Issue 10, 10.28.2010

... AND LIBERTY FOR ALL PAGE 6

STARRING EAST BAY ATHLETES

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OCTOBER 28, 2010

Guess you better slow that Mustang down?

Sure. Good luck with that.

monte VistA’s mAGGie stephens

LEAVING SCHOOL DOESN’T MEAN LEAVING GOLF PAGE 23

Page 16

BIG HIT

WHAT’S CAUGHT OUR EYE IN FOOTBALL PAGE 9

Backed into a corner by a cruel twist of fate, Jose Delgado Jr. came out swinging. Page 10

ALHAMBRA FOOTBALL LOOKS TO MOVE ON PAGE 14

PLAYOFFS IN THE POOL: NCS PREVIEW PAGE 20

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GET INTO IT Perhaps you might want to climb into the boxing ring with 14-year-old CYC standout, Jose Delgado Jr.? Nobody else does. page 10

First Pitch ........................................ 6 SportStar of the Week ................. 7 Wally’s World ................................. 8 Locker Room ................................. 9 Red Zone ......................................14 Health Watch ...............................21 Tee2Green ....................................23 Training Time ................................25 Impulse ..........................................26 Photo Finish..................................29 4

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ON THE COVER Monte Vista’s Maggie Steffens.

Photo by Bob Larson, LarsonPic@aol.com

Las Lomas’ Bryan Snyder & the knights are NCS playoff contenders. page 20 Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

T

Shake the monkey: Nate Smith and Liberty football finally end drought

here’s no shortage of pressure lated them (in the postgame huddle), when it comes to being the head they clapped their hands and then coach of a varsity football prograbbed their stuff and headed for the gram. Especially one with a storied hisbus — like they’d been there before. tory like Liberty High in Brentwood.

“There was no hooting and hollerNate Smith has felt that pressure. How ing at school the next day either. This could he not? (varsity) group just seems to have taken When Smith took over the Lions prothe attitude that the BVAL streak didn’t gram in 2007, he became the third varsity belong to them. They basically said to coach in as many seasons for Liberty. And me, ‘Those losses, they happened to with that kind of turnover, the program other guys.’” being inherited by the third coach isn’t in Does that mean Smith won’t feel the the best of shape. And, however unfair, pressure anymore? Probably not. Varsity the coach is often expected to fix things football is always the biggest coaching quickly. spotlight on campus. And Liberty has Smith took charge after a 2006 season other droughts to end as well, like trying in which the Lions failed to win a game. to reach the playoffs for the first time His goal was to build a program from the since 2003. ground up, realizing that there would be It does mean that he can hold his head lumps to take at the varsity level. Those a little higher now, and feel good about lumps were more like foothills. rewarding the district and school for givIn each of Smith’s first three years at the ing him that fourth year. Now he and the helm, the Lions failed to win a Bay Valley rest of the Lions — which carried a 3-4 Athletic League game. Coupled with the record after the Oct. 22 win — want to winless season preceding him in 2006, move on to bigger accomplishments.

Liberty entered this season with a 23“We feel we still have winnable games game league losing streak — the secondahead,” Smith said. “We just want to longest such streak in the East Bay behind continue raising the bar and raising the Mission San Jose’s 28-game losing streak expectations for our athletes.” in the Mission Valley Athletic League Take that, pressure. (which now stands at 31).

OOPS!: We do our best to keep mis“There were some people out in the takes at a minimum here, but every once community who felt that I probably in awhile we goof. And when we do, we shouldn’t have got a fourth year,” Smith like to clear things up. With that said, admitted. “But I think what our district there’s a couple of things for which we and our school saw was an improvement need to make amends in regards to our at the lower levels. We were developing previous issue released on Oct. 14. players that could eventually help us at We’ll start with the cover. Due to a rosvarsity level.” ter mix-up, we incorrectly identified the Chace@ Still, the league losing streak weighed Salesian football player trucking down SportStarsMag.com on Smith. the field against St. Mary’s. We identi“It did eventually grow into that fied the player as Michael Page, when in (925) 566-8503 800-pound gorilla on our back,” he said. truth, it’s actually Travis Earby. The photo On Oct. 22, Smith and the rest of the actually captures Earby’s 78-yard interLions kissed that gorilla goodbye with a ception return which set up a Salesian 37-27 victory at Antioch. It was the protouchdown during the Pride’s 56-12 win gram’s first BVAL win since Nov. 10, 2005. on Sept. 25.

What surprised Smith was his reaction There was also an oversight with Tim to the long-sought victory.

Rudd’s “Training Time” column carry“I thought I would feel like it would be ing the headline of “Busting the myth a moment for celebration,” Smith said. of sport-specific training for young “But I surprised myself. I didn’t feel that athletes.” Some of the content in the colway. It was more relief and satisfaction that our kids had umn was directly attributed to another column written by done what they were supposed to do.” youth fitness expert Brian Grasso. Rudd has permission In fact, the reaction of the Lions players might have to do so, but we failed to correctly source its use. been a bigger source of pride for Smith than getting the We had readers point out both of these issues, and we win. thank them twice over. One, for reading! And two, for “Our kids didn’t celebrate,” Smith said. “We congratukeeping us on our toes.

FIRST PITCH Chace Bryson Editor

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phone 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 eDitoRiAl Editor@SportStarsMag.com editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsMag.com contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mike Wolcott, Jim Mannion, Mitch Stephens, Dave DeLong, Gary Xavier, Angela Paradise, Doug Gardner photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson cReAtiVe DepARtment Art@SportStarsMag.com production manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsMag.com pUBlisheR/pResiDent Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsMag.com ADVeRtisinG & cAlenDAR/clAssiFieD sAles Sales@SportStarsMag.com Account executives Mike Wolcott Ext. 109 • MikeW@SportStarsMag.com; Patrick McCormick Ext. 102 • Patrick@SportStarsMag.com; Erik Stordahl • ErikS@Sport StarsMag.com (Special Sections, Calendar, Marketplace sales) ReADeR ResoURces/ADministRAtion Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsMag.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • DistRiBUtion/DeliVeRY Mags@SportStarsMag.com Distribution manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsMag.com inFoRmAtion technoloGY John Bonilla cFo Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsMag.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsMag.com BoARD oF DiRectoRs Dennis Erokan, CEO, Placemaking Group Roland Roos, CPA, Roland Roos & Co Susan Bonilla, Contra Costa County Supervisor Drew Lawler, Managing Director, AJ Lawler Partners commUnitY spoRtstARs™ mAGAZine A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA • 94521 info@SportStarsMag.com www.SportStarsMag.com

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of the week

Jessica Vestal

powered by:

berean christian . girls volleyball . Senior

nominate your star at editor@sportstarsmag.com

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Most teams have a moment that defines its season. It’s the incident coaches, players and fans can recall with remarkable accuracy years later.

For the Berean Christian girls volleyball squad, topping Northgate to clinch the Diablo Valley Athletic League title just might be that defining moment. Leading the charge was junior Jessica Vestal.

Dubbed “The Beast” by teammates and rabid fans, Vestal also plays on the girls basketball team and even pitches on the JV baseball squad (Right.

Baseball, not softball). She guided the Eagles to a convincing four-set victory at Northgate on Oct. 14. But with the North Coast Section playoffs looming, perhaps that win won’t be their defining moment. sportstars: What was it like beating Northgate to clinch the league title?

Jessica Vestal: We were nervous at first but we had to be focused and on our game. We kept our focus more so than in the first match against them.

SportStars: Explain the loyal following of “The Beast.”

JV: I wear a pink headband and tape my fingers. Some fans will wear the same stuff and support me and the team.

SportStars: What’s it like playing with the boys on the baseball team?

JV: I never tried softball and I grew up in a baseball family. It’s one of my favorite sports and it’s fun to play.

SportStars: What is it gonna take to go far in NCS? JV: We totally believe this is the year to win NCS. The seniors and underclassmen want it this year.

JessicA’s QUick hits Favorite subject: English CD in your car stereo: Taylor Swift Volleyball, basketball or baseball: Baseball — Erik Stordahl

honorable mention

marquis waters The explosive Las Lomas senior running back racked up 325 yards in an upset win over Miramonte on Oct. 15. That performance lifted him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

danielle ferraro Leading the way for the SRV girls water polo team, Ferraro scored seven goals in a win over Amador Valley on Oct. 19. The Wolves won the match 16-6.

