SUNRISE CORONA DEL SOL
Championship Edition
Repeat! Featured Inside • Competition Government wins the We the People state championship in January, heads to the national competition in Washington, D.C., in April [2]
March 2013 • Vol. 35 No. 5
The Corona del Sol boys basketball team captures its second consecutive Division 1 state title with a 63-59 win over Pinnacle High School. [Page 4] Photo by Patrick Buck
Juniors Ethan Tursini (right) and Glenn Farina (below) celebrate their state championships in their respective Division 1 weight classes. [Page 8]
• Corona’s Neuroscience Club repeats as Brain Bee champions [3] • Senior Lihong Tang wins state chess championship, a first for the Tempe Union High School District [3] • The student section boosts energy at basketball games [5] Photos courtesy of Lou Farina (above) and Kristin Tursini (right).
Corona del Sol High School | Tempe, AZ | cdssunrise.com
CdS Sunrise Championship Edition
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Comp Gov emerges victorious at state competition their competition. “It (the past victories) has definitely made us closer as time has gone on,” Yocham said. Yet even with the team’s triumphs, its members hope to avoid the dangers of Winning the state We the People competition is a huge honor. But it comes becoming overconfident as the year comes to a close and the last few steps leading with a huge price tag. Corona del Sol’s Competition Government team is about half way to its up to Nationals are underway. “We’re planning to have an underdog mentality,” senior Gabrielle Dotson fundraising goals of $66,000, the sum needed to send the team of 30 students and four chaperones to Washington, D.C., for the national competition in April. said. Smith is proud of According to sponsor the team’s performance Tim Smith, “Our biggest both during state and obstacle so far has been throughout the course of fundraising. We’re still the entire season. going to the competition “I’m most impressed either way, of course.” with their competitive To raise the additional excellence,” he said. funds, Comp Gov is “There wasn’t a single holding a car wash March team at state that worked 23 in the senior parking harder, and it showed. I lot. Tax credit donations had hoped that they would can also be made in the have their best day at State, bookstore until April 1. and they did.” In the meantime, the Though the road students are preparing for ahead remains uncertain the national competition. as Corona’s Competition “We’re getting new Government team questions and research prepares for its final, most topics and making rigorous challenge yet, new speeches for each Smith is confident that topic,” senior Marissa as long as the students Yocham said. “It’s a lot of continue to put forth all research.” Photo courtesty of JANE MORGAN their effort, the outcome According to senior Devika Dholakia, Competition Government teacher Tim Smith holds the trophy for the We the People state competi- will be positive. “I expect this team to the victory at the tion. The Comp Gov team will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete in nationals in April. make an excellent showing state competition was especially significant, since the team doubled its score from one of its previous at nationals and, if they continue with the same level of focus and work ethic, events. Although diligence and hard work is all part of the task at hand for these they’ll definitely do well,” Smith said. “I believe the team has character and has the ability to be in the finals if they continue on this path.” dedicated individuals, the team’s struggles are not without their benefits. If the team does indeed make it to the finals, it means the students get to “I think it (winning state) is great because you can see all the accomplishments compete on Capitol Hill. It also means the team would have made it into the top you’ve made so far,” Yocham said. “It makes the experience all worthwhile.” The team’s recent victories have also had a profound impact on the team’s 10. “I would love nothing more for them to make it to finals,” Smith said. ® dynamics and sense of unity as their efforts lead them to the next great phase in JOSH AMBRE Online Managing Editor`
Competition Government Units Unit 1: What are the philosophical and historical foundations of the American political system? Alexander Duke, Tyler Foggatt, Jacob Martin, Hannah Pfotenhauer, Sriram Rangaswami Unit 2: How did the Framers create the Constitution? Stephanie Allen, Nathaniel Kroeger, Joseph Stamm, Madison Thomsen, Joyce Wen
Unit 3: How has the Constitution been changed to further the ideals contained in the Declaration of Independence? Francisca Bui, Kaileen Fei, Dana Brink, Sumeet Patwardhan, Devika Dholakia Unit 4: How have the values and principles embodied in the Constitution shaped American institutions and practices? Poorva Rajguru, Michelle Stephens, Nathan Yiin, Serena Suwarno, William Morgan
Editor’s Note Corona del Sol is a school full of individuals who strive to exceed, and this year, have basked in the glory of their self-made success. To honor the individuals (wrestling and chess) and teams (boys basketball, Neuroscience and Competition Government) who took home their respective sport’s/activity’s state championship, the Sunrise staff created this special edition.
Unit 5: What rights does the Bill of Rights protect? Gabrielle Dotson, Jovonnie Quintero, Marissa Yocham, Jeffrey Mortensen, Aidan Orsino Unit 6: What challenges might face American Constitutional democracy in the twenty-first century? Milena Carrera, Michael Harrison, Shivani Palakodaty, Charles Wen, Patrick Michaelsen
CdS Sunrise Championship Edition Staff 1001 E. Knox Road • Tempe, AZ • 85284
Editor in Chief | Jacqui Marzocca Photo Editor | Patrick Buck Sports Editor Lilly Berkley Copy Editor Alisa Rodriquez Adviser Kris Urban
Staff Josh Ambre, Jordan Blitz, Aashini Choksi, Natalie Crawford, Sam Rosendahl, Omar Soussi and Kelly Zimmer
March 2013
CdS Sunrise Championship Edition
State titles also earned in scholastics AASHINI CHOKSI Calendar Editor
The boys basketball team isn’t the only Corona del Sol High School team to repeat this year. Last month, Corona’s Neuroscience team competed at the 2013 Brain Bee and won the state championship for the second year in a row. More than 167 competitors from 17 different schools statewide came together at Midwestern University in Glendale for this tournament. Each member competed individually and answered questions pertaining to neuroscience. “You have to be knowledgeable about things like anatomy, the rest of the brain, the nervous system, disorders, and other things like drugs and treatments,” club sponsor David Spadafore said. After the preliminary rounds, the competitors were narrowed down to just 20 people for the individual finals. Out of the 16 club members,
four Aztecs made it to the individual finals: seniors Lihong Tang and Deydeep Kothalpalli made it in the top 10. Senior Joyce Wen took third place and junior Patric Cao finished in second place. The top five individual scores were combined to determine the team’s ranking; Corona’s team won first place. “It was rewarding experience,” Cao said. “I think the club is very good overall because it teaches kids about the importance of the field.” According to Spadafore, the Neuroscience Club requires a certain level of commitment. “This club is for people who are motivated and have a desire to learn about that particular topic. If you’ve got an interest and a drive then it can be very rewarding,” Spadafore said. “They’re great kids. They work really hard and it’s nice to see them do things on their own and are self motivated. It’s nice to be around those types of kids.” ®
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LILLY BERKLEY
Corona del Sol Neuroscience Club sponsor David Spadafore introduces the team members during the state championship assembly on March 1. This was the second year the Neuroscience team won the Brain Bee competition, the equivalent of the state championship.
Checkmate: Tang claims state chess title NATALIE CRAWFORD Staff Writer
LIHONG TANG
The 2011 AIA state chess championship didn’t end the way then-junior Lihong Tang wanted it to. “I should have gotten first last year,” the nowsenior said. “But I messed up so I got second instead.” In November, however, Tang was able to come back the state individual chess title. Tang won five-and-a-half of six matches. Tang and his competitor played to a draw in the fifth match, which netted Tang the half point. This this didn’t impact his chance to win, however. Chess coach and math teacher Leigh Trudgen stayed through most of the matches and has been supporting Tang’s chess playing for the four years Tang has been going to school at Corona. “(Tang) came in as a new player and progressed,” Trudgen said. “When you start out as a new player you start off with 400 ranking, and now he is the highest-ranking chess player in all of the state. He’s gone from the very bottom to the top.” Regarding last year’s runner-up finish, Trudgen
said, “he shoud have won last year, I think, but it just didn’t happen that way.” Despite the second-place finish last year, Tang didn’t find it necessary to prepare any differently than he had before. This year he simply had another year of experience under his belt. Throughout the school year Tang had been participating in high school tournaments in anticipation for the championship in November. During the championship rounds, Tang was actually behind during the matches and had strategically play to gain the upper hand. “The last match was extremely gratifying because I knew that if he won the last match, he’d be the champ,” Tang said. “I was pretty sure he would be even though it was a close match. He came up with a serious of moves that put the match from being close to putting him far ahead.” It was following this sixth match that Tang was confirmed the champion of the AIA State Individual Championships. “It felt pretty good to win,” Tang said. “I liked ending my high school chess career on a high note.” ®
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Aztecs dominate with 2nd state title Storybook endings don’t usually belong to No. 1 seeds or defending state champions. Favorites don’t get to lay claim to such things. Yet with every Casey Benson manic drive to the hoop, every Bryan Siefker floor burn, every Adam Gleave 3-pointer from the corner or unexpected Braden Tennyson rebound among taller players, the journey the Corona del Sol boys basketball team took through the 2013 state tournament felt like a feelgood movie come to life – which had to include the proper finish. The Aztecs won a second straight title, 63-59, in
the Division I Championship against Pinnacle at Jobing.com Arena, achieving the same result as the year before but climbing a much steeper mountain to do so. “They (the state championships) are both pretty awesome,” Benson said. “This one’s pretty fresh so I don’t really remember the one from last year right now. (But) this one feels just as sweet.” continued on page 6
March 2013 • 5
Student section plays role in team’s success LILLY BERKLEY Sports Editor
Starting in November, the Corona del Sol student section has given full support to the basketball team. It’s evident that is the case when all you see during basketball games is either white, black or orange. All you hear is “CDS! CDS!” or “I, I Believe, I Believe That, I Believe That We, I Believe That We Will, I Believe That We Will Win, I Believe That We Will Win.” In moments like those it is clear that the supporters of the Corona del Sol basketball team are there in hopes of seeing their team take the title for a second year in a row. Which is exactly what the basketball team did. From the start of the season, Josh Ethier, among other seniors, have been the leaders of the student section. They have encouraged the student body show up and support their fellow Aztecs. “It was really just me and Mario (Tavizon); we just kind of took it,” Ethier said “It’s senior year so we’ve got to go out with a bang. It’s really fun and exciting to get everyone out there, watch the game and get loud.” They’ve been the leaders of the themes such as orange out, black out, white out, dress up night, bro out and camo. As well as chants, for example
“I believe that we will win” or “Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah Ay, Ay, Ay, Goodbye.” And making the basketball games even more fun to be apart of, by doing things such as the rollercoaster, performing during half time doing star wars and silent night. “Having themes and great chants for the games makes the games even more worthwhile, especially knowing the whole school will show up to support the team,” senior Cailey Gagen said. Just a week before the championship game, Desert Mountain High School was called the best student section in the state. When put to the test against the Aztecs they didn’t prove to be as big of a student section. “Without a doubt we’re the best student section in the state,” Ethier said, “Desert Mountain thought they were the best but we blew them out of the water at the semifinal game. As pictures prove they didn’t really show up. But we showed up with a full student section, we were loud the entire game, got the game going and kept it going throughout the entire game and it helped the players win.” Knowing that Aztec student section displayed such a larger student section than “the best student section in the state” gave more confidence to the players as well as the fans. “They pump us up to play hard cause the louder it is, the harder we play,” senior Adam Gleave said.
continued on page 7 (Left) The bleachers in student section of the Sammy Duane Gym took a beating during the double-overtime thriller against Mountain Pointe in the Aztecs’ second-round playoff game. Photo by Sunrise Staff. (Below) Senior Josh Ethier (standing) guides the student section in “roller coaster” during the Aztecs’ championship game at Jobing.com Arena. Photo by Lilly Berkley.
(Left) Senior Bryan Siefker goes up for a basket against Pinnacle in the state championship game. (Top) Junior Casey Benson fakes out a Desert Mountain opponent in the semifinal game. (Top Right) Senior Braden Tennyson passes to a teammate during the state championship game. (Right) Senior Adam Gleave takes the ball down court against Pinnacle in the state championship game. Photos by Patrick Buck.
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Aztecs win Div. 1 state basketball championship continued from page 4
deficit of seven points staring at them on the scoreboard, the Aztecs found a way to rally. First a 3-pointer by Siefker. A fastbreak basket by Gleave off a perfect Benson bounce pass. A baseline move by Cassius Peat that turned into a conventional three-point play, giving Corona a lead it would not relinquish.
