Girls Golf

The Claremont girls golf team returns two varsity starters from a year ago, highlighted by second-year team captain and fourth-year varsity starter Kennedy Bingham.

Caitlin Chan joins Bingham as the only other returning varsity starter from last year’s squad, which featured three first-team All-Sierra League honorees, the most recipients head coach Octavio Hernandez has had in one season in his four years with the program. This year’s team boasts five seniors, one junior and five freshmen.

“We have a young and energetic team,” Coach Hernandez said.

But that’s not stopping Coach Hernandez from having tall aspirations for his team this season.

“My expectations are that we will be competitive in league,” he said. “Our goal every year is to advance to CIF competition and have some of our golfers reach CIF individuals too.”

The Wolfpack are off to a strong start this season and will continue play on Wednesday, October 2 at Ayala.

Football

The Claremont Wolfpack are 0-3 to begin the 2013 season, having fallen to non-conference opponents Glendora, 23-15, Walnut, 42-35, and Bonita, 35-28. Not only have the Wolfpack lost the first three games of the season, but they have also lost nine of their players due to injury.

“Despite the huge adversity that this team is facing, we still expect this team, once healthy, to compete for the Sierra League Title,” head coach Mike Collins said.

Claremont has already rushed for 772 yards in their first three games, led by senior Cecil Fleming who finished with 237 yards and three touchdowns last Friday against Bonita.

Senior quarterback Craig Meyers was injured during the season opener after taking a blindside hit against Glendora, and was replaced by junior Ryan O’Conner in the subsequent game. The Wolfpack currently have one athlete committed to play at the collegiate level: tackle Jordan Austin, who plans to head for USC. Claremont will host Northwood tonight at CHS at 7 p.m. in search of its first win of the season. 

Coed Cross Country

The 2013 Claremont cross country team is looking to make big strides this season, with nine returning seniors and state championship aspirations. 

The girls return seniors Megan Renken, Merin Arft and Kaylee Jorgensen, junior Julia Cantrell and sophomores Kiana Cavanaugh, Reily McLachlan and Annie Gushue.

Newcomers Annie Boos and Alex Gushue are expected to contribute as well, according to head coach Rob Lander.

Seniors Daniel Ross, Adam Michno, Bryce Kasamoto, Tony Ceccarelli, Isaac Texeira and David Musa will lead the boys varsity squad this year.

Coach Lander noted that freshman Ryan Renken looks like a standout this season and could earn a spot on the varsity squad. The varsity teams will not be the only ones making a playoff push for Claremont, however, according to Coach Lander.

“I expect that we will be in the mix for five Sierra League Titles, boys and girls varsity, boys and girls junior varsity and boys frosh/soph,” Coach Lander said.  “Our boys and girls Varsity will go deep into the post-season, and hopefully run well at the State Championships.”

—Bryan Stauffer

sports@claremont-courier.com