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vol. 4. issue 76
november 21, 2013
sac-joaquin
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James K. Leash
14 soccer titles: Granite Bay, Consumnes Oaks and Capital Christian each gather some hardware for the trophy cabinet. season so, you know, 18 Another Davis won another pair of water polo titles. This dominant program expects nothing less. 4
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November 21, 2013
is sort of important for 27 Breathing survival. Sort of. It’s also helpful after those 40-yard sprints. Can’t catch your breath? Ytou may want to know more about EIB.
BREAKDOWN: Jennifer 10 STATE Lawson seeks her place in the
pitch: Jim McCue takes 6 First over the Pitch this week and tells us a story of how the Granite Bay and Nevada Union football teams did something special for Travis Bauer, a Grizzlies student who capped his career in style.
of the week: 7 Sportstar Lauren Owens, Davis Water Polo room: We like stuff that’s 8 locker hot. Way before Paris Hilton liked stuff that was hot. Note: Paris Hilton was a Kardashian forerunner (in case you’re too young). But back to stuff that’s hot. It’s Trending now.
Coaches matter, 12 Clipboard: especially in a sport like cross country.
state football record book. Get Digital extras: Use layar & scan pages
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on the cover: Paul Herscowitz of Capital ChristianSacramento. Photo by James K. Leash
Fence: Tryouts, sign-ups, 35 The fund-raisers and more!
38 Advertiser’s index
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Granite Bay, W Nevada Union football teams help redefine special
EDITORS NOTE: I’ve offered up the First Pitch domain this week to our Sac-Joaquin Edition writer and coordinator, Jim McCue. I wanted him to share his thoughts and insight on an inspiring story he produced recently for SportStarsOnline.com. When you finish reading this, please go check it out.
hat is special? It is a word often used, but seldom understood. In the athletic world, we consider men and women with extraordinary physical talents and abilities as well as amazing games or plays as special. As a sports fan and writer covering prep sports on and off for more than 20 years, I have witnessed and written about special players, teams, and games. My primary goal as a contributor to SportStars Magazine is to share these special stories with readers. In another world, we consider the needs and abilities of some men and women as special. As the father of an eight-year-old son with special needs, I have fought alongside my wife for the services and medical attention necessary to make his quality of life the best that it can be. My primary goal as an advocate for him and other special needs children and adults is to share their experiences and desire to be accepted through the limited outlets available. Recently, these two worlds converged to create a truly special moment at Granite Bay High School. Senior special education student Travis Bauer, who was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum as a child, capped his four-year high school football experience with a touchdown run on the Grizzlies’ final play from scrimmage during the regular season. I stumbled upon the play online and immediately wanted to learn more about Travis’ story to share with SportStars Magazine readers. Calls were made to Granite Bay and Nevada Union High Schools to gather background about the play, and, as expected, there was much more to the story than just one special play (see “Travis’ Big Night” at SportStarsOnline.com for more). Bauer used sports, specifically football, to merge his special needs world with the world of athletics. The camaraderie of a team sport like football allowed Travis to become more social than his mother, Hayley Grant, ever imagined her son would be before he was introduced to flag football in middle school. Four years of practices, games, road trips, and even a 2012 CIF State Bowl championship created an experience for Travis that his mother never saw coming. “I was hesitant and honestly a little scared about him going to high school,” Grant said of her son attending Special Day classes on the Granite Bay campus. “But to see the compassion in the boys, the coaching staff, and the parents has been amazing. He’s having the time of his life.” While a 75-yard run to the end zone is nothing out of the ordinary under the Friday night lights of high school football, the effort made by two local football programs to create a memory that will last a lifetime for one player, and likely many others in attendance, was truly special—in any world. ✪
join our team PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Staff Writers Jim McCue Contributors Bill Kolb, Mitch Stephens, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Ben Enos, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Trevor Horn Copy Editor Bill Kruissink Photography Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, James K. Leash, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton, Doug Guler, Dean Coppola, Berry Ivans, III Marketing/Events Intern Ryan Arter Creative Department Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco • MikeD@ SportStarsOnline.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com Advertising Sales@SportStarsOnline.com, 925.566.8500 Account Executives Leslie Ellis • Leslie@SportStarsOnline.com Camps & Clinics: Ryan ArterCamps@SportStarsOnline.com Alameda County: Bobby Pope • BobbyTPope@yahoo.com Reader Resources/Administration Subscription, Calendar, Credit Services Angela Paradise • Info@SportStarsOnline.com Distribution/Delivery Phillip Walton • Mags@SportStarsOnline.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsOnline.com 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 california sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #4, November 2013 Whole No. 76 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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Got Send your nominations to: Next? Editor@SportStarsOnline.com or tweet us using #SSOTW
Owens davis • water polo • senior ›› Owens was a key contributor at both ends of the pool, leading the Blue Devils to their fifth consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship. A four-year starter, Owens was a section champion every year. She scored once in Davis’s 11-3 rout of St. Francis in this year’s title game and played a key role in the Blue Devils’ aggressive defense all season long. She is considering where she will continue to play water polo collegiately, with Loyola Marymount, UC Davis, Pomona Pitzer, and Claremont Scripps all in the running. ›› IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “Early in the season, we had trouble at times coming out slow. So our goal was to come out strong. We worked hard at that and it really showed as we came out fast every game during the playoffs.” ›› what you didn’t know: While her closest friends know she has a passion for social justice, it is interesting that she secured an internship this summer to work with Malaquias Montoya, the famous American-born Chicano poster artist known for incorporating social justice themes in his work. “I am excited that I will be working with children and impoverished communities.”
honorable mention ian book: The Oak Ridge sophomore led the Trojans football team to an amazing comeback by throwing a careerhigh 5 TDs to erase a 42-21 halftime deficit and top Jesuit 45-42 in OT.
nick bonniksen: The El Dorado junor QB was a perfect 8-for-8 in the Cougars’ 64-0 rout of Galt in the regular season finale. He finished the game with 152 yards passing and 4 TDs.
chloe hakim: St. Francis senior libero/ defensive specialist recorded 18 digs in an SJS quarterfinal playoff win to set the program record for most digs in a season. She had 498 digs through Nov. 14.
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Rapid Fire
colby stapleton Davis Water Polo
Ronnie Rivers Freedom-Oakley Football
Movie you can't wait to see Catching Fire
Thor: Dark World
favorite thanksgiving dish Turkey
Trending What’s hot this week in the world of stuff that’s hot The Jonas Brothers broke up. Not just the band. The family, too. The Cute One gets full custody of the tree house. The one that squints a lot gets to keep the XBox games (but not Call of Duty which shall be shared). The one that can kinda play the instrument gets to keep their groupie. BatKid saved Gotham City, aka San Francisco. No snark. Just one of the greatest things we ever ignored our work to watch. If you weren’t a bit misty eyed, you just might be dead inside. It’s November, so you know ... feel free to start complaining if you see something Christmas-related and you’re not ready for that. Me, I’m gonna go turn on the Muppet Christmas album and just be part of all that is right with the world.
Collard Greens
If you had to pick a new sport to play, it would be ... Soccer
Basketball
Favorite fictional Character Harry Potter
Spider-Man
Favorite class this semester AP US History
World Culture
America got together this weekend and collectively agreed that calling Chris Johnson ‘CJ2K’ is beyond ridiculous and we should all stop immediately. The new Marvel movie came out. It’s Thor: The Dark Something. You know, it’s got that one Avenger who’s kinda hunky but only interesting in small doses? No, not Hawkeye. The other one. The blonde guy. Yeah, it’s an entire movie about him.
