College of the Redwoods Athletics

By Ray Hamill — Several locals have been named all-conference in community college sports this fall, including former St. Bernard’s standout Kyler Smith.

Smith, a sophomore defensive lineman, was one of six College of the Redwoods players to be included on the National NorCal All-Conference First Team, along with unanimous selections Devon Forehand (QB) and Christian Solomona (LB).

Also receiving all-conference recognition this fall are former Eureka High football player Jamin Guilbert, who was recognized as an offensive linemen for American River in the National NorCal All-Conference, as well as former St. Bernard’s Crusader Ella Hart, who received second-team honors for the Butte volleyball team in the Golden Valley Conference.

Arcata’s Lilly Rust-Kelley was also included on the GVC all-conference second team in volleyball, along with teammate Olivia Hommer from Kelseyville.

In college soccer, Eureka’s Will Mooney was named to the all-conference first team team for CR, while teammate Aristeo Herrera Martinez of Fortuna was named to the all-conference second team.

CR’s Paige Rodgers of Eureka was named to the all-conference first team for the women’s soccer team, while her teammate Miriam Munoz Guerrero of Fortuna was included on the all-conference second team.

Smith enjoyed a big sophomore campaign on the defensive line as CR remained in contention for the conference championship heading into the final day of the season.

“He’s just like kind of an old school nose guard/defensive tackle,” CR head coach Jason White said of the 2024 SB graduate. “He’s going to hold his gap, he’s not going to give up his ground and he’s good against the run.”

Smith was chosen from a very competitive field of defensive linemen in conference this year.

As unanimous all-conference first-team selections, both Forehand and Solomona are automatically included among the candidates for the all-region team which will be announced next month.

College of the Redwoods Athletics

Forehand helped turn around CR’s fortunes after a disappointing 0-6 start to the season after taking over as the starting quarterback.

In seven games, he completed 120 of 218 passes for 1,763 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for a team-high 277 yards on 64 carries and four TDs.

Solomona finished with a team-high 56 tackles and 6.5 tackles for a loss.

Wide receiver Darron Dodd, offensive lineman Ethan Bunton and defensive back Isaia Tagloa each also were named to the all-conference team for Redwoods football, while offensive lineman Jireh Ioane, linebacker Caleb Morgan, defensive lineman Luke Saraceno and wide receiver Alex Meadows each received an honorable mention.

Guilbert also had a big season playing for American River, before being sidelined by a late-season injury that prevented him from playing CR at the Redwood Bowl on the final day of the season.

American River football head coach Jon Osterhout praised the 2023 Eureka High graduate, who also competes in track and field for the Beavers.

Butte College Athletics

College of the Redwoods Athletics

“Best OL we’ve had in our program in last 15 years,” the coach said on X. “Versatile enough to play all three spots up front, with great length & explosiveness that shows up both on the field & in shot/discus. Mentally & physically tough, w/ athletic traits & mindset that separate elite linemen.”

Hart, meanwhile, enjoyed a big freshman season at Butte College and had an immediate impact on the collegiate volleyball courts.

The 2025 SB graduate appeared in all 28 games for the Roadrunners and finished third on the team in kills with 129.

Rust-Kelley also appeared in all 22 games for the CR women and averaged 4.3 digs per set, which was second best in the entire GVC.

Hommer averaged 3.23 kills per set, which was third best in the GVC.

Butte and CR faced off in Eureka on the final night of the regular season over the weekend, with the visitors taking the win in four sets, 25-8, 31-33, 25-12, 26-24.

Hart started for Butte and finished with 11 kills, which was second best on her team, while Hommer led CR with 17 kills.

College of the Redwoods Athletics – From left to right, Lily Rust-Kelley, Olivia Hommer, Will Mooney and Paige Rodgers.

After dropping the first set, the CR women took an exciting second set and they almost pushed the match to five sets before losing a hard-fought fourth set.

“Nonetheless though, it was a great competitive match to end our season,” CR head coach Macy Thomas said. “Very proud of the girls in their effort this year.”

Before the game, Redwoods honored sophomores Rust-Kelley and Roenn Doran of McKinleyville.

Mooney, who graduated from Eureka High earlier this year, played goalkeeper for the Redwoods men’s soccer team  this fall and made 16 appearances, including 15 starts.

Herrera Martinez, another freshman, played midfield and finished the season with seven assists and two goals.