Tsunami Three at the JO-C

SIX TIME JUNIOR OLYMPIC CHAMPION

Three members of Lompoc Tsunami Aquatics participated in the Central California Junior Olympics meet in Bakersfield, CA [16-18 Feb 2008]. Complete Meet Results .

The leader of the group was again Paola Hernandez - who is still looking for effective competition. The twelve year old swam in the maximum seven events (14 races- 7 prelim's & 7 finals), with six wins and one second place finish, while establishing ten new personal records [PR's] during the meet. She had six firsts and a third in the preliminaries. She was the Girls 11-12 Year-Old Division High Point Winner (137) over Emily Swindle (120) & Madison Faulkner (116.5), both from the Santa Barbara Swim Club.

Tiffany Hubbard
Lompoc also received fine efforts from 12 year-old Tiffany Hubbard (5 PR's in 7 events) and 11 year-old Rebecca Riley (2 PR'S in 1 event). The three combined for enough points for LTA to finish in 20th place out of the 32 teams with over 700 swimmers at the meet.
Their results in the 11-12 year old girls division (in order of competition) were:
Event (# of competitors) [1st or 2nd place time]
[swimmer/pers. record/prelim time/finals]
Bold= a new Personal Record (PR)



100 Yard FLY (29) [2nd 1:03.10]:

Hernandez [1:03.81] 1:02.16 (1) 1:02.16 (1)
Hubbard [1:10.32] 1:10.50 (12) 1:09.62 (12)

Hernandez set PR in prelims, equaled in final

50 Yard BACK (38) [1st 29.69]:

Hernandez [30.48] 30.08 (1) 29.92 (2)

Hernandez set PR's in both races,
but was nipped at the wire in the final.


200 Yard IM (41) [2nd 2:22.40]:

Hernandez [2.21.85] 2.23.40 ( 1) 2.19.07 ( 1)
Hubbard [2.33.58] 2.33.05 (16) 2.33.59 (14)

200 FREE (43) [1st 2:03.77]:


Hubbard [2.13.83] 2.15.79 (22) ------

100 BACK (45) [2nd 1:04.97]:

Hernandez [1.04.67] 1.04.83 ( 1) 1.03.71 ( 1)
Hubbard [1.11.27] 1.11.10 (12) 1.12.00 (13)

50 FREE (60) [2nd 26.64]:

Hernandez [26.14] 25.97 ( 1) 25.65 ( 1)
Hubbard [27.99] 27.72 (11) 28.08 (14)

100 FREE (38) [2nd 57.10]:


Hernandez [58.30] 57.54 ( 1) 56.84 ( 1)
Hubbard [1.00.43] 1.00.49 ( 9) 1.00.67 (10)

100 BREAST (31) [1st 1:10.82]

Riley [1.25.79] 1.23.91 (21) --------

Rebecca Riley

Riley set a new PR for the 50 yd Breaststroke in the first 50 of her 100 yard swim [40.34 to 39.64]. The new time would have been good enough for 28th in the event at the meet.

50 FLY (35) [2nd 28.85]


Paola Hernandez [28.52] 27.80 ( 1) 28.04 ( 1)
Tiffany Hubbard [30.52] 30.01 ( 5) 30.20 ( 7)

Old Airport News , 7 Feb 2008

The sports day began and ended with overtime, starting in the pool and ending in the stadium. In between, there was action in many areas of the old airport - LHS baseball & softball were warming up for take off at Bodary Field and the LHS softball field, basketball was practicing in the Paisola Pavillion for Friday nights games, at COLAC three Tsunami members were preparing for next weeks Junior Olympics, and the LPL girls water polo tournament finals were played, plus Lompoc & Cabrillo faced off in boys and girls soccer at Huyck Stadium. Lets start with the ending and begin at Huyck.

I am so proud of you....