Facebook reportedly offered to buy SnapChat for $3 billion. BILLION. B-I-L-L-I-O-N. And they said no! For the love of St. Pete, they said no! They’re holding out for more money, it seems. I guess $3 billion just doesn’t buy what it used to. 8
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We felt like everything fell into place this year, and your interest in our team, including the cover story was another push that our guys needed to take it to the next level. —Email: Ben Baldwin, Alhambra-Martinez boys water polo coach
Top 5 thanksgiving dinners we'd like to spy on
■ Thanks! Still, you and your players did all the work. Congrats on finally breaking through and winning that first North Coast Section title (defeating Redwood-Larkspur 9-6 on Nov. 16). We appreciate you keeping the Cover Jinx Demons off our backs, as well. For those who missed our Nov. 1 cover story on the Bulldogs, you can read it at SportStarsOnline. com/alhambra-polo.
count 'em It’s the holiday season, boys and girls. And you know what that means? That’s right! Rampant speculation about how other people celebrate! As we prepare, as a nation, to gorge ourselves on carbohydrates and tryptophan, here are the top five Thanksgiving gatherings for which we’d like to possess a hidden web-cam. 1. The Harbaughs: Jack: Who’s got it better than us?! Jim: NoBODY! John: Actually… **brandishes Super Bowl XLVII ring** 2. The Ryans: Rob: Man, my defense is playing GREAT! Rex: Get a haircut. Buddy: Pass the gravy, you amateurs. **brandishes Super Bowl III and XIX rings** 3. The Bucks: Mama Buck: Your father could announce circles around you. And he died in 2002. Joe Buck: **Stares sullenly at the green bean casserole, speechless, for once. To the applause of many.** 4. The Trouts: Mike: AGAIN? Two years in a row? I can’t believe those idiot voters actually think that fat tub of goo Cabrera is a more valuable player than I am. Other Trouts: **Drool profusely, mouth breathe.** 5. The Currys: Seth: How ’bout those Blue Devils! Whoo! Steph: Pops, shouldn’t Seth be sitting at the Development Leaguers table? Dell: Hurry up and eat so I can whoop both of you in a game of H-O-R-S-E. —Bill “Where’s the pie?” Kolb
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Number of times in 11 games that the Folsom football team has scored 50 points or more, including its 50-13 playoff-opening win over Lincoln-Stockton on Nov. 16. They also have a 49-point effort on the season. While the Bulldogs are no strangers to scoring points in bunches, it’s worth noting that they surpassed 50 points in just five of 15 games a year ago (with another handful of 49s).
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Kicking
Her Way In Bradshaw Christian’s Jennifer Lawson on way to football record book It’s unknown what her final career PAT total will be or where she will eventually land on the all-time state list, but heading into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs it is clear that senior Jennifer Lawson from Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento will become the first girl to get her name into the Cal-Hi Sports state record book for football. Lawson, who has been booting PATs for the Pride since her freshman year, ended the regular season with 202 for her career. Who will hold the state record at the end of the current season is unclear because in recent years there have been so many teams scoring at such a rapid pace that all it takes is for one kicker to be doing PATs for two seasons at a school like Folsom, Serra-Gardena, Centennial-Corona and elsewhere to get to 200. Still, Lawson’s career total of 202 already is good enough for inclusion in the state record book. She also has scored a touchdown for Bradshaw Christian this season on a one-yard plunge during a game against San Juan. There are other girls mentioned in the state record book, but that’s in a special section dedicated just to girls. Lawson will be the first to get listed in a regular category. Bridgette Farris from Hoover-Fresno is believed to be the first girl to score a point in a California varsity game with a PAT in 1984 against Dinuba. We don’t know who kicked the first field goal, but in 1987 Mia Labovitz of San Diego High made one. Labovitz then made three in 1988, including a 40-yarder. In 2004, Heidi Garrett from M.L. King-Riverside connected for a 48-yard field goal in her team’s 24-14 win over Paloma Valley of Menifee. That is still believed to be the longest one ever made by a girl both for California and the nation. There also have been other girls scoring touchdowns besides Lawson. The first in California came in 1995 when Lorenza Coronado from Jordan of Long Beach caught a 2-yard TD pass in a 34-14 win against St. Bernard-Playa del Rey. The second in the state – and the first by rushing – took place in 2003 when Kiashira Ruiz of Gustine scored on a 4-yard run against Brookside Christian-Stockton. Girls participating in football as kickers are no longer a novelty, but they remain extremely rare for other positions. With the increased awareness on concussions and injury, it’s doubtful that part of the story is going to change anytime soon. ✪ Mark Tennis is the co-founder of Cal-Hi Sports, and publisher of CalHiSports.com. Cal-Hi Sports is the authority in state rankings for football, basketball, baseball and softball, as well as the recognized state record keeper for all high school sports. Contact him at markjtennis@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @CalHiSports.
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Phillip Walton
The Serra-Gardena defense swarms Oakdale running back Nikk Ryan during its 42-15 victory in the CIF Division II State Bowl Game a year ago.
socal team to watch serra-gardena In all of De La Salle’s trips to play in the CIF state bowl games in Carson, the one player who gave the Spartans the most trouble was DeAnthony Thomas, the Crenshaw-Los Angeles running back now starring at the University of Oregon. Before Thomas went out with an ankle injury in the 2009 Open Division bowl game, he had scored twice to lead the Cougars to a 14-7 lead at halftime. Had he not gone out, it’s only fair to say that Crenshaw might not have faltered so much in the second half of its eventual 28-14 loss. If DLS gets to the Open Division state final this year — which is certainly no guarantee because the Spartans probably will have to beat Folsom first — there could be a player awaiting every bit as dangerous as Thomas or any other player in recent memory from Southern California. That player is Serra of Gardena’s Adoree’ Jackson. He doesn’t have the eye-popping statistics of Folsom’s Jake Browning, but he’s guaranteed to make numerous jaw-dropping plays in every game. He used his speed last June to lead Serra to the CIF state team title in track and can beat opponents on special teams, offense or defense. Jackson had two interception-return touchdowns for Serra in its final regular season game and has had a 101yard pick six this season as well. With Jackson and three-year starting quarterback Jalen Greene, Serra looks poised to win the CIF Southern Section Western Division title and then get chosen for the CIF Southern California Open Division bowl game (probably against the CIFSS Pac-Five champion). The Cavaliers, who beat Oakdale in last year’s Division II state bowl game and lost to Folsom in the 2010 Division II bowl game, also are loaded in other positions. One starting linebacker, Dwight Williams, could be the best senior at that position in the state. One of the others, John Houston, could be the best junior. In fact, some recruiting analysts in Southern California have more Serra players as Division I college prospects than St. John Bosco-Bellflower, which is the Pac-Five favorite.
