All-Sport Trophy goes to winner of Monday’s softball game

In-city rivals Costa Mesa High and Estancia have sent their athletic teams into battle against each other in 34 league games so far this year.

After all that, the 35^th and final Orange Coast League showdown between the two schools will decide the residence of the trophy handed out for the “Battle for the Bell.”

The assigned point values of each sport have resulted in a deadlock of 90-90. It will be up to the softball teams to fight for the all-sport trophy on Monday.

As if that were not enough of an incentive, the teams will be vying for one available playoff spot in the Orange Coast League. One game separates third-place Estancia (12-9, 4-3) from fourth-place Costa Mesa (7-14, 3-4).

“As school rivalry goes, it doesn’t get any better than these two schools,” first-year Estancia Coach Michael Hunter said. “Representing the last game to decide the all-sport trophy, Game 2 of ‘Battle of the Bell,’ and a possible CIF-SS playoff appearance, that’s the trifecta.”

Estancia won the first matchup, 12-6, on April 21. If the Mustangs are able to return the favor next week at Costa Mesa High, the result could be an extra league game, serving as a third-place tiebreaker to grant automatic entrance into the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

Each sport wages its own war in the rivalry. In order to win the softball version of the “Battle for the Bell,” Costa Mesa will have to outscore the Eagles by seven runs to win the season series on aggregate score.

“Everyone at both schools is so excited,” Hunter added. “I am so geeked up! Our administration has been so supportive of the softball program this year.”

“To say I feel the pressure to deliver a win Monday night would be a huge understatement. We will play hard and love the game, and we will represent Estancia High with honor.”

Track and Field: Sage Hill Athletes Punch Ticket to CIF

The easiest road to the postseason is for one to demonstrate that they are the class of their league.

Sage Hill’s Alex Escalera and Miles McCord were able to do just that, taking the league crown in pole vault and the 400 meters, respectively.

Escalera cleared the height of 15 feet, 8 inches, winning the event by over four feet.

McCord’s time of 51.79 seconds paced the single-lap runners in Tuesday’s Academy League Finals at Crean Lutheran High.

Those unable to claim the top spot in their event had to beat the CIF qualifying standard for Division 4, while also placing in the top three of their event.

McCord also advanced to the CIF-SS Prelims in the long jump, taking third with a mark of 20 feet, 9 1/4 inches.

The quartet of Nima Nakhjavani, McCord, Sean Dannelley, and Greg Suhr combined to take second in the 1,600 relay in 3:34.80.

The Lightning made history on the girls’ side. Ashton Carroll, Emily Lassiter, Avery Jeanneret, and Sydney McCord teamed up to run a school-record time of 4:11.57 in the 1,600 relay.

Allison Ong, Cait Williamson, Connor Carreras, and Kelsey Rose held the previous record of 4:17.93. That standard had been established at the CIF-SS Prelims in 2006.

Sydney McCord also advanced in the 400 (1:01.5), as did Ashley Zeng in the 3,200 (13:03).

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