Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Michael Ramirez
Volleyball | Season ends in CCS playoffs for King City, Soledad teams
Soledad’s Kaylee Anderson (#7) reaches up for the ball as King City player Bri Zamora (#15) is ready on defense at the net. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The high school volleyball season ended on Saturday for the King City and Soledad teams as they were beaten in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division 3 playoffs. King City was seeded No. 9 and lost 3-0 to No. 8 seed Capuchino in San Bruno. Soledad was the No. 13 seed and lost by a 3-0 score to No. 4 seed Archbishop Riordan.
Cartoon: Halloween Theme Original
Column: Why your home insurance costs more than your property tax
Football | King City Mustangs defeat Breakers for 8th-straight win
KING CITY — Two second-half touchdowns secured a 35-21 victory for the King City Mustangs football team over the host Pacific Grove Breakers last Friday night. The Breakers held a 14-0 lead but the Mustangs fought back to earn their eighth straight win, and a game lead in the Mission South Division. Mustang head coach Mac Villanueva was pleased with his team’s defensive efforts and big plays that kept King City undefeated. “Started out rough,” Villanueva said.
Volleyball | Season enters final week of divisional play for South Monterey County teams
King City High’s Ella Rubbo (#3) hits the ball over the net against Gonzales in the Spartan gym on Oct. 20. Rubbo finished with seven kills in the 3-0 win over Gonzales. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — Pacific Coast Athletic League entered the last week of divisional play for volleyball with teams from South Monterey County hoping to be in the running for a Central Coast Section playoff berth.
Volleyball | King City tied for 2nd after wins over Alisal, Soledad; Greenfield drops 2 straight in Cypress play
Greenfield Bruin setter Hailey Serrano (#6) digs a ball with support by Amanda Castro (#2) and Lizbeth Perez (#23) against the Seaside Spartans. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The King City Mustang volleyball team is tied for second place with the Alisal Trojans, with just a handful of games left to play in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division. King City defeated the host Trojans by a 3-2 score in Salinas to avenge an earlier loss to Alisal in the Mustang gym last month.
Flag Football | King City eyes Mission Division title
King City High senior Katia Slama tosses the ball during a girls flag football game against Pajaro Valley High on Sept. 15. (Juan Reyes) KING CITY — In its first year as an organized sport, the King City High School flag football team won the Pacific Coast Athletic League tournament title to close the 2024 season. The Mustangs now have a chance to claim their first Mission Division championship.
Football | King City wins 7th game at Homecoming
JC Navarro (#2) scored three touchdowns in the King City Mustangs’ 35-0 victory over the Everett Alvarez Eagles. Navarro scored two touchdowns on pass receptions and one on the ground. (Lala Andrade) SALINAS VALLEY — The King City Mustang football team produced over 500 yards of offense and played a stifling defense in a 35-0 Homecoming victory against the visiting Everett Alvarez Eagles last Friday at War Memorial Stadium.
Volleyball | King City and Soledad suffer losses to division leaders
SALINAS VALLEY — The King City and Soledad high school volleyball teams fell to division-leading Robert Louis Stevenson and second-place Alisal, respectively, last week on the same day to drop into a third-place tie with 4-2 records. Soledad (11-2 overall) beat Watsonville by a 3-0 score last Tuesday at home and then lost 3-0 in Salinas two days later to the host Trojans.
Football | King City wins battle of Mustangs against Monte Vista Christian
The King City Mustangs defense surrounds Monte Vista Christian quarterback Evan Vessey as the signal caller hangs on to Deandre Perez, a defensive lineman for King City who plucked the football out of the air on a pass attempt. (Courtesy of Lala Andrade) KING CITY — For the first time since the 2021 season, the King City Mustangs football team is 5-0 and looks ready to defend last year’s Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission South Division.
Volleyball | King City downs Soledad in 5-set thriller
Soledad’s Kaylee Anderson (#7) reaches up for the ball as King City player Bri Zamora (#15) is ready on defense at the net. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The first game between the King City and Soledad high school volleyball teams was a thriller, with the Mustang team beating the Aztecs by a 3-2 score last Wednesday in the Soledad gym. “This was a fun match to play in,” said King City coach Christine Luna.
Flag Football | King City and Greenfield celebrate victories
SALINAS VALLEY — King City High’s flag football team is in a first-place tie at 3-1 in the Mission Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League. King City Mustangs played just one divisional game last week, defeating host North Salinas by a 42-12 score. At North Salinas, the Mustangs’ Shyrah McDonald scored three touchdowns with one on a reception, one on a punt return and a third on an interception. McDonald caught three receptions for 98 yards and contributed with three sacks.
