2019 Fall Sports Roundup
2019 Fall Sports Roundup
FOOTBALL (3-7, 0-5)
Despite the record not being what the team hoped for this season, several players left their mark on the field and in the record book. Eleven times this season, a new name was added to the record book. Quarterback Rodney Thompson threw for 489 yards against San Diego Mesa, third-best in program history. Thompson also had 36 completions against Mesa, tied for the third-best with 2015 quarterback Austin Early. Thompson also had 35 completions against Mt. San Antonio College and 33 against Ventura. In the second game of the season, quarterback Shea Morales found Johnny Armentrout for a 72-yard reception, sixth-best in program history. Thompson passed Morales during the Mesa game when he found Isaiah Batton for 74 yards. Armentrout had his own record when he had 183 receiving yards on 11 receptions against Fullerton. Placekicker Mark Meader now has the highest point after attempt percentage going a perfect 28-28 this season. Punter Preston Dennard had a long punt of 58 yards against Mt. SAC. Jay Craft had a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown against Southwestern.
In addition to the records, Palomar had three all-conference selections: Rodney Thompson (1st Team), Kyran Griffin (2nd Team) and Johnny Armentrout (2nd Team). Thompson led the passing yards per game statistical category all season with an average of 283. 5 yards, as well as passing touchdowns with 25. Kobe Dominguez led the tackles per game stat category with 7.4 and Kameron Camp was also on the list with 6.9. As of the end of the middle of December, multiple Comets have received offers from colleges at the next level.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (3-20, 1-15)
Women's volleyball had two all-conference selections. Alina Lecakes-Jones, outside hitter, and Carsyn Emerson, setter and opposite hitter, both were on the honorable mention team. Lecakes-Jones was also the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's Athlete-of-the-Month for October. She had herself a season where she had 22 kills against Imperial Valley College and 19 against Cuyamaca College. She also had 16 digs against San Diego City. Emerson had a season-high 26 assists against San Bernardino Valley College, a match which the Comets won in five sets.
WOMEN'S SOCCER (2-14-5, 2-10-4)
Sydnee Reinhard received an all-conference honor for being an outstanding defender for the Comets this season. Valerie Hernandez scored five goals for the Comets this season. She had one against Cuyamaca College, LA Harbor College and San Diego Miramar College and two against San Diego City College. Kassandra Blanchard was the starting goalie for the Comets and she had multiple 10 save games, with a season-high 13 against Golden West College. Monica Saltz started to play goalkeeper halfway through the season and had a season-high 20 saves against Grossmont College.
MEN'S SOCCER (8-8-5, 4-5-3)
Men's soccer started out strong this season and had hopes of winning the program's first conference title. The Comets finished fourth place in conference play. After a four-game tie-streak, the Comets defeated Imperial Valley College 6-0, in which five different Comets scored. The men had the best season in recent history and the best under head coach Dave Linenberger.
The team had three first-team all-conference selections: Arturo Soltero, Seth Murphy and Jessi Piazza. Murphy was also invited to play in the Sophomore Showcase at the CCCAA State Tournament where the top 40 players from the South and top 40 from the North play against each other on small teams. Soltero was also the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's September Honorable Mention award recipient.
WOMEN'S WATER POLO (19-9, 6-1)
Women's water polo surprised everyone this season as they finished with the best record in recent program history. They were 8-8 and then went on an 11-game winning steak where their historic season ended at the CCCAA SoCal Regionals against Citrus College. The Comets were Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Champions when they defeated Grossmont College in revenge to finish with a 6-1 conference record, as Grossmont handed the women their only loss earlier in the season.
The women had five all-conference selections: Harley Young (1st Team), Sydni Dickson (1st Team), Julia Miller (1st Team), Sophie White (2nd Team) and Ciara Webb (2nd Team). Dickson was also the PCAC September Athlete-of-the-Month.
MEN'S WATER POLO (13-12, 5-2)
Men's water polo finished their season as Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Runners-up to San Diego Mesa College. The men played some tough teams in their non-conference tournaments this season including, Cuesta College, Riverside City College and Golden West College, who were all ranked in the top 10 in the state. Goalkeeper Dalton DeSpain was ranked No. 5 in the state for saves at 257 on the season and was second in the conference. He was third in the conference for save percentage at 45.9. Matt Kraszulyak was ranked No. 3 in the conference for having 36 steals, Zac Lemly was right behind him with 34 and Kevin McCollum finished the season with 33.
The Comets had five all-conference selections: Bryce Sammons, Matt Kraszulyak, Kevin McCollum, Truman Irion and Scott Richards. McCollum was also the PCAC October Athlete-of-the-Month.
CROSS COUNTRY
Women's cross country ran their way to a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championship, which then qualified them for the CCCAA SoCal Regionals as a team. After a strong eighth-place performance at the regional, the women then qualified for the CCCAA State Championship as a team. Alexia Delgadillo finished in 12th place at state, earning an All-State selection honor. The men's team finished in fourth place at the PCAC Championship race. Addison Rose, Delgadillo, Jolie Beentjes, Brianna Frain and Mila Beentjes all received all-conference honors for the women's team. On the men's side, Miguel Velasquez finished in 11th place at the PCAC Championships, earning him an all-conference honor as well. The men also made an appearance at the CCCAA SoCal Regional and qualified two runners to state.
WRESTLING
Wrestling had several bright spots this season. The first came when Joseph Conroy was named the MVP of the Upper Weight Division at the Santa Ana Tournament in October. The team competed in the CCCAA SoCal Duals but did not qualify for the state tournament. In November, the team competed in the CCCAA SoCal Regionals and had six qualify individually for a state title. Joseph Conroy went into the state tournament as the No. 1 seed from the South and finished in fourth place. Enrique Galicia was the No. 1 seed for the heavyweight division and took a tough second place at state.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Entering the season with four women on the team, women's golf finished in sixth place in the Orange Empire Conference. The team qualified for the CCCAA SoCal Regionals where Kathy Henderson finished in T-7th overall and No. 2 as an individual to qualify for CCCAA State Championship. Henderson went on to finished in 9th place overall. Henderson was named first-team all-conference when she finished in fifth place overall.
Congrats to all of these athletes and teams on their seasons!