Ryder Schalich isn’t one to let a rare genetic disorder interfere with his life, competing on multiple Special Olympics teams, on a local Challenger Little League team and as a shot put and discus thrower on Piner’s track team.… Read More »
Marylyn Doung of Santa Rosa is willing to step out, whether playing on her high school’s virtually all-male, JV football team or going to a young women’s political conference in Southern California.… Read More »
By KERRY BENEFIELD THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Piner High School track and cross country coach Luis Rosales said there may be more gifted runners out there, but there are not a whole lot of athletes who work harder than senior Matthew Mulligan. “People look at him. He has gotten where he is because he just works his butt off,” Rosales said. “If I told the kids to run 50 miles, 55 miles, then he would run 65, 70 miles all on… Read More »
By DEREK MOORE THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Holley Maassen’s dream is to become a forensic pathologist and unravel the mysteries of how a person died. It’s an interesting goal, given that the 17-year-old Piner High School senior describes herself as a sunny person who enjoys nothing more than being around other (live) people. It’s also noteworthy given the teen’s experience with her father’s untimely death. Kim Maassen took his own life in 2010 when Holley was just a freshman. Wouldn’t she… Read More »
By LORI A. CARTER THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Piner High School student Luis Luna has left his mark on Sonoma County cross-country and track records, but he plans to make another bit of history soon: To be the first member of his family to go to college. Luna, who was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved to Sonoma County when he was 11, is being recruited to run for the private, four-year University of Portland. “I want to go to college… Read More »
