Viking Volume 2 Issue 1 - Fall Stars by The Viking Magazine

/ H W· H P

HD W FD N H Located in Palo Alto’s Town and Country 855 El Camino Real - Suite #104 650-322-3601

Volume 2 Issue #1 October 2008 Staff List Editors-in-Chief Charlie Avis Peter Johnson Noah Sneider Adam Zernik Section Editors Oliver Davies Cassie Prioleau Ahna Rao Elizabeth Scott Photo Manager John Christopherson Photo Staff Charlie Avis Malaika Drebin Design Editors Varun Kohli Noah Sneider Copy Editor Christine Chang

Business Managers Greg Stewart Matthew Tracy Staff Sana Bakshi Sophie Biffar Hanna Brody Ben Brown Chase Cooper Liza Dernehl Malaika Drebin Emily Fowler Lauren Hammerson Wade Hauser Hana Kajimura Ashkaan Khatakhotan Brendon Rider Marco Scola Allison Shorin Spencer Sims Kylie Sloan Scott Witte

Adviser Ellen Austin Viking Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301 650-329-3837 Email contact: theviking08@gmail.com Letters to the editor The Viking, a sports magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advanced Magazine Journalism class, is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its readership. The Viking is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. The staff welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Advertising in The Viking The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s audience. For more information about advertising with The Viking, please contact the The Viking by e-mail at theviking08@gmail.com or call 650-329-3837 for more information. Printing services The Viking is printed seven times a year by Fricke-Parks Press in Fremont, Calif.

FALL PREVIEwS

The L

October

27 | GIRLS’ TENNIS

11 | 7 THINGS AbOuT SHAVING LEGS

Volume II,

28 | FOOTbALL

14 | 10 q’S wITH JEREMY KIM 15 | INSIDE THE MIND OF DAVID VALENCIA

PAGE

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photo credits (clockwise from top left): spencer sims, john christopherson, malaika drebin, john christopherson

OFF CAMPuS

17 | MAKING HISTORY The story of the magical run of the Palo Alto Babe Ruth 14-year-old all-star team... 20 | GIVE AND TAKE Stanford football’s starting center Alex Fletcher sits down with The Viking’s Marco Scola... 22 | SuMMER RECAP A look back at the major athletic events of the summer of 2008... 35 | bIKER bOY Senior (and The Viking editor-in-chief) Charlie Avis is not only a star for the Vikings crosscountry team, but also a world-class cyclist and US national team rider...

17 |

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27 |

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Lineup

REMEMbERING

ber 2008

56 | KING bREwER The Viking remembers a Paly legend

e II, Issue 1

THE LAST wORD 62 | wHAT A SuMMER Ben Brown’s debut column for The Viking

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34 |

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49 |

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56 |

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62 | 64

FEATuRES

PROFILES

34 | IN THE bRAIN An inside look at what’s going on inside the brain of an athlete, along with tips for you to improve your performance....

49 | LOCKDOwN CORNERS Seniors Harry Woolson and Paul Brown are the keys to a formidable Vikings defense

39 | FANTASY SPORTS The ins and outs of the world of fantasy sports are a mystery to many. The Viking explains...

54 | ATTACKING THE NET Sophomore Emma Marti brings a passion for the game and a powerful stroke to the Paly courts

42 | NEw KIDS ON THE bLOCK A look at a number of Paly’s newest athletes 44 | FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Some play to win. Some play for the glory. Others simply play to be a Viking...

Opinion

Staff View The Wrong Discussion: What really matters about Freshman Friday Controversy over Freshman Friday has recently boiled into the latest and greatest disagreement between Paly students, parents and administration. After numerous upperclassmen subjected the incoming freshmen to egging, water ballooning, pantsing and paddling on Friday, August 29, the administration responded by suspending 18 upperclassmen who admitted to or were caught in the act of hazing. The articles about Freshman Friday posted on The Paly Voice in early September were flooded with comments from students and parents alike, many of whom defended the suspended students and badmouthed the administration for its “rash decision” to punish students for following a longstanding tradition. The administration held firm that students knew the rules of the school, as stated in the Paly handbook. Principal McEvoy claimed that the events of Freshman Friday had taken her by surprise - a statement that turned into yet another contentious, widely discussed story on The Paly Voice. Two of Paly’s news publications, The Paly Voice and The Campanile, have done a thorough job revealing details regarding the situation, and there is a discussion to be had about the administration’s handling of it. What has been lost, however, is the issue of why the upperclassmen felt they could treat their fellow students so poorly without consequence. Upperclassmen on campus, especially seniors, have the same role as veterans on sports teams. They are the captains, the quarterbacks, the point guards and ultimately the leaders. When they choose to take the wrong actions, their negative influence affects the rest of the team in

