Winner Stays Learn about the life of the world’s greatest soccer player p. 16
Find out how baseball helped one player through his struggle with cancer p. 36
See the best player at each position of the World Cups of the 21st Century p. 14
Table of Contents 3 4 8 10 14 16 20 22 26 28 34 36
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Letter from the editor
An inspiring letter from our sensible, yet sassy, Editor-in-Chief, Nathan Moore.
Contributors
Some pages devoted to getting to know the members who have somewhat worked diligently for a semester to creating this magazine.
The Evolution of the Running Shoes
A timeline of how and why running shoes have changed overtime and how those changes have affected the sport of running.
The Life of Ben Crawley
A profile feature on the soccer coach for the River City Rangers who has inspired many young soccer players throughout the Texas area to play the best they can.
The 21st Century World Cup Dream Team
Ian McIntosh has compiled his dream team of a World Cup XI in the 21st Century, which features players like Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.
The Man Who Revolutionized Soccer
He’s the top scorer for Brazil. He’s scored a record 1281 goals in 1363 games. He was voted Athlete of the Century by the IOC. This is the life of Pelé.
What Cleats Are Best for You?
A flowchart that details which cleats a player should choose based on their playing style.
The Team that “Defied All Odds”
A profile of the LBJ Cross Country Team, who proved the doubters wrong and won the district championship.
Top Major League Sports Recoveries
A list of some of the most miraculous sports recoveries in Major League sports to date. From torn muscles to over 100 stitches, these athletes have beat the odds.
Can’t Take the Hit
This story is about the relevance of injuries in sports, and what happens to players when they are injured.
Suspensions in Baseball
A timeline of some of the biggest suspensions in baseball history, including the one and only Alex Rodriguez.
Crushing Cancer
An inspiring story of how one baseball team is helping one of their players fight against cancer.
Photo courtesy of Camilo Moreno
The Making of Our Magazine by Nathan Moore
Photo by Elan McMinn
“This was maybe my favorite project that I have ever worked on... I feel as if there are themes in this magazine that everyone can connect with, no matter what their interests are.”
Dear reader, Thank you for choosing to read the first issue of the Winner Stays. This magazine was the product of a long, hard journey throughout the course of four months. There were good days and bad days, but all in all, it was fun. The enjoyment I felt at getting to work with a group of people with similar interests to me, and getting to write about that shared interest, was unparalleled. Everyone had a great idea for what to write, and they executed to perfection. I wrote about my baseball teammate’s struggle with cancer, and Ian wrote about his soccer coach’s career. True had a relation to someone who worked for Pele, and he managed to get an interview, and he wrote about Pele. Andrew wrote about the LBJ Cross Country team. Here is the first struggle. Elan was going to write about UT Basketball, but he could not get any interviews, so he had to get a new idea. Eventually, he decided on the effects of injuries in sports, and wrote about that. Next, once the features were finalized, we had to design the layouts. But, again, there were issues. As we found out the hard way, just because you want a design to work, it might not. None of our features were long enough to fit our designs. So, we had to fix it. We blew up photos and font sizes, indented paragraphs, really did anything we could think of. Andrew had to make a completely new design. Once we survived that, it was the ASFs. There were not really any problems here, other than having to learn how to use Illustrator. Finally, the finishing touches. And the ads. Especially the ads. It took forever to get permission to get to make them in the first place, much less making them. The rest of the magazine was easy. All in all, this was maybe my favorite project that I have ever worked on. I hope you enjoy reading this magazine, even if you do not enjoy sports. I feel as if there are themes within this magazine that everyone can connect with, no matter what their interests are. Maybe you will even be inspired to play sports. Enjoy! Sincerely,
Nathan Moore Nathan Moore, Editor In Chief 3
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Contributors Andrew Chow has loved sports for many years. He is a runner, and has been playing the sport for years. He was a runner on the LBJ Cross Country Team. In addition to running, he has played a variety of sports, including soccer, baseball, and basketball. He also enjoys watching sports. He hopes to continue playing sports for many years, including running at a major college.
Ian McIntosh has been playing baseball since he was three years old and soccer since he was four. He currently plays goalkeeper for River City Rangers Soccer Club and will be playing in State Cup this spring. He played soccer for the LBJ soccer team in the winter and hopes to move up to varsity next year. He also plays second base for the LBJ Baseball team and bats leadoff. He hopes to go to a good college and play professional soccer overseas.
Elan McMinn could have been seen on the soccer pitch from the infant age of 4. Dominating the rec leagues of the North Austin Soccer Allegiance with about 6 undefeated seasons, McMinn is still playing soccer on the River City Rangers Soccer Club along with Ian. As to not be uncultured, McMinn also played Basketball. Tearing through the ranks of the YMCA leagues along with the Tajikistan recruited super-star, Gus Albach.
Nathan Moore has been playing baseball since he was four years old, and select baseball since he was ten. He is currently on the varsity baseball team for LBJ High School. This summer, he will be playing for Tier 1. He enjoys running as well, and ran cross country for the school this fall. He was on varsity for a few meets, and hopes to move up fully next year. He hopes to attend Stanford University, and play baseball in college and professionally.
When True Pham is not inspiring people with his witty banter, one can easily spot him breaking ankles on the soccer field his 5 star skills. True Pham is a proud member of Lonestar Soccer Club, who has had a prolific 10 year campaign with the Reds. But True is not solely confined to soccer, as he can be found taking long walks on the beach thinking about some more witty banter to roast Ian and Nathan. 5
GIVE ME TO GO FURTHER TO SCORE THE GOAL TO WIN THE GAME
6
WORKOUT RECOVERY FUEL
STRENGTH
7
Evolution of the Running shoes have changed a lot throughout the years. Modern day running shoes have evolved for specific distances and terrains, with differences ranging from size to price, but you may be surprised how they became the way they are. Run around the track to find out. 1920: The light, leather sole shoe was created. Weighing only 10 ounces, it was by far the lightest shoe on the market.
