Eagles

GLENDALE — Understandably, Chris Casey becomes flooded with fond memories when talking about his son Danny's baseball career. Chris has coached Danny through just about every level at which he has played the game — from Little League to high school and on to Glendale Community College — and has seen him develop into quite a solid all-around player, collecting an assortment of all-league and all-conference accolades at each stop along the...

OAK PARK — With the tying and go-ahead runs on base and two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Kelly Bako worked the count full. Seeking some late-game heroics, Bako hit the seventh pitch of her plate appearance hard. Unfortunately for Bako, the ball was snagged on one hop by Oak Park High pitcher Morgan Simmons, who rifled the ball to first base for the final out. It turned out to be that kind of day for Crescenta Valley, which saw its season end Thursday afternoon with a 6-5 loss against host Oak Park in a CIF Southern Section Division III first-round game at Valley View Park.

GLENDALE — The following are updates on local athletes at the collegiate level. Danny Casey (Glendale Community College, 2009) senior, Concordia University baseball: The La Crescenta resident played a role in helping the Eagles advance to the Avista-National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, for the first time since 2006. Concordia received a three-run homer from designated hitter Bryan Nicholson to record a 4-2 win against third-seeded host California Baptist on Saturday in the title game of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round Riverside Bracket.

The Columbus Elementary School mural — a depiction of the school’s mascot, the eagle — had been a welcoming sight to students and visitors for years. For William Kaufmann, 16, who attended Columbus for seven years and was raised near the school, it was a landmark. But the mural disappeared in 2008 along with several old campus buildings amid a major modernization project. It was strange to look over at the school and not see the eagle, William said. So when it came time to develop a project required to earn the Eagle Scout award from Boy Scouts of America, he immediately thought of his alma mater.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — Stephanie Vargas played a role in shattering two school records, yet she wasn't aware that had been accomplished. The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy track and field athlete diligently went about her business on the St. Francis High all-weather track Wednesday afternoon during a Mission League dual meet against Chaminade and left impressed with her latest accomplishments. "I didn't know, but it's great," Vargas said after she clocked 2 minutes 18.96 seconds to win the 800-meter race and help the Tologs post a 73-34 victory.

GLENDALE — The following are updates on local athletes at the collegiate level. Danny Casey (Glendale Community College, 2009) senior infielder, Concordia University baseball: Casey, a former All-Area pick, turned in a quality effort Saturday in the first game of a Golden State Athletic Conference road doubleheader against Azusa Pacific University. Casey had two hits and drove in two runs to help the Eagles net a 16-2 win. Casey drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the first inning to give Concordia a 2-0 lead.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — No matter how long they kept the numerous rallies alive or made quality passes, the members of the St. Francis High volleyball team couldn't hammer out the key points when needed. Consider it a lesson learned for the Golden Knights. As far as St. Francis Coach Mark Frazee was concerned after the host Golden Knights fell to Chaminade, 25-13, 19-25, 25-17, 28-26, in a Mission League match, there's still enough time to regroup and remain in contention for a playoff spot.

A local Boy Scout troop on Sunday celebrated the first time scouts from that troop have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. An Eagle Court of Honor event was hosted for Boy Scouts Armen Ter-Zakarian and Matthew Diradoorian. Diradoorian and Ter-Zakarian belong to Troop Ari 4 of the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat chapter, Troop 154 of the Verdugo Hills Council. Homenetmen is an Armenian union of scouting and sporting activities for young people. Ter-Zakarian, 18, is on the St. Francis High School tennis team and has played piano for 12 years.

LA CAÑADA FLNTRIDGE — On more than one occasion, including Friday's most recent win over Alemany High, the St. Francis soccer team has used a last-minute goal to propel its way to a victory and send an opponent trodding off the field dejected. But the Golden Knights, who scored late to pull even with visiting Chaminade and were charging hard for yet another late game-winner, found themselves on the other side of the equation late in Thursday's Mission League contest at Friedman Field after the Eagles scored inside of injury time in the second half to hand St. Francis its first league defeat.

TEMPLE CITY — In the 10th contest of the season, the Crescenta Valley High boys' basketball team seemingly put together a complete game. It's something Crescenta Valley Coach Shawn Zargarian had hoped to see before the start of Pacific League competition next month. He was encouraged after what he saw Monday night. "I liked everything about our team," Zargarian said after Crescenta Valley coasted to a 75-34 victory against Gabrielino in an opening-round game of the La Salle/Temple City Holiday Basketball Classic at Temple City High.