Cross Country | King City hosts annual XC Invitational this Saturday
Greenfield High’s Yael Hernandez runs ahead of Ivan Bischoff of York in the Cypress varsity boys cross country race at Pinto Lake. Hernandez placed first in a time of 16:45. Hernandez and the Bruins will be running Saturday at the King City XC Invitational. (Michael Ramirez) KING CITY — This Saturday the King City High School cross country program will host the King City XC Invitational at San Lorenzo County Park in King City.
Volleyball | King City Mustangs sweep Watsonville, claim tournament title
KING CITY — King City High’s volleyball team began divisional play last Tuesday with a 3-0 win against Watsonville. The Mustangs’ Bri Zamora had 11 kills, five aces and five blocks, while Crystal Paramo added five kills. Alizah Carrillo had six digs and seven aces. Taelyn Munoz and Mily Paramo combined for 11 digs, seven aces and 21 assists. Last Thursday King City had a tough divisional loss to Alisal, falling by a 3-0 score in the Trojan gym in Salinas.
Flag Football | King City dominates Grizzlies, Aztecs
King City High senior Shyrah McDonald hauls in a catch during a girls flag football game against Pajaro Valley High on Sept. 15. (Juan Reyes) KING CITY — King City High’s flag football team claimed two wins last week in the Mission Division. The Mustangs began the week with a 48-0 shutout win over the Soledad Aztecs last Monday, and downed the host Pajaro Valley Grizzlies, 26-12, last Wednesday in Watsonville.
Football | King City downs Cougars, Soledad beaten by Mariners
SALINAS VALLEY — King City and Soledad were the only South Monterey County high schools with football games last week as Greenfield and Gonzales had byes. The King City Mustangs improved to 3-0 in non-league play with a 28-12 win over the San Lorenzo Valley Cougars, and the Soledad Aztecs fell to 0-3 after a 42-6 loss to the host Aptos Mariners last Friday night. The host Cougars took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter with a 21-yard field goal.
Football | King City shuts out Gonzales, 35-0, in annual Little Big Game rivalry
King City running back Nathan Vega (#6) jumps over a few Spartans at last Thursday’s Little Big Game. (Michael Ramirez) KING CITY — A strong defensive showing and a proficient offense earned the King City Mustangs football team a 35-0 shutout victory over the Gonzales Spartans during last Thursday’s 94th Annual Little Big Game at War Memorial Stadium in King City. The win was the Mustangs’ second-straight Little Big Game blanking of the Spartans.
Boxing | King City, San Ardo boxers win in Santa Maria
King City Boxing Club boxer Alex Salazar won his match at the Guerra De Campeones Boxing Show in Santa Maria by unanimous decision. (Contributed) KING CITY — Miguel Hernandez of the San Ardo Boxing Club and Alex Salazar of the King City Boxing Club won by unanimous decisions Aug. 16 at the Guerra De Campeones Boxing Show at Veteran’s Memorial Center in Santa Maria. According to head coach Rodolfo Tapia, the boys did well controlling their respective matches.
Football | South Monterey County teams open 2026 regular season
King City receiver Kody Lambert (#7) celebrates a 60-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rocky Vasquez last Friday. The play was the first offensive play of scrimmage for the Mustangs at the football jamboree at Alisal High School. (Julian Grado) SALINAS VALLEY — Last week’s scrimmages and jamborees were just a little tuneup for South Monterey County high school football teams as the regular season starts Thursday night.
Fall sports season gets underway in South Monterey County this week
stockphoto-graf / Adobe Stock SALINAS VALLEY — South Monterey County high school volleyball, flag football and cross country teams start the fall sports season this week, with games and meets scheduled. Local volleyball teams will be playing Central Coast Section (CCS) Sportsmanship Scrimmages on Thursday, Aug. 27, with Greenfield at Soledad; North Salinas at King City; and Seaside at Gonzales.
Salinas Valley cities celebrate Independence Day 2026 with music, food and festivities
A folklórico dancer performs in front of a large U.S. flag during Greenfield’s Fourth of July celebration at Patriot Park. (Courtesy of Chris Lopez) SALINAS VALLEY — There was plenty of fun, food and music last Saturday for the Fourth of July celebrations in Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales. The City of Greenfield hosted its Independence Day celebration at Patriot Park with the featured events being a salute to local veterans and the fireworks show.
Baseball | King City honors seniors, award winners at banquet
King City High baseball players attending awards night are: (from left) RJ Ayon, Jacoby Chavez, Pablo Aguirre, Eduardo Rangel, Ernesto Aguirre, Dylan Conatser, Joaquin Sabala, Anthony Manriquez, Axel Chavez-Torres and Joel Pina. Other players (not pictured) include Logan Ibarra and Nick Tankersley.
