Issue 7, 09.09.2010

Fall sports return Page 20

vol. 1. issue 7

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Bay Area volleyball swings into action Page 12 FOOTBALL

starring east bay athletes

September 9, 2010

Domenic Mazza can hit a golf ball farther than you Page 29 A tree and a legend grow at Monte Vista Page 10 Clayton Valley’s Camille Condit goes for the kill!

kicks off!

• Northgate fills stadium for first night game Red Zone, page 22 • Week 1 action Page 24

BigBIKE giveaway Enter to win!

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GET INTO IT

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Las Lomas’ Rachel Linden (No. 20 Deer Valley’s keesh tolentino are top 10 players to watch. P 4

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kim condie and her campolindo teammates have high expectations. PAge 12 First Pitch ..................................................... 6 SportStar of the Week .............................. 7 Locker Room .............................................. 8 Wally’s World ............................................ 10 Red Zone ................................................... 22

o. 20 at left) and o are two of our ch. Page 18

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Training Time ............................................. 26 Health Watch ............................................ 27 Tee2Green ................................................. 29 Impulse ....................................................... 32 Advertiser Index ...................................... 37

ON THE COVER Clayton Valley’s Camille Condit

by Bob Larson.

Photo Finish............................................... 38

Contact Bob at larsonpic.@aol.com

Twenty-Four7 ............................................ 33

September 9, 2010

SportStars™

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Three coaches set out to break the mold C oaches get pigeonholed into stehim on speed dial.” reotypes quite a bit.

Howell’s contact was Greg Payter, who Especially football coaches. in turn, helped bring aboard a database Football coaches can often be seen as programmer and approximately five foul-mouthed former jocks who carry months later eTeamSponsors was alive delusions of grandeur, operate on a short and kicking. fuse, and can rarely get their point across The guys like to refer to it as their without yelling and/or spitting. utopian fundraising system. A way of Certainly they are rarely perceived as raising funds where the returns are inventors, entrepreneurs or savvy busigreater and the effort is minimal. There’s nessmen. Ok, maybe sometimes invenalso little financial risk involved in sendtors — if they create some new-fangled ing emails. offense or training method. But rarely do “We wanted take all of the financial the other two titles get attached to the ol’ risk out of the fundraiser,” Coddington ball coach. said. “There wasn’t going to be a scenario That makes the story of Randy Codwhere a coach had to pay out of pocket dington, Sean Connors and Steve Jacoby for a bunch of bake sale cookie dough pretty special. that didn’t sell. In a lot of those cases, All three are football coaches right coaches tend to lose money rather than here in SportStars’ backyard. Coddington make it.” is the defense coordinator at Concord The way eTeamSponsors operates is High, Connors is an offensive assistant each player provides 10-15 email adfor Diablo Valley College and Jacoby is a dresses of family and friends. The emails defensive assistant at De La Salle. are then filtered through the database, And it’s their brainchild that is soon to and a personal email from the player is set the new curve in fundraising for high sent out as though it’s from the player. school athletics.

“Once the coaches and players become “Randy was undoubtedly the brain, acclimated to this, coaches are never goand I was the child,” Jacoby said flippantly ing to have to worry about candy bars or when asked to describe the spawning discount books,” Jacoby said. “ As a dad of what has become eTeamSponsors, a who has to sell Girl Scout cookies, I alsponsorship program built completely on most want to call up the Girls Scouts and email solicitation and is database-driven. say ‘Hey! What about this?’ There are “I’m old. I’ve seen almost every fundraiser a lot of mint chocolate cookie devotees there is. Randy is comfortable with comthat wouldn’t like me for that, though, I puters and had this thought that it needs suppose.” to go electronic.”

Apparently all analogies with these The initial idea took its earliest roots coaches deal with cookies.

Chace@ close to five years ago when the three Kidding aside, without any kind of SportStarsMag.com coaches were all part of the same staff at major marketing campaign, the group Clayton Valley. Finding themselves tired already has subscribers in five states (925) 566-8503 of endless fundraisers that were more ranging as far away as Virginia. hassle than helpful, they would riff about Several football programs throughhow something needed to change. out the East Bay are already reaping the While they all eventually went on to benefits of the program. Freedom coach other jobs and coaching staffs, the idea Kevin Hartwig is one of the newest continued to fester until Coddington and coaches to buy-in, asking just his freshJacoby had a bit of a breakthrough last men to participate this season.

November. They brought the initial idea “So far it’s been pain-free,” Hartwig of a computer-based mailing campaign to Connors and said. “We hadn’t even officially started the program and the project suddenly grew legs. we made money because one kid had put up a post on Connors carried a background in finance and the three Facebook, like he was supposed to do.” started hashing out the feasibility of the idea, but things In the effort of full disclosure, eTeamSponsors has really vamped up when Don Howell — another member taken up an ad campaign with us, but there was more to of the Clayton Valley coaching fraternity — came up this story than the ads you’ll see. And if you’ve been a with someone to spearhead the technological side of the high school sports follower at all over the past two years venture.

— in the East Bay, or anywhere really — ­ then you know “I remember sitting around and somebody asked if that fundraising is essential to the staying power of high anybody knew anybody who could help us on that end,” school athletics.

Connors said. “Donnie spoke up and said, ‘I have a guy I We don’t want them going anywhere, and the eTeam golf with who has built and sold two internet companies.’ coaches are trying to make it easier to save them. That At which point our jaws dropped and we asked if he had gets our attention, and it should get yours.

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, Dave DeLong, Mitch Stephens 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 • EStordahl@Sport StarsMag.com (Special Sections, Calendar, Marketplace sales) Hometeam network Mary Stewart, Peter Trekteris and Michelle McEuen, 925.827.4686 • hometeam@sportstarsmag.com 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

Camille condit clayton valley . volleyball . senior

powered by:

Hunter Deuel/Contributed

nominate your star at editor@sportstarsmag.com

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Being one win from making the playoffs is always a tough pill to swallow for any team. The Clayton Valley girls volleyball squad definitely isn’t an exception to the rule. After coming up one win shy of cracking the NCS playoffs last year, they’re poised not only to qualify this season but to make a deep run. Leading the charge is senior Camille Condit who amassed 21 kills in the Eagles’ seasonopening victory against Las Lomas on Sept. 2. The senior is a unanimous two-time first team all-league outside hitter, and also the newest cover girl of SportStars Magazine. That’s her “letting it rip” on the cover of this magazine.

SportStars: What are your expectations for the team this year?

Camille Condit: We want to go to NCS. We feel like this is our season, we talk about it a lot.

SportStars: What made you pick volleyball over other sports?

CC: My sister played volleyball when I was younger. I watched one of her games and I was hooked. I joined a team in eighth grade and have worked hard ever since.

SportStars: What’s your year-round schedule like?

CC: Well, when the school season ends I play with my club team. Every weekend, every day we’ll have practice and I’ll be there. I don’t really get an offseason.

SportStars: What will be the key to a successful season?

CC: It’s going to take dedication. A lot of hard work but mostly dedication. We work hard during practice so hopefully it’ll pay off.

Camille’s Quick Hits: Twilight or Harry Potter: Twilight Favorite food: Sushi Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

honorable mention

Matt Butler The senior wide receiver racked up 162 total yards and finished with three TDs (catching two and running for one) as Northgate routed Dublin 48-7 to open its season on Sept. 3.

travis west He paced Heritage in its league-opening win over Antioch on Sept.1. The senior accounted for 33 percent of the Patriots scoring with eight goals in a 24-1 win.

maggie daly Her San Ramon Valley team may have come up a few strokes short of Carondelet on Sept. 2, but Daly still took him medalist honors with a 1-over par 37 at Crow Canyon CC.

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Northgate High cheerleaders perform at halftime of the school’s first night home game. Photo by Butch Noble

Things that stood out during the first week of football It’s hard not to go football-crazy with Week One of the 2010 high school football season directly in your rear-view. With that being said, here are the Top Five moments from the opening week on the gridiron.

1. Foothill High School, which boasted one of the top passing attacks in the East Bay in 2009, dusted off the double-tight, double-wing ground attack to blindside Pittsburg in a key early-season nonleague Division I tilt.

2. Just when you thought you knew where Acalanes middle linebacker Sumner Cortessis would be (i.e. in the middle of the pile, wrecking yet another run play by Ygnacio Valley), he was somewhere else (i.e. dropping back into coverage and poking the ball free to cause the only turnover of the game and quash the Warriors’ best scoring chance in the Dons’ 9-0 win).

3. Wasn’t Serra-San Mateo supposed to be the biggest test of the regular season for De La Salle? 45 straight points to start the game, 394 yards rushing, and 164 yards and two TDs on 10 carries for Lucas Dunne in a convincing 45-7 win say different. Look out, EBAL. 4. Northgate tailback Cameron Stover scampered for 195 yards and three touchdowns in the school’s first-ever home night game. Good thing they turned on the lights, huh?