a way that only hurts it. The parallels between hazing in Paly sports, which The Viking covered extensively last year, and Freshman Friday are unmistakable - older students physically abuse younger students to establish seniority. The conversation about Freshman Friday has been headed in the wrong direction from the start. The initial reaction to the events of August 29 should have been, “Why do the leaders on campus feel it is OK to intimidate and hurt younger students when they should be welcoming them to the Paly community?” rather than the more frequent, “How could the administration possibly be punishing us for a tradition?” There is something wrong with 18-year-olds traumatizing 14-yearolds to the point that they no longer have the courage to walk or bike to school. The respect with which one person treats another does not vanish simply because the context has changed. Neither a warning from the principal, nor a student handbook should have been needed to notify students that this deliberate hazing was not acceptable. The threat of punishment should not have been the sole motivating factor preventing upperclassmen from hurting freshmen. The Paly community has gotten itself caught up in a mess of insignificant details in its discussions about Freshman Friday. Let’s refocus the conversation to what really matters: Hazing is not a harmless ritual, nor is it a right. It should not be a part of Paly tradition, nor should it be a part of any high school’s tradition. It does not belong on or off the field, or in the locker room. In fact, it does not belong anywhere on a high school campus - or on the way home.

Let’s refocus the conversation to what really matters: Hazing is not a harmless ritual

News Brief Head baseball coach Peter Colombo stepped down from his position late September, leaving the varsity baseball team after coaching the team through the second half of last season. Colombo cited “personal issues” for his unexpected departure. “[Leaving the program was] due to personal issues I deal with and fixing them is very important to myself and my job teaching,” Colombo said. “I felt it important I step down with plenty of time for coach [Athletic Director] Hansen to find a replacement.” Colombo, who previously coached Paly baseball from 2000-2005, took over as head coach last year after the suspension of former coach Dave Jefferson. Despite his decision to walk away, Colombo appreciated the opportunity to get back into Paly baseball. “I enjoyed tremendously the opportunity Hansen gave me last year to get back into coaching baseball,” Colombo said. “The kids were great to work with and played very hard in a tough situation... I wish them nothing but the best.” A new coach has not been hired as of October 8th, 2008.

PLAYER POLLS Most Intimidating Male Athlete Sam Tompkins-

Most Intimidating FEMale Athlete

Jenkins

12%

21%

29%

Danny Lui Steven Garguilo

26%

Troy Boyland

9% 6% 12%

Allie Coleman Trina Ohms

53%

20%

Kelly Jenks Eve Higgins

George Brown

Grace Keller

The Viking asked 90 Paly students whom they thought the most intimidating male and female student athletes are. Here are the results.

4 4 12 2

GOALS (AS OF OCTObER 8TH)

ASSISTS

POINTS

Teresa Tracker

STANFORD NATIONAL RANK

Palyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Teresa Noyola is off to a great start in her college career, racking up four goals and four assists through Stanfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first 11 games (as of October 8). Teresa scored three goals and dished out an assist in a one-week span against Pacific, Navy and Boston College. This performance earned her Pac-10 Player of the Week. The undefeated and second ranked Cardinal consistently utilize Noyola, she has started in all 11 games.

ZOOM

Palyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football team lines up for the national anthem before their game against Archbishop Mitty on September 19th. The Vikings went on to thrash the Monarchs 41-27 in the first home game of the season. Photo by Malaika Drebin

T A H W Y SA “A good fantasy performance boosts your morale, increases your confidence, and basically allows you to have a more productive day at school.” —Nathan Gould (Fantasy Sports star, Sr.) Story by Oliver Davies pg. 39

“There’s something out there besides aliens, and not in the sense thtat aliens come down and probe you up the butt so you will do something, God knows what.” —David Valencia (Water Polo, Sr.) Inside the Mind pg. 15

by the Numbers 4 Number of head coaches

Aside from saving the environment with my forest, I always seem to turn some heads whenever I take off my shirt.” —Ben Brown (Crew, Jr.) Last Word pg. 62

“We were all pretty disappointed, but we knew we had gone farther than any other team had before.” —Graham Marchant (Baseball, So.) “I was a little fat kid in middle school, but I was fast for my size.” —Paul Brown (Football, Sr.)

Lockdown Corners pg. 49

Making History pg. 18

“When I grow up I want to be one of those old people you see around town running around the neighborhood.” —Tamar Ben-Sachar (XC, Sr.) For The Love of the Game pg. 44

Pre-Game Snack

Hottest Grade

Pump Up Song

Secret Crush

June Afshar Water Polo, Jr.