Adoree’ Jackson Rushing 59 carries, 497 yards , 8.4 average, 3 TDs Receiving 34 catches, 727 yards, 21.4 average, 6 TDs
All Purpose Yards 497 rushing, 727 receiving, 389 interception returns, 1,613 total Defense 25 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions
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volleyball Rankings After games of Monday, Nov. 18; previous rank in parentheses 1. (1) — Granite Bay..............................39-0 2. (2) — Archbishop Mitty-San Jose.....36-4 3. (3) — Torrey Pines-San Diego..........30-3 4. (4) — Los Alamitos.............................29-5 5. (10) ▲ Santiago-Corona.....................35-0 6. (6) — Valley Christian-San Jose.......30-8 7. (9) ▲ Mater Dei-Santa Ana...............31-5 8. (14) ▲ Lutheran-Orange.....................23-8 9. (NR) ▲ Great Oak-Temecula...............27-1 10. (11) ▲ La Salle-Pasadena..................30-5 11. (5) ▼ Redondo-Redondo Beach......29-6 12. (15) ▲ Scripps Ranch-San Diego.......35-2 13. (7) ▼ Corona del Mar-Nwprt Bch.....29-6 14. (17) ▲ La Costa Canyon-Carlsbad....24-8 15. (18) ▲ Francis Parker-San Diego.......24-4 16. (16) — Branson-Ross..........................30-6 17. (8) ▼ Lakewood.................................26-6 18. (18) — Redwood-Larkspur..................38-5 19. (13) ▼ Mira Costa-Manhattan Bch.....22-9 20. (NR) ▲ Menlo School-Atherton............27-5 Dropped Out: No. 12 Dana Hills-Dana Point and No. 19 Marymount-L.A. Comments: The big news in SoCal heading into the Southern Section semis on Nov. 19 was the emergence of Great Oak-Temecula. Both Great Oak and unbeaten Santiago-Corona had outstanding regular seasons, but didn’t venture to any of the major tournaments. Great Oak, however, won huge matches over Dana Hills and Redondo. The team’s only loss came early in the season to Santiago, which is in a different bracket of the CIFSS playoffs. With teams like Granite Bay (D1), Mitty (D2), Valley Christian (D3), Menlo School (D4) and Branson (D5), the Bay Area and Northern California seems wellpositioned to earn more than one state title.
the 200 club The CIF North Coast Section already had a strong representation in the state’s exclusive club of football coaches with 200 career wins, but now there’s another one. Gary Galloway, the head football coach at St. Vincent-Petaluma for 30 years, collected his 200th career win when the Mustangs topped Upper Lake 68-0 on Nov. 2 at Yarbrough Field. Galloway is No. 79 on the all-time state list. Among active coaches in the NCS, the only others with 200 or more wins are Bill Foltmer (Middletown), Kim Jorgensen (Ferndale), Paul Perenon (Mt. Eden-Hayward & Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland) and Matt Sweeney (FoothillPleasanton). What makes Galloway unique in the NCS and in the state is that he’s also on the all-time list of baseball coaches with 500 wins or more. Galloway won his 500th game last season and will start this spring at 501-196-3. After St. Vincent knocked off unbeaten Calistoga one week after the 200th win, Galloway improved his football coaching record to 201-117-1.
Football Rankings (Previous ranking in parentheses; through games of Saturday, Nov. 15)
1. (1)
—
De La Salle-Concord
10-0
2. (2)
—
St. John Bosco-Bellflower
11-0
3. (3)
—
Folsom
11-0
4. (4)
—
Serra-Gardena
11-0
5. (5)
—
Mission Viejo
11-0
6. (6)
—
Long Beach Poly
10-1
7. (8)
▲
Alemany-Mission Hills 9-2
8. (9)
▲
9. (13)
▲
10. (10)
—
Chaminade-West Hills 9-2
11. (11)
—
Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills
12. (17)
▲
Serra-San Mateo 8-2
13. (12)
▼
14. (14)
Spartans expected to cruise to 22nd straight NCS championship.
Beating multiple unbeatens prior to playing DLS could be in cards for Braves. Jake Browning already had 62 TD passes after first SJS playoff game. Will be a big shocker in SoCal if Cavs are not in the Open Division.
Diablos No. 2 seed in Pac-5 playoffs but face No. 9 Mater Dei in quarterfinals. JuJu Smith just getting warmed up for the Jackrabbits.
Warriors won Serra League title and have head-to-head win over Centennial.
Centennial-Corona 9-2
Cal-commit Tre Watson having a sensational year at running back.
Mater Dei-Santa Ana 9-2
Since key injury to RB, Monarchs have become even more nasty on defense. Still looking like Eagles will get rematch vs. No. 4 Serra in CIFSS final.
10-1
If Trojans get past Granite Bay, should get rematch with Folsom in SJS final. Big win over Mitty makes Padres the favorites in CCS Open Division. Eastlake-Chula Vista
10-1
—
Mission Hills-San Marcos
10-1
15. (18)
▲
Vista Murietta-Murietta
10-1
16. (16)
—
Del Oro-Loomis 9-2
17. (20)
▲
Oceanside 9-2
18. (19)
▲
19. (NR)
▲
20. (NR)
▲
21. (23)
▲
22. (24)
▲
23. (7)
▼
24. (NR)
▲
25 (NR)
▲
Titans won 41-0 in playoff opener to set up game vs. No. 17 Oceanside. Top seed in new San Diego Section Open Divison.
Top seed in CIFSS Inland Division ahead of Centennial. Golden Eagles may have to beat Grant again in SJS Div. II semis.
Defense stepping up for Pirates, who have designs on Div. I state bowl win.
Bakersfield 8-2
Drillers are top seed in Central Section Div. I playoffs.
Narbonne-Harbor City 9-2
Losses to Serra-Gardena and Alemany; earned top seed in L.A. City Section. Elk Grove
10-1
La Habra
10-1
Marin Catholic-Kentfield
10-0
Archbishop Mitty-San Jose
9-1
If Del Oro doesn’t win SJS Div. II title, Elk Grove is probably next best bet. Favored team in CIFSS Southeast Division; only loss to Mission Viejo. It’s been cruise city so far for the Wildcats but NCS Div. III bracket is tough. Monarchs couldn’t do much against Serra and loss dropped them 16 spots.
Servite-Anaheim 6-5
Have wins over No. 6 Long Beach Poly, Westlake and play No. 7 Alemany next. St. Bonaventure-Ventura 8-3
Win over previous No. 15 Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks moved up Seraphs.
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Care For A Run?
Cross country is such a great sport. You’re not really competing against someone else most of the time, but against the course, and against yourself. But I see a lot of schools that barely have enough runners to field a team, and then there are other places with nearly a hundred. What’s going on? Why isn’t cross country more popular everywhere? — J.Y., Oakland great question — but I have to flip it for you, based on my own personal experience. Long runs do nothing for me. After about 200 yards, my mind starts turning to various feelings in my body, such as pain in my knees, labored breathing and general discomfort. From there, my mind quickly moves to how much better life would be if I were sitting on the couch watching the Warriors — or even Oprah Winfrey. Or, to put it another way, my question isn’t why more people choose cross country, it’s why anyone would choose it in the first place. OK, OK. I’m old and cranky and I’ve always hated jogging, and clearly there are a lot of people who really enjoy slogging up hills at an incredibly slow pace with their features locked into a grimace of agony (sorry, sorry, I’ll do better.) In truth, cross country is a great sport for a lot of people. It doesn’t require size or strength or athletic gifts; anyone can
A
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Cross Country participation can often correlate with personality of the coach
get out and run two or three miles, and nobody’s going to get cut just because they’re slow. The benefits are there for every runner, unlike team sports where the only people getting exercise in games are the better players. It’s also a lifelong activity. And acquiring a love of running is going to lead to a healthier, fitter life — and not incidentally, one in which it will be much easier to have guilt-free chocolate sundaes at least once a week. Obviously, there is a certain percentage of people out there who enjoy running, so one would expect that that percentage would take up cross country at every high school. So, in other words, if there are 1,500 students at two schools, they both should have similarsized cross country teams. That, of course, is not the case. Some schools with 1,500 students have 100 runners; others have 10, and a reasonable question is why. The answer starts with coaching. And in this case, it’s not so much about winning or teaching. Only the top five runners score points in each race, so if there are a hundred runners, only a small percentage are going to “win” in any sense. And teaching? Well, there is some technique in running, but not that much. Even the best cross country coaches don’t spend a lot of time refining form.
