The Pajaronian

These folks practice carrying clouds in preparation for an upcoming Mardi Gras event in Watsonville on Feb. 1, 1961

Less than one year after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District approved his $229,000 contract, Chief Business Officer Gerardo Castillo is leaving the district.

In an email to teachers and staff Friday morning, PVUSD spokesman Alejandro Chavez said Castillo had resigned and accepted a “new leadership opportunity with Sacramento City Unified School District.”

Castillo

“While we are saddened to see Gerardo leave PVUSD, we are deeply grateful for his service, leadership and dedication to our district,” the email states. “During his time with PVUSD, Gerardo helped guide important financial and operational work in support of our schools, students and staff. His expertise, professionalism and commitment to public education have been greatly valued.”

In a prepared statement, Castillo said his decision was driven by a change in a family member’s health that requires him to take a position closer to home.

He said his departure “is not a reflection of my colleagues, and especially not of Dr. Contreras,” but rather a decision to prioritize his family.

Castillo said district staff spent the past several months confronting declining enrollment, multimillion-dollar budget deficits and rising health care costs. He added that difficult decisions—including potential school consolidations and closures—must continue if the district is to achieve long-term fiscal stability.

“Addressing these issues requires difficult but necessary actions,” he said.

Castillo also praised Superintendent Heather Contreras, calling her leadership “invaluable,” and saying she “leads with conviction, clarity, and an unwavering focus on doing what is right for students, even when faced with difficult decisions.”

He said he will remain with the district for the next month to help ensure a smooth transition.

PVUSD will now begin the search for Castillo’s replacement.

Castillo is the latest in a string of chief business officers to leave the district since 2017, following Jenny Im, Clint Rucker, Joe Dominguez, Melody Canady and Brett McFadden.

There’s a lot of work that goes into being a student-athlete nowadays.

Most have to juggle between practice, workouts (sometimes twice a day), school work and perhaps other responsibilities on a daily basis.

Pajaro Valley High graduate Olivia Contreras knows this all too well seeing that she had first-hand experience in not just one, but three different sports for the past four years. 

“It is a lot to balance,” she said. “You really do just have to put in a lot of work and make sure that you can have boundaries for sports and for school because it does get a lot sometimes.”

In those four years, Contreras believes she’s grown a lot in both academics and athletics.

However, it wasn’t until her junior year when the Grizzly star athlete truly began to sparkle for the girls volleyball, basketball and softball teams.

“I was still learning, and I continue to learn, but I think junior year is really where I started to feel more comfortable,” Contreras said. “Then senior year was probably one of my best years.”

No doubt about it.

Contreras found success across multiple sports, earning all-league first team honors in all three that she competed in while also being recognized as the top player in one.

It was a testament not only to her natural talent, but to her relentless work ethic, dedication to her teams and unwavering commitment to excellence. 

Contreras was an inspiration while setting an example for younger athletes. She represents the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete, which is why Contreras was named The Pajaronian’s Female Athlete of the Year for the 2025-26 school year.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of other super talented people in the area, and for me to be able to accept this award, and to be given this award, is such an honor.”

PV athletic director Joe Manfre had a front row seat throughout most of Contreras’ career.

Manfre said he was always impressed by her tenacity and willingness to do anything to help make the team better, and win.

“She wasn’t one of those people that was gonna throw the bat down when she struck out,” Manfre said. “It was her calm demeanor that helped lead the other kids in all those sports that she played. She never really got too high, and she never really got too low. Just her consistency and her temperament helped out in all three sports.”

Contreras said it also helped to have her father, Adrian, watching from the grandstands in just about every game, even the ones that added mileage to the car.

“He’s always there to motivate me and to talk about games after if I have a bad game or anything,” Contreras said. “And he’s super supportive, so he’s somebody I really look up to.”

Contreras quickly made a name for herself in her favorite sport after becoming a member of the girls volleyball team her freshman year. 

“Just the love for it really pushed me to be better, and I loved the feeling of when I was succeeding in it,” she said. “That feeling also really kept me going, and just putting in hard work.”

