A former Sonora Wildcat has been making waves since joining the rowing program at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Michael Campbell, a 2012 Sonora High graduate, not only battled a field of more than 100 hopefuls to earn a spot on the Gauchos’ 40-man novice rowing team, he was also recently elected a team captain by his peers and led his boat of eight rowers to a first-place finish over UCLA in their second race of the season March 9.

“He’s been a pleasure to have on the team,” said UCSB Novice Mens’ Rowing head coach Scott Wike. “Mike really stood out from his peers and they respected him, which is why he was elected a team captain.”

Photos by Amy Alonzo Rozak, The Union Democrat

Trees around Phoenix Lake Golf Course are in full bloom and golfers took advantage of perfect weather conditions to play a round, or two. Sammy Marquez, of Sierra Village (right) chips from just off the green.

Dodge Ridge will host the annual Pincecrest Invitational ski race for the 42nd year.

The race, for area elementary through high school-aged boys and girls, is scheduled for Friday with the first of three runs starting promptly at 10 a.m. 

“This is the 42nd year that Dodge Ridge has hosted the Pinecrest Invitational and it’s great to see parents and grandparents who competed when they were young cheering on the next generation,” said Dodge Ridge President Sally Helm. “We look forward to hosting this event every year because it brings the community and the students of area schools together.”

Preparations continued over the weekend for a special event Wednesday celebrating both the Bret Harte Bullfrogs varsity baseball home opener and the life of a 17-year-old player who died earlier this year.

Sean Plummer, mother of the late Alex Marshall, said more donations collected over the weekend brought the total value of items that will be raffled to more than $20,000 at Bret Harte’s Mother Lode League opener against Argonaut, which will also include a special appearance by baseball legend Reggie Jackson.

Short, sweet and on point.

UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw wasted little time in laying waste to Japan’s Issei Tamura Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada at UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz.

After decisive wins over Walel Watson and Vaughnn Lee, Dillashaw, who fights out of Sacramento with talent-rich Team Alpha Male, was set to face Mike Easton in December, but was sidelined by injury and was forced to miss the match.

Photos by Maggie Beck, The Union Democrat

 Over 220 runners enjoyed perfect weather and competed in the annual Jamestown Run on Saturday at Jamestown Elementary School. The race featured races of 2-miles and 10k. Alan Quintero claimed the title in the 10k while Conner Landis was quickest in the 2-mile. Julie Baker was the fastest woman in the 10k and was sixth overall. 10k race winner Alan Quintero (right) leads the pack right from the start of the race.

Calaveras’ Mike Seawell (right) successfully steals second base while Sonora shortstop Justin Payne waits for the throw. Cat second baseman Gino Balestrieri backs up. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

Sonora junior Rocky Rozadilla hurled the first four innings and allowed just one run on three hits to earn his first win of the year.

Bret Harte’s Elaine Jordan (above, left) makes a pass with Summerville’s Camila Richardson defending. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

Bullfrogs forward Elaine Jordan scored Bret Harte’s first goal 34 minutes into the game after a shot by midfielder Allie Steele deflected off Summerville’s goalkeeper. Jordan was in perfect position to put the ball in the net for the game’s first score. 

“Elaine made a good followup,” said midfielder Lauren Redding. “That’s what we work on and it was our advantage tonight.”

Redding, a junior, scored Bret Harte’s second goal three minutes later off a drive from about 15 yards.

Sonora Wildcat senior Bennett Personius powers past the competiton on his way to a first place finish in the 200 IM on Wednesday against the Manteca Buffaloes at the Sonora pool. Personius also helped the 200 medley and 400 free relay team earn wins. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

That goal, other than leaving Valley Oak League foe Manteca in its wake, was to record times that would qualify it for a pair of events in the section trials, the prestigious end of season event which is held in May.

The relay team of seniors Bennett Personius and Cody Hansten along with junior Matt Scanlin and freshman Seth Farwell achieved its goal and reserved its spot.

“It was really exciting that we set a goal before the meet and those guys went out and did it,” said Wildcat head coach John-Jay Verhuel. “I’m real proud of those guys.”

Sonora ace Ryan Stevenson (10, above) hurls Tuesday during his complete game one-hitter with 15 strikeouts against the Summerville Bears at Bev Barron Field. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

Stevenson pitched a complete-game one-hitter with 15 strikeouts and made the defensive play of the game to lead the Wildcats to a 7-1 baseball victory over their county rivals the Summerville Bears at Bev Barron Field.

“That was vintage Stevenson,” said Wildcat head coach Scott Johnson. “We just seem to play a lot better when he’s on the bump. Our guys don’t want to win when he is pitching, they expect to win.”