SJ Issue 45, May 3, 2012

new mentality in charge of cif.

vol. 3. issue 45

FREE

May 3, 2012

sac joaquin

Trouble

bruin

Bear River softball taking no prisoners.

Pg. 30

Pg. 6

endure | excel | achieve

rug RATS new rugby team on scene in sac. Pg. 12

SMASH

rocklin’s title defense ready.

Pg. 18

knee deep in pain.

Pg. 22

BLIMEY! We improve london olympics Pg. 8

5 KICKIN' it predictions in SJS soccer playoffs.

Pg. 26

West Campus a serious threat thanks to star Jena Mamola

Pg. 24

PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mitch Stephens, Doug Gardner, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Jim McCue, Eric Gilmore, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Jonathan Okanes Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, James K. Leash, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton Creative Department Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsOnline.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com

their time: New club trying to make mark on Sacramento rugby scene. Pg. 12

pay attention: West Campus & Jena Mamola take aim at another title. Pg. 24

london calling: Olympics are coming, but let’s be honest ... they can do better. Pg. 8

Advertising & Calendar/Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsOnline.com, (925) 566-8500 Account Executives Erik Stordahl • Erik@SportStars Online.com, Phillip Walton • PWalton@SportStarsOnline.com Sac Joaqin edition: Ron Davis • RonD@SportStarsOnline.com • (916) 564-0111, Dave Rosales • DaveRosales64@gmail.com, Finn Jensen • finnjensen1@mac.com.

Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsOnline.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsOnline.com Distribution Manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsOnline.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsOnline.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsOnline.com

SENIOR MOMENTS: bear river & alyssa Reina swinging for the fences. Pg. 30 specialized: Picking one sport may be up to your genes. Pg. 16 on the cover Jena Mamola, West Campus.

Photo by James K. Leash

First Pitch................................................... 6

Impulse.....................................................29

Locker Room............................................ 8

Extra Bases..............................................30

AAA SportStars of the Week..............11 Behind the Clipboard............................16

Training Time...........................................34

Health Watch..........................................22

Camps + Clinics.....................................36

TriSteps.....................................................28

Photo Finish.............................................46

Board of advisors Dennis Erokan, CEO, Placemaking Group Roland Roos, CPA, Roland Roos & Co Susan Bonilla, State Assembly Drew Lawler, Managing Director, AJ Lawler Partners Brad Briegleb, Attorney At Law community SportStars™ Magazine A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA • 94521 info@SportStarsOnline.com www.SportStarsOnline.com

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your ticket to bay area sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #3, May 2012 Whole No. 45 is published by Caliente! Communications, LLC, 5356 Clayton Rd, Ste. 222, Concord, CA 94521. SportStars™© 2010 by Caliente! Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Subscription rates: 24 issues, U.S. 3rd class $42 (allow 3 weeks for delivery). 1st class $55. To receive sample issues, please send $3 to cover postage. Back issues are $4 each. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited. The staff and management, including Board of Directors, of SportStars™© does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes. Editorial contributions, photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor. All material should be typed, double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care. For materials return, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. SportStars™© and STARS!™© Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente! Communications, LLC.

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CIF’s new executive director will carry a coach’s mentality

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s a boys basketball coach for 16 years, Roger Blake was no stranger to preparing for the big game.

Which is a good thing.

Because he’s got about three months to prepare for the biggest game he’s faced to date — his new job: Executive Director of the California Interscholastic Federation.

The CIF announced during the final week of April it has chosen Blake — its Associate Executive Director from 2007 to the present — to serve as the organization’s highest-ranking official effective Aug. 1. Blake will be filling the shoes of Marie Ishida, who is retiring after 11 years as the Executive Director and nearly 40 years of service to education and administration.

Ishida’s tenure at the helm will undoubtedly be looked upon as a success. Especially considering the fact that her time in the big chair coincided with a decade of transition and change in the world of high school sports nationwide.

Blake, 58, was around to see all of it. So while he doesn’t exactly know what the next era of California high school sports might look like, he can certainly draw an analogy to what being appointed to oversee it feels like.

“After being a varsity boys hoops coach for 16 years, I sort of feel like it’s the day of the big game,” Blake said in a phone interview on April 26. “I’m jazzed up and excited, and I have the feeling in my stomach — those nervous butterflies where you can’t wait to get to the game. ... There’s excitement looking ahead, but also anxiety because you have a great game plan going into the game but the other team might have something to say about that.”

Blake explained that he’d shared the same analogy with his his wife of 23 years, Karen, recently when she asked him if getting the new job had sunk in yet.

“It’s funny because even she said it was like I’d returned to my coaching days,” he said with a chuckle. “She mentioned that leading up to the interview, I had become more quiet and very focused. Like I was watching film all over again.”

Blake knows he has a few things going in his favor, first and foremost was working besides Ishida for so many years.

In that time, he learned how much patience the job required.

“I always looked at her in awe over the absolute patience that she showed with everyone,” Blake said. “It can be a very trying and challenging position. You deal with schools who are mad, parents who are upset, coaches who are frustrated, and she’s always had patience. She was also

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First Pitch Chace Bryson Editor

Chace@ SportStarsOnline.com (925) 566-8503

compassionate. Even though there were several times she would have to make a ruling against some of these people, she would always take the time to listen and talk to them.

“I hope I can live up to half of what she brought to the table in terms of those things. And if I do, I’ll be successful.”

Blake isn’t foolish enough to think there won’t be plenty of challenges ahead in the world of high school sports.

There’s one area in particular he expects to deal with, and it’s one that’s been a passion of his throughout his time at the CIF: Athlete health and safety.

Blake has helped the CIF be ahead of the curve in setting bylaws on steroid testing and concussion awareness. And he expects athlete safety to continue to be a major priority during his tenure as Executive Director.

“We’ve started down a great path in regards to protecting athletes, but we can do more,” Blake said.

One area in particular that Blake thinks may need to be addressed is protecting players from heat-related dangers in the fall.

“We’ve been lucky to have no fatalities in California,” he said. “But we have had some heat-related issues. ... We have to continue to be a leader in educating our coaches and parents on matters like that.”

Whether it’s a health-related item, a lawsuit, or a different challenge sitting on the new director’s desk, you can bet he’s going to continue to draw on his coaching experience to confront it.

“Any coach will tell you that one of the biggest keys to coaching is being able to adjust,” Blake said. “Coaches put so much time into preparation, but after awhile, if the plan isn’t working then you have to adjust. Early on in my coaching career, one of my mentors gave me a simple phrase that I’ve used a lot: Just solve the problem.

“I hope to carry that idea on in the new position — solve the problems.”

At the very least, Blake anticipates that he’ll enjoy the journey.

“There will be negatives that go on when adults and kids do dumb things,” he said. “But 99 percent of the time, the passion and love for the game in high school sports is always so evident. I get to be involved with that and hopefully help make it better for the next generation. I have 800,000 kids in California expecting me to help make their experience better.”

On Aug. 1, the whistle blows. ✪

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new Summer Olympic sport offerings

July 27 is just around the corner. And London is just across a large body of water. Never too soon to start thinking about the Olympics, right? Plus, you’re gonna wanna plan your meal schedule very carefully in London, because three weeks of fish-n-chips will kill you, man. Anyway, this Summer’s Games feature a pretty standard schedule of events: Track, boxing, swimming, equestrian, trampoline (really?) – you know, the usual. It’s a bit drab, frankly. Needs some pep. Here are our top 5 suggested additional sports to spice things up on the small island.

1. Caber toss*. Honestly, we don’t know how the organizers missed on this one. Great opportunity to ingratiate themselves with their Scottish neighbors to the north. Plus, who doesn’t love gigantic red-haired men flipping telephone poles? Other possible options: Railroad tie hurling; tree-ripping-out-of-thegrounding.

2. Couch-Potato Channel-Surfing. A possible medal sweep for the American side…

3. Baseball/Softball. Not to be Amerocentric (okay, screw it, we’re Americans. We’re entitled to be Amerocentric. Take that, world! U-S-A! U-S-A!), but it’s our national pastime. Greatest sport in the world. How can it NOT be in the Games? That’s just dumb. We’re talking to you, IOC. 4. How ’bout we combine some junk. You know, like the biathlon in the Winter Games where James Bond skis frantically through the woods and shoots stuff. Great sport. It needs a summer analog. Equestrian platform diving? Canoe target shooting? Underwater table tennis?

5. Full-contact haughtiness. The host team is a clear favorite in this one, but we think the French and the Germans could give the Brits a real run for their Euros. And one should never underestimate the Swiss. Scrappy lot, the Swiss. *Long-time readers of this publication will realize that this is the second time we’ve endorsed the Caber Toss in the Top 5. To which we embrace our Scottish heritage and say, “Big whoop! Wanna fight about it?”

— Bill Kolb

Photo by Mike DeCicco

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rapidFIRE Predicted NBA champ

Okla.

City

If you could compete in a Summer Olympic sport other than your own, which one would it be

Most anticipated Hunger Games: summer movie Book or movie

Besides your own, what school has best uniforms

Final you’re already dreading

Beach volleyball

‘Magic Mike’

Book

Monte Government Vista

Swimming

Dark Knight Rising

Book

Nevada UnionGrass Valley

Devin Madsen, Las Lomas-WC, swim

Chicago Bulls JT Janowski, Rocklin volleyball

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AP Environmental Science

count’EM

The number of consecutive North Coast Section boys team swimming titles won

by Campolindo-Moraga. The Cougars and defending 200 IM champion Stecen Stumph (pictured) will go for title No. 8 at the NCS Swimming and Diving Championships on May 18-19 at Concord Community Pool. The last boys team not named Campolindo to win an NCS crown was De La Salle-Concord in 2004.

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Jonathan Hawthorne

May 3, 2012

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Jara scored twice in Folsom’s 3-2 victory over Vista del LagoFolsom, and added an assist in a 2-0 win over Delta River Leaguefoe Sheldon. The midfielder leads the Bulldogs’ offense with 14 goals and three assists as Folsom had not lost a league game as of April 26. The match against Vista del Lago marked the first time that the city’s two high schools have competed for the Crosstown Cup. Jara scored both of her goals in the first half. She will continue her soccer career at Creighton University.

SportStars: What was it like to play for the Crosstown Cup in front of a large crowd?

Alyssa Jara: I was a bit nervous, but everyone was excited to play Vista. They were definitely pumped up, so winning a big game like that really meant a lot to us as a team.

SSM: With a playoff berth a certainty, what is the outlook for the section playoffs?

AJ: I am confident in our team as we head toward the postseason. We have a very solid defense and our midfield is very strong. The key will be getting forward against some of the top teams we might face, like a Davis or Franklin. If we can work together and stay organized then I think we have a good chance of being successful. I think we can do well, but we have to take things one game at a time.