5. How about Kennedy-Richmond? The Eagles are 1-0 to start 2010 (after going 0-9 in ’09) thanks to a 21-yard scoring scamper by Isaiah McClain with under a minute to play that turned a 14-15 deficit into a 20-15 victory over El Cerrito.

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HE SAID WHAT?!?

“I’d never played running back before ever.

When coach told me, I said ‘Oh God, a 155-pound wide receiver is going to be running the ball? Alright, we’ll see.’”

Foothill senior Cameron Rowland who caught 79 passes for more than 1,300 yards as a wide receiver in 2009, but takes on a primary role of running back this season as the Falcons have altered their offense to fit their personnel. Rowland rushed for 54 yards on eight carries in Foothill’s season-opener on Sept. 3.

CHATTER

As the magazine gains just a little bit more popularity, the number of emails and posts to our Facebook page is starting go up.

So we’re debuting this new feature that will run from time to time.

Join the conversation by emailing us at editor@sportstarsmag. com, or liking us on Facebook.

■ “Yes, I said it...Liberty High (football) will be a factor this year in the BVAL...This season Liberty is returning 7 starters on offense and 8 Starters on defense ...This season you WILL see Liberty IN a lot of competitive battles with the other teams in the BVAL.” — E-mail, Aug. 30.

SPORTSTARS: Well, after seeing the Lions win their opener over Clayton Valley, you can officially consider us on notice. We don’t cheer in the press box, or on the sideline, but if we had to write a story about Liberty ending its BVAL losing streak ...Well, let’s just say we’d look forward to it.

RANDOM ACTS OF FACTNESS On Sept. 17, football will literally take over East County. For the first time, all six East County high schools will host home games on the same Friday night. Starting in Pittsburg and heading east: The Pirates host Monte Vista, Antioch hosts San Ramon Valley, Deer Valley hosts Fremont-Oakland, Heritage hosts Kennedy-Fremont, Freedom hosts West-Tracy and Liberty hosts American-Fremont.

The previous high for East County football games on the same night was five on Sept. 19, 2008.

We’d like to challenge someone to start in Pittsburg and make it to all six, but that might lead to a speeding ticket or two.

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■ “I’m loving the magazine! Keep up the good work. Are you having a volleyball preview edition? If so, when? Thanks!” — Facebook post, Sept. 3 SPORTSTARS: How about right now!? Our Girls Volleyball Preview is just a few page flips away. Three, actually. What are you waiting for? Go. Go now.

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Ilharreguy’s spirit — and memorial — tower over MV football

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s the top returning pair of wide receivers in the East Bay, Bryce McGovern and Dane Turner are no strangers to the north end zone at Monte Vista High.

But when they gathered just beyond that area Aug. 28 with about a dozen other players off this year’s team, it wasn’t to celebrate a touchdown, relive a past glory or even get things rolling for this season.

It was to honor the memory of a man whose name has been synonymous with the energy and spirit of the Mustangs football program for longer than any of them have been alive. It was for an event friends and family members called the Mark llharreguy Memorial — and the story behind that memorial, and how it came to symbolize the program, is a lesson none of these Mustangs will soon forget.

Rob Stockberger was the Monte Vista football coach when Ilharreguy starred as a tight end and defensive tackle from 1983-85, an era when the Mustangs won the third of their four North Coast Section titles that decade. As someone who has been involved with keeping Ilharreguy’s memory alive from the time of his death in 1987, no one was happier than Stockberger to see a large turnout of players off this year’s team.

“Kids go to the football banquet every year and they hear about the Mark Ilharreguy Award, and being here gives them some context about what it’s all about,” Stockberger said.

What it’s about, specifically, is honoring a player who best inspires the mental toughness, leadership and inspirational abilities shown by Ilharreguy and, in turn, those championship teams of the 1980s.

And the fact that so many current players, past teammates and friends were on hand is a testament to each of those characteristics.

“It’s pretty special to see this,” said Turner, speaking for the Mustangs on hand. “You know it’s for a guy with a special character and attitude.”

Those traits, and no small amount of talent, had landed Ilharreguy a scholarship to BYU to play football in the fall of 1987. Sadly, he never made it. He was killed in an auto accident May 9, 1987.

That fall, Stockberger and one of his assistant coaches, Tom Ladouceur, planted a Redwood tree just north of the north end zone as a memorial – a job Ladou-

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

Mike Wolcott

Mark Ilharreguy’s jersey hangs on the back wall at Primo’s Pizza in Danville.

ceur (brother of Bob Ladouceur, the De La Salle coach) recalls as a “labor of love.”

“It was 6-feet tall and fit in a 5-gallon can,” recalled Stockberger, standing under the branches of a tree that now towers more than 60 feet above the ground.

As the tree grew, so did the legend of a man his teammates recall as a larger-thanlife personality. “He could shift gears from ‘so serious’ to ‘so goofy’ in a nano-second,” Stockberger said.

Unfortunately, the surrounding planter box and memorial couldn’t keep pace. It was soon replaced by a second which, over time, also fell into disrepair.

Darrell Sparkman, a close friend of Ilharreguy, couldn’t help but notice. That’s because, even 25 years after his last down of football at Monte Vista, he was still a frequent visitor to the field.

“I’d come down here and speak to him (Ilharreguy),” Sparkman said. “And I promised him I would take care of that planter box.”

Call it an unbelievable coincidence, or maybe some divine intervention, but Ilharreguy did a pretty good job of sending Sparkman a reminder.

Early last year, Sparkman and Karen Rice — another former classmate of Ilharreguy’s — had one of their first dates at the memorial tree. A few months later, they were married. On May 5, 2010, their son Trevor was born — five weeks premature.

On — drumroll, please — Ilharreguy’s birthday.

“I think that was Mark telling me, ‘Get this thing done,’” Sparkman said.

So, he did. With the cooperation of Monte Vista administrators and the help of several friends, former teammates and members of the community, once the work started, it fell into place pretty quickly.

The planter box is complete and a new plaque for Ilharreguy is embedded inside. His parents, Tony Ilharreguy and Kathy Carroll, were among the 60 or so people on hand for its unveiling.

And, in keeping with Ilharreguy’s spirit, the ceremony didn’t end there. It moved over to Primo’s Pizza, where Ilharreguy’s jersey and number 89 now hang in the back room.

Among the attendees was three-and-ahalf-month-old Trevor Sparkman. Look for him on the Monte Vista football field around 2024, one more Mark Ilharreguy memorial.

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2010VOLLEYBALLPREVIEW

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With 10 players coming back, including seven seniors, Campolindo takes aim at multiple championships in 2010 PHOTO BY BOB LARSON the 2010 season as The Campolindo volleyball team enters Athletic League, and heavy favorites to win the Diablo Foothill the North Coast Secbetter-than-average favorites to reach Cougars won the CIF tion Division III championship game.The , but haven’t earned a Division III state championship in 2006 postseason tournament win since.

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2010VOLLEYBALLPREVIEW

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t’s late afternoon on a muggy Friday. And not just any Friday — the first Friday of the high school football season.

The Campolindo High campus is all but empty now.

Roughly an hour has passed since the first full week of school came to a close. The football team is in Albany, preparing for a 5:30 kickoff. In the gym, the varsity girls volleyball team is at the halfway point of its practice.

Yet the gym is quiet.

Well, not totally quiet. Cougars volleyball coach Scott Bishop is reading aloud as 13 girls copy down the quote he recites.

“Ability may get you to the top,” Bishop reads, and then repeats. “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

The quote comes from John Wooden, and for the several four-year varsity players in Bishop’s audience this afternoon, it’s not the first time they’ve heard the sage wisdom of UCLA’s legendary basketball coach.

“Much of what goes on in our program is dictated upon what Wooden did,” Bishop said much earlier in the day.

“His definition of success is not necessarily about the winning and losing, but if the team was putting the effort into preparing to play at the highest level it’s capable of ... It was as if he said, ‘Let’s not focus on, but let’s win a lot.’”

Well, Bishop’s teams have certainly done that during his nine seasons as either a head or co-coach. That includes three North Coast Section titles and a California Interscholastic Federation Division III state championship in 2006.

However, since that state crown, the Cougars have made it to the NCS final just once — losing to Maria CarrilloSanta Rosa in the 2008 Division II championship match.

Bishop has many reasons to believe that a championship drought will end in 2010.

To be more precise, he has 10 reasons to think so.

