Sports briefs: UCD’s Raber ratchets up for spring season with win

UC Davis’ Tyler Raber, a Davis High graduate, won the Silicon Valley Amateur golf tournament last weekend at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Morgan Hill.

The victory came at a great time for Raber, as the Aggies are set to begin the spring portion of their schedule on Feb. 6 at the Ameri-Ari Invitational in Hawaii.

At Coyote Creek, the UCD senior fired back-to-back rounds of 2-under 70 on the 7,027-yard course to win by an impressive five shots over Shotaro Ban, a member of Cal’s golf program. St. Mary’s player Mac Marr was third, seven shots behind Raber.

“I’m very happy for him and proud of him,” said Aggie coach Cy Williams. “He has worked really hard this offseason and it was good to see it pay off.”

Raber, a two-time All-Big West Conference honoree, redshirted last season but still enjoyed a productive year by qualifying for both the British Amateur — where he was the lone American to advance to the round of 16 — and the U.S. Amateur. He also earned medalist honors at the 109th Trans-Mississippi Championship.

UCD fall sports

After finishing the fall portion of the Big West Commissioner’s Cup in second place, the Aggie athletic program also showed prowess in the classroom as 16 UCD players were named to the conference’s fall All-Academic Team.

To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2, complete one full year at their school prior to the season for which the award is credited and have competed in at least 50 percent of his/her team’s competitions.

Paced by DHS graduates Trevor Halsted and repeat selection Hilary Teaford, the Aggie cross country program had six athletes honored. Teaford’s women’s squad teammates Alycia Cridebring, Shannon Harcus, Sarah Sumpter and Lauren Wallace were all repeat honorees.

The UCD men’s soccer team had four players earn distinction — Academic All-American Mustafa Chopan, Brian Ford, Ian Palmer and Matt Sheldon — tying the Aggies with Cal State Northridge, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara for the most honorees. Chopan and Palmer earned repeat recognition on the squad.

Bridget Berman, Taylor Duffner and Lexi Poppoff received honors for the UCD women’s soccer team, while Megan Lancaster, Katie Quinn and Allison Whitson were honored from the Aggie women’s volleyball squad. Whitson is a repeat honoree.

Youth softball

The NorCal Cruisers, a 14U girls fastpitch softball team, is holding tryouts for the spring/summer season on Saturday, January 26 at 1 p.m.

The workout will be held at Jepson Middle School, 580 Elder St. in Vacaville. For more information, call coach Ann at 707-249-9706.

Football crab feed

Tickets still are available for the annual Davis Blue Devils Football Backers Crab Feed. The event is set for Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St.

Tickets are $45 and may be obtained by contacting Rebecca Foster at oreo2250@yahoo.com or 916-402-1148.

Live and silent auctions highlight the local football program’s big fundraiser, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

The price of admission covers refreshments (including wine and beer for those over 21) and all-you-can-eat crab and pasta. In addition to the auctions, the Backers will have a multi-prized raffle.

Foster says raffle gifts are welcome and can be donated by contacting her. Backers will arrange to pick up the prizes.