LOCALS SOAR IN SNOWBOARDING EVENTS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Community Sports

Aspiring female daredevil Audrey Sohikian, a 13-year-old from Santa Clarita, finished ninth in the nation at the USA Snowboard Association Boardercross event in Maine last week.

``It was awesome. ... To be top 10 in the nation is phat - especially with the horrible snow conditions,'' said Sohikian, a seventh-grader at Arroyo Seco Junior High. ``It was like riding in mashed potatoes. (But) it was fun to meet people from all over the United States. I'm looking forward to qualifying next year for Nationals and getting on the winners' podium.''

The USASA event attracts some of the most talented riders in the nation, according to executive director Tom Collins.

``Many of the top riders go on to become Olympians,'' Collins said. ``There are several young riders developing their fundamental skills at USASA events that we anticipate being contenders for the U.S. Olympic team in 2006.''

Another local, Helmers Elementary School fifth-grader Tyler Gottshall, faced stiff competition in his age group and finished in the top 40.

``I'll qualify next year, and hopefully they'll pick a place with snow and not rain,'' Gottshall said. ``It was real tough to get any air and spin in that slush they call snow.''

Sohikian's brother, 7-year-old Helmers Elementary kindergartener Andrew Sohikian, also participated and impressed the crowd with one of the day's biggest jumps in the Slopestyle event.

``I couldn't believe he took the jump. Andrew didn't stick the landing, but he got right up and went to the next jump,'' said Andrew's father, Arthur Sohikian. ``The crowd loved it and my heart skipped a beat.''

Audrey Sohikian qualified for the Breaker Girls (12-13-year-olds) Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Boardercross. Gottshall qualified in the Menehune Boys (10-11-year-olds) Slopestyle and Boardercross. Andrew Sohikian competed in the Ruggie Boys (7-under) Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Boardercross.

--The Castaic Regional Sports Complex is hosting a Cinco De Mayo Day softball tournament May 4 for players 16 and over. The entry fee is $150 per team before April 30 and $175 thereafter. There is also a $10 umpire fee per game. Prizes will vary depending on the number of teams entered. A morning meeting for coaches is scheduled that day at 8:30.

Tournament entry forms are available at the complex office. Information: Steve Treatment at [phone].

--The Master's College women's basketball program is conducting a four-day summer camp for girls ages 10 to 18 beginning June 15. The camp will feature individual shot analysis, nightly motivational meetings and personal offseason workouts, along with ballhandling, shooting and individual offense clinics. There also will be camp awards and T-shirts.

Information: [phone], ext. 3921.

--The California State Pro-Am Arm Wrestling Championships comes to town at 2 p.m. April 12 at Route 66 Classic Grill in Canyon Country. Information: John Burgeson at [phone].

--The future looks good for the Valencia High boys' volleyball program. Not only is the varsity 11-1, but the junior varsity and freshman teams have lost a combined total of one match.