The hard work paid off as she earned All-Pacific Coast Athletic League First Team honors in the Cypress Division to cap off her senior year in dominant fashion.

Unlike a real grizzly bear, Contreras did not hibernate during the winter. She continued to grind on the hardwood court as one of the team captains for the girls basketball squad.

Former PV head coach Darren Jackson praised Contreras for being a well-rounded student-athlete that was passionate about anything she set her mind to.

“It speaks to her character and how hard she works,” Jackson said. “I’m glad that she was noticed and being recognized for that [athlete of the year] award. I think she deserves it.”

Contreras went from earning All-PCAL Cypress Division Second Team honors her junior season to earning first team honors, and receiving the co-Most Valuable Player award this past winter campaign.

“[Jackson], with his different strategies, he’s helped me a lot,” she said. “He pushed all of us to be a lot better, and we pushed ourselves.”

The Grizzly standout finished with an average of 12 points and 10 rebounds per game while playing lockdown defense on the opposite side of the court.

What’s even more jaw dropping is she was still successful despite playing out of position, going from down in the paint to up top as a guard.

“She’s that kind of athlete that gives me that full court drive, that pressure that I needed,” Jackson said. “She accepted her new role and she became very good at it.”

Contreras demonstrated a high level of skill, strong leadership and relentless heart in every game.

On top of an MVP season, she helped lead the Grizzlies to a share of the PCAL Cypress Division crown with Pacific Collegiate as both teams went 12-2 in league play this season.

“This year was definitely a shock, but I’m really happy about the outcome,” Contreras said. “[MVP] wasn’t really something I was aiming for, but it’s something I’m super excited that I was able to get.” 

The athleticism continued in the spring on the softball field.

Contreras earned All-PCAL First Team honors in the Santa Lucia Division, proving once again her competitive spirit knows no boundaries.

“I love sports, but [softball] just wasn’t really my sport,” she said. “I wanted to do the best that I could in that sport, and I think it showed.” 

In 19 games played, she finished batting a .327 average (17-for-52), including three home runs, a pair of triples, 25 RBIs, 19 runs scored, 10 walks and 16 stolen bases.

PV second-year head coach Daisy Ortiz mentioned that Contreras gained confidence at the plate by putting in extra work at the batting cages.

“She wouldn’t stop taking reps until she felt they were good or started getting good swings on the ball,” Ortiz said. “She’s a really hard worker, a leader since she stepped on our field, as well.” 

On defense, Contreras stepped into a new role behind the plate as PV’s newest catcher. She finished with 103 put outs on 111 total chances while tallying just seven errors.

A true example of what sportsmanship ought to be. 

“She’s a really good athlete, but I think the most important thing is that she’s a really good teammate,” Manfre said. “I think she lifts up all the girls around her. Whatever sport she’s playing, whether it’s volleyball, basketball, or softball, she brings a lot of energy, hard work and dedication.”

In fact, Contreras earned a spot on the PCAL’s Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team, while the Grizzlies were named the Elgi Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team. 

“I would have to move a lot of girls around, and whatever position I had to put [Contreras] at that day, she would just own it and do whatever was best for the team,” Ortiz said. “We pride ourselves on good sportsmanship.”

When it comes down to it, Contreras simply loves the competitiveness and seeing everybody get along to be able to play together. 

Contreras is also hopeful the athlete of year award will bring more attention to PV’s athletic department, and encourage others to give sports at least a try.

“It’s really a great community,” she said. “I think sports helps people open up, and it’s really important. Sports are a big part of my life.”

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Adelaide Friedley (Sr.), Aptos

Cloe Morrow (Jr.), Monte Vista Christian

Olivia Contreras (Sr.), Pajaro Valley

Peyton Orradre (Sr.), St. Francis

Esperanza Sigala (Jr.), Watsonville

Watsonville Community Hospital has appointed veteran healthcare executive Tim Moran as its interim chief executive officer as the community-owned hospital begins a search for a permanent leader.

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors unanimously approved Moran’s appointment during its June 24 meeting. He will replace current CEO Stephen Gray, who announced earlier this month that he is resigning. Gray’s last day is July 10, and Moran will begin July 11.

