SportStars Extra Issue 61, Dec. 1, 2017

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SSX ISSUE 61 DECEMBER 1, 2017

TATIANA TOLEAFOA JAMES LOGAN-UNION CITY - VOLLEYBALL - SENIOR Toleafoa finished one kill off of her season high on Nov. 25 when she thundered down 25 in a fourset win over Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. and sent the Colts to their first CIF State Championship final. Toleafoa also posted 14 digs, 4 assists, 2 aces and a block in what would be Logan’s 40th win of the season. The Colts (40-4), who suffered a gut-wrenching five-set loss to Monte Vista-Danville in the North Coast Section Div. I championship, found new life as the top seed in the CIF Northern Regional tournament (after Monte Vista was placed in the Open Div.). Toleafoa has been the Colts’ consistent power source throughout the season. She entered the team’s state finals match against Santa Margarita-Rancho Santa Margarita (33-9) on Dec. 1 with 596 kills and 400 digs on the season.

Stay Warm At Concord’s Many Hoops Facilities

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s the weather turns cold and wet, the City of Concord is more than happy to invite you into its several warm and cozy gymnasiums to play some hoops — or maybe just watch some while drinking a hot cocoa.

December will mark the start of three busy months for Concord’s gymnasiums. First of all, Concord is home to six prominent high school basketball teams, including Concord High, Mt. Diablo, Ygnacio Valley, Clayton Valley Charter as well as defending North Coast Section boys champion De La Salle, and defending NCS girls champion, Carondelet. Many of these programs will begin their seasons during the last week of November and first week of December.

During the last week of December, from Dec. 28-30, a number of these schools will be host sites to the largest high school girls basketball tournament event in the country — the West Coast Jamboree, which in its 18th year will include more than 160 teams. In fact, Clayton Valley will play host to the tournament’s most elite bracket, the Platinum Division.

The City of Concord has been a proud sponsor of the Jamboree for many years, and continues its support as the host hotel location. If your team will be traveling to the Jamboree from outside the area, be sure to check out the Host Hotel link on the event homepage, WestCoastJamboree.org.

Concord’s support of the local hoops scene doesn’t stop at the high schools, either. The city is also a partner with the Ultimate Fieldhouse, a two-year old basketball haven located on the border of Concord and Walnut Creek. The facility sports four full-length state of the art basketball courts, a training center, team and study rooms. The Fieldhouse hosts tournaments, camps, leagues, training, shooting machine rentals, court rentals, birthday parties, drop-in play and more.

Notably, the Ultimate Fieldhouse was selected as a Jr. NBA Flagship Facility — one of just 15 in the country. It will host the Jr. NBA 3-on-3 League for age groups 10-13 beginning in January, as well as the regional playoffs in early March. Be sure to visit UltimateFieldhouse.com to view everything going on at the facility.

And once you’re exhausted from your many hoop outings these next couple months, you might just choose the couch for a night to watch the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. Well, Concord is a supporting sponsor of them as well.

So join us in our love of roundball and come visit our many houses of hardwood. ✪

GOLD HARVESTING

Gilroy’s Veteran Squad Is Poised To Make More Mat History

N

ested in the aptly-named Central Coast Section, Gilroy High is a short drive from the serene sands that border Monterey Bay. During dry summers, the ocean must beckon youth that seek an escape from the town of 55,000, known for its garlic, wineries and a few fleeting exits on Route 101.

It’s why the wrestlers who don gold and blue singlets for coach Greg Varela are a special breed.

“No one wants to train in June when the beach is 40 minutes away,” Varela admitted. “That’s the hard part, but they love being a part of the team, being recognized and getting the accolades.”

Those accolades will be measured in “oodles” this season.

Gilroy returns every wrestler from last year’s historic postseason, one that matched a school record for medals won at the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships (four) and set a record for team points accrued (297.5) and pins (37) at the CCS Championships.

The Mustangs sport nine returning CIF qualifiers and welcome three of the toughest freshmen in the state. The team dominates the landscape of SportStars’ first NorCal rankings, thanks to 10 individuals in the top four of their weight classes.

It will take three grueling months to find out what Gilroy wrestling is made of.

“We are excited because we have a lot of potential, but in the

Story by Ike Dodson | Photos by Doug Stringer

Tony Andrade

Daniel Vizcarra

Joseph Barnes

end, the rankings aren’t going to win us matches,” Valera said. “We are proud to be recognized, but it’s just the beginning.

“We have to put in the work.”

Gilroy’s lineup will adjust as the year progresses, but a team this good is going to find a way to send wrestlers deep into state brackets.

Incredibly, the 2017-18 squad has already posted 56 match wins at the CIF Championships.

Senior Alex Felix owns 17 of those, and will vie for his fourth state medal this year. He was third as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore and third again last year (all at 132 pounds). Felix could land at 145 or 138 this season.

Two-time state runner-up Nicolaus Aguilar is the consensus No. 1 in California at 120, and hopes to cap his prep career in golden fashion. He has won 11 matches at state.

It’s the same goal senior Tony Andrade chases after ending second in the state at 195 last year.

Junior Joseph Barnes, eighth at 160, also seeks the ultimate neckwear, this time at 170.

Sophomore Chase Saldate (126), junior Dan Vizcarra (132), junior John Fox (152), junior Nathaniel Villarreal (160) and sophomore Nicolas Villarreal (220) will seek their first medals after combining for 10 wins at state last year.

Gilroy’s elite freshmen are all packed into the lowest two weight classes.

Jayden Gomez, No. 1 in NorCal at 106, was decorated in state and national competitions in junior high. His sparring partners will include Victor Jacinto and Nathan Aguilar, 113-pound stalwarts who will wrestle challenge matches when only one varsity spot is available at competitions.

They are likely the three best CCS wrestlers at those two weight classes, so practice will be intense as the three struggle for leverage in the lineup.

“We are a family here, so even though they

John Fox

Nicolas Aguilar compete for the same job, they support each other,” Valera said. “Each guy gets better, and no one can just sit and relax.

“They are all hungry and train hard because they know someone will be training hard behind them.”

It’s exhausting work, but the program has a bevy of support. “Our administration and teachers support and recognize our kids,” Valera said. “It feels good to be a part of that and see our kids get the pat on the back.”

It’s easy to see why.

Gilroy has won the last 15 CCS titles. It’s no coincidence that streak began the same year Valera took the reigns of the program. He’s coached 10 individual state champions across that span and watched his wrestlers nab 43 state medals.

It helps that a few remarkable wrestling families call Gilroy home. Surnames like Fox, Villarreal, Kastl, Gonzalez and Penyacsek seem to roll through the roster every few years, albeit with a

Nicholas Villareal different face.

“Most of our team has had a brother or cousin come through the program,” Valera said. “It’s beneficial to us because those kids see the pressure they have to go through to get to that elite level, and then they begin their own journey with similar sacrifices.”

Valera said the alumni, many of them now college wrestlers, will come into the room and make the team better.

“Its that brotherhood, that family atmosphere that makes the little guys want to be like the older guys,” he said. “We have young kids who come in here still learning the basics and they get exposed to that.”

Gilroy opens the season at the Clovis West Shootout Dec. 9. The Mustangs finished runnerup to Clovis last year, despite titles by Aguilar, Felix, Andrade and Nathan Villarreal.

The Mustangs will also face elite competition at the Reno Tournament of Champions Dec. 15, the Doc Buchanan Jan. 5, The Temecula Battle for the Belt Jan. 12 and MidCals Jan. 26. The five tournaments are considered some of the best on the entire West Coast.

But Valera encourages a little play with Gilroy’s work. He said his wrestlers enjoy an assemblage of routines and superstitions that express the many personalities on the roster.

“These guys are as kooky as it gets,” he said with a laugh. “Some guys have certain shorts they have to wear, or T-shirts from a tournament they won in fifth grade they have under their warm-ups.

“They have all kinds of weird eating rituals.

We had a guy who hated peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but he won a big match after eating one once, so he ate them all the time for luck.”

It probably won’t take a special sandwich to achieve excellence this year, but just in case, don’t forget the Jif. ✪

2017-18 NORCAL WRESTLING RANKINGS Wrestling is pure and real.

No balls, no nets — just competition that puts the “mano” in “mano a mano.”

It’s why some things justa belong to wrestling, like the longing glance at a deep fried turkey on Thanksgiving, or the cutting voice of announcer Sandy Stevens before first-place matches at the California Interscholastic Federation state wrestling championships.

To hear Stevens’ trademark prequel to the greatest finale in CIF athletics — at least while your ASICS are still laced — you have to be the two best wrestlers in one of 14 weight classes, in a pool of nearly two million students across the most populous state in America.

This year, as elite Northern California wrestlers seek out the competition vital to their growth, SportStars will track the progress, aligning the best into rankings that (like the state tournament) encompass all enrollments.

Head-to-head results, tournament finishes, common opponents, 1. Gilroy (12 ranked wrestlers, 218 power points) — Only national powerhouse Buchanan-Clovis boasts a better CIF lineup than Gilroy. The Mustangs have 10 wrestlers ranked in the NorCal top four. Gilroy’s “B” team will out-point most varsity opposition throughout the year. Coach Greg Varela is looking at a historic season on the mat.

2. Oakdale (13-174) — Runaway favorites to win the Sac-Joaquin Section, Oakdale got a lot better thanks to four sensational freshmen. The squad also has elite upper-weight talent still competing in the CIF football playoffs. Expect at least 11 state qualifiers and several CIF medals.

3. Vacaville (9-105) — The Bulldogs have only a few medal favorites, but Vacaville always produces tremendous talent in time for the SJS Masters.

Vacaville is deep and could surprise the field with a handful of freshman wrestlers with strong club pedigree.

4. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (8-102) — The Trojans have moved up a proverbial fiddle position after consecutive years behind Folsom and Del Oro-Loomis in the juggernaut Sierra Foothill League. The Trojans have a bevy of talent across the weights and should finish in the top tier of SJS teams at Masters.

5. De La Salle-Concord (8-100) — The top North Coast Section program by far, De La Salle got a lot better when Kyle Parco transferred from San Ramon Valley. The Spartans have four in the NorCal top five and sport one of the best middleweight corps in the state. Expect this team to thrive in the postseason.

6. Del Oro-Loomis (6-86) — Del Oro wrestling fans were dismayed to learn two-time returning state medalist Antonio Lorenzo had moved to Southern California and joined an elite squad at St. John Bosco-Bellflower.

It got worse when returning state qualifier Willie Costanzo left the team, but the Golden Eagles have some tough freshmen and lots of returning talent.

