Oxnard College second baseman Jake Mahan and catcher Mario Landeros continued a team tradition this week, when both were named to the California Community College baseball coaches association All-American team.

Mahan, a sophomore from Camarillo High, led the state with 66 hits.

Landeros, a sophomore from Oxnard High, was right behind Mahan in nearly every offensive category, finishing second on the team in batting average (.378), hits (45), doubles (seven), RBIs (27) and slugging (.444). He led the team in on base percentage (.444).

The selections mean five Condors have earned All-America honors in the past three seasons. First baseman Jonathan Erb and third baseman Bryan Willson, both Camarillo High products, were 2010 All-Americans and outfielder J.C. Aguayo was a 2009 All-American.

Ventura College sophomore Allen Gwynn joined the Oxnard duo on the team.

The Santa Paula High product starred at third base, hitting .324 with 26 RBIs, and was the Pirates' most reliable starting pitcher, leading the team with five wins and a 4.22 ERA. He is the Pirates' first All-American selection since Garrett Rau in 2009.

Ventura sophomore outfielder Ryan Jones was rewarded with his hard work with an All-Southern California selection. The Buena High product, who transformed himself from a role player into a star, hit .379 with 11 doubles and 24 RBIs.

The Ventura College men's swimming team next spring will feature its biggest group of returning All-Americans after eight freshmen earned the elite status this season.

"That's the most we've ever had," said Ventura coach Larry Baratte. "That's the exciting part for next year."

In total, 14 Ventura College swimmers, 12 men, two women -- plus six relay teams -- were unveiled as All-Americans earlier this month when the final performance list was compiled.

The All-American swimming teams feature the Top 16 performances nationally in each event.

The men's team included freshman Eric Donahoo in the 50 freestyle (21.08 seconds), 100 freestyle (45.76), and 200 freestyle (1:39.13); freshman Steven Tennant in the 100 freestyle (45..31), 200 freestyle (1:39.48), 100 backstroke (50.22) and 200 backstroke (1:54.47); sophomore Erik Rennspiess in the 200 freestyle (1:41.26) and 200 individual medley (1:55.27); sophomore Collin Baratte in the 500 freestyle (4:38.33), 100 backstroke (52.30) and 200 backstroke (1:52.00); sophomore Jordan Singleton in the 100 backstroke (51.15) and 200 backstroke (1:50.57); freshman Thomas Maires in the mile freestyle (16:30.88); freshman Brendan DeLear in the mile freestyle (16:51.92); sophomore Aaron Fukutomi in the mile freestyle (16:54.74); freshman Griffin Pool in the mile freestyle (16:57.15); freshman Coleman Goode in the 400 individual medley (4:08.58); freshman Tyler Kaslik in the 200 butterfly (1:54.44) and freshman Spencer Lewis in the 100 backstroke (52.71).

The women's team included Lisa Simmons in 1-meter (204.75 points) and 3-meter (199.55) diving. And Kayleigh Jeffrey in the 200 freestyle (1:56.77), 500 freestyle (5:15.15) and 800 freestyle relay, along with teammates Amber Bennett, Lori Anderson and Samantha Ebberson.

The men's All-American relays were the 200 freestyle (Spencer McGrath, Singleton, Donahoo and Tennant), the 400 freestyle (Tennant, Singleton, Rennspiess and Donahoo), the 800 freestyle (Donahoo, Rennspiess , Baratte, Tennant), the 200 medley (Baratte, Good, Singleton and Donahoo), and the 400 medley (Tennant, Good, Baratte,
Rennspiess).

Combine the individual and relay honors and Tennant was an eight-event All-American. Donahoo was a seven-event All-American. With five as a freshman and six as a sophomore, Baratte, who will swim next year at UC Santa Barbara, graduates as an 11-event All-American.

Rennspiess has committed to Massachusetts. Singleton will transfer to Cal Baptist. Jeffrey will decide between Cal State Northridge and Cal State Bakersfield.

Singleton, Donahoo, Kaslik, Maires, Pool, Anderson and Jeffrey were also honored on the National Community College Academic All-American team. The team's requirements include an All-American swimming performance with a 3.2 cumulative GPA.

Jake Mahan, who committed this month to Arkansas, won't be the first Oxnard College baseball player to make the trip to Fayetteville.