Campolindo’s 14-player roster includes 10 with varsity Story by Chace Bryson | Photos by Bob Larson

Senior Mary Vaccaro is never shy to express herself on the court with the Cougars.The setter is returning to the Campolindo team after a two-year hiatus to focus on beach volleyball, where she eventually reached the national level and competed for the U.S at the U-19 level.

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experience. Seven of those 10 are seniors, and four of those seniors are in their fourth year under Bishop.

Those four seniors not only carry the experience of four years in the program — but also the weight of being the first freshman class to enter following the state championship, and not having raised any postseason banners of their own yet. If anything will drive the Cougars in 2010, it will be to rectify that.

“It’s huge,” four-year senior and team captain Kim Condie said following the Friday practice. “Even our freshman year, everyone talked about how we weren’t going to be as good as that state championship group. We wanted to prove them wrong, and we’re still trying to prove them wrong. “(Many) still think that that was the best team, and this year we want to show that it’s our year and we’re just as good as (the 2006 team) was.”

■ ■ ■ If a return to postseason glory is real possibility for this group, the biggest factor might just be the senior who hasn’t been around the past two years.

As a freshman in 2007, Mary Vaccaro made the varsity team along with classmates Condie, Abbie Noland, Chandler Moore and Sophie Smith. But Vaccaro’s passion for volleyball took her away from the Campolindo gym. She played high-level club volleyball and focused on becoming a national-caliber outdoor player — eventually competing for the U-19 U.S. beach volleyball team.

But as her senior year neared, she experienced a desire to finish what she started with the Cougars.

“I missed the camaraderie (of having teammates) within the school and how we’re all there for each other all the time,” said Vaccaro, who’s committed to play at Army next Fall. “It’s just a really cool thing to play for your school”

Cougars coach Scott Bishop has been with the program for nine seasons. His playing career as an outside hitter included winning four national championships playing collegiately for the Cal club team from 1990-94.

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Defensive specialist Kim Condie is a team captain and one of four seniors who are in their fourth season at the varsity level.

And yet there was still a concern for how her return would be perceived by the seniors who had battled beside each other while Vaccaro was away.

That didn’t last very long.

“I was ecstatic,” Condie said of her reaction when Vaccaro told her she wanted to come back. “It was hard for us having her leave. We respected her decisions and everything, and we didn’t get mad. But when we found out she was coming back, we were so happy” Vaccaro indeed appears to be extremely comfortable on the court with the rest of the Cougars. An extremely outgoing personality, she is among the most vocal in practice, constantly encouraging teammates.

Adding Vaccaro back to the mix gives the Cougars an added flexibility on the court. Vaccaro will likely play setter, but her time spent on the beach has made her a more well-rounded and versatile player.

Adding her to the hitting talents of Noland and Moore (both outside hitters) — along with two experienced middle hitters in Anisa Smith and Annie Shurtz, and the

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defensive prowess of Condie and Smith — it makes it hard to find a weakness in the Campolindo rotation.

So, as expected, the news of Vaccaro’s return didn’t take very long to circulate among the East Bay volleyball community.

The coaching community in particular.

“I’ve seen her play outdoor, but she’s also a very a good indoor player,” Acalanes coach Steve Siegmann said. “She’s just a very good all-around player. If she is indeed playing this year, that adds a lot (to Campolindo).”

Vaccaro doesn’t view herself as the team’s missing puzzle piece that’s come back to fill a hole. And she’s likely to deflect any extra attention that comes her way, compared to any of the other players on the team.

Which, in a way, follows many of the John Wooden concepts that Bishop teaches.

Case in point: “The key for our success this season is to come together and just be selfless,” Vaccaro said. “To do everything we do for each other. If we have that connection as a team on and off the court, it will show on the court

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Abbie Noland, another four-year varsity player for the Cougars, is one of two experienced outside hitters for Campolindo. that we’ve worked really hard.”

■ ■ ■ Bishop has been passing his affinity for Wooden on to his teams for quite some time, and it’s not like he’s had any shortage of talent over the past couple of seasons. So when he was asked what might have held his teams back from major postseason success in recent years, he took pause before answering.

“The last three years, we’ve had successful seasons, but performance-wise we haven’t had anything that’s exceeded our expectations,” Bishop said. “It’s humbling and a bit of a reality check to the girls, but that level doesn’t just happen by itself.”

At the same time, Bishop doesn’t carry the persona of a coach who is going to scream and shout and go crazy when things don’t come together. A stay-at-home dad of three kids (ages 8, 4 and 1), Bishop simply wants to teach and let the players make the leap on their own.

The Division III volleyball landscape of the North Coast Section has already shifted in Campolindo’s favor for 2010.

Bishop O’Dowd, which has dominated the NCS Division III bracket for the past three years, has been forced to move into Division II this season as the result of an NCS bylaw requireing any program which wins three straight section titles to move up one division. With the Dragons, which are loaded with talent again this season, out of the postseason picture, the road to the final for Campolindo could include opponents that they’ll play in Diablo Foothill Athletic League action, namely Acalanes and Miramonte.

For Bishop, a la John Wooden, he’ll continue to just worry about the things he can control.

“Some years you have a lot of athletes and there’s an assumption that you should do well, and it can work against your ability to train hard,” he said. “I’m not taking anything for granted. I’ve seen us do well and I’ve seen us struggle, and we only do well when we work hard.”

That doesn’t mean he won’t temper his enthusiasm.

“I’m really excited for this group. It will be up to our girls. I’m just the coach. It’s not about me. I’m looking forward to sitting back and watching a great year.” ✪ Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

September 9, 2010

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2010volleyballpreview Last year 2009 league champions ACCAL: Berkeley (13-11) BSAL: Albany (30-7) BVAL: Deer Valley (24-12) DFAL: Miramonte (26-3) DVAL*: Northgate (28-10), Berean Christian (24-10) EBAL: Amador Valley (29-7) *designated co-champions

2009 NCS champions Division I: Amador Valley (29-7) Division II: Petaluma (26-8) Division III: Bishop O’Dowd (35-8) Division IV: Salesian (26-7) Division V: Branson-Ross (31-5) Division VI: Rincon Valley Christian-Santa Rosa (30-5)

Our best guess 2010 predicted league champions ACCAL: Berkeley BSAL: Albany BVAL: Deer Valley DFAL: Campolindo DVAL: Clayton Valley EBAL: Foothill

Tourney time

A list of the major one-day Saturday tournaments taking place in the East Bay. SEPT. 11 — Deer Valley Invite OCT. 2 — Castro Valley Tourney OCT. 23 — Dougherty Valley Tourney OCT. 30 — Northgate Tourney 18

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Natalie Chan, OH, Sr., Acalanes

Kelly Shaver, OH, Sr., Granada

BOTTOM LINE: Senior leader should shine for muchimproved Dons squad.

BOTTOM LINE: Posted double-digit kill numbers in seven of the Mats last 10 league games in ’09.

Camille Condit, OH, Sr., Clayton Valley

Keesh Tolentino, S, Sr., Deer Valley

BOTTOM LINE: Four-year varsity player is a two-time unanimous all-league selection.

BOTTOM LINE: The 2009 First-team All-BVAL selection is one of DV’s seven returning seniors.

Cait DeWitt, OH, Sr., Foothill

Mary Vaccaro, S, Sr., Campolindo

BOTTOM LINE: Highlighted by several coaches as the EBAL’s best player coming into 2010.

BOTTOM LINE: Is a national-caliber beach volleyball player at the U-19 level.

Michelle Lawrence, OH/MH, So., Northgate BOTTOM LINE: The 6-foot, 2-inch transfer is the next in a long line of Broncos standouts.

Rachel Linden, S, So., Las Lomas

Jessica Vestal, MH, Jr., Berean Christian BOTTOM LINE: She posted 234 kills last season for the DVAL co-champion Eagles

Kelsey Williams, S, Sr., Amador Valley

BOTTOM LINE: Up-and-comer could help propel Knights into the DFAL title race

BOTTOM LINE: Star setter for defending NCS champions has committed to play at Duke University.

Other players to know Victoria Acosta, OH, Sr., San Ramon Valley Sabrina Clayton, OH, So., California Alicia Flatt, S, Sr., Carondelet Kyra Holt, OH, So., Albany Sarah Vaccaro, S, Jr., Miramonte

Best player outside the region Lindsey Parrott, OH, Sr., Bishop O’Dowd Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

2010volleyballpreview

EBAL volleyball is all about survive and advance

By Chace Bryson | Editor Lou Panzella has been a coaching mainstay in the East Bay girls volleyball scene for several years.

He’s seen his share of super-competitive leagues, and even won titles in a few of them now and then. But when it comes to the current competition level of the East Bay Athletic League, the Deer Valley High coach simply marvels.

