Digital Weekly Issue 46, June 28, 2016

JUNE 28, 2016 DIGITAL WEEKLY 46

DYLAN CARLSON elk grove

where are they now

DRAFT EDITION E

Elk Grove Talent Factory Keeps On Producing

lk Grove might consider changing its name to Draft Town, USA. Last Thursday night, when Marquese Chriss was the eighth selection of the NBA Draft, he became the fourth local athlete to be selected in the first round of a major professional league draft in the last 14 months.

Ironically, it started and ended with teammates from Pleasant Grove High being selected in the National Football League and National Basketball League drafts in a whirlwind of picks that further cemented Elk Grove as a professional athletic outpost.

Back in April 2015, former Pleasant Grove football star Arik Armstead was drafted 19th by the relative hometown San Francisco 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft. It culminated when Armstead’s 2014 CIF Division I State Basketball Championship teammate Chriss was made a lottery pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Chriss was selected No. 8 by the Sacramento Kings, which set up a potential homecoming for the local star that rose up the ranks from a sophomore contributor to the Eagles’ state championship run to a one-and-done rising star with a desirable upside NBA teams were positioning for. But, while Armstead made a homecoming of sorts to the Niners, Chriss’s hometown pick by the Kings was short-lived.

Chriss posed with the Kings’ new logo on his draft cap, but the hoops prodigy already knew he was not coming home. Instead of helping his hometown team open a new arena in downtown Sacramento, Chriss was dealt to the Phoenix Suns to help another struggling franchise. With No. 4 pick Dragan Bender, Chriss is

part of a rising Suns’ franchise that is hopeful of a rapid return to past glory.

Chriss rose up the NBA Draft ranks after just one season with the Washington Huskies in which his potential exceeded his statistics. His raw athleticism and basketball ceiling — Chriss only started playing competitive basketball as a freshman in high school — had pro scouts and teams jumping at the opportunity to mold a young star, and the Suns jumped at the chance to rework their roster with Chriss as a major piece to their future puzzle.

When asked about the switch from homecoming to a short flight to Arizona, Chriss was quick to emphasize the “fit” of Phoenix’s roster to his talents with an eye to his professional future.

Chriss was not the only local product making noise in recent professional sports drafts in 2016. In the June Major League Baseball Entry Draft, a pair of Elk Grove stars were selected in the first round of the draft, adding to the local economy and baseball legend of the city.

Sheldon High pitcher Matt Manning — who also starred on the Huskie’s basketball team — was selected No. 9 overall by the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander was on MLB scouts’ radars before his senior season started, and his performance lived up to the hype. Manning, whose father Rich played in the NBA in the late 1980s, was a twosport star who was destined for greatness on the mound despite his hoops heritage and resume. The younger Manning signed for $3.5 million as a Tigers’ top-10 pick and may have exceeded his father’s career earnings with one stroke of the pen.

Elk Grove High baseball star Dylan Carlson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the MLB Draft as the No. 33 pick. Carlson, who passed on a full-ride scholarship to NCAA powerhouse Cal State Fullerton to begin his professional career with the Cardinals, flew to St. Louis to ink his deal for a reported $1.35 million signing bonus. He took batting practice at Busch Stadium, and held court with the Cardinals’ press corps before being assigned to the organization’s Gulf Coast League team.

Carlson joins a long line of former Elk Grove High alums who have made their mark at the collegiate and professional level, including MLB stalwarts Buck Martinez and David Hernandez. ✪

MARQUESE CHRISS pleasant grove

Story by Jim McCue

SYNCHRO STARS On May 13-15 the Region B Synchronized Swimming Championship, hosted by Sacramento Synchronized Swim Team (SSST) and Placer Valley Tourism (PVT), took place at the Rusch Park Pool in Citrus Heights. Approximately 150 girls came from throughout Northern California to compete in this exciting regional competition where swimmers were vying for aa spot spot at at the the upcoming upcoming National National Junior Junior Olympics.

Olympics.

