THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2008
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 14, Number 4
Bird Rock on edge after park assault Bike path is scene of other incidents BY ALYSSA RAMOS | VILLAGE NEWS
A La Jolla woman was sexually assaulted and then punched in the face Tuesday, Nov. 18 while walking on a popular bike path near Gravilla and Draper streets. Community leaders issued warnings to residents who use the stretch of remote dirt pathway, recalling similar incidents occurring over the past year. At about 6:40 a.m. Tuesday, a neighbor alerted San Diego firefighters at Station 13 that a woman was lying on the bike path injured, said San Diego Police Department Detective Gary Hassen. Rescuers found the woman, who said she
had been beaten and sexually assaulted while walking on the path, he said. Although police found a man nearby who fit the woman’s description of her attacker and took him into custody, he was later relased, Hassen said. Firefighters took the La Jolla woman to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for injuries to her face. “Regrettably, an incident Tuesday morning reminds us to be careful in using the path,” Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC) members said in an e-mail. “The bike path is a favorite trail for jogging, walking or just getting away from city streets and a very unique amenity for La Jollans. However, we need to be cognizant of the SEE ASSAULT, Page 4
The Bishop’s Knights offense looks to score against Coronado in the Nov. 22 CIF Div. II water polo championship VILLAGE NEWS | RONAN GRAY at La Jolla High’s Coggan Pool.
Bishop’s boys polo sinks CIF title BY DAVE THOMAS | VILLAGE NEWS
University City rallies to save south library BY ALYSSA RAMOS | VILLAGE NEWS
University City (UC) residents have recently clashed over several controversial issues, but community members came together Nov. 18 and 22, rallying to collect signatures in an effort to save the south UC library. Residents sent petitions to Mayor Jerry Sanders and council members, asking for his support. “The City Council — when they made their decision Tuesday — said it directly impacted their vote,” University City Community Association (UCCA) member Sandy Lippe. “[Councilman Jim] Madaffer
said he received hundreds of emails and Scott Peters said he hasn’t seen UC pull together like this.” Despite a large pension deficit, the San Diego City Council voted 6-1 Monday, Nov. 25 to keep libraries and recreation centers open for the next six months. However, UC residents said they Sanders’ recent call for the cuts. “I feel good. I know we saved libraries for another six months, but what is painful is the mayor will probably put the [libraries] on the chopping block in another six months,” Lippe said.
It never seems to get old for The Bishop’s School boys water polo program. The Knights wrapped up yet another CIF crown last Saturday evening with a 4-3 victory over Coronado High in a Division II battle in La Jolla. Justin Wolfe got the game-winner for the Knights late in the third period, and Bishop’s shut out the Islanders in the final quarter for the victory. Bishop’s (24-7) tied the contest in the third quarter on a goal from sophomore Matt Michalko, while goaltender Christian Ronald kept the Islanders at bay for the remainder of the game. Bishop’s head coach Jim Fales
credited a number of players on the night, as the Knights won their eighth CIF title. “Demian Tschirn played superb defense and contributed one goal and several drawn exclusions,” Fales noted. “I was very proud of his effort. Scott Siegel won every sprint, which gave us four more possessions than Coronado. He left everything in the pool. Justin Wolfe’s goal was a thing of beauty and he played with great focus tonight. “Billy Tifft has been our ‘match up’ defender the past three years. He shared most of the load guarding their best player (Alex Johnson) and was a recipient of the San Diego CIF Sportsmanship award (given to him at the
conclusion of the game). Christian Ronald, our goalie and the cornerstone of our defense, gave up only three goals in the biggest game of his high school career, including the game-saving block for the win.” Fales also noted the efforts of Drew Hoffenberg and Michalko, both sophomores who contributed with one goal each. Michalko made two big steals at the end of the game to help clinch it. Ollie Feune de Colombi, Emilio Marrero and David Higginson each played stifling defense and were instrumental in the win, according to Fales. “Every championship (eight) this program has won has been SEE TITLE, Page 4
SEE LIBRARY, Page 7
LJCD harriers capture Div. IV crown Lady Vikings third, qualify for state meet BY DAVE THOMAS | VILLAGE NEWS
Alex Morch holds a sign supporting the south UC Library on Governor Drive during a Nov. 18 protest of the library’s proposed closure.
A pair of local cross country teams turned in some top performances last weekend in different CIF divisional races. On the boys side, La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School captured the Division IV CIF crown. The effort included a valiant effort from senior Alex Poyhonen, who despite being weak-
ened by the race managed to cross the finish line. Teammates Dennis Roth and Lee Klitzner also crossed the line to send the Torreys to victory. Poyhonen gave an outstanding effort just to cross the finish line after falling (possibly to dehydration) during the race. LJCD head coach Scott Sanders was there at the end to catch Poyhonen as he crossed the finish line. “There have been questions about whether Alex should have been encouraged to keep going
when he was so clearly struggling,” Sanders said. “I have coached Alex for four years and obviously know him very well. I knew how important finishing was for him, and what kind of a competitor he is. As long as he was able to get back up, I had to let him keep going and keep encouraging him. It was his last race in San Diego, his shot at the state meet, and that of his team as well. “I was right there next to him, SEE CROWN, Page 4