Agoura Baseball Shows True Team Spirit

As a precursor event to the Special Olympics track & field games being held at Agoura High School on Sunday, 25 special needs athletes competed against Agoura's Varsity and Freshman teams on Thursday before 400 cheering spectators.

According to Steve Garren, freshman coach, Agoura baseball’s organization coordinated the event to help integrate the special needs students, who often get overlooked, into the program.

“We wanted to bring the school closer together, and with the recent unfortunate racist incidents at Calabasas High, we felt this was a good opportunity to project some positive school spirit," he said.

Agoura junior Ben Sikorra was chosen to throw out the first pitch.  Although he said he was a bit nervous before the game, he said he “wanted to look cool in front of his friends and be able to take a break from class."  Sikorra was joined by his older brother, John, who hit a single in the first inning, driving in two runs. The brothers are Dodger fans and said that the event made them both feel like pros for a day.

Playing on the varsity field for the first time was George Sohrabian, a senior. “I am so excited to be able to play in front of all my friends,” he said.

Sohrabian hit a single in the first inning, and after being coaxed by the crowd, stole second base.

Also in attendance were the high school band and the Agoura Charger cheerleaders. After the game, the school spirit continued with a campus barbecue, where students were able to socialize. 

In other Charger News...

GIRLS LACROSSE

• The Agoura Girls Varsity lacrosse team hosted the Eagles of Oak Park Tuesday. The Agoura Chargers battled against a tough Oak Park squad and came up short, losing a high scoring affair 17-16. The Chargers look to rebound from its crosstown rival loss when it hosts the Panthers of Newbury Park Friday at 5 p.m. Agoura now slides to 12-5 overall and notches its first loss (6-1) in league play. 

BOYS SWIMMING

• The Agoura Boys Varsity swim team dominated the Calabasas Coyotes Wednesday, resulting in a 106-63 victory. Agoura junior, Jon Lai, lead the individual races by capturing the 200 IM (meter individual medley) with a time of 2:08.66 and the 100 Fly (meter butterfly stroke) with a time of 56:42. Agoura juniors Sammy Wolfson and Daniel McClintick also contributed by placing first in the 100 Back (backstroke) with an impressive time of 1:02.42 and the 100 Free (freestyle) with a time of 1:06.42.  
• The Agoura Varsity team also controlled the relay events with multiple outstanding performances. The Medley (one complete lap of each stroke) was won by Sammy Wolfson, Vatche Kazanjian, Jon Lai and Chris Gardhouse with a time of 1:47.93. Agoura was also victorious in the 200 Free relay, thanks to Wolfson, Douda, Lai,  and Abdulhamid, with a time of 1:35.08; and in the 400 Free relay–Abdulhamid, Kazanjian, McClintick and Douda–with a time of 3:32.98.

GIRLS SWIMMING

• The Agoura Girls Varsity swim team also posted a convincing win Wednesday with 106-63 against the Calabasas Coyotes. Shannyn Hultin lead the Chargers to victory in individuals, with times of 2:03.93 in the 200 Free and 2:13.74 in the 200 IM. Claire Palmer also posted two strong performances with times of 26.27 in the 50 Free and 5:46.96 in the 500 Free. 
• Agoura Girls Varsity also won the majority of the relay events, coasting to an overall victory. The Chargers won the Medley (Smith, Hultin, Linder, Palmer) with a time of 1:59.79 and the 400 Free (Palmer, Forster, Linder, Smith) with a time of 4:00.50.

BOYS TENNIS

• The Agoura Varsity tennis team battled hard Wednesday but came up short against a tough Calabasas Coyote squad. The Chargers lost 8-1 in singles play and 6-3 in doubles play. Justin Noddle contributed another strong performance in singles, and Jordan Riessen and Eric Fridstien teamed up to post a 6-1 victory in doubles play. Jake Kelman and Alec Buehler also put forth strong performances in doubles. Agoura's next match is at home when it hosts the Simi Valley Pioneers on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

SOFTBALL

• The Agoura Chargers Varsity softball team kept its wining streak alive when it posted a 2-0 league victory Thursday over the Coyotes of Calabasas. Ashley Kellenberger pitched a complete game and held the Coyotes scoreless. Strong performances by Kelcie Brodsky and Jamie DePippo, who combined for three hits, including a double and three RBI's, guided the Chargers to victory. The Chargers move to 13-11 overall and 7-4 in league. As the team approaches the playoffs, each win becomes more critical. Agoura's next game is Tuesday when it hosts the Simi Valley Pioneers at 3:30 p.m.

BOYS LACROSSE

• The Agoura Chargers Varsity lacrosse team posted another convincing league win when it beat the Calabasas Coyotes 14-3. John Workman, Gerrard Poutier and Josh Brent combined for 8 goals and 7 assists. Agoura's next league game is slated for Friday at 6:30 p.m. against the Panthers of Newbury Park. The Chargers are now 12-3 overall and 11-2 in league.