SSM: How do you feel you will adjust to school and soccer at Creighton?

alyssa jara folsom . soccer . senior

honorable mention

aaron byers The Yuba City senior OF recently put together a 6-for-10 effort over three league victories in which he also swiped four bases.

For the season, he is batting a team-best .478 and has stolen 17 bases in 19 attempts.

jordan courage Del Oro-Loomis’ senior pitcher recorded four consecutive Sierra Foothill League victories.

In those games, Courage pitched every inning and allowed just one earned run in 35 innings.

hunter rappleye Doug Guler/The Folsom Telegraph AJ: I leave in July to start training, and the humidity in Nebraska will be a challenge. Playing in the fall will be cooler than I am used to since I have always lived in California. But I am excited about going because some of my (club soccer) teammates are going there to play soccer, too, so I will have friends and familiar teammates.

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The Christian Brothers-Sacramento junior shot a season-best 33 in the Falcons’ 194-204 dual match victory over Del Campo at Bartley Cavanaugh. Rappleye’s best 18-hole score this season is a 74, which he has carded twice.

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SCRUM on

DOWN Three Sac-area high schools work toward building rugby program that can compete with NorCal’s top dogs

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By jim mccue | Contributor

orthern California’s toughest secret society is also one of its most prosperous breeding grounds.

Rugby has been dominated by the region dating back to the 1920s when United States Olympic teams were represented by scores of young men from the Bay Area. As the sport has grown to the 25,000 youth players nationwide, Sacramento rugby has joined the Bay Area to form an impressive hotbed of youth and high school champions.

Northern California Youth Rugby Association (NCYRA) President Rob Salaber heads the largest state-based rugby organization in the nation. With nearly 5,000 players from ages 6 to 18, including high school varsity student-athletes, the NCYRA has grown 15 percent each year over the last few years to reach its current size.

And Salaber believes that the 60 clubs and 125 teams in the organization can continue to dominate the sport for years to come.

“The Bay Area and Northern California has always been the center of rugby, and there have been pockets of high school rugby in the region for years,” he said. “But since the NCYRA was established, high school programs have taken off due to the structure the organization provides. We have a synergy that can keep the region atop youth rugby in this country.”

Northern California has always been well represented at the national level. Jesuit High School in Carmichael has claimed four national titles since Redwood High School in the Bay Area captured the first-ever national high school crown in 1981. Scores of local players get noticed on high school and local club teams to earn scholarships to collegiate programs such as perennial powerhouse Cal-Berkeley.

While Jesuit has traditionally dominated the local scene in the past, new programs have emerged as national contenders, including Salaber’s Dixon High team which will represent Northern California this year at 12

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BATTLE ROYALE ■ WHAT: The NCYRA will host its annual NCIT (Northern California Invitational Tournament), a season-ending event for high school age boys and girls. The tournament is open to teams from Northern California, the United States and around the world, and will include the NCYRA Playoffs and Championships. Additionally, a Middle School (Under 14) Division will be played for the first time.

■ WHEN: May 4-6 ■ WHERE: Cherry Island Soccer Complex (2429 U Street, Elverta, CA). 10 championship grass fields will accommodate the teams participating in this year’s tournament.

■ MORE INFO: Including schedules, rules, and results, please visit the Northern California Youth Rugby Association’s website at www.ncyrugby.org.

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Sacramento Eagles’ Quenton Hagen charges upfield during a recent match against Cordova.

James K. Leash photo

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the USA National Championship Tournament in May. Additionally, high school rugby teams have been formed at more local high schools to allow for more diverse schedules and a larger pool of teams to create a legitimate high school playoff tournament.

One such program in its relative infancy is the Sacramento Eagles, a high school team that includes players from El Camino, Rio Americano, and Mira Loma High Schools.

Formed just three years ago by Roy Brewer, the program has taken steps forward to become more competitive each season.

In the Eagles’ second season, John Riddering, a former All-American at California, took the coaching reins while Brewer continued to manage the team. In 2012, Mark Fuller, a 26year rugby veteran who played collegiately at San Diego State, joined the program to assist Riddering with the coaching duties.

The trio of rugby aficionados has molded a young group of athletes with little to no rugby experience and knowledge into a team that knows its way around the pitch and can hold its own with the established programs around Sacramento.

“There is a relatively large learning curve for athletes that have never played rugby,” Fuller said. “Kids that have played football or baseball grasp the team concept, but it takes a lot of time and practice before they start understanding the dynamics of the sport and really getting it.”

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The Eagles gather together for a team huddle prior to their game with Cordova. The Eagles are comprised of players from El Camino, Rio Americano and Mira Loma High Schools.

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Salaber echoed the notion that the rugby learning curve is steep.

“It’s not a simple sport to learn, so it varies greatly depending on the kids and coaches,” he said. “To fully understand the sport, it would take a real smart player and a real good coach about two years to get a firm grasp on rugby. But you can get a lot of kids out practicing for 2-3 weeks and they can have a general concept to play the game and get by.”

El Camino sophomore Quenton Hagen joined the Sacramento Eagles this season and has transitioned well from a linebacker on the football team to an outside/inside center on the rugby team. The different concepts and goals coupled with the constant running on the pitch was a challenge according to Hagen, but he has no regrets about joining the program.

“It was tough at first, especially going from football to rugby, but we have a fun group of guys to play with,” Hagen said. “The coaches have done a good job working with everyone and I think that I will like it even more when I play again next year.”

That a student-athlete unfamiliar with rugby would be so quick to commit to continuing to play the sport may seem to be rare, especially when so many athletes are specializing in a single sport. But the volume of kids coming back to rugby after giving it a try is no surprise to veterans of the sport.

“If you can stick with rugby for one month, you will be hooked for life,” Salaber said. “It is a great sport for kids to come out and get in shape and form great friendships.”

Beyond the friendships and opportunity to play rugby into adulthood, the Sacramento Eagles’ coaches seek to instill respect for the game.

“After a hard-fought game, you shake hands with your opponents and show respect to you teammates, officials, and coaches,” Fuller said.

“There is no talking out on the field except to communicate with or encourage teammates and we want to teach kids to lead with their actions.

Beyond teaching the sport, rugby lends itself to teaching life lessons.”

Life lessons and lifelong friends are commonplace in many sports, but ask a player about the rugby fraternity and you are likely to get a quick answer about the bonds created by their sport.

The local coaching community is a prime example of the bond of brotherhood formed through rugby. Fuller and Riddering were high school classmates and rugby teammates at Bullard High in Fresno and competed against one another in the 1980s at the collegiate level. Salaber was a teammate of Riddering and a fellow AllAmerican at Cal before they teamed up as coaches to transform UC Davis into a national rugby power as coaches of the Aggies in the 1990s.

Now, the three of them, along with numerous other rugby veterans continue to strengthen and grow the Northern California rugby scene.

“At the end of the day, rugby is a brotherhood,” Fuller said of the camaraderie in the sport. “The commitment is strong and once you are in, you are part of a huge fraternity.” ✪ Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

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Picking a sport to specialize in usually starts with genetics I’m in seventh grade, and I like to play a bunch of sports — but I want to be really good, so I know I have to pick one or two pretty soon.

How can I figure out which sport I’ll be best at?

K.W., Piedmont

Behind the Clipboard Clay Kallam

S

adly, you’re right that, come eighth grade, it’s time to think about specializing. In a world not driven by college scholarships, or just playing in college, kids could wait until 16 or 17 to determine which sport they really liked best. But in the real world, decisions must be made.

So how do you decide? In a phrase, size matters. Your best future sport is most likely going to be determined by how tall you are, and how much you weigh when you’re in good physical condition. Of course, how coordinated you are, how explosive you are, how fast you are, how strong you are, and all these other athletic attributes will play a key role, but two athletes with equal coordination, equal speed and equal strength are not necessarily both going to be best suited for the same sport.

For the sake of this column, then, let’s assume everything else is equal, aside from height and weight. A boy who’s going to be 6-3 by his senior year is probably going to be better at basketball than a boy who’s going to be 5-8. A girl who’s going to be 5-11 will probably be a better swimmer than a gymnast. A boy who has broad shoulders and will weigh more than 200 pounds is better suited for football than a boy of the same height who weighs 50 pounds less. A lighter girl will be better in cross country; a more muscular girl has a better chance to excel in softball.

In the end, the combination of size and athletic attributes have to match for a player to achieve at the highest level. A boy may have everything going for him to be a great linebacker — speed, aggressiveness, instinct, love of contact — but if he’s 5-5 and weighs 140 pounds, he’s not going to start at De La Salle. A girl may be the perfect outside hitter — jumps well, heavy hands, great timing — but if she’s 5-2, it’s not going to work out.

So back to the question: Which sport do you choose? The first thing to do is make your best guess what your height and weight will be as a senior in high school. (That’s easier for girls, who are usually close to their mature size as eighth graders than boys are.) Look at your parents, your grandparents and your close relatives, and you’ll get an idea of the possibilities. If no one in that group is taller than 6-0, it’s a pretty good guess you won’t be either; and if everyone is slender, then you probably will be too.

Of course, height and weight are just part of the equation. In most sports, explosion (the percentage of inherited fast-twitch muscles) will be a crucial factor, as it correlates to speed and jumping ability, as will coordination, which determines what skills can be acquired.

And finally, there’s desire, which in the long run might be the most important attribute of all. It doesn’t matter what your genetic gifts are if you’re not willing to work hard — any kind of achievement in any aspect of life will ultimately depend on your commitment to being the best you can be, regardless of your height and weight. ✪

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette. To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard, email Coach Kallam at clayk@ fullcourt.com

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Heavy roster turnover, rash of late season injuries is business as usual as Rocklin aims to defend its SJS title

By Jim jim Mccue mccue

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SJS DIVISION I PLAYOFF GLANCE ■ FAVORITE: Granite Bay – The Grizzlies captured the Div. I title in 2009 and 2010 before watching Rocklin take home the crown last year. Senior setter Jake Neptune has dished out more than 500 assists to a balanced attack that features four players with at least 120 kills. Keep an eye on seniors Alec Naki, Bryan Berry and Matt Austin, along with junior Zach Wilson.

■ CONTENDER: Rocklin – Outside hitters Matt Laughrea and Kyle Loria are capable of mounting a relentless offensive for the defending champs, but health will play a large role in Rocklin’s repeat bid. Laughrea and Loria are among a handful of players nursing injuries as the postseason approaches.

■ DARK HORSE: Nevada Union-Grass Valley – It’s hard to call a perennial power like the Miners a dark horse, but head coach Marco Salcedo’s team has yet to steal a game against either Granite Bay or Rocklin thus far. Junior Bobby Curtis is a force on offense with 233 kills.