Channing Tatum

Almonds

Juniors

Remember the Name

Mr. Foug

Maddie Dahm Volleyball, Fr.

Nick Jonas

Whatever I can find

Freshman

Hannah Montana

It’s Secret!

Matthew McConaughey

Fruit

Seniors

Whatever You Like

Matt Tracy

Antwon Chatmon

PowerBar, Apple Cinnamon, rogue

Da Juniors

Maui Wowie

Sean Chatmon

I don’t think about that

Bread

Gotta be the Juniors

Chariots of Fire

Uhhh...

Kathleen Higgins Cross Country, Jr.

varsity football has beat Gunn

80-0 Combined scores

of the JV and varsity football games against Gunn

of Paly fall sports (as of October 7th, 2008)

Dream Date

Helene Zahoudonis Volleyball, Sr Maurice williams Football, So.

6 Consecutive years Paly

40-9 Combined records

The Pop Culture Grid

Paly Athlete and Sport

Paly baseball will have had in the past four years

4 Consecutive years the current Babe Ruth 14-year-old all-stars have made of won the NorCal tournament

5:01 Philip MacQuitty’s mile pace over 2.9 miles

142.9 Senior quar-

terback Will Brandin’s passer rating against Mitty

0 Matches lost by sophomore tennis star Janet Lui through October 8th, 2008

7 Things you need To know abouT: shaving your Legs

As told by senior runner Skyler Cummins 1) You get a lot of s*** from the unknowing sufferers (people who don’t shave legs). 2) It mainly has to be for personal enjoyment - the enjoyment of others comes as a plus. 3) On hot days, you put water on yourself to stay cool and your legs get all shiny and sexy and beautiful. 4) If you stop for a month, it’s like a rainforest. 5) It looks great and the feeling you get when you get under the covers at night is incomparable. 6) The looks you get from women are great. The ladies dig it, I think. 7) Charlie Avis convinced me to do it and once you start, you cannot stop; it’s like an addiction.

HOT&COLD

Sam Tompkins-Jenkins After missing his entire junior season due to injuries, Tompkins-Jenkins has amassed 283 in the first three games of the season. He is averaging 4.3 yards per carry and has three touchdowns

Gunn Football Always a likely candidate for this column, the Gunn football team proved itself worthy yet again by starting its season 0-5. They have been outscored 76-0 in the past two games. You just have to feel for them sometimes.

Girls’ Tennis The Palo Alto girls’ varsity tennis team has been firing on all cylindars, and has gotten off to a 12-1 start. Look for the Lady Vikes to have momentum in their favor come playoff time.

Paly Baseball This time, they lost their coach before the season even started (see page 6). The Vikes are on coach number four in as many years. Simply put, it’s a disgrace.

Paly Volleyball The Lady Vikes have taken third place in two straight tournaments and are undefeated in league play. Ally Whitson leads a strong team, aided by two strong freshmen, Melanie Wade and Maddie Kuppe.

Grocery Stores A huge drop in egg sales is anticipated around Palo Alto grocery stores for the recent suspensions due to the inapproproate use of the product. Eggs are for eating only.

The Senior Deck It is just really really hot on that thing. Our estimates set the deck at about 10 degrees hotter than any other location on campus, exluding the new turf and the glassblowing region of the ceramics room.

Chicago Cubs This year’s Cubs kept up the titleless tradition as a series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers makes the Cubs’ World Series draught 100 years old.

Q uestions 10 with

Jeremy Kim

We went to senior waterpolo player Jeremy Kim to ask him ten questions about himself. Then we asked the same ten questions to his friend Michael Hanabusa, waterpolo coach Giovanni Napolitano, and prom date Nikki Keifer to see who knows Jeremy best. Here is how the results went down:

Jeremy Kim

Michael Hanabusa

Giovanni Napolitano

Nikki Keifer

Favorite T.V. Show

Lost

Entourage

Tan butt

Best Physical Feature

blonde Hair

Hands

Pecs

beach Volleyball

Best Sport to Watch

Volleyball

ballet

water Polo

Nothing

Boxers or briefs

Neither

briefs

Anabel Snow

Dream Date

Anabel Snow

a 6’3’’ tall girl

Anabel Snow

Cookies and cream

Favorite Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate

banana

Chocolate Peanut butter

Momma’s boy by Chromeo

Favorite Song

Momma’s boy

I Kissed a Girl

Disturbia

Tickle Me Pink

Favorite Speedo Color

Pink

white-Green

Mesh

Camner

Favorite Teacher

Camner

The Math Teacher

bloom

Dr. Seuss

Favorite Author

J.K. Rowling

Edgar Alan Poe

Dr. Seuss

60% 70%

20%

Senior water polo player

Category

weeds

Friend

water polo Coach

WANT TO ADVERTISE? Please contact The Viking at vikingads@gmail.com 14

Prom date

Inside the Mind David Senior David Valencia is in his fourth year playing waterpolo for the Paly team and we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to take a few moments of his time and ask him some questions.