SRV hopes to be a Top 5 seed in the NCS Division I tournament which begins Nov. 3.

travis feeney The Pinole Valley football team’s athletic defensive standout returned a fumble 32 yards for a TD as the Spartans improved to 6-0-1 by beating Alameda on Oct. 17. Feeney leads a Pinole defense that ranked fifth in the East Bay after seven games.

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Suggested donation: Two words that shouldn’t be linked to school athletics

T

imes were simple when I was a boy.

(Warning: Old-guy flashback ahead.)

For example, since we got only two TV channels, we never had to look for the remote.

Technically, I was the remote. It worked like this: “Hey, Mikey. Get up and change from Channel 7 to 12, OK? Hee-Haw’s about to start.”

You also never had to worry about losing your phone, because it was bolted to the wall. And, we never once lost the wall.

See what I mean?

Best of all, you never paid to play.

You read right: It was free to play sports.

It probably seems foreign to today’s athletes, for whom the words “Suggested donation: $250” is as much a part of sports as tryouts, physicals and complaining “coach just isn’t using me right.”

But for all the decades I’ve lived in California, forcing families to pay so kids can compete in athletics at taxpayer-funded institutions still doesn’t feel right. Fortunately, there are entrepreneurial (and community)-minded people who have found ways to help.

My cohort Chace Bryson recently featured one such organization, eTeam. Today, I’m highlighting another, the National Alumni Group, along with an event called the Turkey Trot.

In both cases, it’s a reminder you can help teams and schools while also helping yourself:

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National Alumni Group Stephen Stanley, too, remembers when athletes didn’t pay to play. After handling many donation requests from his own kids, the 20-year Orinda resident decided to combine his experiences as an educator, coach and businessman.

“It became obvious the field of fundraising needed a new and refreshing approach,” said Stanley, who previously worked for IBM and Jostens.

NAG does this by addressing four basic problems: Merchants have diminishing budgets, parents are busy, coaches need to coach instead of fundraise, and students would rather play.

With their Internet-and-e-mail-based approach, NAG goes 4-for-4. Businesses actually get customers driven through their doors; coaches can coach, and kids can play.

Coaches coach, and kids play? What a concept!

“The response has been overwhelming and very positive,” Stanley said. “We do all the work, and the schools receive the funds.”

NAG’s contact information is at the bottom of this column.

The ‘Turkey Trot’ For most of us, Thanksgiving has been a day

to celebrate family, football, food and sleeping — often in that order. But the 18th annual Turkey Trot, scheduled for Thanksgiving at the Walnut Creek Sports Basement, adds an extra dimension.

“It started as a run for our members,” said Jeanne Spatola of sponsor Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness. “But last year blew everybody away — we had 2,000 people.”

The event has become a fundraiser for two worthy groups: the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (benefitting the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High), and PEAK, which supports five Walnut Creek K-12 schools.

“This has become a community race and it’s taken off,” Spatola said. “It’s become part of people’s traditions. The best part is, people can run in the (8 a.m.) race and still be home in time for everything.”

In other words, you can still get your extra helpings of family, football and food.

After the Turkey Trot, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. So please, don’t ask me to get up and change the channel.

If you’d like the National Alumni Group to help you with fundraising, contact Stephen Church at (925) 528-9989. To register for the Turkey Trot, go to www.changeofpace.com/wctt_registration.html

WALLY’S WORLD Mike Wolcott MikeW@ SportStarsMag.com (925) 566-8500 Ext. 109

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HE SAID WHAT?!?

“Un. Be. Lievable.”

Anonymous member of the chain gang at the Northgate-Clayton Valley football game on Friday, Oct. 22 after the Broncos squandered a 24-7 halftime lead, then rallied as Matt Butler (pictured) scored a game-winning touchdown run with 1:06 remaining in a wild fourth quarter.

The teams traded leads four times in the period (including three times in the final three minutes) and combined for 34 points as Northgate remained undefeated at 7-0 with a 38-34 victory.

Biggest surprises of the football season to date 1. northgate undefeated — Look, we knew the Broncos were going to be good. But they are 7-0 and tied with offensive juggernaut Concord for the Diablo Valley Athletic League lead. It bears mentioning that The Gate trails only Concord in total offense for the region (Concord: 489 yards/ game; Northgate 480 yards/game). The Minutemen play at Northgate on Nov. 5 in the throwdown that should determine the DVAL champ, and might burn out some lights on the scoreboard.

2. Lucas Dunne and Cameron Stover tied for the area lead in touchdowns — Again, we knew the De La Salle running back was going to be good. But 22 touchdowns good? An average of almost 19 points per game good? Perhaps even more surprising is Stover, the bruising Northgate wingback who has 22 TDs PLUS a 2-point conversion for 134 points to actually lead Dunne by fractions of points on average.

3. Pittsburg reeling — Can anyone remember the last time the Pirates started the season 0-5? It’s easier to find an instance of Pitt opening 5-0 than 0-5 (in 2004 the orange-and-black started 8-0). The Pirates’ worst start to the season in recent memory was 2007, when they went 0-2, then went ahead and won their league anyway. Oh, by the way, since that abysmal start, Pittsburg is 2-0 in league play. So don’t count Vic Galli and Co. out of the BVAL race just yet.

4. Pinole Valley undefeated — Wasn’t Berkeley supposed to run away with the ACCAL? Then the Spartans stunned the Yellowjackets 16-14 on Oct. 1 to take command of the league standings and remain unbeaten at 6-0-1. What’s going on here? How did this happen? A big test still looms, when El Cerrito (4-3, 3-0 ACCAL) comes to town on Nov. 5.

5. De La Salle undefeated — Um. Yeah. Just kidding.

— Bill Kolb

RANDOM ACTS OF FACTNESS

In the 15-year history of water polo being a North Coast Section cham-

pionship sport, only two schools have won boys titles — Miramonte and De La Salle. The Matadors have won 11 times (including the last five), and De La Salle has won four times. However, when the NCS playoffs begin on Nov. 3, there will be two separate boys and girls tournaments for the first time (Division I and Division II). Miramonte (and Joey Fabian, right) and De La Salle will both compete in Division I, which means at the very least one new boys water polo program will be crowned champion this November. Check out page 20 for our NCS water polo preview.

Butch Noble

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As an infant, Jose Delgado Jr.’s right leg was severed in a horrific car accident.

Now, more than 30 surgeries later, he is standing tall — and laying his opponents low

I

By mike wolcott | SportStars

t’s the sort of thing that can happen to any talented, undefeated boxer — after a while, your reputation grows, and it gets pretty tough to find a fight.

For Pittsburg’s Jose Delgado Jr., it goes even deeper than that. These days, it’s not even easy to find someone to practice with him.

“This is one of the few kids tough enough to spar with him,” Gary Sullenger, boxing coach at the Concord Youth Center, said last week as Delgado, 14, bounded in one corner of the ring, ready to get in his night’s workout against a CYC sparring partner.

In a manner of seconds, it was obvious what Sullenger was talking about.

Delgado, a natural right-hander boxing left-handed, fired punches with uncanny speed, timing and accuracy.

The same rattlesnake-fast left hand that has led the way to a 9-0 record in USA Boxing amateur competition was landing at will, whether he led with it or set it up with a right jab.

His sparring partner was tough, resilient and could take a punch. Which was a good thing, because Delgado was getting off about five punches for every one or two he had to deflect.

“He is SO fast,” Sullenger said, shaking his head.

In a few minutes, the sparring session was over. Delgado, having worked up a good sweat in the ring, sat on the side of the apron and took off his gloves.

Then, he unwrapped his right leg — the same leg that had been delivered to a hospital in an ice chest after a horrific traffic accident when he still an infant.

Nearly 14 years and 35 surgeries later, the fact that Delgado is able to walk, albeit with a noticeable limp and no small amount of pain, is a bit of a miracle in itself. The fact he’s able to physically compete in any sport is a testament to his hard work and incredible desire — and, no small amount of credit to Sullenger and the staff at CYC, who noticed early on there was “something very special” about the always-engaging, polite young man.

The fact that he’s undefeated as a boxer, and has reached the “having trouble finding opponents” phase?

That’s off the charts.

