Tate with her father Luke and brother Jack.

Tate Billings is a 14 year old freshman at Foothill Technology High School who is already finding success in the water. She began swimming at a very young age and while she did swim for the YMCA and Buena Swim Club this year is really her first taste of competition and she's taking to it like a duck to water. As a first year swimmer for Foothill she recently won all three of her events for the Junior Varsity team In the Frontier League Finals, swimming in the team relay where she swam the backstroke for her leg of the race and then going on to win the 50 and 100 individual free style. At this rate it's clear she has a bright future in swimming.

Fillmore Little League Baseball will be celebrating the 2016 season with games & friendly competition this Saturday, May 14th at the Little League Field! We will conclude the evening with closing ceremonies at 6PM, continuing the tradition started last year of presenting a “Movie under the Stars” for youth of the City of Fillmore and their families. Please join us for a family day at the ballpark, including exciting Fillmore baseball, delicious BBQ, snack bar goodies, a Major League Baseball “Pitch, Hit, Run” competition, and Junior Home run Derby! Check out the day’s scheduled events:

TIME EVENT LOCATION
9:00 AM Minor A (9-10 yr) Championship Game Fillmore Little League Field
9:00 AM Minor B (7-8 yr) Championship Game Fillmore HS Softball/Minor B Field
9:00 AM Intermediate (13 yr) Game
Fillmore Dodgers vs. Saticoy Dodgers Two Rivers Park Field #1, Fillmore
10:00 AM Juniors (14-15 yr) Game
Fillmore vs. Santa Paula Blue Jays Fillmore JV Field @ Sierra HS
1:00 PM Majors (11-12 yr) Game
Fillmore Dodgers vs. Montalvo Blue Jays Fillmore Little League Field
1:00 PM Majors (11-12 yr) Game
Fillmore Nationals vs. Ventura Coastal Gray Ventura Coastal
3:00 PM MLB Pitch, Hit, Run Competition Fillmore Little League Field
3:00 PM Jr. Home Run Derby Fillmore Little League Field
6:00 PM Closing Ceremonies, Trophy Presentation, All-Star Announcements Fillmore Little League Field
7:30 PM “Movie Under the Stars” Fillmore Little League Field

Please come out and support all our teams as they bring the 2016 season to a close! In addition to the excitement of the games of the day, Fillmore will also be hosting Major League Baseball’s “Pitch, Hit, and Run” and “Jr. Home Run Derby” competitions for 7-14 year old boys and girls of Fillmore.* To participate, meet at the Little League Field for FREE registration from 1-3PM, with the competition starting at 3PM. Participants will get the chance to show their pitching, hitting, and running skills in baseball or softball and/or compete in the Jr. Home Run Derby, with the opportunity to advance to Sectionals and ultimately compete in the National Championships at the MLB All-Star game at San Diego’s Petco Park in July!** So bring out those canopies, coolers, and chairs and enjoy “a day at the park” in Fillmore! For more info, visit our website at www.fillmorebaseball.com

*Age determined as of July 17, 2016
** For more info, visit https://www.pitchhitrun.com/about or http://m.mlb.com/junior-homerun-derby

By now many of you are aware that I have decided to resign as coach for the Fillmore High School Boys’ Soccer Program. By way of this letter, please consider this as my formal resignation from the varsity coaching position. It would be amiss if I didn’t thank those who supported me and played a significant role in the soccer program. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Community of Fillmore, the Boosters Club, and Fillmore High School; Parents; Coaching Staff(s); Fellow teammates; and all of the players I had the privilege to get to know and work with throughout my tenure as coach.

First, I cannot express all of the emotions I am feeling as I sit here writing this letter. As I reflect on the journey as a soccer coach at Fillmore High School, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished. Our mission has always been about developing young lives, teaching that learning how to work as a team is the ultimate measure of success. My goal was to provide a program wherein young men and women would learn about discipline, dedication, loyalty, character and integrity. With those values it was and is my firm belief that students and athletes would leave high school prepared for the challenges ahead and eventually have a positive impact on society. I can honestly say, I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity to work with Fillmore students and players. I have benefited and learned so much from the kids and as a result, feel they have made me a better person.

To the Community of Fillmore, the Boosters Club, and Fillmore High School
I have coached soccer at Fillmore High School for 16 years (2001-2016). I started with coaching the Girls Soccer program and subsequently the Boys Soccer program. In a unified effort you supported the soccer program and contributed to the development of a successful program. My mission was to build and develop the character of our players not only on the soccer field, but also in the community and in the classroom. As you know, we were not able to win a championship every year. In those years, I personally felt that I let the school, parents and community down. However, I understand competitive soccer and know some years were more successful than others. Nonetheless, please know that it was our goal to strive for excellence and represent Fillmore in a manner in which you were proud of the players and the coaching staff.

