Easton Alanis, a standout swimmer at Monte Vista Christian School, made a splash at the 2026 CIF State Swimming Championships. Alanis, a Central Coast Section champion and the only state qualifier from Santa Cruz County, showcased his talent in the freestyle events, posting the second-fastest times of his career. His performance was a testament to his hard work and dedication, as he turned nervousness into excitement, according to his coach, Chris Staka.
Alanis' achievements in the boys' 50-yard free paralympic Class III and the boys' 100-yard free paralympic Class III, where he finished in sixth place, are a remarkable feat. His times of 31.26 seconds and 1:13.28, respectively, demonstrate his exceptional swimming skills and mental fortitude. Alanis' pride in his accomplishment is evident in his words, showing a mature and positive attitude towards his performance.
In other sports news, the high school baseball scene is buzzing with excitement. The Santa Cruz Cardinals, ranked No. 28 in the CCS by maxpreps.com, secured an at-large berth into the playoffs by upsetting the No. 17 Longhorns. The game was a showcase of talent, with several players making significant contributions. Junior AJ Dacosta, freshmen Merrick Dacosta, sophomore Adam Fowler, and senior Caleb Cmaylo all had two hits and scored runs, while Fowler also drove in a run. Senior Cameron Fusari and sophomore Micah Mohamed also had impactful performances, with Fusari scoring twice and Mohamed contributing two RBI.
The Soquel Knights, on the other hand, dominated the regular season with a strong performance in a league make-up game. Senior Cash Moran, Sam Whelan, Brady Downs, and Anthony Skinner each had two hits, multiple RBI, and scored runs, showcasing their offensive prowess. The Knights' senior Connor Corlett and junior Scotty Miller also had notable performances, with Corlett scoring a run and Miller driving in two runs. The Cougars, despite their 4-23 record, showed resilience with four hits and a run scored by senior Larrabee Mitchell and three hits, two RBI, and a run scored by senior Brody Egner.
In outrigger canoe racing, Santa Cruz's Kua Nalu Canoe Club made waves at the Rig Run Outrigger Canoe Race and the Kauai World Challenge. The club's six-person crew, including Dave Waynar, Tai Boutell, Karen Harrington, Heidi Laber, Nicole West, and Mike Irete, took first place in the Co-ed division and Senior Master Co-Ed age group (ages 50 and over). Their time of 1 hour 28 minutes and 18 seconds on the 12-mile course was impressive. Additionally, the Kupuna team (age 60+) of Matt Muirhead and Kyle Samuels and the Open team (age 20-40) of Robby Gibbs and Craig Muirhead had successful performances at the Kauai World Challenge.
The beach volleyball scene is also heating up, with Santa Cruz's Taylor Siemann and Taylor Reed, as well as Mitchell Garrity and Emily Melvin, claiming victory in the No Attitudes Tournament division. The tournament showcased the talent of athletes from various regions, with division winners including Jack and Jennifer Maguire, Dale Ehnes and Debbie Stohlman, Rebecca Willemse and Sophia Hall, and George Garcia and Greg Coleson. The winners' performances were a testament to their skill and determination, leaving a lasting impression on the beach volleyball community.
In conclusion, these sports stories highlight the talent and dedication of athletes across various disciplines. Easton Alanis' swimming achievements demonstrate the power of hard work and mental toughness, while the baseball, outrigger canoe, and beach volleyball successes showcase the diverse skills and competitive spirit of the athletes involved. These stories serve as an inspiration to athletes and sports enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the importance of perseverance and the joy of achieving one's goals.