Moran is expected to serve as interim CEO for six months while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

Board Chair Tony Nuñez said the hospital needed a leader who could provide stability during the transition.

“At this critical moment for Watsonville Community Hospital, our community needs and deserves a leader who can provide consistency and will support staff and physicians,” Nuñez said in a statement.

Moran previously served as interim CEO of Watsonville Community Hospital from December 2011 through March 2012. He has more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, according to the hospital.

Most recently, Moran was CEO of Chino Valley Medical Center, a 116-bed hospital in San Bernardino County. Before that, he led Tri-City Medical Center, a public district hospital in Oceanside, where he oversaw strategic planning, physician recruitment and partnerships, including an affiliation with UC San Diego Health.

The leadership change comes as Watsonville Community Hospital continues its recovery under public ownership. The hospital was purchased by the Pajaro Valley Health Care District in 2022 after community leaders and local governments raised funds to prevent its closure.

The board also created a CEO Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the search for a permanent chief executive. Directors Emily Balli and Aleandra Friel were appointed to the committee.

According to the hospital, the committee will develop the recruitment process, gather input from staff, physicians, labor groups, community partners and the public, and recommend candidates for consideration by the full board. The search is expected to take several months.

Hospital officials said Watsonville Community Hospital has recently improved its financial position, citing positive operating revenue and more than $10 million in emergency state funding. Officials also pointed to recent patient safety ratings and ongoing Measure N-funded equipment upgrades as signs of continued progress.

Darren Jackson announced Monday morning that he is stepping down as head coach of the Pajaro Valley High girls basketball team four months after he led the program to a league championship.

“It was a tough decision to make,” Jackson said. “I really was grateful for the opportunity the administrators and athletic director gave me. It was just time to move on.”

Jackson was hired in September to help rebuild a program that hadn’t had a winning season in seven years since they captured the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Santa Lucia Division title in 2018-19.

In just one year at the helm, he led the co-Cypress Division champion Grizzlies to their second league title in the program’s history, and his 13th overall. 

“I wasn’t surprised,” PV athletic director Joe Manfre said. “He was put into a hard situation with participation for girls with our numbers in our girls basketball program. They’ve been declining the last couple of years.”

Jackson began the season with 15 girls on the roster, but ended up with eight after PV finished with a 16-8 overall record while sharing the league championship with Pacific Collegiate as both teams went 12-2 in league play.

“But, obviously, he did a great job with the group of girls that he had,” Manfre said.

Jackson was the former head coach at North Salinas for 24 years before being released from his duties in October 2024. He led the program to 469 total wins, 12 league titles and three Central Coast Section crowns.

It didn’t take long for Jackson, who currently sits with 485 career wins as a head coach, to find a new home. He was officially introduced as the new girls basketball head coach at Carmel High this week.

Manfre said anyone interested in the vacant position can apply on the EDJOIN website at https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2238692.

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is seeking community members to serve on the Measure N Citizens’ Oversight Committee, which monitors spending of bond funds approved by voters for improvements at Watsonville Community Hospital.

The district board will appoint up to three members to two-year terms beginning in August. Applications are due by July 31.

Measure N, a general obligation bond approved by district voters in 2024, provides funding for capital improvements at the hospital. The oversight committee is tasked with providing independent public accountability and ensuring bond proceeds are spent as intended.

Committee members review Measure N expenditures, inform the public about how bond funds are used and prepare the committee’s annual report.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live within the boundaries of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District.

District and Watsonville Community Hospital employees, officials, vendors, contractors and consultants are not eligible to serve.

The district board is expected to make appointments at its August meeting. Terms will run through August 2028.

Applications and additional information are available at pvhcd.org under the Governance section and Measure N page.

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District was formed in 2022 to help preserve and strengthen local hospital services. The public health care district oversees Watsonville Community Hospital and is governed by an elected five-member board.

Santa Cruz County supervisors are set to make final decisions Wednesday on a proposed $1.3 billion county budget that would restore more than $1 million to the Public Defender’s Office while cutting funding for local arts organizations, including a 50% reduction in county support for the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.

