The Best of Belmont Sports in 2011

What were the most memorable accomplishments of the teams and athletes at Carlmont and Notre Dame High Schools in 2011? We’re glad you asked.

Here is a look at the top 10 difference makers at the Belmont schools during the past year:

1. Carlmont Baseball: A seismic postseason victory means the Scots’ 2011 campaign won’t soon be forgotten. After not winning a Central Coast Section playoff game for 16 years, Carlmont pulled off a stunner by downing No. 1 seed and star-studded St. Francis 4-3 in a Division I opener. The Scots, who finished 19-9, became the first No. 16 seed in 12 years to win a Division I game. Stalwart seniors Daniel Madigan and Colton Hicks led Carlmont to a share of second place in the Peninsula Athletic League’s top-tier Bay Division, and were joined by freshman infielder Kyle Barret in earning All-PAL Bay first-team honors.

2. Notre Dame Basketball: Battle tested after a brutal regular season schedule, the Tigers flourished once they hit the postseason. Anchored by senior post Emily Morris, Notre Dame streaked to its first CCS title in 12 years and third overall by rolling to the Division IV crown. Katie Flaherty hit two late 3-pointers to lift the Tigers past Scotts Valley in a tight championship game. Then Notre Dame (15-15) continued its surge with a 23-point blowout to record its first-ever win in the Northern California playoffs.

3. Carlmont Boys Cross Country: The Scots extended their regional dominance, streaking to their sixth CCS Division I team title in the last seven years in runaway fashion. Jeffrey Stalun, who finished just shy of winning the PAL individual championship, led Carlmont with a fourth-place showing at CCS in 15 minutes, 29 seconds. Teammates Ryan Dimick (seventh), Mark Vingralek (ninth), Beau Armstrong (11^th) and Reese Dickson (12^th) were all within 16 seconds of Stalun. Then the Scots went on to finish an impressive 10^th in Division I at the California Interscholastic Federation state meet.

4. Carlmont Girls Cross Country: For the first time since 2004, a Carlmont runner did not win the CCS Division I individual crown. But the Scots’ formidable depth remained, enabling the program to claim the section championship and match the boys team’s streak of winning six of the last seven Division I titles. Sarah Schreck placed second in 18 minutes, 8 seconds and was joined in the top 10 by Mei-Lin Okino (sixth) and Corin Soleberg (ninth). At the state championships, Schreck finished 25^th in the Division I race.

5. Notre Dame Cheerleading: The Tigers didn’t even have a cheer program until 12 years ago. But under the guidance of coach Pam Stilleson, they’ve collected some serious hardware in back-to-back years at the United Spirit Association Championships in Anaheim. In March, the 20-member Notre Dame team defended its crown in the Large Varsity Show Cheer (Novice) division.

6. Carlmont Football: The second-year of Jason Selli’s second coaching tenure will be remembered for the program’s first league championship in 20 years. Shaking off their 0-4 start, the Scots won five of their final six games and finished in a three-way tie atop the PAL’s lower-tier Lake Division with El Camino and Capuchino at 4-1. Unfortunately for Carlmont, El Camino won the tiebreaker to advance to CCS, denying the Scots of their first postseason berth since 1991. The Scots capped their year with a thrilling 20-14 win over Sequoia to retake possession of the Terremere Trophy. Joe Lasala was named the PAL Lake’s Defensive Back of the Year, and Sky Regan was tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Year. Linemen Chris May and Giovanni Tenorio and linebacker Mark Concilla landed All-PAL Lake first-team honors.

7. Notre Dame Softball: The Tigers struggled mightily in most sports when competing in the formidable West Catholic Athletic League, but in softball they more than held their own. Notre Dame finished third with a 7-5 record, and Jiana Bowie and Izzy Geronimo earned All-WCAL first-team recognition. The Tigers went 17-12-1 overall during coach Carli Leary’s first season, and with many key players set to return the team should continue to grow in 2012.

8. Carlmont Boys Basketball: Propelled by senior James Testa, the Scots went 7-3 to forge a co-championship in the PAL’s mid-tier Ocean Division with Jefferson and Mills. That marked the third year in a row that Carlmont won a league title. The high-scoring Testa was selected as the PAL Ocean’s MVP. Robyn Todd and Brian Wyatt also received all-league recognition for the Scots, who finished 16-9 overall.

9. Carlmont Boys Swimming: Jason Wong and Vladmir Khrolov sparked the Scots to a third-place showing at the PAL Bay Division championships. Wong won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:00.67, and Khrolov secured the 50 freestyle title (22.37). Those swimmers joined with Ivan Garin and Jordan Tang to break the PAL Bay finals record in the 200 medley relay in 1:40.51.

10. Carlmont Track and Field: The Scots went 6-1 in PAL Ocean Division dual meets to share the championship with Westmoor. Thomas Yeh was Carlmont’s brightest star at the PAL finals, winning the pole vault by clearing 12 feet, 6 inches, as well as taking second in the long jump (20-9¾). He also teamed with Theo Yeh, Shane Callan and Brian Wyatt to win the 4x400-meter relay (44.67). On the girls side, Corin Soleberg finished second in the 800 (2:24.55) and the 3,200 (11:44.78), and she took third in the 1,600 (5:18.32). Monique Lam was third in the pole vault (8-6).