Delgado’s unparalleled story of survival and success began when he was 6 months old. His family, which resided in Southern California at the time, was in a terrible auto accident. Delgado’s right leg was severed at the knee, hanging only by a nerve.

He was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where a team led by Dr. William Oppenheim, now the emeritus chief of pediatric orthopaedics at UCLA Hospital, was able to reattach the leg.

“He’s an example of what modern technology can do,” Oppenheim said. “When he came in, Dr. (Neil) Jones never hesitated – he said ‘Let’s re-attach it.’

“We later found out he was the youngest person to ever have his leg re-attached. It’s a tremendous success story.”

Fourteen years later, Oppenheim is still in Delgado’s corner, and is among his biggest fans.

“I knew back then it would be a lot of work,” Oppenheim said. “The family was up for it.”

Up for that, and just about any challenge.

■■■ It was a different sort of challenge that first led Delgado to the CYC. About two years ago, Jose Delgado Sr. knew his son needed some form of physical activity. Jose Jr. was

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Bob Larson/photos

Jose Delgado Jr.’s right leg will likely see it’s 36th surgery this December. It was severed just below the knee in a car accident when he was only 6 months old.

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“At first, people may have viewed him as a bit of a novelty act. But now it’s getting harder to find opponents for him. We spend as much time looking for fights as we do training.”

Gary Sullenger, boxing coach at the Concord Youth Center 4-feet-11 and 174 pounds — seriously overweight.

He noticed that the one sport his son seemed to like watching the most on television was boxing — so, on a hunch, he brought him in to the CYC, where Jose’s cousin was a member.

“We agreed with them that it probably wasn’t a situation where he would actually be able to compete, but that if his interest in the sport would keep him in our program, it

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would certainly improve his physical condition,” Sullenger said.

And, how.

Despite having a right leg with about half as much overall mass as his left, Delgado fell in love with boxing from the first workout.

He lost a great deal of weight, gained a great deal of ambition (which spilled over into his schoolwork and other

areas of his life, according to his father) and, in no time at all, began turning plenty of heads.

He even survived the biggest test a boxer faces — taking that first punch to the face.

“It was from my sister (Diana),” Delgado recalled with a laugh, adding that he and Diana don’t square off in the ring anymore. (His sister, though, is also active in the CYC boxing program.)

After a few months, Sullenger began contemplating the once-unthinkable – could “Fluffy” (a nickname Delgado gained when he was heavier – and, yes, it has stuck, in an affectionate sort of way) take it up a level and enter the ring against an opponent?

Sullenger wasn’t going to take any chances. But, he wasn’t about to deprive a dedicated, sincere young man of his chance, either.

“He made a believer out of me early on,” Sullenger said.

“It’s something you can’t see, that is inside of him – just a tremendous desire.

“He worked harder and pushed harder than anyone in here.”

There was, however, a big obstacle to overcome before Delgado could enter the ring against an actual opponent.

Because of the lack of strength in his right leg, he wasn’t able to pack much power into his right hand.

“I told him that if he had any hopes of competing, he would have to let me ‘turn him around’ and make him lefthanded, essentially starting all over from the beginning,” Sullenger said. “I honestly expected some complaining or skepticism, but his exact words were, ‘do we start today?’”

The next step for Sullenger was giving ‘Fluffy’ a “ladder of accomplishments” to achieve before he could be considered for the competition team.

“He has climbed that ladder with amazing efficiency and never looked back,” Sullenger said.

As a result, the legend of the “one-legged boxer” spread through the 1,500 other participants at the CYC. Delgado began winning awards at the club for most improved, most dedicated, and most inspirational athlete.

“At this point,” Sullenger recalled, “he had already won the fight.”

So it should come as no surprise that once the fights started, he attacked them with equal enthusiasm.

Delgado’s first fight was in January, in the 118-pound weight division. (He now fights at 114 pounds, a full 60 pounds less than when he first joined CYC.) He doesn’t hesitate when asked what he remembers about that first fight.

“Nervous,” he said. “But once the bell rings, it goes away.”

Delgado won that first fight easily, so Sullenger lined him up to enter the Oregon Golden Gloves competition in February. He ended up winning the championship — with a first-round knockout, nonetheless.

Since then, he’s had seven more fights throughout the western United States, and he’s won them all — including a bout in the Victory Outreach Tournament in San Jose last summer, where he received the “Most Outstanding Boxer” belt.

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of the CYC. “At first, people may have viewed him as a bit of a novelty act,” Sullenger admitted. “But now it’s getting harder to find opponents for him. We spend as much time looking for fights as we do training.”

You don’t have to look very hard to find his family. His sister Diana is a fixture at CYC training as well and their parents, Jose Sr. and Cristina, sit ringside during fights and workouts.

“I’m so happy for him,” Jose Delgado Sr. said. “Since he got started, he is very active. When we see him fight, it makes me very proud.”

Oppenheim, for one, wasn’t exactly surprised when he found out about his young patient’s boxing career.

“I thought that was a good sign,” Oppenheim said.

“You’re trying for perfection, but it’s better to try for perfection and fall a little short than not try at all.

“The thing is, in competitive sports, your opponent can be merciless and try to take advantage of things like that.

But Jose’s a pretty agile kid.”

While Delgado’s success in the ring is unquestioned, his fight outside the ring goes on. He’s probably facing more surgery in December. But, those closest to him have no doubt he’ll conquer that battle with the same enthusiasm he’s shown against his other challenges the past 14 years.

“This kid is completely void of any ‘chip on his shoulder’ over what life has dealt him,” Sullenger said. “He is, to the contrary, a pleasant and engaging young man who inspires those around him on a daily basis. I know that I’m better from knowing him.”

Of course, Sullenger is quick to add one provision: “In the ring? He’s a different person.”

One that nobody, it seems, is very eager to meet these days. ✪

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Bob Larson

Jose Delgado Jr. (left) fires his left hand at sparring partner Luis Escudero during a workout at the CYC.

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RED ZONE

Bulldogs program attempts to learn from, move past hazing incident

By Bill kolB | Contributor There are plenty of things Alan Hern expected for his first year as the head coach of the Alhambra High varsity football team.

Navigating through a scandal wasn’t one of them.

“It’s kind of a black cloud over the whole football program,” Hern said of the heavily-publicized hazing event which occurred within the freshman program.

“If anybody does anything questionable now, the first question is, ‘Is he a football player?’”

By now the details of the Sept. 29 incident are widely known — the story was even picked up on a limited level nationally by the likes of Fox News.

Before a Wednesday afternoon practice, six members of the freshman team taped together the legs of one of their 15-year-old teammates and punched him on the locker room floor.

The Martinez Unified School District is moving forward with expulsion proceedings on the one individual deemed the ringleader. Five other players were suspended from school for five days and kicked off of the football team for the year.

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inside look: alhambra “It’s been a mess,” Hern said. “We’re talking about some basically good kids and really good football players who we’re trying to develop.”

Hern said that the news of the hazing sent ripples through the entire program, from freshman to junior varsity to varsity, even though no one from outside the freshman team was involved.

But Hern’s varsity group was lackluster in a 33-14 loss to a mediocre Dublin squad on Oct. 8 in the game immediately following the story breaking, and the coach said there was definitely a hangover effect at play.

“Instead of talking about football, I’ve had to talk to them about decorum and responsibility and using good judgment,” Hern said. “I’ve had conversations with my (varsity) team and the JVs about expectations.

Everyone has got the message at this point.”

The Bulldogs will now hope to send a message.

One that says they won’t let a good season go awry.

Following the loss to Dublin, Alhambra notched a

hard-fought 14-12 win over Acalanes, and remains in the hunt for its second straight Diablo Foothill Athletic League title. Miramonte leads the league at 3-1, but Alhambra, Dougherty Valley and Las Lomas are all tied for second at 2-1. The Bulldogs beat Las Lomas 35-21 on Oct. 1. Alhambra’s next three games (Campolindo, Dougherty Valley and Miramonte) could go a long way toward determining the eventual champ.

Hern said the district and school administration took immediate, decisive action following news of the incident, suspending players in question, scheduling bullying training, conducting an already scheduled cyber-bullying training session, and speaking directly to the players.

And though he said that the relevant message has gotten through to all of the players in the program, the pall will continue to hang over anyone wearing a football jersey this year.

“It’s going to be an ongoing thing at this point,” Hern said.

