Turlock’s Lawless wins PGA Pro match

The Northern California PGA announced Monday that with a final score of even par 72, PGA Professional Marc Lawless of Diablo Grande Golf Club in captured first place at the 2011 NCPGA Pro-Series 3 contested at Catta Verdera Country Club at Twelve Bridges in Lincoln.

An interview with TC graduate Jill Baker, now a pro volleyball player in Switzerland

Jill Baker has traveled a long, productive path since her days playing on the Turlock Christian High volleyball team. During her time as an Eagle, she helped lead the team to Sac-Joaquin Section title appearances. After that, she moved onto Azusa Pacific University, a school located near Los Angeles. She had an incredible career there, culminating in winning the NAIA Volleyball Player of the Year award in 2009. ...

Blaze sweep Nuts with help from THS grad Mendonca

In a span of two days, Turlock High graduate Tommy Mendonca torched the Modesto Nuts before he sizzled down on the third day. Still, his Bakersfield Blaze took care of business.In three games this week against a team he was familiar with growing up, Mendonca - who gained national recognition for leading Fresno State to the 2008 College World Series title - had ...

Rodeo brings cowboys, cowgirls to town

Wrestling steers, riding a bucking bronco and racing around barrels were all common sights on Thursday night in the FoodMaxx Arena as cowboys and cowgirls took the stage for the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo event this year at the Stanislaus County Fair.

Guess who's back? Mendonca set for 3 games vs. Nuts

Former Turlock High and Fresno State standout Tommy Mendonca will make another semi-homecoming to John Thurman Field in Modesto, home of the Modesto Nuts. But these visits appear to be a little more special than the others.

Former Stanislaus golfer finishes U.S. Open as crowd favorite

Cal State Stanislaus and its surrounding areas are about 125 miles away from Pebble Beach. But during a recent four-day stay, Erick Justesen felt like it was 2007 and '08 again, when he was building his golfing legacy at Stanislaus.

Former Stanislaus golfer produces solid back-to-back U.S. Open rounds

Different day, same result. That pretty much sums up Erick Justesen's past two days at Pebble Beach, where the former Cal State Stanislaus golfer is a first-time participant at the prestigious U.S. Open, an event that attracts the best golfers in the world, from legends such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to upcoming stars.

Former Stanislaus golfer to take swing at U.S. Open

Erik Justesen accepts his position in his sport. He's good, no doubt about that, as he's considered one of the best golfers in Cal State Stanislaus history, thanks in part to being one stroke from an NCAA Division II individual championship two years ago. But he knows that he's one of many golfers in this week's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He hopes to stand out among greats like Tiger Woods, ...

Brandstater to have new life with Colts

Just days after his biggest NFL shakeup, Turlock High and Fresno State standout Tom Brandstater is back on his feet.

Denair grad blossoms into MLB Draft pick

Back when he was at Denair High, Shawn Stuart's favorite place to show off his athleticism wasn't the baseball diamond. Instead, it was the basketball court. That's what his high school baseball coach, Ron Cornell, remembers of the now MLB First-Year Player Draft selection.

Stanislaus pitcher Cendejas joins his hometown Angels

On Wednesday, a bit of magic happened in Eric Cendejas' life. He was visiting Anaheim, his hometown, and later on the day, he was walking around the city's main attraction, Disneyland - the most magical place in the world, according to numerous advertisements.

Former Stanislaus golfer makes U.S. Open cut

Former Cal State Stanislaus men's golfer Erik Justesen earned medalist honors at a sectional qualifier on Monday and has qualified for the USGA U.S. Open Championships at Pebble Beach.

Former Warrior ace named to all-star squad

Marquis Fleming, a former standout and second team All-American pitcher at Cal State Stanislaus, was added to the Florida State League All-Star team on Sunday.

A stable of QBs leads to Broncos releasing THS grad

In a move that didn't come as a complete shock - considering the amount of quarterbacks and experience surrounding him - Turlock High and Fresno State standout Tom Brandstater was let go by the Denver Broncos on Friday, months before his second NFL season.

Pitman grad gets his shot at NFL's Packers

Last summer, when he was volunteering his time at the Westside Ministries Sports Camp in Turlock, then-Fresno State football player Anthony Harding briefly talked about the possibility of playing in the NFL. He didn't say too much, considering he was training for the upcoming college football season and didn't want to look beyond his immediate task.

Kwasniewski unstoppable at Stockton

Escalon's Eric Holmes made a valiant dash for the front in the late going of Saturday's Pick-N-Pull 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Stockton 99 Speedway, but was ultimately forced to settle for a hard earned second place finish behind young gun Dylan Kwasniewski.

