COLUSA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – With the sun having set on 2024, here is a look back at some of the athletic achievements and events that occurred within Colusa County over the past year.
Colusa Girls Basketball Goes Undefeated in SVL
Finishing strong, the RedHawks downed three Sacramento Valley League opponents in the final week of the regular season to remain undefeated in conference play.
Overall, Colusa (23-5) posted its first 20-win season since 2011-2012 and at one point sported a 17-game win streak.
Williams Boys Soccer Reclaim Section Title
Over the past two years, the Northern Section Division III soccer championship has come down to a contest between the Williams Yellowjackets and the Winters Warriors, with the ‘Jackets winning 2-0 in 2022 and the Warriors claiming the title in 2023 with a 4-1 victory.
As such, it came as no surprise that the rubber match between the two was a nail biter, as the Yellowjackets had to come from behind to edge Winters 2-1 and claim the fourth championship in school history.
It was the talent and experience of the Yellowjackets rising to the top in the end however, as Ernie Lemus put two in the back of the net and goal keeper Jesse Velazquez made three key saves setting the stage for a perfect season as Williams finished with an 18-0 mark.
Princeton Boys Basketball Falls in D7 Title Rematch
History unfortunately repeated itself in the Northern Section CIF Division VII Championship game at Butte College, as the Eagles suffered a heartbreaking 56–60 loss to Loyalton, replicating the 2023 result.
Despite the unfortunate result for Princeton, it was one of the season’s most entertaining contests, bringing the crowd to its feet and illustrating the quality of players that come from some of the North State’s smallest schools.
The setback was just the second for the Eagles in 2024, as they finished with an overall record of 23-2 and went undefeated in the Pioneer League.
4-Peat for RedHawk Baseball
A walk-off 4-3 win over Winters marked the fourth straight Northern Section Division IV championship for the RedHawks (28-4).
Julian Mendiola drove in the game-winner, then also threw five pitches in relief of starter Luke Kalfsbeek to earn the win as well.
Colusa (28-4) also got significant contributions from Seth Kalisuch and Adan Travis at the plate along with outstanding outfield play from Bo Coronado.
Pierce Boys Track Dominates D3 Competition
The Bears far-outdistanced the competition at the NSCIF Division III Championships finishing 87 points ahead of second place Trinity.
To do so, Pierce had the fastest times in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays and also got a first-place finish from Thomas Sweet in the triple jump.
Additionally, the Bears had five others claim second in their respective events and six more take third.
Colusa County Rugby Finishes as National Runner-up
Although its inaugural trip to the 2024 USA Club Rugby XVs Division III Championship didn’t go exactly as hoped for the Colusa Rugby Football Club, the team still did the county proud, finishing as the national runner-up.
As the Pacific Super Regional champion, Colusa played its first match in Austin, Texas against Boston’s Charles River, the winner of the Atlantic Super Regional.
Down 12-17 at intermission, Colusa rallied back in the second half to edge Charles River 33-31 and punch its ticket to the title match where it faced the defending national champion Austin Blacks the following day.
A large club and perennial powerhouse, the Blacks, who also benefitted from home field advantage, ultimately emerged victorious, posting an 86-0 win over Colusa.
La Corona Boxing Club Closes Up Shop
September 21 several hundred people gather and stay late into night as Merced and Lupe Corona hosted a boxing exhibition that marked an end to the club that has offered Colusa County fighters opportunities to hone their skills for the past 25 years.
In all that time the Corona’s never charged any of their young boxers to participate and provided all the necessary equipment free of charge.
Thus, true to form, all proceeds from the event were donated to help with the opening of a new gym that hopes to continue Colusa County’s boxing tradition.
RedHawks Runaway at SVL Cross Country Finals
Led by league champion Benji Granados, the Colusa boys’ cross country squad, which also included Cesar Cruz, Jose Ceron, Marcos Deniz and Karim Cruz successfully defended its Sacramento Valley League title, as did the girls team, which consisted of race-winner Rajdeep Shoker along with Eloise Guerrero, Giselle Valdes, Shaheen Orr and Jaylene Chavez.
Maxwell Football Reaches Section Title Game
It was a banner season for the Panthers who made their first appearance in a section championship since 2014, although their dream of taking home the crown fell short as Los Molinos staged a second half comeback to stun Maxwell 37-35.
For the season, the Panthers averaged 376.3 yards and 37.5 points per game.