BY MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Passionate playing sports couldn’t get Spencer Heller onto her middle school volleyball, basketball or softball teams. A weekend golfer, Heller took a keener interest in the game as a teen-ager. A wise choice as she developed into a college player, good enough to three times be named All-American at Sonoma State and contend for NCAA titles. “I don’t think I had talent. I just had the work ethic,” Heller said. “It’s just cool to… Read More »

By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT A first-round lead in the state golf tournament evaporated during a challenging second round as Santa Rosa Junior College finished third Monday in Carmel. Santa Rosa’s top four each shot par or better in a strong first 18 holes, giving the Bear Cubs a three-stroke lead. Playing a shorter, tighter layout in the afternoon, Santa Rosa couldn’t keep pace with the field and ended up 11 strokes behind champion College of the Canyons. “We… Read More »

  MONDAY CCCAA Men’s Golf Championships At Rancho Canada Golf Course, Carmel Notable: This marks SRJC’s third consecutive state appearance By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT After a windy first round of the NorCal men’s golf finals, Santa Rosa Junior College was within range of another state championship appearance. Yet rain and facing conference titlist Folsom Lake challenged Santa Rosa to hold on over the second round as the Bear Cubs would do on a long day in the Central… Read More »

  By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT A career best tournament carried Sonoma State golfer Eric Ash into the NCAA Division II Men’s Championships as the Seawolves team finished back in the pack at the West/South Central Regional. With only two spots for individuals from teams not qualifying for the national championships, Ash needed another sharp shooting day to advance. Ash shot a second consecutive round of better than par Wednesday to finish tied for the third lowest score over… Read More »

  By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Rain and wind challenged golfers at the NCAA Division II West Super Regional where Sonoma State’s women finished shy of qualifying for the national championships, but ace Spencer Heller moved on Tuesday. Sonoma State fell one spot in the final round to finish fifth in the nine-team field at Tiara Rado Golf Course, in Grand Junction, Colo. The top three teams — St. Edwards, Grand Canyon and Tarleton State — advanced to the… Read More »

  By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT It’s been a rebuilding season for Sonoma State women’s golf. But the Seawolves have played well enough to reach regionals and look to continue to improve after an up-and-down campaign. Sonoma State secured the ninth and final spot in the West Super Regional of the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships. The top three teams and three individuals from other squads earn berths in the national tournament. Sonoma State is familiar with the… Read More »

  By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Sonoma State men’s golf head coach Val Verhunce offers instruction to Seawolves freshman golfer Matt Medeiros, a Petaluma graduate, at the Sonoma State Invitational in October. (Tyler Lobe / Sonoma State Athletics) Winning a national championship sets the bar high for Sonoma State men’s golf as the Seawolves take aim at another title going into the West regionals. “There’s a little pressure. But it’s always good to push yourself to get better,” said… Read More »

By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Sonoma State softball enters the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with a record seven players earning conference honors. Sonoma State (35-17) is ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II West Region poll as the Seawolves seek the program’s fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The top eight teams in the final poll qualify for the national tournament. First the Seawolves want to finish strong in the conference tournament. Sonoma State is the third seed and… Read More »

  By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Earning the NorCal top seed in the state playoffs, Santa Rosa Junior College hosts Los Medanos today in an opening-round series. The first game is at 2 p.m. today. Game 2 is 11 a.m. Saturday and a third game, if necessary, would immediately follow. The California Community College Athletic Association tournament features 32 teams split between Southern California and Northern California. Teams play best-of-three series in the first round. Winners this weekend advance… Read More »

  By MICHAEL COIT THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Back on the track after a year’s layoff, Gary Randolph is among California’s top junior college shot put and discus throwers. Switching to the steeplechase from middle distances, Santa Rosa Junior College teammate Atalie Halpin also has a shot at the state championships. Healthy again, Alex Wolf-Root is second statewide among men in both the 5,000 meter and the 10,000 meter events. These athletes lead a large group of SRJC competitors qualifying for… Read More »