Scotts Valley soccer talent Matteo Carbone has signed an academy contract to play for Project 51O, the community-based development team for the Oakland Roots SC, the second division USL Championship team.
The 21-year-old defender, a Fiorentina, Cosenza and Scotts Valley High product, will wear the No. 65 for the first team.
Carbone was one of four Bay Area players added to the team Sunday. Oakland natives Tomas Caminos, 18; Ali Elmasnaouy, 19; and Eli Wachs, 18; also signed academy contracts with Project 51O.
“We’re delighted for these guys to be taking such an important step in their professional careers with us,” said Oakland Roots SC Technical Director Jordan Ferrell, in a release. “Identifying, developing, and providing opportunities to high-potential players from Oakland and the Bay Area is integral to the purpose and growth of the club on and off the field.”
Awards
APSE national contest: The Associated Press Sports Editors revealed the rankings last week for the winners of its annual national contest. Judging took place remotely and at the APSE 2024 Winter Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in February.
The winners will be honored at the conclusion of the APSE Summer Convention, which runs June 20-22 at Marriott South Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Freelancer Raul Ebio took third place in feature photography. His shot featured Soquel High football coach Dwight Lowery reacting incredulously after his Knights won the CIF Division 4-AA State Championship in Pasadena on Dec 8.
Shmuel Thaler tied for sixth place in action photography. His shot featured the silhouette of a surfer bailing out or a massive, crashing wave at Steamer Lane during a big swell.
Sentinel Sports Editor Jim Seimas was honored in two writing divisions. He placed eighth in the short feature division for his piece on Lowery wearing a letterman’s jacket during his football team’s run through the Central Coast Section and NorCal playoffs.
Seimas also took ninth in breaking news division for his story on the passing of legendary Santa Cruz High coach and educator Bill Dodge, and the legacy he left behind.
Girls swimming
Aptos 90, at San Lorenzo Valley 54: Senior Alexia Fajardo and sophomore Adelaide Friedley each won two individual events in the Mariners’ Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League meet win Friday.
Fajardo took first in the 100 butterfly (59.03) and 100 backstroke (1:06.60), and Friedley took first in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.37) and 200 freestyle (1:59.58).
Other winners for the Mariners included: junior Sofia Contreras (50 free, 27.13) and freshmen Natalie Allen (200 IM, 2:26.09) and Bianca Bogaard-Medinilla (500 free, 6:49.90).
SLV’s Tess Reedy took first in the 100 free (1:01.00).
Boys swimming
Aptos 116, at SLV 42: The Mariners had four swimmers each win two races their SCCAL meet win Friday in Felton.
Senior Sam Allen took first in the 100 fly (52.09) and 100 back (54.56), junior Gavin Abundis took first in the 200 free (2:01.40) and 500 free (5:32.16), sophomore Elijah Souza took first in the 100 breast (1:04.37) and 200 IM (2:06.13), and sophomore Thomas Westfall took first in the 50 free (24.90) and 100 free (55.56).
Reporting Scores
Coaches are encouraged to report scores and highlights to sports@santacruzsentinel.com following games. Please include your name and contact number in the email.