“What’s scary about the EBAL right now is that you can put every teams name in a hat, pull out one at a time, and it might be a pretty good way of predicting the outcome,” Panzella said. “Nobody should go undefeated in that league. They are too evenly matched.”

Each of the past four years, Panzella’s Deer Valley teams have had their seasons end at the hands of an EBAL team.

In fact, his 2006 Wolverines squad is the last non-EBAL team to reach the North Coast Section Division I championship — where it lost to the EBAL’s Amador Valley.

Since that 2006 championship game, the NCS Division I final has pitted two EBAL against each other. And each year, a different school has won. San Ramon Valley took the section crown in 2007, Foothill in 2008 and Amador Valley enters this year as the reigning champ.

“Our league is just brutal,” Foothill coach Dusty Collins said. “It’s fun in that way, but it’s hard.”

From one EBAL coach to another, each one will admit to the fact that nearly any team could win the league. And beyond that, that team may or may not win the NCS title because another EBAL team might knock it out.

Carondelet coach Jerry Mix may have put it best.

“I truly feel there are probably 4-5 schools who are generally going into the season feeling like they have a fighting chance at winning it all when it comes down to it,” Mix said. “And they all could be right.”

So who are some of these teams? Well you can start at the top with defending champion Amador Valley. The Dons graduated six seniors from last year’s squad, but still return Duke-bound setter Kelsey Williams.

Foothill, who finished as the NCS runners-up to Amador Valley, just happen to return outside hitter Caitlin DeWitt — who more than one coach believed was the league’s best player. Granada returns three-year starting hitter Kelly Shaver, San Ramon Valley has a three-year standout in Victoria Acosta, Carondelet boasts a well-balanced attack, and the list could keep on going.

Getting through the league schedule is certainly going to be a grind for any team which wins it all.

“We certainly try to stress that it’s a long season, even though it isn’t that long by looking at a calendar,” San Ramon Valley coach Mark Bauhs said. “Some of the other leagues where you only have two or three big games to get up for, you can breathe through the other matches, but you can’t do that in EBAL. It’s an endurance contest in the EBAL instead of a sprint to the finals.”

Collins managed to boil it down even more.

“As the season goes on, you have to get better,” he said.

“Or you get left behind.” ✪

Bob Larson

There is no shortage of returning talent in the EBAL this season. Foothill senior Caitlin DeWitt (left) is considered by many to be the best offensive player in the league this season. Meanwhile, Carondelet’s offensive attack will likely run through junior outside hitter Shannon Boling.

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Sup

om

TOP LEFT: Carondelet senior Miranda Zulueta blasts her way out of a sand trap in an EBAL match against San Ramon Valley on Sept. 2. BOTTOM LEFT: In the same match, San Ramon Valley’s Katie Chase does some sand saving of her own on the Crow Canyon Country Club course. MIDDLE: Las Lomas girls water polo player, Shannon Baer, lines up a shot in a Sept. 1 nonleague match against Mission San Jose. TOP RIGHT: Las Lomas’ Meg Stephens gets rushed by two Mission San Jose defenders. BOTTOM LEFT: Clayton Valley libero, Marissa Hobson, steadies herself prior to serving in a Sept. 2 match with Las Lomas.

Photos by: Butch Noble, Jonathan Hawthorne and Bob Larson)

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RED ZONE SportStars’ Gridiron Glance

Senior-led Broncos light up their Week 1 opponent By erik stordahl | Contributor When one thinks of the start of high school football season, what immediately comes to mind are renewed rivalries, endless pep rallies and enough glow sticks to light up a parade.

Another staple of this slice of Americana is playing under the lights in front of a raucous, faithful home crowd. There’s nothing quite like it and most schools have experienced this amenity for years on end.

But for Northgate High, established in 1974, last week’s 48-7 blowout win over Dublin marked its very first home game under the lights.

While the lights were of the rented variety, and only temporary, the landmark occasion was felt around the community and signaled the ushering of a new era.

Northgate hopes to have permanent

light standards installed and ready to use by the Oct. 30 home game against Ygnacio Valley.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” exclaimed senior wide receiver Matt Butler. “I’ve never seen a crowd this big here at Northgate…

This is the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”

Yes, the reason for the big crowd can be easily attributed to the bright lights. But it also helps that the Broncos, owners of 16 straight seasons without a winning record, are finally giving their fans something to cheer about.

Thanks to three Butler touchdowns, Northgate built a 21-0 lead before the lights were even turned on.

Not to be outdone, Bronco senior running back Cameron Stover matched Butler’s touchdown total with three of his

inside look: northgate

Butch Noble

Players from the Northgate High football rush onto the field to begin the second half of their Sept. 3 game against visiting Dublin. It was the first ever Northgate home game played at night. Portable lights were rented to make it happen.The school hopes to have permanent lights by Oct. 30.

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RED ZONE own, including a 57-yard sprint on the first play from scrimmage in the second half.

“Everyone was out here. There was no way we were going to lose this game,” said Stover, who rushed for 195 yards on 12 carries. “Fans started hearing we’re good and we got something like double the people we’ve ever had here before.”

If Northgate plans on making any noise this season, it’ll be because of

Butler and Stover — the unquestionable one-two punch of the Broncos offense.

They combined for 357 total yards of offense — 148 more yards than the entire Dublin squad. But shouldering the offensive load certainly warrants a fair amount of bumps and bruises and it was no different for Butler and Stover as both left the game in the third quarter with cramping.

Apparently, it wasn’t too severe as But-

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ler and Stover reentered the game with the Broncos up 35-7. Stover even scored another touchdown on a 43-yard run.

Why put them back in the game when the game is seemingly out of reach?

“We put (Butler and Stover) out there when we need a first down,” explained Broncos head coach Justin Lowell. “Last year we were down (against Dublin) and we came back, so no lead is too safe right now.”

And just because they now have two offensive juggernauts and a revamped fan base, Northgate isn’t taking any chances this season. The stench of a losing history still lingers in their minds and they’re well aware all of this temporary glory can fade away. “It’s a new fresh start, new program,” said coach Lowell. “Our seniors are great leaders.

In the end they’re the ones that are turning the program around.” ✪

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RED ZONE ACCAL The ACCAL went 5-2 in the first week of play (Sept. 3-4), including feel-good wins for Hercules and Richmond — two teams which combined to win just six games in 2009. For the Oilers, the 31-0 defeat of Marshall-S.F. was the program’s first shutout since a 28-0 defeat Kennedy on Sept. 17, 1999.

KEY STAT: Kevin Fortich (Hercules) completed six passes, four of which went for TDs. He finished with 149 yards and also tosses a two-point conversion pass.

COMING IN WEEKS 2-3: El Cerrito will try to avoid an 0-3 start as it travels to tough opponents Encinal (Sept. 10) and Campolindo (Sept. 17).

BVAL Pittsburg’s 24-7 loss to Foothill on Sept.

3 was a short game and a long night for Pirates coach Victor Galli. Pittsburg managed just 178 yards of total offense. “Just how we’d been at practice the past week, I was really unsure of what was going to happen,” Galli said. “This game was lost

around the bay area during the week.” Pittsburg QB Julius Mozee completed 16 of 23 passes, but it added up to only 103 yards...Liberty beat Clayton Valley 13-3 to win its first seasonopener since 2005. In the win, QB Devyn Parsons completed 9 of 16 passes and had no interceptions. Going back to last season, the Lions are 4-1-1 in games in which Parson avoids being picked off.

KEY STAT: Tyler McDonald (Heritage) rushed for 206 yards and four TDs as the Patriots defeated Novato 41-14.

COMING IN WEEKS 2-3: John Lucido looks to pick up his first coaching win with Antioch when the Panthers host Clayton Valley on Sept. 10, and Pittsburg welcomes the always-dangerous Monte Vista in a battle of East Bay titans on Sept 17.

DFAL Jackson Miller became a decorated North Coast Section swimmer in 2009, his freshman year at Las Lomas. On Sept. 3, one could say that his first test as a varsity QB went swimmingly. Miller went 9-for-14

Butch Noble

Pittsburg’s Arthur Brown runs past a host of De La Salle defenders in an Aug. 27 scrimmage at Pittsburg High. passing for 125 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. It probably didn’t hurt that his opponent, Vintage-Napa, came in focused to stop Knights star RB Marquis Waters.

Waters still rumbled for 171 yards and two scores.

KEY STAT: The Acalanes defense held Ygnacio Valley to just 82 yards of total offense in route to a 9-0 shutout.

