SPORTS

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sports.powwow@gmail.com October 2016

Sixteen and Counting Chatting With GIRLS GOLF

By SHAZIA PATHAN

Staff Writer chel revealed that “the team has a lot of great essary to be capable to handle the endurance and talent and experience,” the results of which strength required during the games,” explained have already been evident in the success of Cammie, adding, “It would not make sense if

When asked about her favorite memory the team during its summer tournaments an- we kept attacking and did not protect our own from the past four years, Girls Varsity Volley- throughout the school season. So far, the girls court.” The team similarly stresses the imporball player senior Cammie Dopke cannot recall are on track to achieve their high expectations, tance of staying strong for the season, as the a single favorite moment from her past team has already lost four years. Instead, she gushes that she two of its starting hitters and her teammates, “just talk and have due to injuries. Despite a great time...we have team dinners the team’s security in every Monday night...like right now!” its strength this season, The team is finishing up its League sea- these injuries add to the son, and already, nostalgia is hitting the constant uncertainty of players. This is no surprise, given the “having their whole team’s “strong bond and chemistry,” as dynamic change” decited by most of its players as one of pending on a key player the team’s biggest strengths. For the se- becoming injured. Raniors, though, it comes as a surprise how chel, however, is asquickly time has passed. Senior Rachel sured that “every girl Reedy confessed, “I keep reminiscing on [the] team is capable on the great moments and how fast it all of carrying her weight passed, just as I was told it would!” The and every girl is able nostalgic montages of previous seasons to play consistently,” are not detriments but uplifting remind- which takes away this ers, encouraging the players to “play all out, at every chance,” and, for seniors, to guide the younger players of the team. SMACK DOWN Junior Stephanie Yen jumps to guard against Glendale as senior Malia Carr and sophomore Hannah Ruiz prepare for the next play. fear for the most part. Beyond the scores and unde-

Initially, before Volleyball’s first league as they are currently 1st in League and hope feated status in their League, the players, game of the year, the team believed that play- to remain so for the rest of the season. After most importantly, are enjoying another great ing more offensively was the answer to solving some reflection on its own plays and the sea- year together, on and off the court. They are its weaknesses of previous seasons. Though the son ahead, the team has realized that defensive playing to their best ability and succeeding. team placed 2nd in Pacific League and made playing is essential “because that is what ulti- Thanks to the team’s early success, its confiit to the first round of CIF last season, two mately wins the game,” explained Cammie, dence is unwavering as it heads further into highly commendable feats, the girls want the adding, “It would not make sense if we kept the league’s increasingly competitive rounds. best and, as always, are aiming to place 1st in attacking and did not protect our own court.” League and ultimately win CIF. Where do the Outside of practice, the players are reli- spathan@apachepowwow.com confidence and great goals come from? Ra- gious in their personal workouts, as it “is nec- Photo by BRIAN SOONG

REMEMBERING JOSE FERNANDEZ

By JOCELYN HU

Performing Arts Editor

A MODERN LEGEND Jose Fernandez is remembered for his bright spirit and inspiring story throughout baseball history.

If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve probably heard about the legend and two-time state champion Jose Fernandez. Fernandez was a well-known American baseball pitcher who died recently in a boat crash on Sept. 25. He was born in 1992, in Santa Clara, Cuba and played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins for most of his career.

Beyond his record-setting career, Fernandez’s story is remarkable in that he almost never made it to America at all, let alone the MLB. Fernandez lived in Cuba for much of his childhood, until in 2005 his step-father defected to America and settled in Tampa, Florida. Fernandez and his family attempted to follow suit three times, but were caught and faced jail sentences each time. Fernandez ultimately spent a year in jail for attempting to leave Cuba.

The family then made another attempt to reach Mexico, and this time arrived safely. They moved to America and settled in Tampa when Fernandez was 16.

Fernandez did not attend college, but went to high school at Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the first round and signed on Aug. 15, 2011. His career started with the 2012 season at Single-A Greensboro. He was quickly promoted to Single-A Jupiter, led all of Marlin’s Minor Leaguers in wins and strikeouts, and was even ranked 2nd among all Single-A pitchers in wins and 5th in strikeouts.

In 2013, Fernandez became National League All-Star and the National League Rookie of the Year. He was the youngest pitcher and Marlin to appear on a 2013 Opening Day roster in history, as well as the first pitcher 20-yearsold or younger to allow a maximum of one run, three hits, in his first two Major League starts since 1965. He became the first pitcher to win awards twice in the same season since 2011, as well as the first pitcher to win in consecutive months since 2006.

As 2014 approached, Fernandez had his second Major League season cut short due to surgery on the tendons in his right arm. He missed a total of 14 months of baseball due to this Tommy John surgery.

