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Articles by Ron Smith
‘Rip the Band-Aid off’: Vidmar wants ‘four more teams’ in A-League ‘ASAP’
A-League Men’s hierarchy should “rip the Band-Aid off” and admit four new teams to the competition, Aurelio Vidmar says. The Melbourne City coach is urging expansion as soon as possible for the betterment of the league. “I don’t why we have to drip-feed teams … why don’t we just be excited to know that we have four more teams coming into the competition,” Vidmar told reporters on Friday. “We have got to rip the Band-Aid off.
Hansen named sports performance coach at Westmont
Westmont Athletic Director Robert Ruiz has named Erik Hansen as the new sports performance coach for Westmont Athletics. He will also serve as the assistant women’s swimming coach and will teach kinesiology and physical activity courses. “I could not be more excited about the addition of this position to our department and the impact that it will have on all of our student-athletes,” said Ruiz.
Westmont baseball’s LaTorre named Coach of the Year
It is hard to imagine a better start to the head coaching career of Tyler LaTorre. In his first year at the helm of Westmont Baseball, LaTorre led his team to a 48-9 season (.842), Golden State Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships, an impressive 11-1 postseason record, and, most remarkably, an NAIA World Series Championship. Along with those accomplishments, LaTorre can now add “Coach of the Year” honors to his resume – twice, as a matter of fact.
Westmont baseball wins NAIA World Series
Warriors defeat Lewis-Clark State 7-6 to bring home title It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but it had the most beautiful of endings. A fly ball to right at historic Harris Field was caught by Bryce McFeely for the final out and the celebration was on. Westmont won the 66th Avista NAIA World Series, defeating the hosts, Lewis-Clark State (37-18), by a score of 7-6. Dog pile. National Champions. World Series Winners. Uncontainable Joy.
Warriors down Trojans in World Series
LEWISTON, Idaho — With a 15-9 win over seventh-seeded Taylor of Indiana (42-16), the third-seeded Westmont baseball team (45-8) has advanced in the winner’s bracket of the 66th Avista NAIA World Series. The win tied the program record set just last year for 45 victories in a single season. Westmont took the lead early when the Warriors scored seven runs in the top of the third. The inning started with back-to-back walks issued to Liam Critchett and Shane Hofstadler.
Warriors start World Series with a win
A five-run eighth inning propelled third-seeded Westmont baseball (44-8) to a 7-3 win over sixth-seeded Cumberlands (Ky.) in the Avista NAIA World Series. The victory marked the first win in program history in World Series play. “It means a lot to our whole community,” said Westmont’s head coach Tyler LaTorre of the win. “It goes back to Robert Ruiz and the program he continued to build and broke through last year with the first trip to the World Series.
Westmont women's soccer returns to Africa
Westmont women’s soccer will leave early Monday morning, May 8, for the program’s sixth mission trip to Africa. The Warriors have made trips to Kenya and Uganda every three to four years since 2006, working with Sports Outreach International. This will be their first trip since 2019. After 34 hours of travel, the Warriors will arrive in Nairobi, Kenya early on Wednesday, May 10, where they will meet up with their host, Robert Katende, the executive director of Sports Outreach International.
Westmont baseball GSAC champions after series sweep
With a 16-1 win over OUAZ (15-28-1, 7-17-1), #11 Westmont Baseball (37-8, 20-4 GSAC) claimed the Golden State Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. By taking all three games against OUAZ, the Warriors completed their seventh series sweep of the season – of which five are against conference teams. “We knew the task at hand and held our own destiny in our hands,” expressed Westmont’s head coach Tyler LaTorre. “The guys knew what it took and there was not extra coaching or pressure.
Westmont baseball splits doubleheader with Mustangs
Westmont Baseball (34-8, 17-4 GSAC), ranked 11th in the NAIA, will enter the last weekend of the regular season with a one game lead over sixth-ranked Hope International (27-7, 16-5) after splitting with The Master’s (27-13, 11-10) in Saturday’s doubleheader. The Warriors won the first game 14-9 to clinch the series victory, but fell in the second game 2-0. Westmont and Hope International will both finish the season with road games to Arizona.
Solid pitching leads to Westmont win
In the final NAIA regular season game at Russ Carr Field, eleventh ranked Westmont Baseball (32-7) put together a 6-0 combined shutout of Saint Katherine (12-15). With a midweek non-conference game, Westmont’s head coach Tyler LaTorre elected to sit his starters and use his bullpen in a “staffed” game. “As we get toward the end of the year, it is important that guys get put into different situations,” expressed LaTorre.