COMING IN WEEKS 2-3: Las Lomas hosts defending NCS Division III champion (and 2009 CIF State Bowl game attendee) Marin Catholic-Kentfield on Sept. 10, and Dougherty Valley hosts a much-improved Northgate on Sept. 17.

dval In the Concord offense a year ago, Kelly Starnes would typically be QB Ricky Lloyd’s fifth read. Not this year. Starnes caught 13 passes for more than 140 yards in a 42-40 shootout loss to Whitney on Sept. 4. This likely came as no surprise to Minutemen coach Brian Hamilton. “I legitimately think that if we do our thing right, (Starnes) could have a 70-catch season,” the coach said before the season.

KEY STAT: Cameron Stover (Northgate) had 195 yards rushing as the Broncos rushed for 417 as a team in a rout of Dublin.

COMING IN WEEKS 2-3: The DVAL takes it shot at the EBAL with two games on Sept. 10, Amador Valley at Concord and College Park going to California.

ebal Foothill coach Matt Sweeney unveiled the best-kept secret in the EBAL on Sept.

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TOP 10 The SportStars Top 10 are rankings set by the SportStars staff and includes teams from throughout the East Bay. SportStars hopes to debut its first coaches poll on Sept. 22.

Team (Previous rank) Record

1 De La Salle (1)...................... 1-0 2 Monte Vista (2)..................... 0-0 3 Deer Valley (5)...................... 1-0 4 Foothill (6)............................. 1-0 5 Heritage (7)........................... 1-0 6 Pittsburg (3).......................... 0-1 7 Berkeley (8).......................... 1-0 8 California (NR)...................... 1-0 9 Encinal (9)............................. 0-0 10 Washington-Fremont (4).... 0-1 On the bubble: Las Lomas (1-0), Alhambra (1-0), Pinole Valley (1-0), Miramonte (1-0)

3 when his team came out and ran the double-wing offense in a 24-7 win over Pittsburg. The Falcons had three drives of at least 12 plays, two of which ended in points. Part of the surprise was his use of Cameron Rowland, a 1,300-yard WR in 2009, as a running back. “Cameron wants to win,” Sweeney said. “He isn’t going to catch 80 passes this year, but he’s gonna get more touches.” ... EBAL teams went 5-0 in Week 1 and outscored oppoents 138-40.

KEY STAT: Lucas Dunne (De La Salle) averaged 16.4 yards per carry (10-for-164) in a 45-7 win over Serra.

COMING IN WEEKS 2-3: Livermore begins its first season under new coach Greg Haubner when it hosts Liberty on Sept. 10.

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RED ZONE Ivankovich’s tough act is easy to follow for Dons By bill kolb | Contributor Something is different in Lafayette. It isn’t the school or the field. The uniforms haven’t changed. The players are roughly the same size and shape as those who have come before them.

But this Acalanes High school football team is definitely different.

“We want to be a smash-mouth team,” said senior Mike Leamy.

It’s not the sort of thing you often hear from a team’s quarterback. Clearly, something is afoot as the Dons take to the field for the second season under the direction of head coach Mike Ivankovich.

Exhibit A: On Friday, Sept. 3, the Dons opened the 2010 season with a gritty, grinding, ball-controlled, defensiveoriented 9-0 win over visiting Ygnacio Valley.

The Warriors are generally one of the best running teams in the East Bay. They generally play some of the most

physical, smash-mouth defense in the area. Teams generally walk away from a game against Ygnacio Valley — win or lose — feeling just a little more battered and bruised than they do on an average week. That physicality, that toughness is something in which Ivankovich placed a great deal of team pride in his 14 years of coaching at Ygnacio Valley.

His common refrain in Concord: “I think we out-hit them.”

In Week One, the Dons showed that Ivankovich’s code plays well in Lafayette. Acalanes used a persistent running attack — featuring the double-tight, double-wing formation so familiar to anyone who has seen Ygnacio Valley play over the past two decades — and a punishing, perceptive defense to keep the Warriors almost completely in check.

“We played really physical,” Ivankovich said after the win. “This is my goal for our program. We just played against one of the most physical teams in the Bay Area, and we were right there with them.

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Bob Larson

Acalanes coach Mike Ivankovich discusses a play call with Dons’ senior quarterback Mike Leamy during a Sept. 3 game against visiting Ygnacio Valley.The game marked the first time Ivankovich had coached against the Ygnacio Valley program he’d spent 14 years at before leaving after the 2005 season.

Our guys brought it. It was really nice to see our kids come out and compete and play physical for four quarters.”

The numbers tell the tale: 82 yards of

total offense; zero points; lots of contusions. In essence, they out-Warriored the Warriors.

Continued, page 35

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Breaking down the training system: mobility and movement Editor’s Note: This is Part 3 in a series about the things to look for when choosing a trainer for a young athlete. Parts 1 and 2 can be viewed at www.SportStarsMag.com.

W

hen you’re choosing a trainer for your young athlete, you want to make sure that they have a system for training that involves more than just cool exercises, lifting heavy weights or how fast they run the 40 yard dash.

It’s about a system that develops your young athletes while improving all dynamics required for athletic success. At the heart of each program is skill development.

This is intended to empower you to ask the right questions when it comes to finding an appropriate and qualified trainer for your young athlete’s development. This is not intended as a prescription. Make sure your young athlete has a qualified professional to oversee their strength and

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development program.

■ Ages 14 and 15: 65% of time is spent on General Physical Preparation. Other 35% is for Sport Specialization Preparation ■ Ages 16-18+: 35% of time is spent on General Physical Preparation Other time is spent on Sport Specialization Preparation (depending on individual training experience and preparation time) 1) Mobility/Flexibility/ Torso The purpose of this warm-up period is to prepare the body for the rigors of a tough workout and to enhance certain physical characteristics that are crucial for sporting success — many of which are often minimized in the scope of most training sessions.

Mobility: Freedom of movement at each mobile joint. (i.e.: ankles, hips, etc.)

This category is vital for young athletes as the muscles surrounding these mobile joints are often ignored and can easily inhibit the gains they would like to make in bench press, squats or other movements such as acceleration or deceleration.

Flexibility: The range of motion around a joint (Mobility is how well the joint moves) Static Active Hamstring — Many young athletes suffer from both tight and weak hip flexors. This exercise greatly enhances these qualities. Tight and/or weak hip flexors can have a very negative effective on speed or strength potential through the lower body.

Torso: The main function of the core during sports is stability. It is important that your young athlete can resist rotation, extension and flexion for proper execu-

Training Time Tim Rudd

tion of many athletic skills and lifts, which will increase athletic potential and reduce injury potential.

2) Movement prep/Technique This enhances and improves general movement capacity, force production and absorption as well as movement economy.

There are 4 separate categories.

Jogs: Forward Jogs, Backwards, Jogs, Carioca, Side Shuffles Joint dynamics: High Knees, Butt Kicks, Side Skips, High Skips Foot contacts & rhythm: Pepper Knees, Robots, Ladder Drills Strength/Range of motion: Crab Walks, Bear Crawls, Reverse Lunge Walks In the next column I will cover systemic strength which is the crux of all athletic success and injury prevention. ✪ 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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Shouldering the load of water polo

I

t’s that time of year again. Kids no longer get to sleep in till ten, carpools are getting organized and parents are breathing a little sigh of relief. That’s right, it’s back to school and the fall semester is now underway.

It’s not all doom and gloom, for many of us this is the best time of year because it also means the start of fall sports. One of the fall sports growing in popularity here in the Bay Area is water polo, and as its popularity grows so does interest in the impact it has on young athletes.

Current research on water polo players, reports that shoulder pain is the most common complaint. How common is shoulder injury in water polo players? It has been found that: ■ Shoulder pain has an incidence rate of 38% to 80% ■ Females have a 4.8% higher incidence rate than males ■ Shoulder injuries are reported in 67% of water polo athletes by the time they reach collegiate or post-collegiate levels.

That is a lot of injuries, and those numbers are a cause for concern. However, research shows that most of the shoulder pain in water polo athletes is from overuse injuries rather than traumatic injury.

Why is this important?

Because 50% of all overuse injuries are preventable.

So what is causing water polo players to have so many shoulder injuries? Water polo players are predisposed to shoulder injury due to: ■ Increased demand on rotator cuff

muscles with both swim stroke and throwing ■ Decreased strength and activation for scapular muscles (back shoulder blade region) ■ Repeated throwing in the water causing overuse strain and muscle imbalances So what exactly can be done to help address these issues for our young athletes? Here are a few things to focus on: ■ Athletes can work on rotator cuff muscles to help stabilize the shoulder with exercises that incorporate internal and external rotation of the shoulder.

■ Train the scapular stabilizers like the serratus anterior and the mid/lower trapezius with rowing type exercises.

■ Prepare for activity with a proper dynamic warm-up which can be found on our website at www.childrenshospitaloakland.org.

