Athletic News
Golfer Vardanega to Play for Pomona-Pitzer Golf Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Victoria Vardanega will play golf for Pomona-Pitzer next fall and attend Pomona College. She is one of 32 Troubadours to sign to play collegiate athletics with their schools next fall.
“My freshmen year I barely made the varsity team,” recalled Vardanega. “It really motivated me to try harder. Seeing all the great players and having them above me, I played more over the summer, took serious lessons and practiced more. To be able to be rewarded for my hard work and play collegiate golf is such a blessing.”
Ruggles Sets School Record in the Shot Put
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Samantha Ruggles set a new school record in the shot put with a throw of 38-3.25 Wednesday at the dual meet at American River College, breaking the mark set by Amanda Helmer of 37-10 at the 2005 Gold River Invitational.
The Troubadours defeated Oak Ridge (95-41) and Folsom (105-22) in winning 14 of the 16 events in the meet.
Softball Posts Win over Folsom, Celebrates 25 Years for LoGiudice
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis recorded 14 hits in posting a 15-1 victory over Folsom Tuesday afternoon at Schuster Field. Four players recorded two or more hits in the game, including a pair of three-hit games by Rhyann O’Mara and Amy Marks.
“We kept the momentum going today after a tough game yesterday,” said senior Alejandra Garcia. “Every girl contributed today and we felt good.”
Marks got the win by allowing just one run over three innings. Emily Ainsley pitched two scoreless innings in relief.
Softball Falls at Ponderosa 4-3
SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. – St. Francis had the bases loaded with no outs in the sixth inning but managed just a single run as Ponderosa held on for a 4-3 victory Tuesday.
The Troubadours opened the game with two runs in the first inning on a two-run home run by Alejandra Garcia, who went 2-for-2 with two walks in the game. The Bruins responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning off Amy Marks, who allowed four runs on six hits.
Late Goal by Gregg Helps Soccer to Win over Folsom
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Anna Gregg scored with under a minute to play to propel St. Francis to a 1-0 victory over Folsom Tuesday afternoon.
“It was a great feeling,” said Gregg of her game winner. “My shots were a little wide most of the game. We had all those chances and that one came right to me and you have to finish them.”
The Troubadours recorded 26 shots in the game but it was the final one that counted. St. Francis improved to 15-2-5 and 4-1-2 in Delta River League action.
Former Troubadour Taryn Wright to Lead Junior Varsity Volleyball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former Troubadour standout Taryn Wright will coach the St. Francis junior varsity volleyball team and serve as a varsity assistant next fall, Athletic Director Mark McGreevy announced.
“I am really excited,” said Taryn. “It is something I have dreamt about for a long time. It is a great school and atmosphere to be part of again. I am excited to be back.”
Frech to Play Water Polo at Sierra College
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Hannah Frech will play water polo at Sierra College next year.
“I have been playing at Sac Polo for the last four years at Sierra College,” said Frech. “I have got to know all the coaches. I am really excited about going there.”
Frech scored six goals and recorded three assists during the season to go with 15 steals, helping the St. Francis team to an appearance in the section championship.
Sullivan Finishes Second at St. Mary’s Invitational
STOCKTON, Calif. – Junior Patty Sullivan finished second at the St. Mary’s Invitational hosted by St. Mary’s High School. Sullivan posted a six-dive total of 222.45.
St. Francis placed five divers among the top 10 in the field including Allison Autrey in seventh (203.55), Tiffany Wong (199.40) in eighth, Kristen Kopp (187.90) in ninth and Genevieve Cameron (178.75) in 10th.
Angelisa Proshak of El Camino won the event with a score of 248.20.
St. Francis Alumna Maggie Lloyd to Run Boston Marathon Monday
BOSTON – Former Troubadour Maggie Lloyd will run the Boston Marathon Monday fulfilling a life-long dream but with a bigger inspiration.
“One of my earliest running goals was to run the Boston marathon, and I still can’t believe that I am on my way to living that dream, but this race isn’t about checking something off my bucket list,” said Lloyd on her MIT Strong page.
Lloyd, who is a ‘08 graduate of St. Francis, was a volunteer at the marathon for each of her four years attending MIT.
Eight St. Francis Seniors Make Commitments Bringing Total to 32
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Eight St. Francis High School seniors have signed a National Letter-of Intent or made commitments to play collegiate sports next fall for the NCAA signing period that began today. Overall, thirty-two Troubadour student-athletes have now made commitments to play collegiately next year.