Westmont baseball ties program record with win
Westmont Baseball (27-15, 13-5 GSAC), ranked 12th in the NAIA, tied the program record for consecutive games won by taking both ends of a doubleheader against Jessup (6-10-1, 12-17-1) on Friday. Last season, under then-head coach Robert Ruiz, Westmont lost its first game of the season, then won the next 17 to establish the record. This year, under first-year head coach Tyler LaTorre, the Warriors have matched that 17-game unbeaten streak.
Winning streak continues for Westmont baseball team
By RON SMITH WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER TheWestmont baseball team (25-5) has extended its winning streak to 15 games by taking both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday at Russ Carr Field at the Montecito campus. The Warriors, ranked 12th in the NAIA, defeated Bethesda (11-15) by scores of 11-1 and 9-5 to complete a four-game sweep of the Flames. The sweep is the fourth in a row for the Warriors and the fifth this season.
Berberabe: Three-time All-American
Westmont athlete named to NAIA’s First Team KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the third year in a row, Westmont’s Stefanie Berberabe has been named both a First Team NAIA Women’s Basketball All-American and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American. “I am grateful that Stef was recognized as a first-team All-American both by the NAIA and the WBCA,” said Westmont’s head coach Kirsten Moore. “It is so well-deserved. She has been such an incredible player this year that contributed in so many ways.
Westmont’s Hofstadler named GSAC Player of the Week
Westmont College athlete Shane Hofstadler of Vista has been named the Baseball Player of the Week by the Golden State Athletic Conference after his performance in a three-game sweep of Vanguard last weekend. The sophomore transfer from San Diego Mesa went five for 10 at the plate with two doubles and a home run. He also drove in seven runs. “He has had big at bats all year long,” asserted Westmont’s head coach Tyler LaTorre.
Westmont baseball sweeps Lions
Westmont Baseball (21-5, 10-2 GSAC), ranked 18th in the NAIA, completed a series sweep of #9 Vanguard (17-11, 5-7) by taking both ends of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at Russ Carr Field. The Warriors won the first game in come-from-behind fashion by a score of 9-6, then posted a 5-3 win in game number two.
Westmont women’s basketball heads to Sioux City after win over Southern Oregon
Westmont women’s basketball (25-3) has punched its ticket to Sioux City, Iowa after defeating Southern Oregon (24-8) in the second round of the NAIA National Championships by a score of 63-49. As winners of the Santa Barbara Bracket, Westmont will meet up at the final site with the other 15 bracket winners from around the country.
Westmont swimmers conclude season
The final day of the 2023 NAIA National Swimming Championships was a day of joy, celebration and gratitude for the Westmont swim program. Part of that was the result of what happened in the pool, but much of it oozed from the hearts and minds of a coach and swimmers who care deeply about each other. The swim program completed its fourth season today. That means the freshmen swimmers in the first year Jill Jones Lin was head coach ended their collegiate careers as swimmers on this day.
Westmont Swimmers earn All American honors
Six Warrior swimmers, along with head coach Jill Jones Lin and newly appointed assistant coach Emma Leathers, made their way across the country to represent Westmont in the NAIA National Championships. By the end of the first day, all of them had earned NAIA All-American honors. First, Morgan Bienias, Ella Chaisson, Bailey Lemmon and Daisy Marquardt finished eighth in the 200 yard medley relay. Then Olivia Garrison, Bienias, Emma Bustamante and Marquardt did the same in the 800 yard freestyle.
Westmont baseball sweeps Menlo
With strong performances from starting pitchers, Westmont Baseball (13-5, 4-2 GSAC) took both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday at Cartan Field to complete a three-game sweep of the Oaks of Menlo (4-14, 0-6). Westmont won the first game 8-6, then took the afternoon game 8-4. Eric Oseguera took the mound for the Warriors and improved his record to 4-0 on the season by pitching six scoreless innings. Oseguera allowed just five hits and struck out five without issuing a walk.
Three Warriors named to All-GSAC team
Westmont’s Stefanie Berberabe, Sydney Brown and Laila Saenz have been named to the 2022-23 All-Golden State Athletic Conference in recognition of their accomplishments this year. “These three Warriors are absolutely deserving of making this all-conference team,” said Westmont’s head coach Kirsten Moore. “They, along with their teammates, have helped us win our fourth straight conference championship.
