Sports prepare for CIF

Sports+prepare+for+CIF

Cross country ran a successful season, with many personal records beaten. Juniors Derek Kirschbaum, Eric Semprebon and Connor Klein each beat their personal records in the first race of the year. Seniors Mackenzie Rogers and Sophia Chittle finished in the top five for girls. Both boys and girls will compete in the North County Conference Championships Nov. 13 at Guajome Park, and the CIF San Diego Section Championships Nov. 20 at the Morley Field Cross Country Course.

Girls’ field hockey hit their best run between Sep. 24 and Oct. 9, when their defense gave up just one goal across 10 games. The Titans will finish their regular-season Nov. 9 on the road against La Costa Canyon. Before the Nov. 3 home finale versus Del Norte, they held a (6-2) league record, and placed second in Palomar League standings with two games remaining. 

Football finished their regular season (7-3) overall and (4-1) in league to become Palomar League co-champions with Mt. Carmel. The Titans defeated Vista, Del Norte, Westview and Rancho Bernardo in league matchups. As the three-seed in the Division II bracket, the Titans get a first-round bye. They will play Nov. 12 at home against the winner of the Rancho Bernardo-Bishop’s Nov. 5 game.

Girls’ golf went (5-11) overall in the 2021 season, and finished (3-7) in league play. Poway finished fifth with big wins against Del Norte and Mission Hills. Their team lost in the first round of team play, competing with Steele Canyon and Rancho Bernardo. Senior Gabrielle Lu and junior Hanna Yoo reached the CIF individuals tournament. Yoo was set to compete in the second round Nov. 4.

Girls’ tennis faced a tough regular-season schedule, but they managed to forget all their struggles when the playoffs came around. As the 15-seed in the Division II bracket, girls’ tennis took down Rancho Buena Vista, Coronado, San Diego Jewish Academy, and top-ranked Steele Canyon to take home the San Diego Section title. With their hard-working victory in the San Diego Section, they will compete in the Southern California Championships Nov. 19-20 at the Claremont Club.

Girls’ volleyball started the season with three straight victories over La Jolla Country Day, San Pasqual and Mt. Carmel, and went (20-15) overall. With strong wins over Ramona on the road and Del Norte at home, Poway finished (4-6) in league play. As the six-seed, they faced no. 11 Canyon Crest Academy in the opening round. But even with home-court advantage, they could not avoid the upset, as they lost two sets to three to end their season.

Boys’ water polo went undefeated to bring home back-to-back Palomar League titles. They finished the season (17-10) with five league wins. Their CIF playoffs begin Nov. 6 after a first-round bye. They will have to beat Torrey Pines to move on to the semifinals Nov. 10.