Can it be a sidenote to a successful season? That’s still up to the Bulldogs.

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RED ZONE

coaches poll The SportStars Top 10 coaches poll is vot-

ed on by coaches throughout the East Bay.

Coaches vote for their top 10 teams, with 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second,

etc. Only Division I-III schools are considered.

Game to watch: Week 10

cAliFoRniA AT FOOTHILL, NOVEMBER 5, 7 p.m.

California and QB Drew Reil (pictured) appear to be on a collision course with unbeaten De La Salle in the last week of the season. If the Grizzlies want that Nov. 12 matchup to be for all the marbles in the East Bay Athletic League, then they’ll first have to take care of business against a very formidable Foothill squad. The last time Cal traveled to the home of the Falcons, in 2008, it lost 13-6.

Bob Larson/photo

Records are through Oct. 23.

Team (first-place votes)

Record

Points

1. De La Salle (12) .....................7-0 .........120 2. California.................................7-0 ...........99

3. Foothill ....................................5-2 ...........69

4. (tie) Concord ...........................6-1 ...........63

Granada ...........................5-2 ...........63

6. San Ramon Valley..................4-3 ...........50

7. McClymonds...........................7-0 ...........40

8. Northgate ................................7-0 ...........29

9. Monte Vista.............................4-3 ...........22

10. Encinal ..................................5-1 ...........17 On the bubble: Pinole Valley (6-0-1) 13

points, Heritage (5-2) 10, Miramonte (7-1) 9.

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THE girl who feels no pressure Monte Vista’s Maggie Steffens just may be the best young female water polo talent in the country, but she’s just busy having fun

By Mitch stephens | Contributor

M

aggie Steffens doesn’t get nervous. Not in the pool, anyway. Not while clawing and kicking and scratching and treading with highly physical and competitive aquatic athletes, and while tossing around that slippery but grooved 15-ounce, 66-centimeter yellow sphere known as a water polo ball.

This has always been Steffens’ domain, her frantic, whistle-laden sanctuary, a place she was bred to play, where her father and three elder siblings all excelled and where she first entered the fray before the age of 5.

This is where the strong 5-foot-10 Monte Vista High senior all-around finds home, where she finds chaotic peace, even in the most pressure-packed situations.

“Pressure is something we all have to deal with and to me I try to think of it as fun,” she said. “Like the last-second shot. Who is willing to step up to the plate and take it? That’s fun.”

But in July, at La Jolla High when USA National Team coach

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Adam Krikorian calmly instructed, “Maggie shoots fifth,” Steffens could have coughed up some chlorine and no one would have blamed her.

Steffens didn’t even blink, but inside, for the first time in years, she had to compose herself.

This was a shootout in the Gold Medal game of the 2010 FINA World League finals against Australia. This was Steffens’ first competition with the senior national team and at 17, she was the baby of the bunch.

The team had a 33-year-old in fact, and most of the U.S. players were in their middle 20s. But Krikorian picked “the kid” for the “all-or-nothing” position, the possible red-hot 5-meter spotlight where a match could all be won or lost. “(Steffens) is a great competitor,” Krikorian would say later.

“She’s just going to (always) leave it all out there.”

Indeed, both squads converted four shots before USA goalie Betsey Armstrong made a save – setting the stage for the Alamo youngster.

To calm herself, she drew upon her past, her foundation, back to Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

her family days when she and her siblings would play keep away from their dad Carlos, a former Cal and Portuguese national team water polo member.

“I honestly was kind of scared,” said Steffens, who doesn’t admit easily. “I just told myself ‘I can do this.’ I thought of my family and what my dad would tell me. He always said (in shootouts) to not touch the ball and stay loose. Be slow and collected.

“Once I got in front of the goal I stopped thinking and just waited for the whistle.”

The whistle blew and Steffens, who hadn’t scored in the tournament, calmly picked up the yellow ball and in one composed but athletic motion, skipped it into the lower left corner.

USA 12, Australia 11.

Steffens immediately freestyle’d to her right and was mobbed by her teammates.

The large crowd began chanting “USA! USA! USA!” “The Kid” made her coach look smart. “(Maggie) has no fear,” Krikorian said.

“I felt very confident with her out there and putting her last. She’ll remember this for a very long time.”

Said Steffens: “That was definitely a rush. That was so cool.”

Steffens was selected the USA Today national Athlete of the Week and local reaction to the award and her title-clinching goal was met with an interesting mix of thrill and non-surprise.

Maureen O’Toole-Purcell: “She’s always excelled playing against older kids. Why should it change now?”

Pippen and Jordan

Bob Larson/photos

Maggie Steffens (top) battles for the ball during a home match against California on Oct. 14. She and her Monte Vista teammates opened the season with 19 consecutive wins and in mid-October won the Western States Invitational — an elite Modesto-based tournament featuring 66 teams. The Mustangs will enter the NCS Division I playoffs as heavy favorites to win it all.

“When I heard it was like, ‘Well, that’s Maggie,’” said Cal freshman, childhood friend and former Monte Vista teammate Kelly Mendoza. “When she wants to do it, it just happens.”

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Said current Monte Vista teammate, senior Katy Tomalenas: “You just expect that stuff from Maggie. She’s someone who just gets it done.”

Said Diablo Water Polo club coach

O’Toole-Purcell, one of the most decorated female water polo players in the world, saw Steffens’ success coming long ago.

She didn’t hold back then and doesn’t now.

“I used to tell people when she was 8- or 9-years old that Maggie was going to be the best player in the world,” O’Toole-Purcell said. “She’s just that talented. She’s just that gifted. And she’s right on pace to back that up.”

O’Toole-Purcell can speak from authority. She was recently inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and was a six-time World Water Polo Female Athlete of the Year and competed in seven World Cups, winning Gold in 1979.

Remarkably, she came out of retirement at the age of 39 to earn a spot on the initial USA Olympic team in 2000. It took three years of fulltime training to prepare for the Olympics. Her daughter Mendoza was 8.

“That (the training and preparation) was brutal,” she said. “The final eight weeks was like running marathons on consecutive days. I’m not kidding.”

Knowing the eventual benefits of strain,

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O’Toole-Purcell had no trouble dishing it out to her to young water polo prodigies, Mendoza and Steffens.

As eight-year-olds, they often played tournament not only against boys but also skilled and physical 14-year-old club-team girls.

“We definitely took our lumps, but we definitely got better, faster too,” Steffens said.

Said Mendoza, currently a junior national player: “I would cry every time we had to play the older kids.”

Besides, Steffens was used to competing against older and better competition. Her sister Jessica, 23, starred at Stanford and made the 2008 Olympic team and plays currently with Maggie on the national squad, though is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Brother Charlie, 21, is a senior co-captain and twotime Academic All-American for Cal. Teresa Steffens, 19, starred at Monte Vista and made the Cal water polo team before giving it up to focus on academics.

All helped push, inspire and even punish little sister, who in-turn returned the favor to any older kids messing with Mendoza.

“One time when I was 9 and Maggie was 8, some 14-year-old was playing dirty and kicking and scratching me,” Mendoza said. “Maggie saw me crying and said ‘What number is she? I’ll take her.’

“Maggie then got the ball and just killed her on a counter.”

When Steffens returned, Mendoza asked her ‘What did you do to that girl?”

Steffens said: “I took her through the washing machine.”

Said Mendoza: “Coming from an 8-year-old, that sounded pretty funny.”

There was nothing all that humorous about what Steffens and Mendoza accomplished at Diablo. Along with a strong supporting staff — O’Toole-Purcell estimates that eight are currently playing collegiately — Diablo won countless national titles.

By the time Steffens and Mendoza were 15, they were tagged “Jordan and Pippen.”

“Kelly is a great, great player and she pushed me every step of the way,” Steffens said. “She’s a great friend, too.”

O’Toole-Purcell described the duo this way: “Kelly was probably more defensive and Maggie more offensive. Kelly does the little things you don’t really notice. She’s really smooth. Maggie is simply more dynamic and aggressive.

To the naked eye you notice everything she does.”

And, quite frankly, Maggie does it all.

“She sets at two meters,” O’Toole-Purcell said. “She guards at two meter. She drives. She shoots outside, she sees the entire pool. She just has a great feel for what’s happening. She’s just a step ahead of everyone else.”