SSST SSST had had an an impressive impressive nine nine synchronized swimmers synchronized swimmers advance advance onto onto the the Junior Junior Olympics Olympics that that will will be held on June 24 through July be held on June 24 through July 2 2 in in Long Long Island, Island, New New York.

York. Sophia Sophia Susac Susac advanced advanced in in the the 16-17 16-17 age age group as a soloist and will also group as a soloist and will also be be competing competing with with Noelle Noelle Song Song in in the the duet duet category. category. MJ MJ Schoel Schoel and and Aubrie Rutan will be competing Aubrie Rutan will be competing in in the 13-15 age division for duet. the 13-15 age division for duet.

Susac, Susac, Song, Song, Schoel Schoel and and Rutan Rutan as well as Kylie Beloian as well as Kylie Beloian and and Marissa Marissa Kwong Kwong will will be be reprerepresenting SSST in the 16-and-over senting SSST in the 16-and-over Team Team category. category. Dyeon Dyeon Maeng Maeng and Mia Rebensdorf will and Mia Rebensdorf will join join all all of of the the girls girls previously previously mentioned mentioned for the 16-and-over Combo Team for the 16-and-over Combo Team competition at the 2016 Junior competition at the 2016 Junior Olympics.

Olympics.

PVT would like to congratulate We would like to congratulate all of the talented, amazing youth these talented, amazing youth athathletes and wish them good luck letes and wish them good luck at at their upcoming national comtheir upcoming national competipetition in New York! Go SSST! âœŞ tion in New York! Go SSST! âœŞ

Quarry Blast & Classic Tourneys Will Sizzle Rocklin Youth Soccer in August Rocklin Youth Soccer is turning up the heat in August with two incredible tournaments for competitive soccer teams, the Rocklin Quarry Blast and the Debbie Patterson Quarry Classic.

First up is the Rocklin Quarry Blast on August 19-21 and will showcase U9 through U12 boys and girls teams.

All teams have a three game guarantee and there will be a championship as well as consolation games.

“We expect over 60 teams will be competing in this exciting event that will be hosted by the club at the city’s premier soccer location, Margaret Azevedo Park,” said Rocklin Youth Soccer President, Bart Paduveris.

The second event is the newly renamed Debbie Patterson Quarry Classic and takes place August 26-28.

More than 100 teams from the U13U19 level are expected to compete and will be playing at multiple locations throughout the City of Rocklin for this three-day tournament. Both boys and girls bronze, silver, gold and premier teams are welcome.

“This tournament is presented in honor of our late, beloved coach and board member Debbie Patterson,” Paduveris said. “It is a wonderful way to honor Patterson and celebrate the talented youth of our community.”

The Rocklin Quarry Blast is $450 per team and the Debbie Patterson Quarry Classic is $595. For more info go to www.rocklinsoccer.org. ✪

J

essica Stratton knew it. Her Diablo Valley Volleyball Club 18-Black teammates knew it too.

It was ‘Dig Deep’ Time.

It was an early Sunday morning in San Mateo on the first weekend of May. Diablo Valley was playing a Gold Bracket quarterfinal match in the Northern California Volleyball Association Power League Region Championships — the team’s last opportunity to earn a bid to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships — and it had just lost the opening set 25-23 to seasonrival SF JRs RoShamBo 18-1.

“I think that’s when we realized that we really wanted it,” said Stratton, a recent Clayton Valley Charter High graduate and one of Diablo Valley’s two standout liberos and captains. “I’ve never seen our team DIABLO VALLEY 18-BLACK ROSTER play as hard as we did that match.”

Player Pos. High School Grad Yr. Reaching the semifinals of the tournament was the only way the team would have a shot at qualifying Maddie Graham OH Acalanes 2016 for nationals. It was a do-or-die game, and the players on Diablo Valley refused to die.

Gabbi Heitmann OH Las Lomas 2016 The team won the second set in convincing fashion, 25-14. Then it fell behind early in the decisive Sarah Hodson L Carondelet 2016 third set before roaring to life behind big plays from Gabbi Heitmann, an outside hitter who attended Las Haley Jones M Alhambra 2016 Lomas, and Maddie Sehrt, an imposing middle who just completed her junior year at Monte Vista. ReTori Klock M Clayton Vlly Chrtr 2017 enegerized, the team rallied to win the final set 15-13.