When an emotional Lompoc boys soccer head soccer coach Phil Galfano addressed his tired but jubilant charges after a momentous 1-0 overtime win over Cabrillo, he knew exactly what to say. He began with "I am so proud of you". In a turbulent season that brought many disapointments, he had never stopped believing in his squad and kept working to get them to believe in themselves. In many games they had outplayed their opponent, but their inability to get the ball into the net had resulted in losses. But over the course of the last three weeks, they truly began to gel as a team. They did not lose in their final five league games, and by tying perennial powerhouse Santa Maria, and defeating the Conquistadores they proved they could play with anybody in the area. They also had a major effect on the LPL standings: the tie bumping the Saints to second, and the defeat dropping Cabrillo from first to third.
Both schools had chances throughout the game, but the defenses were intense. Several yellow cards were shown and play was quite physical. Many people's emotions grew quite heated during the game. Oscar Torres of the Conq's was assisted from the field, but later returned to the game. The Braves Andy Maldanado was not so fortunate, he had to leave the field on the cart and it is believed that he might have a leg fracture.
The play in goal was outstanding with several incredible stops by keepers Alex Zavala (CHS), Roberto DeLuna (LHS), and Jorge Hernandez (LHS) who finished the game after replacing DeLuna mid-way through the first half when DeLuna was injured on a collision in the box. Hernandez, in particular, had a brilliant series late in the game. He made three stops in continuing action inside the goal area, the last one, only partially blocked, was slowly trickling towards the goal from about two feet away before being cleared by Juan Elizalde.
The winning goal was scored in extra (injury) time of the second half of overtime. Alex Botello (#3) lofted a penalty kick, from about 5 yards beyond the box, towards the right-hand goal post, where a charging Marco Vargas (#5) headed it into the goal. Lompoc had several similar opportunities earlier in the game, but was unable to convert. The ball, however, always just managed to elude the net.
Galfano had one final message for the Conquistadores as they head into CIF competition - "Let me know where you are playing and I will be there to support you."

More Soccer

The Girls varsity soccer teams also met at Huyck, with Cabrillo prevailing 2-1. Diamonne Mitchell scored in the first off an assist by Amanda De Temple, she returned the favor in the second half when De Temple scored off a header by Mitchell. Lompoc' goal came late in the second when Sunny Estrada made a nice move on the left side, spun across the front of a defender, an booted the ball past a stunned Cabriilo goalie to cut the lead in half. This was also a very physical game.

Both the LHS varsity teams held reconition ceremonies prior to thier games. The girls honored the seniors on the team and support staff and also on the Cabrillo team. The boys honored their seniors and the seniors parents.

The CHS JV girls won their match 5-0 to finish league play 8-0-4. Goals were scored by Milinda Favela (2), Alisha Melatti, Christina Goodchild (just returned from a knee injury), and Emily Paz.
The boys JV match-up was another overtime affair. Tied 0-0 at the end of regulation, it was eventually won by the Braves on penalty kicks despite two great saves by Isaias Suarez.


Not ready to give up the title yet

The Cabrillo girls water polo team faced off against the upstart St. Joseph Knights in the LPL Championship Game. Both teams had won their preliminary match-ups on Tuesday - Cabrillo beating Morro Bay & St. Joe defeating Santa Ynez. There was even some talk around the pool that the Conquistadores reign at the top was shaky, if not entirely over. The problem was that apparently no one had checked with the girls in the pool. Cabrillo came out fired up, scored 3 goals in the first two minutes, 8 unanswered in the first period, and cruised to a 19-2 win. Cabrillo scoring: Rachel Nelson (8) [above], Ashley Coski (7), and one each by Daniela Alvarado, Maggie Carroll, Leesha Taylor, and Chloe Huggins. Michelle Buss [below] played well before being substituted.

In the third place game, Santa Ynez overcame a 4-1 deficit halfway through the 3rd period to win 6-5. It was a very close game with the game tied for most of the 4th quarter and both teams having good shots on goal.

The day started, however, with Lompoc attempting to hold on to 5th place. They jumped out to a four goal lead (5-1) at the end of the first, but Santa Maria managed to nibble away at it for the rest of the game and eventually tied it up at eight with 4:08 left in regulation.

A major factor in the comback was the decision by the Saints to continually pressure goalkeeper Erica Elenes. This forced her to pass the ball off and negated one of the Braves primary weapons - her down-pool passing on transitions which had set up several of the early goals. It also delayed the start of the Lompoc set offense by burning 5-10 seconds off the 30 second shot clock.

Niether team could score again before the clock ran out and the game went to overtime. The first overtime consisted of two three minute periods with a changeover between them. The Saints outscored the Braves in the first half 3-2 , but Lompoc evened it up with 14 seconds left in the 2nd half of the overtime period. The second overtime was a single three minute sudden-death period -- neither team scored. Another sudden-death period ensued, and Santa Maria posted a goal with 1:40 left.

