After a memorable playoff run two years ago, San Marino High School head basketball coach Mihail Papadopulos and his program suddenly had high expectations to live up to last season.
The Titans managed to qualify for the CIF Southern Section playoffs despite a 4-6 record in Rio Hondo League play and won a first-round game before falling to No. 4-seeded San Luis Obispo. Continue reading “San Marino Showing Signs of Good Chemistry”
Titans Look to Build Off Last Year’s Playoff Run
Head coach Annie Yee guided the San Marino High School girls’ basketball team to the quarterfinals last year, a feat the program had not achieved in nearly two decades.
Despite losing nine members of that team to graduation, Yee is hopeful this year’s young group will keep that memorable moment in the back of their minds. Continue reading “Titans Look to Build Off Last Year’s Playoff Run”
Hobbie, Wicke, Barra Earn Highest League Honors
The Rio Hondo League recently announced its All-league selections, which includes 23 San Marino High School athletes.
The league recognized 15 members of the SMHS varsity football team that won its first Rio Hondo League title since 2015.
Beau Hobbie was named the Rio Hondo League’s most valuable football player after rushing for 1,521 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Running back Beau Hobbie was named the league’s most valuable player after rushing for 1,521 yards and 26 touchdowns. He set a new career rushing record at San Marino with a total of 3,517 yards, averaging an impressive 8 yards per carry.
Senior linebacker Chris Wicke was named the league’s most valuable player on defense with a team-high 75 tackles.
Offensive lineman Tommy Long, wide receiver Sean Richardson and quarterback Kade Wentz made the first team offense, and Darrin Li, Carson Giles and Jacob Leftwich were second-team selections.
Defensive lineman Ethan Lainez, linebacker Seth Matzumoto and defensive back Keaton Heimerl are first-teamers, and Charles Daves, Neven Yarahmadi and Wheeler Smith made the second team defense.
Offensive lineman Joey Brunner earned an honorable mention.
Head coach Mike Hobbie guided San Marino to a 9-2-1 record, including a 4-0 record in Rio Hondo League play. The Titans edged Santa Ana Segerstrom, 21-20, in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 9 playoffs but then fell to North Torrance, 33-28, in the quarterfinals.
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Madison Kaufman made the All-Rio Hondo League second team along with teammate Hanna Wang.
Sophomore Erin Hill is one of five SMHS volleyball players to be recognized by the Rio Hondo League.
Another San Marino standout to earn one of the league’s highest honors was senior Keila Barra, who was named most valuable player in girls’ volleyball.
Sophomore Erin Hill earned a spot on the first team, Madison Kaufman and Hanna Wang made the second team, and Leela Anvekar received an honorable mention.
Head coach Joseph Rios guided the Titans to their most memorable season in decades. San Marino finished the 2018 campaign with a 25-6 record and claimed its first Rio Hondo League championship since 1990. The Titans reached the CIF-SS Division 4 quarterfinals and fell to No. 1-seeded Quartz Hill of Lancaster in four sets, 17-25, 20-25, 25-17, 23-25.
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Senior Charleston Wong was the lone water polo athlete to make the All-Rio Hondo League first team.
Three members of the San Marino High School varsity boys’ water polo team were recognized by the Rio Hondo League.
Charleston Wong earned a spot on the first team, Taylor Suetsugu made the second squad and Elijah Carlton received an honorable mention.
Head coach Robert Zirovich guided a young San Marino team to an 8-19 record, including a 2-6 record in Rio Hondo League play. The Titans finished fourth in the league standings.
Mistakes Plague Titans in Quarterfinals Defeat
The San Marino High School varsity football team is used to playing bigger, more athletic players, and head coach Mike Hobbie knew his team was going to need much more than effort and heart against North Torrance in a CIF Southern Section Division 9 quarterfinal last Friday.
“You have to play very well when you’re playing good athletes,” he said. “You can’t just play. You got to play well.” Continue reading “Mistakes Plague Titans in Quarterfinals Defeat”
San Marino’s Postseason Run Ends in Quarterfinals
San Marino High School varsity girls’ tennis coach Melwin Pereira knew what he needed from his team against host Thousand Oaks Westlake in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinal match on Monday.