The proposed 2026-27 budget comes after numerous hearings and revisions as county officials grappled with what they describe as one of the most challenging fiscal environments in more than a decade. The spending plan relies on approximately $43 million in one-time funding sources to remain balanced.

Among the most contentious last-minute changes is a proposal to redirect arts and cultural funding to restore parks and recreation services.

Under the plan, the county would cut its contract with the Museum of Art & History by 50%, saving $77,297, and eliminate a cultural services contract with Arts Council Santa Cruz County, saving $170,046. 

The money would help fund $590,000 in restorations for Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services, including seven-day operations at Simpkins Family Swim Center, portable restroom services and park maintenance.

In a message to supporters this week, MAH Executive Director Ginger Shulick Porcella warned that the reduction would bring county support to its lowest level in the museum’s 30-year history and force significant program cuts.

According to Porcella, the reduction would end MAH programming and events at Evergreen Cemetery, including Qingming and Día de los Muertos celebrations, historic tours and artist residency programs. 

It also would halt programming at Davenport Jail, including the upcoming Davenport Days celebration, and reduce museum outreach, school tours and planned upgrades to history exhibits.

“The MAH is a place that this community needs and is worth fighting for,” Porcella wrote, urging residents to contact their supervisors before the vote.

The museum cuts are part of a broader effort to preserve county services elsewhere in the budget.

Supervisors are also expected to approve a revised Public Defender budget that restores $1.06 million after concerns were raised about an earlier proposal that would have altered the county’s indigent defense system.

The revised plan maintains the current conflict-defense model, fully funds contracts with the county’s conflicts attorneys and avoids layoffs within the Public Defender’s Office. County officials say layoffs would be particularly damaging because the office handles about 85% of indigent defense cases in Santa Cruz County.

The budget package also includes a proposal to transfer $20.3 million in federal disaster-recovery funds into the county’s General Fund disaster reserve and authorize an internal $5 million loan intended to improve county cash flow.

County officials say the budget protects the county’s workforce and maintains essential services despite growing fiscal pressures and uncertainty surrounding future federal funding. The final adopted budget is expected to return to the board for formal adoption in September.

•••

If you go

The Board of Supervisors will meet at 9am Wednesday in the supervisors chambers in Room 525 on the fifth floor of the County Government Center, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez has been selected as state Sen. John Laird’s 2026 Pride Month honoree and was recognized Tuesday at the California State Capitol during the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus’s annual Pride Month celebration.

Martinez, who represents Santa Cruz County’s Fifth District and serves as chair of the Board of Supervisors, was among 15 Californians honored during the caucus’s Pride Month Floor Ceremony for contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and for serving as role models.

Laird said Martinez has dedicated her career to public service and expanding opportunities for residents.

“Supervisor Martinez has dedicated her career to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and serving those most in need,” Laird said in a statement. “As the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, she has helped break barriers while remaining deeply committed to public service.”

Martinez made history in 2024 when she became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the first woman elected to represent the county’s Fifth District.

Before joining the board, Martinez served for more than a decade as chief executive officer of Encompass Community Services, a Santa Cruz County nonprofit that provides behavioral health, housing and family support services. During her tenure, she oversaw programs serving vulnerable populations throughout the region.

As a county supervisor, Martinez has focused on healthcare access, youth and family services, disaster preparedness and public safety, according to Laird’s office. She has also advocated for LGBTQ+ youth, inclusive healthcare and policies aimed at expanding opportunity for residents.

Martinez said the recognition was especially meaningful because of her experiences growing up without many openly LGBTQ+ public figures.

“Growing up in a conservative family in Bakersfield, I did not see many openly LGBTQ+ leaders in public life, and I understand how powerful representation can be, especially for young people who are still learning who they are and where they belong,” Martinez said.

She said she hopes her election and leadership demonstrate that LGBTQ+ people “belong in every space where decisions are being made” and that their perspectives strengthen communities.”

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, made up of openly LGBTQ+ members of the state Senate and Assembly, hosts the annual ceremony to recognize Californians who have advanced representation, equality and inclusion across the state.