Everyone to everybody Monte Vista coach Scott Getty said Steffens is actually five steps ahead.

Compared to Jordan by her club coach, Getty said Steffens also is like Magic Johnson, feeding teammates, playing with joy and making every one better.

The Mustangs are by far the class of the North Coast Section, having won four straight titles and six of seven.

With 19 straight wins to start this season, a fifth straight crown appears imminent. “(Maggie) could care less about the individual accolades,” Getty said. “I have no idea as much as she’s accomplished how she maintains a level head. With all the fame and spotlight, she’s just not into it. She’d rather set someone 18

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Bob Larson

While her teammates hydrate during a break in the action of their Oct. 14 match, Maggie Steffens (top) shows her focus with a steely onward glare. else up.”

At the Western States tournament in Modesto, the Mustangs faced an overmatched Sonora team so Steffens set a goal to get everyone to score. Eleven did in a 15-3 win.

“That’s Maggie being Maggie,” he said. “She wants everyone to be involved.”

And when things are stressful, not often this season during so many lopsided wins, Steffens is at her best.

Trailing 3-2 after the first quarter in a big match early, Steffens sensed the team’s tightness and pulled the Mustangs together.

“Let’s just go out and have fun and stop stressing,” she told the team. “Remember it’s just a game and games are meant to have fun.”

Monte Vista rattled off 10 straight goals to win going away.

It’s that kind of levity that makes Steffens “hands down the best kid and teammate I’ve ever been around,” Getty said.

The fourth-year Monte Vista head coach raves about her athleticism — “if she was a soccer or softball player she’d be the best player around in those sports, too,” he said – but what he marvels about is her balance, charm and leadership.

That’s another reason why every college in the country Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

“Yes, she’s intensely driven, but when she gets out of the pool, she’s the funniest kid on the team. It’s hard to believe, but she’s somehow everyone to everybody.

She’s got it all.”

Monte Vista coach Scott Getty

is after her, but she is totally mum about what that choice will be.

“Yes, she’s intensely driven, but when she gets out of the pool, she’s the funniest kid on the team,” Getty said. “It’s hard to believe, but she’s somehow everyone to everybody. She’s got it all.”

Mendoza says the same thing. And that’s after being a teammate for almost a decade.

“I mean she’s really hilarious,” Mendoza said. “She’s got this great personality and is such a free spirit. She has such a great presence.

No matter who you are she’s approachable. She cares about you.

Add that plus she’s gorgeous and really, really smart, and what’s not to love?”

She’d love the duo to reunite at Cal, but like everyone else — “We’re all waiting to see where she’s going to pick.”

Steffens is also reluctant to toot her own horn, barely acknowledging her strengths. She does appreciate her gifts. She said her success in the pool wasn’t ingrained or forced upon her by her

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family. They simply inspired her.

“I just look up to my siblings,” she said. “They’ve been my inspirations and role models.”

She admits that she’s had a love-hate relationship with the game.

“I liked it right away and made a lot of friends and enjoyed the social aspect of it for sure,” she said. “But water polo can take up your life. Luckily, I’ve just always had a passion for it.

“I guess what I love most is just how competitive it is. It challenges you both mentally and physically. It just naturally drew me in.”

When people like O’Toole-Purcell say she could be the best in the world at it, Steffens doesn’t tighten up.

Just like her game-winning goal against Australia, she calms herself, draws from the past, shoots and scores. “(Those expectations) help empower me,” she said. “They spark my fire.” ✪

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NCS WATER POLO PLAYOFF GLANCE

The Usual Suspects The 2010 North Coast Section water polo playoffs should feature the old and new.

The old reliable powers — Miramonte boys and Monte Vista girls — are overwhelming favorites to maintain strangleholds on the sport and win their sixth and fifth straight titles, respectively.

What’s new, however, is a tournament divided. Both the boys and girls will feature a Division I and Division II tournament. Brackets will be set on Oct. 31 with firstround action beginning Nov. 3.

Here are the top five Contra Costa County/Tri-Valley picks in each gender to claim NCS titles.

BOYS

outscored five foes 53-13 to win the Western States tournament in Modesto. Junior goalie Rachel Mitchell is superb.

■ San Ramon Valley: If anyone can muster enough energy to shock the Mustangs, it’s their cross-town rival. The four-time section champs are led offensively

by Danielle Ferraro.

Other possibilities: Amador Valley, Foothill, Clayton Valley.

DiVision ii ■ Campolindo: Led by fantastic goalie Gracie Fowler and strong field players Kimi Klein and

Emily McPhee, the Cougars should be the favorite here. They have a 6-5 win over Las Lomas.

■ Las Lomas: A Western States tournament finalist, don’t be surprised if the Knights and Campolindo play for the title. Las Lomas is led by Erin Donohue and Danielle Johnson.

■ Acalanes: With six returning starters from last year’s NCS quarterfinal squad, the Dons could surprise their DFAL rivals. Barbara Lanier is a star.

Other possibilities: Carondelet, Alhambra, Northgate.

— Mitch Stephens

DiVision i ■ miramonte: Who else? The Matadors have won five straight and 11 of the 15 NCS crowns since the tournament started in 1995. With Aleck Ryner in goal and utility man Joey Fabian leading a strong field squad, James Lathrop’s squad should have no trouble capturing a 12th section crown.

■ Acalanes: With wins over Las Lomas, San Ramon Valley and De La Salle, the Jake Kisner-led squad will give the Matadors their toughest test. The Dons actually defeated Miramonte last season in league play so it’s not nearly impossible.

■ San Ramon Valley: The Wolves and De La Salle will battle for the East Bay Athletic League title on Oct. 30 and the winner will no doubt move to the No. 3 seed in the tournament.

■ De La Salle: Led by Thomas Nelson, the only other boys team to ever win an NCS title besides Miramonte has a strong shot to reach the semifinals.

Other possibilities: Monte Vista, Foothill, Amador Valley, Clayton Valley, Liberty.

DiVision ii ■ Las Lomas: Led by arguably the section’s top player, Bryan Snyder, the Knights are a huge threat and likely the top seed. Snyder is the program’s all-time leading scorer, having broken the record during his junior season.

Other possibilities: Campolindo, Alhambra.

GIRLS DiVision i ■ Monte Vista: Sorry gang, this is a foregone conclusion. Led by probably the nation’s top high school player, national team member Maggie Steffens, the Mustangs haven’t had a close local game all season.

They opened the season with 19 straight wins, and 20

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It isn’t the shoes: Ankle sprains and how to prevent them

M

y favorite time of the year is quickly approaching. Along with the sight of falling leaves, the feel of cooling temperatures, and scent of pumpkin spice in the air, is the bouncing of a ball on a hardwood floor.

Basketball season is right around the corner and with this sport comes the high incidence of ankle injuries due to the dynamic nature of the game. The demands of basketball require an athlete to have good strength, flexibility, and dynamic balance control in the lower extremities to allow for running, jumping, and cutting maneuvers.

The ankle is a common site for injury.

Sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury in athletes, and account for 75 percent of all ankle injuries. Less than 40 percent of ankle sprains can lead to chronic problems.

There are things you can do to prevent such injuries. The following are just a few tips to keep in mind when lacing up those sneakers!

■ Preseason conditioning: How in shape am I? ■ Dynamic warm-up prior to activity ■ Pay attention to surfaces (slippery, dirty, cracked) ■ Wear supportive shoes ■ Daily static stretching routine after activity ■ Strengthening and balance program ■ Monitor game time and fatigue to prevent injury When turning on the television to your favorite sports channel, you will most likely be bombarded with a slew of commercials for the latest and greatest footwear. So, regarding shoes: High-top shoes alone do NOT decrease risk for ankle sprain. There is no strong relation-

ship between shoe type and ankle sprains. And shoes with air cells in the heels are four times more likely to injure ankles. Still, no studies provide convincing evidence for shoe style.

You might also wonder about taping or bracing your ankles. Well, taping can prevent injury, but it loosens in approximately 10 minutes and within 30 minutes may provide little or no measurable support against inverting the ankle. As for bracing, it provides external support, may enhance proprioception, and is more adjustable than tape. However, it may limit range of motion and mobility, potentially leading to compensations at other joints, especially the knee.

One of the most important components to preventing an ankle injury is incorporating a balance program. Balance training is a great way to restore proprioception to regain stability in the ankle and orientation to both static and dynamic activities.