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What attracts runners, though, is a coach who can make running several miles in the hot October sun sound attractive, and who at the same time makes it cool to run on local streets a couple times a week. So the schools that have a charismatic coach, especially one that’s on campus, are going to attract more runners. Another factor, oddly, is the percentage of students who want to get into college. Families believe that having a varsity sport on a college application is important, and cross country is a varsity sport that’s good for you — so it combines two positives. So a school with a lot of kids focused on which college they get into will probably find it easier to put together a large team. Finally, there’s just the random nature of life, and some schools somehow have a tradition of cross-country participation that just keeps rolling on — and other schools don’t. In the end, though, the real advantage to cross country is that it’s intensely individual. The benefits are there for every individual who can muster up the willpower to run several miles every day regardless of sun, rain, wind, dogs and the potential of a collision with a large metal object traveling 20 miles an hour or more. I admire those people — from my couch. ✪ 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 him at clayk@fullcourt.com
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SJS Boys soccer Section Championships Late goal in double OT lifts Gran to storybook upset; Cosumnes Capital Christian yield banner
I
By trevor horn | Contributor
f the phone rang anytime soon in the Scotti household, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Disney executives were on the other end of the line. In a scene set up like a storybook ending, Granite Bay senior Dominic Scotti took a short pass and nailed the game-winning goal with mere seconds left in double overtime to beat previously-undefeated Jesuit in the SacJoaquin Section Division I finals on Nov. 16 at Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove. The goal set off a series of celebrations. With both sides of the high school stadium at near capacity, and both student sections loud and entertaining throughout, Scotti did his best Brandy Chastain impression and tossed his jersey off as he raced down the track along the screaming Grizzly faithful in attendance. With his team trailing behind him in celebration, the final horn sounded. The Granite Bay student section mobbed Scotti and the rest of the team. The senior, who will head to Wake Forest in January on a soccer scholarship, doubles as the place-kicker for the Granite Bay football team. With his gridiron brethren in attendance after the team beat Tokay-Lodi in the opening round of the section football playoffs the night prior, they mobbed Scotti. “It’s a fairytale, I guess,” Scotti said. “We’ve been thinking about it the whole time that it would come down to the end.” Playing with what he said could have been possible cracked ribs busted up at some point early in the championship, Scotti fell to the field numerous times throughout the extended match in excruciating pain. Clutching his side, Scotti said afterwards that at times he had trouble breathing because of the pain. All of that fell to the wayside once the adrenaline of scoring the game James K. Leash photos
FAR RIGHT: Devon Alvarez pushes the ball upfield during the SJS semifinals. The Capital Christian senior scored the fifth and final goal of a 5-0 championship victory on Nov. 16. INSET: Granite Bay’s Felipe Zegarra (23) and Corban Anderson celebrate a goal during the Grizzlies semifinal victory.
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nite Bay s Oaks, rs too
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winning goal set in. But none of this was even thought of as an option when the season began. Regarded as the best soccer player on campus, Scotti was not on the roster to start the season. A fantastic club player, Scotti chose to continue practicing with the San Jose Earthquakes Club team. But enduring the repeated two-and-a-half hour commute, and knowing that something special was brewing at home for his Grizzlies, he wanted back in. Led by seniors Corban Anderson, Zack Boyle, Jeff Gaebler, Josh Pleis and Felipe Zegarra, the Grizzlies were 8-3 in the first 11 matches without Scotti. “The chemistry was really good before Dom came back,” Granite Bay coach Steve Fischer said. “That’s something I was really scared of when he asked if he could come back. I said to him that it wasn’t up to me. It’s not my team. We had a long discussion, but we’re a better team with him. So (the team) brought him back and it just worked.” Since his return, the Grizzlies finished the season with a 14-game winning streak and the program’s first Div. I title after three Div. II titles under Fischer since 2006. Fischer is now an owner of six section titles after claiming 1994 and 1995 titles with Oakmont. “This one is special. The team was special. The way we did it was special,” Fischer said. “The focus the entire year was pretty incredible.”
DIVISION II Getting a rare chance to win a section title on its home field, the Cosumnes Oaks team took full advantage to celebrate in their own backyard. The Wolfpack, fueled by two second-half goals by senior Collin Bettencourt, beat Gregori-Modesto 2-1 in the finals to capture the first boys section title in any sport at the six-year-old Elk Grove Unified school. “It’s amazing,” Bettencourt said. “We never thought it was going to happen.” Cosumnes Oaks finished the season unbeaten with an 18-0-4 record. The Sierra Valley Conference champiConsumes Oaks ons also had another first in celebrates a goal. school history by becoming the first program to win a league title and section title in the same season. The Cosumnes Oaks girls track and field team has won the last three D-IV section titles, but did not win the SVC title in those years. “This feeling is great,” Cosumnes Oaks coach Alejandro Murillo Chavez said. “We have worked so hard for this. I just want to say thank you to all the parents, the players and the school support. We wouldn’t have been here if not for the support of the community.”
DIVISION VI The 2013 season has been special to Capital Christian, especially for coach Ab Alvarez and his son, senior Devon Alvarez. The Cougars, a small school soccer power with less than 500 students, won the Div. VI title, winning 5-0 over Encina. Devon Alvarez scored the fifth and final goal for the Cougars in the championship, the last he will play for his father as a coach. “It was the greatest thing,” Devon Alvarez said. “I love having my dad as a coach.” Capital Chrisitan (21-4) lost just once to an SJS team this season, a 1-0 defeat to Div. I power Davis four days after the Cougars beat national power Jesuit-Portland (Ore.) 1-0. The only other losses came in a national tournament in St. Louis. The team finished the season with a 13-game winning streak, a goal they set after coming home from Missouri. “These guys went 13-0 after we got back,” coach Alvarez said. “They were on a mission to do it and they did.” Paul Herscowitz and Levi Nunez scored first half goals for the Cougars in the finals and JT Clapp scored two second half goals before Alvarez finished it off with a late goal. “I don’t know what to say,” Clapp said. “I couldn’t ask for a better way to end the season in my high school career. It’s unreal. I could never ask for a better team. I don’t want to leave.”
