Axton to race in Pan Am event

Willy Axton, a Costa Mesa resident, has been recruited by a top international karting team to compete in the Pan American International Challenge at California Speedway in Fontana this weekend.

Axton, an 11-year-old fifth-grader at Kaiser Elementary, tested with Sodi Kart Team last month earning excellent marks. Axton will compete in the junior class against drivers from around the world.

Axton will begin with practice on Friday. He’ll then race Saturday and compete in a second race Sunday.

— Reader submission

Slammers take down NMSC

The Newport Beach Slammers defeated its cross-town rival Newport Mesa Soccer Club, 4-1, in the boys’ under-10 division Sunday.

George Busick led the Slammers with a hat trick. Clay Rolfes also scored for the Slammers.

Slammer goalie Gunnar Gehl had some very athletic stops, including an amazing diving one-hander.

The forwards and midfielders were effective with passing and attacking for the Slammers. They consisted of Blake Rovsek, Caden Campbell, Cameron Schwartz, Wyatt Burris and Tyler Beatag.

James McConnaughey, Rolfes, Connor Schimmelpfennig, Chris Rossensito and Nicholas Ayala, primarily played in a defensive role, and were able to hold Newport Mesa to only one goal in the second half.

— Dewain Campbell

Seahawks hold off Titans

The Newport Mesa Seahawks Pee Wee team earned a 16-12 road win Saturday over previously unbeaten Compton, which undefeated last year.

Quarterback Adam Freeman tossed a 20-yard pass to Nick Bauer on a key fourth down play that allowed the Seahawks to control the clock and hold off the Titans. The Seahawks also protected their lead with a strong run game, led by linemen Danny Rodgers, Berkley Bingham, Will Karambelas and Connor Brazeel. Stephan Menzia made a diving catch to extend the drive.

Bauer opened the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Chase Barbers. Carson Poivre made the first of his two two-point PAT kicks for an 8-0 lead.

Anthony Battista scored a rushing touchdown shortly after tight end Kobe Benter made a 31-yard reception on a pass from Freeman. The points came from a turnover, as nose guard Sutton Barabato crashed through the line, sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble. Blake Kormos recovered the fumble. Kormos forced a fumble in the first half, when Garbers recovered it.

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Hunter stars in triumph

William Hunter scored three touchdowns, including a TD on the opening kickoff to highlight the Newport Mesa Junior All-American Pee Wee Blue team’s 30-25 win over Placentia Saturday.

Newport Mesa quarterback Stephen Von Der Ahe threw two touchdown passes and ran in for a score from 10 yards out.

Hunter also scored on receptions of 35 yards and 20. Max Morin kicked in two extra-point kicks.

Jacob Fisher recorded a key interception for the Newport Mesa Seahawks. Riad Benahmed, Nikolas DeKeyzer and Conner Bass played well on defense.

Pasha Dastmaichi recovered a fumble. Running back Nick Yi moved the ball well and Vik Ghadi had a key reception.

Linemen Maxwell Duncan, Garret Cleary, Jack Beeker, Max Peterson and Michael Brown opened up enough space on Von Der Ahe’s 10-yard TD run.

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Hook leads Clinic to win

Quarterback Spencer Hook scored three rushing touchdowns do lead the Newport Mesa Junior All-American Clinic team (ages 9 and 10) to a 19-0 win over Mona Park of Los Angeles.

Luke Fisher, Nick Meisenheimer and Parker Susolik led the defense that earned the shutout.

Hook also connected on multiple passes to Sachin Gokhale and a long spiral to Bradford Binder, who turned the 25-yard reception into a 60-yard gain.

The offensive and defensive linemen played well, including among others, Logan Rockwell, Charles Gullo, Parker Ruiz, Simon Hall and Fisher, with strong secondary play by Micah Kelly and Gokhale.

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Stingers earn first win

The boys’ under-12 Stingers of AYSO Region 97 earned their first win of the season, 6-3, Saturday.

Niko Kerr scored a hat trick, while Sohrob Goodarzy recorded five assists and one goal. Eric Chavaria had two goals.

The defense of David Zachry, Tucker Lowell and Jimmy Bizzel stopped many attacks, while Billy Shannon was solid in goal.

Trenton Bashaw, Jackson Wind and Quinn Monahan provided coverage and support in the midfield. Jacob Morgan and Anthony Varela showed great effort and determination.

— Reader submission