BY A HN A R AO ON HIS CONSERVATIVE VIEWS

I’m a moderate Republican, which means I’m closer to a libertarian. I think we should be very involved in foreign politics, such as terrorists screwing around with us; we should go blow them up. I’m proabortion, it’s weird though I think people should know what it is. The people that say that you are taking a life, it’s not really - it’s somewhere in between with me. It’s not horrible, it’s not like going in taking the baby out and slitting its throat or something.

ON SARAH PALIN’S DAUGHTER

Oh, her daughter is so hot. She’s a 10, oh my god, she’s a 10. At first we were all like, wow how did that happen, her being knocked up all in Alaska? And then I saw her and I was like, ‘oh that’s why.’

ON EXTRATERRESTRIALS

I’m pro-creation and I’m a strong Catholic. I don’t believe the entire universe is random. I feel like my life is guided. There’s something out there besides aliens, and not in the sense that aliens come down and probe you up the butt so you will do something, God knows what. I am a believer that there is some life out there. People that are trying to tell me Pluto is not a planet, oh wow. It has been a planet since the 1800’s, its been a planet for like 150 years and to go back and say it’s not one is stupid.

ON HIS MEXICAN HERITAGE

My great-grandpa came over from Mexico legally. That is why my family is really anti-illegal immigration because they had to wait like seven years. So I’m a quarter Mexican. I celebrate Cinco de Mayo and I celebrate some Mexican holidays. I can make hella good salsa. My family is a little removed from Mexican culture, but I feel a strong connection.

ON HIS IDOLS

Valencia

Water Polo Ex traordinaire

My biggest role model is probably the Pope, Pope Benedict, actually scratch that Pope John Paul the second. I probably cried. I don’t

Photography by Spencer Sims know how old I was when I heard it on the radio. I wanted to cry when I heard he died but I was in a taxi so I didn’t want to make a scene. He was the leader of my church for, I don’t know, 20 years. I actually never met him, but I met Benedict, I saw him and got blessed by him.

ON HIS ATHLETICISM

I started playing water polo when I was a freshman. I don’t know why. I just did because water polo really excited me or something like that. It is just a bunch of men. It brought out my true athleticism, and I love it. Trainings #*$@*!& bad. It is actually horrible. It is the worst thing I’ve done in my entire life. One time during training, I like passed out during swimming. I’ve gotten out of the water fallen over twice on the way to get a drink of water and fallen over twice on my way back and gotten back in to the water. It is not fun in any sense of the word, but its definitely rewarding.

ON HIS “I’M BLUE” INFOCUS SEGMENT

The inspiration comes from how one day every week I wear a lot of blue clothing, seeing that I love Calgary. I had this one blue sweater I wore for two weeks in a row, and Conor Baskauskus and Will Goodspeed had “I’m Blue” playing and pointed to me and asked me to do a little dance, so I did. They said it was brilliant and we decided to do a little segment. I don’t know, we just really rolled with it. I mean we came to class that day, just dimmed the lights and everyone got in a line and started dancing. We just took off on a crazy tangent from there, something random and I woke up like three hours later and I was like what the @#$*.

“

Making History Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Babe Ruth All-Star team makes the Babe Ruth World Series for the first time in Palo Alto history. by Scott Witte and Wade Hauser | Photos courtesy of Ron Fried

OFF-CAMPUS

INTENSITY Palo Alto looks on at the flag before the game as the national anthem plays.

hen the Palo Alto 9/10 All-Star Team walked off the diamond after a disappointing loss to River Park in Fresno during the 2004 Northern California State Tournament, it thought it would be its last chance in the national spotlight. However, with its second place finish, the team had experienced more success than any of its Palo Alto predecessors. Little did the players know that they would break their own record with a Babe Ruth World Series appearance this past summer. “We knew we were going to be good this year,” sophomore pitcher/infielder Graham Marchant said. ”But, we didn’t know we were going to be this good.” Along with Marchant, this year’s AllStar team consisted of five other Palo Alto High School athletes: sophomore Drake Sweezy, and freshmen John Dickerson, Freddy Avis, Kevin Kannappan and Jacob Lauing. Winning in post season All-Star tournaments became routine for the Palo Alto players. Dating back to Little League, this core group of players achieved success. As 10 year olds, they battled through the District 52 Little League All-Star Tournament. Unfortunately the team lost an early game, and was forced to play nearly every day to climb its way back up through the losers bracket. After celebrating an unex-