At least four previous Condors played for the Razorbacks, including Tim Seward, Mark Berry, Howard Hilton and Andy Skeels, according to former Oxnard coach Jerry White.

Any season begins with a hint of trepidation.

Will the decisions made during the offseason really bear out on the field like they were envisioned?

In the case of the 2011 Ventura County Fusion men's soccer team, the answer, thus far, has been a resounding yes.

The Fusion have opened the season with a flourish, leading the 64-team Premier Development League with 19 goals scored and a plus-16 goal difference.

"You never know what's going to happen until a ball is kicked," said Fusion general manager Ranbir Shergill. "But to see the planning come to fruition in this manner, you can't hope for anything more."

Since opening the season with a scoreless draw against visiting Fresno, the Fusion have been thoroughly entertaining, averaging nearly five goals per game.

"We've had a dream start and we just have to keep it going," said Shergill.

Striker Mark MaGee leads the PDL with five goals and is second in points with 10.

Attacking midfielder Danny Barrera, a Westlake High graduate, and fellow UC Santa Barbara product David Walker are tied for second in the PDL in assists with three apiece.
Striker Reed Williams and midfielder Andy Rose, both UCLA products, are tied for 12th with seven points apiece.

"It's kind of the vision that we set out from the outset," said Shergill. "We want to play good, attractive soccer so people will come watch us play."

The Fusion's 7-2 romp over Orange County Friday set the franchise record for goals in a game.

The previous record came in the PDL semifinals on Aug. 1, 2008, one week before the Fusion won the PDL continental title at Buena High, when Rodrigo Lopez inspired the Fusion's 6-1 thrashing of the Bradenton Academics at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex in Laredo, Tex.

Lopez, who is now with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, had two goals and an assist.

"We know we're not going to win every game by a load of goals, because that's not the way it works," said Shergill. "We just have to keep playing good soccer and getting the results."

With 13 points from five matches, Ventura County (4-0-1) finds itself a point back of Fresno (4-0-2) with a match in hand.

The defending Southwest Division champion can return atop the standings Saturday night with a win against the host Southern California Seahorses at La Mirada High.

But the road trip holds greater importance. It will determine whether the Fusion qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the second straight year.

Fresno has swept its four qualifiers with a plus-10 goal difference. Having swept its three qualifiers with a plus-9 goal difference, the Fusion can qualify from its eight-team group by winning by a two-goal margin or by scoring three or more goals in a win.

It may not be needed at the moment, but the Fusion squad has been strengthened by the return of former Hueneme High and Oxnard College star Gabriel Gonzalez, who was on trial abroad with German club Arminia Bielefeld this month; the arrival of UC Santa Barbara defender James Kiffe, who trained with the Fusion Tuesday; and the imminent arrival of another defender, former Denmark youth international Michael Sten, formerly of Danish power Aalborg BK.

"It was a fantastic experience," said Gonzalez.

Fusion alumnus Michael Farfan scored his first Major League Soccer goal Saturday in the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 win over the visiting Chicago Fire, drilling a 25-yard shot low off a set piece.

The goal was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. Farfan was a two-time NSCAA All-American at North Carolina in 2009 and 2010.

Both Farfan twins, Michael and Gabriel, who combined for six goals and three assists for the Fusion in 2007 and 2008, are rookies with the expansion MLS club.

Five local stars filled out this spring's All-Western State Conference North Division baseball first team.

Oxnard College second baseman Jake Mahan, the sophomore from Camarillo High who led the state with 66 hits, was named to the first team for the second straight season.

Oxnard freshman Jesus Valdez, who starred as a pitcher and a third baseman, was 6-1 with a 2.80 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 61 innings in 10 starts on the mound. The Hueneme High graduate also slugged three home runs.

Moorpark College ace Landon Hunt, a second-team selection as a freshman, was promoted to the first team as a sophomore. The Moorpark High product was 2-4 with a 3.43 ERA, holding opposing hitters to a .212 batting average.

As a Ventura College sophomore, Ryan Jones transformed himself from a role player into a first-team All-WSC North performer. The Buena High graduate hit .379 with 11 doubles and 24 RBIs.

Ventura sophomore Allen Gwynn starred at third base and was the Pirates' most reliable starting pitcher. The Santa Paula High product hit .324 with 26 RBIs and lead the team with five wins and a 4.22 ERA.

