Johnson wins first race, Cantrell closes in on lead

Rookie driver R.J. Johnson of Canyon Country won his first career race Saturday night, in the King Taco

Around the SCV

Former Hart pitcher Michael Montgomery, who was drafted No. 36 by the Kansas City Royals in June's Major League Baseball draft, was named the top prospect in the Arizona League by Baseball America.

Olympian Rhode's prized shotgun stolen from truck

An impromptu stop at an outlet center in Lake Elsinore led to the theft of an invaluable shotgun owned by four-time Olympian Kim Rhode.

Around the SCV

Valencia baseball player Dylan Jones earned a scholarship to the University of Oregon.

Bustos talks of silver and gold

Her brand new Olympic silver medal is bound to look like her two golds. The jade circle inside the medal will probably fade. The ribbon will tatter. The outer rim of the medal likely will be nicked and scratched. An explanation for which is found from her father. What do these three Olympic softball medals mean to Crystl Bustos? "You want me to tell you the truth?" asks George Bustos, about to let out a ...

El Harrak: A fighting Hart

Maybe it was Muhammad Ali who started it, but boxing has gone with braggadocios as much as peanut butter has gone with jelly.

No surprise: Hart pitcher wins pro team award

Add another accolade to Michael Montgomery's résumé. The Hart graduate was selected as the Surprise Royals Pitcher of the Year. The 19-year old southpaw finished his short season rookie debut 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in 12 outings, nine of those starts. During a team meeting, Montgomery received the news of the honor and wasn't even aware the recognition was given out. "I felt I had a good year," Montgomery said via telephone from his ...

Cantrell penalized, seventh in race

After qualifying first and starting sixth Saturday night, Valencia race truck driver Connor Cantrell finished seventh at Irwindale Speedway.

A new Day dawns in Olympic BMX

BEIJING - American racers Mike Day and Kyle Bennett gave the crowd a great introduction to the sport, with Day winning the time trial and each of his three quarterfinal heats and Bennett advancing but also dislocating his left shoulder in a wreck on his final heat.

Sultana of Swat powers USA

BEIJING (AP) - One more for gold. One more before goodbye. Pushed to extra innings, the U.S. Olympic softball team scored four runs in the ninth inning and beat Japan 4-1 on Wednesday to move within one win of its fourth straight gold medal - in the sport's farewell for now. Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer, her fifth of these games, to lift the Americans. Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer - almost out ...

Football to firefighter

By Roman Veytsman Signal Staff Writer Manuel White went to a different kind of training camp this year. The former Valencia, UCLA, and Washington Redskins running back/fullback traded in his football helmet, jersey and cleats for a fire helmet, bunker gear and boots. And a new life. He went from tearing through holes to tearing through brush. His last name, stitched on the back of his jerseys is now on the front right pocket of ...

DeLong and winding road

After the teaming of the success of DeLong Racing with the resources of Tri-Signal Integration, 20-year-old Rich DeLong III is having the best year of his four-year racing career.

Cantrell charges strong

Even though he did not win Saturday's King Taco Super Trucks race at Toyota Irwindale Speedway, Connor Cantrell worked for every foot, mile-per-hour and place he earned.

A dream deferred

As Jordan Danny's plane landed in Omaha, Neb. on July 4 for the U.S. Olympic swim trials, rain clouds hovered.

MLB All-Star Game: And the winner is ...

NEW YORK - Tuesday became Wednesday in New York City. Opportunity became escape. And the final Major League baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium had no interest in finality. The American League finally won the longest Midsummer Classic 4-3 in the bottom of the 15th inning. The Minnesota Twins Justin Morneau scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by the Texas Rangers' Michael Young. Colorado Rockie Matt Holliday gave the National League the 1-0 ...

After the draft SCV minor league update

The Santa Clarita Valley is well represented at all levels of the minor leagues this season, as athletes continue their quests for the Major Leagues.

Shields helps Royals take down Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - David Lough was willing to endure a little pain to help the Kansas City Royals win.

MLB: Valaika breaks his wrist

Hart High graduate and Miami Marlins infielder Chris Valaika will miss the next four to six weeks of the season after fracturing his left wrist Tuesday night in a game against the San Diego Padres, the Associated Press reported.

Three COC products sign with NFL teams

The 2013 NFL Draft wrapped up this past weekend, but three more College of the Canyons products signed on with teams on Monday as undrafted free agents.

NFL draft: COC product Mychal Rivera drafted by Oakland Raiders

Former College of the Canyons wideout Mychal Rivera heard his name called today at the 2013 NFL Draft.

Tommy Milone gets third straight win

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Jed Lowrie drove in four runs, Saugus High graduate Tommy Milone won his third straight start and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 11-2 on Monday night.

Hart's Jessica Shults drafted by USSSA Pride

USA Softball player and University of Oklahoma catcher Jessica Shults has another option for her post-collegiate career. The Hart graduate was selected fifth overall by the USSSA Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch softball league this week. She would join Valencia High graduate Jordan Taylor as the only Santa Clarita Valley products currently playing in the league. Taylor, coincidentally, is also on the Pride's roster. Shults would also join currently Oklahoma teammate, and arguably the ...

Hart graduate James Shields overcomes slow start for Royals

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Billy Butler was excited his hit drove in three runs and he was standing on second base. It got a whole lot better for Butler when the umpires returned from the video review room.

MLB: Bauer roughed up in his 1st Cleveland start

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Alex Cobb scattered four hits in 7 1-3 innings, Kelly Johnson homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 6-0 on Saturday night.

Hart grad Trevor Bauer to start for Indians Saturday

TORONTO (AP) - Indians left-hander Scott Kazmir was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained ribcage muscle, retroactive to April 2.

Tommy Milone settles down for win in debut

OAKLAND (AP) - Jed Lowrie and Chris Young hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, helping Saugus High graduate Tommy Milone and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Wednesday night.

James Shields gets outdueled in opener

CHICAGO (AP) - For all the deep breaths he took before the game, Chris Sale sure was a picture of calm once he stepped on the mound. More important for the White Sox, he was the definition of dominant.

Hart graduate Chris Valaika is getting another shot at the Major League

Santa Clarita Valley athletes had mixed results in Spring Training

Hart grad Chris Valaika earns Marlins roster spot

Four days ahead of Major League Baseball's opening day, the Miami Marlins announced Hart graduate Chris Valaika has earned a roster spot, according to the Marlins' official website.