OTHER TITLES Liberty Ranch and Galt brought section championship banners back to the town 30 minutes south of Sacramento. Liberty Ranch won the Div. IV title over Weston Ranch-Stockton 3-2 and Galt beat Riverbank 8-0 for the Div. V title. Both were firsts for the soccer programs of the neighborhood rivals. Christian Brothers captured the school’s first Div. III title with a 3-2 win over Central Valley-Ceres. In Div. VII, Forest Lake Christian won its second section title with a 2-1 victory over Faith Christian. ✪ 16
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Davis’ junior captain Conrad McCarthy looks for an open teammate during the Blue Devils’ 13-9 victory in the SJS Div. I championship on Nov. 16. 18
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Davis maintains its SJS water polo dominance with another pair of titles
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By jim mccue | Senior Contributor
he Davis water polo program has owned the Sac-Joaquin Section, and on Saturday the boys and girls team laid their claims with Division I section championships in back-to-back games at the Woodcreek Aquatics Center in Roseville. The boys team defeated Delta Valley Conference rival Jesuit-Carmichael 13-9 while the girls downed league foe St. Francis-Sacramento 11-3. The Blue Devils drew upon valuable experience gained from playing tough competition outside of the section, as well as past section championships, to put away their opponents. “This is an experienced team and they know what to do in critical moments,” longtime Davis boys coach Tracy Stapleton said. “Knowing how to win games like these was the difference.” The boys team might not have expected any late critical moments after the Blue Devils led 5-1 after one quarter and 6-2 at the midway point. But the Marauders forced the issue and applied plenty of pressure to test Davis’ resolve and put the Blue Devils on the brink of suffering their first loss this season against a team located north of Fresno. Of the team’s six losses, five came to Southern California opponents and the sixth was a narrow loss to Buchanan-Clovis. Jesuit closed a 7-2 gap to a slim 9-8 margin in the fourth quarter, and came within inches of tying the game with 4:32 remaining. Instead of the tie, though, junior goalkeeper Jeff Stark made a huge save on a shot that many thought may have entered the cage. The three-year starter in net secured the ball, distributed it to a teammate, and then let the potent Blue Devils offense reclaim the game.
“My third quarter was a little rough, but we knew that we just needed to play as a team,” Stark said. “We played good team defense and then let the offense win it for us.” Freshman Cameron Wright scored three first-quarter goals to spark Davis early, but it was experienced juniors and seniors that tallied all of Davis’ goals in the final three quarters. Senior captain Graham Fullerton stretched the lead to 11-8 with 1:54 remaining on a highlight-reel shot where he turned and fired a pinpoint shot to the lower opposite corner from long distance. “All of the training and trips pays dividends at the end of the year,” Stapleton said. The win gave Davis its second consecutive section title. Jesuit was led by senior Evan Mattern’s three goals and two scores from impressive freshman Josh Orrick. The Marauders and
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Blue Devils have claimed 16 of the last 18 section Division I championships, with nine titles going to Davis and seven to Jesuit. Loaded with underclassmen, the Marauders are expected to be contenders along with the Blue Devils next year. Similarly, Davis and St. Francis have been perennial contenders on the girls’ side. The two programs have faced each other in each of the last 10 Division I championship games. On this day, the Blue Devils claimed their fifth consecutive championship and finished their season undefeated against SJS foes without the late-game intensity endured by their male counterparts. Davis jumped out to an early lead and never looked back against the Troubadours. Seniors Lauren Owens and Heather Johnson led a balanced attack in which four players scored two goals each, but it was a renewed team focus that keyed the rout. “We had been starting slow in a lot of games, so our goal every practice for the playoffs was focused on getting fast starts,” junior Colby Stapleton said. “Coach (Doug Wright) really motivated us, and we played our best game of the season.” That was bad news for St. Francis which finished as runners-up for the fifth straight year. The Troubadours, under first-year coach and former Olympian, Heather Moody, got goals from sisters Brinnley and Jennalyn Barthels, and Eileen Walsh. Juniors Stapleton and Mara Dominguez will return from the Blue Devils’ Fab Four field players as will junior goalkeeper Maddie Lilliedoll when Davis bids for a sixth straight Div. I championship
DIVISION II BOYS Rio Americano-Sacramento won its fifth straight Div. II section crown with a 19-6 statement victory over upstart Bella Vista-Fair Oaks. Senior Luke Hastie and junior Ian Brady led a powerful offensive attack, and senior goalkeeper Gavin White anchored Rio Americano’s defense which shut down Bella Vista’s star scorer Austin Stevenson. “I think we did a nice job of taking away Austin,” Raiders coach Tyson Frenn said. “Our game plan was to be extremely physical and press constantly. The guys like to press more than they like to play zone and they wanted to prove that we were as physical as any team out there.” Frenn pointed to a lackluster effort in an 11-6 opening-round playoff victory over Christian Brothers-Sacramento to the team’s focus on another section title. The Raiders were more physical than a tough Sonora team in an 18-9 semifinal win before handling Bella Vista in the title game. 20
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DIVISION II GIRLS The Oakdale Mustangs upset favored Rio Americano 5-3 despite getting just a single goal from senior standout Shelby Stender. Oakdale won their first championship in its third title-game appearance, and are the only team to defeat Rio Americano in the SJS Div. II playoffs in the 12 years of competition. The Raiders were seeking their 11th title in 12 years, but were done in by cold shooting and a red-hot Oakdale goalkeeper. Sophomore Caitlin Golding frustrated Rio Americano with numerous saves while Emily Bennett’s pair of second-quarter goals sparked the Mustangs to victory. “I though that we played well and got lots of counter-attack and 6-on-5 opportunities, but just couldn’t get the ball in the goal,” said Frenn, who also coaches the Raiders’ girls team. “We had a bad shooting day at the wrong time, but their goalkeeper played extremely well.” ✪
LEFT: Maddie Lilliedoll surrendered just three goals and made seven saves to anchor the Davis defense in an 11-3 championship victory. RIGHT: Rio Americano goalkeeper Gavin White was solid in the Div. II title game, but the Raiders offense was even better in a 19-6 win.
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A pillar of its tight-knit community, Rio Linda football is having a season to remember By Trevor Horn | Contributor Rio Linda is a rural community set just minutes north of the greater Sacramento area. A throwback to neighborhoods made up of multi-generational families that continue the same traditions throughout the decades. On the corner of Dry Creek Road and Elkhorn Boulevard sits the Rio Linda High School football stadium. It’s a sanctuary where grandfathers, sons, uncles and brothers all share one love — football. Mike Morris has been the head coach of the Knights for over two decades. He has seen it all. When he walks into Creekside Diner, his favorite eatery in town, family members of former players and all well-wishers congratulate Morris on the season. There is still a newspaper cutout from the 2004 Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship on the wall there. Family is paramount to Morris, his football program and to the community of Rio Linda. “I’ve always tried to foster that around here,” Morris said. “I think it’s one of the strengths of our community and our program is there is so many multi-generational families here in Rio Linda.” Rio Linda completed the best regular season in school history with a 9-1 record. The only blemish came in the first game at Roseville on a last-second blocked field goal return in a 22-14 heartbreaker. Now rolling, the second-seed in the Div. II playoffs, Rio Linda has a 10-game winning streak heading into the second round of the playoffs after blanking Antelope 34-0 in the first round on Nov. 15.
FATHER AND SON
Morris coached his oldest son, Michael Jr., a half-decade ago when the junior was the starting quarterback for the Knights. This season, it’s his youngest son, Matthew, a starting lineman and co-captain. “It’s been a great experience with my youngest boy in his senior year,” Morris said. The Morris’ aren’t the only family affair for the Knights. Senior fullback and linebacker Leonard Skattebo IV is living up to the name where his father was an all-star for Rio Linda in the early 90s. The elder Skattebo was an all-league football and basketball star for the Knights in the early 90s despite playing just his senior
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season. “It’s pretty cool to be able to follow in his footsteps,” Skattebo said. The younger Skattebo has been a two-way wrecking ball for Rio Linda this season. The senior rushed 134 times for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns and was the battering ram the rest of the time, clearing the way for junior tailback Marcel Brown. Skattebo also led Rio Linda’s “Black Knight Army” defense with 122 tackles and racked up seven tackles for loss and one interception in the regular season. The defense gave up just over 10 points a game in the regular season with brothers Vaughn and Fila Hingano, who combined for 166 tackles and 14 sacks. “You can just tell the passion they have playing together,” Skattebo said of the Hingano Brothers. “They’re always celebrating together. It’s cool to have all the family going on here.” Every Friday, the elder Skattebo sits in his same seat in the stands “on his little blanket.” His son says he cherishes the fact that the two can connect on a level most fathers and sons don’t. “It means a lot to me to play for the same community and the same school that my dad played for,” Leonard IV said. “It’s just different. Not many people can say, ‘Hey, my dad was a superstar.’ With his helmet on during Friday nights, the younger Skattebo says he doesn’t hear barking or yelling from his dad in the stands. But the two talk in great detail afterwards. “He sits in the same spot on his little blanket,” Leonard IV said. “He’s very quiet. He isn’t a yelling parent. He’s very internal with his emotions. But after the game he always tells me I did a good job and that’s cool to hear him say that.”