Calista Lam OH Acalanes 2016 In the semifinals, 18-Black fell in straight sets to Delta Valley (Lodi) 25-18, 25-14. However, the team Lauren Pak S Campolindo 2017 would finish third overall behind a 7-1 weekend. All of which was more than enough to qualify them for Maddie Sehrt M Monte Vista 2017 the 18 American Division at the national championships which run from June 28-July 1 in Indianapolis.

Jessica Stratton L Clayton Vlly Chrtr 2016 “The light just clicked on for all of them,” 18-Black coach Jerry Mix said of the team’s play in the ReLexy Swenson S Alhambra 2016 gion Championships. “That was the best we’ve played this season so far, and I’m hoping that the best is Mimi White M Acalanes 2016 still yet to come.”

It took some time to get to that level of achievement for this group. Unlike a lot of club teams, this group of girls hasn’t risen through the club ranks together at each level. While there are a handful who have made the climb together, there was also a mixture of younger talent who moved up a division at the end of last season as well as a pair of new members who arrived from other clubs.

“We started out not really knowing a lot about each other,” said Sarah Hodson, the team’s other libero and captain. “Getting familiar with each other was definitely a challenge to overcome. We’ve come a long way now. Everything just flows together as we play.”

A good majority of 18-Black’s offense can be attributed to the team’s least familiar players at the beginning of the season. The teams’ top two outside hitters heading into nationals — recent Acalanes graduates, Maddie Graham and Calista Lam — were both new to the club in 2016.

Graham has emerged as the team‘s most potent threat on the outside, drawing praise from both coach and peers alike. “She’s just been phenomenal for us,” Mix said of Graham. “We put a big load of our offense on her and she’s taken a lot of really big swings for us.”

Said Stratton: “One heck of a player. I’ve never seen a teenage girl hit a ball so hard. Her attitude is uplifting. She’s just a really good person to be with on an off the court, and it’s really fun to play with her.”

However, for as well as Graham and Lam and have performed behind the strong setting of Lauren Pak (Campolindo) and Lexy Swenson (Alhambra), the team’s defense — led by the two captains who share time on the back row — is arguably the biggest reason it’s headed to the national stage.

In sharing the same position, Stratton and Hodson fuel each other as they compete to be in the back row in the team’s biggest moments. Their competitive fire and volleyball IQs have gradually helped shape a team-wide attitude that every point is in play.

“We‘ll go until the ball hits the ground,” said Hodson, who played for Mix at Carondelet the last two seasons. “We never give up on a play, even though it might seem like (the ball) is going down.”

Stratton, who will play for San Francisco State in the fall, expanded on the team attitude and how it’s evolved over the past five months.

“A lot of us were kind of shy at the beginning and got down on ourselves over mistakes,” she said.

“We’ve learned how to control our emotions and keep fighting. I think that’s made a big difference.”

The back row captains were also quick to acknowledge the front row’s contribution to a defensive effort that’s crystallized toward the end of the season. Sehrt, Tori Klock (Clayton Valley) and Mimi White (Acalanes) comprise a very successful middle rotation. “We have a lot of tall girls, but we’re still relatively small compared to other 18s,” Hodson said. “Our girls in the front row work really hard to get their timing right so the height doesn’t play a factor. Defense, being scrappy and not giving up on plays is what’s going to make us successful (at nationals).”

Stratton knows if 18-Black can find a way to channel the energy it found against SF JRs in the NCVA Power League Region quarterfinals, it has a chance to shine in Indianapolis. “Our energy can get down when other teams have a lead,” she said. “If we’ve learned how to control that energy and continue to play hard, we’re going to win a medal.” ✪ Story by Chace Bryson, editor for SportStars Magazine. Follow the magazine on Twitter @SportStarsMag and find more SportStars content online at www.SportStarsOnline.com.

