Sports Briefs: Warren cross country runners named to Dream Team

DOWNEY – The Warren High School girls’ cross country team continued to receive accolades over the Christmas break for their outstanding 2015 season. 

After finishing third at the C.I.F. Division I Finals at Mt. SAC and 12th at the State Meet in Fresno over the Thanksgiving break, five Lady Bear runners were recognized for their outstanding efforts.

Warren High School senior cross country runners Gwendolyn Hurtado, Samantha Tabares and Janeane Hernadez all received Long Beach Press Telegram First-Team Dream Team Honors. Second Team Dream Team Honors went to Lady Bear juniors Carlota Conant and Trinity Gomez.

For her efforts in cross country, Janeane Hernandez was offered a full-ride scholarship to attend Baker University in Kansas where she will have an opportunity to compete in cross country, basketball and track and field. Gwendolyn Hurtado is considering pursing her running career at Texas Christian University or at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Coach Waldron and his staff are extremely proud of what his runners were able to accomplish this season. This was the second time in the last seven years (2009) the Lady Bears have  qualified to run at the state meet in Fresno. With only three seniors graduating in 2016, Warren will reload for next year. Warren is the 2015 S.G.V.L. champion and look to continue their strong running next season.

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The Warren High School boys’ soccer team tied Paramount Tuesday at Warren 2-2 in the league opener for both schools. 

Warren led 2-1 at halftime but Paramount rallied back in the 72nd minute with the equalizer. Neither team scored in extra time so the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Warren came into the game ranked 7th in the latest Division I poll while Paramount came in ranked 1st. 

Paramount striker Oliver Meza scored in the 4th minute to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Warren answered back when Sergio Flores scored a goal in the 20th minute and Julian Rojas’ gave the Bears the lead when he scored a goal off the crossbar in the 33rd minute. 

Warren had a chance to go ahead 3-1 in the 55th minute but Flores pulled a penalty kick wide left. Paramount’s late goal in the 72nd minute tied the game at 2.

It appeared Paramount had taken the lead in the first five minute overtime period when an apparent goal was disallowed after Paramount was called for being offside. Paramount outshot Warren 18-12 and was called offside eight times. There were a total of seven yellow cards handed out in addition to two red cards. It was an intense game that ended in a draw.
Warren currently has an overall record of 8-3-1 and are 0-0-1 in S.G.V.L. play. Paramount currently has an overall record of 10-1-3 and is also 0-0-1 in S.G.V.L. play. 

The two teams will meet again at Paramount on January 28. 

Warren traveled to Gahr yesterday and Paramount hosted Dominguez (scores unavailable at press time). Warren will travel to Dominguez next Thursday to face the Dons.

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The annual Downey-Warren cross-town rivalry wrestling match took place at Warren High School last Thursday night and Downey won 51-15. 

The wrestling began at 119 pounds when Roland Dominguez of Downey got the Vikings off to a 3-0 lead. Downey pinned Warren at 126 and 132 pounds to take an early 15-0 lead. Armando Padilla (132) played a key role in this surge.

Warren won at 138 pounds and pulled to within 15-3. Downey pinned at 145, 152 and 160 pounds to pull away 33-3. Nick Arrellano (160) finished this run for Downey. Warren won at 170 pounds on a pin by Bear standout Gabriel Rodriguez to bring the score to 33-9. Warren won at 182 and 195 pounds to pull to within 33-15. That is as close as the Bear comeback would get, however.

Downey’s Bradly Russel won at 220 pounds and Downey won by pin at 285 pounds to stretch the lead to 42-15. Downey won at 106 pounds when Jonathan Prata pinned his opponent and also won at 113 pounds when Dilan Ajtun won by decison to bring the score to 51-15.

Coach Soto and his staff are extremely proud of his wrestlers. Downey now has the inside track to the 2016 S.G.V.L. title. The Vikings are the defending 2015 C.I.F. Western Division Dual Meet champions after defeating San Marino 33-32 in the Final last year at Long Beach Millikan High School. 

It appears as if the Vikings are gearing up to make another run at the C.I.F. Dual Meet team title.

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The Downey High School boys’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 15-2 and began San Gabriel Valley League play Wednesday night against Dominguez at Dominguez (score unavailable at press time). 

Downey is coming off a 75-64 win against Sunny Hills at Sunny Hills last Friday night in their final preseason game. The Vikings will host Lynwood tonight, will travel to Warren next Wednesday and will travel to Gahr next Friday. 

The Vikings have been led this season by seniors C.J. Smith (16.4 ppg) and Tyler Dees (11.9 ppg). Downey is currently on a seven game win streak and playing well as S.G.V.L. play begins. The Vikings are currently ranked 154th in the nation and 24th in the state. 

Downey finished last season with a 19-9 overall record and were 6-4 in league play. The Vikings were eliminated by San Clemente at San Clemente 54-43 in the first round of the C.I.F. Division 1AA playoffs. Coach Shelton, his staff and players are looking forward to the start of league play.

The Downey High School girls’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 11-5 and began San Gabriel Valley League play Wednesday night against Dominguez at Dominguez (score unavailable at press time). Downey is coming off a 61-44 win against Schurr at Downey last Thursday night in their final preseason game. The Lady Vikings will host Lynwood tonight, will travel to Warren next Wednesday and will travel to Gahr next Friday.

The Vikings have been led this season by freshman point guard Surie Camacho (9.8 ppg), senior post Dalia Makhlouf (7.9 ppg), junior guard Lynette Garcia (7.8 ppg) and junior forward Danise Herrington (7.7 ppg). 

Downey finished last season with a 15-12 overall record and were 6-4 in league play. The Lady Vikings were eliminated by Great Oak at Great Oak 47-38 in the first round of the C.I.F. Division 1AA playoffs.