Digital Weekly 41, March 3, 2016

March 3, 2016 Digital weekly 41

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Sheldon-Sacramento - Basketball - Senior The senior wing led the Huskies to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I semifinals with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and a season-high 7 assists in a 104-59 rout of Granite Bay. Manning scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Sheldon’s playoff-opening victory over Kennedy-Sacramento. The versatile 6-foot-6 forward can beat teams with his strength on the inside and shooting touch from distance, and is averaging a team-high 19.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. He has scored in double digits in 24 of the Huskies’ 26 games and helped the perennial hoops power to a 22-4 overall record that included a perfect 14-0 mark to claim the Delta League championship. Sheldon won 15 consecutive games heading into the section semifinals and the team earned a NorCal regional berth with the quarterfinal win over Granite Bay. Manning is also a top pitching prospect who will throw for the Huskies when the basketball season is over. He signed with Loyola Marymount University, but he could play professional baseball depending upon where he’s drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft in June. ✪ Like us on Facebook

James K. Leash photo

ABCs of ATVs

ATV riding can be a fun, healthy, family activity. While many experienced parents start their children on very small dirt bikes (yes, they can be equipped with training wheels), others opt to start their kids on four wheels. ATVs come in all different sizes and offer families the ability to enjoy the great outdoors, together — in a very exciting way.

ATV riding is a healthy activity. Did you know that when using proper technique, you will work all your major core muscles, hips, thighs, arms, gripping muscles and even your heart? Riding an ATV is quite a workout! Unlike driving a car, you use major muscle groups to maneuver the machine and safely navigate the terrain. This is called “active riding” and is the reason why riding is such good exercise.

Even more importantly, active riding is crucial to the safety of the rider. Yes, ATV riding is very fun and many children enjoy it, but ATVs are not toys. They are heavy machines with often powerful motors. So how can you safely enjoy this sport with your child? It begins with proper training and ends with proper supervision.

In the state of California, there is no age minimum to be able to ride an ATV. Rather, the law states that anyone using an off-highway vehicle must be able to reach and operate all controls.

Putting a child on an ATV that is too big OR too small is a dangerous mistake (see the graphics for proper fit). Children MUST be able to comfortably reach the gas and breaks (both hand and foot) with no stretching or tip-toeing. Conversely, a child who is too big for a particular ATV will not have the proper range of motion for turning and maneuvering. Even though he or she can reach everything, they cannot do so properly and are in violation of the Reach and Operate law.

Some other things to consider: ATVs can be modified in a number of ways for young children

just starting out. A kill switch can be installed so a parent walking behind the child on a track can shut the machine down as needed. Also, an ATV can be modified to only reach a minimum speed. Of course, fitting your child properly with safety gear is also very important. All riders should always wear a helmet, eye protection, over-the-ankle footwear, and long pants/sleeves and gloves. There is also additional riding gear available such as knee and elbow protection, chest protectors, and neck and spine protection.

The most important way to ensure your child’s safety is to enroll him or her into an ATV Safety course. This is a class taught by ATV professionals who will teach your children all they need to know to begin enjoying this sport. Children are taught how to identify parts of the machine and how to safely operate it — from starting and stopping, to traversing hills and turns. They are also instructed in trail etiquette and environmental responsibility.

This course provides its students with an ATV safety certificate which is required by law. Adults must supervise their children when riding ATVs and be in possession of this certificate.

Children aged 14-18 may ride unsupervised, but must have their own safety certificate.

The California State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Division offers these classes for children 17 years of age and younger, free of charge (and often reduced rates for adults), at many of our State Vehicular Recreation Areas. Visit www.ohv.parks. ca.gov for details. You can also sign up the entire family for free through most ATV sales locations if you buy a new machine. Finally, you can call the ATV Safety Foundation at (800) 887-2887.

With proper training and supervision, OHV recreation can be an ideal way to spend quality family time and experience the great outdoors. ✪

After 42 wins in two seasons, De Anza proves it belongs by claiming the program’s first NCS championship

S

aying the De Anza High boys soccer program has come a long way, would be an understatement of grand proportions.