Returning on July 2, 2015, he finished his third Major League season with a 6-1 record and a 2.92 Earned Run Average, which represents the average amount of earned runs a pitcher allows every nine innings he pitches. He recorded 79 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks. Even with his injured arm, Fernandez played well and broke even more records.

Sadly, this September, Fernandez died tragically due to a boating accident just weekends before the end of the 2016 regular season. The Marlins cancelled its next game, and teams throughout the MLB league honored Fernandez with a moment of silence and the display of his jersey. In their following game, all the Marlins wore his jersey for one final victory before announcing they would retire his number.

Fernandez left heartbreaking last words to his girlfriend right before he died, saying “I’m ready for where this journey is gonna take us together.” As one of the youngest pitchers to achieve so much and inspire a generation, Fernandez has left a great legacy to baseball.

By CHRISTIAN LOWE

Staff Writer

DREAM TEAM Freshmen Tiffany Lo, senior Jannell Lo, and junior Gabbi Lewis support each other on and off the pitch.

PGA Champion Arnold Palmer once said, “Success in golf depends less on strength of body, but more on strength of mind and character.”

For the members of the Girls Varsity Golf team, the wisdom in this quote is something they know will give them an edge over the competition. To them, getting into the right frame of mind is essential to success. I had the opportunity to ask junior Gabbi Lewis and freshmen Kate Villegas and Tiffany Lo several questions on what their visions, goals, and achievements for this year’s season. Here are a few of their responses:

What personal goals have you set for yourself to achieve victory as well as the team?

KATIE: I personally have three goals that I have set for myself and that is to win U.S. Amateur Women’s Golf, be on the Ladies Professional Golf Association and more importantly, to be top ranked within my division.

TIFFANY: My personal goal is to shoot evenly by the end of the year and just make the best of this year, which is going along pretty well at this point.

GABBI: My goal is simple—to gain more experience and make it further in CIF than I did last year.

What sets you apart from your varsity teammates?

KATIE: What sets me apart from any varsity golf members is that I work extremely hard and I take golf seriously because it’s what I want to do for a living and for the rest of my life.

TIFFANY: Experience sets us apart from each other. Each member brings her talents, experience and strategy to the game daily and how we use [those talents and strategies] sets us apart.

GABBI: What makes me stand out among my peers is that I put everything into what I do...I learn from my mistakes and improve upon them. As a team we have really good chemistry, we have a good time while also playing our best.

What exercise or nutrition do you feel is important to maximize your abilities?

KATIE: Golf and walking is my workout and [I] exercise every day!

TIFFANY: We stay in shape by walking 3,000 yards every match and practice. The team sometimes works out to build strength.

GABBI: Personally, I like to follow a healthy diet and work out on a regular basis. However, as a team we all work out to stay in shape.

October 2016

theapachepowwow.com

FOOTBALL 2.0

17

By ASHLEY LEE & CHRISTIE WANG

Staff Writers

arsity Football has united the AHS student body with its incredible ongoing season. The players have been on top of their game every step of the season, working their way around every opponent, adding to the books with each successful play. Their continuous success has brought them to high rankings in League, and their performance on the field has shown a true sense of unity among the team.

The football players practiced rigorously over the summer, pushing themselves to the best of their ability while eyeing a successful season ahead of them. They trained long hours every weekday, sweating in the intense heat. The coaches and players were determined to improve their game and had their minds set on going to playoffs and CIF. With the team’s positive efforts, we can see that its hard work has definitely paid off and its efforts to reach its goals have been growing closer as the season continues.

The team had a great start to its season, beating each team it played, adding to its winning record. Its season opener game against Bell Gardens ended with a score of 51-6. Even having played only one game, the team already showed that it had so much potential for the season. After winning its second game against Monrovia with a score of 22-21, Arcadia continued to extend its winning streak game after game, defeating Maranatha 21-14 and Pasadena 10-0.

The Apaches continued on with the winning streak at the Homecoming Game on Sept. 30, defeating John Muir High School (JM). Both teams had a slow start to the game, with the score at 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.

During the second quarter, with 8:53 left on the clock, JM scored the first touchdown of the game, leading 0-6. However, its attempt for a two-point conversion failed, keeping the score 0-6. Later, Arcadia turned the ball to Muir after its fourth down. Muir accepted the ball but fumbled, and Arcadia intercepted. With the ball in possession and just three minutes left in the first half, the players successfully made their way down to the goal line, scoring their first touchdown of the night. The score was tied 6-6. Junior Randy Lud-wig’s successful punt following the touchdown brought Arcadia to the lead, 7-6.

For the halftime show, the band members outdid themselves, playing their hearts out to “A Rose by Any Other Name: Romeo and Juliet” with Color Guard accompanying them. Both groups made AHS proud, amazing the roaring crowd with their skill, precision, and movement on the field during half-time. They had an extraordinary show, pepping up the audience with more spirit for the second half of the game.

