Page 6 December 31, 2015 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Eagles from page 3 This past summer the Special Olympic World Games were hosted by Los Angeles where some 170 countries were represented that brought over 7000 athletes to Southern California. El Segundo was ultimately selected as one of the host cities and Macedonia and Barbados were the countries that were hosted. Thanks to the hospitality, generosity and the unselfish commitment by hundreds of volunteers behind the scenes in El Segundo the Macedonia and Barbados teams were treated like rock stars and the true gifted athletes they truly are. The El Segundo high school football team put together quite a resume to advance to the post season for what would have been a school record seventh consecutive season. However the Eagles, who finished 8-2 on the year, was the only eight win team in Southern California not invited to the post season’s big dance. It was probably for the better since the team was riddled with injuries that included quarterback Jason Kehl, a couple of key linemen and most of their linebackers. The girls’ cross country team won the Ocean League title and advanced to the CIF finals. The girls’ volleyball team had their best season in ten years as the Eagles went 16-9 overall and 9-3 in Ocean League play behind Santa Monica. Taylor Amaral, one of just five seniors on the roster, helped lead her team into the CIF playoffs where they defeated Rialto in the first round but fell to La Serna in four games in the CIF-SS 3AA playoffs. El Segundo high school’s cross country program has come a long way in recent years. The girls’ team led by Brianna Harmon, Nikki Fulcomer and Grace Hoffman led the Eagles to an Ocean League title. Five of the team’s top runners are will return next season. The girls’ advanced to the CIF prelims where they edged out St. Lucy’s to advance to the CIF finals. The team did well at the finals but did not medal and no individual qualified for the state meet. Gavin Glynn had a year to remember. Ranked fourth in the state he won five of his races, including the Ocean League final, and helped guide his team to the CIF prelims and finals. The team finished seventh at the prelims and eighth at the CIF finals. Only Glynn advanced to the California CIF State finals where he medaled and finished eighth. It’s believed the first time in over thirty years El Segundo was represented in the boys race. The boys’ water polo team tied for the most victories in the CIF- Southern section with 26 wins. The Eagles hosted Santa Monica in the finale of the Ocean League schedule and was looking for redemption for the loss the Vikings had handed the Eagles. With a share of the league title at stake the Eagles fought off a 3-1 deficit to win a thriller 8-7 thanks to Lukas Frerichs’ goal at the buzzer. The Eagles would advance to the CIF-SS Division 4 semi-finals where they fell to Righetti the eventual CIF champions. The boys’ basketball team hosted two early December tournaments and played some of Southern California’s top teams. Consider the following teams the Eagles lost to including Harvard-Westlake, Fairfax, Loyola and Mira Costa. Each is highly rated in their respective divisions. The Eagles will be playing in the Punahou Invitational in Hawaii just days before the New Year arrives. The girls’ basketball team has started off on a great note. After competing in the Downey Tournament the Lady Eagles defeated three teams with winning records including Division 1A power Westminster only to face Kennedy (La Palma) in the finals. The Fighting Irish are one of the top teams from the Empire League. The Eagles’ demise was a poor first and third quarter shooting and they fell 41-30. The Lady Eagles traveled to Henderson, Nevada to compete in the Green Valley Tournament. They’ll travel to second ranked Mira Costa next Tuesday, January 5 to play the Mustangs at 7pm. The girls’ soccer team is off to one of the program’s best starts in school history. The Lady Eagles defeated West Torrance 2-1 to capture the 36th South Torrance Holiday Matt Marak was a three year starter and helped the Eagles to a 26-5 record and a CIF playoff semi-final appearance. Classic title. El Segundo took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute when a long free kick deflected to Nicole Saunders, who shot and scored from about 15 yards out. El Segundo (5-1-1) made it 2-0 early in the second half when Amanda Gamboa headed a corner kick from Antoinette Saldana to the feet of Cate Post near the goal line, and Post put the finishing touches on it. It was the second time the two teams have met this season. West Torrance, the top ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 3, has the Eagles to thank for their only loss and this season. Get out and support our locals at a game, a match, a meet but just get out there and cheer. There’s nothing better than filling up those bleachers and being loud by showing your support. Besides that with the price of a single ticket and parking at a professional venue you can take your whole family, get a better seat and plenty of money left over for the snack bar or a local restaurant or both. On behalf of Herald Publication Happy New Year and may the new year be all you want it to be. • We said goodbye to an El Segundo icon and baseball pioneer Bob Flynn. So as 2015 fades to memory let’s look forward to another year in sports in El Segundo. The Moments from page 3 to California by defeating LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. Steph Curry took the nation by storm and is now one of America’s favorite, most respected athletes. The Warriors finished with the most wins in the league last year (67) and are already off to the best start in the game this season. By beating the Lakers, the Warriors also set a record for most consecutive wins to start a season (16). Who could forget the Seahawks in the Super Bowl? All the talk of “Deflategate” was upstaged when Pete Carroll decided to take the ball out of Marshawn Lynch’s hands at the 1-yard line. Russell Wilson threw an interception to New England’s Malcolm Butler and in one of the strangest turn of events ever seen in a championship game, Tom Brady and the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX by a final score of 28-24 and in dramatic fashion, to say the least. Speaking of dramatic, American Pharaoh did something that hadn’t been done in almost 37 years by capturing the Triple Crown. Affirmed was the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes all in the same year. That happened way back in 1978. 11 horses have had the opportunity to accomplish the feat before American Pharaoh by winning both the Derby and the Preakness, but all failed to take home the last leg of the Crown. Pharaoh put on his lucky horseshoes and made history by galloping past the finish line and right into the hearts of America with a historic victory. One that may not be seen again for another 38 years - or longer. Jordan Spieth won the US Open, the Kansas City Royals won the World Series, Ohio State won college football’s first ever playoff to become champions, Wisconsin and Frank Kaminsky upset Kentucky in college basketball’s National Championship game, and Kobe Bryant finally said goodbye to the sport that he loves. Naturally, there are many, many more storylines from the year that has passed that were incredible, memorable and emotional, all the same. Unfortunately, not all can fit into just one article, but another great thing about sports is that we all experience the memories in our own unique way. What memory may stand out to you, may not stand out to another, but that’s what makes sports and the moments that they create so great. Here’s to another year of making memories and best of luck to all those that you scream, cheer, laugh, and cry for. Asixlion@earthlink.net • Jason Kehl led the Eagles to an 7-1 record before being sidelined for the last two games of the year.
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