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13th annual Wheelchair Sports Festival promotes recovery and independence
Triumph Foundation’s mission is to help people triumph over paralysis. They inspire children, adults, and veterans with spinal cord injuries to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward in their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day.
An important part of their program provides adaptive sports such as wheelchair athletics. Last Saturday and Sunday, Triumph sponsored its 13th Wheelchair Sports Festival at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex.
“We call it a circle of care,” said Randy Reyes, Triumph, Adaptive Recreation Manager
The Triumph organization visits injured individuals in hospitals, with ambassadors carrying care resource packs to support them.
According to Reyes, Triumph also provides grants and resources for patients.
“We put it all in a manual, and we deliver it to them so that they don’t have to do all the homework. They open this directory of resources and get much of what they need,” said Reyes.
Along with that circle of care, that cornerstone, volunteers and athletes of all kinds, from everywhere, and all walks of life come to the Wheelchair Sports Festival to complete, collaborate, celebrate a new sense of pride, and a new lease on life.
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Hart High sports medicine trainers and staff keep athletes prepared for the season
While the athletes are grabbing all the attention on the field, it’s the team behind the team making everything possible.
Hart High School has been known around the Santa Clarita Valley for its athletics, but recently, it’s been the people behind the scenes who have been keeping these athletes in shape for their upcoming season.
Blake Bourgeois, a student at Hart High and a member of the sports medicine program, explains the importance of preparing these athletes to compete at their best.
“It definitely helps if you get injured and you want to rehabilitate to become able to play again, as well as also preparing before a game,” said Bourgeois.
“I feel like before I was in sports med, I was not as good as like warming up and becoming ready for a game.”
The program at Hart High is led by Jon Figueroa, the school’s head athletic trainer. Figueroa takes pride in his job and has created a community where these students can be part of something.
As an athletic trainer, I think one of the most important things to me is ensuring that every single patient/athlete I have, I can impact them in a positive way,” said Figueroa.
“Whether that’s through some sort of injury or they come to me about other things outside of it, because at the end of the day, they’re not just athletes, they’re people.”
At times, it might seem as if these trainers are underappreciated, but for Hart, that is not the case. The sports medicine program is currently partnered with the local hospital, Henry Mayo and is recognized by the professional NBA organization, the Los Angeles Clippers.
“A field trip to the Clippers is awesome,” said Figueroa.
“I think it’s amazing that they sponsor an event to recognize sports medicine and bring in sports medicine programs from hundreds of schools.”
As more and more athletes put time and effort into their sport, so do the people who keep these players off the injury report.
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Local businesses expect an economic boost as the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches approach
The food, the fun and above all, the excitement are palpable in Santa Clarita as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.
“I’m excited… especially because sports like this attract a lot of people. So, I know we are going to make good money out of it,” said Anni Martinez, a local cashier
“I think it is huge for L.A., it’s fantastic,” said Carlos Marroquin, a local business owner.
The Los Angeles area hasn’t seen this level of enthusiasm for a men’s FIFA World Cup since 1994. Exactly eight of the 78 matches are taking place solely in the U.S. Will be held at Sofi stadium… The first will be on June 12th, where the national teams of the U.S. and Paraguay will face off.
This is expected to be one of the most expensive World Cups and is coming to the U.S., including here in California. It is expected to generate approximately $30.5 billion in gross sales just in the United States alone.
“Hopefully, this time is better than the last one, because we missed a lot of money. Right now, the sales are not really strong. But we’re expecting that by mid-May the sales will go up and hopefully we will be able to sell everything,” said Marroquin.
Which dishes or foods are customers most likely to order?
“Probably the tacos or the quesadillas, that’s what we basically sell a lot,” said Martinez.
Ticket pricing from the group stages through the final game, which will take place on July 19th in New York/New Jersey, will range from $700 to almost $8,000.
This is considered the most expensive FIFA World Cup.
The World Cup will be held across three countries: Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
And since we’re talking about local pride and the big game…do you know which team you’ll be rooting for?
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Returning champions, COC Women’s Soccer kicks off spring training
Fresh off their 2025 Western Conference championship, College of the Canyons Women’s Soccer is back in action, this time, preparing for what’s next.
Spring training is already underway, giving the team an early start as they build toward the fall season.
With 16 returning players, the Cougars bring back experience, chemistry, and a strong foundation to the field.
“And we have a really great time of girls who are willing to come out here and work every day, and our coaches are really great,” said Leila Sadra, COC student athlete.