pected championship victory, the team continued on to the sectional tournament. It destroyed its competition and claimed first place. “We expected the teams to be a lot better,” Marchant said. “We played a couple tough teams in district, and we just blew them away.” The team then moved on to the Northern California State Tournament, but lost in the title game. The next year, the team made it to the same tournament and came out as state champions. As 12 year olds, the team made it to the Northern California Players Fr eddy A vis J ake B atchelder B J B oyd J ohn Dickerson Matt Eastman Sam Falkenhagen T ucker Jorgenson K evin Kannappan Jacob Lauing Gr aham Marchant Travis McHugh Jordan Piha Drake Swezey Austin Braff Matt Martella Cameron Winn Kyle Zirbes

State Tournament and ended its Little League career with a loss in the semifinal game to River Park. After moving up to the Babe Ruth, the Palo Alto team made it to the Southwest Regional Championship. They returned from last year’s 13 year old tournament in Salt Lake City with a second place trophy. Over this past summer, they set a new precedent by placing fifth in the 14 year old Babe Ruth World Series. With two state championships, one third place finish, and a second place in the Southwestern Regional finish, nothing less than a World Series appearance could be expected. “This was a special group of boys,” head coach Matt Atwater said. “The players, parents and coaches all expected to win.” As its season came to a close and the 14 year old All-Star team walked off the field after its loss to Youngstown, Ohio, the boys felt bittersweet about their accomplishment. “We were all pretty disappointed, but we knew we had gone farther then any other team had gone before,” Marchant said. “We were very proud of what we accomplished”. With its fifth place finish, the team is now the only All-Star team in Palo Alto Babe Ruth history to make it to the World Series. Though it was not easy to get to the 2008 14 year old Babe Ruth Championships; the team had to win the South-

School Paly Menlo St. Francis Paly Sequoia Menlo Atherton St. Francis Paly Paly Paly Bellermine St. Francis Paly St. Francis Sacred Heart Menlo Atherton Menlo Atherton

Positions P/if p/of/1b of p/if/of p/if p/if/of p/if p/if/of p/if/of p/if p/if c p/if if p/of p/of c/if/of

OFF-CAMPUS western Regional tournament, conveniently hosted at Baylands Athletic Complex in Palo Alto. “It helped having played there for the last couple years we know the field, fences and boundaries,” Marchant said. The team received an automatic berth, allowing it to skip the first two qualification tournaments. It wanted to go into the first tournament fresh and played in several local tournaments prior to the regional to prepare. “We played in four tournaments, and most of them were 16- and under,” Dickerson said. “It really helped us get ready for the 14- and under tournaments.” “My expectations for this year were higher”, Avis said, “We were hosting the regional, we didn’t want to waste the opportunity” In the regional tournament, the Palo Alto team swept its opponents and won all four games with a combined score of 33-11. “Our hitting was always really solid, but our pitchers really stepped up,” Atwater said. As the team advanced to the World

CONSULTATION Pitcher Freddy Avis and catcher Jordan Piha discuss their approach. were the last team to play, so that was a disadvantage because all of the other teams already had a game under their belts”, Marchant said, “After the loss we were all pretty down, but we bounced right back up.” In the team’s next game the it beat

“We knew they were good, but we thought we matched up,” Marchant said. It was a back and forth game, but unfortunately the Palo Alto team came up short. “We definitely could have played better,” Kannappan said. “Overall it was a great experience.” After their loss, the players immediatly began looking forward to next season. “Next year I think the team will be different,” Dickerson said. “I think that we will still have a really great season.” After playing in countless tournaments, the players agreed that this year was the highlight of the four. “Most of the players in the World Series were young for their grade, so they were more experienced and a lot had already played in high school,” Marchant said. “I think most of the teams could have probably beat our Paly junior varsity team.” The ability to play at this level at such a young age promises great things for the future. The six players have an op-

“We knew we were going to be good this year,” Marchant said. ”But, we didn’t know we were going to be this good.” Series, the camaraderie that developed while traveling proved to help the teams play on the field. “Traveling with the team was really fun,” Marchant said. “We all got along really well and had a good time messing around with each other. Knowing each other well helps us play together, as a team, on the field.” Continuing their winning streak into the World Series however, proved to be too great a challenge. The team’s first game was against a powerful team from Tallahassee, Florida, that won the 13-year-old World Series the previous year. Nervous going in, Palo Alto got trounced 17-4. “We were all nervous, and anxious to play our first game,” Marchant said. “We