The most important way to prevent shoulder injury is to pay attention to your body and your technique. Look for clues in movement or practice that would indicate shoulder pain, determine if it is muscle soreness or shoulder pain and stop immediately if there is pain that is causing you to alter your swim stroke or shooting motion. ✪

Health Watch Tom Clennell

Tom Clennell is a physical therapist for the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes center in Walnut Creek, a division 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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tee2green

It’s not a monster drive, it’s a Mazza Drive!

Clayton Valley High student qualifies for Long Drive Championships

First Tee Contra Costa

Domenic Mazza practices the driving swing that qualified him for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships coming in October. Mazza qualified with a drive of 436 yards.

Domenic Mazza, just 16-years old, is the youngest person ever to qualify for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. On August 21st Domenic and his family were in Mesquite, Nevada for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Qualifier.

“When I got there, there were like 90 people (competing),” Mazza said. “I was thinking that I didn’t have a shot at winning” But Domenic was determined to give it his best. Then with a drive of 436 yards Domenic drove the second longest ball ever on the grid.

“It meant a lot to me to come in second place,” he said.

“All my family was proud of me. It made me feel really good about myself.”

With a handicap of 2.3 and dreams of becoming a professional golfer, you’d never guess that Domenic

Angela Paradise

notes from the pros Mazza didn’t always enjoy golfing.

As a matter of fact, when he began golfing at the age of 8, Domenic was hesitant to learn to play until his sister agreed to join golf lessons with him.

“I am really thankful she agreed,” says Mazza.

At age 10, Domenic joined The First Tee of Contra Costa.

“The First Tee has done a lot for my game,” Mazza claimed.

“It has helped me learn to be a very honest person and also helped me learn how to be courteous on the golf course. (The First Tee) has also helped me to set goals and to accomplish them. The First Tee has improved my golf game and (the Life Skills) helps me improve as a person.”

And while The First Tee of Contra Costa can’t take full credit for the outstanding golfer and person Domenic Mazza has become, we can claim “bragging rights.”

The First Tee is looking forward to seeing where the skills Domenic has learned will take him. We wish

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tee2green him the best as he heads back to Mesquite Nevada October 27th to November 5th to compete in the finals of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.

Coaching up Domenic I started working with Domenic almost 2 years ago. I remember him being slender and tall, strong for his age with an easy going nature.

It didn’t take long before I found myself impressed by his ability. As with most young golfers, I recognized that he was aggressive with how he released the club at the bottom of his swing. Most the time, this aggressiveness creates a loss of control and that was my concern for him.

As we proceeded to work together over several months, I soon learned though that he was coachable.

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He listened and he made great efforts in following the advice I gave him. To me, I didn’t see this young man as someone who would qualify for the World Long Drive Championship at the age of 16. I saw a junior golfer working to improve his game.

He had touch around the greens and I knew that if we could get some control on his ball flight, the distance it traveled, less curve, and some improved short game, that this kid could be a heck of a player.

We did some things with his swing and made some adjustments. I encouraged a full turn without over swinging the club, building a swing from the ground up by creating resistance and torque. I made an adjustment here and there, adjusted his grip and carefully observed his swing plane. I also made sure that he worked on his short game and spent a lot of time working on course management.

Domenic continued to improve and continued to get physically stronger. His swing has not changed too much from day one as I steered away from getting too technical, and quite frankly did not see any reason to tinker with it.

But, when he recently got fitted by Bill Kepler, things changed. I was there to witness an amazing increase in club speed and ball speed. He was creating numbers that only the top Tour players create.

My assessment as to why he can hit is so far is somewhat puzzling to me. He is strong, no question.

But he also has great balance. I continuously made him swing at 80 percent so that he could gain control, perhaps because his equipment could not handle his

Dave De Long

Butch Noble

Golf isn’t the only sport Domenic Mazza focuses on. He’s also a left-handed pitcher for the Clayton Valley High baseball team. power.

What I do notice, when he does swing aggressively, he is still in balance and hits it solid. If you look at some of the longest hitters on Tour you will see similarities such as a strong grip, face slightly shut at top, club past parallel and a great differentiation between the amount the shoulders and hips turn creating tremendous torque. Domenic does all those naturally.

The combination of solid contact, tremendous leverage and off-the-charts club speed is why he is the youngest ever to compete in the World’s Long Drive Championship. ✪ Notes From The Pros is a regular feature compiled by Gary Xavier (Northern California Junior Golf Tournament director), Angela Paradise (Executive Asst. of First Tee Contra Costa), and Dave DeLong (PGA professional and director of instruction at Boundary Oak GC). Contact them at the following addresses: gxavier@pgahq.com; angela@thefirstteecontracosta. org; ddelongolf@aol.com.

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impulse Find out what’s next

Lights, Camera, SportStars!

iWant! iWant!

iWant!

We’re excited to announce the latest SportStar of the Week sponsor: Brenden Theaters. In addition to gifts and prizes from our friends at Rocco’s, Sports Basement, The Shirt Girlz, HomeTeam Sports Photography and Clif Bar, Brenden Theaters will be contributing two movie tickets to each SportStar of the Week. Brenden has two locations in Concord and Pittsburg.

Who knows? You just might see previous SportStar of the Week, Parker Deuel, running from class to the theater in Concord using the tickets he received from our last issue.

Sure, the holiday season may be over three months away but what’s stopping you from starting that Christmas list? Get on it! Fresh out of ideas? Need some inspiration?

Then, feast your eyes on these new products from Apple: We recommend starting small. Literally. The new iPod Shuffle may be tiny but don’t underestimate the punch that it packs. It holds 2 GB (500 songs) of memory and the new Voiceover feature qualifies this device as the perfect stocking stuffer. Parents: It’s

stories and photo by Erik Stordahl, sportstars

Antioch Indoor Sports Serves Up Volleyball League To Community Once you’ve picked up your gear from RoShamBo (look to about 5 o’clock), head on over to Antioch Indoor Sports and sign up for their Wednesday night volleyball league! Antioch Indoor Sports is putting on a Volleyball league Wednesday nights this Fall. 4-on-4 and 6-on-6 leagues are starting up right now.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, amateur or a pro. Sign up as an individual or team and get ready to bump, set and spike your competition!

For more information call Antioch Indoor Sports at (925) 778-6363 or Doug at (925) 766-8677.

Golf Event Should Be Quite The Catch Every once in a while, we at SportStars like to toot our own horn. And nothing is holding us back from announcing that 49er legend Dwight Clark has joined the eTeam Celebrity roster and Team SportStars for the 2010 Dan Ashley’s Friends of Camp Concord 14th Annual Golf Tournament. Yeah, we might not even come close to winning, but at least we’ll be in the company of pigskin royalty for 18 holes. Come out and join us! Entry is $275 per golfer and proceeds go to sending kids to Camp Concord in South Lake Tahoe.

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only $49!

The latest iPod Nano is here and it’s as sleek and revolutionary as ever. For you runners out there, the latest Nano supports Nike + iPod support so you can log each run and track your progress. 8 GB is $149, 16 is $179.

Be sure to check out Apple.com for more goodies!

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Sale!

Volleyball coaches and teams, unite! Having trouble finding last year uniforms?

Are the old ones too raggedy and hindering you from bringing your ‘A’ game? Then go to RoShamBo and get some new threads! RoShamBo is having a warehouse sale from September 17-19 at 1042 Murray Street in Berkeley. Spandex, warmups, backpacks, socks, t-shirts, jerseys, you name it! Can’t make the sale? Then check out RoShamBo online at www.goroshambo.com!

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twenty-four7 Events, fund-raisers & more!

Baseball Through Dec. 31: Antioch: Batting Cages. For all ages at Golf N Games Family Fun Center. Enjoy one of cages: 40, 50, 60 and 70 mph. Also available: fast pitch softball at 40, 50, and 60 mph. Tokens: $2 each or 8 for $14. Ask about rentals for your team. 925-754-5053, www. golfngames.com.

Camp. For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-7986502, www.excelinbasketball. com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

Oct. 2: San Francisco — Pregame Scout tailgate in Lot D. Game time 6:05 p.m. For all scouts, families, friends. All special event ticket holders receive a Giants-themed Boy Scout patch, with portion of ticket proceeds donated back to Boy Scouts of America. 415-9722298, specialevents@sfgiants. com; http://sanfrancisco.giants. mlb.com.

Oct. 9-10: Concord — Excel In Basketball Competition Camp.

For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-798-6502, www.excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

Basketball Sept. 11-12: Concord — Excel In Basketball Shooting Camp.

For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-798-6502, www.excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

Sept. 11-25: Pleasant Hill — United Cerebral Palsy Special Needs Youth Basketball Camp.

2-4 p.m. Saturdays for boys and girls 6-12. At Oak Park Christian Center Gym, 2073 Oak Park Blvd. $30; includes T-shirt. Head Coach Doug Senz, 925-8908088, dsenzswim@aol.com; http://ucpgg.org.