Hartnell’s Carrillo of King City headed to Nebraska for college softball, studies
Mayala Carrillo of King City played softball at Hartnell College for two years and will now take her talents to Nebraska Chadron State College. (Contributed) KING CITY — Hartnell College softball player Malaya Carrillo of King City will be taking her softball skills to Nebraska Chadron State College this fall. Carrillo, the 20-year-old daughter of Artie and Crystal Carrillo of King City, played softball for four years as a Lady Mustang at King City High and two years as a Hartnell Panther.
King City, Gonzales athletic programs name top athletes for 2025-26
King City High School’s Armando Villasenor (left) and Eva Vicencio are selected as the 2025-26 Athletes of the Year. (Ismael Rocha) SALINAS VALLEY — The athletic programs at King City and Gonzales high schools announced their 2025-26 Athletes of the Year at recent scholarship events. The athletes were chosen by varsity head coaches on the school sites.
Track and Field | Season ends at CCS for South Monterey County athletes
SALINAS VALLEY — King City High’s senior 300m hurdler Jolea Celaya was the highest finisher from South Monterey County at the Central Coast Section Track and Field Semifinals last Saturday at Gilroy High School. Celaya finished 15th in her specialty in a time of 47.75. For the King City boys, senior discus thrower Armando Villasenor finished in 22nd place with a best of 140-5.
Greenfield High student artists transform library into gallery showcase
Elijah Valli stands in front of his artwork at the annual art show at Greenfield High School. (Michael Ramirez) GREENFIELD — Greenfield High School student artists had their works on display last Wednesday and Thursday at the annual art show that took place in the school library. According to art teacher Nathan Krier, the art show turned the library into an eye-catching environment. “Isabel Aguirre is a talented interior decorator,” Krier said.
Baseball | King City Mustangs split games with North Salinas
SALINAS VALLEY — The battle for the Cypress Division baseball title could go down to the last game as the King City Mustangs won a home game and lost on the road to the North Salinas Vikings. The Mustangs are a game ahead in the standings with just four games left in the regular season. King City showed both its offensive and firepower and strong pitching as they defeated the Vikings, 7-1, last Tuesday at home. The Mustangs jumped out early with a four-run first inning and never looked back.
Softball | Greenfield downs Spartans, 14-5, as King City suffers loss to Alisal
SALINAS VALLEY — Greenfield High’s softball team rebounded from a 12-0 loss at home against North Monterey County with a 14-5 win two days later in Gonzales. The Spartans had 14 hits in the setback to the Lady Bruins. Gonzales began the week with a 18-4 loss at home to Rancho San Juan, and completed a tough week with a 16-6 loss at Monte Vista Christian. In games this week, Gonzales hosted Robert Louis Stevenson on Wednesday and will host the North Monterey County Condors on Friday.
Baseball | King City extends win streak to 9, Gonzales splits series with Mariners Original
Coaches for the King City High baseball team this year are (from left) Frank Parra, assistant coach; Gabriel Soto, head coach; and Jake Stephens, assistant coach. (Contributed) SALINAS VALLEY — King City High’s baseball team extended their winning streak to nine games with a gritty 7-5 non-divisional comeback victory at home against the Alisal Trojans. Trailing by as many as four runs, the Mustangs rallied back for five runs in the sixth inning to take the lead.
Baseball | King City leads Cypress Division at 6-0
SALINAS VALLEY — King City High baseball team improved to 6-0 in the Cypress Division after wins last week over the Seaside Spartans. The Mustangs won by a 19-0 score on the road last Monday, and swept the series against Seaside with a 16-0 shutout. “We allowed just one hit across both games, highlighted by Joey Pina’s 13 strikeout, one hit performance in game one,” said King City head coach Gabriel Soto.
Softball | Soledad, King City split divisional games
SALINAS VALLEY — Soledad and King City won home games but lost on the road as play continues in the Mission softball division. Soledad (2-6, 7-9-1 overall) defeated the Everett Alvarez Eagles last Tuesday at home, then were shut out 10-0 at Alisal two nights later. Delylah Ocampo had four hits against the Eagles and Sophia Gonzalez was credited with two runs batted in.
Wrestling | King City grappler places at Panther Invitational
Charlotte Garcia (middle) of the King City Wrestling Club placed first in the 127-pound weight class at the Panther Invitational on April 4 at La Paz Middle School. (Orlando Garcia) KING CITY — King City Wrestling Club grappler Charlotte Garcia was the champion of the 127-pound weight class at the Panther Invitational, hosted by La Paz Middle School on April 4. Garcia had three decisive victories that included two pins and a 13-2 major decision in the wrestling tournament finals.
