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Softball, track teams<br>see good participation rates

GC VILLAGE — The Grand Canyon High School softball team heads into the season in unfamiliar territory. As of Thursday, 20 girls had signed up for Lady Phantoms softball this season, the most the program has seen in years.

Kristin Gabaldon, left, and Cayla Shearer participate in preseason drills with the softball team Thursday.

It hasn’t been uncommon for the softball team to use student managers or borrow athletes from the track team just to compete. Coach Pat Martinez is excited about prospects this year.

"We’ll even have enough players to have a scrimmage," Martinez said. "We had 20 sign up and some are still in cheer and are not able to join the team until next week. We have nine freshmen on the team this year."

It’s those nine freshmen that made the difference on numbers this season. Grand Canyon High School has a larger than usual freshmen class, something that will be repeated next year.

Grand Canyon brings back several players off last year’s team. Seniors Cayla Shearer, Rose Spoehr, Illanda Bitsui and Becca Starritt will be the team elders. Juniors Melissa Monroe, Michele Mickelson, Michelle Harvey and Ashley Schlapfer should all be factors.

"Ashley Schlapfer, she pitched a lot last year," Martinez said. "We’ll try a bunch of other girls there. Nikki Harvey will try to pitch."

Melissa Haufle, who pitched last year, could not play this year because of her age.

Martinez coached several of the girls a few years ago on the Grand Canyon softball team that competed in Williams Little League.

Kellee Kell is the lone sophomore on the roster. Besides Harvey, the other freshmen are Samantha Stickler, Sonya Garza, Janna Barth, Jenna Diaz-Gonzalez, Danielle Bone, Mary Spoehr, Kristin Gabaldon, Colette Aspaas, Adrianne Keebahe and Becky Richardson.

"We haven’t done any hitting yet," Martinez said about the team. "But we still have Ashley Schlapfer, who hit .480 last year. I’m sure she’ll be hot with the bat again this year. Cayla Shearer is also back."

Shearer led the team in batting average two seasons ago and was also among the best last year.

As for fielding, there are some spots to fill. Monroe and Harvey did the catching last year and return. Richardson played catcher on the Little League team a few years ago.

Martinez has been involved with the softball program for four years. He succeeds Shelly Talker as the head coach. Crystal Palmer will serve as an assistant coach.

Besides being in unfamiliar territory with a high number of players, Grand Canyon also could literally find itself in unfamiliar territory for home games. A school board meeting addressing the softball field concerns was originally scheduled for Thursday but moved back to Monday afternoon after newspaper deadline. For a story on the meeting, go online after 6 p.m., today to: www.grandcanyonnews.com.

Grand Canyon will be looking for its first on-the-field victory since April 2000 when the Lady Phantoms swept a doubleheader from Oak Creek Ranch. The Lady Phantoms went 0-8 in the region, 0-15 overall last season. The team was credited with four victories through forfeit in 2001.

The team opens the season Friday and Saturday at the Desert Classic Tournament.

Softball Roster

Seniors — Illanda Bitsui, Cayla Shearer, Rose Spoehr, Becca Starritt.

Juniors — Michelle Harvey, Michele Mickelson, Melissa Monroe, Ashley Schlapfer.

Sophomores — Kellee Kell.

Freshmen — Colette Aspaas, Janna Barth, Danielle Bone, Jenna Diaz-Gonzalez, Kristin Gabaldon, Sonya Garza, Nikki Harvey, Adrianne Keebahe, Becky Richardson, Mary Spoehr, Samantha Stickler.

Head coach — Pat Martinez.

Assistant coach/chaperone — Crystal Palmer.

Student manager — None.

TRACK & FIELD

GC track team sees mixture

of experience, youth in 2002

GC VILLAGE — One year after winning the Class 1A state runnerup trophy in girls track, Grand Canyon will be looking for good things again this season. Veteran coach Anne Phillips has several question marks on both the boys and girls teams, but she’s enthusiastic about their chances.

"I’m encouraged, we’ve got some people who already look fit and are ready to go," Phillips said. "We have more boys out than girls this year, which is a flip-flop from the past."

In all, there are 11 boys on the roster, including some two-sport athletes who will also play baseball. Three key returnees, all sophomores, are Jacob Wahler, Brian Skeet and Chas Iacampo.

Skeet made progress in the distance events and could challenge a school record this year.

"He’s going for that two-mile record," Phillips said. "He’ll keep chasing that. He’s got some different training strategies since he’s stronger this year."

Iacampo will be a busy athlete in events such as the 300-meter hurdles, 800-meter run and the 400- and 200-meter dashes. Phillips said he might also be worked onto relay teams.

Wahler made good progress late in his freshman season in the weight events. Heading into this season, Wahler appears to be bigger and stronger.

"Already in practice, he’s throwing farther," Phillips said. "He’s getting bigger, lifting weights. He’ll also be running the 400."

Alfred Alarcon, junior, will also be competing in the shot put and discus along with running events.

Mitchell Walker, senior, will be a two-sport athlete this spring. Walker will likely compete in the high jump, although the coach is also impressed with his speed. Fellow seniors Matt Mauk (high jump, middle distance) and Conrad Litschko (distance) are also on the roster.

Junior Nathaniel Bitsui along with freshmen Miles Hunter, Tempy Walker and Thomas Alarcon round out the roster. This week’s meet at Lake Havasu will answer some questions about where athletes may compete this season.

"I think the boys have a really good shot this year at state," Phillips said. "We don’t have that depth with the girls, but we do have some strong girls."

The Foo sisters make up nearly half of the roster for the girls. Juniors Kara and Cally Foo return in sprint events. Kara Foo also competes in hurdles while Cally Foo does some long jumping.

"They should be very strong, especially since they’re refining their technique," Phillips said.

Corrine Foo, sophomore, competes as a distance runner.

Maria Durfey returns for her senior year with the 800-meter run being her top event. Durfey also competes in the 400 and will participate on the 400- and 1600-meter relays.

Sarah Monfort, sophomore, also returns from last year and will compete in sprints and the long jump.

Freshmen Janna Barth and Tiffany Monroe round out the girls roster. Barth is experimenting with various events while Monroe, a two-sport athlete, will contribute in the sprints and on relays.

GCHS opens the season Saturday at the Lake Havasu Invitational.

Track & Field Roster

GIRLS

Seniors — Maria Durfey.

Juniors — Kara Foo, Cally Foo.

Sophomores — Corrine Foo, Sarah Monfort.

Freshmen — Janna Barth, Tiffany Monroe.

BOYS

Seniors — Conrad Litschko, Matt Mauk, Mitchell Walker.

Juniors — Alfred Alarcon, Nathaniel Bitsui.

Sophomores — Chas Iacampo, Brian Skeet, Jacob Wahler.

Freshmen — Thomas Alarcon, Miles Hunter, Tempy Walker.

Head coach — Anne Phillips.

Assistant coaches — Jeff Durfey, Sally Wahler.

Student manager — Chanoknard Teerasirisin.


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