Spring Sports

photo by flickr user slapstix55

By Griffin Laymon

Spring sports have finally arrived!  As the season starts, the anticipation for this year’s spring athletics is evident at CCA.

Let’s start off with swim, one of the most physically demanding sports our school offers. Last year, the swim team won the Valley league and is looking to repeat this year. “We have a strong group of underclassmen and great leaders that we’re hoping guide us to another league championship, even in the more competitive Palomar League,” said standout junior Kyle Grozen, a 3-year varsity member.  With a challenging schedule ahead, the swim team has their work cut out for them.

Girls and Boys Lacrosse have both made drastic improvements over the last few years. On the boys’ side, the team has gone from being 2-16 four years ago to winning their first 5 games this season, and looking like a definite playoff contender. Girls’ lacrosse has had the same trend as the boys, going 2-11 in 2007; they strongly believe they will bring home the CIF title this year.

Baseball has started slowly with a 1-2 record coming off a tough season last year. On the softball field the girls are preparing to face Bishop’s for their first game on March 21st.  With a young yet passionate team, softball hopes to make a playoff run this year.

On the volleyball court, the boys expect to win their next game against SDA. After losing to San Pasqual 3 sets to 1, they are fired up and ready to go. “After a disappointing  first game, we figured out what we need to do to be successful this year,” says junior Zack Simon. After losing in the CIF semi-finals to La Jolla last year, boys’ volleyball is looking for revenge and a shot at the title.

After an outstanding season last year, the Canyon Crest track team is looking to repeat their success this year. By sending three athletes to the state competition in 2012, Canyon Crest received much recognition and respect from other schools. Also, the team earned themselves the label of one of the best up and coming track groups in the county. With their first win in the bag, the team is looking forward to their meet against Mt. Carmel on the 23rd.

Despite a disappointing season last year, Canyon Crest boys’ golf is on a blank slate. After closely defeating Santa Fe Christian last week, they will have a rematch on Friday at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. With the development of last season’s young team, this year could prove to be a mirror opposite of the last.

Canyon Crest’s men’s tennis team was celebrated last year after winning the first boys CIF title in our school’s history, and after beating Fallbrook on Tuesday they are looking like they will have a chance to repeat. Despite the tough schedule ahead, they believe that they can win CIF two years in a row.

As our school ramps up its Spring Sport programs it will be interesting to see the progression of teams from last year. Hopefully by the end of the season, the gym will have a few more banners and CCA’s will be  seen as a school of athletic prowess as well as academic achievement.