Start
Finish
1948: Spikes were added to shoes allowing for better traction on any surface. They had been used in soccer and football, but were never used in running until this time. 1960: The first mass produced running shoe; the New Balance Trackster, was made. It would forever change the way shoes were bought and sold.
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Running Shoe
by Andrew Chow
Today: Shoes are made with modern technology, allowing cool and lightweight comfort. Electronics have been put in some shoes which can count steps and pacing.
1986: The Adidas Micropacer was the first shoe that attempted to incorporate electronics into footwear. The shoe determines how many steps a runner takes.
1977: The first mass produced shoe with modern cushioning and support; the Brooks Vantage, was made. It’s release marked the start of the production of softer shoes.
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hen you walk around the Baymont Inn and Suites in College Station, Texas, you see ordinary people eating breakfast, and getting ready to enjoy the rest of their weekend. It’s around 9 a.m. and one of them in particular, Ben Crawley, is ready for another long day of work at the soccer field. Crawley is the Director of Coaching for the River City Rangers Soccer Club, a club based in Austin. It’s championship Sunday at the Aggieland Classic and he is getting ready to lead his teams to victory. As a child, Crawley grew up in Oregon, before moving to Texas. At the age of 15, Crawley was selected to join the United States youth national soccer team. He had played all over the world by the time he got his driver’s license. After college, he played professionally in Germany for a year, before coming back and playing in the United States. He was one of the players who started Major League Soccer, which is now the biggest league in the US. After playing professionally, he landed in coaching. He now is with the River City Rangers and also coaches a semi-pro team called the Austin Aztex. Growing up in Oregon, Crawley says he was thrown in every sport by his parents. Soccer, however, he says was really the one that was different from the others. “Soccer was the one that I stuck with the longest and was the most fun to me and kept me running the most,” Crawley says. “Then, I moved to Texas and it really became the main focus.”
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The Ben
Rangers Logo As Photo by Ian McIntosh his childhood continued in Texas, soccer became Crawley’s primary focus and playing soccer for a living became more and more of a real possibility. When he was only 15, he got noticed on a national level for the first time through olympic development. He made his way through the ranks and eventually became a member of the Under 16 (U16) United States National Soccer Team. From there, he got to play soccer and travel the world. “It was the first time I ever got to travel the world and see how other people grew up and different cultures,” Crawley said. “[So it was cool] not only from the soccer but from the cultural side as well.” Crawley had an opportunity to play professionally in Europe from there, but he chose to stay behind and play soccer collegiately at the University of Virginia. It was there that he first met Bruce Arena who was his college coach and would be his coach with DC United as well. There Crawley enjoyed the college experience side as well the soccer part. “Well college is the best years of your life” Crawley said. “Some of my best friends in my
Life Of Crawley
MLS didn’t start until life 1996. So, for a year Crawley decided to came from that play for the Richmond Kickers in Virginia. time, and some of the best times of “I came back and I had a friend who was my life came from that time.” running the team, he was the general manager, After college, his profesand he didn’t really have a team yet,” Crawley sional career took off. He moved says. “But he called me up and said can you get to Germany to play for the soccer me a team, so I called up all my college budteam TuS Celle FC. dies and we moved to Richmond and continued “That was very different. another year of college.” Living in a different culture with The next year was the inaugural season of the different languages MLS. Crawley was drafted by his and not really speakcollege coach Arena to play for ing the language,” DC United along with 11 other Crawley says. players from the University of This was a peVirginia. riod of growth for him “It was really nice to put the team from both a personal side as together,” Crawley says. “Some well a professional side. He learned [players were] playing overseas, a lot not only from the soccer side some [were] playing indoor.” of it, but also from the cultural side That DC team turned out to be of it. very successful. Despite los “Soccer wise, I would say I ing their first four games of that learned more of the physical side of the game, and season, that team won the MLS Cup and the US how important that was,” Crawley says. “CulturOpen Cup. ally, I would say I learned that we have it pretty “I knew we were going to be good, but good here in the United States and we’re pretty it took a little while,” Crawley says. “It was a lucky to live here.” testament to the will of the guys and the coach So when he was offered the chance to play ing staff to stick with it.” in the states to play in the new United States That team he says also forever changed league, Major League Soccer. However, instead soccer in the United States by introducing a new of starting in 1995 like it was supposed to, the philosophy to soccer.
by Ian McIntosh
“
College is the best years of your life.”
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“That’s the first year that a United States team went to a flat back four,” Crawley says. “We changed our system from a three [defenders five [midfielders] two [attackers] to a fourfour-two.” After DC, Crawley says his career took an interesting turn when he met his future wife who was attending grad school in Houston. So instead of going to another MLS team, Crawley decided to pursue a career in coaching soccer. “I got an offer from the Austin team who was a third division team to come back and they would pay me,” Crawley says. The Aztex team left for Orlando, but another team soon formed in Austin, and Crawley agreed to be an assistant coach. As someone who’s been in the MLS, he says he is able to share a lot of advice and stories. “They were looking for a little bit more and sometimes they just liked the stories of what it was like to play with different people that they idolized growing up.” Crawley says. As someone who had been where they wanted to go, Crawley really had a connection with these players. “Ben is an attacking coach and likes soccer to be played the right way, so it was a joy to play under him,” Drew Yates, a former Aztex player, says.
