Wrestling
Santa Ynez Valley Union High wrestler Lee Jensen continued his dominant season with a first-place finish, an MVP award and a little financial help for college at the Jim Bauer Invitational, which ended Jan. 21 at Eastside High in Lancaster.Jensen pinned each of his three opponents in the 220-pound class to claim the division’s championship and help lead the Pirates to a third-place finish with 171 points in the 22-team event. Victor Valley won the tournament with 203.5 points and Shadow Hills was second with 201.5.
In winning the top wrestler award, Jensen also received a $300 scholarship check to go toward college expenses.
“He’s got a lot of colleges looking at him, so that will help,” Santa Ynez coach Brian Wallace said of Jensen, who has just one loss on the season.
Of the other six Pirates wrestlers to place at the tournament, five came in second. Finishing as runners-up were Zack Tolson (126 pounds), Joey Norcia (152), Josh Schaeffer (160), Abe Santos (171) and Blake Chaves (182). Clay Henley (195) placed fifth.
Santa Ynez returned home to take on Santa Maria on Tuesday without four of the team’s seniors, including Jensen, and suffered a 36-31 loss.
In that dual meet, six Pirates picked up wins. Tolson was an 8-2 winner, Canyon Farnsworth (145) won 8-3, Chase Murphy (220) won via forfeit, and Norcia (160), Santos (184) and Chaves (heavyweight) each picked up pins.
Santa Ynez will compete in its last dual before the Los Padres League finals on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Morro Bay.
Boys basketball
The Pirates suffered another pair of close losses as they remained winless in 2012. In the middle of a four-game road stretch, Santa Ynez dropped a 53-47 decision at Santa Maria on Jan. 18, and then lost 45-40 at Templeton on Jan. 20.Coach Rod Caughell said the team was led again by its underclassmen, an encouraging sign for next season. The Pirates, who played Wednesday at Cabrillo, have just five games remaining on the season. They return home Friday to host Nipomo.
Help for soccer goals
On behalf of the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation organization, Chairman Frank Kelsey presented a $2,500 check to Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy Principal Scott Carleton to go toward new goals on the campus’ soccer field.Kelsey said the organization was excited to make the donation, noting that it will benefit more than just the SYVCA teams.
“They use this facility for the youth of our community,” Kelsey said of the SYVCA field. “Regardless of whether it’s a public institution or a private institution, as long as they’re open to the youth of our community, that’s what we’re supportive of.”
The recreation organization started in 1955 and helped fund the original construction of the swimming pool at Santa Ynez Valley Union High.
It has donated to several facilities since, including a $5,000 donation this month to the SYVUHS boys basketball program.