SEARCHING FOR GREATNESS
Marcel Brown has been nothing short of amazing on the football field for Rio Linda the last two seasons. As a sophomore, Brown led the Knights with 1,454 yards and 15 touchdowns, but the Knights were eliminated in the first round by Vacaville. Rio Linda hosts the same Vacaville team in the Div. II quarterfinal on Nov. 22. Then, because of a one-game suspension handed down by Morris because Brown didn’t complete needed offseason requirements, he was not in uniform as the
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Records are through Nov. 16 1. (1)
— De La Salle-Concord
10-0
2. (2)
— Folsom
11-0
3. (5)
▲
4. (4)
— Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills
5. (3)
▼
6. (6)
— Del Oro-Loomis
9-2
7. (7)
— Marin Catholic-Kentfield
10-0
8. (8)
— Campolindo-Moraga
10-0
9. (9)
— Elk Grove
10-1
Serra-San Mateo Archbishop Mitty-San Jose
8-2 10-1 9-1
10. (11) ▲ Pittsburg
9-2
11. (12) ▲
Valley Christian-San Jose
7-3
12. (13) ▲
Deer Valley-Antioch
10-1
13. (14) ▲
St. Francis-Mountain View
7-3
14. (15) ▲
Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove
9-2
15. (16) ▲
Bellarmine-San Jose
7-3
16. (17) ▲
Granite Bay
8-3
17. (18) ▲
Clayton Valley Charter-Concord
10-1
18. (19) ▲
California-San Ramon
9-2
19. (20) ▲
Enterprise-Redding
10-0
20. (NR) ▲
El Cerrito 9-2
DROPPED OUT No. 10 Rocklin
IT GETS MESSY FROM HERE With the first round of the playoffs in the books for North Coast and Sac-Joaquin Sections, and the Central Coast embarking on its postseason on Nov. 22, very few teams will be safe anymore. El Cerrito is the only new team in the poll after Week 12. The Gauchos were only absent for one week, after an unfair bump when No. 11 Valley Christian forced its way into the rankings with its second win over a Top 5 team in just under a month.
TEAMS STILL RANKED FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 14 KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: (Alphabetically) Analy-Sebastapol (10-1), Alvarez-Salinas (10-0), Burbank-Sacramento (9-2), Carmel (10-0), Casa Grande-Petaluma (11-0), Central Catholic-Modesto (10-1), Franklin-Elk Grove (8-3), Grant-Sacramento (8-3), InderkumSacramento (9-2), James Logan-Union City (9-2), Milpitas (8-2), Sacramento (9-2) and Stagg-Stockton (10-1), Terra Linda-Pacifica (10-0) and Vacaville (8-3).
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Knights opened 2013 at Roseville. With just three seconds on the clock, and Roseville holding on to a 16-14 lead, Rio Linda lined up for a field goal. The kick was blocked and taken back for a final touchdown. That sting was felt deep inside Brown. Not being there with his brothers in the lone blemish on an otherwise stellar season so far. Brown takes the blame. “It’s more my fault than their fault,” Brown said. “They went all out and it was my fault that I didn’t do what I could have done to help them out during the game.” Brown responded. “It definitely motivated me,” Brown said. “After that loss, I still think about it to this day that I can’t be lazy, I can’t do this to my team anymore. I already cost them a 10-0 perfect season. So every day (at practice) I do what I can.” In the final eight games of the regular season (Brown sat out the 54-7 win over Foothill-Sacramento on Sept. 20), the junior rushed for 1,496 yards and 19 touchdowns. That included a school-record 296 yards with five touchdowns in the regular season finale at Del Campo. Playing football with Brown since junior high, Skattebo knew he was witnessing greatness years ago in his backfield partner. “I knew (then) that as a senior, I would be blocking for one of the best tailbacks – I say – in the country.” Skattebo said. “That’s a big thing to say, but he’s up there.” Despite the records and the yardage piled up, Morris says Brown, who is big in stature at 6-foot and 190 pounds with bursting 4.3 speed, has stayed humbled by his past and by his mentors. “He’s never been selfish in anything I’ve seen out here at all,” Morris said. “He’s never mentioned how many carries or how many yards. In an option offense, where we give the football to the fullback a lot, he’s never grumbled about that. He understands the wisdom that the better Leonard does, the better he’ll do.” Brown agrees with his coach, who he calls his “authority figure,” but it has been the wisdom and guidance from a former Knight running back that has been the bond Brown was missing growing up as a child without a father-figure at home. Marty Johnson played for the Knights a decade ago before starring at Butte College and led the 2004 undefeated Utah team with 14 touchdowns as a senior. Brown took to Johnson’s mentorship of doing the right things, and not falling into the pits of stardom like Johnson did at times in his playing career. “He’s basically my big brother now,” Brown said. “He comes to the games and watches me play. He helps me out.” Brown lived with the Skattebos’ when the two were in junior high together. Brown credits all three relationships with Johnson, Morris and the Skattebo family as reasons why he has grown into the person he is now. “I feel that all around me are just great people who want to see me succeed in life.” To Skattebo, bringing home a section title would mean the world to him and the community of Rio Linda. “It’s very important to this community to keep this run going,” he said. ✪
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TOP: Knights’ game-breaking RB, Marcel Brown BOTTOM: Senior FB/LB, Leonard Skattebo IV
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Every Breath You Take
Many athletes who think they are out of shape, may, in fact, be suffering from symptoms of exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB). EIB, which occurs in 10 to 20 percent of athletes, depending on the sport and activity environment, is a form of asthma seen in both recreational and competitive athletes. EIB is a sudden transient narrowing of the airways called bronchospasm which may occur during or after exercise. Although EIB is characteristic of asthma, it can occur in athletes in great shape who have not been diagnosed with chronic asthma. As a result, EIB often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Symptoms of EIB include wheeze, cough, chest tightness, fatigue, poor performance and, ultimately, activity avoidance. Symptoms can be very mild and even go unnoticed by the athlete. However, a minority of athletes experience severe symptoms. EIB usually begins five to 10 minutes after the onset of activity that is moderate or vigorous. Symptoms peak by five minutes after exercise ends and can last up to 30 minutes if gone untreated. In contrast, symptoms of the de-conditioned athlete resolve quickly after exercise. Those concerned that they may have EIB should be evaluated by their physician. Since other diagnoses such as vocal cord dysfunction, de-conditioning, over-training and cardiac abnormalities can present similar symptoms, it is important to rule them out. Testing usually involves Spirometry (ventilation testing) before and after exercise. Sometimes a field exercise challenge is necessary to simulate sports-specific environments. However, these tests are not positive for everyone with EIB so other diagnostic tests or even a trial with a bronchodialator inhaler may be recommended. PREVENTING/TREATING EIB Once diagnosed, EIB has several preventive strategies and treatment options. EIB is triggered by the rapid ventilation of air that is cold, dry or contains irritants. Thus, staying out of cold, dry air will greatly reduce the chance of symptoms. If that is not an option, wearing a face mask can enrich inhaled air with heat and moisture prior to reaching the lungs. Other strategies are as follows: ›› Breathe through your nose, which helps warm and moisten the air before it reaches the lung. ›› Choose lower-intensity sports with less ventilation. ›› Exercise indoors on days when pollen and environmental pollutants are high. ›› Warm up lightly for 30 to 45 minutes before a vigorous workout. This will prevent any sudden changes in airflow, moisture or temperature. ›› Use alternating work and rest periods (interval training) for up to five minutes since EIB usually starts several minutes into a vigorous workout. Though some athletes can keep symptoms under control with simple preventive strategies, some require medical treatment. Bronchodilator inhalers, such as Albuterol, are usually the first line of defense. They work quickly by keeping the airways relaxed and open, and are typically used 15 minutes before exercise to prevent EIB. Corticosteroid inhalers, such as Qvar, work as airway anti-inflammatories, which reduce the inflammation of the airways over time. These medications need to be taken daily regardless of activity to be effective. Typically, if preventive strategies and a bronchodialtor inhaler do not control symptoms, a combination of corticosteroids and other medications may be used. Most importantly, do not allow EIB to become a deterrent from exercise. Work with your physician to control your symptoms so that you can continue to exercise at a high level. Exercise training will improve fitness so that a lower level of breathing is needed at a given exercise level. Good cardiovascular fitness will enable you to exercise at a higher intensity before having any EIB symptoms. ✪ Dr. Mo Mortazavi is pediatric sports medicine physician for the UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