Syracuse, New York 11-4. With that victory the team’s confidence and unity emerged. “Our team chemistry was really good,” Dickerson said. “Everyone got along on and off the field.” After tallying its first win, the team went on to win two more games in a row, and succeeded in knocking out of the host team, Quincy, Massachussettes. Although the Palo Alto players roomed with the Quincy players, there were no hard feelings after the game. “[The Quincy and Palo Alto athletes] still got along fine,” Marchant said. “It was not awkward at all.” Riding its winning streak, the team went up against Youngstown, New York in its next game.

portunity to prove themselves on the Palo Alto High Baseball Team. Marchant and Sweezy played succesfully for the JV team last year. Marchant started at shortstop until an arm injury kept him out for the majority of the season. Sweezy also earned a starting job on the infield. The four incoming freshmen, Avis, Dickerson, Kannappan, and Lauing plan to try out for the team this year. “All these boys should have really good high school careers,” Atwater said. The trip to Quincy improved the players both physically and mentally. “I really think that this experience helped me get better as a baseball player,” Marchant said. “It was definitely something I’ll never forget”. <<<

give and Take... The Viking’s own Marco Scola shoots the breeze with Stanford’s All-Pac-10 center, Alex Fletcher

What is it like playing for coach Harbaugh?

First of all, he has a ton of energy, and we’ve all gotten better so it’s obviously really something special.

What was the recruitment process like?

It was really a short process because I knew what I wanted: I always wanted to go to Stanford, even being from New York because of the opportunities offered with football and academics. I sent my tape in and they offered me [a scholarship]. I had a offer from USC before my junior year, an offer from Maryland before my junior year, and Rutgers, and then after that, once I got the Stanford offer I decided to take it.

How did you deal with the pressure of being one of the best high school linemen in the country?

It makes you work harder. It makes you want to live up to the hype that people chose you for. I was an All-American, so I really wanted to prove myself because New York football doesn’t always get the respect it deserves.

What is your biggest challenge being a lineman?

The challenge is that you really have to work as a cohesive unit. Whether I’m a freshman starting or a senior starting, you’re only as good as the guy next to you, so you really have to work on building cohesiveness.

How do you deal with the lack of attention given to linemen?

At the beginning when you’re younger you think that attention is what you want, but at the end of the day, I’ve found that the more your name is out of the paper the better. It’s a do your job type deal and that’s been my task the last couple years. Just do your job and all that stuff will come if you have success.

What is it like blocking for Toby Gerhart?

Toby Gerhart is one of those people who you can give him a hole and he has the ability to make people miss and run through arm tackles. It’s really awesome having him because he makes drives shorter and he has the ability to get 6, 7, or 8 yards a carry even when he’s hit after 2 or 3 yards. He’s the best back I’ve blocked for.

What are your thoughts on Trent Edwards’ success in the NFL?

Everyone knew Trent was going to have success at the next level. I don’t think anyone doubted that. I would say he’s easily one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL. We’ve gone though some patches at Stanford where maybe the quarterback is really good, but maybe the offensive line isn’t that good, or the running backs are good and maybe the wide receivers aren’t as good. Every year you go through cycles. I think it all starts with recruiting.

What are your thoughts on being a preseason candidate for the Outland, Rimington and Lombardi trophies? [Awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman, center and overall linemen respectively]

Obviously it’s nice, but you’ve got to be on a good team to win those awards, and that’s all we’re trying to do: win games. So go about winning games, and then all that stuff will come.

How do you juggle school and football?

I think that’s just part of Stanford. You’re expected to go to class, you’ve just gotta go to class. It gets tough, especially during the season when you go to class and go to practice and you’re up all night writing papers. I don’t think it’s as difficult as it might seem. You just have to manage your time well and you know, sometimes, Saturday nights or Sunday nights after games, you gotta do some homework.

The media guide lists you just under the three-buck mark at 296. Are they being generous?

Are you talking about my weight? How much do you think I weigh? Are you saying you think I weight more? Are you suggesting that?

Who’s the hardest guy to block in the Pac-10 this year?

I don’t really have much respect for Pac-10 defensive tackles this year. I’m sure the guys at USC are good, they’re always good. The guys at Arizona State a few weeks ago weren’t.

Who’s the toughest guy you’ve faced in the last four years?

I always played well against Sedrick Ellis [7th overall pick in 2008 draft], that was usually one of my better games. Trevor Laws [2nd round draft pick in 2008] from Notre Dame had some good stuff last year -- he was a second-round pick for the Eagles. Lionel Dotson [7th round draft pick in 2008] from Arizona was pretty good too. But Haloti Ngata [12th overall pick in 2006 draft] was the hardest guy I ever had to block.