Once the game resumed and the third quarter began, the Apaches lost possession of the ball, and JM came back out fighting, determined to gain back the lead it had lost. Too soon, Muir was on the 30-yard line with Arcadia on defense. Moments later, Muir made a touchdown, leading the score 7-13. However, its attempt at a punt failed, and the Apaches regained possession of the ball with 8:45 left in the third quarter. Sophomore Jahlique Stephens made a run for it, making it to the 35-yard line before being tackled by Muir. Arcadia scored its second touchdown of the night, leading 13-12 succeeding its punt. Arcadia’s defense tightened its hold on Muir, giving up only a few yards. By the fourth quarter, Arcadia was leading the game, scoring yet another touchdown with six minutes still left on the clock. Although there was time left, the game had already ended in Arcadia’s favor thanks to the crowd cheering the players on, and the support of their fellow teammates, leaving the final score 19-12. Defensive lineman junior Jerry Lu was “focused, excited, and tired” during the game. Jerry, along with everyone else, was “extremely happy because we are 5-0 and Muir is a really hard team to beat.”

Following the Homecoming Game, the Apaches played and won against Burroughs 37-27, improving upon their record and bringing it to 6-0. They continued on the following week and played against Burbank. Unfortunately, after an intense and competitive game, it fell short with a score of 16-26 and lost its first game of the season. Burbank moved into first place in the Pacific League.

The Varsity Football team has come a long way, and to have such a great start to the season is an achievement to be immensely proud of. They are confident of their future success. Junior Alex Kelliher said, “Our defense is really strong and I think it could lead us to a CIF title. If we execute the game plan, then we’ll get the CIF championship we’ve worked all year for.” Just as the defense line prevented Muir from scoring again, it can certainly take the team to its goals. The team has confidence in its skills to succeed and so do their fellow Apaches. With an already impressive season so far, the boys will certainly end the season on a high note. Good job to the football team, and best of luck on the rest of its season! No Apaches Down!

alee@apachepowwow.com cwang@apachepowwow.com

Photo by BRANDON CHEN

KING OF GOLF: ARNOLD PALMER

By COLLIN GAJA

Staff Writer

Arnold Palmer is thought to be one of the best golfers in history. Throughout his career, Palmer won a total of 92 championships, 62 of which were amassed in the U.S. PGA Tour. His story starts in the town of Latrobe in Western Pennsylvania. Palmer was the son of professional golfer Milfred J. “Deacon” Palmer, and quickly picked up the sport after his father gave him a set of clubs. When Palmer was around 11, he had already won the Latrobe Country Club’s caddie tournament five times. By the age of 17, Palmer had won two state interscholastic championships. This eventually led him to receive a scholarship to Wake Forest University, where he won three Atlantic Coast Conference Championships during his time playing. Sadly, in 1950, Palmer’s close friend Bud Worsham died in a car accident which shook Palmer to the point of quitting college during his senior year to join the U.S. Coast Guard. After a three year gap from golfing, he returned to play in 1954 and won the second of two consecutive Ohio Amateur Championships. That same year he earned the title of U.S. amateur and during that fall, he turned pro.

During Palmer’s career, he won many major tournaments such as the 1958 Masters BEGINNING OF A LEGACY (left to right): Legendary Masters’ champions Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player playing a course in 1963.

tournament. At the Masters, Palmer outplayed runners-up Doug Ford and Fred Hawkins by one stroke. But Palmer was disappointed about the win and stated, “It was deeply frustrating to me that I won the 1958 Masters, and nine other tournaments prior to that, and that I was denied the opportunity to collect Ryder Cup points for my play.” Though he was disappointed, he was able to be placed on a team in 1959 to play in the Ryder Cup, a biennial men’s competition between the U.S. and Europe. Palmer’s earliest win was in the 1955 Canadian Open Weston Golf & CC August 17-20. He won the tournament in the fourth round with a score of 70, and won $2,400 in the process. In his later years, Palmer was able to win another Masters in 1960, the U.S Open in 1960, one more Masters in 1962, and his fourth and final Masters in 1964. This final victory allowed him to become the first man to win four consecutive Masters in a row. During his fourth Masters, he won the tournament by six strokes on his 70th round and earned himself a seventh major victory.

Palmer retired from the professional scene on Oct. 13, 2006 due to dissatisfaction with his own plays. After retiring, Palmer helped found The Golf Channel and began kicking off the Master Tournaments until 2009. Sadly, Palmer tragically died on Sept. 25, 2016 while awaiting heart surgery. Less than a week after his passing, Palmer’s life was celebrated at the Ryder Cup with a moment of silence and tribute from the U.S. and European teams.

Throughout Palmer’s career, he had many major victories, such as the 1962 Open Championship and the 1961 Open Championship. His death left the world heartbroken as one of the best golfers in history left us. But his dreams will live on in the spirits of golfers, and his soul will live on forever in our hearts.