A Watsonville Police officer was hurt on the job Monday morning during a foot pursuit of a woman suspected of shoplifting.

The incident began when WPD got a call regarding a woman that had stolen items from the Dollar Tree at 1010 Main St. around 9:50am. As police infiltrated the area officers were updated that the suspect, described as a female in a gray hoodie top and black pants, was walking past the Grocery Outlet toward downtown Watsonville.

Then an officer spotted her trying to flee officers around Rodriguez and Main streets, where she reportedly ditched the stolen items. As one officer gave foot pursuit, he appaently at the intersection of Freedom Boulevard at Main Street and suffered a serious injury to his leg. 

As police called for emergency medical and firefighter response, other officers managed to take the 34-year-old suspect into custody.

Police then shut down Main Street in the area and several surrounding lanes in the heavily travelled intersection to allow for the rescue effort.

The incident is still under investigation. No names have been released.

Aptos High junior Nick Bjorn was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player for his superb play on the golf course during the 2026 spring season.

Bjorn was runner-up in the SCCAL individual championship at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz on April 28. He earned medalist honors in seven of the 10 league matches played this season, helping lead Aptos to an SCCAL regular season team championship.

Aptos coach Paul Zech was named the SCCAL’s Coach of the Year, while freshman Brayden Wilson earned all-league first team honors.

Below is a complete list of All-SCCAL honorees for boys golf, boys tennis, boys volleyball and girls beach volleyball.

Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League 2026 all-league teams Boys golf Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Nick Bjorn (Jr.), Aptos

Sportsmanship Award: Cash Moran (Sr.), Soquel

Coach of the Year: Paul Zech, Aptos

First Team

Tanner Brewer (Sr.), SLV 

Brayden Wilson (Fr.), Aptos 

Kyler Samples (Sr.), Harbor 

Seamus Drees (Sr.), Scotts Valley 

Riley Shank (So.), Soquel 

Garret Dahlen (Jr.), SLV

Second Team

Andrew Roberts (Fr.), Harbor

Peter Roboloth (Jr.), Soquel

Gunther Krueger (So.), Harbor

Gavin Easton (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Brogan Beasley (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Gavin Doherty (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Honorable Mention

Santiago Toledo (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Fischer Howard (So.), Santa Cruz

Lochlin Bishoffberger (Jr.), SLV

Carson Chubb (So.), SLV

Cade Mosely (Fr.), Harbor

Nico Marinovic (Sr.), Harbor

Cole Christensen (Jr.), Soquel

Kyle Lambrecht (So.), Soquel

Jack Garvey (Jr.), Aptos

Adrian Creamer (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Hudson Spielvogel (So.), Scotts Valley

Zane Siechen (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Boys tennis Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Hudson Ward (Sr.), Soquel

Coach of the Year: Kumaran Arulanantham, Santa Cruz

First Team Singles

Ben Zaretsky (Sr.), Aptos

Jeremy Arulanantham (Jr.), Santa Cruz

Tenzin Fathman (Fr.), Santa Cruz

Hudson Ward (Sr.), Soquel

Second Team Singles

Stellan Wu (Fr.), Santa Cruz

Torin Miller (Sr.), Soquel

Raphael Bouchet (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Aditya Hannon (Sr.), Scotts Valley

First Team Doubles

Kai Vargas (Jr.), Santa Cruz

Oscar Sapunor (So.), Santa Cruz

Ian Burchell (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Sam Galli (So.), Scotts Valley

Second Team Doubles

Nate Wexler (So.), Scotts Valley

Zabel Oatey (Jr.), Harbor

Sawyer Amos (Jr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Nico Salinas (Jr.), Aptos

All-Sportsmanship Team

George Jertberg (So.), Aptos

Lukas Novotny (Fr.), Santa Cruz

Everett Callendar (Jr.), SLV

Freddy Padilla (So.), Scotts Valley

Abraham Bachar (Jr.), Harbor

Elias Garcia (Sr.), Soquel

Boys volleyball Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Cooper Lastition (Sr.), Harbor

Mark Brewer Award: Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp (Sr.), Mt. Madonna