“
Crawley is also the Director of Coaching for the River City Rangers youth soccer club. Yates also coaches with Crawley with the U14 and U15 boys soccer teams. “It was great with Ben,” Yates says. “ I think we worked well together, even though it was only a short period where we were coaching.” Crawley coaching with Rangers Crawley also Photo courtesy of JoAnne McIntosh appears to be well liked by his players as well, which helps him along the way. “He brings a sense of credibility and a knowledge of the professional game,” Camilo Auyero, a player on the U15 boys team said. “He’s given me a lot of advice over the years about my playing style and how to work well with the rest of the team.” The U15 team is one of the teams Crawley will be coaching this year in the finals of the Aggieland Classic. As someone who has accomplished the dream of most of these players, Crawley is able to give these kids a lot of advice. “You have to have the love of the game and you’ve gotta enjoy it,” Crawley says. “You gotta put your time in and play as much as you can.” While over the years soccer has taken Crawley many places, he has now settled down in Austin with his wife and three kids. His oldest son, Landon, is on the U13 boys team with
Sometimes they just liked the stories.”
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Crawley after a game with Rangers Photo Courtesy of JoAnne McIntosh
the Rangers and now Crawley can help coach his own son’s team. Crawley also appears not only to have earned a lot of respect as a player and coach, but as a person as well. “I think that he definitely cares for the kids that he’s coaching,” Yates says. “Seeing him interact with his son, I think he definitely holds his kids and his players accountable to perform.”
His players with the Rangers seem to respect him as well. “He is a very nice and understanding person,” Auyero says. Crawley says that respect for him and “the beautiful game” is what’s really important. He hopes that maybe one of the kids he is coaching will grow up to have the career he had. • 13
21st Century World In the 21st century there have been 4 world cups. Each world cup has had its own dream team. The real question is, which players from which dream teams are the best? This will show who the best player at each position has been for all the world cups of the 21st Century.
Left Back- Roberto Carlos-
Carlos was named to the 2002 team after winning the tournament with Brazil that year. He is known for his incredible banana free kick in which he bent the free kick a couple yards outside the goal before curling it in.
Center Back- Carlos Puyol-
Puyol was named to the 2010 team after winning it all that year with Spain. He scored the only goal in the semifinal against Germany and held Holland scoreless.
Goalkeeper-Oliver Kahn-
Kahn was named to the dream team of the 2002 World Cup after leading Germany to the final. This performance earned him the Golden Ball for the tournament which is awarded to the best player. To this day he is the only goalkeeper to win that award.
Center Back- Fabio Cannavaro-
Considered to be one of the best defenders of all time, Cannavaro captained Italy to victory at the 2006 world cup in Germany. He was nicknamed the “wall of Berlin� after his great performance in the final in Berlin.
Right Back- Philipp Lahm-
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Lahm was named to the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cup Dream Teams. He is the only player in the 21st Century to be named to three straight teams. In 2014 he captained Germany to their first world cup victory since 1990.
Cup Dream Team By Ian McIntosh
Left Wing- David Villa-
Villa was named to the 2010 team after taking home the title with Spain. He had 5 of Spain’s 8 goals in that world cup which was tied for most along with Thomas Mueller. He also had 3 at the 2006 world cup and 1 at the 2014 world cup.
Center Mid- Zinedine Zidane-
Striker- Ronaldo-
Ronaldo was named to the 2006 team after leading Brazil to victory in the final. He had 8 goals in that world cup which was the most in the tournament. He has 15 goals at the world cup which is the second most all time.
Zidane was named to the 2002 team after leading France to an appearance in the finals. He won the Golden Ball for that world cup which is awarded to the tournament’s best player.
Center Mid- Michael Ballack-
Ballack was named to the 2002 and 2006 Dream Teams. He scored against the United States and South Korea to lead Germany to the final in 2002. He captained the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2006 world cup.
Right Wing- Thomas Mueller-
Striker- Miroslav Klose-
Klose was named to the 2002 and 2006 teams after scoring 5 goals in each world cup. He is the only player to have scored in all 4 world cups this century. In the 2014 world cup he scored his 16th career world cup goal in Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil to pass Ronaldo for most goals all time in world cup history.
Mueller was named to the 2014 after winning the title with Germany. He won the Golden boot for the most goals scored at the 2010 world cup. At the 2014 world cup he became the third player to score 5 goals in 2 consecutive world cups. 15
The Man Who Revolutionized Soccer When his father was crying after a devastating loss, he made a promise that he wouldn’t forget. by True Pham
H
Pelé’s real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento. He was named after Thomas Edison. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
e has won three World Cups, 10 league titles, two Copa Libertadores. Scored over 1,000 goals, and was voted as the best soccer player of all time on multiple occasions. This is the career of Pelé. Edson Arantos do Nascimento was born on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He is the son of former Stadium in Rio, I saw my father old and made his senior debut professional player Dondinho, cry,” says Pelé. “And I remember on September 7, 1956 against who is famed for scoring five saying to him back then, to Corinthians. His team would headers in one match. Dondinho please stop crying, and that I win 7-1 with Pelé scoring and his wife named Pelé Edson would win a World Cup for him his first of many goals in his after the American inventor one day. I was nine years old career. Thomas Edison. Pelé received when I made that promise to “I was very nervous for first his nickname in school after he him.” Pelé wanted to fulfill his season,” says Pelé. “It was my continually mispronounced the promise, and he started his road very first time leaving home! name of his favorite player at the to World Cup glory by making I missed my family, I missed time, Vasco de Gama goalkeeper his senior debut for Santos FC. my mother’s food, I missed my Bilé. Pelé joined Santos at 15 years friends. But I worked hard As Pelé and his family and practiced hard, and Pelé is Brazil’s all time leading goal scorer with 77 goals were born in Brazil, they it wasn’t long before I in 91 official appearances for the Brazil National Team. passionately supported the Photo by Wikimedia Commons got called up to the first Brazilian national team. As team.” a result, Pelé’s family were Pelé would earn a crushed during the famous starting position in the loss in the 1950 World Cup first team for Santos, and Final. Brazil was the host in 1957 season would go nation in the 1950 World and become the league’s Cup, and faced Uruguay in top scorer at just 16 years the final. old. After 10 months of “When Brazil lost the 1950 professional soccer, Pelé World Cup to Uruguay in received his first national the Final, at the Maracana team
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According to the Guiness World Records, Pelé holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of soccer with 1281 goals in 1363 appearances. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
call-up for the Brazil team. His first international match was a 2-1 defeat on July 7, 1957 to rivals Argentina. Pelé scored his first of 77 goals for the Brazilian national team in this match and became the youngest player to score in an international match. After this game, Pelé would go on to play in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. “It was unbelievable,” says Pelé. “It was a dream. I was so excited to represent my country in the 1958 World Cup. The Brazilian National Team brings together the best players from teams all over the country, so the level of training is a lot higher. And the feeling is more intense because the World Cup only comes around every 4 years.” Pelé’s first World Cup game came against the USSR in the third game of the group stages. He was the youngest player at the tournament, and contributed an assist in his first match. His first ever World Cup goal came
the best player in the world. In the first match of the group stages, Pelé scored and assisted against Mexico to win 2-0. Following this match, Brazil was pitted against Czechoslovakia and Pelé injured himself while attempting a long shot that would see him injured for against Wales in the quarterfinals, and later scored a hat-trick the remainder of the tournament. Brazil against France in the semifinals. Pelé’s performance pushed Brazil however won the tournament despite to the World Cup final against losing one of their best host nation Sweden. He became the youngest player to feature in a players. “It was very World Cup final at the age of 17 years and 249 days. Brazil would challenging to be injured during that go on to win 5-2 with Pelé scorWorld Cup,” says ing two goals, including a goal that would be voted as the goal of Pelé. It was acceptable that Pelé was injured the tournament. Once the match because Brazil had ended, Pelé passed out and collapsed onto the ground, requiring another superstar medical assistance. He recovered within their rosters in and started weeping after the vic- the form of Garrincha. Pelé says Garrincha tory. was his best friend “My family means the world to on the national team, me, and my father was my hero and that when Brazil and the person that got me into football,” says Pelé. “So winning fielded both Garrincha and Pelé at the same that World Cup was very emotime, Brazil never lost tional for me, it still is!” In the following World Cup cam- a single game. paign in 1962, many soccer critics Pelé would be called back to the national and journalists claimed that this team in 1966 for the World Cup would be dominated World Cup in England. by Pelé as he was renowned as 17
Pelé made his senior debut for Santos FC at 15 years old and would go on to become Santos’ top goal scorer in a prolific 19-year spell with the Brazilian club. Photo by Wikimedia Commons.
This World Cup campaign was the least successful in Pelé’s World Cup career, with Brazil being eliminated from the first round of the tournament. Pelé scored a free kick against Bulgaria in the first match, but was subsequently injured by the Bulgarian defense. He missed the following match against Hungary and Brazil ended up losing the game. Pelé was still injured by the time Brazil’s third match against Portugal took place, but coach Vicente Feola fielded Pelé despite his serious injuries. During the match, Pelé was brutally fouled by Portuguese defender João Morais and was forced stay on the pitch limping as 18
substitutions were not allowed at the time. England would go on to win the first and only World Cup captained by Bobby Moore, who Pelé said was the hardest defender he’s ever played against. The next World Cup in 1970 would eventually be Pelé’s last ever World Cup. Pelé finished the tournament with his record third World Cup win and a Golden Ball award for being the best player in the tournament. He still holds the record for being Brazil’s top scorer with 77 goals in 91 appearances and was declared by the Brazilian government as “a national treasure”. “Brazil is a beautiful country,” says Pelé. “It is my country. It is a country that I have promoted whenever I travel all over the world. It is a great honor and a
big responsibility to set an example for the youth and the next generation of footballers,” was Pelé’s response to being asked about his opinion about being declared “a national treasure”. Pelé would continue playing at the club level, featuring in four more seasons with Santos after the 1970 World Cup. Pelé stayed with his boyhood club Santos for 19 trophy-laden seasons, refusing offers from European clubs such as Real Madrid or Juventus. He retired from Santos in 1974 and would spend two years out from professional soccer. He decided to come out of retirement and signed for an NASL team, the New York Cosmos, which had previously signed other soccer stars past their prime, such as German defender Franz Beckenbauer. “When I finished playing with Santos FC, I felt that my next great opportunity was to come play in America, for the New York Cosmos,” says Pelé. “Soccer was starting to grow in that country, and I felt that I could make great impact there for the youth and the fans. I had offers all the time to go play in Europe, but America won my heart.” Pelé finally ended his professional playing career on October 1, 1977 with an exhibition match against his former club Santos FC. He played the first match for the Cosmos and the second half for Santos. The game eventually finished 2-1 for the Cosmos with several celebrities coming to watch Pelé’s final match such as Bobby Moore and Muhammad Ali. After Pelé’s playing career was over, he continued to be heavily involved with the globe,
“There are some very good players over the years, it is hard to name them all. Of course, today, I think Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar and some of the top players.” acting as an ambassador for soccer on behalf of various sponsors, charities and partners. Pelé is still involved in soccer years after his playing career because he says he loves the game. “It is a sport for everyone, no matter your size, your height, your religion or your ethnicity,” says Pelé. “Soccer is the biggest sport in the world, and it is the biggest family in the world. It brings people together.” An example of Pelé and the sport Pelé wants Brazil to regain their form of the past and forget about their disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign where they were humiliated 7-1 by eventual winners Germany. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
of soccer bringing people together is in 1967 when Santos were touring internationally. Two groups involved in the Nigerian Civil War agreed to a cease fire in order for them to watch an exhibition match. Pelé’s effect on soccer players globally is evident in Ian McIntosh. McIntosh is a student at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy and has played soccer for 12 years. “[Pelé] has motivated me to be the best that I can possibly be as a soccer player,” says McIntosh. “He’s one of the greatest players of all time who mesmerized millions of fans worldwide with his spectacular play and ability.”