Just four years ago, the program ended the 20112012 season with zero wins. Four years later, they finished off back-to-back 21-win seasons and ended 2015-2016 with the program’s first North Coast Section title.

The Dons beat perennial title contender Campolindo-Moraga to win the Division II crown on Feb. 27, doing so in dominating fashion — beating the higher seed and host team 2-0.

After the forgettable 2011-2012 season, De Anza started to improve. The Dons won eight games the next year, and nine the year after that. Then a new coach came in to start the 2014-2015 campaign.

James Quijano took De Anza to new heights, winning 42 games the last two seasons and creating success that the program had never seen before.

“I think it’s amazing,” Quijano said. “I came in and showed the boys they can play and organized them, and then look what happens. They knew how to play. And to have someone like myself come in and say ‘I trust you, let’s do it,’ (made a difference).

And the results came in.”

Despite going 21-1-2 a season ago — and following it up by winning 17 regular season matches and another Tri-Counties Athletic League Stone Division title this season — De Anza was nothing more than an afterthought when the postseason rolled around.

The Dons earned a No. 9 seed, were pitted in the first round against a Casa Grande-Petaluma team they had lost to in the regular season, and by all accounts were dismissed as a team to be taken seriously amongst the soccer community.

But the Dons avenged their loss to the Gauchos 2-0, then beat No. 16-seed Acalanes-Lafayette 2-1. Acalanes was coming off a 1-0 shutout of top-seed Redwood-Larkspur and hailed from the highly-respected Diablo Foothill Athletic League, arguably the best Division II league in the North Coast Section.

A 2-0 win over Livermore, a team from the East Bay Athletic League, legitimized the Dons. The Cowboys had beaten Newark Memorial, Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland, Foothill-Pleasanton, California-San Ramon and drew with De La Salle-Concord.

A dominating win against Campolindo followed and immediately all doubts were erased.

At left, De Anza goalkeeper Lennox Poveda soars to snag the ball in a crowd.

Story by Matt Smith | Photos by Berry Evans III

Mario Santos

Ben Doherty “My response (to the criticism) is a simple ‘I told you,’” Quijano said. “This is for everyone who insulted us or said we weren’t ready. We aren’t a rude, negative team and we for sure are not cocky. But we believed in ourselves and the project we started, and no one could take that belief away.”

The Dons controlled the game against the Cougars, a team seeking a third title in nine years, from the opening whistle. De Anza left little doubt from the beginning that it belonged.

“The real strategy against Campolindo was to smother them in the midfield,” Quijano said. “To do that, we implemented a high pressure tactic starting with the forwards, allowing our midfield to get in as well. But the key was having the five midfielders pressing high up and winning the ball as well. We stifled them and they resorted to a kick ball style that didn’t do a thing.”

The midfield was largely controlled by senior Luis Lopez. The East Bay’s leader with 29 assists, put on quite a display, especially with his ball skills. He constantly took on multiple defenders, kept the ball away from the Cougars and got around defenders. It was an incredibly skilled and nifty move by him that created De Anza’s first goal in the title match.

Senior forward Benjamin Doherty scored both goals in the championship tilt.

They were his 17th and 18th on the season. Fellow senior striker Mario Santos

led the Dons with 32 goals in just 23 games. Lopez closed out his final season with the Dons with 10 goals to go with his 29 assists. “(Lopez) is a talented individual. He is one of the most technically sound players I have,” Quijano said. “He has also had a tough life which has made him into the person he is today. This year I put a lot of pressure on him, that he needs to carry the teams he plays on, on his back. He really stepped up in the last six games.”

The reason behind the doubt from those outside the program stemmed from last year’s season ending prematurely. The Dons were undefeated entering the postseason, earned the No. 3 seed in the Div. II playoffs, but were bounced in the quarterfinals by San Lorenzo.

