Clipboard: Camacho set for final collegiate cross country season at Azusa Pacific

After coming within a stride of breaking the Azusa Pacific University school record in the 800 meters last year in track and field, Sofia Camacho is very much motivated this fall in cross-country.

A former Hartnell College All-American in both sports, Camacho earned All-PacWest first-team honors last season in cross-country, finishing seventh at the conference finals.

Camacho comes into her senior season having run 21 minutes 28.2 seconds over 6k (3.72 miles), gaining NCAA Division II All-West Region honors for the Cougars.

Camacho tore up the track last spring at Azusa Pacific, running 2:07.80 in the 800, just off the school mark of 2:07.31 to qualify for the NCAA Division II nationals.

The former North Salinas High distance ace also earned all-time Top 10 marks in her first season at Azusa Pacific in the 1,500 (4:26.13) and 5,000 (17:00.63).

Camacho was a state champion in the 800 at Hartnell and a state runner-up in the 1,500 in 2023. She won five Coast Conference titles in track and earned All-American honors twice in cross country.

A teammate of Camacho’s on the men’s side in cross-country this fall will be Carmel alum Aiden Tarantino, who redshirted last season at Azusa Pacific.

Soledad’s Sanchez at CSUMB

Having logged over 4,600 minutes in his first three seasons, Alexis Sanchez will begin his senior season for the Cal State Monterey Bay men’s soccer team this fall.

The Soledad graduate was a second-team all-California Collegiate Athletic Association selection last fall for the Otters, logging a team-high 1,762 minutes.

The defender started all 20 matches for the Otters, scoring a goal and assisting on four. His lone goal was a game-winning shot against San Francisco State.

Sanchez played every minute of 15 matches in 2022 when he produced the ninth most minutes in school history with 1,602 – eclipsed last season.

The Midfielder of the Year in the old Mission Trail Athletic League in 2018 as a junior, Sanchez helped Soledad reach the Central Coast Section Open Division semifinals in 2019.

A teammate of Sanchez’s is former Monterey High standout Erik Cabrera, who started eight matches at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2022 before transferring to CSUMB.

Former Hartnell College pair running in Kansas

Daniel Pantoja and Daniel Correa will look to crack the top five this fall in cross-country for the University of St. Mary’s in Kansas.

The two incoming seniors were part of the program last fall that finished second in the nation at the NAIA cross-country finals.

Pantoja, who prepped at Greenfield, put together a solid track and field season last spring at St. Mary’s, winning the conference 3,000-meter steeplechase title (9:23.23).

A two-time all-conference selection in cross-country at Hartnell College, Pantoja also raced to a seventh-place finish in the 5,000 (17:17.19) at last spring’s conference finals for St. Mary’s.

Correa, a former King City High distance ace, helped St. Mary’s to a conference track and field team title after placing seventh in the 10,000 (32:59.18).

Huihui-Martinez cleared for final season

A season-ending injury kept Aaliyah Huihui-Martinez from seeing the volleyball court last fall for St. Michael’s College.

Cleared to resume her career, the Notre Dame High grad will return for her senior season as the team’s libero/defensive specialist.

In her first two seasons for St. Michael’s, which is based in Vermont, Huihui-Martinez compiled 258 digs, averaging 2.38 digs each set. She has also collected 60 assists and 27 service aces during her collegiate career.

Huihui-Martinez was a two-time member of The Herald’s All-County volleyball team at Notre Dame, recording 837 digs, 145 kills and 51 aces in 44 career matches.

A multi-sport athlete at Notre Dame, Huihui-Martinez’s mother played volleyball at the University of Hawaii.

Seaside’s Finest

Seaside’s Finest is holding fall basketball workouts for boys and girls Mondays and Wednesdays at Monterey Peninsula College. The program is designed to prepare athletes for the upcoming basketball season. Speed and strength workouts will also be offered. Contact Jason Hieb at (831) 915-5362 or http://seasidesfinest.leagueapps.com

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a varsity boys volleyball coach and a varsity baseball coach. Go to www.edjoin.org/MPUSD.

Soledad is looking for a boys and girls wrestling coach. Contact athletic director Nick Twitchell at aztecathletics@soledad.k.12.ca

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, flag football, volleyball, water polo and field hockey. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

Sports officials

NorCal Sports Officials is looking for officials for the 2024 season and beyond. NCSO has been providing officials for youth and adult sports leagues and tournaments since 2014. NCSO currently has 17 youth and adult leagues on the Monterey Peninsula.

Training and some equipment/apparel provided. For more information contact Greg Omoto at: norcalsportsofficials@gmail.com or visit the website: www.norcalsportsofficials.com or call (831) 236-7187.