Sept. 18-19: Concord — Excel In Basketball Defensive Skills

Oct. 2-3: Concord — Excel In Basketball Competition Camp.

For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-798-6502, www.excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

SportStars Magazine publishes complimentary listings of youth sports-related events. Our print publication is released twice each month, and our Web site is available 24/7.

To have an upcoming or ongoing event considered for publication, please submit all pertinent information (name of event, location, brief description, and event contact information), including a way to reach you in case we have questions, to calendar@SportStarsMag.com. If you wish to post your event directly to our Web site, please log on to www.SportStarsMag.com, click on the Calendar option at the top of the home page, and choose “Sign Up or Log in to Create Your Teams or Events.”

Simply fill in the required fields, click Submit, and your entry will be posted to the Web site the next business day. If you wish assistance or have questions, reach Deb Hollinger at 925-566-8500.

Bowling Through Dec. 31 Concord — Parties for kids at Clayton Valley Bowl. All packages: bowling first hour, Party Room second hour, Birthday Bowling Pin, Birthday Host to assist. $11-$17/bowler, depending upon package selected. 925-6894631, BowlClayton@Astound. net; www.claytonvalleybowl.com.

Community event Sept. 24: Walnut Creek — 4th Friday Dinner, Asian Night.

Asian Night Buffet Dinner at Boundary Oak Golf Course. $14.99/adults; $9.99/children U12. Time and reservations: 925-934-4775, www. playboundaryoak.com.

Sept. 25-26: Pleasanton — Kidsfaire: America’s Family Expo! 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Alameda County Fairgrounds. Family entertainment, attractions,

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September 9, 2010

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twenty-four7 www.sportsbasement.com.

interactive pavilions. 866-2838600, www.thekidsfaire.com.

Oct. 22: Walnut Creek — 4th Friday Dinner ~ Oktoberfest Dinner. German Themed Dinner Buffet at Boundary Oak Golf Course. $14.99/adults; $9.99/children U12. Time and reservations: 925-934-4775, www.playboundaryoak.com.

Oct. 23: Richmond — Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay’s Youth Mountain Bike Adventures. 9:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Healthy lunch, helmet, and T-Shirt provided. RSVP, Jeff Edmonston, 510-325-2417.

Dec. 3-6: Martinez — Holiday Frolic & Snow Park. For all ages, downtown. A winter wonderland with real snow. 925-228-3577, www. mainstreetmartinez.org.

Fitness Through Dec. 31: Brentwood — Treading Trends LVL 1-3. 9-10 a.m. Tues., at InShape Health Club. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Cycling Through Nov. 3: Walnut Creek — Women’s Daylight Savings Group Ride Series. 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Sports Basement. All levels welcome; women only. 925-941-6100,

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — For all ages at Paradise Skate.

Public Skating: noon-2:30 p.m. and 3-5:30 p.m. Sun.; 3-5:30 p.m. Wed.; 10 a.m.-noon and 3-5:30 p.m. Thur.; 4-6:30 p.m., 6-8:30 p.m. and 8:30-11 p.m.

Fri.; noon-2:30 p.m.; 3-5:30 p.m. and 8:30-11 p.m. 925-779-0204, www.paradiseskate.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Group Cycling LVL 1-3. 5:306:30 a.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 8:309:30 a.m. Tues, Thurs., Fri., Sun.; 8:15-9:15 a.m. Sat., 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mon., Wed.; 6-7 p.m Tues., Thur., for all ages and fitness levels, at In-Shape Health Club.

Fees, registration: 925-602-5600, www.inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Mix It Up LVL 2-3. 8:309:30 a.m. Tues., Thurs., for all levels, at In-Shape Health Club.

Lo-impact, Step, kickboxing, sculpting with weights, body bars, stability balls. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Mix It Up LVL 1-3. 10:30-11:45 a.m. Sat., 4-5 p.m. Thurs., all levels, In-Shape Health Club. Loimpact, step, kickboxing, sculpting with weights, body bars, stability balls. Fees, registration: 925-6025600, www.inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Group Cycling LVL 1-3. 5:456:30 a.m. Tues., Thurs.; 7:308:15 a.m. Mon., Thurs.; 7-7:45 a.m. Sat.; 8:30-9:15 a.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 9:30-10 a.m. Wed.; 9-10 a.m. Sat.; 7-8 p.m. Mon., Thurs. For all ages and fitness levels, at In-Shape Health Club.

Fees and registration: 925-6025600, www.inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — In-Shape Kids LVL 1.

4:30-5:30 p.m., for ages 6-12, at In-Shape Health Club. Designed for children to embark on an adventure in fitness and wellness. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Brentwood — Group Cycling LVL 1-3. 4:455:30 a.m. Mon.-Thur.; 5:45-6:30 a.m. Mon., Wed.; 5:30-6:15 a.m.

Fri.; 7-8 a.m. Sat.; 8:30-9:15 a.m. Wed.; 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Mon.; 7-8 p.m. Mon.-Thur.; .

In-Shape Health Club. Fees, registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Give us a try!

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Diablo Valley is a comprehensive development program that provides life-enhancing opportunities to people between the ages of 6 and 18 years old.

Every program is developed around the five Core Program Areas of: Education and Career Development; the Arts; Character and Leadership Development; Life Skills; and Physical Education, Sports and Recreation.

1301 Alhambra Avenue in Martinez 925.228.3896 ext. 109 34

SportStars™

September 9, 2010

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

the numbers Here you’ll find the statistical whims of the staff here at SportStars. Items that may appear include team rankings, player rankings, league standings, team stats or player stats.

QUICK FIGURES ■ 410: Yards that Concord QB Ricky Lloyd passed for in a 42-40 shootout loss against Whitney on Sept. 4 ■ 4: Strokes under par for Monte Vista’s Stephanie Hsieh as she took medalist honors in a 195-219 loss to Amador Valley at Ruby Hill Country Club on Sept. 2.

■ 0: Sets lost by the Northgate girls tennis team in wins over Las Lomas on Sept. 1 and Concord on Sept. 7.

■ 8: Players who scored at least one goal for the Heritage boys water polo team in a Sept. 2 defeat of Antioch.

■ 30: Assists made by Acalanes setter Gaby Gaubert in a four-game loss to Heritage on Sept. 7 ■ 494: Yards of total offense for De La Salle in its 45-7 season-opening win at Serra-San Mateo on Sept. 4.

Top Rushers Following are the Top 10 East Bay rushing performances from Sept. 3-4.

Player (School), Car.;Yds ■ 1. Tyler McDonald (Heritage), 13-206 ■ 2. Cameron Stover (Northgate), 12-195 ■ 3. Marquis Waters (Las Lomas), 17-171 ■ 4. Harold Holcomb (San Leandro), 23-168 ■ T5. Lucas Dunne (De La Salle), 10-164 ■ T5. Isaiah Cortez (Kennedy-Fremont), 26-164 ■ 7. Ernest Marshall (McClymonds), 17-154

■ 8. Isaiah McClain (Kennedy-Richmond), 25147 ■ 9. Shawn Wong (American), 13-142 ■ 10. Michael Spivey (Dougherty Valley), 13-141 STANDINGS EBAL Girls Golf Through matches played on 9/7 Team Record GB Amador Valley 3-0 — Foothill 1-0 1 Carondelet 2-1 1 Granada 2-1 1 California 0-2 2.5 Monte Vista 0-2 2.5 San Ramon Vly. 0-2 2.5

Bob Larson

Acalanes High football coach Mike Ivankovich.

Continued from page 25 “Coach ‘I’ is a coach you want to do well for,” senior running back Chris Doherty said. “You don’t want to disappoint him or your teammates. He brings out the best in his players.”

If one game is any indication, the Dons stand a good chance to improve on last season’s 5-6 finish that saw them make the North Coast Section playoffs.

Senior middle linebacker Sumner Cortessis said that the transformation has been slowly building for the past three years.

“Coach ‘I’ was our freshman coach,” Cortessis said.

“It was all about physicality and getting better. One of our goals is to compete with anyone, no matter how much bigger than us they might be.”

Cortessis added that the camaraderie and toughness of the team is inspiring something of a cultural shift at the school. “You can see it around the school,” he said. “There’s a transformation. You saw it in the crowd tonight — they were in to it. That hasn’t always been true here. We’ve got school-wide support, and everyone is behind it.” ✪ Contact Bill Kolb at BKolb@SportStarsMag.com Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

September 9, 2010

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35

game day Get out and get involved Fundraiser Sept. 11: Carmel — Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. All ages.

Select from 100, 62, 35 or 15-mile bike ride down Pacific Coast Highway, or a 3K, 5K run led by Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

Supports Best Buddies.

