I'm now full-time with SoCal News Group as the Daily News prep sports coordinator and sports reporter!
I'm grateful to be surrounded by so much talent at SCNG and am looking forward to more powerful storytelling. Send tips/story ideas to hsawyer
@scng
.com 🗞️
The student section at West Ranch is calling itself "The District" tonight and is welcoming students from all around the SCV. Plenty of Saugus kids in there.
With ancestors who have survived Auschwitz and slavery, former UCLA gymnast Danusia Francis' strength goes back generations. And it's led her to the Tokyo Olympics.
The upperclassmen performed when it counted, but Sara Taubman's debut and freshmen Chae Campbell and Frida Esparza's performances showed what's in store for the future of UCLA women's gymnastics.
"When you put all the football rivalries, all the school rivalries to the side, at the end of the day, we’re all humans."
-Saugus football coach Jason Bornn
UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe appeared to have tears in his eyes as he left the field after the loss to Minnesota. He was being consoled by Jay Toia and Kain Medrano.
“It did shake me to my core in a way that was so emotionally beautiful." -Margzetta Frazier
The Black Excellence meet may have concluded, but the message from UCLA gymnastics rings on.
Growing up, Hart athletes Marc and David Caporal always had their mom and grandmother to depend on.
But at eight years old, when their mom suffered a stroke and their grandmother developed Alzheimer's, the roles were reversed.
Former Canyon teammates now competing against each other.
On the left is Miles Fallin, now at Kansas, and right is Travis Reiner, now at Indiana State. Kansas won the game 24-17.
Baker Mayfield hung out with the COC football team over the summer while on campus for a GQ shoot, which came out this week.
"He was really cool, very outgoing, had a smile on his face the whole time," said Julian Salazar.
So excited to be a California Journalism Awards finalist in the Division 2 category for sports feature story!
I have put in so much hard work this year and am surrounded by such awesome talent at SCNG. Grateful for it all!
After eight innings, Saugus baseball beats Downey 4-2. Anthony Ramirez with the walk-off home run over the left field fence.
Anthony on what this win means:
This evening I held my first class as an adjunct professor at
@CSUNJournalism
! I have a fun, curious group of students and I'm eager to continue growing as an educator and journalist.
Jordan Chiles kept saying she wanted a picture "like that one" and pointed to the media room wall. So she and coach Janelle McDonald staged a conversation.
The picture she was referring to has Katelyn Ohashi and Valerie Kondos-Field in it.
After 24 years, Canyon track and field and cross country coach Paul Broneer has announced his retirement.
His record includes 16 Foothill League titles with the boys track and field team and 10 with the girls. He's won seven XC titles with the boys and 10 with the girls.
Denography instructions are on every seat inside Pauley Pavilion ahead of UCLA gymnastics' meet against Utah.
That includes the seats of Matt Stafford and his family, who are sitting behind me and media row.
A huge crowd response and team reception after Margzetta Frazier's senior meet floor routine. I think she got a hug from every single teammate and coach.
Valencia stands for a moment of silence and releases balloons at halftime in honor of Christian Nsubuga, a Saugus student-athlete who died earlier this week.
Tony Uebelhardt has been named the head football coach for Castaic High School.
The football team will have all freshmen in its inaugural season this fall, then add classes as the seasons go on.
West Ranch baseball's Garret Monheim will be playing for Oklahoma this season. He joined the Sooners late, but will fly out next week to Oklahoma. More info to come.
Six gymnasts donned custom-made leotards that they helped create on Friday night at UCLA gymnastics’ Meet the Bruins event. It was an exciting touch to preface the start of the season, but also a signature move for the UCLA program.
I am unexpectedly an adjunct professor at College of the Canyons! I teach 8 a.m. classes, hence the messy hair. 🫠 Please give me your best teaching advice.
When Ryan Kysar's dad was diagnosed with ALS, his teammates were there for him.
Now, he's honoring his late father and returning the favor to his teammates by being the best pitcher he can possibly be.
Tonight I learned Westlake girls flag football calls the middle linebacker position "momma" backer instead of "Mike" backer and I just think that's great
Valencia football defensive coordinator Rob Waters is stepping down.
He has no plans to coach anywhere else, but will be taking some time to focus on his family and will still coach the golf team. Matt Nyberg, another Valencia alumnus, will be the new defensive coordinator.
That's the Saugus football team lined up along the fence. They've been a pretty good cheering section for the boys lacrosse team, which is currently playing in it's first-ever game.
Legendary
@uclagymnastics
coach Miss Val hadn't really kept up with the women's basketball team since 2019.
But when two
@UCLAWBB
players showed up in one of her classes, it led to heated debates, personal growth and — most importantly — dancing.
UCLA gymnastics' Pride Meet comes not just at a time when gymnasts like Emma Andres are feeling embraced, but when the team is feeling especially whole.
The Bruins' depth is strengthening its bond.
"I will boldly say that this was the hottest ticket in any sport male or female today in Southern California."
The UCLA-USC women's basketball rivalry was elevated in an unforgettable Pac-12 opener.
Met so many incredible journalists and had heartfelt reconnections with some old colleagues at the California Journalism Awards. I am so inspired by the mutual support and successes in our industry!
Sierra Canyon defensive back and USC commit Madden Riordan on his excitement about USC:
"We’re in communication every single day. I'm excited because I'm going to get there January 2026, and that's when the new facility is done. The relationship is strong.”
@bylucaevans
Hart alumnus and former NFL QB Matt Moore is in the process of becoming an assistant coach for the Indians.
"History speaks for itself. To be a part of that was awesome and to maybe be a part of stuff in the future is exciting to me too," he said.
Sharlize said she was thinking of her late grandmother during this at-bat.
"I want to give thanks to God and my grandma," she said. "I felt her energy in me."
Frida Esparza’s journey back to confident gymnastics with UCLA has a similar pattern to her favorite Metallica song, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Just hear me out: