SS spring 2014 051214 pages

Spring 2014 VOLUME 5 NO.2

Where Are They Now? Six of the County’s Best

KATIE TREES NATALIE HAGGLUND JOSE VIZCAINO, JR. KELLY REEVES RACHEL MORRIS SAM BRENNER

FA L L

INSIDE: • Donnie Dee’s The Heart of a Champion • UCSD’s Ask the Jock Doc

• • • • • •

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SPRING 2014

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contents

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS SPRING 2014 VOL.5 NO.2

Spring Edition

8 Two Sports, One Dream for Duke’s Trees, Katie Trees: Duke and Torrey Pines * 10 The Passion for Peak Performance Drives USC’s Hagglund, Natalie Hagglund: USC and La Costa Canyon * 12 The Son Also Rises for Jose Vizcaino, Jr., Jose Vizcaino, Jr.: Santa Clara and Francis Parker; written by Caitlin McLain 14 The Report on UCLA’s Reeves, Kelly Reeves: UCLA and Cathedral Catholic * 16 The Perfect Follow Through for USC’s Morris, Rachel Morris: USC and Carlsbad * 18 Former Pirate Hits the NFL Gridiron, Sam Brenner: Miami Dolphins, Utah and Oceanside *

Spotlight Sports Magazine

Opportunities Available Send an Email With Your Contact Info to: jschwab@spotlightsportsmag.com Departments 5 The Heart of a Champion by Donnie Dee: Proper Perspective 7 Ask the Jock Doc; From the experts at the UC San Diego Health System - Sports Medicine

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

*Athletes Feature Written by Brad Hollingsworth

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Cover image: Natalie Hagglund, Photo Courtesty of USC Sports Information

>> FEATURE

Proper Perspective

By Donnie Dee

Have you seen the Direct TV commercials that start with a statement like, “When you pay too much for cable, or when your cable goes out, and you get stressed…?” What happens next is a display of consequences because of the unmet expectation with the cable company. These commercials are absurd, yet they communicate a point of what happens when we get frustrated.

This reminds me of youth sports today. There are unmet expectations in the world of sport, and it appears there are so many frustrated coaches, athletes and parents. Have you seen the way we act at games? Some of us have a dysfunctional perspective of the wonderful, powerful world of sport.

I want to offer some healthy expectations that will help eliminate the frustration and allow you to make the most of the opportunity to participate in sport.

I don’t share these insights as an expert, but as someone who has learned and benefited so much from being around sports all of my life. I have served with FCA, a sports ministry for the past 24 years. God has given me the opportunity to coach youth sports and play football in the NFL. My father played professional basketball for the Indiana Pacers and won a Gold Medal in the 1968 Olympics. My wife ran cross-country in college.

Our son plays basketball at USD and our daughter plays at UCI. I only share our family resume to hopefully establish some credibility with you that I have probably seen it all in sports.

My wife Jackie and I made a commitment early on that we would use sports to teach our kids. We knew the values learned in sports such as teamwork, effort, perseverance and vision would serve our son and daughter well in life.

So I offer five reminders for coaches, athletes and parents that are guaranteed to position you to experience great things in your sport.

1. The primary objective of sport is to have fun I believe God created sport for us to enjoy and for His pleasure. Every athlete needs to answer

the question, “Why do I play, and whom do I play for”? It doesn’t appear that kids are having fun.

It’s called a game, and it is supposed to be fun.

Coaches and parents, are you adding to or taking away from the opportunity for our kids to have fun?

2. The goal of an athlete is to be your best This is the most misunderstood expectation of them all. We think sport is about winning championships and college scholarships, and we make that the goal. Hanging banners and playing at the next level are the result, not the goal. Three percent of all high school basketball players will play in college. It is not likely that your son or daughter will play in college. I hope you are not frustrated if this expectation is not met. Enjoy the opportunity to play, and focus on being the very best you can be with the ability God has given you.

3. The responsibility of an athlete is attitude and effort If your circumstances are frustrating, then first consider your attitude and your effort. These are two qualities you can control and are critical in the development of every athlete. Colossians 3:23 tells us to do everything with all of our heart.

4. The purpose of a coach is to instruct and inspire Coaches teach the game and athletes play the game. You can tell a well-coached team by the behavior of the coach on the sidelines. Coaches, if you will teach athletes how to play the game you love so much and then empower them to compete beyond their natural abilities, then you will be successful.

5. The role of a parent is to provide support and encouragement It seems like the stands are filled with parents who want to coach. There are many parents who are frustrated by their son’s or daughter’s performance. Unless it has to do with attitude or effort, then keep your critical comments to yourself. It doesn’t help! For all the hard work, the sacrifices and commitment, our kids need our support and encouragement. They need to know we are incredibly proud of them.

I thank God for the blessing of sports. My life would be vastly different without the opportunity to participate as a coach, athlete and parent.

I would guess if you are reading this, then you would probably agree because of your own love for sport. Let’s commit to maintaining the proper perspective in whatever role you play.

Donnie Dee has been with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 20 years and now serves as FCA’s Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Home Office in Kansas City, Mo. As a Kansas City native, Dee played football and basketball for Oak Park High School and was a four-year letterman in football at the University of Tulsa. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and played in the NFL for two years. Today, Dee directs the daily ministry of FCA’s Home Office, which serves more than 400 local and regional offices that annually impact more than two million people across the country.

SPRING 2014

The Heart of a Champion

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>> FEATURE

Q

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

I hear that ACL injuries are common in basketball, skiing and other sports. Are there any good ACL injury prevention programs out there? I want to play hard, yet stay healthy.

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JD: There’s been a lot of literature and research focused on sports injury prevention, specifically ACL injuries. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in your knee helps to stabilize the knee during cutting and stopping maneuvers. Complete ruptures have a significant impact on an athlete’s ability to continue in sports or physical activity. You may frequently hear about ACL injuries occurring in basketball, soccer, skiing and other sports that involve rapid acceleration and changes of direction.

Amy Leu, DO, sports medicine specialist at UC San Diego Health System Sports Medicine says, “Some ACL ruptures or complete tears come in contact settings; however up to 2/3 of ACL tears occur when an athlete is landing from a jump, cutting, pivoting, accelerating or decelerating.” Since we’ve started collecting data on this kind of injury, it’s well known that non-contact ACL tears are 2-6 times more common in females than males. This may be due to a number of factors, including lack of muscular strength and control to keep the knee in ideal alignment and absorb the landing (not stiff-legged).” According to the National Athletic Trainers Association an ACL injury prevention program should include: stretching, warm up, balance,

strengthening, plyometrics, and quality technique correction, particularly during cutting, landing and sport-specific agility movements Current research tells us that one of the best ways to prevent ACL injury is to pay close attention to each athlete’s biomechanics. “Of all the many biomechanical variables that can contribute to an ACL injury, landing technique has the most predictive value,” says athletic trainer Kevin Messey, ATC. “At UC San Diego Sports Medicine, I work with athletes of all ages to identify specific errors in landing and athletic movement that contribute to ACL injury. I then use evidence-based techniques to correct those errors and return my athletes to play in a safer condition that ultimately improves their performance.”

Many of the exercises can be incorporated into a team’s routine warm-up.

However attention to form and detail are crucial for successful implementation of an injury prevention program. That means an athlete must work on skills that put his/her body in the best possible alignment until the those positions and movements become second nature.

Recommendations usually are to perform the program 2-3 times a week during the season.

A recent review article in the Journal of Arthroscopy reviewed the current literature regarding ACL prevention programs, and identified 3 programs that successfully reduced ACL injury when their programs were implemented.

These are: PEP (Prevent Injury, Enhance Performance), developed by the Santa

Monica Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation, Sportsmetrics, developed by Dr. Frank Noyes at the Cincinnati Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation, and KIPP (Knee Injury Prevention Program). Below you’ll find helpful website addresses: •Santa Monica PEP Program: smsf. org/smsf-programs/pep-program •Sportsmetrics: sportmetrics.org •FIFAA 11+: f-marc.com/11plus/ home •PEAKc: unc.edu/depts/exercise/peak Preventing injuries is an important goal for all organizations that support sports. However, when you’re moving fast and playing hard, it’s inevitable that some sports injuries will occur. Since an ACL injury tends to be one of the more devastating injuries in sport, it makes sense to develop a training regimen that puts you in the strongest position possible to prevent one in the first place.

I’m on the cross country team and I think my friend might have an eating disorder. She says that she’s a vegetarian, but she eats next to nothing, drinks only water all day long and won’t go out with us to get a bite to eat after practice.

She had a stress fracture last year, but she’s running again this season. What should I do?

Q

JD:Unfortunately, an athlete with an eating disorder is likely to deny it or be secretive about it. Some athletes begin restricting calories out of a sincere desire to be healthier or faster, but get sucked into an obsessive pattern of food restriction and fear of getting fat. Their list of “bad/fattening foods” gets longer and longer, they may train excessively to “purge” extra calories, and excessively criticize their body. A vegetarian diet can be a healthy choice if an athlete knows how to ensure that he/she takes in adequate calories, protein, calcium and other nutrients.

Athletes may not realize that there are serious negative health consequences when they create a constant energy deficit. The body needs energy (calories) and

key nutrients for training and recovery, as well as basic body functions such as bone metabolism, muscle repair, heat regulation and reproductive function. When the body doesn’t have enough energy to sustain itself, it begins shutting down certain body processes. In females, one of the things that can become abnormal is the menstrual cycle. An athlete with an energy deficit created by an eating disorder may start to experience irregular periods or lose her period altogether.

Amy Leu, DO, sports medicine specialist at UC San Diego Health System Family and Sports Medicine says, “It is no longer considered “normal” for female athletes to have menstrual irregularities. Sometimes irregular periods are an early sign of an athlete moving into the energy deficient state, and if evaluated and addressed early, devastating complications can be avoided, including stress fractures and impact on return-to-play.”

Another hidden consequence of an energy deficit is a negative effect on bone: athletes can start losing bone at the very

time in their lives when they’re normally building critical bone mass for the future.

An athlete may experience stress fractures or injuries that are slow to heal.

Eating disorders and severe body image issues are at the extreme end of a syndrome called the “Female Athlete Triad”. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xjvYTcMXE60 Males can also get caught up in excessive body criticism, overtraining, under-eating and abuse of muscle-building supplements, called the “Adonis Complex”.

A team of healthcare professionals, including a primary care physician, athletic trainer, sports nutritionist and sports psychologist, can provide needed support.

What can you do? If you suspect that your friend has an eating disorder, talk to your athletic trainer, team physician or coach. Approach your friend with a genuine concern about her health, now and in the future. Ask if she would be open to seeing a sports nutritionist or sports psychologist to improve her training diet and put her in the healthiest frame

of mind around her body and competition. Come with helpful resources. For example, UCSD has an Eating Disorders Program for adolescents and adults, so you could provide the website address or phone number: http://eatingdisorders. ucsd.edu/index.shtml (855) 824-3050.

Another helpful website is: http://www. nationaleatingdisorders.org/. Although your friend may not initially be receptive to your concerns, if there is a problem, YOU could be that first step in helping her tackle it.

“Ask the Jock Doc” is brought to you by the sports medicine experts at UC San Diego Health System – Sports Medicine. Let us help you get back on track. Call 858.657.8200. For answers to your sports injury or performance questions email jockdoc@spotlightsportsmag. com.

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SPRING 2014

Carlsbad

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>> SPOTLIGHT

Two Sports, One Dream for Duke’s Trees

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

See Katie Trees when she first was featured in Spotlight Sports Magazine

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Photos courtesy of George Jennison

College: Duke University Major: Public Policy with a certificate in Markets & Mgmt Studies Grade: Junior Sports: Soccer & Lacrosse High School: Torrey Pines

By Brad Hollingsworth

F

REE TIME IS A RARE COMMODITY for Katie Trees, and she wouldn’t want it any other way.

The enormously talented former Torrey Pines star in soccer and lacrosse has double-dipped at Duke University, and the lessons learned on the fields have been a dream come true.

“Playing two sports has been one of the best decisions I have made,” said Trees, who is now a junior with the Blue Devils. “I have gained so many great experiences that developed me as a person that have allowed me to make friends with so many wonderful teammates in soccer and lacrosse.

“Not many students get to play two sports these days, especially in college, and I get to enjoy two different sports that I love without having to choose between them. It has opened the doors to many different opportunities in my life.”

At Duke, Trees has battled injuries, forcing her to spend more time in the training room than on the field of play.

Still, she believes the college experience has given her numerous chances to mature that she may not have had if she focused on one sport.

“When you come to a school like Duke University or any other school where you are playing sports, it is not only about you, your team or your coaches - it is about the school, the community, and those who came before you and those who will come after you,” Trees explained.

“I have had to mature and take responsibility as a team member to always put the team first as I have had to watch rather than play in games as I am always wanting to be out there on the field.”

While the injuries have plagued Trees at times during her career, she has found the mental aspects of the game just as important when on the mend.

“The mental challenges are always

in play,” she said. “I focus on being disciplined and not allowing myself to get overwhelmed. “It is important for me to remember how special it is to have the opportunity to play two sports at Duke, as well as how much I like both sports in order to help keep it fun and not draining.”

Trees’ offseason consists of winter break between semesters, which works out to be about one month. Because soccer is a fall sport and lacrosse takes place in the spring, Trees has to keep things in proper order because the academic load at Duke is tremendous, not to mention the physical toll of being a Division I athlete in two sports.

“I just have to stay on top of my work constantly, so I do not get behind when my schedule gets extra busy because I am always in season,” Trees said. “The most unique challenge I have found is the ability to stay in the right mindset the entire year.

“It is very taxing on the body and mind constantly being in season and working towards a common goal to win a national championship on both the soccer and lacrosse teams. I rarely have a weekend off throughout the entire year.”

And when she does, Trees takes full advantage to act like a regular undergraduate at Duke. Since NCAA rules mandate that all athletes have one day off, she will catch up on any schoolwork and then relax, have dinner with friends, and even watch a movie or television show on her laptop. And during that minimal free time, Trees will daydream about San Diego and all its luxuries, especially the weather and Mexican food, not to mention family and friends.

“I am always three layers deep in clothes at practice when it is cold,” Trees lamented.

“I miss being five minutes from the sand, as well as homemade meals that taste delicious.

Of course, when it comes to Mexican food, no city does it better than San Diego.”

Despite missing all the comforts of home, Trees

believes that being 2,500 miles from home has enabled her to mature much quicker than if she was a short plane ride from Mom and Dad. “I have had to do things on my own, grow up, and make decisions for myself,” she said. “I can’t go running home to them whenever something doesn’t go just right in my day. I have had to make all new friends and move out of my comfort zone in many areas that I might not have done if I didn’t come to Duke.

“I have met people from all over the country and world and have been able to see so many different states and schools while traveling with my teams. I could not be more thankful that I chose to go to a school that was across the country.”

SPRING 2014

Katie Trees

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>> SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

The Passion for Peak Performance Drives USC’s Hagglund

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Photos by USC Sports Information

College: USC Major: Communication/Occupational Therapy Grade: Senior Sport: Volleyball High School: La Costa Canyon

By Brad Hollingsworth

N

ATALIE HAGGLUND looked fear in the face and did her trademark stomp all over it.

Five years ago, Hagglund was an All-American outside hitter for La Costa Canyon with her signature on a scholarship to USC, but she knew that to be successful the 5-foot-9 Hagglund would have to switch from the sport’s most eye-catching position to the most unglamorous spot - libero.

Outside hitters are the main point scorers in the sport with their thundering spikes that draw the eyes and ears of everyone in the gym, while liberos are measured in accountant-like passing numbers and floorburns.

However, Hagglund knew nearly a half-decade ago that succeeding at the highest level, she would have to leave her ego at the door and dive on the floor - a lot.

“Changing positions was an amazing, yet scary decision,” she explained. “I knew that if I wanted to be an outside hitter, I would have to go to a smaller school and wouldn’t necessarily be competing for a national championship. I knew that if I were to branch out and play a new position I could be playing at a higher level and would be competing for a national championship.

“It was a scary decision because it was uncomfortable and I had never played the position before. I had no idea if I would be successful or if I would enjoy the position.”

Such a thought became a reality as Hagglund established herself as the best libero in USC’s storied volleyball history.

A three-time All-American, Hagglund looked as if she had played the position for her entire career and, by all accounts,

will find herself on the U.S. National Team competing at the international level.

“Making the switch was very unique because I was used to scoring and had to learn to cope with the fact that my position (libero) wouldn’t necessarily have an overall impact on a point being scored.

“The hardest part about the transition was the mental aspect of the game. I had to come to the gym with a who new mindset knowing that I could impact the game by making saves and being consistent.”

One thing that didn’t change in Hagglund’s game was her competitive fire that burns like the surface of the sun.

Anyone who watched her during her club and high school days were drawn to that raspy voice and boundless energy.

“The fire that I have on the court just comes from my drive and passion to not only win, but to play in a way that helps my teammates’ performance,” she said. “I noticed that my passion makes me a better player and contributes to some of my peak performances. More importantly, it gives my teammates something to thrive on.”

Even with all that enthusiasm, training with the national team is all about consistency and those that can withstand that pressure get on the court. So far, Hagglund has held her own after just six months training with the best in the sport.

“The level of play is just so much higher,” said Hagglund, who hopes to make the roster for a series of international summer tournaments. “You can’t skip one rep or check out for one point because the girls you are playing with and against are too fast and physical. You

always have to be mentally engaged and mindful.”

Hagglund has some friendly faces on the court that can help her when her confidence gets shaken. She played her entire club career with Kelly Reeves (Cathedral Catholic/UCLA) and good portion of it with Lauren Plum (Poway/Oregon), so it looks like a practice when those girls were all kneepads and ponytails.

“Kelly, Lauren and I have been close for a real long time,” Hagglund said.

“Even when we were 12 years old, I knew that those two were going to go far and succeed at the highest level. It really is incredible to get this opportunity to try out for the national team, but it makes it even more special to be enjoying this journey with two of your best friends.”

With her college career in the books, Hagglund can concentrate her full attention on volleyball, which is in stark contrast to being on a college campus and trying to find time for classes and the pursuit of conference and national titles.

“Balancing schoolwork, volleyball and a social life is extremely difficult, but it is something you learn over time,” Hagglund said. “You learn to manage your schedule and track when your games are, when you have to study, and when your homework is due, so you can do it all in advance.”

Right now, it is volleyball 24-7.

“If I can be the best version of me all the time, then I can start thinking about long-term goals like overseas play and the Olympics.”

And that transition will be a lot easier than the last one. You can stomp on that.

SPRING 2014

Natalie Hagglund

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> SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

The Son Also Rises for Santa Clara’s Jose Vizcaino, Jr.

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Game Photos by Don Jedlovec

College: Santa Clara Grade: Sophomore Sport: Baseball Major: Business High School: Francis Parker Height: 6-2 Weight: 215

By Caitlin McLain

J

OSE VIZCAINO, JR. always had

a love for baseball. He started playing when he was five years old and has been greatly influenced by his father Jose Vizcaino who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball. His father instilled in him a love for the sport and taught him a lot about the mental side of the game. Vizcaino Jr. remembers wearing Dodgers and Yankees uniforms to support his dad and recalls his very first baseball game, “I didn’t know what to do,” Vizcaino Jr. said.

Vizcaino Jr. attended Francis Parker High School and during his four years there played baseball. His

most memorable experience on the field was during the CIF playoff game his junior year. “I hit a home run and ended up tying the score, and we went on to win the game.

“Academically Francis Parker prepared me. With baseball I am thankful for my teammates and good role models especially the coaches, they prepared me to play ball at Santa Clara. In college there is a lot more commitment to the sport. I have to train to be bigger, faster, and stronger as well as slow the game down mentally,” Vizcaino Jr. said.

After his senior year of high school Vizcaino Jr. was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, however he turned them down and decided to attend Santa Clara for college. “I knew I was too immature and I wasn’t ready for the minor leagues. I wanted to further my education, attend college, and get my degree as well as develop as a man on and off the field,” VizcainoJr. said.

Ultimately Vizcaino Jr. chose Santa Clara not only for their baseball program and coaching staff and being able to play ball right away, but also because of the school of business.

When preparing for the season aca-

demics come first for Vizcaino Jr. then of course practice, practice, practice which helps him further develop and improve his game. “I am mentally focusing on the little things before the season and as a team we are work on building team chemistry. During the down time of a game such as between pitches and innings, I think and breathe to get my nerves out. The rest I just leave to my instincts when I am up to bat or on the field ” Vizcaino Jr. said.

Vizcaino Jr., who plays both third base and outfield, has high hopes for achieving his dreams and playing for Major League Baseball after college. “Making it to the show would be unbelievable. I’ve always been a Dodgers fan and hope to play for them one day because they gave my dad an opportunity to play for them.”

Photo by Denis Concordel

SPRING 2014

Jose Vizcaino, Jr.

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>> SPOTLIGHT

The Report on UCLA’s Reeves

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

See Kelly Reeves when she first was featured in Spotlight Sports Magazine

14

Photos courtesy of UCLA Athletics

College: UCLA Grade: Senior Major: History Sport: Volleyball High School: Cathedral Catholic

By Brad Hollingsworth

T

O GET SOME INSIGHT into Kelly Reeves, all you have to do is hop on a computer and check out the UCLA athletics website and find the “Reeves Report.”

Once there, you will see Reeves with a microphone and a camera bouncing around the Westwood campus interviewing her volleyball teammates, commentating on her team’s games and giving outsiders an inside look of the school and its legendary athletic program.

The takeaway from the “Reeves Report” is that Kelly loves her school and loves playing volleyball at the highest level. She’s the human version of an energy drink and you can’t help but get fired up after talking with her.

“I want to give a shout out to (producer) Ralph Irvin because without him the Reeves Report would not have existed,” Reeves said. “What I enjoyed most about the show was having an opportunity to recap not only our weekend matches, but also telling stories about our team and showing behind the scenes of Division I athletes on the road. There was never a dull moment on the show and each episode was really fun.

“What I learned from the show was to be yourself when being in front of the camera and to have fun with it.

I also learned not to over think about what to say and take my time when I would explain how each weekend went.”

Reeves, an All-Pac 12 performer, couldn’t have more fun on the volleyball court. The former Cathedral

Catholic star played a key role in the Bruins’ 2011 National Championship run; however, that was only a small part of what Reeves took away from her time at UCLA. “I think what made my UCLA experience so awesome were the memories that I shared with my teammates and friends within the athletic community,” she said. “It was such an honor to represent not only UCLA volleyball, but also the UCLA community.”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Reeves fit so smoothly into the UCLA family. After all her mother, Jeanne, is a UCLA Hall of Famer who was named one of the 25 best volleyball players in school history, but Kelly never felt any pressure to follow her mother or even attend the Pac-12 school.

“I mean I grew up going to a lot of UCLA sporting events while I was young, but that was by no means the sole reason why I chose UCLA,” Reeves said. “Going through the recruiting process in high school, I kept my options and looked at other schools. In fact, my mom and dad encouraged me to look at other schools.

“But when it came to making a decision, UCLA was he place that felt like home for me and a place where I could make my own path. I never felt like I was trying to be my mom as a player or recreate her career, but I just wanted to be the best Bruin I could be.”

With her college career over, Reeves has been fortunate enough to train with the U.S. National Team in Anaheim, where the competition is fierce and expectations are

greater than that. Reeves wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Training with the national team has been an unbelievable experience so far,” Reeves said. “This is probably one of the coolest experiences and I love it. Our days are pretty long, but each day offers a new opportunity to find ways to better your overall game.

“I think the biggest thing I have learned is to be open to change, especially with technique and taking chances of going outside your comfort zone to try new things that make you uncomfortable, but knowing it will make you better.”

Reeves has some friendly faces in Natalie Hagglund (USC) and Lauren Plum (Oregon) on the practice court.

The trio competed with and against each since they were pre-teens, from local courts to the Pac-12. Now, those rivalries have softened and the friendships have been rekindled.

“It’s pretty awesome that the three of us are in the same gym and are playing with each other again,” Reeves said. “We all have had our different college experiences and have been battling against each other. We are all very excited and proud to be a part of USA volleyball and are hoping for a possibility to one day go to the Olympics.”

And it wouldn’t be shocking for Reeves to have a microphone or camera along for the ride.

SPRING 2014

Kelly Reeves

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>>SPOTLIGHT

The Perfect Follow Through for USC’s Morris

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

Read about Rachel Morris when she first was featured in Spotlight Sports Magazine

16

Photos courtesy of USC Sporrts Information

College: USC Grade: Senior Major: Business/Finance Sport: Golf High School: Carlsbad

By Brad Hollingsworth

W

HEN YOU PLAY an indi-

vidual sport like golf, it often pays off to listen to that “little voice” in your head. Sure it will try to play tricks once in a while, yet when you’re standing over a six-foot putt it will guide you straight into the cup.

So, when Rachel Morris decided to finish her college career at USC and then pursue a career with Goldman Sach’s finance division this summer, instead of hitting the professional golf tour, you had to know that she listened to her little friend between her ears.

“The thing I learned most about myself from being at USC is how to self-reflect,” said Morris, who starred at Carlsbad High. “I’ve learned to recognize my weaknesses and improve them, as well as how to give myself positive feedback for what I do well.

“As much as I love golf, I am really looking forward to this new phase in my life. I do plan to continue playing competitively as an amateur and compete in various national events.

I will always be a fierce competitor and enjoy the thrill of competing - it’s kind of ingrained in me.”

Morris is an All-Pac-12 player who has led the Trojans to three topfive finishes, including a National Championship, and two league titles.

As an individual, Morris finished in the top-20 and would like to improve on that in this season’s NCAA championships.

“My personal goal for the remain-

der of this season is to stay in the moment and enjoy my final semester as a collegiate athlete,” she said. “This is a truly an amazing opportunity and school to be a part of. I want to soak everything as much as possible.”

Morris dominated the high school scene with the Lancers; however, she knew there would have to be changes to her game if she wanted to be successful in college, where the game is vastly different than the local tracks around San Diego County.

“Since high school, my game has really gone to the next level,” Morris explained. “I was fortunate enough to find a really talented swing coach, Jim Gromley in Palos Verdes. He works with numerous LPGA players and has helped me improve my swing and consistency. I have also gotten a lot stronger physically due to our workouts at USC.” That wasn’t the only transition for Morris, who had to balance a full course load with her athletic com-

mitments. It took some time, but she figured things out like a tough shot from the bunker.

“It first starts with understanding your priorities,” she said. “For me, this meant academics first and then golf.

In a way though, I feel being so busy has the added benefit of making you more productive.”

Morris had to take the same organizational strategies from the library to the course to play for one of the best programs in the country year after year.

“There is so much more competition at the college level,” Morris said.

“It takes a while to take your game up a notch, get comfortable playing with older players, and improve your consistency. It’s not enough to have a few good rounds throughout the season - you have to be on and competitive week after week, especially in the spring and postseason.

Even though she may be leaving the ultra-competitive college world, Morris will still chase the little white ball around the course.

“Golf is still extremely difficult for me,” she said. “I think it will be more no matter what level you are. The reason is because your expectation of ‘good’ keeps rising. I still love golf and feel like I always will. I am by far addicted to the sport.”

SPRING 2014

Rachel Morris

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>>SPOTLIGHT

Sam Brenner College: Utah Major: Communications Sport: Football High School: Oceanside

By Brad Hollingsworth

A

LITTLE MORE THAN a

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

year ago, Oceanside High alum Sam Brenner was just another San Diego County standout, who put together a solid college career and was hoping for a chance everyone dreams of - playing on Sundays.

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Now, Brenner is living out his dream with the Miami Dolphins and with some good fortune found him playing in seven games and starting the final four. As the 6-foot-2, 310-pounder prepares to battle for a spot in his second season, Brenner believes it all started back when he was a 15-year-old sophomore trying to make the Pirates’ varsity.

“Being at Oceanside was really just the foundation about what it means to be a football player,” Brenner said.

“It was where I got my start and put in the hard work on the field working on my technique and lifting weights.

That strong foundation helped me get

where I am now.”

Brenner was an undrafted free agent with Miami and was one of the last players cut from the 54-man roster. However, he was signed to the practice squad and remained there until the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin incident erupted. With all the roster upheaval and injuries, Brenner found himself on the active roster and contributing to the Dolphins, who were in the playoff hunt until the season’s final week.

“It is not the way to get a shot, but it made it possible for me,” Brenner said. “It gave me a chance to play and start. I didn’t know who was coming or going to takeover, so I just kept playing.

“This year is different because I have played in NFL games and made a roster. I don’t have the jitters. I just want to take my game to the next level and take the next step as a player.”

Such comments come as no surprise to veteran Oceanside High offensive line coach Rick Gerardi. The former UNLV lineman knew Brenner had all the qualities needed to a be professional when he first stepped foot on the OHS campus. For Gerardi, it was more than the physical gifts that put Brenner in an elite class.

“He was a great player for us,” Gerardi remembered. “He had a great work ethic and was mean and nasty on the field in a good way. He was always a tough guy.

“Sam was never overwhelmed by the moment and has handled the pressure ever since he started on the varsity as a sophomore. He always played his best in the big games.”

Brenner went to Utah where he played guard and tackle and earned second-team All Pac-12 honors as a senior. Before the draft, Brenner put in months of training to get his body ready for the rigors of professional football, but he knew that the mental game would be his ticket.

Continued on Page 20

SPRING 2014

Former Pirate Hits the NFL Gridiron

Photos courtesy of Miami Dolphins

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>>SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

Photo courtesy University of Utah

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“You meet with different teams and it is like the job interview of your life,” Brenner said. “I did real well and I think that helped me get on a team.

I just kept thinking what I was going to do: learn the system, adjust to the players in the locker room and get my mind right.”

Gerardi knew that Brenner’s competitive nature and attention to detail could be a deciding factor for him… and he was right.

“Sam was always very persistent.

He always worked on the finer points of the game,” Gerardi said. “He had a ferocity that he didn’t want to get beat.

He even taught himself how to snap the ball and his first snap in a competitive situation was in an NFL game.”

Even with all that preparation, nothing could ready Brenner for his first NFL start against his hometown San Diego Chargers. He admitted that the night before the butterflies were migrating to his midsection, but then Brenner began talking to himself.

“The game isn’t any different if you take out the talent and ability of the players,” Brenner said. “Hey, it’s just football and something I’ve done since I was 14 years old. I had that go through my head and then the next

day, I was pretty calm and ready to go.”

And he has never looked back; he doesn’t have time if he wants to continue living the dream of anyone who has worn an Oceanside High uniform.

Photo courtesy of Eileen Malik

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