Westmont’s women’s basketball team wins Regular Season Championship
In the final regular season game of the 2022-23 season, the seniors led the way to an 81-44 Golden State Athletic Conference victory by the No. 5-ranked Westmont women’s basketball team (23-2, 16-2 GSAC) over Jessup (14-13, 9-9). Stefanie Berberabe produced her third triple-double of the season and the fourth of her career, tallying 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Fellow senior Sydney Brown notched a double-double of 13 points and 18 rebounds, 11 of which were from the offensive glass.
Westmont athlete named Player of the Week
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Westmont’s Stefanie Berberabe has been named the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Player of the Week in recognition of her performances in the final week of Golden State Athletic Conference play. “Stefanie has continued to be a difference maker in the GSAC on both ends of the floor and on the boards,” said Westmont’s head coach Kirsten Moore.
Westmont women’s basketball clinches share of GSAC title
With a 66-57 victory over the Oaks of Menlo (18-8, 12-5) on Thursday evening, #5 Westmont Women’s Basketball (22-2, 15-2), secured at least a share of the Golden State Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship and a bye in the quarterfinals of next week’s GSAC Tournament. Coming into the game, Menlo, who had lost just one game since the middle of December, was looking to hand Westmont its third loss of the season.
Westmont women’s basketball crushes Life Pacific
Westmont Women’s Basketball (21-2. 14-2 GSAC), jumped out to a 24-0 lead before surrendering a point as the Warriors defeated Golden State Athletic Conference opponent Life Pacific (6-20, 2-14) by a score of 60-27. After holding Life Pacific scoreless in the first quarter, the Westmont defense allowed just nine points in each of the other three. “It was definitely a great start from our first crew,” said Westmont’s head coach Kirsten Moore. “They were really focused, especially on the defensive end.
Westmont baseball splits doubleheader, wins series
With a split of a doubleheader against Oregon Tech (3-4), #13 Westmont Baseball (9-2) won its third series in a row against non-conference opponents. The Warriors took the first game 5-2, but lost the second to the Hustlin’ Owls by a score of 9-3. In the first game, the Warriors scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first inning. A single by Robbie Haw opened up the inning for the Warriors. Then, Haw took second when Brady Renck was walked.
Westmont women’s basketball falls to Vanguard
Westmont Women’s Basketball (20-2, 13-2) – ranked fifth in the NAIA – suffered its second loss of the year, falling to #12 Vanguard (19-4, 12-3) by a score of 53-50. The visiting Warriors recorded their lowest shooting percentage of the year, making just 29.6% from the floor (16 of 54). “I am proud of how our players battled,” noted Westmont’s head coach Kirsten Moore. “Obviously, that was two tough offensive teams.
Westmont baseball sweeps Embry-Riddle
Westmont Baseball, ranked #13 in the NAIA, finished off a four-game sweep of Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) by taking both ends of a doubleheader Saturday at Russ Carr Field. The Warriors (6-1) won 4-3 in the first game, then used a nine-run second inning to prevail 10-3 over the Eagles (3-5) in the second. After scoring 26 runs in Friday’s doubleheader without leaving the yard, all of the Warriors’ runs in the first game came via the long ball.
Westmont athlete named Basketball Player of the Week
For the second time this season, Westmont College athlete Stefanie Berberabe has been named the Golden State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. The fifth-year senior led the Warriors to a 63-54 win over The Master’s on Saturday night with an all-around game in which she scored 17 points, pulled down six rebounds, gathered in five steals and dished off four assists. Berberabe is the GSAC’s leader in steals (3.4 per game) and in assists-to-turnover ratio (4.7).
Goddard returns to mound in Westmont win
Westmont Baseball, ranked 13th in the NAIA, improved to 2-1 on the young season by taking the rubber game of a three-game series with Saint Katherine (1-2) on Saturday by a score of 14-8. “I told the guys it is hard to win on the road, let alone win a series on the road,” said Tyler LaTorre, Westmont’s head coach. “I was happy that we closed out the series victory and happy with how we came out swinging the bats today.
Westmont women’s basketball masters The Master’s
Stefanie Berberabe tallied 17 points and Destiny Okonkwo pulled down 15 rebounds as #5 Westmont Women’s Basketball (18-1, 11-1 GSAC) defeated The Master’s (12-7, 6-6) by a score of 63-54 in Golden State Athletic Conference action. The Warriors, who never trailed, started off the game on an 11-2 run. Freshman Bailey Fong (8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals), making her first collegiate start, opened the scoring with a triple before Sydney Brown (12 points, 5 rebounds) added a layup.
