It was a busy weekend in Clark sports.  Here’s what happened if you missed it:

Miller places at State meet

SWIMMING

Chelsea Miller, a senior who was the lone Cougar represented at the state meet, placed 8th in the 100 yd. Breast Stroke.  Following graduation, Chelsea can next be seen swimming for Boise State.

BASKETBALL

Cougar seniors end season in Buda

The Bi-District champion boys basketball team finished their season with a tough loss to Austin Bowie 69-56.  The Cougars lead after the 1st qtr. 14-11 after jumping to a 9-2 start.  The 2nd qtr. was mostly Austin Bowie until a flurry of  three pointers by Manny Paz y Puente and Sam Perez brought the Cougars from a deficit to taking the lead into halftime.  The second half, however, was all Bulldogs.  The Cougars finish with a District Championship, a 15-1 district run, a 29-7 overall record, and a bunch of fans who were proud of their efforts.

• PHOTOS
• Austin American Statesman

SOCCER

The boys team came back from a 0-1 halftime score to defeat Jay in the final seconds of the game, 2-1.  They are now 10-1-1 in district and nationally ranked at #34 in the nation by ESPN Rise and #10 in Texas.  The girls team also defeated Jay 1-0.  The win puts them in the playoff chase still, although a couple of other dominoes have to fall their way in order for them to make it to the playoffs.  With four games left, a loss or tie would most likely eliminate them from the first round of playoffs.

BASEBALL
Playing in the Northside tournament, the Cougars went 2-3 against opponents.  The culprit seemed to be cool bats after an 18 run explosion in a win against Roosevelt.  Their record is 3-3 and 1-0 in district.

SOFTBALL

The girls went 1-1-1 against competition in the NEISD tournament.  Overall, Clark Cougar softball is 6-5 and 0-1 in 28-5A.

Denny's isn't the only one serving Grand Slams

Clark Varsity Baseball began their 2010 district season with a decisive 12-0 win over Brandeis.  Vincent Salazar pitched to keep Brandeis scoreless, recording 14 strike outs and giving up only 1 hit in 7 innings of play.  Clark bats were alive throughout the game.  The game was scoreless going into the 3^rd inning of play where Brandeis started the inning by walking Ryan Skowronski.  Next up was Hunter McFall who reached base on an error.  Jason Cervantes followed with an infield bunt, advancing the runners, and beating the throw to first, loading the bases for the next batter.  Up to the plate stepped Braden Mattson. With a 2 ball, 2 strike count Mattson hit a grand slam home run over the right field fence, scoring 4 runs.  (continue reading…)

The NISD has postponed all baseball and softball games scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23 for 24 hrs.  Varsity and JV games will resume at the same time and fields on Wed., Feb. 24.

Soccer games scheduled for today will play as scheduled.

Clark Cougar Varsity Baseball

The #1 Clark Cougars varsity baseball team began their preseason games last night at a cold and windy South San High School, defeating South San 6 – 2.  Returning lettermen Vincent Salazar, Jonathon Fargnoli, Jim Wells, Jeremy Casper, Jason Cervantes, Diego Hernandez, Hunter McFall, Peter Rozanski, Braden Mattson, Ryan Skowronski and Tyler Reinagel were joined by Chad Dullnig, Chris Werland, Matt Cohen, John Henderson and Cullen Holt.  Salazar, Werland, Skowronski, Reinagel, Cohen and Henderson pitched the game, giving up only 2 runs in 10 innings.  Ranked # 1 in San Antonio and #14 in the state in pre-season polls, the Clark Cougars showed well and that they have the talent to make it into the post season.   Clark plays scrimmages this weekend at Madison HS at 10 & 12. They begin District games vs. Brandeis,  on February 23 at 4:45p at Paul Taylor, NS # 2.  Come out to see the boys play!

-submitted by G. Graham

Expectations high

In their preseason rankings, SanAntonio5ABaseball.com has ranked the Clark varsity baseball team #1.  For a complete listing, check the website.