That work ethic is something the program continues to emphasize, both on and off the field.
Coach says the focus goes beyond just wins and losses.
“I mean every year we want the same thing, we want the athletes to you know, come in and have a good time, learn, get better, play the game well, but become better humans,” said Ellen Blankenship, Assistant Women’s Soccer coach.
“That’s, that’s always the end goal is to have the athlete leave here better than when they came in”.
The team is also looking ahead, with eight new players already committed to join the program in the fall.
For now, it’s all about preparation, building consistency, sharpening skills, and setting the tone early.
As the Cougars begin their spring training, the goal is clear carry last season’s success into another strong run this fall.
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COC hosts the bi-annual Star Party, inviting the community to explore the night sky
“It’s a 6-inch refractor, but it’s a pair of refractors. The problem that sometimes we have with 2 Telescopes or binoculars is the ability to easily merge the image so it looks like one image,” said David Gedalia, a member of the astronomy club.
Beyond telescopes, the event had tables showcasing club activities, free snacks and drinks from ASG, and a presentation by this semester’s guest speaker.
In all the years I’ve been teaching, I have never met two people who were identical, and then I look into space, and I see the wondrous variety of stars and objects, and I just see it as being the same,” said Teresa Ciardi, Professor of Astronomy & Physical Science at COC.
“This was sent up in July last year, so we got to watch the actual launch. It was really cool. We were looking at the rocket coming through,” said Cameron Alexander De Martini, COC student and a software project manager.
“We were really interested in seeing if this guy would be gone. It’s kind of counterintuitive. You’d think we’d want to see it, we don’t want to see it, we want to see it gone.”
The Star Party is hosted twice a year in the spring and the fall, so mark your calendars.
The Canyon Country Campus concluded this semester’s biannual star party last week. This event is known for its interesting, complex equipment, which is ideal for stargazing.
“It’s a 6-inch refractor, but it’s a pair of refractors. The problem that sometimes we have with 2 Telescopes or binoculars is the ability to easily merge the image so it looks like one image,” said David Gedalia, a member of the astronomy club.
Beyond telescopes, the event had tables showcasing club activities, free snacks and drinks from ASG, and a presentation by this semester’s guest speaker.
In all the years I’ve been teaching, I have never met two people who were identical, and then I look into space, and I see the wondrous variety of stars and objects, and I just see it as being the same,” said Teresa Ciardi, Professor of Astronomy & Physical Science at COC.
“This was sent up in July last year, so we got to watch the actual launch. It was really cool. We were looking at the rocket coming through,” said Cameron Alexander De Martini, COC student and a software project manager.
“We were really interested in seeing if this guy would be gone. It’s kind of counterintuitive. You’d think we’d want to see it, we don’t want to see it, we want to see it gone.”
The Star Party is hosted twice a year in the spring and the fall, so mark your calendars.
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Discovery Day connects students with programs and future pathways
Students filled the campus at College of the Canyons, exploring new opportunities and getting a firsthand look at college life. But beyond the booths and presentations, Discovery Day is helping students take their first real step towards the future.
When students come to Discovery Day, what they really find is like an open house,” said Eric Harnish, COC Vice President of Public Information.
“Pretty much every department, program and service that we offer here at the college participates in Discover Day.”
“They can come and talk to faculty, meet staff, and really find out what the college is. Has to offer, and you know what we hope students walk away with is finding that thing that really interests and excites them, and that they want to pursue here at College of the Canyons.”
“I wanted to check out the campus,” said Emiliano Hurtado, a COC student who attended the event.
“I know this college is very beneficial for my future, and I just wanted to come and see it. I really like the campus and all the offers they have to offer here. I’m feeling excited just because it’s a new chapter of my life, but also nervous because it is a new chapter of my life.”
But it’s not just students who are excited. Faculty and club leaders at College of the Canyons are just as eager to share their programs, connect with future students, and help guide them towards the right path.
My favorite part about working with students in this program is the ‘aha’ moment, which is what we call it. It’s where I help students understand the best way to treat their patients and get to inspire the next generation of emergency medical technicians,” said Jessica Crowley, a Paramedic and Full-time COC faculty member.
“I’m super passionate about design, I’m also a first-gen student, so I was the first person in my family to go to college, and, you know, those two things, I get to stay in those two worlds here,” said Shannon Doronio Chavez, Co-chair of the COC Multimedia Design Department.