To the Parents
Thank you for allowing your sons and daughters to participate and play soccer. Thank you for your continued support throughout the years. As a community and a school we didn’t always have all the resources we could have used. Thanks to you, you made it happen. As a parent you may not have always agreed with my decisions. I always tried to do what was best for the team, players and school. I instituted a program based on discipline, responsibility, and teamwork. It was a system wherein team success was based on working as a team. This was to hold everyone accountable. The ultimate lesson was to make our players better members of society.

To My Coaching Staff(s)
I could not have accomplished anything without you. We were one. We worked as a team. We failed and succeeded together. I couldn’t have asked more from you. Your commitment to the program, the players, and the community was invaluable and I personally could not have run the program without you. I will forever be indebted to you and cannot express the how fortunate I was to work with you.

To My Fellow Teammates from the Early 90s
It would be a mistake to fail to acknowledge you. We brought 2 Championships to our school and those memories will be forever memorialized in school history. Thanks for being great teammates and allowing me the opportunity to cultivate the love of soccer to this community and school. As the head soccer coach of Fillmore High, I hope that I have made you proud of this program. I will always remember that we as players gave our heart, sweat, and tears. We showed that with hard work, teamwork and a little luck we could accomplish great things.

To All of My Players
Honestly, this is very difficult for me to write. This “Old Man” is not the best at expressing his feelings. As I am writing this, I have 16 years of memories coming to my mind. First, I would like to say thank you for the memorable years. I will never forget my experiences coaching all of the different soccer teams that have come through the program. I hope your memories are positive, enjoyable and that you learned something.
One thing that you heard me say throughout the years was – “The easiest thing in life is to quit. If you quit you don’t have to go through the pain and frustration that will lead to success.”

Please remember that sometimes failure is the key to success. Never give up. Perseverance, resilience, and just plain grit will help you achieve your goals in life.

I have been asked why I am leaving the program, especially, after the fantastic season we just had. Guys, about four years ago, the most beautiful gift a man can receive in life, was given to me. The man upstairs blessed my wife and me with the gift of a child. Being a father to my daughters and committing to my family has now become my priority in life. So, I hope you understand my decision to resign as soccer coach.

One last lesson for you:
The most valuable thing in life is “TIME.” I do not want to miss any time raising my kids. I only will have one shot at being a good, loving and responsible dad. I want to be there for their practices, games, and even school plays. Over the years as a coach, I have seen different levels of parent participation. I saw some of you play the entire season without your parents ever coming to watch you (for whatever reason). I know how that made you feel. I know how much it meant to some of you when you knew your parents were in the stands supporting you. Just remember “TIME” is irreplaceable.

So, please understand the only reason why I am resigning as the soccer coach of Fillmore High School is my responsibilities to my children and family have become my priority in life. I do hope that I have had a positive impact on your lives and your experience participating in the soccer program. I will miss being around all of the hard work that you put forth. Please know that I gave everything that I had to give to this program and to its success. I do feel that I let some of you down. On the other hand, some of you became champs! Nonetheless, I sincerely believed in every player I coached – Yes, I believed in you.

As you know, it is not my nature to speak of failure nor success. However, I hope you will remember me as your coach in a positive way and that we were successful. The reason why we were successful is because we both know that we gave everything that we had.

With that said, I start a new journey in my life. My daughters are my next adventure. To resign as the soccer coach was a very difficult decision to make. However, for where I am in my life it was the right decision. I will always be a fan! My blood bleeds blue! Be Proud! Be Strong! Be Humble!

Thanks again for your dedication and loyalty. Thanks to the Community, Fillmore High School, the Boosters Club, and Parents.

Finally, I wish the best of luck to the new coaching staff! Continue to break records! I will always be your biggest fan!
Respectfully yours,
Coach Lomeli

Competitive Youth Co-Ed League 1st-8th grades
Team roster of 9 or more-everyone plays
“Friend” & “Coach” request to form teams
Practices to be beheld at 2 Rivers park
6v6 format with sack count
Under Armour apparel provided
7 game season plus playoffs
Online discount prices for Under Armour apparel
All games played at Fillmore High School
REGISTER @ UAFLAG.COM
Contact Ram Medina UAFLAG Commissioner for more information

Fillmore Raiders Football and Cheer is now accepting applications for football coaches for our 2016 season. Please contact Lupe (805)797-7803 for an application.

Perce’s Kenpo Karate is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Owner Paul Perce wants to thank all students, parents, instructors, and his family for their support. They are going to have a special celebration with demonstrations, private classes, and special guests. It will be on January 23 (Saturday) from 2pm-4pm at the studio. Everyone is invited to attend this special celebration. Old students and new students are encouraged to attend. There will special door prize’s. Come celebrate our 20th year in business, 515 Ventura Street (Hwy126). For more information
please call 805-524-6870.

