The Napa High School junior varsity and varsity Spiritleaders competed in the United Dance Association Northern California Championships at the Sacramento Convention Center on Feb. 17.
Both teams took first place in the two divisions they entered, Pom and Jazz.
The junior varsity squad posted an undefeated season and earned Regional, NorCal and State championships in the process.
The Indians’ team members are Sarah Bauer, Misha Bryant, Caitlin Critchley, Kaylee Davis, Mindy Hudson, Lacey Kenyon, captain Katerina Kountouris, Carlie Long, Chelsea Mello, Alexandria Nel, Morgan Pieper, captain Brianna Stade, Naomi Warfield and Samantha Welch.
The Napa varsity Spiritleaders — who also earned Regional, NorCal and State championships this season — went on to win the overall “crowd appeal” award for the Mozart Jazz routine.
According to Indians coach Hollie Schmidt, the director of the competition also asked each of the Napa seniors to audition for their staff upon graduation because they were so impressed by the Indians’ effort.
Schmidt added that this has happened at every competition the Napa Spiritleaders have attended this year.
The varsity squad is currently undefeated as they head into the National Dance Championships in Orlando, Florida on March 1.
The Indians’ team members include captain Chiara Baldanza, Taylor Carroll, captain Lindsey Hanson, captain Emily Hunt, captain Jennifer Keisling, Kelsey Lew, Kelly Mackey, Lindsay Mackey, Audrey Pratt, Cierra Rogstad, Rachel Smarker and Lisa Wright.
Schmidt said the Indians will dedicate their performance at Nationals to former teacher and assistant coach Kris Van Treese, who recently passed away.
The Spiritleaders invite the Napa Valley community to come out and take a look at their competition routines they will be taking to Florida at their annual “National Preview Night” this Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Napa High School gymnasium.
This one-hour show will also include performances from other talented dancers in the NHS dance department.
Admission prices are $5 for students and adults, while children under 5 are free.
Saints cheerleaders off to Nationals
On March 3, 16 Napa Saints cheerleaders will take the stage at Disney’s California Adventure theme park to compete for the title of National Champion for the first time.
The Junior Pee Wee and Scout cheerleaders, who range in age from 5 to 10 years old, qualified for the USA Junior Nationals by placing in the top percent at several competitions throughout 2006.
The opportunity to compete at Junior Nationals will be the highlight in a very successful season of wins for the Junior Pee Wee team, including five first-place trophies in both cheer and dance.
Wrestlers place for Napa SALFive wrestlers for the Napa Sheriff’s Activities League had first-place finishes at the annual Ron Elder Takedown Tournament, which was held last Sunday at El Molino High School-Forestville.
Napa SAL brought 26 boys and girls, and 17 placed.
Steven Arrambide (13, eighth grade) placed first in the 165-pound weight class with a 4-0 record, including two pins and two technical fall wins; Johnny Douma (13, eighth grade) placed first in the 115-pound division with a 2-0 record; Konrad Fiske (4, preschool) placed first in the 56-pound division with a 2-1 record, including a pin; Casey Jones (11, sixth grade) placed first in the 110-pound weight class with a 2-0 record, including a pin; and Dave Williams (13, eighth grade) placed first in the 150-pound weight class.
Caleb Davidson (13, seventh grade) placed second in the 90-pound weight class with a 3-1 record with three pins, including one in 18 seconds; Curtis Friedlander (11, sixth grade) placed second in the 112-pound weight class with a 1-2 record; Adam Muth (9, fourth grade) placed second in the 57-pound weight class with a 1-1 record, including a pin; and Anthony Schweitz (12, seventh grade) placed second in the 95-pound weight class with a 1-1 record.
Tommy Cornes (12, seventh grade) placed third in the 150-pound weight class; Jonvan Lucero (10, fifth grade) placed third in the 59-pound weight class with an 0-2 record; Melia Tharpe (6, first grade) placed third in the boys 46-pound weight class; Caleb Tremblay (10, fifth grade) placed third in the 88-pound weight class with 3-1 record, including a technical fall win; and Josh Tremblay (13, eighth grade) placed third in the 140-pound weight class with a 1-1 record.
Alyvia Fiske (7, second grade) placed fourth in the boys 68-pound weight class; Travis Grimm (12, sixth grade) placed fourth in the 98-pound weight class; and Caleb Stubbs (13, seventh grade) placed fourth in the 118-pound weight class.
Phoenix Comstock (12, sixth grade) had a 1-2 record with one pin; Maggie Douma (10, fifth grade) had an 0-2 record in the boys 81-pound weight class; Matthew Finch (13, seventh grade) had a 1-1 record; Chad Kilpatrick (12, seventh grade) had an 0-2 record; Aaron Ladrigan (9, fourth grade) had an 0-1 record; Jodee Luke (11, sixth grade) had a 1-2 record; Jeff Muth (12, seventh grade) had a 1-2 record; Alec Richmond (8, third grade) had a 0-2 record; and Tyler Stubbs (10, fourth grade) had an 0-2 record.