Discovery Day is helping students take that first step, one conversation at a time, leaving them with new confidence, new connections, and a clear path toward their future at College of the Canyons
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The legacy of the Saugus Speedway lives on at Hart Park
At William S. Hart Park in Newhall, pieces of the former Saugus Speedway and swap meet, including sections of the original tarmac, have now been relocated.
Up the hill from the train station, larger remnants now sit on display with plans for a future exhibit.
Here at Hart Park, one Docent remembers.“It was a good, fun, cheap way to spend a Saturday or a Friday evening,” said Dean Francuch, Docent with the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
For others, like lifelong Santa Clarita resident John White, those memories of the Speedway go even deeper.
“The Speedway was always a part of my life. Every Saturday, during the summer months, we would always go and watch the races…especially Demolition Derby nights,” said White.Before the site was cleared, members of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society say they recovered pieces of the Speedway.
“When it was sold, the developers allowed us to take whatever we wanted from the property that would be historical,” said Barbara Martinelli, Board Member with the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
But for those who remember it, he says it’s not the same anymore.
“Even though we’ve lost so much of our history here in this valley…It’s my hometown,” said White.
“It’s sad to see everything go like that…there’s hardly anything left from the yesteryears.”
“He also says he has ongoing concerns about the area’s past use.”
“All those hills out there are all just…poisoned,” said White.
And for others…the loss is still being felt.
“It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t keep it open. I think it was a loss to the community,” said Francuch.
For some, the Speedway is something they never experienced.
“I wish I could have been there just for the racing…especially after the loss of my own local short track, which was Irwindale Speedway,” said Rey Castillo, a Railroad Museum Volunteer.
“But at least I can take a piece of the Speedway home with me,” said Castillo after buying a chunk of cement from the Saugus Speedway track.
The legacy lives on.
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New online course at COC highlights Native American history
“There’s a school of thought that high school history should really just focus on celebratory aspects of a culture and avoid the traumatic, head-on confrontations,” said Michael Felix, a College of the Canyons History Professor.
If you’re looking for a course that showcases less-talked-about American history, then this course is for you.
“So we have built into the curriculum a very rich blend of not only historical content from the past, but also current events that are happening in real time,” said Felix.
History 230, ‘native Americans in the History of the U.S.,’ will offer a new, online option for students looking to fill their social science credits.
“If you want to learn about history from a different perspective and learn about different people that you don’t usually hear about in your U.S. History textbooks, take this native american class,” said Anthony Galvan, a College of the Canyons Adjunct Professor.
Last week, Professor Michael Felix hosted a preview lecture of the course’s content. In May, Professor Anthony Galvan will be following suit. Anyone interested can attend in person or through Zoom, though the material covers topics that some students may find uncomfortable.
“When you take United States history, you don’t always get to cover some of the topics that we’ll be covering in this class, like the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee,” said Galvan.
With enough interest, the class may be offered in person come spring, but the professors hope that more students walk away from the course with a new perspective.
“The opportunities that we’re given are a privilege, especially in any situation you look at,” said Isabella Alvarez, a College of the Canyons student.
“That can be in political science, that can be in immigration work, and it can also be in understanding native American culture and history.
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COC Softball extends 13-Year playoff streak driven by legacy and leadership
For most teams, making the playoffs is the goal. For the College of the Canyons Softball team, it’s the expectation.
For 13 straight seasons, this team has punched its ticket to the postseason. A streak built not just on talent, but on leadership. At the center of it all is head coach John Wissmath, whose approach has turned consistency into culture.
“Get us fired up to continue, never feel like we can get beat right, and so I think that’s always important,” said Wissmath.
“But the other part of it is that we do our job. If we can do our job with this team that we have here and any team that I coach, if we can execute, we’ve got a really great opportunity to win a lot of ball games,” said Wissmath.
It’s not just about wins and losses. Players say it’s the standard that’s set from day one.
“Coach is very encouraging, he kind of has trust in us, so even when we’re down on ourselves, we know that he believes in us, and he never fails to remind us that,” said Jordan Sheperd, COC Softball player.
And this season has been no different. Dominating in league play and carrying momentum into the playoffs. This team isn’t just showing up; they’re making a statement
But behind the streak is something deeper: trust, accountability, and a belief that goes beyond the field.
The Cougars were triumphant over Moorpark, 5-2, in the play-in round on April 28th. The Cougars next opponent is to be determined at this time, but this team is ready for any battle.
“We’re going to enjoy this win for a little bit. Let the girls have fun and come into practice upbeat and ready to go,” said Wissmath.
Thirteen seasons. Countless wins. One standard.
A program built to last, and a legacy that’s still growing.