The goal of balance training is to improve your reaction time and improve the awareness of an injured joint. Studies have shown a 38 percent reduction rate in ankle injuries in high school basketball players with a balance program.

Use these tips to help prevent any ankle injuries and make sure to do your daily stretching, strengthening, and balance routines.

Health Watch Kristen Welsh

Kristen Welsh is a physical therapist for the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes center in Walnut Creek, an extension of Children’s Hospital Oakland. If you have questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the SMFYA staff at Health@SportStarsMag. com.

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October 28, 2010

TEE2GREEN

Golf at college doesn’t always require competition The unique aspect about the game of golf is that it offers a little for everybody. If you are a competitor, a PGA Professional, a volunteer, a club member, a ladies a long way to go if I was going to think about a scholargroup — there is always some way to be involved in ship. After struggling to improve as I’d hope, I figured I the game of golf. However, there is a growing number would pursue college the old-fashioned way. of competitors who find themselves at a crossroads at UNLV was one of the institutions I was looking at the end of high school. attending. Golf was the furthest thing from The average 18-year-old competitive my mind when I was considering what golfer dreams of receiving an NCAA scholto study. Fate, it seems, would have my arship. According to www.collegesports future mother-in-law contact me about a scholarships.com, there are 289 Division-I golf management program at the university. and 186 Division-II colleges offering men’s The Professional Golfer’s Association of golf scholarships, and 217 Division-I and 90 America (PGA), created a curriculum and Division-II scholarship options for women. a program geared towards training colA division-I men’s golf program can offer lege students in the game and business of 4.5 scholarships and 3.6 for Division-II. For golf. After four-plus years, I walked away women, there are six scholarships available with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year in Division-I and 5.4 in Division-II. That’s institution, and a Class “A” PGA status and a total of 1,970.1 men’s golf scholarships GXavier@pgahq.com 16 months of mandatory work experience. available in the NCAA alone. For women’s For those high school graduates who want to stay golf the total number on offer in the NCAA is 1,788. around the game of golf, but don’t know how to do it These numbers seem generous; however, when you without competition. Well, my example shows there look at how many high school golfers there are in the is a way. UNLV isn’t the only university. Penn State, entire country, the light looks a little bit dim.

Florida State, Arizona State, Clemson, and Methodist I was one of these individuals. I saw some minor just start the list of over 20 institutions offering the PGA success as a young junior golfer when I turned about Golf Management Program. Go to PGA.com to see 16 years old. I was able to consistently break 80 and more about these programs. You might just find that even win local events.

At 17, I qualified for the Junior World Golf Champion- your future in the game of golf isn’t coming to an end at ships and missed the cut. This lead me to believe I had all; it is really just beginning.

notes from the pros

Gary Xavier

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TEE2GREEN What is your personal par?

Most golf courses indicate how many strokes it should take an elite player to get the ball in the hole.

Short holes should take three strokes. Longer ones should take four or five.

The number of strokes it should take is called “par”.

Only the best players can shoot par most of the time.

So what is personal par?

How many strokes does it take YOU to play a hole?

That number is your personal Angela@FirstTee par for the hole. How many ContraCosta.com strokes does it usually take you to play a round of golf? That is your personal par for the round of golf.

Personal par is the measure of how you perform in golf, at home or in school. When you practice or play, see if you can match your personal par. Focus on improving and don’t worry about what par is for the elite player. With perseverance, your personal par will continue to drop. Remember the 4 R’s? Replay the situation in your mind with the desired outcome. Relax and focus on what you are about to do. Ready yourself for what you need to do differently. Redo as you imagine yourself doing it better.

You can take a physical practice swing or stroke that matches what you imagine. Continue to practice, practice, practice and the results will be reflected in your personal par.

Angela Paradise

golfers should be practicing according to their level of play.

For example, a beginner needs to focus on the pre-swing fundamentals of grip, stance, aim and alignment. There is much to learn here and it is important to engrain good fundamentals.

If you break the long game down to where most time should be spent, the clubs DDeLongolf@aol.com used the most are the driver or teeing-off club. That accounts for maybe 14 shots out of 18 holes. Thus, a large percentage of time when working on the long game should be spent with that club.

Dave De Long

Another area that needs to be worked on is approach shots, and making the club contact the ball first and then the ground; not vice versa. When the contact point is correct and the ball is struck solid, check for the curve of the ball. If it’s not excessive, it’s probably ok. If the curve is more than 5 or 10 yards, you are probably losing distance. Working on the club face angle would be helpful.

A drill where you use a 7-iron from a teed-up ball with the heels touching until the ball is flying straight can be beneficial.

Finally, save some balls for the end of your practice to work on your on-course routine. This can bring the course to the driving range and help you to practice like you play. Picture a hole and then play it by changing targets and clubs just like when you are on the course.

More of what to practice Last issue I covered practicing in three parts: putting, short game and the long game. Keep in mind that

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T

Three steps to picking a trainer for your young athlete

he three most important questions to ask when hiring a trainer for your young athlete…

1. What kind of experience do you have training kids?

This can be Squirm City for the wrong trainer. The fact is that the training and coaching niche of this industry is now worth $5 billion in the United States alone. So you better believe that trainers know that too!

Many trainers are now “in the market” for youth-based clientele because it represents the fastest growing demographic in the industry. Be wary of the trainer who works with a basic clientele only, and has had no specific education or training from a highly-respected and qualified organization specializing in youth training. Not just academic, but hands on as well.

Training this demographic is both highly sensitive and difficult to understand, and you want to hire someone

who specializes in this demographic and has done a ton of work with kids.

2. What are your views on training kids?

You want to get a response that is based on a longer-term, developmentally-sound system. If the trainer in front of you starts talking about needing eight weeks to get your 14-year-old ready for the soccer season, walk away!

Inquire as to whether or not the trainer actually has a system. Far too many trainers work from session to session without thought or cause as to where they are going next. You want to work with a trainer who can show you clearly that they have an idea of where they want to go with your young athlete and that they’re not just using a basic “cookie-cutter” approach to program creation.

Finally, you want a trainer who understands that he/she needs to create a systematic idea of where he/she will be

Training Time Tim Rudd

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going with their developmental plan. Understand that this is dynamic and can change based on various scenarios, but at least the trainer is thinking long-term and directional.

3 Can I watch a session or two?

The answer should be a resounding ‘YES’! Personally, I love it when parents watch a training session. My job is to provide a system under which your kids will develop safely. You and your family need to be educated just like your children do for this process to work. A trainer should jump at the chance to make sure the good work he/she is putting into your kid becomes a lasting habit and reinforced by you at home.

There you have it, a three-step plan for hiring a trainer for your young athlete. Buyer Beware!

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1). You can contact him with questions or feed- back at tim@fit2thecore.com.

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IMPULSE Find out what’s next

e l y t s n i t Kickin’ i Here’s the one brand of shoes cool dudes can’t live without: Ecco. We’re not joking when we say there’s no need to wear another of brand of kicks for the rest of your life. Ecco has a pair for every occasion: mopping the floor with your foursome on the front nine, hiking up Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt. Everest (or both ... your choice), wowing the CEO of a Fortune 500 company with your presentation or even chasing your kids all over the mall. Pick one of these lifestyles or all of the above. It’s up to you. Store locations in Walnut Creek (925) 946-4674 and San Francisco (415) 834-1420.

The bracelet of tomorrow, today

What if all you needed for more strength, balance, flexibility and endurance was achieved by just wearing a wristband? No, not a friendship bracelet or some lanyard thing you made at summer camp. We’re talking about the EFX sport wristband. EFX helps maximize your body’s potential for performance by keeping it in tune with its surrounding energy field.

Wristbands and other accessories start as low as $12.99. We think it’s worth the investment. Pick one up, wear it and let EFX take care of the rest. Please note: EFX can’t guarantee getting rid of acne, acing that midterm you didn’t study for or scoring a hot date for the dance. Check out www.efxusa.com to learn more. Reach ’em at (916) 337-8429 or (530) 5883995.

It’s all in the hips ... or not

Need help with fundraising? Let the experts help!