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tri steps: Liz Elliott
Even if you don’t consider yourself an athlete, or even a person who works out, you are a very important person in sports, especially for your children, wife or husband. Believe it or not, your support means so much to your family members and close friends in their fitness endeavors. Although they may take some razzing about their incessant running, biking, swimming or whatever, the athletes in your family will perform better the more support they receive. Sports should be part of your life as a family and not take your family members from you. That goes both way. How to be involved without being in the way: ›› Talk about time management with your athlete. ›› Encourage them to do something small every day. There will be times when your athlete is unmotivated by the weather or homework or something else going on. They’ll feel a lot better after the workout, and will actually be more productive in life tasks. ›› Don’t give advice you don’t know. This is not helpful: rather it makes your athlete share less about their sport with you. ›› Go to their races or events. Be a fan for the most important people to you. Wear the team colors. Make signs and cheer. You’ll find out just how much you are loved by the smile on the face of your husband, wife, friend, and on your face. Spectating at a race or game is fun and rewarding for all involved. ›› Get active! You may not enjoy running, but there are tons of ways to be active. Go for a walk. Bike with your kids. Be active. You’ll find that supporting your athletes leads to a satisfaction for them and you. ✪ Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Club.
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training time: tim rudd for iyca
Two heart rate assessments can help determine if you need a stronger aerobic base In the previous two issues, I discussed the importance of building an aerobic base in optimizing a young athlete’s sports performance. If you missed them, check out the last two issues online to catch up. In this issue, I’m going to reveal how to assess whether you need to build a stronger aerobic base. If young athletes have a big aerobic base, they can build a bigger glycolytic engine (strength, power and speed) on top of it AND recover faster from high-intensity efforts during a game, practice or training. With the teams and athletes I work with, we look at three assessments (the third is actually beyond the scope of this article, but the first two are easily achieved): 1) Resting heart rate upon waking up, and... 2) Modified Cooper Test — the athletes run 1.5 mile as fast as they can (9 minutes is the standard). Between these two tests, you can determine the efficiency of an athletes’ heart (if a heartrate machine is not available, the rest heart-rate may be used as an assessment). But I strongly suggest having a heart-rate monitor, as it is important for monitoring progress and the training process. We’re looking for a resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute (BPM) and a recovery heart rate of 130 BPM within one minute after the run. The goal here is to determine if your athlete needs low-intensity, long-duration work (known as cardiac output training) along with high-resistance work (high-resistance efforts with appropriate heart-rate recovery). For the athlete who has a resting rate higher than 60 BPM and a recovery rate that is higher than 130, he will need to improve their aerobic base with Cardiac Output Training and High Resistance Intervals. In the next issue, we’ll tackle the specifics of Cardiac Output Training and High Resistance Intervals — What are they, how to do them, and why they’re effective for improving an athlete’s aerobic base and overall conditioning and performance. ✪ Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore.
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health watch: dr. nirav k. pandya
From a doctor’s perspective, sinking focus into just one sport may not be the healthiest decision
With an increasing emphasis in high school athletics on obtaining a scholarship, there has been a rapid decline in multi-sport athletes. I have seen an increasing number of patients specializing at a young age with a concurrent rise in injuries and burn-out. Yet, some would argue that this is what must be done to obtain the elusive athletic scholarship. But does this really translate? Take the following statistics for example from the NCAA: Only 5.6 percent of all high school baseball players and 2.9 percent of all high school basketball players will go on to play collegiately. Yet, there are tens of thousands of high school athletes who sacrifice the benefits of playing multiple sports. Is this meant to detract teens from trying to achieve their goals? Not at all. But it places athletes at a high risk for burn-out later in life, which can prevent them from maintaining healthy habits into adulthood and steering clear of problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. In addition, specialization shields athletes from the benefits of playing multiple sports. These benefits include becoming skilled in utilizing different muscle groups as well as providing “active” rest for a body that may become overworked from a singular activity. To my eyes, what prepares an adolescent for a healthy lifestyle into adulthood (and translates into athletic performance!) is being an all-around athlete, rather than being an athlete who excels in a certain skill set. As a former collegiate track athlete, I liken it to the decathlon. Would you train for the decathlon by throwing a javelin 10,000 times a day? No. You would balance your training with throwing, running, jumping, and endurance work. It is no wonder that the decathlon gold medalist is given the title as “The World’s Greatest Athlete.” This is the model we should be utilizing — encouraging all-around development rather than onesided specialization for both short-term injury prevention and long-term healthy lifestyles. ✪ Dr. Nirav K. Pandya is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric sports injuries at the Children’s Hospital in Oakland. He sees patients and operates in Oakland and their Walnut Creek facility.
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November 21, 2013
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kinesio taping: sam inderias
Kinesio taping, also known as elastic therapeutic tape, looks and feels like an ace bandage, but it is a much thinner cotton tape that is able stretch up to 140 percent of its original length. Kenesio tape works by creating a “lift” on the skin and painful tissue underneath, allowing normal motion. Kinesio Tape vs. Athletic Tape Kinesio taping is very different from other athletic tape because Kinesio Tape is flexible and allows for a range of motion while white athletic tape is rigid and limits motion. Also, Kinesio tape can be worn for three to five days, whereas other taping techniques do not allow wear for more than one day at a time. It is important to note that Kinesio taping should be used in conjunction with other therapy techniques such as massaging, stretching, heating and icing rather than replacement of these techniques. Injuries Best Suited for Kinesio Taping Kinesio taping works best on acute injuries, especially to help reduce swelling. For example, using the lymphatic drainage taping techniques when tendonitis-type conditions are present, and movement is painful. That pain can be greatly reduced with Kinesio taping. For example, proper Kinesio taping techniques
might enable a tennis player to lift his or her arm overhead, without such pain. Kinesio
taping also works by supporting muscles. By using proper taping techniques, an athlete
experiencing low back muscles in acute or
chronic spasm, might not feel as much pain with Kinesio taping. Why See A Certified Kinesio Tape Instructor? Kinesio tape is sold in stores under different brand names,
and usually comes with instructions. Kinesio taping is very easy to apply, but can cause pain if not done properly. A common mistake is to pull on the tape too much and apply excessive
tension. It is important to get proper instruction from a certified
Kinesio tape practitioner first, who can show you the specific taping techniques for body parts and condition the athlete is trying
to address. This instruction may be available in person, through
books or through tutorials on YouTube to make learning easy for a specific body part or technique. ✪
Sam Inderias is a physical therapist and certified Kinesio practioner at Sutter Delta Medical in Antioch.