Is the Pac-10 the best division in college football?

Yeah, I think so. I think this year we have some teams. Washington’s down, Washington State’s down, Oregon State’s just down from what they were. But I think that year in and year out the Pac-10 is definitely the best conference.

What would you say to an NFL team considering drafting you?

I’ve played a lot of games in the Pac-10. I’ve played at a high level. I think I would be a great asset to the team because I can play both center and guard, like I did in the Pac-10.

OFF-CAMPUS

Summer bY SOPHIE bIFFAR

Beijing Summer Olympics Twenty-eight sports, 302 events, and 10,500 athletes; the next word would have to be Olympics. On August 8th, 2008 the Summer Olympic Games began in Beijing, China, despite drama following the protests at the torch-lighting ceremonies around the world. China pulled off an extraordi-nary effort culminating in a smooth and successful Olympics. The Games saw 132 Olympic records and 43 world records fall. The record-breaking barrage included Olympic swimming celebrity Michael Phelps, who broke the record of most Olympic gold medals in one career. Coming right behind him was Usain “Lightning” Bolt, the world’s fastest man, who set new world records in both the 100 m and 200 m dashes, seemingly with ease. Also, a record 87 countries won medals including Tongo and Afghanistan while the United States topped the medal charts by winning a total of 110 medals. The host Chinese accomplished their goal of wining more gold medals of any other country with 51medals.

Tour de France The 95th Tour de France began July 5th in the French town of Brest. Riders wove throughout France and Italy and eventually ended in Paris, where Spain’s Carlos Sastre took the yellow jersey. Twenty teams were invited to race including teams from Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Sastre was a member of Team CSC Saxo Bank, the only team from Denmark, and finished with a final time of 87:52:52. UnfortuUnfortu nately, doping once again cast a shadow over the tour, as last year’s champion Alberto Contado and fellow Team Astana member Levi Leipheimer were barred from competing. The organizers of the Tour de France (Amaury Sport Organization) did not let Team Astana race because of last year’s doping issues.

Euro Cup 2008 The 2008 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Football Cham-pionship began June 7th with 16 teams competing. Watched all over the world, Austria and Switzerland hosted the 13th quadrennial tournament for European nations. The Spanish fans could barely contain themselves as Spain defeated Germany in a 1-0 upset in the finals, giving Spain an automatic berth in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

OFF-CAMPUS

Recap ILLuSTRATIONS bY MALAIKA DREbIN

Water Polo Junior Olympics At the end of July, the water polo Junior Olympics were held in Long Beach, California. Seven of Paly’s talented water polo team members participated in the tournament with their club teams. Juniors June Afshar and Ally Shorin and sophomores Haley Connor, Rachel Hurrus and Anna Glaves helped lead the Stanford U 16 white to a 14th place finish in the Gold Division. The Stanford U 16 red team also got a boost from Paly’s talent, with Junior Malaika Drebin helped to win the bronze medal in the gold division. Junior Kailey Flather was also in Long Beach on the sidelines as an assistant coach for the Florida Coast team. Flather described the first half of the competition by saying, “It felt like warm-ups, but as the games con-tinued they became much more intense and competitive.”

Volleyball Junior Olympics The summer Volleyball Junior Olympics brought senior Allison Whitson and junior Marissa Florant to Dallas, Texas from June 28th to July 1st. Whitson played on the City Beach 17 Black team, which placed 11th in the 17 U national division and went undefeated the first two days of the tournament. “I really enjoyed it,” Whitson said . “It was my first time going and it was cool to see all the different teams from all over.” She did however, recognize some teams she had played the previous sea season with her club team. Overall, “ It [the Junior Olympics] was more intense than school volleyball,” said Whitson. Junior Marissa Florant and her team the Vision 16 Blue tied for 12th place.

Summer Passing League Nearly everyone is aware of the high school football season during the fall, but summer passing league is far less popular. Passing league consists of games of seven on seven touch football. The field is only 60 yards long instead of the usual 100, and the quarterback only has five seconds to throw the ball. Paly’s team competed against other schools in the area. The team finished third at a tournament at Stanford, and second at a tournament at San Mateo College . According to sophomore varsity quarterback T.J Braff, the passing league is much more “laid back” but he also enjoys “getting to know teammates” over the summer.