Coach of the Year: PK McDonald, Mt. Madonna

First Team

Solomon Coleman (Jr.), Mt. Madonna

Lucas Kamalani (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Guillermo Mazier (Jr.), Santa Cruz

Grady McKee (Sr.), Harbor

Nikowa D’Costa Hemp (Sr.), Mt. Madonna

Matty Rayray (Jr.), Santa Cruz

Josh Rejfir (Sr.), Harbor

Second Team

David Monclus (Jr.), Mt. Madonna

Rocklin Paco (Jr.), Harbor

Charlie Hess (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Keoni Raatior (So.), Soquel

Zach Livingston Shults (So.), SLV

Xavier Knight (Sr.), SLV

Ryan Wait (Sr.), Harbor

Honorable Mention

Hans Hagge (Sr.), Mt. Madonna

James Lagerwey (Sr.), Aptos

Sean Mullen (Sr.), Aptos

Thomas Obrero (Sr.), Soquel

Johnny Abbott (Jr.), Soquel

Guillermo Mazier Bittar, Santa Cruz

Nathan Monroe, Santa Cruz

Troy Thompson (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Will Shanks (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Zack King (Sr.), SLV

Hunter Lallemand (Sr.), SLV

JJ Laughlin (Jr.), Harbor 

Freddie Morgali (Sr.), Harbor

Girls beach volleyball First Team [A-Division]

Emma Benedetti (So.) and Lana Walding (So.), Soquel

Leela Whiting (Fr.) and Haisley Flanagan (So.), Santa Cruz

Cecile Novembre (Jr.) and Dylan Schutz (Jr.), Harbor

Cia Johnson (So.) and Caitlin Lavelle (So.), Aptos

Hayden Smith (Sr.) and Rylee Giesen (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Kenzie Smith (Sr.) and Emily Mumford (Fr.), Aptos

Second Team [A-Division]

Lyla Vyvyan (Jr.) and Ruby Hyatt (So.), Soquel

Chloe Schantz (So.) and Maggie Redwine (Jr.), Santa Cruz

Kaia Harrah (So.) and Lena Jordan (So.), Aptos

Eliana Russell (Sr.) and Chloe Goodman (So.), Santa Cruz

Liberty Niesen (Jr.) and Lise Corstorphine (So.), Harbor

Coco Castro (Sr.) and Marina Tucker (Sr.), Harbor

First Team [B-Division]

Mayla Spahn (Jr.) and Jessie Ingram (So.), Monte Vista Christian

Hollyn Hearne (Sr.) and Xienna Novoa (Sr.), King City

Stephanie Velasquez (Sr.) and Ella Rubbo (Fr.), King City

Monze Camacho (Fr.) and Fernanda Cid (Fr.), King City

Gretel Martin (Fr.) and Hope Tyler (Fr.), St. Abraham’s

Farrin O’Hara (Sr.) and Amelie Pan (Jr.), Pacific Collegiate School

Second Team [B-Division]

Norah Rondia (So.) and Audrey Nelson (So.), MVC

Jocelyn Jacquez (Fr.) and Melody Sanchez (Fr.), King City

Kamila Lindsay (Fr.) and Mia Sudek (So.), PCS

Sariah Braddock (Fr.) and Ruby Brownlee (Fr.), St. Abraham’s

Cecilia Tannaci (Jr.) and Lily Graney (Fr.), PCS

Sam Bertoldi (Sr.) and Claire Marshall (So.), MVC

Aptos High junior Cole McGillicuddy earned All-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League First Team honors for the 2026 baseball season.

The Cal-Berkeley commit batted a .500 average (33-for-66), including six home runs, 11 doubles, 30 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 14 stolen bases, according to the Max Preps website. 

On the mound, McGillicuddy owned a 4-2 record with a 3.40 ERA while tallying 40 strikeouts in 10 appearances for the Mariners, who were runners-up in the SCCAL standings with a 9-6 record in league play.

Teammate junior Finn Cormier earned All-SCCAL Second Team honors. He batted a .321 average (17-for-53), including three home runs, a pair of doubles, 18 RBIs, 14 runs scored and seven steals.