■ FINALS PREDICTION: Granite Bay d.

Rocklin (3-1).

SJS DIVISION II PLAYOFF GLANCE ■ FAVORITE: Whitney-Rocklin – The Wildcats’ only losses have come against Div.-I juggernauts Granite Bay and Rocklin, as well as to Bay Area powers Los Gatos and Foothill-Pleasanton. Sophomore sensation David Parker leads the offense with 183 kills and senior middle hitter Archy Litvinchuk patrols the inside.

■ CONTENDER: Vista del Lago-Folsom – The Eagles are defending Div. II champs, so head coach Wayne Campbell’s squad knows what it takes to finish strong. The team’s mediocre record has suffered from a challenging schedule that featured Division I schools and established programs throughout Northern California. Junior Griffin Galvin is Vista’s top returner from 2011.

■ DARK HORSE: Bear River-Grass Valley – The Bruins are just .500 on the season, but they did take Capital Athletic League-rival and Div.-II favorite Whitney to five games back in March. Justin Beskeen, a 6-foot-6 outside hitter, is a force at the net with 175 kills and 58 blocks.

■ FINALS PREDICTION: Whitney d. Vista del Lago (3-0).

Rocklin senior J.T. Janowski elevates for a hit during a warmup session prior to the team’s recent match against Roseville.

James K. Leash photos

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any of the faces have changed, but the winning formula for the Rocklin boys volleyball team looks very familiar to the method the Thunder used to capture the 2011 Sac Joaquin Section Division I championship.

The first of the changing faces — which really isn’t so new —is head coach John Kirk.

Kirk helped start the Rocklin program before stepping away from the varsity in 2003. He returned this season to replace Tyson Norton, who led the school to its first boys volleyball section title with a 3-2 victory over Jesuit in last season’s final. Kirk was certainly was hopeful of repeating the 2011 team’s success, but he did not want to take the same route to reach the top.

The bad news for Kirk and the Thunder is that a handful of starters are nursing injuries and have missed action heading into the stretch run before the postseason. Yet, in a twisted sort of way, that’s also good news: Rocklin suffered a similar rash of injuries last year before recovering in time to make a run through the playoffs.

“We lost some players from last year’s team and we are a little banged up right now,” said senior Kyle Loria, who broke both ankles last season and is currently nursing a sore shoulder and knee. “Our juniors are getting some good experience, but we hope that with the rest some of the starters are getting, we can be healthy when the playoffs start.”

Loria saw limited action in a recent Sierra Foothill League victory over Roseville, but worked well with the team’s younger reserves in the third and final game of the match.

Senior outside hitter Matt Laughrea was on the floor at the start of the match, but spent most of his time during the match encouraging teammates from the bench while resting sore body parts. Zach Dahla, a senior middle blocker, did not see any action while resting for the playoffs.

In the absence of half of the Thunder’s starting rotation, juniors Taylor Hedblad, Nico Duvekot, and Nick Dahla picked up the slack, ensuring that Rocklin remained on the heels of SFL leader and section-favorite Granite Bay. The two teams played in a nonleague match at the recent Bellarmine Invitational in San Jose, with the Grizzlies prevailing over the injury-depleted Thunder 2-0.

Rocklin lost three matches at the tournament against stiff competition, but Kirk and his players welcomed the challenge and opportunity to put younger players on the court against some of the best teams in Northern California.

“We definitely got some good experience and the juniors had a chance to step up their games,” said senior setter JT Janowski.

“We played a solid match against St. Francis (Mountain View), but did not do so well against Granite Bay. But we like to play Granite Bay and other great teams because we know that it makes us better.”

Janowski has been Rocklin’s most steady

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performer during an up-and-down season.

As the setter, he runs the offense and is capable of adjusting his sets and the action to fit the talents and strengths of whichever teammates are on the floor with him. As a junior, Janowski played primarily as an opposite hitter while backing up league MVP Grant Currey. Currey was one of eight players who graduated from the 2011 championship squad, but Janowski has taken the reins and steered Rocklin back to contention for a league and section title.

“Grant was a great teacher last year, so it has been a fairly easy transition,” said Janowski, who logs most of his club team action as a setter. “Our expectations are to win a section title again. Granite Bay is a great team and they are playing very well right now, but we feel that any six we put out there can beat anyone’s six on the floor.”

When Rocklin puts its best six on the floor, Janowski’s distribution options are immense.

Led by outside hitters Laughrea and Loria, both of whom expect to play at UC San Diego next year, the Thunder’s offensive weapons can challenge the biggest and best defensive teams.

“We have five guys that are offensive

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LEFT: Rocklin middle blocker Nick Duvekot, right, delivers a kill over the Roseville defense. ABOVE: Janowski, celebrating a point in the Roseville match, is the Thunder’s most steady performer and emotional leader. threats,” Kirk said. “It’s extremely difficult for opponents to double-team any hitter because we pass well and can get the ball to a spot where we can match up well.”

While everyone loves to see and hear the big hitters unleashing kills from the outside, Rocklin’s focus is always on fundamentals.

The Thunder players understand that crushing hits can’t occur without a good pass which allows the setter to find openings at the net.

“The whole game is passing,” Kirk said.

“Without that, it does not matter who you have hitting the ball because you can’t get the good set without a good pass ahead of it.”

Kirk challenges his team every day to practice well and to live up to the expectations and goals that they set as a team before the season started.

“Our practices are very focused,” Loria said. “Coach puts pressure on us to do our best and that drives our practices and makes us a better team.”

Loria also pointed out the close bond players have formed during their time with

the program as a factor in the team’s drive to repeat as section champs. The camaraderie is evident in the friendly chatter during matches and plenty of encouragement with some good-natured ribbing. An errant jump serve during the Roseville match hit Hedblad square in the upper back as he faced the net, causing uproarious laughter from teammates and a big smile (mixed with a slight grimace) from Hedblad.

Winning usually makes any pains go away.

“That’s definitely our goal,” Kirk said of repeating as section champs, “but by no means is it easy. We have to escape our league with Granite Bay playing very efficiently and Nevada Union being a very solid team.”

The Thunder believe that the goal is attainable regardless of the route the team takes to return to the top.

“The main difference this year is that we now have to live up to the hype and expectations,” Loria said. “We lost some players from last year, but we believe that this group is focused and ready to get the job done.” ✪

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Plica Syndrome: A most painful form of knee irritation

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ain around the knee cap is a common problem that many young athletes face today, and is commonly seen by physicians who take care of sports medicine injuries. The majority of the time these injuries get better with rest, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, and physical therapy.

Yet, in a certain sub-set of patients, the pain continues and greatly inhibits athletic performance. In certain severe cases it can even interfere with day-to-day activities. If pain continues even after conservative treatment most physicians will order an MRI, an imaging study that lets the physician look closely at the cartilage and ligaments in the knee to see if another injury is being missed.

But what happens if the MRI is negative and you still have pain?

Many athletes with chronic discomfort around the kneecap will search the Internet looking for answers, and will stumble upon something called Plica Syndrome. What is a plica and why does it cause trouble?

The plica is a band of synovial (joint lining) tissue which can become pinched between the femur (thigh bone) and the patella (knee cap).

Although we have multiple plicas in our knee, the plica on the inside (medial) of the knee most commonly causes discomfort in athletes.

The plica serves no function for us once we are born, and is remnant from when we were embryos. During fetal development, the plica divides the knee into multiple compartments, and then becomes much smaller during the second trimester after it has helped to organize the knee. For the majority of people, this remnant causes no problems. I like to refer to it as the appendix of the knee.

For reasons which are not completely clear, certain people are prone to having this band of tissue become irritated whether it be from an acute injury, overuse, or poor biomechanics. Over time, a chronically irritated plica becomes inflamed and thickened. This leads to pain as this thick, inflamed band of tissue gets pinched between the femur and the patella during repetitive athletic activity. In severe cases, it can become so thickened that it can begin to rub cartilage off the femur or patella.

So how do you know if you have an inflamed plica? Unfortunately, there is not one “special” test that can lead to this diagnosis, and many times it’s not found until you have failed extensive conservative treatment for patellofemoral syndrome (i.e. irritated knee cap syndrome). Generally, patients will complain for several months of pain near the knee cap on the inside (medial) part of the knee. Some patients will even feel a tender, thickened band of tissue in this location which is becoming caught under the knee cap between 30 to 70 degrees of knee flexion. As mentioned above, MRI’s usually can’t help to differentiate a normal plica from an inflamed one.

As with any non-traumatic knee injury, if your physician suspects you have plica syndrome the first line of treatment is rest, activity modification, antiinflammatory medications, and physical therapy to decrease inflammation around the plica. If these treatment methods fail (and a MRI does not show any other injury), then surgical treatment is an option if the pain is prohibiting one from functioning.

Surgery is done arthroscopically (through small incisions with a camera) in which the entire knee joint is examined, and the plica is removed with a small shaver. Patients go home after surgery, and are generally able to start walking without crutches in a couple of days after the procedure. Most people are able to return to nearly full activities in 6-8 weeks based on how much irritation the plica has caused in the knee joint.

If your knee pain is not getting better, it might be your plica. Ask your physician to consider this diagnosis before it (and you) gets too irritated! ✪

Health Watch Nirav K. Pandya

Dr. Nirav K. Pandya is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric sports injuries at Children’s Hospital in Oakland. He sees patients and operates in Oakland and at our facility in Walnut Creek. If you have any questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write to the Sports Medicine for Young Athletes staff at Health@SportsStarsOnline.com.

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Senior striker Jena Mamola makes West Campus a serious postseason threat

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Photos

by James K. Leash

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By jim mccue | Contributor

he statistics are impossible to ignore, but every coach and teammate will likely tell you that there is more to Jena Mamola than just the numbers.

“Jena is by far the best player we have ever had at West Campus,” said head coach Rogelio Rubio. “She is basically writing the record book for girls soccer as she goes, but she is also the best leader I have seen. She is like a sister to every teammate and raises the level of play of the whole team.”

The numbers — 89 career goals and 204 points in her four varsity seasons and two Sac-Joaquin Section championships with a chance to claim a third title—are stunning, and make it easy to understand the impact Mamola has had on the Warriors’ success.

That impact became more evident when Mamola suffered a knee injury in a March 30 game against Golden Empire League foe Lindhurst.

Playing on a rainy field, Mamola approached a ball to launch one of her powerful left-footed shots when she tweaked the knee on her plant foot and fell to the turf. To make matters worse, the Lindhurst defender also slipped and fell on top of Mamola’s leg.