“I knew where my points were going to come from,” Pereira said. “We already knew [Westlake’s] singles are strong. They’re very similar to La Cañada with three strong singles. We needed our doubles to get those points.” Continue reading “San Marino’s Postseason Run Ends in Quarterfinals”
San Marino Wins League Title, Hosts Playoff Game
The San Marino High School varsity football captured its first Rio Hondo League championship in three years by defeating Rio Hondo League rival host Monrovia, 34-21, last Friday.
SMHS head coach Mike Hobbie bested the Wildcats for the second time since taking over the program in 2011. He also brought home the league crown for a second time, a feat he last achieved in 2015 when the Titans won the CIF Southern Section Central Division championship.
“It feels great,” Hobbie said. “It felt really good to beat Monrovia. Our kids really wanted to win and played extremely hard. They were extremely physical and at the top of their game.” Continue reading “San Marino Wins League Title, Hosts Playoff Game”
Titans Remain Perfect in League, Off to Best Start in 12 Years
Hanna Wang has been a standout setter for San Marino this season.
The San Marino High School varsity girls’ volleyball team rallied from a two-game deficit and edged defending Rio Hondo League champion La Cañada in five sets, 19-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-7, at the LCHS Hotchkin Family Gymnasium last Thursday.
With the win, the Titans (15-5 overall record) took sole possession of first place with a perfect 4-0 record in the Rio Hondo League standings.
“I would attribute it to their work ethic,” said SMHS head coach Joseph Rios. “As far as attendance goes, this is the best attendance I’ve had at practice. These girls are showing up and doing the work. Also, I think it’s just chemistry. Things are a lot better with the girls and they’re a lot friendlier. They stay positive.”
Continue reading “Titans Remain Perfect in League, Off to Best Start in 12 Years”
San Marino Scores Big Win Over League Rival
The Titans defeated Rio Hondo League rival La Cañada last week and won the First Serve Tennis Tournament on Saturday. The winning squad includes head coach Melwin Pereira (front row, from left) Camdyn Wu, Rakel Ang, Katie Kirkendall and Kayla Chen. Middle: Anna Moller, Alyssa Luff and Elaine Wu. Back: Caitlin Mguyen and Grace Carter.
With only one player who consistently plays tournaments and is ranked in her age group, San Marino varsity girls’ tennis coach Melwin Pereira was unsure if his team could compete with the Rio Hondo League this season.
“Just look at La Cañada,” Pereira said. “They have two freshmen who are four stars. You can’t compare this season. I don’t have those players. My freshmen don’t play in tournaments and are unranked.”
The team’s chemistry and resiliency made up for its lack of experience last Thursday as San Marino defeated Rio Hondo League rival La Cañada on the road, 11-7.
Continue reading “San Marino Scores Big Win Over League Rival”
San Marino Ready to Surprise League Opponents
Taylor Suetsugu is one of the more experienced players on the roster, which includes two freshmen and two sophomores.
The San Marino High School program graduated 10 of its 12 players from last year’s roster, making this season a difficult one to predict for everyone, even head coach Robert Zirovich.
Despite not knowing what to expect, Zirovich is enjoying a group that includes two freshmen and two sophomores.
“The exciting thing is I don’t know what this group’s potential is yet,” said Zirovich, who is in his fourth season with the Titans. “I know it’s big, but the question is how fast are we going to learn and improve? We lost 10 of 12 players from last year. That’s a big deal, but we’re completely reworking things and I’m very excited.”
Continue reading “San Marino Ready to Surprise League Opponents”
San Marino’s DuNah Awarded CIF-SS Champions for Character
The CIF Southern Section announced San Marino High School senior Sierra DuNah as a recipient of the Champions for Character Award on Monday.
San Marino High School softball standout Sierra DuNah was one of 14 athletes to earn the CIF Southern Section Champions for Character award.
“We are so proud of her,” said SMHS Athletic Director David Irie. “I actually had her in class this summer and know her as a student. She’s the kind of kid you want to have in your school. She is hardworking and dedicated, which is everything you want in a student.”
Athletes, coaches administrators, officials, athletic trainers and media members who demonstrate “six pillars of character” —trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, caring and citizenship — will be honored at The Grand in Long Beach.
Former San Marino Athletic Director Nicholas Sale nominated DuNah and will be attending the ceremony.
Continue reading “San Marino’s DuNah Awarded CIF-SS Champions for Character”