Coupling that collapse with what most considered a soft league schedule, led most to speculate that this year’s installment of the De Anza squad wouldn’t even be as good as the one before it.

“I believed in this team from day one,” Quijano said. “What led me to believe in them is that I felt we were better than last year’s undefeated team. I felt that the players on the squad, especially the ones playing club for me, were more than capable of taking everything on.” ✪

NorCal Rugby Season At Full Tilt As the sport continues to thrive, NCYRA hatches program to harbor even more growth The Rugby NorCal season is underway in what promises to be another exciting season of action packed, 15-a-side rugby. Already this year, we have seen a shocking upset in the Boys Premier Division when Solano-Yolo Rugby based out of Dixon, upset current NorCal-Champion Danville.

In the Girls Premier Division, Danville took on Division 1 opponent Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland. Down on numbers, O’Dowd didn’t let that deter it and kept the match within three points until the last five minutes. The Dragons thin roster finally ran out of gas, and Danville was able to get its second win of the year.

Already this year, Rugby NorCal has expanded its offerings, starting a girls-only middle school division, which has been a huge success, and has given Rugby NorCal the platform to build a massive infrastructure at that age grade. The high school Premier Divisions in both boys and girls have worked out well for the programs involved, and the Junior Youth (U8-U12) Divisions and Clubs continue to see increasing numbers year over year.

Rugby NorCal is expanding its foundation with the addition of Rookie Rugby Leagues in the region. Rookie Rugby is USA Rugby’s brand of flag rugby, which is a safe, non-contact and easy way to play the game for both boys and girls of all ages. The rules are simple and the game is easy to learn.

By adding these leagues, Rugby NorCal will start growing the grassroots of rugby in the region by providing a new sport to Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and parks and recreation departments. It will also help bring in a new generation of rugby players.

Rookie Rugby is not only about learning the sport and the skills required, but providing the players an opportunity to learn about leadership, teamwork and a global perspective through uniquely planned training sessions and worldly fun facts. Rugby NorCal has begun to lay the groundwork in creating Rookie Rugby leagues by holding a Rookie Rugby Course Leader Training session. The session took place in Vacaville and included administrators from local rugby clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs and sports facilities.

By participating in this course, the attendees became Rookie Rugby Course Leader certified, and can now be advocates for the organization and run their own educational courses for coaches, administrators, parents and anyone wanting to coach and teach Rookie Rugby. Rugby NorCal is extending its reach in hopes to create many leagues in the Bay Area, Napa/Sonoma and Sacramento Valley and Central Valley, while still focusing on the main goal of Rookie Rugby — fun.

If you are interested in finding a club near you for your son or daughter to try the great game of rugby, check out our website (www.rugbynorcal.org), or email Rugby NorCal Executive Director at mcarney@rugbynorcal.org or Operations Manager, Marti Blum at mblum@rugbynorcal.org.

See you on the sidelines. ✪ — Mark Carney

Del Oro’s Justin Burrage

strength in

numbers Del Oro follows up SJS Masters title with seven wrestlers at CIF State Championships

You can’t win a section wrestling championship without qualifying lots of grapplers to accumulate points. But volume was not everything as Del Oro High claimed its second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Team Championship.

“We weren’t sure that we could do it because of the adversity we faced,” Del Oro coach Dave Sanchez said of the team competing without the services of Landon McBride (broken ankle) and Ryan Ojeda (missed weight at Sierra Foothill League Finals). “We knew that every guy had to do his part and we had to score as many points as we could.”

Wrestling scoring is based not just on wins and losses, but also on bonus points for technical falls, major decisions and pins. In a nonleague dual meet, the Golden Eagles lost a narrow decision to Vacaville despite winning 8 of the 14 matches. Heading into the Section Masters tournament with eight wrestlers — Elk Grove qualified 14 wrestlers and Benicia and Vacaville 10 each — Del Oro had to make the most of its victories. And they did, with seven team members finishing in the top 6 to qualify for this weekend’s CIF State Wrestling Championships.

