Modesto Sports

Rob Strickland can see Clark Bird's sly grin from a mile away, even in the dim morning light.

Central Catholic's Billy Flamion was 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the Aflac All-American Classic on Sunday in San Diego. It wasn't enough to lead the West to a win, though, as the East prevailed 5-3. Flamion hit a grand slam in a practice game between the teams prior to the televised game. Flamion has orally committed to University of Oregon.

Speaking Spanish won't help Isaac Norman rush for more yards or catch more passes this fall, but Ripon Christian's agile running back has other goals in mind. "Academics has been a priority since I enrolled at Ripon Christian and AP Spanish is a big part of it," Norman said.

Goalie Memo Ramirez's mitts and instincts stumped opposing strikers, leaving them heartbroken at the penalty marker.

For most people, Aug. 7 will be remembered — if it's remembered at all — as nothing more than another uneventful summer Saturday. But it will be engraved in Jamasen Rodriguez's memory ... and perhaps the Guinness book of world records.

The Merced boys soccer program may have changed coaches, but it kept the same hiring formula. Once again, a former standout baseball player will headline one of the top Division I soccer programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

For most people, Aug. 7 will be remembered — if it's remembered at all — as nothing more than another uneventful summer Saturday. But it will be engraved in Jamasen Rodriguez's memory ... and perhaps the Guinness book of world records.

Another Gleason child is ticketed for a four-year university, accomplishing a rare feat for a family used to rare accomplishments on the pitch: Three children playing Division-I soccer on scholarship.

With the high school sports season approaching — teams start play Aug. 26 — just around the corner, The Bee is asking athletic directors who haven't already done so to send schedules to Richard T. Estrada at restrada@modbee.com or fax them to 238-4551.

Bruce Pielstick might have the most difficult task of any coach in the Stanislaus District as he rebuilds a Modesto Christian High program gutted by graduation. The Crusaders were one of the top stories in the state last year, going 15-0 and winning the State Small School Bowl. This year, virtually every player who had a role in that game is gone, and so is its head coach.

No one wants to forget the 2009 season more than James Peterson, whose first year with Turlock High was the worst in the football program's 90-year history.

Jamasen Rodriguez, a senior at Modesto High School, completed a "lunge mile" around the Modesto Junior College track on Saturday in 25 minutes, 21 seconds. He is believed to have set a Guinness world record in the unorthodox and obscure event.

The female coach of a high school football team in Washington has led her team through its first practice.

Klayton Miller was more of a custodian than a quarterback last season, tossing just nine passes a game as Modesto High ground out victories. With the duo of James Ingram and Arquel Rogers each averaging seven yards a carry, Miller's role was to get the ball from the center to a back.

Raymond Nelson stepped out of his brother's huge shadow last fall to help Modesto Christian High soar to a state small schools football championship.

Former Downey High and Modesto Junior College star Bryan Haile has qualified for the 100 breaststroke at the USA Swimming National Championships beginning a five-day run today at Irvine.

Andre Bevins' audacious score was penned in red ink on the scoreboard of the 58th Bumgardner Junior Memorial. A better idea — those numbers deserved a red carpet.

Enochs High junior Shawnee Martinez has advanced to the match-play bracket of the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship. Martinez shot an 81 Tuesday at The Country Club of North Carolina and tied for 41st (74-81--151) in stroke play. The low 64 from the field of 156 begin match play today. Oakdale's Mabel Wong, 13, tied for 87th (79-82--161).

While baseball is the marquee sport in Billy Flamion's future, the Central Catholic High senior says he still has another year of football left in him.

When it comes to throwing a baseball, whether it's from the mound or center field, it's difficult to find anyone in the Stanislaus District who does it better than Billy Flamion.