The Santa Cruz Sentinel produced four winning submissions, two for writing and two for photography, at the annual Associated Press Sports Editors national contest.
On the surface, swimming is an individual sport. When competing for Soquel High, however, Kailyn Winter embraced the team-first mentality her father and coach, Jarret, drilled into her.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to explain the Santa Cruz Warriors' struggles over the past two weeks, and that a turnaround can just as easily take place.
It was hard for Santa Cruz's Adam Bartlett to decide which was bumpier, his descent down the face of the waves at iconic surf break Steamer Lane, or his ascent up a flight of stairs, while he was being chaired by a couple of his teenage friends after winning his first USA Surfing Prime title Sunday.
Conditions at iconic Steamer Lane were nothing short of dreamy Friday picturesque 6- to 10-foot waves folded over, offering barrel opportunities under a perfect blue, nearly cloudless sky when a tornado hit the heralded surf break.