Senior Justin Burrage, already a section and state champion in football, won the team’s lone Masters title at 170 pounds despite competing for the first time since the sixth grade. He was helped in his return by older brother, Kevin, who won a Section Masters championship in 2010. The elder Burrage coached his younger brother and even engaged in matches with him to prepare him for the wrestling grind, particularly for the postseason.

“Kevin helped him out tremendously,” Sanchez said. “I have never seen anyone get better so quickly. He was a very good youth wrestler, but what he is doing this season is outstanding.”

Justin and Kevin were the only members of the family in attendance at the Masters tourney because their parents were in Visalia watching sister Kaleigh, a junior, win the 137-pound CIF State Girls’ Wrestling Championship.

Six Del Oro wrestlers finished in the top three, with three wrestlers earning

runner-up finishes (Antonio Lorenzo — 106; Hunter Halverson — 220; Pablo Miller — 285) and two finishing third (Clay Shropshire — 145; Noah Blake — 152). Only Burrage and Shropshire will graduate, leaving Sanchez and coach Clint Madden with the depth and strength to make a run at a threepeat in 2017.

Sophomore Willie Costanzo, who has been in and out of the lineup all season, is peaking late in the season with a fifth-place Masters finish at 160 pounds. His goal to start the season was just to make it to state, but that will change now, according to Sanchez.

Benicia’s Joseph Salt Team goals to start the season included league, divisional, and Section Masters titles, as well as four state medals. Despite the loss of Ojeda and McBride, the Golden Eagles are not likely to alter that goal. With a handful of CIF qualifiers in the top 15 of the state rankings — and rising after the Masters performance — Del Oro is hopeful to utilize its volume of a SJS-best seven wrestlers to earn quality wins and reach its goal.

PANTHER PARADE A total of six SJS teams will send at least five wrestlers to Bakersfield. Benicia will travel with six participants (second only to Del Oro and Folsom’s seven state qualifiers) after a successful weekend at the Masters Tournament.

The Panthers claimed eight titles at the SJS Division II Finals and added a runnerup and fourth-place finish. Senior Mason Boutain, ranked fourth in the state at 145 pounds by TheCaliforniaWrestler.com before the section finals, captured the Panthers’ lone Masters title and is likely Benicia’s best shot at a state championship.

“We have looked at the bracket and the only guy he has not beaten (San Marino’s Zander Wick) is on the opposite side,” said Benicia co-coach Japheth Aquino. “Mason knows that he can beat everyone ahead of him, but anything can happen at state.”

Boutain is among a group of graduating seniors that have been coached and mentored by Aquino and co-coach Dominic Boutain since middle school. The

Podium Potential

Windsor’s Beau Colombini Del Oro’s Hunter Halverson coaching duo started the middle school wrestling program in Benicia seven years ago, and have been coaching at the high school for five years.

They hope to start an elementary school program to feed the middle school program that would then feed the high school team.

“It’s difficult to keep up with the big programs like Clovis in the Central Valley, but we are trying to build a program where we reload from the bottom up each year,” Aquino added.

Senior Joseph Salt is a relative newcomer. In just his third year of wrestling, he won league and divisional titles at 182 pounds and qualified for the CIF State Wrestling Championships with a fifth-place Masters finish.

“He is one of those diamonds in the rough that you are happy to find,” Aquino said. “He has a lot of upside if he wants to continue wrestling beyond this year.”

Salt and Boutain will be joined at state by seniors Kyle Creech (106) and Tyler Kay (170), and junior twins Alejandro (126) and Fernando Lanza (138), all of whom were Solano County Athletic Conference and Div. II champions.

Last year, the Panthers sent five wrestlers, including Boutain and Fernando Lanza, and returned home with the program’s first-ever state medalist. Senior Christian Ramos finished fifth in Bakersfield at 106 pounds and set the bar for this year’s crop of wrestlers and future Panthers.

“This is our second graduating class of seniors we have been with for seven years,” Aquino said.