Pelé also keeps up with the current events in world soccer. He had some comments about some of the players now. “There are some very good players over the years, it is hard to name them all,” says Pelé. “Of course, today, I think Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar and some of the top players.” As a Brazilian, he wasn’t satisfied with Brazil’s performance in the previous World Cup in 2014. “They need experience playing together as a team, and to learn from the mistakes of the 2014 World Cup, and to come back stronger for the 2018 World Cup,” says Pelé. In the interview, Pelé also had some advice for the growing youth in the sport of soccer. “I encourage young people to work hard, respect others, pay attention to positive role models, continue to get your education and also make good decisions for your health – such as eat well, maintain good fitness and get proper training,” says Pelé. It is impossible to deny how great of an impact Pelé has had on the game of soccer. He has been repeatedly been named as the athlete of the century by various organizations. Many players have claimed that he is the greatest player ever such as Bobby Moore and Johann Cruyff. He has inspired countless children to play the sport of soccer and has been an ambassador for soccer and peace around the world. •
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Which Cleats Are Best For You? by True Pham
Good soccer players know that the key to maximizing one’s success on the soccer pitch is a good pair of high quality soccer cleats. They are able to optimize one’s speed, agility, touch, and comfort while playing the beautiful game. This flowchart will tell which cleats are best for you.
Playmaker Straight up speed
What is your playing style?
Agility
“I play indoor!” Goalkeeper
Below $50
I go all out. $300.
Puma evoPower. Not many options for a goalkeeper
This flowchart does not include information about indoor shoes.
Adidas Ace 15.1. People might respect you. Maybe.
Disclaimer: Soccer cleats will not make you Messi or Ronaldo, but they can certainly help you play better. 20
Are you a striker or a winger?
Striker Neither bruh. I am a proud defender.
I don’t know why you chose agility. I shame you to the Nike Magista Obra Tech Craft 2 FG.
I am a winger The new Ace 16+ Purecontrol cleats that have no laces. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Adidas
Adidas or Nike?
Do you care about your touch and control?
Nike
Yes No
Nah fam
High or low top?
High
Do you have any class?
Nike Magista Opus FG
Low
Nike Magista Obra FG
Yes
Nah
Yes
Nike Tiempo 6 FG
Are you a Real Madrid fan?
Laces or nah?
Ace 16.1 FG
Ace 16+ Purecontrol FG
Nike Mercurial Superfly IV FG
Yes No
Nike Mercurial Vapor X FG. Quality. Do you light, barefoot cleats?
Yes
No
Yes you do Adidas x 15.1 FG. Decent
Bruh, I need money for Fifa. $150
Budget?
Nike Hypervenom Phatal FG. Nike Hypervenom Phantom II FG. You won’t play like Neymar, but at least you have the same cleats.
Splash the cash. $300. 21
The Team that “Defied all Odds”
by Andrew Chow
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Find out how this team won it all, even when challenges stood in their way.
n a cool, dark morning at 6 a.m., many people would be sleeping. However, in a grass filled park where the air is humid and muggy, something is different. A loud, jolting voice booms over the peace and quiet. “On your marks,” the voice yells. “Get set...GO!” Immediately there is a scramble of hundreds of runners to get to the front of the pack. Someone falls, someone trips, but no worries. This is just another LBJ cross country meet. The Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) High School Cross Country Team is from Austin, Texas. In the 2015 season they were coached by first-year coach Randy Trejo. Along with assistant coach, Shannon Bergeron, they were able to coach a group of runners into a team that
Klieman sprints towards the finish line. Photo by Matt Klieman.
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would win the District 26-5A Men’s Varsity Cross Country Championship. Cross country is a sport, very similar to track, where runners compete against each other and are ordered by place. Each runner is on a team and their individual place determines how well their teams do. However, unlike track it is run on natural terrain, which could include hills, rocks and grass. One of the runners on the winning team is Cameron Kleiman. He is a freshman at Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), and
a very experienced runner. Running is one of his favorite activities and he enjoys it a lot, he says. Kleiman also believes running is a also big part of people’s lives on the team. He believes running is a lifestyle. Coach Bergeron agrees. “Running is my therapy and is what keeps me sane from the craziness that is my life,” she says. “I always feel better after I go for a run.” Running alone is hard enough, but running as a team is a lot different, Bergeron says. Coaching is
“Even when facing challenges we still came out on top.”
