COMMUNITY GLANCE Nov. 5: Swimming, softball, basketball
Usually the Yuma Arsenal has to travel across the West to find a tournament to play in.
This weekend, they got to stay in Yuma and they were victorious.
The Arsenal qualified for nationals by winning the United States Specialty Sports Association So Cal vs. Arizona Border Madness Championship this past weekend in Yuma, the first tournament for the Arsenal on the year since taking fourth at the USSSA World Series.
“Normally the team is traveling out of town to compete, but this weekend we were able to win it all in our home town,” coach Joel Olea said.
The team went 6-0 outscoring its opponents 67-11. Arsenal met up with the Diamond Runners out of the Imperial Valley; both teams were undefeated heading into the championship. Arsenal prevailed with a 12-4 victory. Arsenal qualifies to return to nationals.
YOUTH SWIMMING
Heat fall at Brawley
The Yuma Heat swim team fell 457-419 to Imperial Valley Desert Aquatics on Saturday.
The growing swimming rivalry between Brawley and Yuma stems from the Brawley Sunstrokers winning the previous three summer league titles over the Yuma Sandsharks, a branch of Yuma Aquatics. Now, the racing has spilled over to the USA Swimming season.
“Both communities are trying to elevate swimming, and all of its valuable life lessons. Healthy competition is good for personal growth,” said Yuma coach Martin Reichgott.
Joshua Dewhurst, 14, led the way for the Heat, with victories in the 100-yard freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly. His 1:02.80 in the 100 back dropped 1 second from his new team record set just last month.
Jacob Cardenas, 13, Julia Corbani, 7, Amaya Evans, 9, Jesse Russell-Cheung, 12, Kaelynn Scarbrough, 12, and Wade Sumner, 14, all earned new qualifying times for the Arizona Swimming Region II Championships, to be held in Yuma Feb. 22-24.
YOUTH BASKETBALL
Junior High league kicks off
Marcos Tagaban scored 15 points, but his Yuma Hawks fell to the Yuma Wildcats 43-25 Monday at Joe Henry Optimist Center.
The game was part of the The Yuma Parks and Recreation Junior High League. It was the first game of the season according to Aaron Ferris, coach of the Wildcats.
Diego Parra had six for the Wildcats.
Want your recreation or traveling team including in the community roundup? E-mail information to sports@yumasun.com.