“These kids are like family and it will be sad to see them leave us.

“But it’s been a fun road and the culmination of seven years of hard work that we hope translates into success at state.” ✪ — Story by Jim McCue Photos by James K. Leash

Folsom’s Curtis Booth

The Northern California wrestlers to take note of heading into the weekend of the CIF State Championships weekend. All rankings referenced were gathered from TheCaliforniaWrestler.com.

NICOLAS AGUILAR (Gilroy, Soph., 106 pounds) Already a two time Central Coast Section champ, Aguilar is the top-ranked 106-pounder in the state.

ADAM VELASQUEZ (Pitman-Turlock, Jr., 120 pounds) The Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Champion is currently ranked No. 6 in the state.

DEVAN TURNER (Dixon, Sr., 126 pounds) Ranked No. 3 in California, the SJS Masters champion is looking to improve upon his 7th-place finish at the 2015 state championships.

ISAIAH PALOMINO (Bellarmine-San Jose, Jr., 126 pounds The two-time CCS champ is ranked No. 4 in his class and will seek his third straight podium finish in Bakersfield (7th in 2014, 4th in 2015) ALEX FELIX (Gilroy, Soph., 132 pounds) Ranked No. 2 in the weight class, Felix returns to state after finishing third at 132s as a freshman last season.

LAWRENCE SAENZ (Vacaville, Soph., 132 pounds) The state’s No. 3-ranked wrestler and SJS Masters Champion is making his second trip to Bakersfield in as many years.

KENNY JONES (Lassen-Susanville, Sr., 132 pounds) The Northern Section Masters champion finished 6th at state last year and is ranked fourth in his weight class.

BEAU COLOMBINI (Windsor, Sr., 160 pounds) A two-time North Coast Section champion, Colombini takes the weight classes’ No. 3 state ranking into the CIF tournament.

JASON BERGQUIST (Folsom, Sr., 160 pounds) The SJS Masters champion is ranked 4th in California as he makes a return trip to Bakersfield.

DOM DUCHARME (Windsor, Sr., 170 pounds) Standout season for the No. 4-ranked wrestler in the weight class includes first-place finishes at Clovis West Shootout and Tim Brown Memorial.

NIKO CHAPMAN (Inderkum-Sacramento, Sr., 170 pounds) The 5th-ranked wrestler at 170 pounds was the SJS Masters runner-up after finishing sixth at state in 2015.

ROMAN ROMERO (McNair-Stockton, Sr., 182 pounds) After reaching the state podium in 2015 (8th), the SacJoaquin Section Masters champion heads south ranked fourth in his weight class.

KYLE JENNINGS (Ponderosa-Shingle Springs, Sr., 220 pounds) After finishing third at the SJS Masters, he hopes to reach or exceed his No. 2 state ranking at the CIF State Wrestling Championships.

CURTIS BOOTH (Folsom, Sr., 132 pounds) In a loaded weight class, the 5th-ranked wrestler in the state hopes to better his fifth-place finish at the SacJoaquin Section Masters.

DARRYL AIELLO (De La Salle-Concord, Jr., 220 pounds) He took home a third-place medal from Bakersfield a year ago, and returns to the tournament ranked No. 4 in the weight class.

MASON BOUTAIN (Benicia, Sr., 145 pounds) Returning to Bakersfield for his second year, the SJS Masters champion is ranked 4th in California.

GAVIN NYE (Corning, Jr., 285 pounds) The Northern Section Masters champion finished 7th at state as a sophomore, is ranked 4th in California. ✪

Beginning in March, baseball and softball grab hold of the Placer Valley sports scene As spring break arrives, so does the Third Annual Rocklin Pony Youth Baseball Select Spring Invitational. This exciting three-day event is slotted to take place Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20 at Whitney Park in Rocklin.

The four separate age divisions competing this year are 8U, 10U, 12U and 13U and each division will have eight teams competing in their bracket. With 32 teams total coming from all over the greater Sacramento area, this promises to be a great way to get the baseball season started — tournament-style.