Maddie Graham

SUMMER GAMES

Few things encapsulate the spirit of competition or the uplifting power of sports and volunteerism more than Special Olympics events. The Special Olympics Northern California 2016 Summer Games took place on the campus of UC Davis from June 24-26. For the third time in the last four years, we sent photographer James K. Leash to capture images of these inspring athletes. Here are some of our favorites.

Looking for a quick summer getaway, and some time amongst the great outdoors? The Greater Redding Area is home to two extremely bountiful lake-centered recreation areas. This issue we invite you check out all that Shasta Lake and Whiskytown Lake can offer.

SHASTA LAKE

WHISKEYTOWN NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

The keystone of the Central Valley Water Project, this lake is the largest man-made reservoir in California, offering more than 360 miles of shoreline. The rugged country, varied shoreline and sheer size of Shasta Lake tend to break the lake into different areas, each with its own opportunities, moods and settings. As you drive to and from Redding you’ll see what appear to be several lakes, but Shasta Lake is actually a series of fingers that connect at big, deep spots and then collect at the dam. Several fingers are actually rivers that feed the reservoir. To create this mammoth lake, five towns were covered, the remains of which are still submerged, most so deep that even scuba divers cannot explore them.

Surrounding the lake are marinas, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, restaurants and everything necessary for hundreds of people to enjoy lakeside vacations. All manner of boats are available on Shasta Lake, from rowboats to powerboats, floating mansions to pontoons. Skiing and wakeboarding are popular, and the lake boasts the largest commercial houseboat fleet in the world.

Wooded flats, steep, rocky hillsides, secluded creeks, an occasional waterfall and thousands of acres of mountainous country surround the lake. With literally hundreds of coves to claim for an afternoon (or two), you may never leave the boat again.

Shasta Lake is located approximately 20 minutes from most Redding-area lodging properties. ✪

This place has more than just a great name. Eight miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of plant and animal life and year-round beauty. The park features Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally mountain (6,209 ft.), and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Lake-based recreation is popular during the drier summer months; Whiskeytown Lake is always full and provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving and fishing. Ranger-led kayak tours are popular, and paddleboard yoga can be found on the water most weekends. Whiskeytown’s beaches and campsites beckon families and groups, and open-water swimmers often take to the water for training. Generations of sailors have enjoyed the quiet lake for sailing, and the Whiskeytown Memorial Regatta has celebrated 50 years of racing.

The California Gold Rush made its stamp on this part of Northern California, and the park offers historical tours of the Camden House and orchards, where Charles Camden established a successful mining and sawmill operation. Visitors can still pan for gold in the clear waters, but it’s best not to expect much in the way of fortune. Situated on the south shore of the lake is a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, commemorating his dedication of the dam in 1963, shortly before his assassination. Whiskeytown’s proximity to Redding, approoximately 15 minutes from most Redding-area lodging, makes it a local favorite and visitors are invited to discover the 42,000 acres of beauty for themselves. ✪ — All copy and photos provided by VisitRedding.com

Caldwell Park Triathalon

Redding Soccer Park

Get active with the Caldwell Park Triathlon! All participants receive a T-shirt and a gift bag, medals to the top three finishers in each division (ages 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 and 17-and-older). Separate divisions for boys & girls. August 13 at Redding Aquatic Center, 9 a.m. www.visitredding. com/eventdetail/1628/caldwell-park-triathlon

HUNTER TROY CLEGG MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT: Sept. 24-25, Competitive U10, U11, U12 and Recreation U10-U19 soccer tournament. Five teams max per division, guarantee of four games. $425 per team. www.ReddingSoccerPark.com

Ultimate Frisbee Camp Boys and girls ages 10-14, June 23-27, 9 a.m.-noon. $30 for the week. www.ReddingSoccerPark.com

CHALLENGER SOCCER CAMP: July 25-29. Soccer camps for all ages. www.ReddingSoccerPark.com CHALLENGER SPORTS TETRA BRAZIL CAMP: July 11-15. www.ReddingSoccerPark.com

get mental: erika carlson Believe It Or Not, You Can Make An Impression On College Coaches Without Filling A Stat Sheet In today’s ultra-competitive, youth sport landscape, I.D. camps have become a big piece of the puzzle for those who seek to play at the collegiate level.