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November 21, 2013
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emotional health: dave hobson
You can be a hero EDITOR’S NOTE: There’s a good chance you’ve heard about how NFL lineman Jonathan Martin left his Miami Dolphins team due to immense stress caused from the bullying tactics of teammate Richie Incognito. The incident inspired me to reach out to a former newspaper colleague of mine, Dave Hobson, who is now a middle school teacher doing great things to lead the charge against bullying in schools. I asked him to pass on some thoughts about just that, and this is what he shared.
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Have you ever looked to someone and thought they were a hero? What makes them a hero? Why do you look up to them? I am a physical education teacher at Carquinez Middle School in Crockett. I have the best job in the world. I get to work with young people in the very formative years of their lives. A time where they can forge a path for themselves, and follow it. When I started at CMS three years ago, I was asked by some students to help with the bullying problem that existed there. I researched it by reading everything I could find on bullies and how they tick. I talked to students who spoke of fear and loneliness, that they attributed to mean peers at school. They told me of the darkness and despair they felt because others put them down and made them feel insignificant. I was shocked when I found out how many people, in our country, commit suicide due to being bullied. As was seen recently in the NFL, bullying is something that is done by adults as well. I’ve since started an anti-bullying program at CMS that seeks to educate those doing the bullying. Not just punishing them, but helping them see what others feel when they are treated unfairly. When bullies see the wreckage they cause, they start to see the big picture. They try to improve their behavior. We had assemblies where we enlightened the school population as to how scared students can be. The anxiety they feel when thinking about coming to school. They can get physically ill when thinking of possible hurtful situations that could face them that day. We need to treat each other in a positive manner and want each other to thrive. Part of what our program tries to instill in students is that instead of dragging others down to look better, let’s just take care of ourselves by striving to achieve greatness through hard work and determination. Step up and let people know bullying is not okay. If more of us did this, life would be pretty amazing. Be the reason someone wants to be at school. Be the reason someone wants to play on the team. Be the reason someone wants to succeed. That’s something to work toward. In other words, be a hero. ✪
My idea of a hero is a student/individual who: ›› Helps a person with special needs ›› Takes time to talk to the new kid ›› Asks someone how they are doing ›› Stands up for those who aren’t strong enough to do so themselves ›› Makes sure others know that they care about them ›› Is a leader who sets an example that treating others negatively is wrong ›› Isn’t a follower when others are being treated unfairly To see a video on some of the work Dave Hobson is doing at Carquinez Middle School, go to SportStarsOnline.com/Hobson
If you’d like to be involved or want more information, contact Dave Hobson at davehobson23@gmail.com.
November 21, 2013
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November 21, 2013
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Welcome to Impulse, your one-stop shop for this, that and this again. It’s almost Thanksgiving which means the holiday shopping season started six weeks ago. But for you late-shoppers let us help you get the gift-giving spirit kickstarted. If you’re feeling generous, buy two and send one to Impulse. Remember: Tis better to give (to Impulse).
Charge it We all have the same problem: too much day, not enough juice left in electronic gizmos. People must know the latest LOLs on the Twitters. Enter the Birksun solar backpacks — reliable in social and emergency situations alike. The battery inside the backpack can be charged via the sun or a wall outlet. Never lose power again when you’re out and about. Too dang clever, too dang cool. Different styles, different colors. Get one. www.Birksun.com
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November 21, 2013
core grand opening If there’s one thing you should know about those of us at Impulse Global HQ it’s that we’re buff. But we couldn’t be all kinds of buff like this without our friends at CORE Performance (formerly Velocity). Dublin’s finest trainers can get you into our league in no time. Their grand opening is coming in December. Stay tuned and we’ll get you all the details. But trust us, you’ll want to be there.
lookin’ good Now, we’re all about looking good. For us, it comes naturally. That’s why we like the B-Skinz. Function and fashion. Boom. Everything from sports bras to headbands to tights and more. More than 125 rich hues and prints, you can be assured that you’ll be sporting a look unique to you. If you’re not clicking over to www.Bskinz.com right now, re-evaluate your life.
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November 21, 2013
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November 21, 2013
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1-To-1 Pediatrics..............................................................................................................28 All Out Sports League.......................................................................................................30 Army National Guard Recruiter...........................................................................................5 Athletic Placement Services.............................................................................................25 Big O Tires Northern California/ Nevada.............................................................................2 Bigfoot Hoops..................................................................................................................40 California Family Fitness...................................................................................................32 California Spirit Elite.........................................................................................................37 Cepeda Baseball.........................................................................................................36, 37 Championship Athletic Fundraising.................................................................................37 Cheergyms.Com...............................................................................................................23 Children’s Hospital And Research Center...........................................................................29 Club Sport Renaissance....................................................................................................31 Community Youth Center.................................................................................................38 Core Performance.......................................................................................................35, 37 Core Volleyball Club..........................................................................................................36 Crowne Plaza...................................................................................................................38 Delta Patriots...................................................................................................................35 Diablo Trophies & Awards.................................................................................................35 East Bay Sports Academy.................................................................................................16 Excellence In Sport Performance......................................................................................30 Fit 2 The Core....................................................................................................................28 Gregg Jefferies Sports Academy ......................................................................................22 Home Team Sports Photography......................................................................................35 Image Imprint..................................................................................................................33 Kangazoom......................................................................................................................35 Lone Tree Golf Course.......................................................................................................38 M L B Scout......................................................................................................................37 Made In America / Made In Japan....................................................................................26 Modesto Magic................................................................................................................36 Mountain Mike’s Pizza......................................................................................................13 Muir Orthopaedic Specialists............................................................................................34 National Scouting Report.................................................................................................36 Nor Cal All Sports Clinic....................................................................................................19 Northgate High School.....................................................................................................38 Passthaball.......................................................................................................................38 Play It Again Sports..........................................................................................................12 Pro Hammer Bat...............................................................................................................15 Rhino Sports Of Northern California.................................................................................20 Rocco’s Pizza...............................................................................................................20, 35 Sky High Sports................................................................................................................35 Sport Clips........................................................................................................................21 Sports Stars Magazine......................................................................................................17 State Farm Jimmy Harrington..........................................................................................14 State Farm Kelly Sopak/Lisa Truesdell..............................................................................33 Stevens Creek Toyota........................................................................................................26 Summit Orthopedic Specialists..........................................................................................3 Surewest Sports Show.....................................................................................................16 The First Tee Of Contra Costa.............................................................................................38 Tpc / The Pitching Center..................................................................................................15 Tri Valley Orthopedic Specialists Inc..................................................................................32 U S Cryotherapy................................................................................................................29 U. S. Baseball Academy....................................................................................................20 United States Youth Volleyball League.............................................................................39 West Coast Jamboree.......................................................................................................25
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