Shaun Baland, Rocklin Pony President, explained that this tournament was developed three years ago because some people did not want to be committed to recreation games during spring break.

However, many teams and players relish the opportunity to have more games and playing time,

which led Rocklin Pony to the idea of hosting a spring invitational.

“It’s a fun, short tournament and we are in the ideal location in terms of weather, traffic, hotels and restaurants,” stated Baland.

“Visiting teams have commented how well our tournaments are run and really enjoy visiting our area.”

Every team is guaranteed three games and game times will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day of the tournament.

Whitney Park is located at 1800 Whitney Ranch Rd., in Rocklin where all games will be played.

Teams have until March 5 to get signed up.

Space is limited so if your team is interested go to www.rocklinponybaseball.com today to reserve your spot. ✪

SOFTBALL: ASA Wilson Trophy Challenge Softball season will be in full swing when the ASA Wilson Trophy Challenge arrives on April 9-10 at three different Lincoln locations that include Foskett Park, Wilson Park and Lincoln High School. The tournament will highlight three age divisions, 10U, 12U and 14U with nearly 40 teams coming to compete from Central and Northern California, the Bay Area and Nevada.

Placer Valley Tourism and ASA Tournaments are excited to be teaming up again to bring this fun, fast-paced and competitive tournament to Placer Valley.

Gary Ybarra, who serves as the tournament director for ASA Tournaments, says the games start at 8 a.m. each day and will continue well into the evening. Each team is guaranteed four games and the competition is expected to be top notch.

“Locally, we have some standout teams compet-

ing,” Ybarra said.

“The NorCal Dirtdogs 05 in the 10U division, the 12U ASA Garcia team and the LTG Temp team from the 14U division are all teams to watch.”

On top of providing great softball competition, the Wilson Trophy Challenge goes a step further by donating $10 of every team’s entry fee to the ASA yearly scholarship program and another $10 per team for the ASA Summer Bash 4 Cash Tournament that takes place on July 16- 17 in Roseville and Lincoln.

So if you haven’t signed up for the Wilson Trophy Challenge, it’s not too late. Go to www. asatournaments.com and get your team entered today. ✪ — All copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism

march 4-5

march 8 LACROSSE: MONTE VISTA-DANVILLE at ST. IGNATIUS-S.F.

CIF STATE WRESTLING

CHAMPIONSHIPS

One season after finishing as the North Coast Section Division I runner-up, Monte Vista begins battle-testing itself for another strong season by traveling to one of the top programs in the Western region. Consistently ranked among the top teams in the state and nation, St. Ignatius began its 2016 campaign by defeating San Ramon Valley-Danville (the defending NCS champ) 9-5.

Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield plays host to what many consider one of the top high school wrestling tournaments in the country. Plenty of NorCal talent heads south in search of podium finishes. Wrestling begins by 9 a.m. on Friday morning and the finals take place under a single light bulb at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Check CIFSTATE.ORG for broadcast and streaming information.

march 12

march 14 TRACK: MARTINEZ TIM BRUDER RELAYS

GOLF: DE LA SALLE INVITATIONAL

One of the longest running track and field events in the state, the Martinez/ Tim Bruder Relays have been around since 1933. Alhambra High will become a sea of pop-up tents as the track community comes for a day of competition and fun. Running events commence at 8 a.m. and field events at 8:30 a.m. Check out ALHAMBRA TRACK.ORG for a full schedule.

The Spartans will once again invite some of the top teams from Northern California and beyond to their home course of Diablo Country Club in Danville. De La Salle is the defending champion in the event after edging both Granite Bay and Archbishop Mitty-San Jose by a single stroke in 2015. The golf usually begins by 9 a.m.

march 19 BASKETBALL: CIF NORCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS The 12 boys and girls basketball teams still standing will battle it out for a berth to the state finals. The championships for the Open Division, DIvision I and Division II will take place at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento while American Canyon High School will host the Division III, IV and V championship games. Matchups and times will be available at CIFSTATE.ORG.

march 21-23 BASEBALL: BORAS BASEBALL CLASSIC In its fourth year, this 32-team mega tournament founded by noted proressional baseball super-agent, Scott Boras, has quickly become one of the best tournaments in the state.

