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Japan’s Yuka Nishina wins at Junior Worlds; future Falcons deliver in 13-14 age group

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Japan’s Yuka Nishina wins at Junior Worlds; future Falcons deliver in 13-14 age group


A month ahead of the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships, Japan’s Yuka Nishina played in Hawaii and earned a qualifying spot for the upcoming the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur.

It turns out that Nishina was just getting warmed up.

Nishina prevailed by one shot with a 9-under-par 210 over three rounds, winning the girls age 13-14 Junior World title at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo on Thursday.

After sharing a one-shot lead to start the day, Nishina held forth with an even-par 71, coming off rounds of 70 and 69, respectively.

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“I’m very excited (about the victory),” Nishina said through a translator. “Compared to the first and second days, my shots weren’t that great, but my par putts went in, so I’m really happy about that.”

Next up is the U.S. Junior Am, which starts Monday in Tarzana.

“It’s busy, but being able to play abroad is a good experience,” Nishina said. “I’m enjoying it, and I hope it ties into my future career.”

Fellow second-round co-leader Kwanachanok Boonchan of Thailand finished third (213) with a 72. Second place went to Chinese Taipei’s Ping-Hua Hsieh (211), who matched the day’s lowest score (69).

Nine of the last 10 winners in this age group have been from Asia. Two of the last three are from Japan.

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Carmel Valley’s Sydney Kroc debuted in the 13-14 division, finishing tied for 38th (228), while making her seventh straight appearance in the tourney overall.

“It’s a goal to come here every year,” Kroc said. “It’s just the competition since people are flying all over the world to be here.”

Along with improved driving distance over the years, Kroc has noticed how her mental game has matured.

“Before each shot now, I take a breadth and calm my nerves,” said Kroc, whose second-round 71 highlighted her tourney. “Then I try to put my best swing on it.”

Making her second Junior World appearance was fellow Carmel Valley resident Lillian Phee, who tied for 17th (221) with a closing 75, also up from the 11-12 bracket.

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“I’ve really improved from last year,” said Phee, whose family recently joined the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. “Especially my approach shots. Last year, I couldn’t stop them and they just kept rolling. This year, it was the opposite.”

Kroc and Phee will both be freshmen next fall at Torrey Pines High School. The Falcons’ girls team placed second in the state last year.

In the boys 11-12 bracket at La Valle, Temecula’s Alan Yoda placed third (12-under 201), two shots off India’s Danish Verma (199). Yoda entered the day one shot back in a second-place tie behind Verma, who fired 65’s over each of the last two days.

Chula Vista’s Connor Szczechowicz slipped to a tie for 10th place (3-over 216) in the boys 13-14 division after entering the day in a deadlock for second, two shots back, at El Camino. He finished 11 shots behind Kartik Singh, of India, whose closing 66 brought a one-shot triumph.

In both the boys and girls 15-18 divisions at Torrey Pines, fog affected the schedule for a second day.

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About half of each field needed to complete the second round, which was postponed Wednesday. Then fog delayed the shotgun start for about an hour in the morning.

The third round followed with a cut that trimmed to the field to 60 players each.

San Diego’s Ethan Elleraas, who entered the day two shots back in a ninth-place tie, shot a 69 to climb to second in boys play (2-under 214) behind Altaloma’s Logan Kim at Torrey Pines South.

On the girls’ side at Torrey Pines North, the title went to Hong Kong’s Ariana Lau, one of two runners-up last year. She prevailed by one shot (11-under 20) with a closing 69 after sharing the second-round lead.

Japan’s Uno Neda finished with a 66 to place second. Taking third (207) was Meg Tilma, of Wichita, Kan., the other second-round co-leader.

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A year ago, Tilma placed 67th (227), 17 shots off the lead. After sharing the first-round lead (69) with six others, San Diego’s Apple (Jingyi) Cui fell out of contention with a 75 as part of the second-round groupings that were delayed a day.



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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.





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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees


SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

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The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

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Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

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Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

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Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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