Bakersfield's Jimmy Watkins and the United States men's cycling team sprint squad were unable to qualify for the London Olympics during the UCI Track World Championships held last week in Melbourne, Australia.

Watkins, Kevin Mansker of Long Beach and Michael Blatchford of Cypress comprised the sprint team which was disqualified for exchanging outside the specified zone.

Bakersfield's Jimmy Watkins and the United States men's cycling team sprint squad were unable to qualify for the London Olympics during the UCI Track World Championships held last week in Melbourne, Australia.

Watkins, Kevin Mansker of Long Beach and Michael Blatchford of Cypress comprised the sprint team which was disqualified for exchanging outside the specified zone.

When the McFarland High boys soccer team came up short in pursuit of the school's first East Sierra League title in February, Cougars coach Jose Gonzalez told his team to stay hungry.

Apparently he knew something, as the Cougars marched all the way to their first ever CIF Division VI championship, putting together one of the best seasons in school history and nearly winning its first CIF regional championship.

When the McFarland High boys soccer team came up short in pursuit of the school's first East Sierra League title in February, Cougars coach Jose Gonzalez told his team to stay hungry.

Apparently he knew something, as the Cougars marched all the way to their first ever CIF Division VI championship, putting together one of the best seasons in school history and nearly winning its first CIF regional championship.

Bowling

Saturday: Kern County Sheriff's Office Team Trinity "Relay for Life" Tournament, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes. Contact: Marla Jackson (661) 392-7585 or email Jackson@kernsheriff.com.

Bowling

Saturday: Kern County Sheriff's Office Team Trinity "Relay for Life" Tournament, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes. Contact: Marla Jackson (661) 392-7585 or email Jackson@kernsheriff.com.

David Vidal went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs to lead the Bakersfield Blaze to a 10-4 victory Monday over the Stockton Ports in California League play at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Vital doubled in a run in the second and third to help the Blaze to a 7-1 lead after four innings. He finished his night with a run-scoring single to cap a three-run seventh for Bakersfield (3-2).

David Vidal went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs to lead the Bakersfield Blaze to a 10-4 victory Monday over the Stockton Ports in California League play at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Vital doubled in a run in the second and third to help the Blaze to a 7-1 lead after four innings. He finished his night with a run-scoring single to cap a three-run seventh for Bakersfield (3-2).

Here's how crazy the Southwest Yosemite League boys golf season has been: Independence was in the parking lot Monday at Bakersfield Country Club waiting for a sullen ride home before anybody realized the Falcons had just won their first league touranment.

"Our Nos. 1 and 2 players thought they didn't play very well and were just waiting to go home," Independence coach Carmen Crabtree said. "I got down there, and the Frontier coach (Nick Kaiser) comes by and says, 'You guys won.'

Here's how crazy the Southwest Yosemite League boys golf season has been: Independence was in the parking lot Monday at Bakersfield Country Club waiting for a sullen ride home before anybody realized the Falcons had just won their first league touranment.

"Our Nos. 1 and 2 players thought they didn't play very well and were just waiting to go home," Independence coach Carmen Crabtree said. "I got down there, and the Frontier coach (Nick Kaiser) comes by and says, 'You guys won.'

The Dakota Wizards (29-21), the No. 4 seed, drew the sixth-seeded Bakersfield Jam (28-22), to face in the first round of the 2012 NBA D-League Playoffs. The series will tip off at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jam Event Center.

Game 2 and 3 (if necessary), will be played at Dakota on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The Jam is 1-2 against the Wizards this season, its two losses coming at the Bismarck Civic Center.

The Dakota Wizards (29-21), the No. 4 seed, drew the sixth-seeded Bakersfield Jam (28-22), to face in the first round of the 2012 NBA D-League Playoffs. The series will tip off at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jam Event Center.

Game 2 and 3 (if necessary), will be played at Dakota on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The Jam is 1-2 against the Wizards this season, its two losses coming at the Bismarck Civic Center.

Coaching the Stockdale girls soccer team for the past two decades, Janien McGowan -- The Californian's All-Area Girls Soccer Coach of the Year -- has compiled a long list of accomplishments.

Thirteen league titles, including 12 in a row from 1999-2010, and seven Central Section championship-game appearances are two that stand out the most.

Coaching the Stockdale girls soccer team for the past two decades, Janien McGowan -- The Californian's All-Area Girls Soccer Coach of the Year -- has compiled a long list of accomplishments.

Thirteen league titles, including 12 in a row from 1999-2010, and seven Central Section championship-game appearances are two that stand out the most.

Stockdale's Brooke Dickens had in mind the perfect scenario for her senior season.

It included helping the Mustangs win the Southwest Yosemite League title, garner the top seed for the Division I playoffs, and last but not least, claim the program's first section championship.

Stockdale's Brooke Dickens had in mind the perfect scenario for her senior season.

It included helping the Mustangs win the Southwest Yosemite League title, garner the top seed for the Division I playoffs, and last but not least, claim the program's first section championship.

Blaze starter Tony Cingrani had no idea regarding the speed of his fastball Sunday. It didn't much matter since it wasn't velocity that keyed a spectacular outing by the 6-foot-4 southpaw.

Cingrani's success was tied more to his ability to move the ball around the plate with surgical-like precision.

Blaze starter Tony Cingrani had no idea regarding the speed of his fastball Sunday. It didn't much matter since it wasn't velocity that keyed a spectacular outing by the 6-foot-4 southpaw.

Cingrani's success was tied more to his ability to move the ball around the plate with surgical-like precision.

Lori Blattenberg didn't expect to find herself looking for an apartment on her own again.

But because she and her husband are separating, she was at a downtown property management office Friday morning, looking through the listings.

Taylor Aikenhead wears it as a badge of honor.

He's the Division I national leader in complete games, and he got another Saturday, a 97-pitch masterpiece to give Cal State Bakersfield a 3-1 win over Santa Clara to complete a doubleheader sweep and also complete a series sweep.