High School Athletic News: Kenzie Culbertson Raced in State Championship

Boys Volleyball, 3.28.24: Santa Cruz Sentinel, Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp had 20 kills, 7 aces, 18 digs, while passing 2.51, in the Hawks’ five-set SCCAL win Tuesday. Nash Wilson tallied eight kills and Solomon Coleman had four aces and 37 assists for Mt Madonna (4-14, 2-3).

 

 

 

 

 

Cross Country, 11.25.23: Congratulations to ninth grader Kenzie Culbertson, who finished 90th out of 200 runners in her division at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Cross Country race, despite an ankle injury that made the race challenging for her.

“Kenzie was grateful that she was able to experience running at such a large event with the best runners in the state,” said Nicole Silva Culbertson, Kenzie’s mother. “Kenzie entered the race without having run for the last three weeks, except for the CCS [Central Coast Section] race, due to being sick before CCS and then spraining her ankle on her first training run after CCS. She was able to experience what the course and competition is like at that level and is motivated to work hard to make it back there next year healthy and in shape.”

Aptos Times, “Locals Shine at CX championship.”

The Pajaronian, “Locals set to compete at CIF state finals”

Girls Volleyball, 11.15.23: The Pajaronian, “All-SCCAL girls volleyball”: Congratulations to sophomore Eden Fisher, who was named to the honorary All-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) girls volleyball Second Team, and seniors Cy Harris and Emma Monclus, who were recognized as Honorable Mentions.

“The girls volleyball team played the whole season with focus, heart and dedication,” commented PK McDonald (’04), Mount Madonna School girls varsity volleyball coach and high school athletic director. “The whole team came together and competed as a team, supporting each other and making great progress over the course of the season. It is awesome that Eden, Cy and Emma received honors for their accomplishments over the course of the year, and is a testament to their hard work.

“Everyone who watched them compete could see how much this season meant to them and it was an honor to be a part of it,” he continued. “Cy, Emma and Eden consistently played at a level comparable to the top players in the league and I’m very happy that they are being recognized. It is important to keep in mind that any individual recognition is a product of success from the entire team, and I’m proud of how each of our student athletes performed over the course of the year.”

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Cross Country, 11.13.23: Congratulations to ninth grader Kenzie Culbertson, who finished in eighth out of 69 runners in the Division V (DV) Central Coast Section (CCS) cross country championships with a time of 20:03.4! The meet was held November 11 at the Crystal Springs course in Belmont. Culbertson’s finish qualifies her to participate in the state cross country championships later this month.

“Saturday was my first time getting to run at Crystal Springs, and going into the race, I was a little more nervous than usual,” said Culberston. “I had been really sick and in bed for the previous four days and the meet was the first time I had run all week! Crystal Springs was a really challenging course, especially when running with 68 girls all around me. The course was dusty and exposed, with no shade. I was really low energy when I started running and once I made it out of the scramble of girls, I stayed in the top group, holding on to the race leaders. Even though I wasn’t fully healthy, it was exciting to pull it off and finish in eighth place; the race was tough, but a challenge to remember!

To see the DV race results, click here

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Cross Country race will be held on Saturday, November 25 at Woodward Park in Clovis. Culbertson will compete in the DV race at 9:30am.

Read about the CCC championship meet in the Santa Cruz Sentinel

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Cross Country, 11.7.23: Mount Madonna School ninth grader Kenzie Culbertson placed fourth at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) championships, and will be competing in the Central Coast Section (CCS) championship meet. Her race will be at Crystal Springs Cross Country Course in Belmont at 12:55pm on November 11. If she qualifies at CCS, she will be running in the State Championship! Photo by Shmuel Thaler, Santa Cruz Sentinel.

 

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Cross Country, 10.5.23: The Hawks hosted a meet on the Mount Madonna School campus, and welcomed athletes from Harbor High School and Santa Cruz High School. Kenzie Culbertson finished second in the girls’ race, while classmate Kiko Horne, competing for the first time, finished 10th. Hans Hagge finished 14th out of 34 runners. Many families turned out to watch and cheer on the athletes. Go Hawks!

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Girls Volleyball, 9.22.23: The Pajaronian “Mariners remain determined during rebuilding year | SCCAL girls volleyball – APTOS, MT. MADONNA SET TO BE BATTLE-TESTED IN CHALLENGING LEAGUE,” by Gordon Kass.

Mt. Madonna School coach PK McDonald is rebuilding his defense after losses due to graduation. Libero Anya Gonzales leads the back row and Lagi Hunnicutt takes those passes and sets a strong offense.

When that duo clicks, the Hawks can unleash a strong hitting corps featuring Eden Fisher, Cy Harris and Emma Monclus. Mt. Madonna has had competitive losses against the middle tier of the league. They are 2-8 overall, 1-3 in the SCCAL.

Girls Volleyball, 9.7.23: Santa Cruz Sentinel, “Santa Cruz, Mount Madonna both have senior heavy squads and high hopes,” by Jim Seimas.