7. Pitman-Turlock (5-79) — Isaiah Perez’s growth could inspire a “Stranger Things” episode. The 220-pound senior, ranked atop his NorCal weight class, won his first state match as a 113-pound freshman. He took two more from Rabobank Arena as a 138-pound sophomore and finished fourth in California at 170 last year. He will thrive, wherever he competes.

8. Foothill-Palo Cedro (6-78) — The top team in the Northern Section has five in the NorCal top 12, including returning CIF medalist Dalton

even match scores factor into our rankings. Northern California coaches also provided insight on their programs and projected lineups.

Since most teams still await their first contact, last year’s postseason finish and offseason accolades had a major impact on this list.

It’s how Gilroy freshman Jayden Gomez, who has never wrestled a prep match, is our No. 1-ranked wrestler at 106 pounds. Beating second-ranked Turlock junior William Giron at the California World Challenge in October has everything to do with that.

For our team rankings, Gomez picks up 20 “power points” with his No. 1 ranking in his weight class, and Giron 19. The points, complementary reverse to the rankings, help us decide the top teams in Northern California.

The team and individual ranks will fluctuate as the season progresses. To provide feedback and results relative to these rankings, email evmarketingandmedia@gmail.com. ✪ — Ike Dodson Del Oro’s Noah Blake

Lakmann. Foothill wrestlers have appeared in seven NS finals. Expect the Cougars to avenge last year’s runner-up finish to Chico in the NS finals.

9. Benicia (6-61) — A perennial Div. II SJS power, Benicia returns medal favorite Ryley Boutain and a deep squad to soften the blow of graduating brothers Fernando and Alejandro Lanza last spring. Benicia and PonderosaShingle Springs (five ranked) will overwhelm the Div. II field.

10. Turlock (5-60) — The seventh SJS team in the top 10 has some of the state’s best lower-weight and upper-weight wrestlers, but is a little lacking in the midsection. Brothers Brock and Mike Jeffus will be point-scorers this season as they pin their way through 195 and 285 brackets, respectively. William Giron is also a state medal favorite at 106.

THE NEXT 10: 11. Elk Grove (4-57). 12. Folsom (5-52). 13. LibertyBrentwood (4-51). 14. Evergreen Valley-San Jose (5-38). 15. Alvarez-Salinas (3-38). 16. Corning (4-37). 17. San Benito-Hollister (3-36). 18. Las LomasWalnut Creek (2-36). 19. Anderson (2-35). 20. Granite Bay (3-33). ✪

2017-18 NORCAL WRESTLER RANKINGS 106 POUNDS

138 POUNDS

1. Jayden Gomez, Fr., Gilroy (CCS) 2. William Giron, Jr., Turlock (SJS) 3. Richie Camarena, Sr., Lassen (NS) 4. Ahkil Vega, Sr., Cupertino (CCS) 5. Riley Hilt, Jr., De La Salle-Concord (NCS) 6. Blake Fredrickson, Jr., Lower Lake (NCS) 7. Andrew Calvert, Jr., Franklin-Elk Grove (SJS) 8. Evan Taylor, Jr., Folsom (SJS) 9. Brayden Abell, Fr., Oakdale (SJS) 10. Dallas Stevens, Fr., Del OroLoomis (SJS)

1. Ricky Torres, Jr., Oakdale (SJS) 2. Dalton Lakmann, Sr., Foothill-Palo Cedro (NS) 3. Ryley Boutain, Sr., Benicia (SJS) 4. Mikey Mello, Sr., Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (SJS) 5. Dwayne Guerrero, Jr., De La Salle-Concord (NCS) 6. Eli Blake, So., Del Oro-Loomis (SJS) 7. Simon Lopez, Sr., Silver Creek-San Jose (CCS) 8. Nahele Tonge, Sr., Elk Grove (SJS 9. Nate Paulson, Jr., Liberty-Brentwood (NCS) 10. Miguel Reyes, Sr., Cupertino (CCS)

113 POUNDS 1. Izzy Tubera, So., Pitman-Turlock (SJS) 2. Dakota Unpingco, Jr., FreedomOakley (NCS) 3. Caydin Wickard, Jr., Golden Valley-Merced (SJS) 4. Victor Jacinto, Fr., Gilroy (CCS) 5. Adam Arenas, So., Lincoln-San Jose (CCS) 6. Eric Sanchez, Sr., Silver CreekSan Jose (CCS) 7. Gus Petruske, Jr., College ParkPleasant Hill (NCS) 8. Christian Cabuag, Fr., Monte Vista Chrstn-Cupertino (CCS) 9. Matt Seto, Sr., Elk Grove (SJS) 10. Basil Othman. So., Benicia (SJS)

126 POUNDS 1. Antonio Margiotta (above), Sr., Las LomasWalnut Creek (NCS) 2. Chase Saldate, So., Gilroy (CCS) 3. Riley Siason, Sr., Everett Alvarez-Salinas (CCS) 4. Joseph Delgado, Sr., San Benito-Hollister 5. Lokahi Tonge, Sr., Elk Grove (SJS) 6. Teague Dilbeck, Sr., Granite Bay (SJS) 7. Dustin Chavez, Jr., Oakdale (SJS) 8. Noah Mirelez, Jr., Patterson (SJS) 9. Devin Holman, Jr., El Camino-Sacramento (SJS) 10. Jake Mora, Jr., Pleasant Valley-Chico (NS)

120 POUNDS 1. Nicolas Aguilar, Sr., Gilroy (CCS) 2. Brenden Jonson, So., Del OroLoomis (SJS) 3. Keanu Perez, Sr., Sonora (SJS) 4. Abel Pena, Sr., Watsonville (CCS) 5. Henry Porter, Fr., Oakdale (SJS) 6. Trevor Bagan, Sr. Analy-Sebastopol (NCS) 7. Seth Cheney, Sr., Tokay-Lodi (SJS) 8. Keena Turner, Sr., Red Bluff (NS) 9. Aaron Curtin, Sr., DowneyModesto, (SJS) 10. Eli Blackwell, So., Tracy (SJS)

132 POUNDS 1. Aaron Perez (above), Sr., James Logan-Union City (NCS) 2. Ricky Landeros, Sr., Orland (NS) 3. Angelo Martinoni, Sr., Folsom (SJS) 4. Kyle Parco, Jr., De La Salle-Concord (CCS) 5. Jose Fernandez, Jr., Upper Lake (NCS) 6. Daniel Vizcarra, Jr., Gilroy (CCS) 7. Jared Horstman, Jr., Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (SJS) 8. Jacob Peralta, Jr., Vacaville (SJS) 9. Tucker Ellis, Sr., Foothill-Palo Cedro (NS) 10. Elijah Clark, Sr., Fremont-Sunnyvale (CCS)

145 POUNDS 1. Alex Felix, Sr., Gilroy (CCS) 2. Peyton Omania (above), Sr., De La Salle-Concord (NCS) 3. Lawrence Saenz, Sr., Vacaville (SJS) 4. Jake Ryan, Sr., Oakdale (SJS) 5. Jackson Redhair, Sr., Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (SJS) 6. Daniel Woo, Sr., Pioneer-San Jose (CCS) 7. JT Stinson, So., Del Oro (SJS) 8. Anthony Velasquez, Sr., Pacheco (SJS) 9. Nicholas Bossert, Sr., Las Lomas-Walnut Creek (NCS) 10. Zac Hancock, Jr., Sutter (NS)

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE We rank the Top 20 wrestlers for each weight class. To see beyond each of these Top 10’s, visit SportstarsMag.com/category/wrestling

152 POUNDS

182 POUNDS

1. Johnny Fox, Jr., Gilroy (CCS) 2. Alexander Escudero, Sr., Sr., Los Gatos (CCS) 3. Jeremy Ridge, Sr., Acalanes-Lafayette (NCS) 4. Perez Perez, Sr., Windsor (NCS) 5. Anton Sta Maria, Sr., RodriguezFairfield (SJS) 6. Corey Williford, Jr., Foothill-Palo Cedro (NS) 7. Tyee Ducharme, Jr., Vacaville (SJS) 8. Anthony Martinez, Sr., GranadaLivermore (NCS) 9. Ankhaa Enkhmandakh, Jr., De La Salle-Concord (NCS) 10. Justin Hall, Jr., Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (SJS)

1. Adrian Chavez, Jr., Liberty-Brentwood (NCS) 2. Matthew Martinez, Sr., Alvarez-Salinas (CCS) 3. Quin Simard, Sr., Shasta-Redding (NS) 4. Matt Yang, Sr., Bella Vista-Fair Oaks (SJS) 5. Hunter Gonzalez, Sr., Rocklin (SJS) 6. Travis Carpenter, Sr., Bear River-Grass Valley (SJS)

(SJS) 8. Dallas Gutierrez, Jr., Gilroy (CCS) 9. Denzel Mabry, Jr., Castlemont-Oakland (OS) 10. Nolan Stabbert, Sr., Granite Bay (SJS)

220 POUNDS 1. Isaiah Perez, Sr., Pitman (SJS) 2. Victor Jaquez, Jr., BellarmineSan Jose (NCS) 3. Tony Rogers, Sr., Chester (NS) 4. Nicholas Vilarreal, So., Gilroy (CCS) 5. Dylan Amos, Sr., Casa RobleOrangevale (SJS)

160 POUNDS

6. Victor Moore, Sr., Calaveras

1. Bronson Harmon, Sr., Oakdale (SJS) 2. Noah Blake, Jr., Del Oro-Loomis (SJS) 3. Nathan Villarreal, Jr., Gilroy (CCS) 4. Byce Mattson, Sr., San BenitoHollister (CCS) 5. Carson Gause, Sr., Elk Grove (SJS) 6. Anthony Martinez, Sr., Eureka (NCS) 7. Kenny Saetern, Sr., Overfelt-San Jose (CCS) 8. Cole Chapman, Jr., Vacaville (SJS) 9. Jacob Solso, Sr., Roseville (SJS) 10. Alex Diaz, Sr., West Valley-Cottonwood (NS)

(SJS) 7. Victor Nash, Sr., Paradise (NS) 8. Antonio Gomez, Sr., Christopher-Gilroy (CCS) 9. Jacob Rhea, Sr., Del CampoFair Oaks (SJS) 10. Paul Banks, Sr., Placer-Auburn (SJS)

285 POUNDS

170 POUNDS 1. Joseph Barnes, Jr., Gilroy (CCS) 2. Dylan Valderrama, Jr., Yuba City (SJS) 3. Rodney Kincaid, Sr., Anderson (NS) 4. Gabe Martinez, Jr., Oakdale (SJS) 5. Russell Rucklos, Sr., Foothill-Palo Cedro (NS) 6. Jack Kilner, Jr., Granada-Livermore (NCS) 7. Carlos Jimenez, So., Evergreen Valley-San Jose (CCS) 8. Jake Farrell, Sr., Chico (NS) 9. Aalijah David, Sr., Durham (NS) 10. Ken Probis, Jr., Vacaville (SJS)

7. Kaden West, So., Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills

195 POUNDS 1. Colby Harlan, Sr. (above), Oakdale (SJS) 2. Tony Andrade, Sr., Gilroy (CCS) 3. Brock Jeffus, Sr., Turlock (SJS) 4. Justin Rentfro, Jr., Hilmar (SJS) 5. Kyle Richards, Jr., Folsom (SJS) 6. Brendan Tallent, Sr., Pitman-Turlock (SJS) 7. AJ Bicocca, Sr., Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (SJS) 8. Taniela Feliciano-Takaf, Sr., Fremont-Sunnyvale (CCS) 9. Dylan Ford, Sr., Jesuit-Carmichael (SJS) 10. Brian Avina, Sr., Gridley (NS)

1. Jake Levengood, Sr., Vacaville (SJS) 2. Jose Quintero, Jr., Alisal-Salinas (CCS) 3. Ryan Higginbotham, Sr., Modesto Christian (SJS) 4. Louie Penneck, Sr., Anderson (NS) 5. Griffin Dalske, Sr., Corning (NS) 6. James Touros, Sr., Red Bluff (NS) 7. Justin Ramos, Jr., Vista del Lago-Folsom (SJS) 8. Sione Langi, Sr., Mills-San Jose (CCS) 9. Jaysen Reindel, Sr., East UnionManteca (SJS) 10. Genaro Estrada, Sr., AmericanFremont (NCS)

I

n a one-school town where football is king, wrestling must wait patiently for access to royalty.

Oakdale’s Steve Strange, coach of the best wrestling team in the Sac-Joaquin Section, will miss a considerable chunk of his lineup as Mustang footballers execute another brilliant postseason campaign.

Counting its Dec. 1 section final against Manteca, Oakdale football has played 40 postseason games in the last 10 years.

If the Mustangs nab a repeat trip to the state bowl championships, football players won’t be eligible to wrestle until Christmas Day — of course, the only Saturday wrestlers have off.

Strange calls it a double-edged sword.

“It’s great for the school, town and atmosphere of the sports community, but we have probably seven to eight kids playing football and they aren’t wrestling,” Strange said. “A guy like Bronson Harmon won’t wrestle until January, and that hurts us, but it’s something we have to deal with.

“When I look at the football schedule, I figure we just won’t have those guys until the end of December.”

Harmon is an elite talent on the Mustang football team, but he’s also a twotime SJS Masters champion and returning California Interscholastic Federation State Championships medalist (fourth). He’s No. 1 in the SportStars NorCal wrestler rankings at 160 pounds, one of 13 Mustangs occupying the top-20 lists for 14 weight classes. That depth is why Oakdale trails only Gilroy in team rankings.

It’s also why the Mustangs are favored to win their second Masters title in school history this season. The Mustangs won four individual SJS championships a year ago, but finished third in team scoring — though they went on to be the top scoring SJS team at state.

Being the best in the SJS matters. The deepest section in Northern California sends at least twice as many qualifiers (six) to the state tournament than any other section in the north. Seven of the top 10 Northern California teams are from the SJS. Oakdale returns Harmon, CIF runnerup Colby Harlan (195) and two-time state medalist Ricky Torres (138). Jake Ryan (145), Gabe Martinez (170) and Dustin Chavez (126) also have a combined eight state wins under their belt, and will vie

Oakdale

IS NO One-Horse

Town

for their first piece of CIF hardware this season.

The three seniors of that group, Harlan, Harmon and Ryan, are prepared for the future. Harlan will wrestle at Stanford while Ryan and Harmon have signed with Cal Poly. Oakdale also has returning talent — namely Matt Kjeldgaard (285), Jorge Barajas (220) and Colby Golding (182) — with legitimate shots to reach the state tournament for the first time.

Then there’s the freshmen.

Brayden Abell (106), Clayton Bashor (113), Henry Porter (120) and Seth Borba (132) are heralded as immediate contenders in their weight divisions, thanks to an extensive year-round wrestling pedigree with Oakdale’s club team.

It’s a lineup with outrageous potential, and Strange has set the bar high.

“They give out four team trophies at state, and that’s our goal,” Strange said.

“This team is the result of a bunch of good kids that want to work hard, and we are proud of the group that we have, on and off the mat.”

Oakdale will compete in the Bakersfield Rumble for the Rig on Dec. 2 and host 27 teams at the 42nd Annual James Riddle Invitational Dec. 9. Among the attending schools are Northern Section stalwarts Durham, Shasta-Redding and Sutter. Golden Valley-Merced, Calaveras, Tokay-Lodi, Modesto Christian, Ponderosa-Shingle Springs and Patterson represent the best of the SJS competition in attendance.

Oakdale duals longtime state-power Clovis Dec. 29, potentially the first real shot for football players to see action.

Oakdale’s schedule also includes the Reno Tournament of Champions Dec. 15, the Doc Buchanan Jan. 5, Temecula Valley Battle for the Belt Jan. 12 and MidCals Jan. 26.

“With the caliber of wrestlers we have this year, we have to challenge them with elite tournaments,” Strange said. “Some of those guys would not be challenged all year if we did not go to those events.

“And now that they seed the state tournament you have to go out there and get those wins. Rankings are not just for fun anymore.”

And Oakdale isn’t just for football. ✪ — Ike Dodson

Tips On Making Yourself More Recruitable — And Just In Time

T

he fall season can be an emotional rollercoaster for an unsigned/uncommitted senior volleyball athlete (and for juniors in the same situation). As the author of CollegeVolleyballCoach.com, I receive numerous emails from volleyball families who are a bit panicked because college coaches are telling

them they are done recruiting, or not responding at all.

Families must remember that this is the most important time of the year for college volleyball coaches; the collegiate playing season. College coaches are trying to not get fired, to secure a raise, get a contract, or pushing for a great record so they have the opportunity to move up the job ranks, etc. While recruiting never ends, the coach’s focus is almost exclusively on the players in the gym and achieving the best pos-

sible season right now.

As the collegiate playing season comes to a close, the collegiate recruiting season starts. College volleyball programs will have immediate roster spots and scholarship positions to fill for seniors and juniors.

From NCAA Division I to junior colleges, injuries, academics, homesickness, playing-time issues or job changes can all create immediate roster spots and scholarship opportunities which may not have been available one month ago.

The active collegiate recruiting season begins in late November, when the collegiate seasons come to a close. Make sure you are ready to be recruited. ›› Be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center and have your NCAA ID number listed on all your recruiting literature/profile. ›› If you are a junior or a senior, have a current copy of your high school transcript and ACT/SAT test score ready to send to colleges. ›› Use the small window of time between the end of high school volleyball and the start of club volleyball to address any injuries or physical issues. Rest does not fix problems, it only masks them. ›› As a senior, you need to be at the top of your game early in the club season. College coaches are looking to make immediate recruiting decisions on seniors, so you don’t have time to play your way into shape. ›› Use practice to improve your weaknesses, but always play to your strengths in early tournaments: Show your best skills to watching college coaches. ›› Re-examine your list of outreach schools. If you have been contacting a certain level of program and no school is getting back to you, then it is time to adjust. Responses or lack of responses from a grouping of schools, provides valuable feedback. ›› Create a five-minute highlight or skills video of your most recent court time to have available for collegiate coaches. Don’t show clips/repetitions from September of your high school season, as it will be too old. Film the last matches of high school, or better yet, film the first few club volleyball practices. ›› Stay active in your outreach to colleges and communication. Roster openings will be occurring all through the holidays. Even though you may have already written a school, college coaches don’t go back through all of their emails when they have an opening, they respond to the next incoming email.

There is still time on the recruiting clock for seniors (and definitely juniors), but no more time to let slip by. Use these next couple of weeks to prepare for the opening of the collegiate recruiting season. ✪ — Matt Sonnichsen for NCVA

HOW WE SEE IT SportStars’ primary Sac-Joaquin Section contributors for 2017 weigh in with Div. I-III title game predictions. ›› DIVISION I: No. 1 Folsom (13-0) vs. No. 3 St. Mary’s-Stockton (11-2), Saturday, 1:45 PM (Sac State) JIM MCCUE: Folsom 42, St. Mary’s 27 It’s the Bulldogs’ turn for redemption.

IKE DODSON: Folsom 55, St. Mary’s 14 Bulldogs are simply step above the rest.

STEVEN WILSON: Folsom 47, St. Mary’s 42 Both offenses will be strong again, but Folsom wants revenge for last year. ›› DIVISION II: No. 1 Granite Bay (11-2) vs. No. 7 Del Oro-Loomis (8-5), Saturday, 7:45 PM (Sac State) JIM MCCUE: Granite Bay 14, Del Oro 10 Grizzlies’ defense is peaking; Golden Eagles’ latest Cinderella run is due to hit midnight.

IKE DODSON: Granite Bay 17, Del Oro 7 These games are won at point of attack, and Granite Bay sports perhaps best offensive line in the section.

STEVEN WILSON: Granite Bay 31, Del Oro 21 Grizzlies’ offense faltered in first half of teams’ previous matchup, and GB still won by a touchdown. No difference here. ›› DIVISION III: No. 1 Oakdale (12-1) vs. No. 2 Manteca (11-2), Friday, 7:00 PM (Lincoln HS, Stockton) JIM MCCUE: Oakdale 49, Manteca 45 It’s not at The Corral, but Mustangs will win a wild shootout.

IKE DODSON: Oakdale 32, Manteca 21 Manteca will be motivated, but Mustangs won’t look ahead, and Oakdale makes fewer mistakes.

STEVEN WILSON: Oakdale 40, Manteca 24 Manteca struggled to run ball against the Mustangs earlier this year. Look for Oakdale’s defense to come up big again.

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Follow us on Twitter (@sportstarsmag) for Div. I and II championship game updates and insight

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efore we dive into the story of Folsom’s potent Ngata brothers and their dominance on the football field this year, let’s dispel some myths first.

No, the Ngatas are not related to former Oregon and current NFL defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

And no, Joseph Ngata cannot *technically* fly. Okay, that one is a stretch, but he does try to hurdle defenders quite often, and he is one of the most-physically gifted receivers the SacJoaquin Section has seen in a long time. Just ask his coach.