The area’s best in spring sports as named by the Express News  includes some outstanding athletes from Clark  as do the All District squads for softball and baseball.

 In softball, Christina Rodriguez made the paper’s Super Team. In her senior season the Clark catcher hit .485 and was a unanimous All District selection, she will take her game to the next level at St. Mary’s University next year. Rodriguez was also selected to the Class 5A team for the area. Other softball players named to the 1st team All-District squad are Megan Aragones and Henessey Soto, both sophomore pitchers. On the All-District 2nd team is freshman  Britney Ramos, sophomore Megan Martinez and junior Rochelle Nash.

In baseball, Cougar pitcher Carl O’Neal was named to the Class 5A team and was a unanimous selection for the 28-5A 1st team All-District squad. O’Neal will play ball at St. Mary’s University next year. Also named 1st Team All District are senior Joseph Ybarra and sophomore Jason Cervantes – both unanimous selections,  senior Trey Doebbler and sophomore catcher Braden Mattson. Making All-District 2nd team is junior pitcher Vince Salazar.

In golf, junior Hunter Gathright was named to the All-Area team.

Congratulations Cougars!

Clark Cougars

Several  Clark Varsity Baseball Players have been recognized by the baseball website, SanAntonio5ABaseball.com. The site’s 2009 All San Antonio Super Team includes pitchers Carl O’Neal & Vincent Salazar, catcher Braden Mattson, outfielder Hunter McFall, and designated hitter Joseph Ybarra.  St Mary’s University bound Carl O’Neal was also a runner up for MVP.  The Cougars advanced to the second round of the 2009 playoffs and they graduate only 3 players from this year’s team.

Congratulations and best of luck in 2010!

Clark Cougars

Carl O'Neal to pitch at the next level.

Senior Carl O’Neal, who helped pitch the Clark Cougars into the 2nd round of the playoffs, committed to continuing his baseball career with the St. Mary’s Rattlers.  O’Neal, who went 10-4 this year, says he enjoyed the season because of the friends on the team and the underclassmen who were willing to listen and learn, helping what was predicted to be a middle of the road team exceed all expectations.  O’Neal, who is considering a degree in engineering, made his decision, he said, based on the academic opportunities, the coaching staff and the school’s reputation in baseball.

O’Neal will stay in form with appearances in two All Star games this summer.  Carl is the son of Kay and Dan O’Neal.  Clark Cougar baseball is coached by Aldo Velazquez.

Congratulations to Carl on a great career at Clark High School.

Except for the 2nd inning, the Clark Cougars played valiantly but fell short to Austin Westlake 5-3 in a one game elimination Area playoff game.  The Cougars jumped on the Chaps in the first inning, scoring two runs.  The top of the 2nd inning the Chaparral bats came alive and they put 5 across the plate.  Undaunted, the Cougars came back, Jonathan Fargnoli popping out on a sacrifice fly to score another run, making it 5-3 after three innings.  The Cougar defense stiffened but three double plays by the Westlake defense down the stretch killed any chance of a Cougar rally.  For a team picked early in the season to finish in the middle of the pack, this Clark team showed what a little Cougar pride and hard work can accomplish.  Congratulations for a great season, thanks to the Seniors and look for a great season next year.  The Clark Cougar varsity team is coached by Aldo Velazquez.

1st inning: Hunter McFall base hit; Braden Mattson base hit, Trey Doebbler RBI single, Jonathan Fargnoli RBI single

3rd inning: Trey Doebbler double; Jonathan Fargnoli SAC RBI (Braden Mattson scores)

7th inning: Vincent Salazar single; Jimmy Wells single

PHOTOS

The Clark Cougars take on the Westlake Chaparrals for the Area title in the 5A playoffs today at Texas State in San Marcos @ 5pm.  Everyone is invited to the send off from Clark at 2:45pm to wish the guys a victory over the Chaps.  If you can’t make the game, be sure to check this site for updates throughout the game.