A 16-team NorCal bracket is contended at McAuliffe Memorial Ballpark in Sacramento, while a 16-team SoCal tournament takes place at two high school locations. The champions of each bracket face off in May for the ultimate crown. See brackets and times at BORASCLASSIC.COM.

march 10-12

march 11-12

QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN

SOFTBALL TOURNEY

Going on its 34th season as the first major tournament of the high school softball season in the East Bay, the Queen of the Mountain returns to Pleasanton Sports Park with several top teams in tow. Among the favorites will be defending champion and SportStars’ top-ranked NorCal team to open the season, Amador Valley-Pleasanton. Visit QUEENOFTHEMOUNTAINSOFTBALL.COM for brackets and times.

march 19

BOYS VOLLEYBALL: DEER VALLEY INVITATIONAL This tournament typically serves as a strong barometer as to which Northern California teams will separate themselves as one of the region’s top teams. The host school has certainly been one of those teams for the past three or four seasons. However, the Wolverines will have a new look in 2016 after star hitter Jordan Ewert graduated and moved on to Stanford last spring.

ATHLETIC TRAINING

WORKSHOP Our friends at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes (a division of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals) are holding a two-day student athletic trainer workshop for high school students at their facility in Walnut Creek. There will be workshops, lectures and labs. Register at BITLY.COM/AT4HS2016 or call 925-979-3420

march 24, 26

BASKETBALL:

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena plays host to 12 state finals over two days. Thursday, March 24, will feature boys and girls championship games for Division I, III and V. The Saturday, March 26, slate will include the boys and girls finals for Division II, IV and the Open Division. Matchups and times will be available at CIFSTATE.ORG

injury avoidance: hunter greene, m.d.

smart swimmin’ Don’t let “Swimmer’s Shoulder” drag you under this season As swim season hits full stride and swimmers start ratcheting up their training, we’re going to talk about shoulder problems.

Poor stroke mechanics, training errors, overuse and muscular imbalances are some of the elements that can contribute to shoulder pain in swimmers.

So, how do you avoid overuse injuries and biomechanical problems, often referred to as “swimmer’s shoulder?” One of the most important things for a swimmer to understand is the difference between normal muscle soreness and fatigue versus early symptoms of an injury, such as decreased range of motion, weakness or pain.

If the symptoms seem abnormal, try to determine any contributing factors, such as changes in intensity, distances or stroke mechanics. The sooner you notice and address a potential problem, the better the chance for a fast and complete recovery.

Some things to keep in mind:

›› Address shoulder weakness Another important aspect of injury prevention and rehabilitation is strength and conditioning. Due to the unstable nature of the shoulder, a strong and stable scapula (shoulder blade) is important. Scapular weakness can contribute to a faulty stroke and put increased stress on the rotator cuff and biceps. Two areas to pay special attention to are the internal rotators of the shoulder and the scapular stabilizers, which have been shown to be more prone to fatigue in freestyle swimmers.

›› stretch, but not too much Finally, to minimize the risk of injury, be cautious with stretching. Most swimmers are not lacking in flexibility and actually have a tendency to be hypermobile. Try to avoid partner stretching, which can be too aggressive. A gentle 5-10 minute upper extremity warm-up should be enough to increase blood flow and prepare the muscles for a workout.

If you do experience persistent shoulder pain that is something other than normal muscular soreness, be sure to see a physician or other sports medicine professional. Remember, you need to pay attention to your body. If you push through and ignore pain, the inflammatory response will increase and make the pain more widespread. This will make it harder to pinpoint a diagnosis and focus the treatment on the source of the pain.