“The physical specimen that Joe Ngata is simply doesn’t come around very often,” longtime Folsom coach Kris Richardson admitted.

“Sure, we’ve had some incredible guys play here, but Joe is a 6-4, 215-pound freak.”

Ngata showcased a glimpse of that freak ability on a 26-yard, second-half touchdown against Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills in the final game of the 2017 Sierra Foothill League slate.

After catching a five-yard out for a first down, Ngata turned up field, hurdled a defender and broke two tackles en route to the end zone. It was one of two scores for the talented wideout in the game as his team claimed a big, rivalry win.

“My role changes from week to week, but I just try to take advantage of the opportunities I’m given,” Ngata explained. “Sometimes, I try to open up the defense and take it deep, other times I am there to convert first downs and become more of a possession receiver. Either way, I’m here to help my team win.”

Whether he starts in the backfield on an end-around or fly-sweep, or he hauls in a big completion, when Ngata touches the ball, big things happen.

This year, he’s accounted for 18 receiving touchdowns and had another score on a 73yard reverse against Granite Bay. On 60 receptions, he’s accounted for 1,321 yards, which equals an astonishing 22 yards per catch.

When you ask opposing coaches, there’s no doubt. Ngata is one of the top prospects in the state for the 2019 class and that’s helped him collect double-digit scholarship offers already.

One such offer is from the University of Washington, where his older brother Ariel plays linebacker. He also has offers from Cal, Notre Dame, Utah, Penn State, Colorado, Oregon State, USC and Oregon. Every West Coast school wants him, but that decision is still at least a year away.

For now, he’s enjoying his first opportunity to play football with his younger brother and his third shot at a section championship.

Daniyel Ngata

“This is actually the first time we’ve played together, and it’s been great,” Joseph’s brother Daniyel Ngata said. “We have each other’s back and we encourage each other all the time.”

Although he’s just a sophomore, Daniyel Ngata picked up the Bulldogs’ playbook quickly. On top of late night study sessions with his brother, he’s had help from last year’s starting running back Brandon Rupchock.

“He’s my mentor,” Daniyel acknowledged. “He’s playing receiver, but he knows the offense really well, and that’s allowed him to play everywhere on the field. He’s been a big help.”

The youngest Ngata brother also spent time with rising star quarterback Kaiden Bennett, going over plays and building a foundation throughout the offseason and into the regular season. That work has paid off as he’s become Folsom’s leading running back with over 600 yards and seven scores.

Long before the terrific twosome took the gridiron together, they suited up in a different uniform.

Both brothers began their lives on a soccer pitch, playing the sport their father grew up enjoying. They eventually transitioned to the hardwood and took up basketball before a few family members saw their potential.

“Our dad was afraid of us getting hit, because we’re more of a soccer family,” Daniyel explained. “He grew up in Africa and soccer is huge there. But my cousins all played football and they convinced my dad to let us try out.

“It ended up being a great choice.”

Although he was primarily positioned as a defender in soccer, Joseph Ngata utilized his size and speed to take advantage of opponents at multiple positions on the pitch. That experience helped him develop his footwork and field vision for the gridiron. It also brought out the best in him.

“Playing soccer under my dad’s guidance helped us learn how to compete,” Joseph said. “We learned to be the best at what we’re doing, no matter what it is, just compete. That’s how we were raised. You are either at the top or you’re at the bottom.”

Originally from Reno, Nev., the Ngatas moved to the Folsom area following middle school to be closer to family.

They’ve made a name for themselves and their big-play ability helped the Bulldogs earn a 10-0 record in the regular season, their sixth SFL title and fourth-straight undefeated league championship. Now, they’re ready for redemption.

The Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game on Dec. 2 will be more than a grudge match against the team that knocked Folsom out of the playoffs last season.

It will be the eighth straight section championship game the Bulldogs have played in, the fifth at the Div. I level after three straight in Div. II. The team has won five of those seven games and will be looking for a sixth title with a win over St. Mary’s on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. at Sacramento State.

Last year, St. Mary’s ended Folsom’s hopes of a fourth successive championship by beating the Bulldogs 56-25.

“St. Mary’s is a great program,” Richardson admitted. “(Coach) Tony (Franks) does a great job there. We’re familiar with them after playing them the last two years — they got us once and we got them once — so we’ll go in and see who wins.”

Joseph Ngata thinks those past matchups will pay off.

“I know it’s going to be fun,” he said. “I just know that this is the time where you put your foot on the pedal and go. You don’t let up – you play fast and hard, this is the time.”

Throwing (and handing off) to the Ngata brothers has made Folsom’s offense one of the most explosive programs in the section this year. But the ball still runs through their quarterback’s hands on nearly every snap.

In the section semifinals, Kaiden Bennett tossed three touchdowns and ran for another as his team beat Jesuit-Carmichael 27-14. Those four scores

Kaiden Bennett bumped the junior up to a whopping 57 touchdowns this season — the most for the program since 2014 when Jake Browning threw for 91 and ran in 5 more.

“Kaiden is an incredible player,” Richardson exclaimed. “Kaiden Bennett and Joe Ngata are the two best players in the section — bar none. It’s not even close. And for Kaiden, he started as an already great player, but now he’s an incredible quarterback and I’m thrilled to have him.”

