Tehama County teams excel at various levels [Corning Observer, Calif.]

Dec. 30--Whether it was on the basketball hardwood, the ground-up gridiron or soccer pitch, or a baseball or softball diamond, 2011 offered a wealth of sports excitement for residents of Tehama County.

Here is a look back at some of the most memorable sports moments of the past year.

Deja vu for Corning boys soccer

Corning High's boys soccer team repeated as Northern Section Division I champions with a 2-0 victory over West Valley, it's opponent from the year before.

Francisco Pano scored on a cross from Bob Morales in the first half, and Hector Loera gave Corning some late insurance in the second half with a goal.

The cardinals utilized their speed and quickness to overcome the eagles' size, often dodging well-built defenders in order to set up their offense.

Corning finished the season with a record of 14-1-1 (10-0 NAL).

Los Molinos High cancels football season

Los Molinos High was forced to cancel the remainder of its football games following a 24-0 opening-night loss to Williams, because it did not have the minimum number of players necessary for playing 11-man football.

An injury to Dom Ceja in the Williams game, and another player's decision to leave the team, lowered the number of eligible players to 10. The California Interscholastic Federation requires a minimum of 12 to play 11-man football.

Meister wrestles at Senior Nationals

While Corning High'sCalvin Meister lost both his matches at the 22nd annual National High School Coaches Association's (NHSCA) Senior Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Va., he still became the first Corning wrestler to compete at the Nationals since 2003.

Meister concluded his prep career with a record of 145-40, with 90 victories by pin. He placed second in the Northern Section Masters and reached the Top 12 in the CIF State Tournament in Bakersfield.

Lady Cards JV perfect on pitch

There's a lot you can say about Corning High's junior-varsity field hockey team, but one thing you can't say is that they lost a game all season.

The Lady cardinals wrapped up a perfect season and the EAL championship with a 3-0 win over Bella Vista.

"We came into the season wanting to be undefeated and we did just that," said coach Casey Stumbaugh. "This group of girls is super-talented, very coachable, athletic, and above all that -- team players."

Lions kings of midget division

The Midget Division Lions rolled over the Titans from Gridley, 52-20 in Corning, with the team hosting its championship hardware after the sun had already turned in for the night.

"It was tough coming in," Davila said of the Gridley team they did not face during the season. "We didn't know what they had, but after the first quarter we pushed the ball down the field." Davila finished the day with 187 yards rushing.

Corning coach Tim Nelson was not so much worried about what Gridley had, because he knew what his Lions brought to the table. "We came out and did what we needed to tonight. We knew that if we executed the way we have been, the only team that was going to beat us was ourselves."

Mustangs' horsepower too much for Mercy

In 36 games this season, Champion Christian High had been beaten once and tied once. At Red Bluff High, the Warriors from Mercy came extremely close to handing them their second loss of the season.

The Mustangs' outstanding middles, most notably Erin Koslofsky, who provided 15 kills and three blocks on the day, proved to be too much for Mercy to counter in a 25-16, 24026, 28-26, 13-25, 5-15 loss in the Division VI championship.

Mercy finished the season with a record of 26-15-1, but has a solid nucleus of returning players who should help the Warriors remain strong.

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(c)2011 the Corning Observer (Corning, Calif.)

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