Track & Field | Mustangs place third at 81st King City Invitational
The King City High School track team gathers for a photo at the end of the 81st King City Invitational Track Meet on April 4. (Ismael Rocha) KING CITY — Arroyo Grande and Hollister each won two divisions at the 81st King City Invitational Track Meet on April 4 at War Memorial Stadium. Arroyo Grande captured the boys varsity and boys frosh/soph divisions, while Hollister won the girls varsity and girls frosh/soph divisions.
King City blanks Gonzales in softball, Soledad splits baseball games with MVC
SALINAS VALLEY — The King City Lady Mustangs improved to 2-4 in the Cypress Division and 8-8 overall after shutting out the host Gonzales Spartans last Monday, 15-0, in high school softball. Alizah Carrillo pitched one inning and Ariah Suarez took the win pitching four innings and striking out seven for the Mustangs. King City had 15 hits and were led by Carrillo and Avery Munoz, who finished the game with three hits apiece. Kaylin Arvizu, Crystal Paramo and Ally Chavez had two hits apiece.
Track and Field | Mustangs place third at 81st King City Invitational
The King City High School track team gathers for a photo at the end of the 81st King City Invitational Track Meet on April 4. (Ismael Rocha) KING CITY — Arroyo Grande and Hollister each won two divisions at the 81st King City Invitational Track Meet on April 4 at War Memorial Stadium. Arroyo Grande captured the boys varsity and boys frosh/soph divisions, while Hollister won the girls varsity and girls frosh/soph divisions.
Track and Field | 81st King City Invitational set for Saturday
John Ruelas motors to victory for the King City Mustangs at a past meet. Ruelas will be running the 400 and 200 at the 81st King City Invitational on Saturday. (Ismael Rocha) KING CITY — More than 25 teams will be participating this Saturday at the 81st King City Invitational at War Memorial Stadium. The track and field meet will continue the North vs. South region schools award. Currently the North and South are tied with wins, with King City scoring the most points last year.
Soccer | South Monterey County players named MVPs, chosen for all-league Original
SALINAS VALLEY — Three South Monterey County high school soccer players were chosen as the Most Valuable Players of their respective divisions from the Pacific Coast Athletic League. Gonzales High’s Jorge Uribe won back-to-back divisional MVP awards, Jesus Ortiz of Soledad High was the Cypress Division MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, and Janelle Garcia of Gonzales was the Cypress Division MVP.
Softball | King City beats Soledad in division opener
SALINAS VALLEY — In their divisional opening game, the host King City Mustangs softball team beat the visiting Soledad Aztecs by a 13-4 tally. The Mustangs finished the game with 16 hits and were led in hitting with four hits by Katia Slama and three hits apiece by Avery Munoz and Kaylin Arvizu. Alizah Carrillo pitched seven innings and struck out five Soledad batters. The defending Central Coast Section champion Mustangs improved to 5-3 overall and 1-0 in the Mission Division.
Baseball | King City Mustangs win 2 games in a row
King City freshman RJ Ayon has wasted no time becoming a varsity athlete for the Mustangs. Ayon was an exciting kickoff return man for the Mustang football team in the fall and recently moved up to play catcher for the varsity baseball team. Last week he hit two triples in a win against Pajaro Valley. (Contributed) SALINAS VALLEY — With an 11-1 victory last Tuesday at Coalinga Union, the King City Mustangs baseball team snapped a five-game losing streak.
Season gets busy for softball, baseball teams in South Monterey County
Lulu Carrillo of King City slides into home plate against Gonzales. The Mustangs defeated the visiting Spartans, 16-0. (Contributed) SALINAS VALLEY — Softball and baseball teams in South Monterey County are busy these days with the start of divisional play for some teams and pre-season games for others. The King City softball team has already played seven games in the pre-season and is one game over .500 at 4-3.
Basketball | All-League players announced for 2025-26 season
Soledad’s Pedro Morales (#2) dribbles on the sideline against King City defender Alexis Alvarado. Morales was named the Most Valuable Player of the Cypress Division. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — Soledad High shooting guard Pedro Morales was chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL) Cypress Division in boys basketball. Morales was first-team All-League, along with teammate Calvin DeShazo. The pair led the Aztecs to the Cypress Division Championship.