game we knew what we had,” said Siefker, who had a team-high 19 points in the championship. “We knew we had the ability to come back and Only 14 points separated the Aztecs (29-4) really just stick to the game plan and do what we from their conquered foes during the four-game knew and it paid off.” tournament run. Twice, Corona won by just one “Last year was great winning it for the first point, and in their state opener – a dramatic time,” Siefker added. “But winning the second double-overtime victory over Mountain Pointe time was so much better.” – a loss seemed all but certain Benson, Gleave and when the Aztecs trailed in the Peat each had 12 points waning seconds of regulation against Pinnacle, while and both overtimes. Benson added six assists. But Benson pulled off Swingman Jarrett Givens two improbable scores on a also provided valuable time conventional three-point play off the bench, along with and a 3-pointer, and Siefker starter Tennyson. Forward made the game-winning Russ Davis was the other 3-pointer late. The win player to get time in the provided momentum for the playoffs, but Siefker was week and a confidence that quick to credit Corona’s continued to grow. scout team – the roster “We have great players players who didn’t see the who believe they can win,” floor much – as a significant Aztecs coach Sam Duane part of the run for what said. “And they never quit. they provided in practice. They believe in each other It was the sixth boys and they believe in themselves. basketball championship Honestly, that sounds cliché, for Corona, and the second but it’s not.” SUNRISE STAFF There was another one- The Aztecs basketball team huddles after the announcement of the starting lineups in the under Duane. Duane’s father, Sam Duane, Sr., led point win over Millennium in darkened Jobing.com Arena prior to tipoff of the state championship game. the Aztecs to titles in 1980, the quarterfinals. A relative If anything, the sequence was the season in 1981, 1989 and 1994. “blowout” of Desert Mountain in the semifinals, Benson, Peat, Givens and Davis are the although that game too was close most of the a microcosm. There was little question Benson was the star – the prohibitive favorite for any players who got significant playing time that will way. By the time Pinnacle was on the schedule, it was hard not to think the team was steeled for state player of the year award – and the go-to return next season. It will give the Aztecs a solid scorer, but the pieces around him were necessary nucleus again in 2013-2014. Perhaps, as hard as whatever might come its way. it was to live the script this season, a three-peat At the team dinner the night before the to raise Corona back to its 2011-2012 heights. Benson was the scorer, but Siefker was is possible. championship, Duane saw a group with no the soul, the lone other starter from the 2012 “I’m exhausted,” Duane said. “It’s exhausting. nerves. “It was just like, ‘Hey, this is another thing title team returning but playing a much more But I’ll do it whenever. I mean, it’s worth it.” ® we’re going to do tomorrow night,’ ” he said. Maybe that’s why, as the clock faded to just significant role this time around. Jacqui Marzocca, Jordan Blitz and Lilly Berkley contributed “After the Mountain Pointe second round to this report. about three minutes left in their season and a
(Left) Henderson, Benson, Dubek and Peat embrace after their win in overtime after the Mountain Pointe game. Photo by Kelly Zimmer. (Right) Starkey, Bolden, Arnold, Henderson and Ryswyk jump off the bench after the Aztecs beat Desert Mountain. Photo by Patrick Buck.
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Student section adds dimension to games continued from page 2 As the team progressed through the season, the Aztec student section increased to show support for their team. “It’s great seeing all of the support that our school shows for the basketball team because they’re awesome and they deserve it,” Ethier said. Many supporters feel the same way as Ethier does. “Being a part of the best student section in the state is awesome, especially seeing such great results from the players during the game,” Gagen said. So not only did the basketball team take the title of the best basketball team in the state, but so did the student section. “Having such a great student section gets us pumped up for the games to give everything we got for our fans,” senior Braden Tennyson said. ®
7 (Left) The student section bursts into excitement during the finals at Jobing.com Arena. The leaders of the student section, seniors Josh Ethier and Mario Tavizon, organized the themes and chants throughout the basketball season. Photo by Patrick Buck.
Aztecs Varsity Roster #2 - Tyrell Henderson, freshman #3 - Braden Tennyson, senior #4 - Alex Van Ryswyk, senior #10 - Logan Dubek, junior #15 - Casey Benson, junior #21 - Bryan Siefker, senior #22 - Adam Gleave, senior #23 - Ashton Howard, senior #24 - Jarrett Givens, junior #32 - Cassius Peat, sophomore #33 - Vance Arnold, junior #44 - Dan Starkey, junior #50 - Russ Davis, junior #55 - Thomas Turley, junior “I still had confidence we could pull this out and we pulled a 12-2 run,” Gleave said.
Photos below by Patrick Buck
“I thought we were going to win the whole time,” Peat said. “That’s the attitude you have to have, especially in a game like that.”