Napa SAL’s upcoming schedule includes a scrimmage at Springstowne Middle School on Feb. 28 and the Junior High State Championships in Fresno from March 16 to 18.
The Napa SAL wrestling club practices Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Vintage High School gym. Membership is free to boys and girls ages 8 to eighth grade.
The club is coached by Lt. Jean Donaldson, Deputy Dan Fiske, Deputy Jesse Ward, St. Helena Police Dept. Officer Justin Tharpe, and Eric Jones.
Saints youth coaches neededThe Napa Saints youth football and cheerleading program, which coaches youths ages 5 to 14 years of age, is currently recruiting football and cheerleading head coaches 21 years and older, assistant coaches 18 years and older, and junior coaches ages 14 to 17 to volunteer for the 2007 season, which starts Aug. 1.
CPR, first aid and all coaches certification is provided by Napa Saints at no charge. Interviews for the 2007 season start in March.
Interested parties should visit www.napasaints.com to download a coaching form or to get further information.
Napa Track Club enrolling athletesThe Napa Track Club is currently enrolling returning athletes ages 8 to 17 for the conditioning phase of their spring season. This six-week program will begin on March 12 at Harvest Middle School’s all-weather track.
The club is also seeking volunteers with track and field experience who would be interested in providing coaching assistance. NTC strives to provide a quality experience with a high coach-to-athlete ratio.
Without additional coaches the club will be unable to expand its current roster to accommodate new participants.
The Club had a highly successful 2006 season, with seven individuals qualifying for the Junior Olympics national finals. Additional details and contact information are available at www.napatrackclub.com.
Wine Country Curling Club open house SaturdayThe Wine Country Curling Club will hold an open house Feb. 24 for people of all physical abilities interested in trying out or just learning more about the ancient sport of curling. This event is free to the general public.
The open house will be at Vacaville Ice Sports, 551 Davis St., in Vacaville beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing until 8:30 p.m.
Informal instruction will be available throughout the event. WCC club members will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the 500-year-old sport of curling.
Those planning on trying out curling at the open house should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and rubber-soled shoes. Wine Country Curling Club will provide all equipment.
For more information about the open house, or the Wine Country Curling Club, contact Jerome Larson by e-mail at
jlcurler@frontiernet.net or by calling 455-0225.
More information about curling is also available at www.usacurl.org or by calling USA Curling at (888) CURLERS.
Napa High School crab feed SaturdayThe 2007 Napa High School crab feed is Feb. 24 in Chardonnay Hall at the Napa Valley Expo. Open seating tickets are $50 per person and include all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and French bread.
The annual fund-raiser by the Napa High Sports Booster Club features silent and live auctions and dancing.
There is a no-host bar and attendees must be at least 21 years old. Blackjack tables will run through the evening.
Auction items include sports memorabilia, golf foursomes, dinner at local restaurants and select wines.
For auction or donation information, contact Cindy Boyett at 259-1455 or Devonna Smith at 322-3855 or fax at 251-9810.
Special reserved seating is available for $100 per person, which includes a sparkling wine reception, special raffles, butter warmers, crab crackers, wine and premium seating.
Open seating tickets for $50 are now available at all Vintage Bank locations and the Napa High athletic department office (9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Reserved seating tickets for $100 can be purchased at the AD’s office or through a crab feed committee member.
All proceeds benefit Napa High’s athletic programs. To volunteer as a food server, contact crab feed chairperson Caryn Green at 287-0742.
For further information about the crab feed or Napa High’s athletic programs, contact Napa High athletic director Scott Kostecka at 253-3840.
NVC Storm softball clinic SundayNapa Valley College’s softball coaches and team members will host a softball clinic on Feb. 25 at the school’s softball field from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NVC head coach Michelle Hobbs and assistant coach Ron Smith will lead instruction along with the team’s 2007 roster.
Athletes are responsible for bringing their own glove and cleats, though other equipment will be provided.
Athletes are also asked to bring a bag lunch for their break from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Water and Gatorade will be provided.
Hitting, bunting, slapping, throwing, catching, fielding, outfield, base running, pitching and other skills will be covered. The clinic is for kids ages seven years to 18 and it costs $25 per athlete.
Checks are to be made out to Napa Valley College Softball and mailed to Napa Valley College, Michelle Hobbs, head softball coach, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA 94558. Athletes can register the day of the clinic.
For more information, contact Hobbs at
mhobbs@napavalley.edu or 253-3234.
Napa Renegades tryouts SundayThe Napa Renegades, a girls AAU basketball program, will have sign-ups and tryouts on Feb. 25 at Napa High’s Messner Gym.
Girls born between 1995-1997 will try out from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Girls born between 1992-1996 will try out from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Players are asked to bring a copy of their birth certificate, a copy of a health card, and current AAU card. Go to www.naparengades.com and follow the link to get an AAU card, or go to www.aausports.org.
The club name is Napa Renegades, and the club code is PABW8Y6KA9.
There is a $14 membership. Tournament play runs from March 10 to April 28. Those interested in coaching, or for questions, call Tim or Didi at 259-1751.