Need to raise some cash for your school’s athletic department and the bake sale just isn’t cutting it? Let National Alumni Group step in and they’ll set you up. Fund-raising can be confusing and frustrating, not with National Alumni Group. They provide you with web based tools and the framework necessary for maximizing revenue on your organization’s fundraising efforts. Think of them as the perpetual award-winning office secretary wunderkind. National Alumni Group will do everything for you except make your coffee and pick up your dry cleaning. Go to www.NationalAlumniGroup.com for more info.

What’s the secret to success for junior golfers? Before you answer “perfect practice makes perfect” or “it’s all mental” or any other technique instructors are teaching these days, let us tell you about Acculength Golf.

Acculength makes custom fit golf equipment that grows with junior golfers to keep them interested in the game. Go to www.acculength. com and get your set of clubs custom fit. Acculength guarantees these durable, robust clubs will last up to five seasons. So parents, do the right thing for your junior golfers and hook ’em up with Acculength, Golf Digest’s “Hot List” Gold Medallion winner four years running.

Get your bike fix Do you think your chances of winning our Big Bike Giveaway are about as likely as the Niners winning the Super Bowl? Okay, maybe you have a better chance than that.

But if you definitely need a new bike, you can head to www.BigShotBikes.com and order one today. They specialize in fixed-gear bikes — aka fixies, aka the trendiest/hippest bike on the market right now. Pick your color for everything: frame, tires, rims, handlebars, seat, etc. Customize your fixie today and show off your new wheels at school tomorrow. Just $395! For more info go to www.BigShotBikes.com or call (970) 775-1233.

— Compiled by Erik Stordahl 26

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GAME DAY Get out and get involved BAsketBAll Oct. 30: Clayton — All Out sports league’s Youth Basketball League’s magic vs. spurs. 2 p.m. @ Clayton Community Gym, Court 2. Casey, 510-282-4986, casey_c@ alloutsportsleague.com.

Online registration: www. leaguelineup.com. cYclinG Nov. 7: San Mateo — Bay Area super prestige series. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. @ Coyote Point. For ages 10U. 650-302-6310, www.bayareacx.com.

Nov. 13: Brisbane — Bay Area super prestige series. Night race @ Sierra Point. Ages 10U. 650-3026310, www.bayareacx.com.

Nov. 29: San Francisco — Bay Area super prestige series. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. @ Golden Gate Park.

For ages 10U. 650-3026310, www.bayareacx.com.

Dec. 5: San Mateo — Bay Area super prestige series. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. @ Coyote Point. For ages 10U. 650-302-6310, www.bayareacx.com.

RAce Nov. 6: Knights Ferry, Race — 14th Annual Salmon Duathlon. 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start. For all ages, at the old Knights Ferry Duathlon course. 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Dec. 4: San Ramon — Bah humbug! 5k by the city of san Ramon. 9 a.m., S/F Camino Ramon/Bishop Drive. 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Dec. 4-5: San Francisco — the north Face endurance Challenge Championship.

In the Marin Headlands, north of San Francisco.

Proceeds benefit CAF. 858-866-0959, info@ challengedathletes.org; www.challengedathletes.org.

Dec. 11: Antioch — 34th Annual Holiday Run. 10K/1 mile/3 mile, Run/ Walk. 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Dec. 25: Richmond, Race — Santa’s Christmas Gold Rush 5 Mile Run, Stroll, Walk. 10 a.m., S/F Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Hilltop Shopping Center.

209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

RecReAtion Through Dec. 12: Waterford — Wargaming at The Paintball Zone. Offered second Sundays monthly by Modesto Airsoft and Combat Enterprises. Info: www. modesto.combatenterprises. com socceR Oct. 29: Moraga — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs. Gonzaga. 3 p.m. @ home. 925-631-4949, www. stmarys-ca.edu.

Oct. 30-31: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Soccer Club Oktoberfest.

Boys & Girls CYSA Division 3/Norcal Bronze U11(8v8),U12-U14(11v11).

Kevin Erwin, 925-383-5957, kevinserwin@astound.net; www.wcsc.org.

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October 28, 2010

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GAME DAY Get out and get involved Oct. 31: Moraga — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs.

Portland. 1 p.m. @ home.

925-631-4949, www.stmarysca.edu.

Nov. 3: Moraga — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs. USF. 3 p.m. @ home. 925-631-4949, www.stmarys-ca.edu.

Nov. 5: Santa Clara — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs.

Santa Clara. 7 p.m. @ home. 925-631-4949, www. stmarys-ca.edu.

Nov. 12: Los Angeles — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs. lmU. 3 p.m. @ Loyola Marymount. 925-631-4949, www.stmarys-ca.edu.

Nov. 14: San Diego — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs.

UsD. 1 p.m. @ San Diego.

925-631-4949, www.stmarysca.edu.

Oct. 30-31: Concord — 12th Annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic. Diablo FC’s U9, U10 and U11 US Club

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Soccer Gold and Silver level boys & girls teams in Concord. Info: mwhite@ diablofc.org. 925-798-4625, www.diablofc.org.

Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Soccer Club october fest. Kevin Erwin, tournament director, 925383-5957, kevinserwin@ astound.net; www.wcsc.org.

Oct. 31: Moraga — St. Mary’s College Gaels vs.

Portland. 1 p.m. @ home.

925-631-4949, www.stmarysca.edu.

Dec. 11-12: Danville — mustang 6v6 shootout tournament. At Danville/ Alamo area locations. Cris Gilmore, 408-768-8821, cris.gilmore@sbcglobal. net; 925-648-4121, www. mustangsoccer.com.

Jan. 8-Jan. 9: Danville — Mustang Winter Turf tournament. At Danville/ Alamo area locations. 925648-4121, fredwilson@

October 28, 2010

mustangsoccer.com; www. mustangsoccer.com. tennis Oct. 28: Walnut Creek — DVAL Tournament Finals. 3 p.m. @ ClubSport Renaissance. 925-938-0900, Ext. 2140, nghsad@gmail. com; www.northgatebroncos. org.

Nov. 1: Moraga — northgate high vs.

Campolindo. 3:30 p.m. (scrimmage) @ Campolindo.

925-938-0900, Ext. 2140,

nghsad@gmail.com; www. northgatebroncos.org.

May 19-30, 2011: Stanford — NCAA D1 men’s/women’s championships. Hosted

by Stanford University.

Visit www.gostanford.com; 800-STANFORD. cRoss coUntRY Oct. 29: Moraga — Campolindo Cross Country Team Time Trials. 9 a.m. at home. 925-280-3950, Ext. 5235, bwilson@acalanes.

k12.ca.us; www.acalanes. k12.ca.us.

Nov. 5: Martinez — DVAL cross country meet.

Concord vs. Mt. Diablo, Mt. Diablo vs. Northgate, Northgate vs. Concord, Northgate vs. Ygnacio Valley; Varsity Race 2. At Hidden Valley Park. 925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

Nov. 6: Martinez — Diablo Foothill Athletic League Varsity championships. At Hidden Valley Park. 925-8386449, www.dfal.org.

Nov. 20: Hayward — Campolindo Cross Country north coast section championships. 9 a.m. @ Hayward High. 925-2803950, Ext. 5235, bwilson@ acalanes.k12.ca.us; www. acalanes.k12.ca.us.

Nov. 27: Fresno — Campolindo Cross Country ciF state championships.

9 a.m. @ Woodward Park.

925-280-3950, Ext. 5235, bwilson@acalanes.k12. ca.us; www.acalanes.k12. ca.us.

Upload photos XXXXXXX and team XX, stats!

2010 www.SportStarsMag.com

TWENTY-FOUR7 BAseBAll Through Nov. 27: Concord — Baseball is fun clinic. Late morning Saturdays @ Woodside Elementary School. Ages 8-14. Registration: http://walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Batting Cages.

Golf N Games Family Fun Center. 925-7545053, www.golfngames.com.

Dec. .8-Jan. 12: Antioch — Antioch Little League’s Spring 2011 Season Registration. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 and Jan 12; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11 and Jan. 8 and 15.

All at Golf N Games. 925-431-8478, www. antiochlittleleague.com.

BowlinG Through Dec. 31: Concord — Parties for kids at Clayton Valley Bowl. 925-6894631, BowlClayton@Astound.net; www. claytonvalleybowl.com. cheeR Through Oct. 28: Antioch — All Out Sports league’s cheer signups. Online @ www. leaguelineup.com. Casey, 510-282-4986, casey_c@alloutsportsleague.com.