Below is a complete list of the 2026 All-SCCAL baseball teams.

Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League 2026 all-league baseball teams Individual Awards

Player of the Year: Jake Escalante (Sr.), Soquel

Pitchers of the Year: Joey Raffo (Sr.), Harbor; Luke Shoemaker (Jr.), Soquel

Coach of the Year: TJ Moran, Soquel

First Team

Connor Corlett (Sr.), Soquel 

Dylan Hull (Sr.), Soquel

Noah Solano (Sr.), Harbor

Cole McGillicuddy (Jr.), Aptos

Hudson Summerrill (Sr.), Soquel

Rex Thompson (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Pierre Bell (So.), Harbor

Brady Downs (Sr.), Soquel

Cam Fusari (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Cash Moran (Sr.), Soquel

Trey Sousa (Sr.), Soquel

Second Team

Elliott Smith (So.), Scotts Valley

Adam Fowler (So.), Santa Cruz

Luke Santee (Jr.), Soquel

Finn Cormier (Jr.), Aptos

Bryce McDonnell (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Brody Egner (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Caleb Cmaylo (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Sam Whelan (Sr.), Soquel

Larrabee Mitchell (Jr.), SLV

Matteo Caltabiano (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Honorable Mention

Damien Espinoza (So.), Aptos 

Alec Mendoza (Jr.), Aptos 

Logan Felich (Jr.), Harbor 

Evan Lampel (Fr.), Harbor 

Liam Fields-Rapley (So.), SLV 

Spencer Bruce (Jr.), SLV 

Merrick Smith (Fr.), Santa Cruz 

Merrick DaCosta (Fr.), Santa Cruz 

Monte Jordan (Jr.), Scotts Valley 

Dash Baker (Jr.), Scotts Valley 

Anthony Skinner (So.), Soquel 

Scotty Miller (Jr.), Soquel

A 22-year-old woman accused of threatening the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees last month has been arrested.

Tanya Diaz was charged with making a criminal threat, a felony. She was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on $25,000 bail, according to jail records. She was no longer in custody as of Friday afternoon.

Police do not believe there is an active threat to the community or PVUSD staff.

Board President Carol Turley did not respond to a request for comment.

Watsonville Police did not specify the nature of the threat.

Trustee Misty Navarro said during the board meeting Wednesday that it came after the May 20 meeting, when the board voted 5-2 to approve more than 100 teacher layoffs.

Navarro then read a comment she said was posted on the Lookout Santa Cruz website.

“Who do we need to shoot for this? I think we should start taking these people out, they’re not going to stop just saying.”

A handful of people had “liked” the comment, Navarro said, adding that it remained on the Lookout website for six hours before it was removed despite her requests.

The Pajaronian has reached out to Lookout for comment.

Navarro said the threat reflects the often vitriolic culture that has come to define board meetings.

Navarro pointed to comments made during Wednesday’s board meeting, including Trustee Gabe Medina calling her a “racist” and a “white supremacist” without offering evidence.

“I have a balance of logic and emotion, and I will vote in the way that I believe is the best for my community,” Navarro said. “But I will not do so at my own peril. And I do not believe that my volunteer service warrants a death threat, which is why I said 100 percent, please prosecute this person to the full extent of the law.”

After the district reported the threat, investigators served a search warrant at Diaz’s residence in the 200 block of Mesa Verde Drive.

No firearms were found during the search, and no guns are registered to Diaz, police said. During the investigation, she admitted that she wrote the threatening social media comment.

“The Watsonville Police Department takes all threats seriously, whether made in person or online,” WPD stated in a Facebook post. “Every threat is thoroughly investigated to ensure the safety of our community.”

“I raise this tonight because it does not exist in isolation,” Navarro said, pointing to a recent San Jose Mercury News story detailing a significant rise in threats against public officials, particularly women.

“This district is not exempt from that trend,” she said. “We owe one another and the public we serve a basic standard of conduct when it does not include language inviting violence against elected trustees. I ask that Lookout and this community hold the same standard.”