Basketball | Soledad girls fall to Valley Christian in CCS playoffs
SOLEDAD — Soledad High girls basketball team completed the 2025-26 season with a 52-37 loss to No. 1 seed Valley Christian last Tuesday at San Jose in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs. The Lady Aztecs finished the season with a 16-11 overall mark and were 6-8 in the Gabilan Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League. “We battled the entire game,” said Soledad head coach Kevin Pena. “We were within striking distance pretty much the entire game.
Basketball | King City girls fall to Aptos in CCS playoffs
King City High’s girls basketball team won a play-in game at home last Friday against Pajaro Valley and then played at Aptos on Saturday, where they were defeated by the Mariners in the CCS playoffs. (Contributed) KING CITY — The King City High girls basketball team made it to the Central Coast Section (CCS) quarterfinals of Division III after earning a spot with a 39-25 play-in win against Pajaro Valley last Friday at home.
Wrestling | South Monterey County wrestlers qualify to 2026 Masters Meet
SALINAS VALLEY — South Monterey County high school wrestlers have qualified to the Central Coast Section (CCS) Masters after competing at last Saturday’s Southern Regional Meet at Watsonville High School. Qualifying to the Masters Meet from King City were: Shyrah Jackson (4th place at 120 pounds); Makayla Montoya (4th at 125); Sophia Garcia (6th at 130); Nate Vargas (6th at 175); Sophia Patino (3rd at 235); Margarita Hernandez (145) and Halie Adair (190).
Soccer | Final matches set for South Monterey County teams
Gonzales High goalie Luis Cabada reaches up to make a save at last Thursday’s 0-0 tie with Watsonville at Dick Force Stadium. (Carlos Torres) SALINAS VALLEY — With the regular season winding down, South Monterey County high school soccer teams are making their final push for division titles and playoff spots. The King City High boys soccer team is 4-4-2 in the Cypress Division (7-9-2 overall) after falling to Salinas High, 4-3, and playing Seaside to a 1-1 tie last week.
Basketball | South Monterey County teams battle for playoff berths
SALINAS VALLEY — With just three games left in the regular season, the Soledad High boys basketball team has a one-game lead in the Cypress Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League. The Aztecs control their own fate as they played at home with Monte Vista Christian on Monday (after press deadlines), are on the road Wednesday night against North Salinas and complete the regular season on Friday at home against King City.
Basketball | King City boys lose 2 games as Lady Mustangs beat North Salinas
SALINAS VALLEY — King City High boys basketball team was edged 54-52 in a game with Monte Vista Christian last week. Johell Carrillo scored 18 points and had 12 rebounds to lead King City in those two statistical categories. The Mustangs finished the week with a 54-30 loss to North Salinas. Carrillo scored 10 points with 14 rebounds. King City is currently in fifth place in the Cypress Division with a 4-5 record and 9-9 overall.
Basketball | King City girls rise to 2nd place in division after beating Marina
SALINAS VALLEY — King City High’s girls basketball team is in second place in the Cypress Division with a 5-2 division mark (10-7 overall). The Lady Mustangs had two games last week, losing by a 49-39 score to Pacific Collegiate and coming back with a 40-19 victory against the Marina Mariners. King City’s Katia Slama, Crystal Paramo and Kendyl Burpo scored 10 points apiece against Pacific Collegiate.
Wrestling | King City Mustangs take on Soledad for Mission Division title
The King City boys wrestling team will battle with the Soledad Aztecs on Thursday in the Aztec gym. The Mustangs are unbeaten this season in dual meets. (Contributed) SALINAS VALLEY — On Thursday night, the King City High School wrestling team will travel to Soledad High for a match that will determine the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division title. Last week the Mustang boys extended their unbeaten league wins mark to five after a 54-28 victory over Monte Vista Christian.
Soccer | King City girls beat Palma as boys team loses non-league game to Templeton
SALINAS VALLEY — In their only game last week, the King City High girls soccer team defeated Palma, 4-2, at home. Goals for the Lady Mustangs were scored by Melody Sanchez, Jaslene Merino-Gomez, Janessa Correa and Alyssa Torres-Macias. Mayte Sarabia recorded on assist and Sanchez recored two assists. King City is 1-1-1 in Cypress and 2-6-1 overall.
Wrestling | King City grapplers win dual meets
SALINAS VALLEY — King City High’s boys wrestling team won a pair of dual meets in league competition to remain undefeated. The Mustangs defeated Everett Alvarez, 48-36, last Wednesday and on the next day beat the North Monterey County Condors, 42-39. King City rallied with three straight wins against the Condors to come back after facing a 39-24 deficit. Angel Rodriguez, Armando Villasenor and Nate Vargas picked up pins in both duals for the Mustangs.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Michael
Contact Michael, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack