AV Sports - Youth Sports

The AV Rugby team has started their season for 08' in style.

The AV Venom U19 girls team has officially won their first match of the season. They won 42 to 0 over the Hacienda Heights Phantoms (rated #3 in Socal). Regardless of the score the Phantom Girls are a very tough team. The girls have worked hard to prepare themselves for the 2008 season and it showed in their first meeting.The day had team captian Carolyn Kendall of Elizabeth Lake score 3 trys, Heather Jackson of Lake Hughes score two trys, Tianna Pirelli of Elizabeth Lake, Haliegh Raksnys of Leona Valley and Yadira Orellana of Quartz Hill all scored one try helping sealing the victory. The Antelope Valley Girls rugby team is rated #1 in all of Southern California and #8 in the entire USA.

The Antelope Valley Vipers U19 Boys team started their 2008 season by defeating Arroyo Pacific Acadamy of Arcadia Friday night under the lights at Marie Kerr Park in Palmdale. Denzel McKinney of Palmdale lead the charge with 4 trys on the night, but he was not alone in scoring on the cool AV night. Team Capt. Matt Watson of Rosamond, James "CJ" McGee of Palmdale, Malcolm McClean of Palmdale, Chris Newby of Edwards and 14 year old Matias Barrionuevo of Palmdale all scored one try each. JVTeam Captain Tim Liparote of Elizabeth Lake had the kicking duties for the night and kicked 4 extra points equating to 8 points to round the night off with a final score of 53 to 12.

Hats off to these local young athletes of the A.V.

Antelope Valley Rugby's varsity girls squad, aka "The Venom" culminated a fantastic season by finishing 6th in the National Guard - USA High School Rugby Championships in Pittsburgh PA this past weekend. Amazingly, the Venom is only in their 2nd year and have made it to the Nationals in both years. In 2007 they finished 8th overall.

The girls and coaches are now making plans for next season and are looking for local athletes to fill in for their departing seniors. All athletic girls ages 15 thru 18 are encouraged to contact head coach Vincent Smith. No experience is required to play rugby. All that is required is hard work and the ability to be a team player. There is a position for every body type.

The team will practices throughout the summer.