Claremont High School Coach Bill Reeves received another award on Saturday when the California Coaches Association named him Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year during the group’s annual banquet in Sacramento.

Earlier in the year, the association presented Coach Reeves with a regional award, but he was not aware that he would receive the statewide award, one of two given for girls cross-country, in advance of the banquet.

“It was quite an honor,” Coach Reeves said this week, noting that it was a complete surprise.

CHS Principal Brett O’Connor, who flew to Sacramento for the banquet, snapped a picture as Dan Swagerty, president of California Coaches Association, presented Coach Reeves with his plaque.

The cross-country program has been getting stronger for the past few years, but it really came together under the tutelage of Coach Reeves, who is beginning his third year in the position.

Claremont’s dominance was apparent from the start, sweeping the Palomares League meets, the CIF prelims, and with a CIF Southern Section Division 2 victory for the girls, a first for the program. The culmination of their great season came when the girls and the boys teams both claimed California state titles.

The program looks good this year as well, with Sydney Hwang returning as a junior and a host of JV runners taking the torch from the graduating seniors.

Fastpitch softball celebrates undefeated season

 Claremont FastPitch Softball had a great season with the 10U team going undefeated and winning the Eastern-Northeast district championship by defeating San Dimas, 19-12, in the championship game.

The 8U team lost in the championship game to San Dimas, 9-4, however, both teams qualified for the “C” States Championship Tournament, which takes place June 30 to July 2 in Lancaster and both teams could qualify for Regionals in San Diego July 14 to 16.  

“Our league is small and this is a very big accomplishment regardless of size,” said Bobby Antillon, president of Claremont FastPitch Softball. “This is my first season as president and I would love to acknowledge the accomplishments of our young girls and let our community know what a wonderful job they are doing representing our fine city of Claremont.”

—Steven Felschundneff

steven@claremont-courier.com