The All-WSC North second team was dominated by Moopark. The Raiders had four selections, including freshman infielder Austin Mascorro, sophomore outfielder Bryce Dailey, and the starting pitching tandem of freshman Mike Coates and sophomore Tyler Karp.

The second team also included the Oxnard duo of sophomore catcher Mario Landeros and freshman shortstop Kevin Minjares.

All-WSC North honorable mentions included freshman first baseman Travis Keppel and freshman closer Sheldon Ekstrand of Oxnard; sophomore catcher John Travnick, sophomore infielder Tyler Wirth and freshman outfielder Taylor Kahanowitch of Moorpark; freshman first baseman Andy Yingling, sophomore infielder Trevor Duffy and sophomore outfielder Joseph Luna of Ventura.

The majority of the local selections on the All-Western State Conference Gold Division softball first team were Ventura College freshmen.

Pitcher Teresa Lemos won 11 of 13 starts down the stretch as Ventura clinched a postseason berth by winning 13 of its last 14 games of the regular season. The Rio Mesa High product finished her first season fourth in the state with a 0.72 ERA. She was 13-9 and struck out 138 in 154 1/3 innings.

Raelene Moreno gave VC bite in the middle of its lineup, playing both in the infield and behind the plate. The Pacifica High product hit .317, leading the team in doubles (eight), home runs (four) and walks (20).

Outfielder Danielle Markmann set the table as Ventura's leadoff hitter. The Buena High product led the team in batting average (.350) and runs scored (25).

Another freshman, pitcher Joanna Boicourt, led Moorpark College both on the mound and at the plate. Pitching all but 10 innings on the season, the Hueneme High product was 17-14 with a 2.80 ERA. She also led the team in batting average (.437), home runs (three) and runs scored (23).

Oxnard College sophomore Brystal Hood completed a productive two-year career with a first-team selection. The Buena High product hit .380, leading the team in home runs (four) and RBIs (26).

Four more freshmen populated the All-WSC Gold second team, including Moorpark's frosh trio of first baseman Jennifer Moreno, infielder Nadia Lomeli and outfielder Samantha Alcarez. Ventura freshman outfielder Jacqueline Dickson and Oxnard sophomore infielder Priscilla Garcia were also second-team selections.

After a season of carrying so much weigh, Ventura College freshman Brianna Panapa will focus on just two events at the California Community College track and field championships Saturday at American River College in Sacramento.

One of two athletes to qualify for Southern California prelims in all four throwing events, Panapa will compete in the women's javelin and hammer throw.

"It does feel a little light," said Panapa. "For once I won't be running around trying to do all four. I'll still have the same mindset, though."

Honored as the team's Most Valuable Player and Scholar Athlete, the St. Bonaventure High product memorably swept all four throwing events during the six-way
meet at Ventura on April 1.

She was second in the shot put, third in the hammer and discus and fourth in the javelin at the Western State Conference championships.

The No. 12 and final seed in both events, Panapa took an optimistic view.

"I have nothing to lose," said Panapa. "I can only move up from where I'm at."

Panapa's teammates in Sacramento include Shara Longbotham, the No. 5 seed in the women's high jump, and Luis Guevara, the No. 11 seed (33:23.58) in the men's 10,000 meters.

Ventura's Teddy Elsenbaumer and Tomek Czerwinski are the Top 2 seeds in the men's decathlon. Moorpark's Garrett Demirjian is No. 4.

The Moorpark contingent also includes Lydia French, the top seed in the women's high jump; Charlie Petrie, the No. 3 seed in the men's 1,500 meters and No. 10 seed in the men's 10,000 meters; Nicole Rietveld, is the No.5 seed in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase; Zuleima Jimenez; the No. 6 seed in the women's 10,000 meters; and Andrew Scott; the No. 7 seed in the men's hammer.

Nicole Rietveld may just be a Moorpark College freshman, but she's also the elder sister of two young runners.

Both Rietveld's brothers, Byron, a 16-year-old sophomore at Simi Valley High, and Brett, a 14-year-old with the Simi Valley Running Rebels track club, share their sister's sport.

"It's nice having my brothers run because it helps us understand each other," said Rietveld. "We like discussing about our races. I like giving them tips."

