Clipboard: Stevenson grad off to fast start in Chicago

On the heels of earning NCAA Division III All-American honors in cross-country, Anna Watson has gotten off to a blistering start on the track this spring.

The Stevenson graduate and University of Chicago senior took part this past weekend in the NCAA National Indoor track and field championships in the 3,000-meter run.

Watson, who clocked a career-best 9 minutes and 41.94 seconds earlier this year, finished second at the Bob Eubanks Open in the 3,000 to advance to the nationals, which were held in Rochester, New York.

The indoor season has seen Watson run a career-best 4:59.96 in the mile. She also ran 3:38.87 in the 1,200-meter run and ran a leg on Chicago’s 1,600 relay team.

Watson’s indoor time in the 3,000 is ranked No. 2 in the nation in Division III, as is her mark in the 1,200. She’s also ranked fourth in the mile.

A state meet qualifier in cross-country at Stevenson, Watson helped Chicago to a second-place team finish last fall at the Division III nationals, earning All-America honors in the process.

The distance ace, who was a top 10 finisher in helping Chicago to a conference title, ran 21:28.3 over 6,000 meters at the national championships.

Tulua at Syracuse

True freshman Kaimi Tulua has appeared in 10 of the Syracuse University softball team’s 22 games, hitting .318 this spring.

Tulua, who is getting most of her at-bats as a designated hitter, recently hit her first collegiate homer and is fifth on the team in runs batted in with 10, despite playing in less than half the games.

A multi-sport standout at Seaside, Tulua is third on the team with a .526 slugging percentage for Syracuse, which is 16-6 this spring.

Tulua hit over .700 during her sophomore season at Seaside in 2022, earning the Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division’s Offensive Player of the Year award. She was a member of The Herald’s All-County softball team twice.

Rey stretches streak

Sophomore Samantha Rey is one of three players to have started all 28 games this spring for the 19-8 Central Florida softball team.

A unanimous All-Big 12 Freshman team selection last season, the center fielder is hitting .280 this year, having scored 12 runs and driven in eight.

The Notre Dame of Salinas graduate is fourth on the team in hits with 21 and has stolen three bases. Rey also sports a .968 fielding percentage in the outfield.

Rey has already established new single-season highs at Central Florida in hits, extra-base hits, total bases, walks, stolen bases and starts.

The Herald’s Softball Player of the Year in 2022, Rey earned all-state honors at Notre Dame and was an Extra Inning Softball first-team high school All-American, hitting over .600 for the Spirits in 2022.

Palma grad Allen in Mexico

Noah Allen’s professional basketball career has landed him Caballeros De Culiacan in Mexico, where he’s averaging 10.5 points a game.

The 30-year-old former UCLA and Hawaii guard is shooting 67 percent from the field, averaging 24.5 minutes a contest. He is pulling down 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals a game.

A four-year starter while at Palma, the 6-foot-7 Allen has played professionally in Argentina, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Allen played with the Warriors Summer League team in Las Vegas in 2018 and was with the Wizards Summer League team in 2020.

He spent two seasons with the Wizards G-League affiliate before embarking on a pro career overseas. Allen was a three-time member of The Herald’s All-County basketball team.

Synchronized sensations

Six members of the Cypress Swim Club are headed to the USA National Artistic/Synchronized Swimming Championships.

Elena DeCarlo, Elyse DeSalvo, Reagan Dotterer, Scarlet Dotterer, Jannah Noonari and Kathrin Reichstadt earned a sixth-place team finish at West Zone Championships in Oregon.

Doing a combination routine set, the six swimmers sparkled in their routine to advance to the national youth championships. Over 300 athletes and 19 states took part in the event.

Coaches needed

Alvarez is looking for coaches for flag football. Go to brian.vazquez@salinasuhsd.org

Monterey is also looking for a head JV football coach. Email abesaw@mpusd.net

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 and umpires in the spring for boys’ volleyball, baseball, softball and boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

Monterey Women’s Basketball League

The Monterey Women’s Basketball League will begin on March 29 at the Monterey Sports Center. A pick-up game will tipoff the season at 2 p.m., with teams being formed after the game. Games will be held each Saturday from 1-5 p.m. Standard fee is $100. Register at montereysportscenter.com