Mamola was on pace to surpass her sophomore year total of 32 goals, but had to shut it down to have her knee assessed and to prepare for a final playoff run. With a doctor’s clearance, she has continued to work with the team as much as she can and has seen limited game action to be ready for the postseason.

“Jena’s biggest disappointment when she got injured was that she would not be there for her teammates the rest of the season,” assistant coach Ben Zook said. “Her first concern was for her teammates and not her knee. Since then, she has been to every practice, every function, and every game. That, to me, is her most endearing quality.”

Without Mamola, West Campus has posted just a .500 record (4-4-1), including a loss and tie to league rival Dixon, which could deny the Warriors a sixth consecutive GEL title. Though the league title would give the Warriors a higher seed in the playoffs and more home games in the playoffs, Rubio is hopeful that Mamola’s full-time return to the lineup in the

May 3, 2012

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playoffs can give them a chance to claim a bigger prize.

“Jena will be getting another couple of weeks rest before the playoffs start and we hope that she will be about 70 percent,” Rubio said. “But Jena at 70 percent is better than a lot of players in the section at 100 percent. Hopefully, she will be well enough to lead us to an opportunity for a third section title and the chance to face Dixon one more time.”

Mamola looks forward to getting back on the field, but has been encouraged by her teammate’s play and the opportunity for the team to grow closer.

“The offense is often focused on me, but we have a lot of skill on our team, and I am real proud that we have competed,” she said. “Our goal as a team is to not have any quit and to have a close bond, and I think we have accomplished that.”

While Mamola has always been a leader on the soccer field, she was not always a goal-scoring force.

When Jena started to play competitive soccer at age 9, she was a defender before she slowly moved forward where she quickly made it clear that her left foot was meant to put the ball in the opponents’ net and not to keep it out of her team’s net.

Her father, Joel, who has coached Jena since she started playing as a four-year-old, has always been a source of support, along with her mother Jade. Before Jena started playing at West Campus, Joel set up a chart for Jena to improve every year and contribute to the offense and to the team’s success.

The chart called for a solid freshman season with 20 points (goals count for two points and assists for one) and had a final goal of 70 points in her senior campaign.

She had 19 points as a freshman (8 goals, 3 assists) before breaking out for 74 points (32 goals, 10 assists) as a sophomore which more than doubled the goal of 40 points. As a junior, Mamola nearly reached the goal of 60 with 24 goals and 9 assists for a 57-point total. This year’s goal (set before Jena played a single game as a freshman) was 70 points. Pending further scoring in the playoffs, the current total sits at 54 (25 goals, 4 assists).

But the main goal set by father and daughter has always been team success.

“The chart was a motivational tool for me, so that I could see the opportunity to help my team and have something to shoot for,” Jena said. “He’s my number one fan and my life coach, and he is always keeping my dream alive.”

The revised goal is simple for Mamola: work hard together to win a third consecutive section title.

Beyond that, Jena has visions of playing collegiately on the West Coast. With interest from both St. Mary’s and Pepperdine, Mamola may get that opportunity. While the dream may make a short stop at American River College for a year or two before heading to Malibu or following two generations of St. Mary’s graduates, Mamola knows that wherever college takes her, soccer will be a part of it.

“I am interested in pursuing business in college, but I know that I want to pursue soccer, too,” she said. “It could end up where I get into the business of soccer or something, but soccer will be involved.

“My whole life is soccer.” ✪

‘My whole life is soccer.’

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key in the team’s title defense.

■ DARK HORSE: Antelope – The Titans have lost only to Rio Americano since finishing nonleague play with a defeat to Division II contender Roseville. Junior Bianca Tabuso has a team-high 17 goals to go with six assists, and sophomore Alyssa Walker has added 14 goals and three assists. Antelope may be a year away with a young roster, but their youth could play a role in making a surprise run.

■ PREDICTION: Benicia 2, Rio Americano 1.

Division I

■ FAVORITE: Franklin-Elk Grove – A total of 14 players have scored for the Wildcats, but Lauren Williams and Sara Romo lead the offense with 10 goals each. Williams, a freshmen,and Romo, a sophomore, are part of a talented group of underclassmen that dominate the roster. Coach Eliseo Lopez’s squad has just two seniors, so Franklin could remain a fixture among the Division I Section contenders.

■ CONTENDER: Folsom – The polar opposite of Franklin, the Bulldogs feature 12 seniors led by captains MacKenzie Moreno, Caitlyn Kretzschmar, and Allison Horn. Alyssa Jara, a senior midfielder, leads the team with 14 goals and three assists, but coach Mike McBride’s team has succeeded due in large part to its solid defense. Folsom has allowed just seven goals in 14 games.

■ DARK HORSE: Davis – The Blue Devils have won four SJS championships, including the 2011 title, so it is hard to list them as a dark horse. Seniors Olivia Muller, Sarah Chase, and Dana Granger will be key in the team’s effort to defend its title. It’s worth noting that Franklin was the only team to beat Davis during the Blue Devils’ championship season a year ago.

■ PREDICTION: Franklin 2, Davis 1.

Division IV

Division II

■ FAVORITE: Del Oro-Loomis — As the Sierra Foothill League leaders, the undefeated Golden Eagles get the nod as the favorite in a very competitive field. Defense has led the way with senior Kelly Edwards and sophomore Taylor Cirksena sharing goalkeeping duties and 9 of the team’s 10 shutouts.

Senior Lauren Gollnick leads all scorers with 7 goals and 2 assists.

■ CONTENDER: Roseville – The Tigers have made their mark with offense, but had to settle recently for a 0-0 tie with league leader Del Oro. Thirteen players have scored goals for Roseville, but junior Paige Crouch (22 goals, 15 assists) and senior Amanda Susbilla (10 goals, 11 assists) have been the primary sources of offense.

■ DARK HORSE: Granite Bay – The Grizzlies are the defending section champions and have prepared for the postseason with a challenging schedule, including traditional Division I powers Davis and St. Francis-Sacramento. Sophomore Makenzie Brito leads the team with eight assists, distributing the ball to a multitude of capable scorers.

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James K. Leash

ABOVE: Junior goalkeeper Marsela Young is among the many reasons Franklin-Elk Grove will be considered a strong favorite in Division I. RIGHT: Two years removed from its 2010 championship in Division IV, West Campus-Sacramento should be in the middle of the Div. V title chase.

■ PREDICTION: Roseville 2, Del Oro 0.

Division III

■ FAVORITE: Benicia – The Panthers have claimed the last two section crowns in evennumbered years (2008, 2010), so 2012 may be the team’s year to reclaim the title. Juniors Sarah Granato (20 goals, 11 assists) and Kim Gigliotti (7 goals, 13 assists) lead a potent offense. In the back, Benicia is anchored by

goalkeepers Carissa Foster and Nicole Ameling who have allowed only 7 goals combined.

■ CONTENDER: Rio Americano – The Raiders have won the Division III crown the last three odd-numbered years, including last year. Coach Jennifer Smiley’s offense is led by senior Alexa Heinzer (14 goals) and sophomore Elizabeth Hutchinson (11 assists). Rio Americano can score in bunches, so the play of senior goalkeeper Michaela Milesi will be

■ FAVORITE: East Union-Manteca – The Lancers have used an infusion of young stars to take over a Valley Oak League that has been dominated by Manteca and defending section champion Sierra-Manteca. Sophomores Isela Rivera (25 goals, 14 assists) and Meghan Wallace (16 goals, 7 assists) power the offense while freshman goalkeeper Adrieanna Wood has recorded 12 shutouts on defense. Five seniors, including captain Madison Meyer, add some valuable experience to draw on.

■ CONTENDER: Vista del Lago-Folsom – The Eagles have lost only to Rocklin (Division II) and Folsom (Division I), and have averaged just over three goals per game.

The team has been fueled by junior captain MacKenzie Mercier, who has a team-high 19 goals and five assists, and freshman Janae Gonzalez (7 goals, 11 assists). Vista’s challenging nonleague schedule could pay dividends in the postseason.

■ DARK HORSE: Sierra-Manteca – The Timberwolves have not been able to get past East Union in league play, but an experienced roster with loads of talent from last year’s section championship team could tip the scales in the playoffs. Sophomore Naomi Nunis has scored team-high 10 goals, but the defense — anchored by co-captains Asley Sohal and Patricia Angel — is the differencemaker that could lead to a repeat.

■ PREDICTION: Vista del Lago 3, East Union 2.

Division V

■ FAVORITE: Dixon – The Rams started their season with five losses, but those came against bigger schools, including powers such as Davis, Benicia, and Rocklin. Since then, Dixon has yet to lose while outscoring opponents 28-9. Twelve of the 17 players on head coach Archie Munoz’s roster are seniors, including co-captains Viridiana Munoz

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and Zayra Bermudez. Experience makes Dixon the team to beat.

■ CONTENDER: West Campus-Sacramento – The Warriors are defending section champions and have many players from last year’s team to draw upon the experience of winning a title. Head coach Rogelio Rubio has guided West Campus to four section title game appearances and two titles, including the 2010 Division IV championship. Senior captain Jena Mamola leads the team with 25 goals while junior Marshe Howard has added

seven goals.

■ DARK HORSE: Amador-Sutter Creek – The Buffaloes have a potent offense with plenty of scoring options. Seniors Hailey Kasinger (20 goals, 5 assists) and Caitlin Harvey (11 goals, 5 assists) lead the charge with junior Madissen Ostergaard adding 9 goals and 7 assists. Junior sweeper Sienna Crabtree anchors head coach Barron Peterson’s defense at the sweeper position.

■ PREDICTION: Dixon 2, Amador 0.

— Jim McCue

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Open Water, Part II: Finding places to get comfortable outside the lane

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n our second examination of adjusting to swimming in open water, we start with where you can literally get your feet wet.

PLACES TO SWIM

We triathletes in the SF bay area are lucky when it comes to open water venues. There are many places to practice your open water swimming, from lakes to enclosed areas of the Bay. As with any skill, the more time you can spend in open water, even if just playing to become more comfortable, the better your training and racing experience will be.

Especially if you are new to swimming in general, I recommend starting at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton, Quarry Lakes in Fremont, Cull Canyon in Liz Elliott Castro Valley, Lake Anza in Berkley, or any of the East Bay Parks District public swimming lakes. All of these open water venues have a shallow swim area, where you can acclimate to the water, and stand if you need. Spend as much time in the shallow area as you need to feel comfortable, each swim, and each season.

Most of the East Bay Regional Park District swimming areas also have a measured swim lane, where you can do laps when you are ready, and that works great to measure your progress.

The swim lanes are usually in deeper water. Only move into

Tri Steps

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the swim lane when you are ready physically and mentally, and always swim with a buddy in a supervised area.

At each of the EBRPD water areas, there is a $5-$6 per car parking fee each time you use the facilities. I recommend purchasing the annual parking pass for $50. It includes all access parking to all East Bay Regional Parks for the entire year. Purchase your annual parking pass online, the pass will be mailed to you, and go as much as you like for the entire year. Another great part about most of the parks is that they have excellent running trails and road biking near by. They are one stop shops for a triathlon practice!

OUTSIDE THE LANE Another valuable open water resource for more advanced swimmers is Orca. When you are physically and mentally ready, the Orca open water swimming organization, affiliated with Shadowcliffs in Pleasanton, will test you and certify you to swim outside the lane, across the lake, or really anywhere you’d like to swim when the lifeguard is not on duty.

There are rules you must follow for your safety and the safety of others. Mostly what we have already covered: always swim with a buddy, only swim where you are mentally comfortable swimming, wear a brightly colored cap so you can be easily seen, and some other basic safety guidelines. Swimming the entire lake, or at least outside the lanes, is valuable experience you can apply to your race swim. Many races are in lakes, and the more experience you have in open water in general, and specifically in a lake, the better prepared you’ll be both physically and mentally at race time.

For safety, I recommend attempting the test when you are fully comfortable with open water swimming. Remember, the test is about a 300-yard open water swim in less than 10 minutes with NO WETSUIT. The Orca organization will not pass people who rely on the wetsuit. A wetsuit in essence is a floatation device. If a person does not feel comfortable swimming without the floatation device, it is unsafe for them to swim the lake without a lifeguard.

Even if your swimming is really coming along, don’t rush it. I suggest continued practice in the shallow end or the swim lane. Enjoy swimming! Don’t worry, you can contact Orca any time to arrange a personal test. It’s better to be very comfortable and safe in the lane before moving to the lake. Orca certification is $25 annually.

JOIN A TEAM Of course the best way to become comfortable, become a faster open water swimmer, or learn more tips and tricks to race in open water better, is to join a triathlon team with professional swim coaches. These coaches know the proper form for swimming, how to teach it, and how to train specifically for the swim section of a triathlon, not just swimming races. ✪ Liz Elliott is the Head Coach of the Tri-Valley Triathlon Club based in Dublin. Liz specializes in preparing beginner triathletes for their first race(s). She was an All-American swimmer in college, and has more than 20 years experience in teaching and coaching swimming. TVTC is an all inclusive endurance club for adults and has a summer high school team that begins in June 2012. Contact her at Liz@TriValleyTriClub.com

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Welcome to Impulse, your one-stop shop for gadgets, gizmos and gear. Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl, Impulse provides you with what’s currently hot on the market. This week we hit up some bomb hotel deals, check in with the Hoop Review, and visit some local businesses. Buckle up!

Renaissance clubsport

They’ve got killer deals for everyone attending the De La Salle Coaching Clinic. If you’re a coach and you want to learn from the godfather of high school pigskin, then you have to attend this clinic and you’ve gotta stay with these guys. Why? They’re charging only $89 (!) per room/night. As a former bellhop of this four-star establishment, I have to say: take the deal!

No, they didn’t pay me to say that (though they should’ve…it’s OK). It’s also super close to DLS, just 1.3784 miles away. Trust us, we Googled it (we didn’t but it really is close).

Delta Sign-A-Rama

If you’re a team, club or league then you HAVE to run an ad in our new section, “The Fence.” It’s easily the snazziest thing since sliced bread. Once you’ve done that, pick up your new banner at Delta Sign-A-Rama and put it up on fences (see what we did there?…) all over. They’ve got great deals all the time. Visit them online at www.deltasar.com

free hotel stay for coaches

Speaking of teams, clubs and leagues, our friends at the Hyatt Place in Roseville have a sick deal: Have your team stay with them and coaches stay FREE. It doesn’t get any cheaper than that. This is ideal for traveling teams with weekend tourneys in sight. They’ve got a breakfast that’s so bomb dot com you’ll have to eat it to believe it. For more info, give us a ring!

Hoop Review

Bob Larson

Raise your hand if you’re a baller with mad game (if you actually just raised your hand in the air while reading this in class, awesome). We don’t need to tell you that you should already be on an AAU team. And if you are, then you need to sign up for the Bay Area Memorial Day Classic, May 26-28 at NorCal Courts in Martinez. It’s being run by our friends at Hoop Review, a scouting service used by more than 200 college coaches. This is ideal for exposure and for finally getting a mailbox full of scholarship offers (something yours truly never got). If you’re not a baller and just a pure hoops junkie (like yours truly) then you should hit up this event to see some of the premier bball talent the area has to offer. They’re expecting 96 teams for one action-packed weekend. Go to www.hoopreview.net for more info.

HME DX300 headsets

These headsets are so legit, when you put one on you’ll think you’re Harbaugh dialing up a naked bootleg on a fourth-and-one with a ticket to the Super Bowl on the line. Seriously though, these headsets are super quality, very durable and comfortable. Get one at www.entouchsolutions.com or email pat@entouchsolutions.com.

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Bob Larson

Fit 2 The Core

They just gave their gym a makeover and it looks pretty spiffy. Don’t believe us, have a look at these pics. Hit up our friends at Fit 2 the Core if you’re serious about whipping your bod into shape. Go to www.fit2thecore.com for more info on all their classes.

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All records through April 30 BASEBALL Rank (Last wk) School..............................Record 1. (7) Jesuit-Carmichael....................... 16-5 2. (5) De La Salle-Concord................... 14-3 3. (4) St. Mary’s-Stockton..................... 18-5 4. (2) Campolindo-Moraga................... 14-2-1 5. (6) Palo Alto....................................... 22-3 6. (1) St. Francis-Mountain View.......... 21-3-1 7. (3) Valley Christian-San Jose........... 20-5 8. (10) Deer Valley-Antioch..................... 16-1 9. (16) Davis............................................ 17-4 10. (9) Elk Grove..................................... 15-6 11. (14) Newark Memorial-Newark.......... 15-4 12. (18) Los Altos...................................... 17-6 13. (NR) Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove.......... 17-3 14. (NR) Dougherty Valley-San Ramon.... 15-3 15. (8) St. Ignatius-S.F............................ 15-7-1 16. (13) Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills.......... 14-7 17. (12) San Ramon Valley-Danville........ 12-5 18. (17) Granite Bay.................................. 15-4 19. (19) St. Mary’s-Berkeley..................... 13-4 20. (NR) Foothill-Palo Cedro..................... 23-2 SOFTBALL Rank (Last wk) School..............................Record 1. (1) Amador Valley-Pleasanton......... 18-0 2. (2) Archbishop Mitty-San Jose......... 21-2 3. (3) James Logan-Union City............ 15-1 4. (5) Woodcreek-Roseville.................. 18-3 5. (4) Heritage-Brentwood.................... 16-2 6. (6) Del Oro-Loomis........................... 16-3-2 7. (8) Newark Memorial-Newark.......... 15-3 8. (7) Alhambra-Martinez...................... 15-4 9. (9) San Benito-Hollister.................... 12-1 10. (12) California-San Ramon................ 14-4 11. (10) Sierra-Manteca............................ 12-4-1 12. (11) Casa Roble-Orangevale............. 14-3 13. (13) St. Francis-Sacramento.............. 14-7-1 14. (14) Concord....................................... 14-4 15. (15) Pleasant Gove-Elk Grove........... 15-9 16. (17) Monte Vista-Danville................... 11-7 17. (16) Del Campo-Fair Oaks................. 12-5-1 18. (18) Tamalpais-Mill Valley................... 17-3 19. (NR) Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park..... 14-1 20. (20) Westmont-Campbell................... 16-3

UPDATED RANKINGS Get the latest rankings every Wednesday at www.SportStarsOnline.com

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James K. Leash photos

Bear River senior catcher Alyssa Reina fields a bunt in a recent win over Lincoln.

Bear River softball

Alyssa Reina has senior-heavy Bruins in SJS title hunt Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

By Chace Bryson | Editor It didn’t take long for Bear River softball coach Duane Zauner to realize he had a keeper in Alyssa Reina.

But there’s a pretty good chance he knew the type of player she’d be even before the first time he started her in a varsity game.

That’s because the first time he started her wasn’t just any varsity game.

It was the 2009 Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship. And Reina was just a freshman.

“I had her playing junior varsity all of that first year, and we didn’t pull her up until the playoffs,” said Zauner, who is in his 18th year leading the Bruins program. “The first time she played was in the section championship.

I had a girl in my lineup who’d been struggling, and I thought, ‘Let’s see what her bat can do.’ She went 2-for-3 and we won the section title.”

Reina remembers dealing with nerves before the game, but that it didn’t take long to realize it was still just softball.

“I realized that not much had changed,”

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she said. “It was just with another team, and I could see they wanted it just as bad as I did.

So I came out knowing what my job was and I got it done.”

She’s been getting it done ever since.

Now a senior, Reina will leave the program this year as Bear River’s career leader in home runs and slugging percentage. She’ll also own the top single-season marks for both categories. She also leaves Grass Valley with a full-ride scholarship to play catcher for North Dakota State.

“I admitted to her and her parents after the game that I probably should have had her on varsity that season,” Zauner said. “But that year’s team went 30-3, so it’s not like we were lacking for talent. She was just learning to be a full-time catcher, so it was beneficial for her to be on JV and play every day. ... But I still knew I had a good one.”

Reina is already a two-time section champion with the Bruins after the team took home another Division IV trophy her sophomore year — which was actually the fourth Div. IV title in as many years for Bear River. But for as decorated a season as she had in 2011, the Bruins’ first-round exit to Benicia in the Div. III tournament is what continues to stick with her and eight other seniors on this year’s squad.

So it was all the more curious when Bear River opened the year so poorly, committing some costly errors on its way to losing four of its first five.

“Early in the year we just didn’t make the plays we needed to,” Zauner said. “I wish I had an answer for that. We had great practices at the beginning of the year, and were working hard. It’s just a matter of making plays, and in all of those games, we didn’t.”

On March 10, the Bruins woke up with a 1-4 record and a 9 a.m. game against Righetti-Santa Maria as part of the Victory Preseason Tournament hosted by Elk Grove.

It would be a first of a two games that day — a day in which the team would emphatically turn things around.

Reina went 4-for-4 against Righetti, which included a double and three runs batted in.

Senior shortstop Stephanie Ceo went 2-for-2 in the game, hit a home run and scored three times as the Bruins won 7-1. In the second game of the day, Reina tripled and homered in a 12-0 dusting of McQueen-Reno (NV).

Bear River hasn’t lost since. The team carried a 12-4-2 record into its April 30 matchup at Vista del Lago-Folsom. They were a perfect 6-0 in the Pioneer Valley League, outscoring PVL opponents 56-4.

