failed 2-point conversion gave the Stags the win, 31-30.

Congratulations to both teams on an awesome game. Look for full coverage of Saturday's game in Wednesday's edition of the COURIER.

So much sports to see, so little time

It's slated to be a busy weekend for Claremont sports with plenty of events coming up in the next 48 hours.

Tonight, Claremont will look to clinch the Sierra League division in a tough road game against Damien at 7 p.m. Can the Wolfpack make one of the biggest splashes ever in the league by winning the title in just its first year? Dick Larson Stadium is your destination to check it out.

Also for tonight, the SCIAC Men's Water Polo Tournament begins today at Haldeman Pool at Pomona College. There will be matches taking place through 7 p.m. today, 7 p.m. tomorrow and the championship will be played at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Saturday kicks off with Claremont High School's participation in the CIF-SS Cross Country Prelims at Mt. SAC. The meet will kick off at 7:45 a.m. with both Claremont varsity boys and varsity girls competing in Division 2 action.

In local AYSO Soccer action, Padua Park, La Puerta Park, Griffith Park, Jaeger Park and Padua Park will all host youth soccer matches beginning at 8 p.m. The season will conclude next weekend.

As for me, I will be attending the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps vs Pomona-Pitzer football game that will kick off at 1 p.m. at Pomona-Pitzer's home field. Bragging rights will be on the line in one of the most unique rivalry games that literally split up the 5 undergraduate Claremont Colleges. If the atmosphere is anything like the basketball games I've attended in years past, this should prove exciting. Expect full coverage of the game for Wednesday's paper.

Have a safe weekend.