Lifting with Aimee Everett of Catalyst Athletics. 2-5 p.m. at CrossFit. $75. 925465-0015, info@diablocrossfit.com; www. diablocrossfit.com.

FootBAll Through Dec. 31: Walnut Creek — WCYF marauders. Open for registration in the Midget division. Art Thoms, thoms3@ifn.net, 925-7860721; www.wcyfmarauders.com.

Dec. 12-13: Antioch — East Bay Vipers Softball Association 2010 Spring Tryouts.

At Antioch Community Park, James Donlon Blvd. Martin Soares, 925-383-4657, Martin.

Soares@sharpusa.com; www.eteamz.com/ eastbayvipers.com.

GolF Through Dec. 11: Concord — Changing Kids’ Lives through the Game of Golf.

Presented by The First Tee Contra Costa. For boys and girls 5-18 @ Diablo Creek. 925-6866262, Ext. 0; www.thefirstteecontracosta.org.

swim Through Nov. 19: Orinda — Fall Swimming with Coach Eric Lane. At Moraga Valley Pool.

925-376-4110, SwimTeam@MoragaValleyPool. org; http://moragavalleypool.org.

Through Dec. 31: Berkeley — Junior Academy. Ages 5U at Tilden Park Golf Course.

510-848-7373, doi@tildenparkgc.com; www. thegolflearningcenters.com/tildenpark.

Oct. 30: Antioch — Adult Golf Clinic @ Lone Tree Golf Course. Topic: full swing with irons and woods. 925-706-4220, www. lonetreegolfcourse.com.

commUnitY eVents Through Oct. 31: Concord — The Haunted Plaza. 6-10 p.m. daily @ Todos Santos Plaza. $7. Visit www.concordtsba.org.

GYmnAstics Through Dec. 31: Concord — Open Gym. 8-10 p.m. Mon., 7-9 p.m. Thur., 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Sat. For ages 8+. 925-680-9999, info@eastbaysportsacademy.com; www. eastbaysportsacademy.com.

Nov. 19: Walnut Creek — Early Thanksgiving Dinner. 5-8 p.m. at Boundary Oak Golf Course. Reservations: 925-93443600, Ext. 23; www.playboundaryoak.com. cYclinG Through Nov. 3: Walnut Creek — Women’s Daylight Saving Group Ride Series. 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays @ Sports Basement. All levels welcome; women only. 925-941-6100, www.sportsbasement.com.

Through Dec. 26: Walnut Creek — Mountain Bike Group Ride. Meet at 8 a.m. Sundays at Sports Basement. 925-941-6100, www. sportsbasement.com. eQUestRiAn Nov. .22-26: Walnut Creek — Thanksgiving Week Camp. Riding lessons 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; no camp on Thanksgiving. 925-937-7661, htrails@ astound.net; www.castlerockarabian.com.

Dec. .20-27: Walnut Creek — Holiday camps. Riding lessons 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; no camp on Christmas Day. 925-937-7661, htrails@ astound.net; www.castlerockarabian.com.

Fitness Nov. 6: Walnut Creek — Women’s Olympic

soFtBAll Oct. 30-31: Pittsburg — Vipers Eastbay Fastpitch Clinic. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days at Los Medanos College. Preregistration: www. eteamz.com/eastbayvipers.com. Contact: Martin Soares, 925-383-4657; Martin.Soares@ sharpusa.com.

Through Nov. 13: Concord — Building an Athlete’s Fitness, Speed and Agility Clinic. Saturdays @ Woodside Elementary School. Ages 8-14. Registration: http:// walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

Through Dec. 31: Walnut Creek — WCYF marauders cheer. Open for registration in various divisions. Art Thoms, thoms3@ifn.net, 925-786-0721; www.wcyfmarauders.com.

Nov. 13-14: Santa Clara — Silicon Valley Ski and Snowboard Festival. At Santa Clara Convention Center. 50%-off festival tickets available at Sports Basement, Walnut Creek.

530-581-0553, www.snowbomb.com.

buscsoccer@aol.com.

tRAck & FielD Through Dec. 31: Concord — SportSpecific Training - Track & Field. At East Bay Sports Academy. For student athletes.

Schedules and fees: 925-680-9999, info@eastbaysportsacademy.com; www. eastbaysportsacademy.com.

Sports Basement to host cross-training clinic What’s stopping you from getting a head start on that New Years’ resolution of losing weight and getting fit?

Team Fitness Evolution is here to whip you into shape. Learn from the fitness experts on how to properly train for those grueling marathons and Iron Man competitions you’ll be participating in during 2011. Stop by Sports Basement (1881 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek) for a free clinic on Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm.

Newcomers get a free month of training with Team Fitness Evolution just by showing up.

— Erik Stordahl

mARtiAl ARts Through Dec. 31: Concord — Kids Karate lVl 1 at In-Shape Health Club. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www.inshapeclubs. com.

Nov. 13: Concord — Concord Kung Fu Academy events. Seminar by Sifu Evelina Lengyel. Fees and registration, 925-672-9800, www.concordkungfu.com.

Jan. 29: Walnut Creek — 24th Annual USKS “Just for Kicks” Benefit Show. 6-8 p.m. at Berean Christian High School. 925-682-9517, www.usksmartialarts.com.

RAce Nov. 25: Walnut Creek — 18th Annual Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Club Turkey trot. Kicks off at 8 a.m. @ Civic Park. Details & registration: www.wcsf.net.

RecReAtion Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Public Skating.

At Paradise Skate. Wed.-Sun.; Mon.-Tues. reserved for private skating/parties. 925-7790200, www.paradiseskate.com. socceR Through Nov. 5: Pleasanton — BUSC U7/8 summer Academy. 4-5:15 p.m. Fridays at Hansen Park. Info: Tony Chavarria, Tonyatallstar@comcast.net; www.busc. org. Registration: Cindy, 925-463-6313,

Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

October 28, 2010

SportStars™

29

photo finish Behold the SportStars of the future: Cameron Delmar (12), quarterback for the Clayton Valley Falcons scout team rolls out to look for the an open receiver as San Ramon Valley T-Bird defenders Carson Jones (68) and Dylan Walter (71) give pursuit. Falcons’ Lance Hackett (40) rushes to Cardoza’s aid. Both the Falcons and T-Birds compete in the Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference.

SUBMITTED BY JACK CARDOZA

Want to submit your pic for Photo Finish?

Send it to us at editor@SportStarsMag.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.

BigBikeEntryform

Check boxes of any advertisers from which you’d like more info, then mail or fax it to us! Or drop it off at the SportStars office or the Walnut Creek Sports Basement! ❒

101.7 KKIQ/92.1 KKDV . . . . . . . . . . 19

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Clayton/Countrywood Fitness Centers . . 28

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Farmers Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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Simply Selling Shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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Aviva Promotional Products . . . . . . . . .27

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Club Sport Valley Vista . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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Franklin Canyon Golf Course . . . . . . 23

Smokin Okie’s BBQ Joint . . . . . . . . . 28

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Big C Athletic Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Comcast Hometown Network . . . . . . . 3

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Grayson Woods Golf Course . . . . . . 24

SportForm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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Big O Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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Community Youth Center . . . . . . . . . 27

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Greenhorn Creek Golf Club . . . . . . . 24

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SportStars Big Bike Giveaway . . . . 30, 31

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Bladium Sports & Fitness Clubs . . . . 20

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Crow Canyon Country Club . . . . . . . 24

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Heavenly Greens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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SportStars Ski Giveaway . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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Bob Larson Sports Photography . . . . 15

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De La Salle Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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Jory’s Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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Tilden Park Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . 24

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Boys & Girls Clubs/Diablo Valley . . . 28

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Dave DeLong School of Golf . . . . . . 23

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Kinders BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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Turkey Trot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 UFC gym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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eTeamSponsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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Lone Tree Golf & Event Center . . . . . 23

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Championship Athletic Fundraising. . . . 13

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East Bay Sports Academy . . . . . . . . 11

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Massage Envy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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Walnut Creek Sport & Fitness. . . . . . 14

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Cheers Gym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Excellence in Sport Performance . . . .12

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Scandia Family Center . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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Mail: SPORTSTARS Interactive, 5356 Clayton Road, Suite 222, Concord, CA 94521 • Fax: 925.566-8507 Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com