JV Softball Wins LeDoux Tournament Silver Bracket
ROSEVILLE, CAlif. – The St. Francis JV softball team defeated Casa Robles 7-4 Tuesday night to win the Silver Bracket of the LeDoux Tournament. They went 3-1 in the tournament with wins over Roseville and Oakmont. They return to action next week at Pondersa on Tuesday, April 22.
Track and Field Wins Rio Linda Invite Behind 12 Event Winners
RIO LINDA, Calif. – The St. Francis track and field team won the Rio Linda Invitational behind 12 individual event winners in the final meet heading into the Spring Break holiday.
Junior Sydney Hunter ran a personal-best 25.31 to win the 200 meters to become the third-fastest performer in the event in school history. She also finished second in the 400m in 58.43.
O’Brine Resets Discus School Record at the Arcadia Invitational
ARCADIA, Calif. – Senior Kayla O’Brine recorded a personal best and reset her own school record with a throw of 147-1 Saturday at the 47th Arcadia Invitational. She improved her PR from 139-0, a mark set during the 2013 season.
Samantha Ruggles placed 28th at the Arcadia Invitational Friday night in the shot put with a throw of 37 feet 4 and 3/4 inches.
Discus - 1kg - Varsity – Finals
Softball Win Opener at LeDoux Tournament
ROSEVILLE, Calif. – St. Francis won its opening game at the LeDoux Tournament with a 11-4 victory over Vista Del Lago. The Troubadours advance in the winner’s bracket and play again at 5 p.m. Friday night.
Amy Marks, Emily Ainsley and Rhyann O’Mara each had two hits in the opening game and Alejandra Garcia drove in three runs. Amy Marks pitched 3.2 innings out of the bullpen for the win, allowing just one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Lacrosse Beats Oak Ridge for Second Time
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Hayley Kusserow scored six goals and Colleen McClain added three as St. Francis defeated Oak Ridge 11-7 Friday night.
It was the second consecutive victory over Oak Ridge.
ST. FRANCIS 11, OAK RIDGE 7
SF – Kusserow 6, McClain 3, Bush, Bonini. OR – Cody 2, Hallare 2, Malone, Galet, Hanson.
Soccer Garners Tie at Ponderosa
SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. – Junior Trinity Connaughton scored on an assist by sophomore Hailey Barrett and Allie Carmickle played a solid game in goal as St. Francis tied Ponderosa 1-1 Thursday afternoon.
It was the third consecutive game for the Troubadours over the last three days.
St. Francis is now 14-2-5 and 3-1-2 in Delta River League action.
It was the second goal of the season for Connaughton and first since the season-opening Cal Spring Classic, while Bailey recorded her team-best seventh assist of the season.
Softball Pulls Out 14-12 Win over Oak Ridge
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – Senior Amy Marks singled in two runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning and closed out the game on the mound with a perfect seventh to help St. Francis to a 14-12 win over Oak Ridge Thursday night.
St. Francis (7-6, 2-3 DRL) trailed by five runs twice in the game before tying the game in the fifth, taking a lead in the sixth and finally overtaking the Trojans in the seventh.
Diver Allison Autrey to Compete for UC Davis
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior diver Allison Autrey is not afraid of new challenges. After years as a gymnast, injuries forced her to look for a new activity and she took up diving as a sophomore. Three years later, she is one of the top divers in the area and has verbally committed to compete for UC Davis next year.
“I am really excited,” said Autrey. “I did not start diving until sophomore year and never thought I would make it to college doing anything. My coaches pushed me and pushed me, saying I had so much potential.”
Pleasant Grove Snaps League Unbeaten Streak
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Pleasant Grove upset nationally-ranked No. 19 St. Francis Wednesday 2-1 in a Delta River League matchup.
Amanda Nelms put Pleasant Grove up 2-0 in the second half and the Eagles withstood a comeback effort by the Troubadours that included a game-tying goal that was waived off by the officials. Junior Anna Gregg scored her 19th goal of the season to pull within one and Lydia Molitor tied the game. But the goal was waived off to the disappointment of the SF bench and fans.
Lacrosse Wins First of Two against Oak Ridge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jane Sadler scored four times and Meg Anderson added three goals as St. Francis posted a 15-9 victory over Oak Ridge Tuesday night in the first of two meetings between the schools this week.
The Troubadours led 7-4 at the break and continued the offensive success in the second, scoring eight times. Goalie Maddie Merwin made 11 saves on the night.
Hayley Kusserow and Colleen McClain each scorer two times in the winning effort. Sarah Westover, Erika Palmer, Mia Bonini. Lyndsay Carpenter and Madison McKim also scored in the game.