Former Pride standout helps Visalia rout Modesto

It was a homecoming of sorts on Monday night for former Pitman High standout baseball player Bradin Hagens. Hagens, a current member of the Visalia Rawhide, was back in the Valley to face the Modesto Nuts. "It's nice to have my family come out and watch. It's almost like I'm not in season right now because I get to see them so much," Hagens said. "It's comforting and makes me want to play ...

Oakdale Saddle Club showcases best in the West

With some of the toughest rodeo animals in the West - and cowboys of the same caliber - the 61st annual Oakdale Rodeo promises competition, thrills, and a showcase for some of the top rodeo riders.

Local angler looks to reel in the big bucks at Bassmaster Classic

Ish Monroe has been fishing practically his entire life. As the Hughsonite grew up, joined the workforce and enrolled in college he would still turn to his favorite passtime to relax. The simple act of throwing a line in the water from his boat was enough to make him happy. When Monroe became disillusioned with his career and education pathway it was fishing that set him free. "I was going to school ...

Turlock Express: Indoor soccer at the professional level

Soccer fans rejoice; Turlock is now home to its first professional sports team, the Turlock Express. In their first year at the professional level the Express (6-3) are in second place of the Professional Arena Soccer League's Western Division and undefeated at home. Turlock will try and extend their perfect record at home Friday when they host the Tijuana Revolucion at the Turlock Indoor Soccer facility. "They shelved the California Cougars that was ...

Turlock’s Brandstater ready to make debut on Monday Night Football

Since he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, Turlock's Tom Brandstater has had a career of uncertainty. Less than a year after signing a four-year contract, Brandstater was waived by the Broncos when they drafted Tim Tebow and acquired Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 season. Since then the 6-foot-5 Brandstater has been signed to the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Dallas ...

Turlock’s Lethal Lewis Gonzalez still undefeated

Lethal Lewis Gonzalez: Fighting for a future

In a small town like Turlock, that rarely garners national attention and where time moves at a steady pace, people are quick to claim any source of pride they can find. Recently, the ascension of Tom Brandstater, Colin Kaepernick and Tom Mendonca to the professional level of their respective sports has become the main source of pride for many Turlockers. Though some may not know it, there is another hometown athlete who has ...

Denair-raised UFC fighter bows out of Saturday event

Jeff "Hellbound" Hougland announced Tuesday he will not fight in Saturday's UFC Live 6 due to torn tendons in his hand. The mixed martial artist will undergo surgery for the injury, sustained during training, next Tuesday. Hougland (10-4-0, 1-0-0 UFC), a bantamweight, was scheduled to face highly touted prospect Mike Easton (10-1-0) on the event's undercard. Hougland will be replaced by UFC newcomer Byron Bloodworth (6-1-0). Hougland, a Denair native and Denair ...

Despite bad night, Pitman grad Colin Kaepernick shaping to become the next San Francisco 49ers QB —

SAN FRANCISCO - Colin Kaepernick had to stop getting dressed. He was already in a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a gray hat representing the San Francisco 49ers. He was looking for his shoes. But that task had to be put on hold, as about dozen members of the media wanted a piece of him. Despite living the dream, this was not a good night to be Colin Kaepernick or any other ...

Former Warrior earns minor pitcher of the year honors

Former Cal State Stanislaus standout pitcher Andrew Stueve had an eventful weekend as he nears the end of his first professional season. On Saturday, he was named the Pitcher of the Year for the Arizona Rookie League Royals after he appeared in 22 games and threw 43 innings to earn a 2.09 ERA while striking out 40 batters and collecting six saves. Later on Saturday, he learned that he got promoted to the Wilmington ...

Road from Denair to UFC long for local fighter

The trip from Denair to Las Vegas isn't an arduous one, for most. It's just eight hours of leisurely, albeit monotonous, highway driving.

Brandstater joins Cowboys

Since his selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, Tom Brandstater has put on various team uniforms.

Turlock High graduate enjoys baseball, life in Taiwan

Whenever Dan Reichert has a meeting with his coaches on the mound, it looks like a game of telephone.

Through midseason slump and friends’ deaths, Mendonca is recovering

Tommy Mendonca has only been in the Minor League Baseball system for two years now, but he's considered to be on the fast track. After he got drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the First-Year Player Draft in 2009, he began his pro career in Spokane, Wash. He then got promoted to the Bakersfield Blaze that same year, even playing against the California League's North Division ...