The Fillmore Condors Youth Cross Country team concluded their post season by participating in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics National Cross Country Championships held at the Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday, December 12th. Twelve Fillmore athletes participated in the cold and rainy winter cross country running events held at an altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level with temperatures of 30 degrees.

The Condors were represented by Leah Barragan, Destiny Cardona, Andrea Laureano, Juan Carlos Laureano, Niza Laureano, Rey Laureano, Syenna Ponce, Alix Tirado, Emma Torres, Michael-Camilo Torres, and Jordyn Walla. An alumni of the Condors program and local athlete Neveah Walla also competed.

The athletes qualified for the event by finishing in the top eight of the Valley Youth Conference and finishing in the top 25 individually or being a member of the top three teams of the USATF Jr. Olympics Region 15 Championship race that was held on November 22nd in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The team’s highest honors this season were won by Niza Laureano who was the girls 8 years old & under Valley Youth Conference Champion. She also won the USATF Southern California Jr. Olympics Championship as well as the USATF Jr. Olympics Region 15 Championship title. She earned a third place finish and title of “USATF Jr. Olympic All American” in the National Championship which included 197 runners in her division. She also was the top finisher of her team and earned a 1st place team championship along with her teammate and cousin Emma Torres. Leah Barragan and Destiny Cardona also ran in the girls 8 year old & under division as part of the Valley Youth Conference’s “B Team” a second team of runners representing Region 15 that finished in 6th place. The girls 8 & under divisions ran 1.24 mile (2,000 meter) races.

Four more Condors also earned team awards. In the boys 11 & 12 year old division, cousins Rey Laureano and Michael-Camilo Torres earned 3rd place team medals. In the girls 11 & 12 year old division, Fillmore representatives Alix Tirado and Jordyn Walla earned 3rd place team medals. Both groups ran 1.86 mile (3,000 meter) races. Jordyn Walla also earned the title of “USATF Jr. Olympic All American” with a 25th place finish out of 301 runners in her division race. Only the top 25 finishers of each division earn “All American” honors.

Andrea Laureano ran in the girls 9 & 10 year old division’s 1.86 mile race. Syenna Ponce and Nevaeh Walla ran in the girls 13 & 14 year old division’s 2.48 mile (4,000 meter) race. Juan Carlos Laureano ran in the boys 13 & 14 year old division’s 2.48 mile (4,000 meter) race.

The Condors are coached by Rafael Laureano who stated, “I am happy to continue coaching these great kids in this cross country program. These kids’ accomplishments are extraordinary. They ran in tough conditions and represented us well. It is important for them to know we can accomplish great things but we must not only act, but also dream.” The Condors Team President Erika Arana would like to thank the following for sponsoring the Condors and making the team’s dreams become reality: El Pescador, Elkins Ranch, Fillmore Fire Department, Fillmore Lions Club, Fillmore Rotary Club, Heritage Valley Blazers Track & Field, and Yanni’s.

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Oxnard Wave Soccer Club Girls U14 Blue is a team from Fillmore playing for the Oxnard Wave Soccer Club. These girls have recently accomplished two milestones.

1. During their first year in the Coast Soccer League Bronze Alpha Division they placed first with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. Great job!

2. This past weekend, 12/12-12/13, they participated in the Anaheim Surf Winter Classic tournament and placed first with 4 wins and a shutout the entire weekend. Great job!

Here is Oxnard Wave Soccer Club U14 Girls Blue Team. Note: picture was taken at the Winter Classic and can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/oxnardwaves/?fref=ts

On Saturday, November the 28th, Fillmore's top female runner stepped up to the starting line representing the Fillmore Flashes at the Division 4 State Cross Country Finals held at Woodward Park in Fresno. It was a cool 36 degrees at 9:05 a.m. and the individual qualifiers drew a poor lane at the extreme left of the start line.

Boom, and they were off. Carissa had a good start but found it difficult to maintain her pace. She had worked so hard to make the State meet and to lead her team during this season. In retrospect a fast start, then trying to work her way up to the front became a difficult task that along with the cold weather and tough competition sapped important strength and power from Carissa. Added to this, she ran for the first time this season without her team. Today, she was unable to move up and compete for a top spot, as has been her trademark this season. Carissa finished in 80th place running a 20:01.8.

Let me say that we are extremely proud of Carissa and the effort that she has put forth for us at State Finals and throughout her first season as A Flash. This was certainly a great learning opportunity for a promising young athlete who will have many more opportunities to represent the community of Fillmore in future post season competition.

Carissa is a determined young lady who has worked hard to achieve her successes. She is a front runner who competes to win. This year she led the girls team 8 out of 11 races. The other 3 race, she finished a close second. State Finals proved to be a tough one, but certainly a learning experience for future meets and Carissa let me say it again, you have made us proud.