Lompoc received 5 goals from Brooke Crouse, two each from Shelby Carpenter and Amanda King, and great goal play from Erika Elenes. The Saints got five goals from Bryanna Torres, four from Patty Vogel, and absolutely dominating physical play from goalkeeper Liz Loshbaugh.

Off to Bakersfield

Three members of the Lompoc Tsunami Aquatics Team have qualified for the Junior Olympics in Bakersfield next week. Paola Hernandez and Tiffany Hubbard both plan to swim in the maximum seven events selected from those in which they qualified. Rebecca Riley was able to qualify in the 100y breaststroke at the central area Last Chance meet last weekend. Paola (LVMS) and Rebecca (VMS) also like to play soccer, while Tiffany is a talented cross-country runner at LVMS. [Rebecca, Tiffany, Paola] -- el stato

The Tsunami Returns, Wednesday Hoops

The Lompoc Tsunami Aquatic Team has been busy since the new year began trying to qualify swimmers for the Central California (18 and under) Junior Olympics in Bakersfield. The event, to be held 15-18 February at Bakersfield College, is the sectional qualifier for regionals, nationals, etc. . They have been to two meets and may go to a third.

New Year's Resolution Meet

First they sent a contingent to the Pleasant Valley sponsered New Year's Resolution Meet at Ventura College. Twelve swimmers [7 girls, 5 boys]competed in seventy-five races.
The girls and the team were led, as usual, by Erin Gracyk & Paola Hernandez. Hernandez, the twelve year old "stud" of the squad, compiled 5 wins, 2 seconds, and a third at this meet-mostly in top division races. Eight year old Erin Gracyk had her usual up and down (sink or swim ?) meet with 4 wins and a 2nd to go along with 3 DQ's in relatively new events. Rebecca Riley (12) was in the top 9 in all eight of her races, including two 2nds and a 3rd. Erica Gracyk (10) had a 2nd & four other top 7 finishes. Emily Gracyk (12) showed great consistancy in 8 races, finishing 5th-7th in seven, and 9th in the other. Abigail Carpenter (11) had a 2nd and a 6th competing in five races against the twelve year olds. And Brittany Biedleman managed two 12ths in three races while making her first appearance of the season.
For the boys, eight year old Ryan Dang mirrored his compatriot Erin Gracyk with three 1sts, a 2nd, and two DQ's. Gavin Larson (16) had two wins (in the backstroke) and was top 20 in his other five races. Jacob Robinson (9) also suffered DQ-itis with three, but he was top 10 in the other five races- including two 3rds. Eleven year olds Blake Espinoza & Alex Hamner swam ten races - posting top 20 times in nine of them (1 DQ). Espinoza had three top 10's and Hamner had one.

For complete Resolution meet results click on : http://www.socalswim.org/Results/ResultsDetail.asp?iCategoryIdNav=18&iResultsId=3154&sReturnUrl=%2FResults%2FResultsSearch%2Easp%3FsSearchString%3Dresolution%26sSearchScript%3D%252FResults%252FResultsSearch%252Easp%26sSearchUsing%3DEXACT%26Action%3Dsubmit.



February Last Chance

Thirteen swimmers represented LTAT at the Santa Maria February Last Chance Swim Meet. This meet was marked by the debut of three girls. Lia Zarinen (9), Maddison Stangl (8), and Nichole Zarinan (7) all posted top 20 initial times in several events, led by Stagl's 5th place in the 100 yard backstroke. Paola Hernandez was her usual self winning six races while attempting to improve her times. Tiffany Hubbard (12) also had an excellent meet with 4 wins, one 2nd, two 3rds, and a fourth in eight races. Emily Gracyk (two top 10's & one top 15 in three races), & Rebecca Riley (two 4ths, a 7th , an 8th, and two other top 20's) also worked on bettering their times.
The boys got three 2nds and a 6th from Jacob Larson (19). Jacob Robinson (9) posted a 2nd, two 4ths, two 5ths, and a 6th in his six races. Ryan Dang had four top 10 finishes, topped by a 3rd in the 100 backstroke in his first official outing in that event. Alex Hamner (two top 10's) and Alexander Strub (one top 10) were 16th or better in all five races they swam.