If the first two weeks of the season were a wake-up call, the Bruins are now wide awake and whistling a tune.

“We just seem to come out every day determined to get better,” Reina said. “We aren’t making those same errors that cost us

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Shortstop Stephanie Ceo is a co-captain and has committed to play at the University of Texas next fall. games early on.”

Zauner, who will retire at the end of this season, had seen enough teams in his 26 years of coaching at Bear River to know that there was little need to push the panic button with such a senior-laden group.

“They’re great friends and they support each other,” the coach said of his players.

“They understand what it means to be part of a team. And fighting through tough times when you are making mistakes is part of that.”

Having some serious talent will always help, too.

In addition to Reina, the Bruins have at least two other players who will continue to play at the collegiate level. Ceo is committed to Texas and pitcher Maddie Phelps is likely to throw for a junior college next season. Fellow pitcher Erin Nichol had an oral commitment to play for the University of Delaware, but has since backed out those plans to follow academic aspirations elsewhere.

“You have those type of players and then the others fit in so well around them,” Zauner said. “It’s just a great group.”

Meanwhile, last year’s 9-2 loss to Benicia still burns in the memory of Reina and her teammates.

The Bruins will continue to compete at Division III this year based on their league’s power rating within the SJS. However, unless something goes terribly wrong in the final three weeks of the season, the Bruins are likely to be set up for a first-round bye this time around.

For Reina, the formula for making sure an early postseason loss doesn’t happen again is pretty simple. “We can’t underestimate the teams we play and we need to get out ahead of people early,” she said. “When we do that, we’re really tough to beat.” ✪

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For young athletes, CrossFit may not be the best fit

C

rossFit is the latest trend in fitness. Millions tune in to watch CrossFit athletes display Herculean strength, endurance, and physical adaptability on

ESPN. The CrossFit “program” is based on combining a variety of movement- and strength-based disciplines including power lifting, gymnastics, martial arts, Olympic lifting, kettlebells, and other forms of physical overload into a short, intense workout.

The emphasis is intentionally non-specific randomness with the argument that they want their participants to “be ready for any challenge” life or sports may throw their way. Each day, the goal is complete physical exhaustion either through maximal reps, maximal weight, maximal speed, or some combination of all three components during the involved exercises.

The inherent problem with this approach is simple: I watch young athletes get knocked around at high intensity day after day on the field, diamond, court or other playing arena for an entire season or year. These same athletes come to me in various states of disarray: injured, immobile, overused, in pain, etc.

They also have an array of skills they need to improve for performance gains and have certain pre-dispositions for injury in their respective sports It’s my job as a coach to carefully assess the specific needs, and implement protocols that will aid in the prevention of these injuries as well as result in performance gains.

Logic dictates that it doesn’t make any sense to “do hard stuff until you’re exhausted.” In other words a great way to increase your athletes’ injury potential and decrease their skill potential is through a CrossFit style program.

In it’s true sense, CrossFit is not really a program. It’s a group exercise class. There is no central program design theory other than to use exercises involving large muscle groups for maximal reps, weight, and speed. There is no consideration for individual need, skill development, or circumstance.

It has gotten the attention of parents, coaches and athletes because it’s really hard. They figure if it’s really hard, it must be good. However, after millions of dollars in research and hundreds of thousands of hours of application, our knowledge and understanding of athletic performance and injury prevention goes well beyond “doing a lot of hard stuff. “ The inherent dangers of an unpredictable environ-

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ment and unrelenting maximal physical output in sports are what make athletic careers short and over time has negative consequences on performance if not managed correctly.

Random “hard” programs create a considerably high biomechanical and structural cost. This means repeated, unbalanced, excessive loads on joints, tendons — the same stresses that shorten careers in sports.

When these biomechanical costs are controlled through proper program design with varying intensities, progressions, volumes and balanced exercise selection, long term negative consequences are minimized. When they aren’t controlled, it’s a formula for injury and skill deterioration.

So before involving young athletes in a CrossFit class, or any other exercise program for that matter, parents and coaches should educate themselves as to what they are getting into from a programming, knowledge and instructor experience standpoint.

Everyone must consider the athlete’s specific needs and assess if the program and instructor are going to accommodate those specific needs.

Training Time Tim Rudd for IYCA

In other words a great way to increase your athletes injury potential and decrease their skill potential is through a CrossFit style program.

Don’t get me wrong, athletes need to train hard. But training hard and training smart don’t have to be mutually exclusive. They need to do hard stuff at the right time.

This is what improves performance and decreases injury, giving way to a long, healthy, successful athletic career. ✪ Tim Rudd is an International Youth Conditioning Association specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1). For more information on anything you read in Training Time, email him at tim@fit2thecore.com.

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BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Blankenship Baseball We are a year-round competitive baseball program based in Danville.

The Camp focuses on teamwork, hustle and sportsmanship. We also offer small group training as well as one-on-one training.

Info: lancerblankenship@ sbcglobal.net or 925-7083173.

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Cabernet Baseball Club The Livermore-based club hosts The Pitching Center’s Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2012, for players ages 8-14. Lil’ Baseball also offered for ages 3-7. 925-4161600, www.thepitchingcenter. com.

EJ Sports EJ Sports provides individual, group, team, coaching and manager clinics in many

May 3, 2012

levels of baseball.

Among the numerous different services offered, the Spring Clinic, Summer Clinic and the Fall League for children of Little League age has proven to be successful, instructional and most of all fun for the kids. Contact EJ Sports for a list of upcoming clinics, or contact your local little league to see if they participate in our coaches and

managers training program.

Info: 925-866-7199, www. ejsports.com.

The Pitching Center In an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential, The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC), a full-service baseball/softball training academy. We provide comprehensive, fullyintegrated training programs that evolve based on the best research and information available in areas from health/ safety, peak performance, education techniques and more. Age- and skill-specific programs available for students age 8-High School.

Info: 925-416-1600, www. thepitchingcenter.com.

City of Walnut Creek Baseball is Fun Beginner Camp. July 25-Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-noon, Mon.-Thur. at Tice Valley Park; Extended day/week available with Deluxe Sport Option. Ages 5-9. $35/$75. Registration:

925-952-4450, www. walnutcreeksportsleague. com.

BASKETBALL CalStars The Stars Basketball Academy (SBA) is pleased to announce our youth and high school summer camps. The SBA is a fundamental based skills development camp for kids in 3rd grade-High School. We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school (9th-12th) sessions. Go to www.calstars.org for more info.

FastBreak Basketball Your daughter will learn the fundamentals of basketball, gain valuable game experience, and work with some of the area’s most knowledgeable female basketball players.

Carondelet coach Margaret Gartner will expose your daughter to the same drills she has used throughout her 24 years of coaching at the high school level. Gartner’s basketball experience includes playing at the

high school & college level.

She’s instructed numerous prestigious AAU clinics, and assisted at many local and regional basketball camps.

She has spent the past 24 years coaching basketball at Carondelet with 20 of those years as head varsity coach.

Her varsity teams have won the league and section titles 12 times in the last 13 years.

The program has reached the Div. II State Championship game four times, winning in 2004. Gartner has had 18 players move on to compete at the college level during my coaching tenure. This also includes a current player at Stanford, future player at Notre Dame and Carondelet’s first WNBA player.

There are five week-long sessions available. Session I runs June 18-22 and is for grades 6-10; Session II, June 25-29, Grades 1-6; Session III, July 9-13, Grades 1-6; Session IV, July 16-20, Grades 6-10; Session V, July 23-27, Grades 4-10.

If your daughter wants to learn and/or improve her basketball fundamentals and skills while having fun; then

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FastBreak Basketball camp is the answer. Info: www.

FastBreakBball.com; or email Fastbreak_club@yahoo.com Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors welcome players of all skill levels to participate in a variety of spring camps that will be held in April and May. The camps are typically for boys and girls ages 7-15, and there’s a “parent/child camp” for adults and their kids as young as 5. Info: camps@gs-warriors. com; 510-986-5310.

Mike Allen Sports Learn the basics of basketball, sharpen your skills and improve daily at the Ballin’ Ambassadors basketball clinics! Hosted by MIke Allen Sports in the South Bay, registration is easy. Go to www.mikeallensports.com to reserve your spot. 408-2794123.

City of Walnut Creek Basketball is Fun beginner camp. July 11-21, 9 a.m.noon, Mon.-Thur. at Tice Valley Park; extended day/week available with deluxe sport option. Ages 5-12. $35/$65 per week.

Registration and info: 925-952-4450, www. walnutcreeksportsleague. com.

CHEER CheerGyms.com Six camps are offered from June through July: Coaches Camp, Freedom High School 2-day Cheer and Dance Camp, 2-Day Cheer Camps at ALL Cheergyms.com facilities, Jr. High/High School Cheer Camp-California Session 1, Individual/Group Stunt Cheer Camp, Jr. High/High School Cheer Camp (Elite)-California Session 2. For more info: 925- 685-8176, 866-6857615, info@cheergyms.com; www.cheergyms.com.

East Bay Sports Academy East Bay Sports Academy

offers the best in gymnastics and cheerleading training. Our top of the line recreational and competitive programs earned us the exclusive “Best in the East Bay” award for Best Gymnastics Classes 2011.

You can bring your team to be a part of the excitement, as our talented & motivated staff becomes your team’s best support system. All of our team camps are custom-built to complement your coaching needs and team goals.

Info: 925-680-9999, www.

EastBaySportsAcademy.com.

ENRICHMENT Dianne Adair Programs Come join any of our eight Dianne Adair summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program.

Each week campers will be able to choose from several camps, including sports, fashion,

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drama, CSI, science and so many more. In addition to our weekly camps, we have weekly field trips to places like an A’s or Giant’s game, museums, the Jelly Belly Factory, Six Flags, the pool, the movies, parks and the Zoo. We also offer many “in-house” field trips like Games2U Mobile Entertainment, the Bubble Lady, Furs, Skins and Tails, magicians, clowns, singers and many more. Field trips and camps vary by site.

Please consult your site of choice for more details. Bring in this article and receive half off our $40 summer registration fee. Info: www. dianneadair.org.

FITNESS Aspire Pilates Dramatically increase core strength, power, flexibility, balance, focus and joint stability, while preventing injury. Aspire prides itself on helping propel athletes to the next level by addressing muscular imbalances, helping athletes increase

body awareness, correcting faulty body mechanics and accessing untapped strength.

Info: 925-680-4400, www.

AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning, Speed/Agility and Nutrition Specialist with the International Youth Conditioning Association, Fit2-The-Core Training Systems offers an innovative approach to getting your young athletes back on the field of play post-rehabilitation (which gets your athletes to normal function), continuing the process by progressing their bodies to handle what they must endure on the field or court. For F2C’s Back to Sports programs we offer training weekdays, with 2 days/week or 3 days/week program options. Bottom line: Our program gets your athletes back on the field.

Sign up today for your twoweek free pass at www. fasteryoungathletes.com, or call 925-639-0907 for more information.

TransForm FX At TransForm FX Fitness Boot Camp, we believe that parents can take better care of their kids when they take care of their own health and fitness. We have designed adult fitness boot camp workouts to fit your busy lifestyle. Each boot camp workout is designed to help you burn fat and increase your cardiovascular endurance in less time.

Info: 925-289-8042; www. transformfxfitness.com.

Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness is offering a wide range of different sports fitness camps and classes in 2012. Here are three we’re featuring. Pilates for Sports — An ideal form of fitness for athletes to improve performance & prevent injuries. Hardcore Golf Fitness — A four-week golfspecific fitness camp is the ultimate physical conditioning program for golfers of any age who want to take their

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game to the next level. TRX Team Fitness —A cutting-edge sixweek small group personal training program is a team-sports inspired program for athletes of all levels who want results in a challenging, motivating environment. For all info: Contact Bob Boos, Personal Training Director. Phone: (925)932-6400 or email: bob@wcsf.net FOOTBALL Acalanes Football DONS CAMP The Acalanes coaching staff invites you to be the best football player you can be. At our camp you will learn skills, techniques, rules and how to perform to the best of your ability. There are daily camp awards. All athletes receive a T-shirt. This is a non-contact camp focused on having fun while learning the game of football. Staff members are coaches, teachers and parents. Info: contact Mike Ivankovich at mivankovich@ acalanes.k12.ca.us.

Black Diamond Football Camp Black Diamond Football Camp is a four-day contact team camp from June 18-21 running from 4 p.m.-7:15 p.m. each day.

Cost is $1000 per team. This camp is designed to strengthen team concepts within YOUR program. Hosted by Pittsburg and Concord High Schools, it will take place at Pittsburg High.

There will be Individual drills and team periods to install your offensive/defensive schemes. There will be a 7-on-7 passing competition, a pass protection/blitz pickup session, team goalline challenges, and controlled, full-contact scrimmages. Info: Contact Coach Victor Galli at (925) 473-2390 ext. 7736.

Football University From the creators of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl comes a one-of-a-kind football training experience exclusively for the nation’s most elite youth and high school players. Born out of the appreciation that the most successful and skilled football players have mastered great technique, and that for many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available, the Football University (FBU) experience focuses on intense position-specific technique training taught by our expert faculty of former and current NFL coaches who have a passion for sharing this experience with young athletes.

NorCal Football Camps Space is available in all of this year’s camps & Flag Football leagues. Led by Ken Peralta, Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14. Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6. Info/registration: Ken, 650-245-3608, norcalyouthfootballcamp@yahoo.com; www. norcalfootballcamps.com.

GOLF The First Tee-Contra Costa The First Tee Summer Camp is a youth development Golf program for boys and girls ages 7-18.

Participants will learn about golf and the life skills and values inherent to the game. In addition to golf skills, rules and etiquette, participants are introduced to The First Tee Nine Core Values - honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. Our Summer camps are four days a week, 4 hours/day @ Diablo Creek Golf Course, Concord. We have several weeks and facilities from which to choose. Fee assistance available.

Info: Angela Paradise, 925-686-6262, Ext. 0, angela@ thefirstteecontracosta.org; www.thefirstteecontracosta.org. See you on The First Tee! The First Tee-Oakland The First Tee of Oakland participants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period. Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate golf courses. Each of the golf courses donates their range, golf course and classroom use. We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to

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progress with the mechanics required, and that teaches the values of the game, celebrates the fitness aspect of playing, and is offered at little or no cost. Info: 510-352-2002, info@ thefirstteeoakland.org; www.thefirstteeoakland. org.

The First Tee-Silicon Valley The First Tee of Silicon Valley develops youth through the game of golf throughout Silicon Valley.

We impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices though the game of golf. Participants learn to appreciate diversity, resolve conflicts, build confidence and set goals for their future. Spring classes begin March 13 and continue through May 12. Seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course. We welcome participants ranging from second to twelfth grade.

Scholarships are available upon request. www. thefirstteesanjose.org.

The First Tee-Tri-Valley We’re a youth development organization using golf and its etiquette to teach important life skills and core values. We offer seasonal The First Tee Life Skills Experience Classes and Summer Camps for

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youth ages 7-17, held at the Pleasanton Golf Center on the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

Life Skills Experience Classes - The Spring Classes begin the week of March 19. Once a week Summer Classes will be held MondaySaturday, beginning the week of June 11.

Junior Golf Summer Camps - Summer Camps will be held 8-10 a.m., Tuesday-Friday for seven weeks this summer. Camps begin on the following Tuesdays: June 11, June 18, June 25, July 9, July 16, July 23 & July 30.

Info: Call our office, 925-462-7201; www.

TheFirstTeeTriValley.org.

HORSEBACK RIDING Earthquake Arabians Spring and summer camps are around the corner for Earthquake Arabians! Registration is OPEN. Log on to www. earthquakearabians.com for more info. 925-360-7454.

Franklin Canyon Stables A well structured riding program housed at Franklin Canyon Stables in Martinez which provides two covered arenas and easy access to trails. Kim Bredehoft teaches riders of all levels with an instruction program that builds confidence and enables clients to reach personal goals that benefit them in all parts of life. Info: 925-228-1801; www. kimshorsetraining.com/franklin_canyon.html.

Kelly Maddox Riding Academy Summer Camp, July 16-20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily;

ages 5-16. Enjoy a week of funfilled learning as you develop new friendships with other horsecrazy kids like yourself. Learn basic handling and grooming techniques, as well as how to saddle and bridle your horse. Activities include learning horse colors, markings and breeds; art and crafts; a farrier demonstration and human horse show; bareback riding and more! Info: 925-575-4818, www.KellyMaddoxTraining.com.

LACROSSE Atherton/Vitality Lacrosse Join Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring, summer and fall camps.

Each Spring Break camp session runs weekdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Session rates are $235/ week (sibling discounts available). Every camper receives access to the best high school, college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach to camper ratio. Every camper receives a free Atherton Lacrosse T-shirt. Every camper needs a lacrosse stick - we have partnered with Sling It! Lacrosse to bring the best value possible.

Go to www.athertonlacrosse.com for more info. Sign up with Vitality Lacrosse to join one of their summer leagues in the Peninsula,

Marin, East Bay, Petaluma and San Francisco.

We serve the entire Bay Area! Go to www. vitalitylacrosse.com for more info.

MARTIAL ARTS USKS Adult and children’s programs, kick box fitness, mixed martial arts.

Providing excellence in martial arts instruction and services for the entire family. 925-6829517; www.usksmartialarts.com.

OUTDOOR/ADVENTURE SPORTS Bear Valley Mountain Bring the entire family to mountain summer camps. This summer, Bear Valley has residential & day camps for soccer, archery, climbing & a variety of outdoor adventures including kayaking, tennis, cycling, hiking, camp fires & so much more.

Bear Valley’s summer camps offer outdoor recreation programs for the whole family & is a great place to visit. Info: www.bearvalley.com.

Camp Jones Gulch Check out our wide variety of Teen Adventure Camps for both boys and girls. Camp dates range from mid-June to mid-August. Info: 650747-1200, www.CampJonesGulch.org.

City of Concord Skate and Swim Concord’s Skateboard Camp provides a way for children to learn from experienced

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instructors and improve their skills.

Participants learn skateboard safety, care of their skateboard, and all the essentials from dropping in, kickflips, the Ollie and more. All skill levels. There is a full-day camp option that combines the half-day skateboard camp with a half-day of swimming and water games at the Concord Community Pool. Info: www. concordreg.org ,925-671-3404.

CYO Camp We’re located 60 miles north of San Francisco near the historic town of Occidental, and have provided summer camp to youth of the Bay area for over 60 years. Our seven-day traditional camps, for participants entering grades 3-9, focus on cultivating friendships, personal values and outdoor skills. Info: www. cyocamp.org.

CYO Sports Camps/Leagues CYO summer recreation leagues begin in May. CYO offers coed volleyball, boys and girls basketball & tennis. Camps are also offered in basketball and volleyball.

Info: http://athletics.cyo.org.

Diablo Rock Gym We will be offering kids summer camps every week starting June 19, ending August 18. Sign up for a week at a time or multiple weeks. Ages 6-12; multiple kid and/or week

discounts. Call for pricing, 925-602-1000.

Keigwins@theTrack We conduct motorcycle schools and practice events (“track days”) at famous racetracks in the Western U.S. Events are for experienced motorcyclists looking to improve skills and build confidence while having enormous fun riding in an ideal, expertly-managed environment. Riders provide their own motorcycles and protective gear.

Keigwins@theTrack takes care of everything else: Info: www.keigwin.com; 650-949-5609.

RUGBY Diablo Rugby Youth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Both noncontact and contact versions of the game are popping up in summer leagues, physical education classes, after school programs, YMCA’s, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs and backyards all over the country.

Based in Clayton, our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at High School, Jr. High School and Youth levels. 925-381-5143, diabloyouthrugby@gmail.com; http://

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diabloyouthrugby.clubspaces.com.

SOCCER Diablo FC With a history that goes back two decades, the Diablo Futbol Club has proved to be the premier training ground for youth soccer players in the area.

Headquartered in Concord, Diablo FC offers training to boys and girls from levels U6 to U23, and has premier, gold, silver and bronze level teams with players from throughout Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties. For complete info, call (925) 798-GOAL or visit www.diablofc.org.

Gino’s Soccer Academy Gino’s Soccer Academy is in its 14th season of running summer soccer camps. We are offering eight oneweek programs this summer and have programs to challenge and enrich the game of every soccer player. Whether you are just beginning, or have been playing for ten years, you will leave the Soccer Academy on Friday a more knowledgeable, better player than when you came to us on Monday. Half- and full-day sessions available. Ages 4-17.

Info: www.ginossocceracademy.com.

Heritage Soccer Club In 2012, HSC will not only offer a members-only summer soccer camp, but will offer two separate soccer camps — one for boys, June 25-28, and one for

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girls, July 9-12 – that will be open to the community.

In addition to the summer camps, HSC will conduct their annual 6v6 BlowOut tournament in June and their second annual Harvest Cup Tournament in October. HSC is based in the Pleasant Hill/ Martinez area and serves the surrounding community. Info: www.heritagesc.com.

