There are less than two months remaining in Culver City High athletics for the 2019 academic year. Currently seven programs are winding down the regular season in preparation for the CIF postseason in the coming weeks: girls and boys track and field, girls and boys lacrosse, boys tennis, softball and baseball.

Both Centaur track and field teams continued to enjoy success in Ocean League, invitational and regional meets this season. Culver City will host the Ocean League track and field Prelims this Monday, April 22 starting at 3:00 p.m. and the Championship Finals on Thursday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m.

The Centaurs overwhelmed Lawndale High and Hawthorne High in a league tri meet last week. The girls varsity and frosh/soph teams combined to win an astounding 27 of 30 events. The boys varsity and frosh/soph teams won 22 of 29 events. Up next: the CIF Divisional Prelims at Moorpark, Saturday, May 12 and the CIF Divisional Championship Finals, Saturday, May 19.

Boys tennis is having a very strong season with a 10-6 overall record going into this week's crucial league match with Beverly Hills High. If the Centaurs defeat the Normans, they will tie Beverly for second place. That would result in a playoff match on Monday, April 22 to determine who gets an automatic bid into the CIF Playoffs. The loser is likely to receive an invitational bid.

The Centaurs have never beaten Beverly Hills or Santa Monica High in boys tennis but now the gap is slight. The Vikings beat the Centaurs 10-8 at Santa Monica before both teams fought to a virtual 9-9 tie at Culver City High. However, SaMoHi inevitably won by leading in total games, 70-62. The teams will compete in League Single Finals at Santa Monica High on Tuesday, April 23 and in League Doubles Finals on Thursday, April 25.

Culver City High girls lacrosse has notably improved since last season. The Centaurs have an 8-3 overall record this season and are currently 1-1 in Ocean League standings. They host Beverly Hills on Wednesday and Mira Costa on Thursday. The girls have won their last three contests: at Wilson High, 10-8; at home over Peninsula High, 7-5; and at home edging Valencia High, 7-6.

Boys lacrosse record is currently 4-4 overall and 2-0 in league going into this week's action. The Centaurs travel to Beverly Hills on Wednesday before hosting Peninsula on Friday. The boys have won their last three contests: at home over Santa Monica, 16-8; a win at Patrick Henry High in San Diego, 10-7; and a home whipping over Downey High, 21-2.

Culver City High softball is in a rebuilding year but still playing .500 ball this season. The girls are 10-10 overall and more importantly, 4-1 in the Ocean League standings. They're in second place behind El Segundo High (7-1), ahead of third place Santa Monica (2-3) and Hawthorne (2-3), fifth place Beverly Hills (1-3) and last place Lawndale (1-6).

Culver baseball responded well after having lost three consecutive games. The Centaurs beat a ranked Cleveland High team, 3-2, last Saturday before clobbering Hawthorne High, 16-2, this Tuesday, April 16 on the road. They host the Cougars at Culver City High on Thursday. The team is 16-5 overall and 4-3 in Ocean League with three games to play.

George Laase

The Centaurs finish up the league season next week with a pair of games with Beverly Hills: on the road Tuesday, April 23 before hosting the Normans on Thursday, April 25. Culver City has a chance to overtake Santa Monica for second place if the Vikings lose a pair of games to first place and unbeaten El Segundo next week. Regardless, the Centaurs need a clean sweep in their remaining games for a decent playoff seed.