The Simi Valley High product is part of Moorpark College's strong freshman class of distance runners, which includes Andrea Barrera (Fillmore), Alexis Pichardo (Moorpark) and Ashley Hamilton (Moorpark).

"I really do think how close we are helps," said Rietveld. "Our track workouts really push you to your limits and make you get out of your comfort zone."

The community college football schedule has been finalized for this fall and there are no surprises. Moorpark College and Ventura College will play the same schedules as last fall with the venues flipped.

Moorpark will host Ventura in the Citrus Cup game Sept. 3, as well as Compton, Antelope Valley, Chaffey and Los Angeles Harbor at Griffin Stadium. The Raiders will visit L.A. Pierce, Hancock, Santa Barbara City, Long Beach City and Citrus

After visits to Moorpark and Fullerton, Ventura will open its home schedule against "Big Game" opponent Santa Barbara City. It will also welcome Pasadena City, Cerritos, Bakersfield and Canyons to the Sportsplex. The Pirates other road opponents are Chaffey, Hancock and El Camino.

Both local programs will host three of its five divisional opponents this fall, Ventura in the SCFA Northern Division and Moorpark in the SCFA Western Division.

Jerry Haflich, a standout linebacker and baseball player who was voted Ventura College's Male Athlete of the Year as a senior in 1981, was part of the 10-person class inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach hotel.

Now the head football coach at American River College, Halfich coached against Ventura College head coach Steve Mooshagian in Oct. 2009, when American River hosted Feather River.

"He's a competitor," said Haflich of Mooshagian. "His guys are ready every time you face them... They blew us out in the second half."

Leading 13-6 at the half, Feather River piled up 37 points in the second half of a 50-16 win in Sacramento.

Halflich hinted at a future rematch.

"I'd love to get a ARC-VC game," said Haflich. "We've been talking about it for years."

Despite trailing after the fall season, the Ventura College athletic department rallied during the winter and spring to win the Western State Conference Supremacy Award for the 13th consecutive school year.

Ventura has retained the conference's all-sports trophy since sharing it with Bakersfield in 1998-99. Behind five conference titles and three runner-up finishes, Ventura amassed 99 points. Canyons (78 points), Santa Barbara City (77.5), Glendale (73) and Cuesta (70) rounded out the Top 5.

"It's a testament to the hard work of the coaches, the support staff and the student-athletes," said Ventura athletic director Will Cowen. "It's a group effort."

Ventura captured WSC titles in men's swimming, men's tennis, women's water polo, women's soccer, women's basketball. No other WSC school won more than three titles during the 2010-11 school year.

Moorpark (53 points) was eighth. Oxnard (29 points) was 13th.

Moorpark College freshman Nicole Rietveld is the No. 2 seed in the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase at the Southern California championships today at Mount San Antonio College.

This season, the Simi Valley High product is competing in the event for the first time.

"She didn't expect to run this well in this event," said Moorpark distance coach Eleazar Hernandez. "But she's put in the work."

Rietveld ran a 10:59.61 at the Riverside Open March 25.

Ventura College track and field coach Tony Veney sees opportunities for all seven of his athletes to advance today to the state meet later this month.

"In a perfect world all seven have a shot," said Veney. "It'll just take varying levels of competitive effort."

Shara Longbotham has a target of 5 feet, 3 inches in the women's long jump. Benny Kirkwood, who had a clean day in last week's SoCal prelims, has a chance if he continues his clean form.

"He did really well last week because he jumped clean up to the deciding height," said Veney. "If he jumps clean again, he's got a shot."

Brianna Panapa is the No. 3 seed in the women's javelin.

"If she doesn't try too hard, she'll throw far," said Veney.

"Sometimes these kids start to press, thinking they need to put in more effort."

The Ventura College basketball community took a hit this week when one of the Pirates' most loyal fans, Larry Whiting, died of cancer.

In his motorized chair, beside his wife Mary, Whiting, 75, was a fixture at VC basketball games, both home and away.

"There's going to be a rather significant void between the bench and the scorer's table," said Ventura women's basketball coach Ned Mircetic. "He was a fixture at our games and we were blessed to have a person like him come and attend our games.

"He's going to be dearly missed."

Services will be held today at 2 p.m. at Ted Mayr funeral home in Ventura.