Sports briefs
The La Cañada High varsity girls’ swim team remained undefeated as it hammered Temple City High School, 119-50, in a home meet April 14.
The Spartans were led by Katy Campbell, who won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events, Sarah Olson (winner of the 50 and 100 freestyle events) and Kenzie Heaton (victorious in the 100 breaststroke). Sammy Campbell won the 100 backstroke, and was second in the 500 freestyle. Michelle Varraveto rounded out La Cañada’s sweep in the 500 freestyle with a third-place finish.
Other top performers were Rita Neat (second in the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke), Raya Choi (second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 100 backstroke), Caitlyn Seto (second in 200 individual medley), Kristine Seulymezian (third in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly) and Morgan Harrick (second in the 100 butterfly). In addition, Karolina Dudek and Elizabeth Whitefield raced on the winning 400 freestyle relay team. The Spartans fell to South Pasadena in a league meet the next week, though, dropping to 3-1 in Rio Hondo.
La Cañada captures tournament title
The La Cañada High softball team won the Thousand Oaks Tournament last weekend, defeating tournament host Thousand Oaks, 2-1, and Hart, 6-4, Saturday.
La Cañada came on late against Thousand Oaks, as Anna Edwards tied the score in the eighth inning with a run-scoring double to left field. Jessica Ogden put the icing on the cake with a bases-loaded single for the winning run in the ninth.
Shirley Drange and Aubri Thompson came up big in the tournament finale against Hart. Drange lifted a two-run homer in the fourth inning and Thompson had a two-run single in the fifth inning to extend La Cañada’s lead to 5-2.
Lauren O’Leary led the Spartans yet again in the circle and earned the title of tournament most valuable player. O’Leary came on in relief for Lauren Cox, who was returning from a groin injury, against Hart after she took a line drive off the shin in the third inning. O’Leary picked up both wins on the day — pitching a combined 14 1/3 innings, striking out 17 while allowing just three runs.
The Spartans have won their last 13 games and are now 16-3 overall, 7-0 in the Rio Hondo League.
Team’s hot start cooled on ice
The La Cañada ice hockey team suffered its first loss of the season April 21 against El Segundo. After a scoreless first period, both teams battled to a 2-2 tie in the second period. La Cañada’s goals were scored by Chris Soo Hoo and Hanson Peck.
El Segundo fought back in the third period, taking a 3-2 lead and getting a late insurance goal for a 4-2 victory. The Spartans are now 2-1 in league play.
Residents perform in national event
Kyla and Kara Bradley attended the USA Diving West Spring Junior Nationals in Lubbock, Texas April 8-10.
Kara and Kyla both compete for the Rose Bowl National Dive Team and qualified for the event in the 12/13 and 14/15 age divisions, respectively. Kara, a sixth grader at La Cañada Elementary, ended in medal position, as she placed seventh on the 1-meter and 15th on 3-meter. Kyla, a Flintridge Prep eighth-grader, improved her ranking from 27th to 23rd in the 3-meter event.