As 2019 comes to a close, it is time to look back at some of the Island City’s sports highlights of the last 12 months.

Part One
January

Dozens of jiu-jitsu enthusiasts congregated at Team Silva Martial Arts Academy to take part in a self-defense and jiu-jitsu seminar with the jiu-jitsu Red Belt Grand Master Carley Gracie.

The high-school basketball season is well underway, and all six Alameda high-school teams are gearing up for a strong 2019-2020 season.

Alameda High School

Girls’ Competition

Members of the Alameda Gators swim team took part in the Oakland Undercurrent Meet Dec. 14 and 15 Laney College at 900 Fallon St. in Oakland. 

Alameda resident Kai Zarehbin was one of four members on the United States table tennis team that competed at the 2019 International Table Tennis Federation World Junior Table Tennis Championship. The tournament took place Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 at Terminal 21 in Korat, Thailand. 

The City Council will consider whether to temporarily close the entire Earl Fry North Course at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex for renovation at its Dec. 17 meeting.

As senior Isaiah Smith crossed the goal line with eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter of the NCS D-V Championship Game it appeared that the Encinal Jets would eke out one final victory in an already magical season.

The Alameda Women’s Golf Club (AWGC) played a Turkey Shoot event a week before Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 21, on the Jack Clark Course.  

St. Joseph Notre Dame alum Cooper Teare finished sixth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 10K championship race on Nov. 23, at the LaVerne Gibson Cross Country Course in Terra Haute, Ind.