1-800-718-3536, HCCoach@ bestbuddies.org; http://www. hcchallenge2010.org.

Sept. 20: Diablo — 19th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic. At Diablo Country Club. Benefits Thunder Road, Alta Bates Summit’s residential recovery program for chemical dependency for young people and their families, as well as other programs and services that the Medical Center provides to the community. 510-2041667, www.absfdn.org.

Grand Prize package

◆ Cannondale Comfort Series Bicycle ◆ Ride Along with Tieni Duro Junior Cycling Team ◆ Tieni Duro Team Jersey ◆ Giro Livestrong Helmet ◆ Fox Low Pro Hydration pack ◆ Fox Incline Gloves ◆ 1 Hammer Gel Sampler ◆ 1 box Hammer Bars ◆ 1 Hammer Bike Mount Seat Bag

And many other prizes!

◆ Including Hammer Nutrition Supplements, sweatshirts, backpack, water bottles,T-shirts, Trek helmets & more!

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September 9, 2010

Oct. 2: Berkeley — 19th Annual Celebrity Tennis Classic. At Berkeley Tennis Club. Benefits Thunder Road, Alta Bates Summit’s residential recovery program for chemical dependency for young people and their families, as well as other programs and services that the Medical Center provides to the community. 510-2041667, www.absfdn.org.

Soccer Jan. 8-Jan. 9: Danville — Mustang Winter Turf Tournament. U12-U14 boys and girls. Held at Danville/ Alamo area locations.

Application deadline: Dec. 12, 2010. 925-648-4121, fredwilson@mustangsoccer. com; www.mustangsoccer. com.

Sept. 21-22: Concord — 14th Annual Bob Fowler Memorial. Diablo FC’s U12, U13, U14, U16 and U19 boys & girls Division 3 CYSA tournament in Concord. Info: mwhite@diablofc.org. 925798-4625, www.diablofc.org.

Sept. 25-26: Pleasanton — 2010 BUSC Fall Harvest Classic Tournament.

At Pleasanton locations.

Tournament for CYSA Boys Teams; CYSA age pure group format. For age groups, U11-U16, and U19. U11 will play 8 v 8.

Application deadline: Aug. 15. Application on Web site, www.busc.org.

To have you event listed in Game Day, visit www.

SportStarsMag.com or reach Deb Hollinger at 925-566-8500.

Oct. 23-24: Pleasanton — BUSC Fall Harvest Jamboree 2010. At Pleasanton Sports Park. A Division 1 and Division 3 Boys U9 and U10 Teams Jamboree. All Teams will play in an 8 vs 8 format.

Sanctioned by U.S. Club Soccer. Inquiries: Jamboree@BUSC.org.

Application on Web site, www.busc.org.

Oct. 30-31: Concord — 12th Annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic.

Diablo FC’s U9, U10 and U11 US Club Soccer Gold and Silver level boys & girls teams in Concord. Info: mwhite@diablofc.org. 925798-4625, www.diablofc.org.

Swim Sept. 25-26: Hercules — East Bay Silver Dolphins Swim Meet. Hercules Swim/ Community Center. Details: Alida Birnam, 510-468-9798, a.birnam@gmail.com., Aquatics Office, 510-7998296, www.pacswim.org.

Oct. 2-3: Oakland — Swim A Mile! 10 a.m.-1 p.m. both days, at the Trefethen Aquatic Center at Mills College. A non-com-petitive fundraising event for all ages and abilities. Benefits Women’s Cancer Resource Center. $35/adult, $25/18U, $25/55U; family and group rates available. Info. and registration: 510-601-4040, Ext.105; www.wcrc.org.

Tennis Sept. 9: Concord/Walnut Creek — DVAL Girls. 3:30 p.m. College Park @ Mt. Diablo, Concord @ Clayton Valley, Ygnacio Valley @ Northgate. 925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

Sept. 9: Walnut Creek — Northgate vs. Ygnacio Valley. 3:30 p.m. at home.

925-938-0900, Ext. 2140, nghsad@gmail.com; www. northgatebroncos.org.

Sept. 14: Concord/Walnut Creek — DVAL Girls. 3:30 p.m. Mt. Diablo @ Ygnacio

Valley, Clayton Valley @ Northgate, College Park @ Berean Christian. 925685-8414, Ext. 2405; www. diabloval.com.

Sept. 14: Walnut Creek — Northgate High vs. Clayton Valley High. 3:30 p.m. at home. 925-938-0900, Ext. 2140, nghsad@gmail.com; www.northgatebroncos.org.

Sept. 16: Walnut Creek/ Concord — DVAL Girls.

3:30 p.m. Mt. Diablo @ Northgate, College Park @ Concord, Ygnacio Valley @ Berean Christian. 925685-8414, Ext. 2405; www. diabloval.com.

Sept. 16: Walnut Creek — Northgate High vs. Mt. Diablo High. 3:30 p.m. at home. 925-938-0900, Ext. 2140, nghsad@gmail.com; www.northgatebroncos.org.

Sept. 21: Walnut Creek/ Concord — DVAL Girls.

3:30 p.m. Berean Christian @ Northgate, Clayton Valley @ Mt. Diablo, Concord @ Berean Christian. 925685-8414, Ext. 2405; www. diabloval.com.

Sept. 21: Walnut Creek — Northgate High vs. Berean Christian High. 3:30 p.m. at home. 925-938-0900, Ext. 2140, nghsad@gmail.com; www.northgatebroncos.org.

Sept. 22: Danville — Northgate High vs. San Ramon Valley High.

3:30 p.m. (Non-league) at San Ramon Valley.

925-938-0900, Ext. 2140, nghsad@gmail.com; www. northgatebroncos.org.

Track & field/ CROSS Country Through Dec. 31: Concord — Sport-Specific Training - Track & Field. At East Bay Sports Academy. Jumpers, pole vaulters, throwers, Running Technique. For student athletes. Schedules, fees: 925-680-9999, info@ eastbaysportsacademy.com; www.eastbaysportsacademy. com.

Sept. 11: Martinez — Campolindo Cross Country “Ed Sias Invitational.” 8:30 a.m. at Hidden Valley Park.

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

k12.ca.us.

Sept. 18: Concord — Campolindo Cross Country “Nike Invitational.” 9 a.m. at Newhall Park. Info: 925-2803950, Ext. 5235, bwilson@ acalanes.k12.ca.us; www. acalanes.k12.ca.us.

Sept. 25: Palo Alto — Campolindo Cross Country “Stanford Invitational.” 9 a.m. at Stanford Golf Course.

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

Sept. 29 Martinez Diablo Foothill Athletic League Center Meet. All teams will compete against each other at Hidden Valley Park. Info: 925-838-6449, www.dfal.org.

Sept. 22: Walnut Creek/ Concord — DVAL Boys & Girls. 4 p.m. Boys Varsity, 5 p.m. Girls Varsity, 6 p.m.

JV Boys, 7 p.m. JV Girls.

Ygnacio Valley @ Northgate, Clayton Valley @ Concord.

925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

Sept. 29: Walnut Creek/ Concord — DVAL Boys & Girls. 4 p.m. Boys Varsity, 5 p.m. Girls Varsity, 6 p.m.

JV Boys, 7 p.m. JV Girls.

Clayton Valley @ Northgate, College Park @ Concord.

925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

Oct. 6: Walnut Creek/ Concord — DVAL Boys & Girls. 4 p.m. Boys Varsity, 5 p.m. Girls Varsity, 6 p.m.

JV Boys, 7 p.m. JV Girls.

College Park @ Northgate, Clayton Valley @ Ygnacio Valley. 925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

Oct. 13: Concord — DVAL Boys & Girls. 4 p.m. Boys Varsity, 5 p.m. Girls Varsity, 6 p.m. JV Boys, 7 p.m. JV Girls.

Concord @ Ygnacio Valley, College Park @ Clayton Valley. 925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

Oct. 20: Walnut Creek/ Pleasant Hill — DVAL Boys & Girls. 4 p.m. Boys Varsity, 5 p.m. Girls Varsity, 6 p.m. JV Boys, 7 p.m. JV Girls. Concord @ Northgate, Ygnacio Valley @ College Park. 925-685-8414, Ext. 2405; www.diabloval.com.

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Other prize sponsors: Get information you crave and enter to win. Check the 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! ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒

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photo finish

FOLLOW ME! Northgate lineman Ben Davidson (51) pulls wide to clear a path for teammate Matt Butler. Davidson and the rest of the offensive line were the unsung heroes of the Broncos’ 48-7 season-opening win over visiting Dublin.The line paved the way for the Northgate offense to rush for 417 yards and five touchdowns.

Photo by butch noble

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.

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