Runners at the starting line start sprinting. Photo by Cathy Cox. 24
same way; it is unique, she says. One thing that made this season unique was that the team faced many challenges at the beginning of the season. “...Many of the runners had little to no experience running so that made practices challenging. I could see that the team had a lot of potential at the beginning of the season, it was just whether or not we could execute and be successful as a result,” Trejo says. Commitment is needed in order for the team to be good and successful, Trejo says. “This year I wanted to show the runners the importance of hard work and dedication,” he says. One commitment the runners had to make was going to daily practices at 6 a.m. and having to do workouts at home. The commitment, Kleiman says, was tough and made school more difficult. “...You had to wake up two hours earlier to go to practices and then get home and do another hour of exercises,” he says. In addition to practices, the runners participated in cross country meets every week. There were always many schools and runners at every meet.
Varsity team celebrates a seccessful season. Photo by Cathy Cox.
“I liked meets...it’s competition,” Kleiman says. After many long weeks of practicing and racing at the meets, the end of the season had come. The only thing left was the district championship meet. For many runners this would be their last meet for the season, or perhaps for the rest of their lives. The coaches wanted to make the most of this opportunity. “Leading up to the district meet I was a little nervous,” Trejo says. “Since it was my first district meet, I didn’t know what to expect.” During the races the energy was more palpable,
Bergeron says. The team was in good spirits, and when the team won, everyone was excited, she says. Coach Trejo was “jumping with joy.” “The moment when I found out that the team won, I felt a very indescribable feeling, one that I will cherish forever. I was so overwhelmed, but winning the district championships was one of the greatest
moments I have ever had as a coach,” Trejo says. The coaches said they were very proud of the team’s district win. It was considered a huge success and they believed the win would help drive future teams to achieve even greater, better things. “I was pleased at the massive progress that the team made to continuously push themselves this year,” Bergeron says. The winning season has many future implications, and people will look back at the team and admire our hard work and success, Kleiman says. He wants future runners to understand what this winning season means for the program. “This year was a landmark year for LBJ Cross Country,” he says. “We had tons of people, we had lots of freshman, the program is growing, and I think people are starting to think that LBJ Cross Country is becoming a greater and better program. I am looking forward to improving next year and all the years to come.” •
“This year was a landmark year for LBJ Cross Country.”
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Top Major League Sports Recoveries By Elan McMinn
The Most Miraculous Injury Recoveries in Sports History
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Tom Brady
Tom Brady was drafted in the 2000 NFL Draft as the 199 pick to the New England Patriots. After 6 full seasons play time, Brady tore both his ACL and MCL in the first game of the 2008 season. This season ending injury left fans upset about a bad season, but a year later Brady returned. That year Brady threw for 4,298 yards, 28 touchdowns and won the 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. 26
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Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson suffered from two injured legs and a stomach virus in the 1988 World Series between the Los Angles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics. He was not expected to play in the game, but with his team tied in the ninth ininng, he stepped up to the plate and hit a walk-off homerun to win the game. His team, inspired by his preformance, went on to win the series in five games
Blood on the Ice
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3 Drew Brees At the end of the 2005 NFL season, Drew Brees was diving on a loose ball when he was landed on, giving him a torn labum and a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. During the off-season, Brees recovered, and led his team to win the Superbowl. Not only that, but for his efforts, he was given Offesnsive Player of the Year.
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Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong will go down in history for how he cheated in his races, but even if you look at that, the biking scenes is filled with just as many drug users, that some argue he had to cheat. Despite all of this, he first beat testicular cancer, and went on to win the Tour de France seven times, a record number.
Clint Malarchuk was a goalie for the Buffalo Sabres hockey team in 1989. He was playing against the Saint Louis Blues when a stray skate cut his neck spilling blood everywhere. With the help of a fast acting trainer, Malarchuk survived with 300 stitches, and played again in 11 days.
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Photo by: Dan Forbes
Can’t Take the Hit?
by Elan McMinn
What will happen to athletes when injury gets the best of them?
W
hat happens to the athlete who you see getting carried off the field? Maybe he gets better, maybe he doesn’t, but the fact is, injury is a part of sports. We try to help reduce these injuries, but some say it isn’t enough. First, we need to describe what exactly a “sports injury” is; according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases it is an injury that occurs while playing a sport or exercising. The most common injuries include sprains,
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knee injuries, swollen muscles, and achilles tendon injuries. Not surprisingly, the amount of injuries is high. Out of 30 million children and teens, more than 3.5 million recieve sports injuries each year, according to a study at John Hopkins Medicine. How ever rare it is in sports for death to be a factor, the leading cause is brain injury. A freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) recently had an injury, and said that it really affected him day to day. From it being
hard to walk to not being able to play sports, he concluded that injuries sucked. He says that injury is far from rare when it comes to sports, and people need to acknowledge this and work towards prevention. “It is hard to put it any other way besides that injuries suck,” said Andy Degrasse, the freshman. “I felt so... weak with the injury.” Degrasse suffered from a stress fracture in his foot which limited him from playing sports. While injured, Degrasse’s
doctor said he was not cleared to play for at about a month, so he would just have to carry on without doing what he loved, playing sports. It is hard to admit that you can’t do something, especially when you love doing it. Degrasse found it tough as most would, but was able to survive that month. “My injury was definitely an emotional blow,” says Degrasse. “I had just started to get more playing time on the basketball team, and I was worried that this would affect my chances on the team.” Injuries can be taxing on not only the body, but the mind. When someone gets injured they feel out of place and lost. The thing about getting injured says Degrasse is that you lose confidence and feel left out of your normal life. “[Injuries] are taxing on the mind,” says Sue Torres, an Athletic Trainer at Lyndon B. Johnson High School. “[Athletes] don’t like being out of their sport, so it is tough.” Often, sports are a big part of athletes lives, so when they are injured they feel a hole in their lives. Not only because they have lots of time that they usually reserve for sports, but because they seem to lose part of their identity, says Torres.
