Clipboard: MPC track All-American Thrasher commits to Concordia
Returning to Monterey Peninsula College after an injury wiped out her 2025 season has paid dividends for Lillian Thrasher.
An All-American and state track and field champion this past spring, the sophomore has signed with Concordia University in Irvine.
Last month, the Hollister High graduate won the 3C2A State heptathlon title with a school record 4,846 points – in just her second ever heptathlon.
Thrasher also earned All-American honors in the high jump at the state finals, and all-state recognition in the 100-meter hurdles.
During the Coast Conference Championships, Thrasher competed in eight events, supplying the Lobos with 55 points, while scoring 40 points by herself at the Northern California finals.
Panther football players on the move
Seven former Hartnell College football players have received scholarships to extend their careers on the playing field and continue with their education.
Justin Pascone earned all-conference honors last year after rushing for over 1,000 yards for Hartnell and landed at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Pascone ran for over 1,200 yards as a senior at North Salinas High, helping the program go from being winless in 2023 to reaching the playoffs in 2024.
A pair of Greenfield alums will remain teammates as Hartnell team MVP and offensive lineman Misael Silva, and defensive lineman Bryan Ortega have signed with Chadron State in Nebraska.
Silva dominated the trenches last year for Hartnell, as a 285-pound beast who opened holes for the running game, while Ortega was among the team leaders in sacks.
Former Marina standout JJ Willis is moving on to Simpson University in Redding, where he'll be used as a receiver/running back/kick returner.
Rome Primus and Efrain Macias are taking their talents to Ottawa University in Kansas, while Salinas grad and defensive lineman Asa Sagrero has landed at McPherson College, which is also in Kansas.
Stevenson's Johnson on NFL radar
Evan Johnson is one of 10 football players on the Brigham Young University roster who is listed as a potential draft pick for the 2027 NFL draft.
Last season, the 2022 Herald Male Athlete of the Year led the nationally-ranked Cougars in interceptions with five, including one in a bowl game, with another being a pick six.
Blessed with sprinter’s speed, the 6-foot incoming senior has become a lockdown cornerback for BYU. Last season, Johnson started a career-high 13 games, finishing with 47 tackles and eight pass breakups.
In three seasons for the Cougars, Johnson, who was among the top receivers in the county in high school at Stevenson, has seven interceptions, 65 tackles, and a sack.
A four-sport athlete at Stevenson, Johnson broke the county record in the 100 meters, finishing fourth at the state track and field championships.
He also earned all-county honors in football and basketball, and helped the baseball team to its first league title in 41 years.
Johnson's dad Ron, played in the NFL as a receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles and in the CFL.
Productive season for Trosky
Jabin Trosky put together his best collegiate baseball season at San Diego State, hitting .324 in 60 games.
Having entered the portal and transferred from Oregon State, Trosky was dynamic on defense for the Aztecs at shortstop, compiling a .982 fielding percentage.
At the plate, the Carmel High product was second on the Aztecs in hits (77), runs scored (52), and was 10-for-10 in stolen bases.
The redshirt junior hit two homers and drove in 18 runs, while walking 18 times to comprise an on-base percentage just under .400.
A four-year starter at Carmel, Trosky spent three years at Oregon State, where he hit .288 as a freshman and .287 as a redshirt sophomore.
Salinas' Vega transfers to UC Santa Barbara
Delilah Vega is leaving the Cal State Bakersfield soccer team after one season and transferring to UC Santa Barbara.
Last year as a true freshman, the Salinas High graduate played in all 19 games for Bakersfield, earning a pair of starts.
The 5-foot-7 midfielder and Salinas' all-team leading scorer recorded her first collegiate assist last fall, logging just under 700 minutes.
In four seasons at Salinas, Vega collected 64 goals and 29 assists, as the program went 36-2-8 overall, winning three Gabilan Division titles and one section soccer championship.
Coaches wanted
Carmel is looking for a girls’ varsity basketball coach, a girls varsity soccer coach, and a boys varsity tennis coach. Apply at www.carmelunified.org.
Seaside is looking for head and assistant coaches for girls and boys varsity and junior varsity basketball, a JV and varsity flag football coach, and a head varsity and JV softball coach. Go to EdJoin.com
Officials needed
Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.
There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, flag football, volleyball, boys and girls water polo, and field hockey. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.
NorCal Sports Officials needed
NorCal Sports Officials (NCSO) is looking for officials for the 2026 season and beyond. NCSO has been providing sports officials for youth and adult sports leagues and tournaments since 2014.
Officials are needed for baseball, girls fastpitch softball, boys and girls soccer, basketball and volleyball. NCSO currently has 28 youth and adult leagues and middle school intramural sports on the Monterey Peninsula.
Training and some equipment/apparel provided. For more information, contact Greg Omoto at ncsosports@gmail.com, or go to www.norcalsportsofficials.com
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 2:53 PM.