Westmont women’s swimming face off against Nanooks
Westmont Women’s Swimming made a trip to the 49th State for two dual meets with the Nanooks of Alaska Fairbanks. In October the Nanooks traveled to Santa Barbara for a pair of dual meets. The Warriors won both meets in October, but the Nanooks triumphed both yesterday (118-87) and today (113-92). “Overall it was a really good match-up between us and the Nanooks,” said Westmont’s head coach Jill Jones Lin. “It’s a lot of fun to be vying for points in every race and place.
Berberabe breaks Westmont’s career scoring record
Stefanie Berberabe became Westmont Women’s Basketball’s all-time leading scorer with a 20-point performance in the Warriors’ 80-64 Golden State Athletic Conference win at Arizona Christian (9-11, 5-6 GSAC). Westmont improved to 17-1 overall and 10-1 in GSAC play. Berberabe recorded a double-double in the effort, tallying 12 rebounds while adding five assists and four steals. The double-double was the fourth of the season for Berberabe and the ninth of her career.
Westmont women’s basketball defeats Ottawa of Arizona
Four Warriors scored in double figures as #5 Westmont women’s basketball (16-1, 9-1 GSAC) defeated Ottawa of Arizona (5-13, 1-9) by a score of 79-36 in a Thursday night Golden State Athletic Conference game. With the win, and a 58-57 loss by Hope International to William Jessup, Westmont has reclaimed sole possession of first place. “Our biggest goal today was trying to put together four focused quarters defensively and I thought we did a good job of that,” said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore.
Westmont women’s swimming wins on Senior Day
Women’s Swimming set a record for the wettest senior day in Westmont Athletics history – not because of the water in the pool, but because of a nearly two inches of rain that fell from the sky. The added moisture, however, did not put a damper on the Warriors’ enthusiasm or performance. Westmont defeated The Master’s in a dual meet by a score of 143-99. The senior class of five is the first group of swimmers to have entered together as freshmen four years ago when the program began.
Westmont women’s basketball claims 15th win
For the second game in a row, #5 Westmont Women’s Basketball (15-1, 8-1 GSAC) saw all 10 available players score in the Warriors’ 89-50 Golden State Athletic Conference win over San Diego Christian (5-13, 1-8). Stefanie Berberabe went nine of 12 from the floor and three for three from the charity stripe to lead the Warriors with 22 points. Berberabe, who now has 1,523 career points, needs just 15 more to tie Lauren McCoy (2014-18) as the Warriors all-time leading scorer.
Westmont women’s basketball suffer first loss
Westmont Women’s Basketball, ranked second in the NAIA, lost its first game of the season, falling to the Oaks of Menlo (10-6, 4-3 GSAC). Menlo extended its winning streak to five in a row with the 77-67 win. Westmont dropped to 13-1 overall and 6-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play. Menlo connected on 60% of its shots from the floor (27-45), including 40% from 3-point range (6 of 15) as Westmont gave up its largest point total of the season.
Westmont women’s basketball remain unbeaten
Second-ranked Westmont Women’s Basketball overcame a slow start to post its 13th win of the season and remain undefeated, taking down the Warriors of William Jessup (9-6, 4-2 GSAC) by a score of 65-47. The Warriors improved to 6-0 in Golden State Athletic Conference play to remain atop the GSAC standings. “After a rocky start and a wake-up call, we locked in our defense,” acknowledged Westmont’s veteran head coach Kirsten Moore.
Westmont women’s basketball wins over Southeastern of Florida
Team goes into new year with undefeated record for first time Westmont Women’s Basketball, ranked second in the NAIA, finished off 2022 with a 67-60 win over Southeastern of Florida (6-8) to extend its overall record to 12-0. This is the first time in program history that the Warriors will carry an undefeated record into the new year. The Warriors were originally scheduled to play Health Sciences and Pharmacy (Mo.) on Friday as part of the Westmont Holiday Classic.
Cathey named Westmont men's soccer head coach
Robert Ruiz, the athletic director at Westmont, has announced the hiring of Morgan Cathey as the next men’s soccer head coach. Cathey has served as the head coach at Stanislaus State since 2020 and served as the head coach at Whitworth (Wash.) for seven years from 2013-2019. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Cathey to the Westmont College community,” said Ruiz. “He brings a wealth of experience as a collegiate head soccer coach, including his most recent stop at the NCAA DII level.
Westmont’s Berberabe records third triple-double in win over Irvine
For the third time in her career and the second time this season, Westmont guard Stefanie Berberabe recorded a triple-double in today’s game against Westcliff (7-3). The Warriors from Santa Barbara (11-0) defeated the Warriors from Irvine by a score of 60-40. Berberabe tallied 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on Saturday afternoon to record the program’s fifth triple-double and help lead the Warriors to their 11th win of the season. She also had four steals.