A physical therapy room
A physical therapy patient being treated
Photo by WIkimedia
“[Athletes] have associated themselves with that sport, like ‘I’m a football player,’ but you’re not a football player anymore,” says Torres. “Now they are like ‘I don’t know who I am anymore.’” Most of their lives, athletes associate themselves with a certain group of people and everything that goes with that group. Degrasse was part of a basketball team that he felt engrained in, but after the injury, he said it was as if he was slowly getting distanced from the team. Once this happened, Degrasse said that he slowly felt that he lost a part of who he was during the injury. Torres explained the most common reactions to injury by citing the Swiss Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler Ross (died in 2004). Torres says that they experience what Ross described as the stages of death. There is denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance.
“[Injuries] are taxing on the mind.”
Photo by WIkimedia
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Degrasse during his injury
Photo by Elan McMinn
“First they go through denial, then through bargaining, and once they find out bargaining doesn’t work, then they get really pissed off,” says Torres. “They then go into depression once the anger subsides. You don’t want a kid here because they probably won’t show up to treatment if they are depressed. Finally, they get to acceptance, and that is where we want them. They accept it and take action towards getting stronger.” 30
Degrasse after his recovery
An important part of Torres’s job is to help the injured recover, but she says that one of the most important things in order for this to happen, is trust. If the athlete doesn’t trust her, there isn’t much she can do. She says that they should be showing up early for rehab, and ready to do what I say because otherwise they aren’t going to get better. “It is really difficult because [I] have taken away one of the biggest focuses in their life,” says Torres.
Photo by Elan McMinn
Torres after years of experience says that people need to stop injury before it happens, so she thought of some ideas that could help. Since ankle and knee injuries in some form are the most common for Torres sees, she thinks putting tighter regulations, and safeguards are necessary, but also her own ideas. “Athletes need to eat really well, stay fully hydrated, be as strong as they can be,” says Torres. “It doesn’t matter if you are a swimmer or a tennis player, you can benefit from being stronger in any sport.”
Another opinion on this Something that many don’t realize even play is just unnecessary, says topic is Dr. Nathan Breazeale, is how frequent injuries are. AcBreazeale. “Injury in real games is a certified orthopedic surgeon. cording to a study at John Hopkins, closer to unavoidable. You might He says that prevention is the about 4 in 30 athletes are injured a have seen it in the National Footbest treatment in terms of injury year. This led many to try to take ball League as of recently in their because if something isn’t hurt it action protecting their athletes, and off-season practices, where they is going to be stronger than if it Breazeale was not left out from can only have a limited amount of was injured. these people. padded practice.” “Rules and RegulaInjury is often unavoidable in tions have helped reduce injucontact sports, so even after all ries, but they can only do so these regulations and rules “Injury is like the sick- of much,” says Breazeale. “We are added to prevent them, injuneed to make sure athletes ness you can’t get rid of, ry will still be relevant. People can keep doing what they will try and try to stop injury, and no matter how much but if everyone wants to keep love by protecting them.” This could mean creatyou hate, is still there.” playing sports in way that still ing less contact heavy enviresembles the sport, injury is ronments when possible, but part of the game. Breazeale says that injury is “Injury is like the sickness you a part of sports, and sometimes “I was part of a push to create safer can’t get rid of, and no matter how it is inevitable, like if you think practice environments for contact much you hate it, injury is still about a risk you are willing to sports because to have people inthere,” says Degrasse. • take, injuries are in that risk. jured by their own team before they
An illegal chop block tackle in football
Photo by Icon Sports Wire
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MOMENTUM BASEBALL “Preparing players for success, on and off the field.”
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Suspensions 1865 Thomas Devyr, William Wansley, and Ed Duffy of the New York Mutuals were banned for accepting money from a gambler to throw a game. Devyr was reinstated quickly, and the other two were reinstated in 1870.
A history of some of the most important suspensions in baseball history. 1882 Richard Higham was banned. To this day he is still the only umpire ever to be banned. The owner of the Detroit team and the mayor became suspicious of his calls, and discovered a letter from him to a well known gambler. He was banned.
2007 The Mitchell Report, by former US Senator George Mitchell, outlines the ineffectiveness of Major League Baseball’s steroid policy, alleging that 89 different players used PEDs. This report has kept players out of the Hall of Fame, like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Rafael Palmeiro, and Gary Sheffield. Also, Neifi Perez was suspended twice in the same season.
2013 In the Biogenesis scandal, 14 players were suspended for their involvement with a Florida clinic supplying them steroids, including former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP Ryan Braun (65 games), All-Stars Nelson Cruz and Jhonny Peralta (50 games each), and, last but not least, the one and only Alex Rodriguez (210, reduced to 162).
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In Baseball by Nathan Moore
The Suspender Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis is responsible for more lifetime bans than any other commissioner.
1919 The infamous Black Sox Scandal occurs. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, Eddie Cicotte, and Buck Weaver, were permanently banned for throwing the World Series for underworld leader Arnold Rothstein. They were found innocent in court, but commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned them anyway. This scandal was the subject of the 1988 movie Eight Men Out starring Charlie Sheen.
1989 Pete Rose was banned for gambling on baseball. The all-time hits leader, he has made four denied bids for reinstatement, and remains out of the Hall of Fame.
2016 The first steroid related lifetime ban occurs. Jenrry Mejia of the Mets was banned after his third positive PED test.
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Crushing by Nathan Moore
The story of how one 15-yearold boy is beating cancer with the help of his baseball team.