(Upper Left) Pom performs during the state championship game. Photo by Kelly Zimmer. (Lower Left) The cheerleaders and student section support the team at Jobing.com Arena. Photo by Kelly Zimmer. (Above) Coach Sam Duane yells out instructions to his players during the semifinals. Photo by Sunrise Staff.
“I’m really excited,” Givens said. “Hopefully, we can 3-peat.”
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Farina, Tursini win state championships JACQUI MARZOCCA Editor-in-Chief
On Feb. 7 and 8, juniors Glenn Farina and Ethan Tursini not only assisted in Corona’s Div. 1 wrestling team walking away with third place in the state competition, but also returned home with the title of state champion themselves. Ten members of the Corona del Sol wrestling team competed in the state tournament. Farina took first in the 132-pound weight class and Tursini earned first in the 160-pound weight class. Zach Walton (145) and Bridger Barker (170) took third, Alex Carrillo (106) and Brix Kronborg (195) walked away with fourth place, and fifth place was claimed by Colton Winstead (152). The fight to the top is never without struggle and the members of the Corona wrestling team have not ceased to diminish their perseverance to emerge as champions. “One of the things we did a little differently for this tournament is training right up until sectionals,” Coach Jim Martinez said. “Last (year) we cut back practices a little earlier and had a good section tournament. But, we were flat at state. This year we trained up until the day before sections and then backed off. I think our wrestlers had a really strong performance at state this year as a result.” Staying focused and keeping an eye on the prize was important for the wrestlers while training. “I stayed healthy and I didn’t over-train, and I pretty much did exactly what I needed to do as much as to how much work I put in and how much time I put in,” Tursini said. The obstacles toward winning the state title were especially challenging for Farina, who woke up with the flu the morning of the finals. “It was rough,” Farina said. “I probably should have beat him (his opponent) a little worse, but it went into overtime.” Claiming such a respected title is a goal that is continuously strived for. When it actually occurred, the wrestlers dealt with it in different ways. “I knew it, but I couldn’t fathom it for awhile because I’ve been trying to do it for so long,” Tursini said. Farina, on the other hand, grasped the moment when his hand was raised and he was dubbed the state champion. “It feels great because it’s just a reflection of the hard work I’ve put in in the summer and the fall and it feels good,” Farina said. Both state champions have high regard for their fellow teammate and the extremity of the accomplishment. “He deserves it,” Farina said about Tursini. “He works really hard. I mean, I’d have to say he works harder than me. He definitely deserves it.” Martinez seconds the work ethic Tursini displays throughout his training. “Ethan is one of the hardest working wrestlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching,” Martinez said. “He is always wanting to work extra to become better. He seeks out the toughest practice partners and works to never give up points as he wrestles.” Both Martinez and Tursini commented on Farina’s impressive technique demonstrated in his matches. “Glenn is a really hard worker as well,” Martinez said. “He uses a combination of
technique and match strategy for his success. Glenn has become a takedown machine because of the time he put in to work on his takedown finishes. He has had more technical falls than anyone on the team because he gets so many takedowns each match.” Tursini commented on Farina’s technique and added, “I think he just did what he had to do to win.” As juniors, both Farina and Tursini still have a year to hone their skills and create new goals for the future. “I’ve had a lot of people who have helped me and a lot of motivation and help and support from everybody and family and friends,” Tursini said. “I really want to win the Olympics and it just brings me closer to it. It’s a ladder and I’m climbing it right now. Probably the biggest thing is you’ve just got to be self motivated.” Farina also plans to further his wrestling career in college. “I believe that both wrestlers have expressed interest in pursuing wrestling at the Division 1 level of
(Right) Farina works for a last second takedown against Luis Nunez from Cibola High School in overtime in the state championship. Courtesy of Lou Farina. (Below) Tursini works to turn Kordell Provchy from Westview High School during the finals of the state championship. Courtesy of Kristin Tursini.
the NCAA,” Martinez said. “They are both good students and working to keep their grades to the level necessary to accept any offers made to them. I think each one is capable of having success at that level as well. They will be wrestling in tournaments this spring to give college coaches additional opportunities to see their talent.” Both wrestlers have high hopes for next year to repeat their state titles, as well as to place in the national competition in April 2013. “My favorite part is probably when somebody asks me how I did and I get to tell them that I was the best there is in the state,” Tursini said. ®