Westmont women’s basketball edges out Royals
In a closely contested battle for first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference women’s basketball standings, #2 Westmont (9-0 4-0 GSAC) outlasted Hope International (9-2, 4-1) by a score of 73-70 on Thursday evening. The game marked the first time that Kirsten Moore faced a former player as the opponent’s head coach. Jessica Case, who played for the Warriors from 2006-2010, was named to lead the Royals’ program in September.
Records fall in Westmont women’s swimming’s final Fall meet
In the final meet of 2022, Westmont Women’s Swimming hosted Azusa Pacific in a dual meet on Saturday. The Cougars won the meet 151-90. “It’s definitely a challenging meet for us being a smaller roster and coming off a taper meet and week off of training during thanksgiving,” said Westmont’s head coach Jill Jones Lin. “The team was tired but still managed to pull off some good swims. “Bailey Lemmon suited up for her races since she was sick during the La Verne Winter Invitational and couldn’t swim.
Westmont women’s basketball wins battle of unbeaten teams
In a battle of undefeated teams with identical records, #2 Westmont Women’s Basketball (8-0, 3-0 GSAC) produced a convincing 71-45 win over #19 The Master’s (7-1, 2-1). The Warriors literally led from the tip. The Mustangs were issued a technical file prior to the start of the game due to technical problems with the clock. Laila Saenz sank the resulting field goal, putting the Warriors up 1-0 before the first-quarter clock moved off of 10:00. Saenz then scored on a jumper to put the Warriors up 3-1.
Everyone contributes in win for Westmont women’s basketball
Westmont Women’s Basketball (7-0), ranked second in the NAIA, had an easy time of it in Riverside on Wednesday evening, defeating the Golden Eagles of La Sierra (0-6) by a score of 80-29. It is the sixth time in program history that the Warriors have held an opponent to under 30 points. In the opening frame, sophomore guard Kate Goostrey tallied 12 points and freshman guard Sage Kramer added six as the Warriors jumped out to a 32-8 lead.
Westmont women’s swimming competes at La Verne Invitational
Despite several swimmers having to scratch from events due to illness or injury, #12 Westmont Women’s Swimming made the most of their opportunity in the La Verne Invitational this weekend. The women’s competition consisted of 14 teams – mostly from NCAA Division II and III schools – with Westmont finishing 12th. “As a coach, of course, I’m frustrated when my team isn’t feeling well and we can’t compete to the level I think we are capable of,” acknowledged Westmont’s head coach Jill Jones Lin.
Westmont women’s basketball improves to 6-0
Westmont Women’s Basketball (6-0, 2-0 GSAC) finished up the first weekend of Golden State Athletic Conference play with a 72-41 victory over Ottawa of Arizona (4-5, 0-2) on Saturday afternoon in Murchison Gymnasium. Stefanie Berberabe followed up her triple-double performance on Thursday against Arizona Christian with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals in just 28 minutes of play.
Berberabe records triple-double for Westmont women’s basketball
Westmont Women’s Basketball (5-0, 1-0 GSAC), ranked second in the NAIA, posted an 81-53 win over Arizona Christian (1-3, 0-1) in the Golden State Athletic Conference opener on Thursday night in Murchison Gymnasium. Stefanie Berberabe notched the fourth triple-double in program history, recording 11 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. She also had five steals. Berberabe is the only Warrior to have recorded two triple-doubles in her career.
Westmont women’s soccer team to face familiar foe
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NAIA has announced the first and second round brackets for the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship, and No. 15 Westmont will find itself in familiar company. The Warriors will fly to Florida for the Lakeland Bracket at Southeastern University. In the first round, Westmont will take on No. 22 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (7-4-4). The Blue Raiders and Warriors have a significant history.
Westmont women’s basketball improves to 4-0
In a defensive battle of undefeated teams in Murchison Gymnasium, #2 Westmont women’s basketball (4-0) put together more offense and produced more defensive stops to defeat Southern Oregon (4-1) by a score of 57-40. “That was a really physical game against a team that has already proven this year to be really good, really tough,” said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. “They are a national tournament level team. They have already beat #4 Carroll (Mont.) and Menlo.
Westmont volleyball headed to Butte
Westmont Volleyball (22-6), ranked 25th in the NAIA, will be headed north for the opening round match of the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship. The Warriors will travel to Butte, Montana to take on the #17 Montana Tech Orediggers (24-8). Montana Tech was the regular season champion of the Frontier Conference, going 9-1 in conference play.
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