Bennett tossed one of those scores to Daniyel Ngata, who scampered 29 yards to the house on a screen pass to give Folsom a 13-7 lead. The younger Ngata suited up for last year’s showdown with St. Mary’s but didn’t get a chance to show what he could do. This year will be different, and he’s handling the pressure like a seasoned vet.

“It’s good to be here, but honestly it’s just another game,” Daniyel said.

“We’ve still got a lot to prove and a long ways to go.”

Whether they have one game, or three more, the Ngatas are ready for the challenge and they’ll have the support of their father at every game.

“I don’t think he’s ever missed a game,” Daniyel said.

Although they’re not dribbling past defenders and scoring goals on the soccer field, the Ngata brothers have made their father, and their family, proud. They’re on the precipice of the biggest game of their young careers and they’re both up for the challenge.

“Our dad says he’ll be happy if we’re able to get a scholarship and get a free education,” Daniyel said. “As long as we’re happy, go to college and be successful, he’s going to embrace it.” ✪ — Story by Steven Wilson Photos by James K. Leash

Redding Complex Takes Swing At Ballpark Replicas

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ver wonder what it was like to stare down the Green Monster in left field like Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams? Or call your home run shot like Babe Ruth in the 1932 World Series?

In Redding, kids and adults get to feel like they’re in the big leagues at Big League Dreams Sports Complex. The 30-acre sports park features scaled-down replicas of major league ballparks such as Boston’s Fenway Park, New York’s Yankee Stadium and Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Try to hit it over “The Green Monster” in left field, or feel the ambiance of the ivy on the outfield fence like at Wrigley.

Two more fields designed after Midwest minor league parks make for five fields.

Each venue contains electronic scoreboards, all-weather turf fields, lights and stadium seats to accommodate youth baseball, youth fast-pitch softball and adult slow-pitch softball. Take some swings in the batting cages and stop off for a postgame meal and a cold beverage in the Stadium Club restaurant — centered in the park so you can watch three games at once, your favorite sporting event on any of the 12 televisions, or just let the kids play in the arcade.

The athletic endeavors don’t stop at baseball or softball. The park also features a brand new playground structure, sand volleyball courts and a 20,000-square foot indoor pavilion to host indoor soccer, roller hockey, dodgeball and basketball leagues and tournaments.

It’s not in Iowa or heaven. It’s in Redding, the sunniest city in California, and it’s only a two-hour drive north of Sacramento and three from the Bay Area.

Play big at Big League Dreams in Redding, where your vacation will be a hit! ✪ — All copy and photos provided by Visit Redding

Escape The

FOOD POLICE Reasons Dieting Shouldn’t Be Among Those 2018 Goals nutrition: jill daniels The beginning of the year brings many new things: New outlook, a fresh start and new year resolutions. Many people set resolutions concerning their weight, eating habits or workout routine. Commercials and advertisements abound for quick fixes, promising excellent results and a thinner body. Family or friends or teammates can also contribute to this temptation to diet, as they flaunt their success with the latest, greatest program.

But before you go jumping on the bandwagon, take a look at the facts about dieting and the consequences it brings.

Dieting has a 97 percent failure rate. Yes, 97 percent. That’s really high. Dieters usually blame themselves when they can’t stick with their diet, but in reality it’s the diet that has failed them. If your mechanic failed to fix your car 97 percent of the time, would you blame yourself?

Or keep going back to the same mechanic? Of course not! We need to stop blaming ourselves, and we need to ditch the diets. They don’t work.

Dieting is like holding your breath. You’ll eventually gasp for air. Our bodies are control freaks, so if something dramatically changes in a short period of time (for example, your calorie intake) then your body will fight to maintain balance to prevent drastic weight loss. Your metabolism will slow down, your energy levels will decrease and your cravings will increase. Nobody I know wants to experience these consequences. If that’s true for you too, the solution is simple: don’t diet.

Dieting increases the likelihood of eating disorders, disordered eating and body hatred. Some of my clients innocently entered into the world of dieting, only to find themselves years and years later with a continually confusing and rocky relationship with both food and their bodies.

Weighing and measuring foods, counting points or calories, or following a restrictive meal plan are not needed for good health or a healthy weight. These are tools of the Food Police, which imposes lots of external rules, restriction and rigidity. Instead of dieting, we can tune in to our bodies and the wisdom we have there. We’ve been born with an intuitive eating system, so that our bodies know how to eat in order for us to reach and maintain a weight that is just right for our bodies.

Tune in to your body and note your hunger and fullness levels throughout the day. You can even write down information about your eating experiences, such as what you ate, when you ate, why (hunger, boredom, happiness, stress, etc.), where and how much.

Notice how you felt afterwards and make a mental note if you would change anything. Was it satisfying and energizing? Or was it miserable and stressful? Did it leave you comfortable? Or are you still hungry and unsatisfied? Noticing what works and what doesn’t work can help you know where adjustments can be made for next time.

This year, make a resolution to NOT diet. Instead, choose to follow your intuitive wisdom, so that you’ll be able to experience a more peaceful relationship with food, improved self-esteem and body image, and better physical and emotional health. Now THAT sounds like it will bring you a much happier new year! ✪ Maximize your performance by seeking out personalized advice from Nutrition Coach Jill Daniels, MS, RD, CSSD, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. www.JillDanielsRD.com