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Aztecs hoping to get back on track after setbacks

By Brian Gomez

Coming off back-to-back losses against No. 1 Chandler Hamilton and No. 11 Phoenix Maryvale, the Corona del Sol High School football team couldn’t have asked for a better time to play Phoenix Alhambra.

Corona coach Gary Venturo’s team desperately needs a win after stumbling last week against Maryvale, which rode Ronald Huckaby to 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns in a 24-14 upset that dropped the Aztecs (1-2) from the rankings.

Hapless Alhambra (0-3) figures to provide the perfect remedy for Corona.

The Lions have been outscored 152-14 this season, losing to No. 9 Phoenix St. Mary’s, Kingman and Phoenix Cesar Chavez. They’ve scored two touchdowns in three games.

Corona quarterback Jake Nero provided one of the few bright spots against Alhambra, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Kirk Cox returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown to account for Corona’s other touchdown.

Swimmers fare well

Corona’s boys relay team of Adam Small, Jason He, Joe Phipps and Nate Telep broke meet records this month at the Mesa Relays, winning the 200-meter butterfly relay and the 200m backstroke relay.

The girls relay team of Brooke White, Jayme Vierveg, Samantha Maxwell and Erin Campbell triumphed in the 200m butterfly relay with a meet record of 1 minute, 53.88 seconds.

Runners race toward top

The Corona boys cross-country team finished seventh and its girls squad took 15th this month at the 11th annual Chandler Invitational.

Jeff Swindle finished second among seniors, and Mike Wrapp took seventh in the juniors division. In the sophomores race, Eric Aiken was Corona’s top finisher at 45th place. Brandon McLevain paced the Aztecs’ freshmen with a 17th-place finish.

On the girls side, Sara Adams took ninth among seniors, and Lauren Green was Corona’s top junior finisher at 36th place. In the sophomores division, Shera Gilmore claimed 15th place. Melissa Wrap led Corona’s freshmen with a 25th-place finish.

Hoops camps are coming

Former Corona boys basketball coach Sammy Duane Sr.’s preseason camps will be held next month at Kiwanis Recreation Center in Tempe.

Camps are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11-15 and from 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 18-22. Cost is $60 per person.

For more information, call (480) 350-5201 or visit www.tempe.gov/pkrec/krc.

Want to play basketball?

The Lady Arizona Silver Streaks club basketball team will hold tryouts Oct. 2 at Pueblo Middle School. For more information, call Brett Meister at (602) 318-4627.

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