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Cancer
Team Effort The whole team showed up to help Josh at the fundraiser. Photo by Camilo Moreno
C
ancer. At one point in your life, you probably have known somebody who has had cancer, or who currently has cancer. In the spring of 2015, Josh Dow, one of the players on the 13-and-under team for a South Austin select baseball organization, the Texas Braves, was diagnosed with cancer. Camilo Moreno, one of the players on the baseball team in question organized a couple of fundraisers for Dow. Over two fundraisers, he says they raised upwards of $6,000 for Josh Dow. Moreno says they made about half of the money selling tamales, baked goods, drinks and pies. The pies were donated by a shop called Tiny Pies. At the fundraiser, there was a head shaving station, supportive t-shirts and awareness wristbands, Moreno says, but that was not all of the money. The rest of it came through donations. “[Cancer] kind of does something to everyone, and I think people saw it and they saw what was going on, and they wanted to help,” Moreno says about why the fundraiser was so successful. “So they donated money, they went to the fundraiser, they told people about it.” Moreno says that the whole team showed up to help at the fundraiser, and that the whole team felt something needed to be done. “It affected the team because he was our teammate, he was one of us,” Moreno says. “Our whole team is extremely close together. If that happens to one of us, it affects all of us a lot. Each of us did something to help, we supported them a lot. It took a toll on us.” In addition to the whole team, a news crew from KXAN came out to the fundraiser, Moreno says. 37
He says he did not think they were Alex Dugas is the coach of the going to interview anyone, and just Texas Braves team in question. He film. He was in for a surprise. was the one that notified the team “When they told me they wanted about Dow’s cancer diagnosis, and to interview me, I was extremely helped the team through the whole nervous,” Moreno says. “I process, as well as the family. thought, this cannot be happening. Dugas says that the day that Dow There is no way that this can was diagnosed with cancer, Dow happen that this can be on the was at practice. Dugas says an news.” assistant coach noticed that Dow Moreno was first nervous was grabbing at about getting interviewed, “I went back to his neck, and told but then got happier when school, and there him to take a look he realized the news crew at it. He says he were a couple of helped to get the word out asked Dow if he people who said, to people. He says what was alright, and he experienced the next my parents saw you Dow said yes, so day was incredible. he let him keep on the news. They “The next day I went hitting. Dow told me that their back to school, and there parents might want took a couple were a couple of people more swings and to help and donate was grabbing at who said, my parents money.” saw you on the news,” it again, Dugas Moreno says. “They saw says. He says he you on the news. I heard about told Dow to take a break. After how you had a fundraiser. They practice, he says, he told Dow’s told me that their parents might parents. He says Dow’s parents want to help and donate money to took Dow to the hospital, and he him.” was diagnosed that night. When Moreno heard this coming “When I found out, I did not want from other people, it brought a this to be something quiet that new kind of joy to his face, he we never talked about,” Dugas says. He says even his principal says about his decision to inform saw him on the news. the team of Dow’s diagnosis. “I 38
wanted to spread the word, open it up, and just talk about it. I felt [they] were mature enough to handle it. I didn’t want [them] to hear it from anyone else.” Dugas says he also decided to put a patch on the sleeve of the team’s jerseys the past two seasons. He says it was a reminder to them of their own mortality, but also something for Dow. “It was about supporting him as a group and as a team and also something that was a symbol for us as a team to play for him,” he says. Dugas says there were also a few players on the team who did not know Dow very well that still supported him just as much as the others. “[They] had already been there and knew that we were [a] team first, me second, so that was a part of it, but [they] also felt the emotions of the guys who had really known Josh better than [them] and had played with him,” he says. He says those that had played with Dow showed some leadership, but it was really the fact that the other players responded to them being ready to go in any way.
“[They] were ready to go because about how baseball has helped him that’s your team, that’s your fight cancer. “Also the never give teammate,” he says. “So whether up mentality…. The real important [they] know him on a personal one was what I always tell the level or not, he is a part of the doctors and nurses. I’m strong. I team, and that’s that. I think it is am an athlete. They agreed with combination of [them] being good me.” people, and being mature kids, but Dow says cancer is the “worst also that [their] teammates were all blow imaginable”. He says he will in from the start, and fight, and never so [they] didn’t really “It is a combination give up, but that have a choice.” of [them] being good cancer is not fun. Dow is now 15 years “Having cancer people, and being old. He has gone absolutely sucks,” mature kids, but also Dow says. “There through two rounds that [their] teammates [are] no other of chemotherapy, along with words for it! It’s were all in from the radiation treatment. pain, it’s heartache, start.” To add to his it’s nausea, it’s treatment list, he is fevers of 105, its currently undergoing a bone rushing to the hospital at 2 am, marrow transplant and stem it’s non stop vomiting for weeks, cell resuscitation (transplant) in it’s losing your hair and your Houston. identity, it’s losing the ability to Dugas says that the Braves be a father, it’s staying away from organization, along with the jersey friends and family for long periods patches and fundraisers, also had of time, it’s giving up sports and tournaments to support Dow. Dow friendships and it’s always…. says that these things the Braves Hoping someone finds a cure.” • did made him feel like he was a part of the team. If you would like to support Josh “Baseball has helped me through in his fight against cancer, go to: this struggle by knowing that I’m https://www.gofundme.com/ not completely alone,” Dow says helpjoshdow
The Fundraiser From far left: Dow shaving one of the team members’ head, A parent volunteer selling baked goods, the (almost) whole team with their shaved heads, and a parent volunteer selling baked goods. Photos by Camilo Moreno
Still Fighting Dow is still undergoing
treatment in Houston. Photo by Tina Dow
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