For complete Last Chance meet results click on :http://www.socalswim.org/Results/ResultsDetail.asp?iCategoryIdNav=18&iResultsId=3172&sReturnUrl=%2FResults%2FResultsSearch%2Easp%3FiAbsolutePage%3D2%26action%3Dmove%26sSearchString%3Dlast%2520chance%26sOrderBy%3DRank%26sAscOrDesc%3DDESC%26sSearchUsing%3DEXACT%26iCategoryIdNav%3D17


Wednesday Basketball Results

On the Bryan Ayer court at Paisola Pavillion, the Lompoc High girls varsity basketball team easily defeated a game but clearly out-manned squad from Templeton. The Braves raced out to a 10-2 lead with just over three minutes gone in the game, cleared the last player off the bench with 1:14 left in the first period, led 23-9 at the half, and were never seriously challanged by the Eagles en route to a 60-30 win. Jozza Ray led all scorers with 18, Lane had 12, Casullo and Lizzaraga each put up 8, Cromp & Stumpo 5, and Lopes and Taylor 2. Shelby Dutra had 14 for the Eagles.

Many of the Braves were dragging due to the fact that they were recovering from a week of flu-like symtoms- in one case consecutive days of 103 degree temperatures. Also Bree Taylor recieved a very painful knee injury late in the game. Her status for Friday's game versus Santa Maria is uncertain.

The JV, on the other hand, was suffering from two days of Exit Exam testing (for the sophomores) and the emotional 30-29 loss to Morro Bay last Friday. They had not fully recovered apparently, losing a close 34-28 game to the visiting Eagles. Templeton was able to get an early three point lead on the Braves mid-way through the initial quarter. The Eagles were able to push it up to nine points and Lompoc was able to cut it to one, but the Braves never could get to even or the lead. They spent much of the fourth period trailing by 5-7 points; close enough to maintain hope - far enough not to get there. Stephanie Baca had 9 and Claudia Aguirre had 7 for the Braves, Carly O'Sullivan 17 for the Eagles.
Claudia Aguirre has been added to the varsity roster for CIF, and since there was no frosh game three players from that team were brought up to the JV for the game. Those three were Kaylin Barnes, Chyane Fabing, and Sami Martin. ---el stato

Comments from College

A Compendium from the College Avenue Carousel:

• The Lompoc Girls Soccer teams both recorded victories over Santa Maria on Tuesday (Jan 15) -- the varsity jumped out to a 6-0 halftime lead and coasted to a 10-0 final. The JV, on the other hand, started off slowly, dropping to a 1-0 deficit before exploding late in the game for a 5-1 win. Scoring for the varsity Braves were Lindsey Eckersley (2), Stephanie Miranda (2), Sameeha Husayn, Elicity Fabing, Lily Zuniga (from 25-30 yards out), 'Sonny' Estrada, Veronica Villareal, and Teresa Carreno ; Jennifer Justice (3), Brittany Fabing, & Sonia Pantoja scored for the junior varsity.






Spectators help the JV Girls Celebrate




The Girls will host a fundraiser BBQ & Bake sale in the Walgreens parking lot on north 'H' st this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm .






The recently renamed Lompoc Tsunami Aquatics will be holding an event this weekend (the 19th & 21st) to raise money to pay for practice facility lane fees. The group hopes to raise part of the $6,000 annual cost with a " Lap-A-Thon", with individual swimmers securing pledges for laps swum. Donations and pledges are always welcome. Lompoc Aquatic Center director (and Tsunami coach) also announced that there will be additional open swim hours this coming Monday (the 21st).






The LHS Wrestling squad meanwhile recorded a narrow 42-40 win on the road at Santa Maria. The JV result was lopsided once again partially due to forfeits at 9 weights. Lompoc won one of the five contested JV matches.






On Wednesday, the Cabrillo Girls Water Polo team defeated an over matched Santa Maria squad eighteen to four. Rachel Nelson had five goals; Celeste Sazzani, Cloe Huggins, Jessica Carreon, and Maggie Carrol each had two goals. The Saints only have eight girls in the program - all sophomores except for senior goalie Liz Lashbaugh (who had six first half saves). Hence there was no junior varsity action.





The Entire Santa Maria girls water polo program


Unfortunately, due to technical problems (progress has been made), the pictures with this post, the report on last nights basketball contests, & the LHS Girls hoops update scheduled for today have been temporarily delayed . -- the s