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Sports Notebook
Corona takes encouraging fourth among 16 teams

By Cody Roth and Ethan Holly

With midseason rapidly approaching, athletics at Corona del Sol High School intensifies with the commencement of region play.

Varsity baseball entered the first tournament of the season with hopes of lifting their record over the .500 mark.

Hosted by its namesake, the Corona Invitational was held over spring break. After winning their first four games of the tournament, the Aztecs anticipated a trip to the finals, but were eliminated following defeats by Red Mountain and Mountain View.

Despite the late losses, Corona placed fourth out of 16 teams.

“We have the talent that it takes to win, but it is just a matter of bringing it together on a consistent basis,” junior catcher Cameron Smith said .

“The tournament showed that we are able to compete against anyone on any given day.”

The Invitational marked the beginning of region play. Although the team was beaten in their first two games against the defending region champion Mountain Pointe, it hopes to ride the confidence earned during the tournament throughout the remainder of the season.

Varsity volleyball will take a 5-2 record, as well as the return of a completely healthy lineup, into the prestigious Mooney Invitational. The team earned the second seed by placing second  at the Chandler Wolfhowl Tournament.

“I think we did really well…,” senior Geoff Horewitch said. “Our star setter was out and we had some younger kids fill some big positions.”

Senior Sean Considine is recovering from a sprained ankle, and captain Jay Swirtz has overcome a shoulder injury that plague him early in the season. Both were able to play against the Aztec’s first region opponent, McClintock High. 

“It is awesome that everyone is healthy for region and we are going to take it,” Horewitch said.

The team will rely on seniors such as John Bebbling and Horewitch for their ability to direct passes to Swirtz, and bring consistency to the lineup.

Going into a dual meet against Trevor Browne this past Wednesday, Varsity Track focused on strengthening team chemistry.

After having some troubles with unity in the past, the team fused to slaughter Trevor Browne in all aspects.

The Aztecs’ infamous 4x100 team that consisted of Dave Fero, Blaise Johnson and brothers Matt and Jared Mosley once again reigned supreme as they handled their race with ease.

“Our 4x100 team has struggled with chemistry, such as handoffs and things, but against Trevor Browne everything came together,” Johnson, anchor of the relay, said.

Phil Feinberg once again neared the school record as he jumped 6’8”. The jump was originally believed to be 6’9”, which would have broken the previous record, but was later challenged due to a slanted bar. The height was measured and deemed 6’8”.

Feinberg’s jump still took first for the meet.

Corona looks forward to the Chandler Rotary, which is often recognized as the most important meet of the year.

“The Chandler Rotary is one of the biggest events of the year because the competition is always good,” Johnson said.

“In some aspects that is the state championship, because the competition is so good, so it is always in the back of our heads.”

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