Sierra Canyon with another stellar year in athletics
By Jacob H. Pollon
It was another top notch year for the Sierra Canyon athletics program.
Things got off to a huge start when school started in August.
The football team won its second consecutive Mission League championship and advanced to the Division 1 playoffs for the first time in school history.
The Trailblazers reached the semifinals and suffered a setback to eventual champion Mater Dei of Santa Ana.
Sierra Canyon was led by Wyatt Becker, Dane Dunn, Kwazi Gilmer (UCLA), D.J. Jordan (USC), Cameron Mitchell, Ruben Gamboa and several othet top standouts.
The girls volleyball team won its second consecutive Mission League championship and was included in the Open Division playoffs (highest level).
Danica Rach (Boston College), Taylor Treahy (George Washington), Maddie Way (Hawaii) and setter Sade Ilawole formed quite the senior quartet.
The Trailblazers welcome back key players Lauren Lynch, outside hitter Halie McGinest and super sophomore Eva Jeffries.
The girls tennis team recorded its best season in school history claiming a co-championship in the Angelus League.
Moving to winter sports, the boys basketball team won the Mission League regular season championship knocking off Harvard-Westlake, Notre Dame, Crespi, Chaminade, St. Francis, Alemany and Loyola.
The Trailblazers suffered a league tourney loss to Crespi and officially finished in third place.
Sierra Canyon was included in the Open Division playoffs for the 12th consecutive year. The Trailblazers are the only team to make the highest level every year possible.
Top players were Justin Pippen (Michigan), Isaiah Elohim (USC) and Noah Williams (CSUN). Coach Andre Chevalier is excited to welcome back Bryce Cofield, Bryce James, Jayden Alexander, Stephan Kankole, Michael Baba and Jordan Askew.
The girls basketball team won it second consecutive Mission League championship and advanced all the way to the Open Division championship game, losing to rival Etiwanda.
A week later, Etiwanda beat Sierra Canyon in the Open Division state regional finals.
Top players included McDonald’s All-American Mackenly Randolph (Louisville), Izela Arenas (Louisville), Christy Reynoso (Long Beach State), Kayla Malek and super sophomores Jerzy Robinson and Emilia Krstevski.
In the Spring, baseball took fourth place in the Mission League and was included in the Division 1 playoffs. The team lost to eventual runner-up Orange Lutheran in the first round.
Top players were Julian Areliz (UC San Diego), Andrew Nelson, Cody Gallegos, Ethan Montes, Desi Delgado, Sean Parrow, Brayden Charness and Jonny Hagopian.
The softball team took second place in the Mission League behind Notre Dame. The Trailblazers beat Saugus in the Division 3 playoffs but lost in the next round to Redondo Union.
Top players were Duke-bound Hailey Shuler, Sophia Debs, Lianna Lara and sophomore Sophia Sarni.
Track and Field produced an individual champion.
Matthew Curry won the Division 4 400 meters.