Wishing you a fun and healthy swim season. ✪

Hunter Greene, M.D., is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with Summit Orthopedic Specialists in Carmichael. He specializes in adult and pediatric sports medicine.

On March 19, you can be part of a very unique endurance event at Whiskeytown Park.

Can you manage a 15 minute-per-mile pace on relatively benign trails? Of course you can! Most of you could do a sub-10 min. mile, many could do TWO miles in 15 minutes.

In the 4MPH Challenge, participants have 90 minutes to complete a relatively easy and scenic six-mile long route. When the runners finish, they wait until the 90 minutes are up and everyone goes out and does it again. Those who don’t finish in 90 minutes, are out.

Find out how far you are capable of going in this very social event in which you’ll be tied for first place until you drop out!

The course consists of a fairly easy (one medium-size hill) six-mile point-to-point course. It includes 2.5 miles of running along the lakeshore of Whiskeytown Lake. It is mostly single track with a half-mile section of road in the middle. Any time under 90 minutes counts as success. When you finish, you can sit down, eat and drink, visit with other runners, whatever.

When the 90 minutes are up, head back to the starting line. You’ll have 90 minutes to get there.

How many legs can you do? How many miles? How long can you keep up a 4MPH pace?

The event is very low-cost and low-key: Runners are responsible to provide their own aid (food, chairs, etc). Event organizers will provide water and ice (only at both ends of the course), but they fire up the grill at 7 PM and offer hot food every three hours after that, and full meals on Sunday. Runners can bring two drop bags (and two chairs), one for the start/finish at Oak Bottom, and one for the turnaround (organizers will transport them for you).

Camping will be available at Oak Bottom (starting line area) for $11 per night.(Tell them you are coming for the 4MPH Challenge and they will give you a 50 percent discount.)

There are various race divisions to sign up for. Visit the shastatrailruns.com site for all the pertinent information, and to sign-up. ✪

The Shasta Magic AAU basketball program is coming off an incredible year and is ready to hit the hardwood for 2016. The Magic’s 2015 included AAU tournament victories between San Francisco and Portland. Both boys and girls Magic players also had immense success with their high school programs throughout the past year.

The Shasta Magic is the only non-profit youth sports basketball program in the Redding community. Emphasizing success on the court or field, as well as in the classroom and in the community, their dynamic staff provides an opportunity for all youth or Shasta County to be successful and supported.

The Magic begin their practices in early February and will gear up to host two key spring tournaments. The Shasta Magic Elevation Tip-Off takes place on March 19-20 for boys and girls in 4th through 12th grades. On the following month, the Magic and Redding play host again with the 12th Annual Battle for the North State. It too will be open to boys and girls from 4th through 12th grade.

Teams interested in registering or gaining more information about either tournament are encouraged to contact Magic coordinator Micheal Gray at 530-945-0182 or email Grayrealty@ charter.net. Information can also be found at shastamagic.com ✪ —Photos and copy provided by Redding Tourism and event organizers

Big League Dreams

Redding Soccer Park

20155 Viking Way 530-223-1177

www.ReddingSoccerPark.com

March 2016: High School Baseball and Softball: Dates TBD redding.bigleaguedreams.com

Shasta Magic March 2016: AAU 8th Grade Shasta Magic Elevation Tip-Off April 2016: Shasta Magic 15th Annual Battle For The North State 530-945-0182 or Grayrealty@charter.net

Redding WinterFest When you visit Redding, be sure to enjoy all we offer at WinterFest Redding! Arts, culture and the beautiful outdoors! Great food, great music, great scenery and great activities. Join us!

WinterFestRedding.org

Lacrosse: www.ReddingLacrosse.com SoccerKraze Invitational: March 12-13. Adult, Coed, Open, Over 30, Over 40 Divisions. Info: eric@reddingsoccerpark.com

Shasta Trails 4 MPH Challenge

March 19 at Whiskeytown Park. Six miles in 90 minutes on beautiful trails! For more info and to register: shastatrailruns.com