Many athletes are initially uncertain about how to perform in these camps: Do I focus on showing off my skills? What if the other players in the camp won’t pass me the ball?

Should I pass or try and score? How do I stand out?

Over the last three years, I’ve spent many evenings sitting with college soccer coaches on recruiting educational panels, (check out iSoccerPath.com for info). We help families understand the recruiting process, and they are brought up to speed on Div. I, Div. II, Div. III, NAIA and even community college playing opportunities.

I always enjoy listening to coaches insights on players and it’s tremendously helpful for me to get a better understanding of what they are looking for in recruits. And, while the focus on these panels is soccer, the tips apply to all team sports. Ironically, I rarely hear coaches talk about talent. There are so many talented players out there today, coaches are looking for several other characteristics in their final list of recruits. Pay attention, many of these may surprise you. ›› How team-oriented are you? — Sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in trying to show a coach everything you know. You’re being recruited to play as a member of a team; coaches want to see that you prioritize that. ›› How do you handle mistakes? — Mistakes happen. Coaches are VERY interested in how you handle them. Can you let go of mistakes and get back to work quickly? If so, this is a sign that you are mentally ready to move on to the next level. ›› How well do you communicate with teammates? — Good communication is an indicator that your focus is strong and you are likely to be a positive contributor to the team. ›› How adaptable are you to this new situation? — Coaches like adaptability. It’s a sign of maturity and a sign that you are ready for the big transition into college life. ›› Are you likeable? — If a coach is considering spending nearly everyday of the next four years with you, a good sense of humor, maturity and likability go a long way on the coach’s consideration list.

Think about some of these general themes as you get ready for camps. And good luck out there. ✪ Erika Carlson is a CEO and certified mental trainer at Mental Training, Inc. in Pleasanton.

STRAIGHT UP! Take a glimpse inside the world of dirt bike hillclimbing competition

In April of 2015, Josh Williams, 11, and Josh Rogers, 14 (pictured below), competed at the Skip’s Hillclimb event at Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) in Tracy. Both of these young riders got on dirt bikes at a very young age, with Williams starting at age 5 and Rogers at age 4. Both began hillclimbing just two years after learning to ride.

Hillclimb competitions involve people of all ages riding up very steep hills to compete against the clock. It’s amazing how fast a dirt bike can be ridden up a nearly vertical hill. Carnegie’s steepest hill in the hillclimb competition area is sometimes climbed in seventeen seconds. Younger riders, sometimes as young as 6, compete on a less-steep hill nearby.

“The wind feels good against you, and when you make it up the hill, it feels like you’re the winner,” Williams said when asked his favorite thing about competing in hillclimbing events.

Rogers, after careful thought, said he likes it because “It’s different than anything else. Going up the hill is like a

short sprint. It’s not easy.”

Williams, who rides his Honda CRF 150R in the 125-250 stock class, also enjoys watching the hillclimbs. When Williams is not hillclimbing, he likes to ride the tracks and trails at Carnegie and Hollister Hills SVRAs and enter the pit bike races. His mom, who also rides dirt bikes, got him involved in the sport.

Rogers comes to all of the hillclimbs at Carnegie, and rode his Honda 450 to win second in the 250-450 altered stock event. He also enjoys the amateur races at Prairie City SVRA near Sacramento and riding at Hollister Hills SVRA. Hillclimbing is a motorsport that requires a lot of skill, strength and courage.

Both of these young men are rising stars in the world of hillclimbing, and it will be fun to see what they do at future events.

Summer hours at Carnegie SVRA are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week.

You can visit the park’s website at ohv.parks.ca.gov/page_id=1172 ✪ — All copy provided by California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

Want to submit your pic for Photo Finish? Send it to us at editor@SportStarsOnline.com.

Photos must be 300 dpi and at least 10 inches wide in the jpeg format.

Please identify every person in the photo and include your contact information.

A determined athlete from Folsom Hills competes in a relay race during the Special Olympics Nothern California Summer Games on June 26 at UC Davis.

Photo by James K. Leash