Walnut Creek Soccer Club The Walnut Creek Soccer Club uses all the resources available to provide the proper coaching and playing environment for all members. Our goal is for every member of our club to learn and grow as a soccer player and person. We will promote a positive learning environment for our players and families as we work to provide the highest level of coaching and coach’s education. Info: wcsc_info@wcsc. org; www.wcsc.org.

West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League Our program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 regardless of race, creed, gender or religion. The main focus of our program is not on winning, but on the development of the total soccer player within the framework of a team. We also offer specialized training for strikers and goalkeepers. We desire to promote personal

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responsibility, fitness, sportsmanship and teamwork. 510-758-5288, http://wccysl.com.

SWIMMING-DIVING Sherman Swim School Our year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn, retain and improve their swim skills with little interruption. Lessons are usually offered on M-W-F’s and T-Th’s in sessions of 3-4 weeks.

(During the slower months of Fall, Winter and Spring, schedules can be more flexible, such as M-W, W-F, or only one day/week.)

We teach from age 9-months to adults, from non-swimmers to competitive levels. Since our lessons are private, they are tailored to each student’s age, ability and readiness. We also offer beginning and competitive diving classes.

Beginning sessions typically have three students and are 30 minutes long. Classes are taught in three-week sessions. Info: 925-2832100, www.ShermanSwim.com.

Walnut Creek Aquanuts Week in the Creek! Synchronized Swimming Camp, July 27-31, ages 7-18. Email: weekinthecreek@aquanuts.org. Summer Trainee Program 2012 held June 18-Nov. 12 in 5- and 6-week sessions @ Clarke Memorial Swim Center, Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek.Info: 925-934-4792, WCA.Trainees@ aquanuts.org; www.aquanuts.org.

Walnut Creek Swim Club 2012 Spring practice will be held Mon., Wed. and Thur. evenings, April 16-June 7, @ Larkey

Pool for 6-unders through 13-up. 2012 Summer practice sessions will be offered 7:30-10 a.m. daily beginning June 11 @ Las Lomas High School. Info: www.walnutcreekswimclub.org.

TENNIS ClubSport Valley Vista ClubSport Valley Vista has successfully been hosting summer tennis camps in the Walnut Creek area for 33 years, with expert instruction.

Tennis pro Dale Miller and his team of seasoned professionals will teach your children the fundamentals of tennis or help them improve their skills for recreation or competition. Camps are designed to touch on every major aspect of the game — stroke production, conditioning, strategy, footwork, psychology and most importantly, FUN! Players will be grouped according to level of play and age. ClubSport is located at 3737 Valley Vista Road in Walnut Creek. ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates. Info: 925-934-4050.

VOLLEYBALL Diablo Valley Volleyball Club Seven one-week skills clinic sessions are offered from June-August. Camps differ in age groups served. Each camp has a maximum limit of players allowed. Two sessions take place in Brentwood and the other five are

in Walnut Creek. Info: 925-451-6581; www.

DiabloVBC.org.

Pacific Rim Volleyball Through private lessons, and the opportunity for year-round skills classes, athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills needed to gain a competitive edge. Our advanced training, for junior levels (12th grade & below), will provide athletes the opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school and/or collegiate volleyball. Info: www. pacificrimvolleyball.com.

U.S. Youth Volleyball League The USYVL is the leader in developing and maintaining youth volleyball leagues for boys and girls ages 7-15. USYVL summer camps are typically three days, with each day meeting for three hours. Camps are for beginner, intermediate and advanced players, and players will be grouped accordingly, based on age and playing experience. Info: 888-9887985, www.USYVL.org.

WRESTLING Community Youth Center The CYC wrestling program offers young athletes the opportunity to

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participate and excel in one of the world’s oldest sports. The program trains and challenges wrestlers at all age groups from kindergarten through high school, and all experience levels from beginner to champion. The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of Head Coach Mark Halvorson. Info: 925671-7070, Ext. 229, www.communityyouthcenter.com.

The Creighton School of Wrestling CSW was established to provide a successful youth wrestling program in the Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula area that serves youth of all ages. Info: 650-219-6383; creightonschoolofwrestling@yahoo.com.

MULTI-SPORT De La Salle Camps De La Salle High School will host athletic summer camps to provide a fun, skill-building week for kids.

They offer the following sessions: Football, Track & Field, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Quarterback & Wide Receiver, Lineman, Volleyball, Baseball, Soccer, Water Polo and Strength & Conditioning. Week-long sessions will run June 9-June 28. Online registration. For more info: summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-2888100, Ext. 7090.

Velocity Sports Camps Our Spring Break Sports Specific Summer Camps provide campers with a fun-packed, enjoyable environment where they can increase their athleticism and develop a wider range of skills. Velocity Sports Performance is looking for boys and girls ages 8-14 who are dedicated to making themselves better as athletes. Our Team Training programs are designed to deliver a challenging workout that is organized, educational, progressive

and customized for entire sport teams. Info: 925-833-0100, velocitydublin.com.

Cal Camps Camps are offered in a variety of sports for girls and boys ages 5-19, with week-long, half-day, full-day and overnight options. Most camps will take place on campus in Berkeley from June through August. Camps include the following sports: Baseball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Rowing/ Crew, Field Hockey, Football, Boys and Girls Golf, Girls Gymnastics, Rugby, Boys and Girls Soccer, Softball, Boys and Girls Swimming, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Volleyball and Girls Water Polo. Information: CalBears.com/camps. Or email calcamps@berkeley.edu.

City of Concord Skyhawks Sports Skyhawks Sports and the City of Concord have teamed up to provide safe, fun and skill-focused sports camps this summer for youth. Camps include Skateboard and Swim Combo, Soccer and Swim Combo, Soccer Camp, Basketball, Flag Football, Lacrosse and more. For ages 4-teen. Info: www.concordreg.org, 925-671-3404.

Saint Mary’s College Camps We offer boys and girls overnight, day, team and specialty athletic camps. We have camps available for ages 4-18. Dates are posted and registration is open. Our various camp offerings include: Multi-sport, baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, golf, rugby, girls lacrosse, strength and conditioning, boys soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Info: Click “summer camps” at www.smcgaels. com for detailed information and to register online. More info: smccamps@stmarys-ca.edu, 925-631-4FUN (4386).

City of Walnut Creek We offer 9-13 year-olds a fully-staffed, supervised recreational athletic camp. The program is eight weeks of sessions with your

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choice of two different sports for each session, with a ninth week offering bowling. Our camp is designed to teach, develop training skills, basic individual skills, sportsmanship, team strategies and concepts as well as build confidence and self discipline. Sports include: Tennis, Baseball, Multi-sport, Flag Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball, Golf, Volleyball and Bowling. Camp offerings start the week of June 18th and run through August 17th. Info: www.walnutcreekrec.org or call 925-943-5858. ✪

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Advertiser Index ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒

A A A Northern California, Nevada & Utah........................................................ 10 A Higher Perspective........................................................................................ 20 Acalanes Football Dons Camp.......................................................................... 38 All World Sports................................................................................................. 7 All- Star Academy............................................................................................ 43 Army National Guard Recruiter........................................................................... 5 Atherton Lacrosse............................................................................................ 42 Back Forty B B Q............................................................................................... 20 Big O Tires.......................................................................................................... 2 Black Diamond Football Camp......................................................................... 44 Blankenship Baseball....................................................................................... 41 Cabernet Indoor Sports.................................................................................... 33 Cal Athletic Camps........................................................................................... 45 Championship Athletic Fundraising................................................................. 36 Cheer Gyms...................................................................................................... 22 Children’s Hospital And Research Center........................................................... 27 Club Sport........................................................................................................ 14 Community Youth Center................................................................................. 44 Concord Youth Football & Cheerleading........................................................... 42 Crowne Plaza................................................................................................... 38 De La Salle High School Football Coaches Clinic................................................ 36 De La Salle High School- Summer Camps......................................................... 37 Delta Patriots Youth Football & Cheer............................................................... 40 Diablo Car Wash & Detail Center....................................................................... 44 Diablo Rock Gym.............................................................................................. 34 Diablo Trophies & Awards................................................................................. 34 Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs................................................................. 21 Dream Courts U S A.......................................................................................... 23 E J Sports Elite Baseball Services...................................................................... 43 Earthquake Arabians........................................................................................ 40 Earthquake Arabians........................................................................................ 45 East Bay Sports Academy................................................................................. 47 East Bay Summer Camps 2012......................................................................... 39 Excellence In Sport Performance...................................................................... 38 Fast Break Basketball Camps............................................................................ 32 Fit 2 The Core.................................................................................................... 31 Halo Headband................................................................................................ 38 Head First Baseball........................................................................................... 44 Heavenly Greens.............................................................................................. 48 Home Team Sports Photography...................................................................... 32 Hyatt Place Sacramento / Roseville.................................................................. 27 Image Imprint.................................................................................................. 38 Intelligent Choice Fundraising Solutions.......................................................... 41 Kinders B B Q...................................................................................................... 3 Metropolitan Golf Links.................................................................................... 45 Mission Hills Of Hayward Driving Range........................................................... 44 Mountain Mike’s Pizza...................................................................................... 15 Norcal Baseball................................................................................................ 43 Norcal Courts.................................................................................................... 35 Oakley Raiders................................................................................................. 41 Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy........................................................................ 42 Passthaball....................................................................................................... 44 Pleasant Hill Youth Football Rebels.................................................................. 40 Renegades Volleyball Club............................................................................... 43 Rocco’s Pizza..................................................................................................... 34 Rockin Jump..................................................................................................... 28 Saint Mary’s Athletic Summer Camps............................................................... 45 Scandia Family Center...................................................................................... 44 Sheldon Jr. Huskies Youth Football & Cheer...................................................... 42 Sherman Swim School..................................................................................... 41 Simply Selling Shirts........................................................................................ 34 Sky High Sports................................................................................................ 34 State Farm - Kelly Sopak................................................................................... 31 The First Tee Of Contra Costa............................................................................. 45 The Golf Club At Roddy Ranch.......................................................................... 21 Tri Valley Tri Club.............................................................................................. 16 United States Youth Volleyball.......................................................................... 38 USKS Martial Arts............................................................................................. 45 Velocity Sports Performance.............................................................................. 6 Velocity Sports Performance............................................................................ 34 Walnut Creek Pony Baseball Club..................................................................... 41 Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness.......................................................................... 17 Walnut Creek Swim Club.................................................................................. 44 Xtreme Tumble And Cheer Gym........................................................................ 40

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Livermore senior first baseman McKenzie Hubert fields a throw from across the diamond to retire a hustling Johanna Grauer of Amador Valley during the Livermore Stampede championship on April 7.

Photo by Phil Walton

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