OFF-CAMPUS

BIKER BOY BY CASSIE PRIOLEAU

“He’s up there with the best in the world for his age right now. If he continues this he could be one of the best in the world outright.” In one year, Charlie Avis’ friends will be packing up, saying their goodbyes, and leaving for college. However, the year after his graduation, Avis will embark on his own unique adventure: a year of cycling around the United States and Europe. Avis, a senior at Palo Alto High School, rides for a local cycling team called Team Specialized Racing, and recently began cycling for the USA National Junior team. The National team consists of about 20 young cyclists with ages ranging from 17 to 18. This summer, Avis took second place in the Canadian race le Tour de L’Abitibi. This win earned him a spot as one of six young cyclists from the junior American national team to compete in the Italian race Giro di Basilicata and the Tour D’Istrie in Croatia this summer. In these European races, Avis’ best result was 36th out of about 130 cyclists. However, the main purpose of the trip was for the young American cyclists to gain experience and learn to race the European way. Because Europe is the homeland of cycling,

Photo by John Christopherson

OFF-CAMPUS Europe draws in many young cyclists to learn tactics, strategy and teamwork among some of the best young racers in the world in a faster and harder cycling environment. This trip helps accustom junior cyclists to the world of professional cycling. “The ultimate goal is to ride for a professional team, hopefully a ProTour team,” Avis said. “I plan to continue cycling through college and hopefully get a contract during or after.” After his recent summer success, Avis has decided to defer a year of college to race both in the United States and in Europe. This gap year will hopefully give Avis a taste of what professional cycling is like. Avis admits that if the opportunity should arise, the decision between a contract with a professional team and college would be difficult to make. But education is still a first priority for Avis. “Even if I forgo college and have a great cycling career, I will still need to get a job after I retire,” Avis said. “That is where missing out on a college education would hurt me.” According to his teammates and coach, Avis has unlimited potential for a future in cycling. “He can do as much as he wants to do,” Avis’ coach, Billy Innes said. “He has so much natural ability. He had fantastic results this summer and a lot of teams

Photo by Malaika Drebin PASSION Avis is one of about 20 junior cyclists on the US Junior National team and plans to defer a year of college to race in the United States and Europe.

“AS An ATHLeTe, He IS nATurALLy GIFTeD,” InneS SAID. “BuT He’S ALSO GOT THe TenACITy TO Be A CHAMPIOn.” noticed him. I think he would be an absolutely fantastic professional cyclist.” Innes believes that Avis has something else on top of sheer physical ability that makes him successful. “As an athlete, he is naturally gifted,” Innes said. “But he’s also got the tenacity to be a champion.” Avis started his cycling career at an early age. After watching his dad leave every Sunday morning for a bike ride, 11 year-old Avis decided to give it a try and join his dad. Soon after getting a bike, he was hooked. The spring of his freshman year at Paly, Avis began racing. “It immediately became my favorite

sport,” Avis said. “It seems it has gotten more and more serious every year.” Unfortunately, the competitiveness of the sport drives cyclists to dope and the sport of cycling is overshadowed in the media by stories of steroids. “I think the sport is cleaning up,” Avis said. “I hope that in the future young riders like me have the integrity to ride clean.” In order ride successfully and cleanly, cycling comes with a rigorous training schedule. During the school year, Avis’ training encompasses daily rides that range from one and a half to three hours long. However, during track season,

which falls during the same season as cycling, Avis alternates daily between the two. Over the summer, the training picks up and Avis solely concentrates on cycling. He doesn’t run and rides about 12 hours a week with only one day off every month. The payoff for this hard work is Avis’ favorite part of the sport. “I love being able to push myself physically and mentally,” Avis said. “My favorite part of cycling is being able to endure the suffering of races and accomplish goals after long months of training. It doesn’t appeal to many people, but I think to succeed in such a painful sport it has to be one’s mentality.”

OFF-CAMPUS The right mindset and calmness are points Innes stresses with young cyclists. Not only is cycling physically demanding, but it is mentally challenging as well. During long and grueling races, patience and focus are essential. “I always tell kids it’s the person that can think the clearest when his heart is in his throat that is going to win,” Innes said.

sets Avis apart from other cyclists. “His biggest strength is his calmness,” Innes said. “There’s not a lot that can fluster him in a race situation. He is pretty unflappable. Charlie goes into a race knowing anything can happen.” Avis has been on Team Specialized Racing with Gunn High School junior Joel Shaffer for two years. Shaffer respects Avis’ strength and uses it as inspi-

Photo courtesy of Anne Avis VICTORY Avis celebrates after winning the Memorial Day Criterium in San Jose in 2008.

something and he’s on top of it. Off the bat we got along well and I have a lot of respect for him.” Avis’ attitude has also won the admiration of his coach. “I see a very mature side of him,” Innes said. “I most respect that he stays true to himself.” Avis also found success in running. He runs for the varsity cross country and track team and has been a huge asset to the team’s success. He is the number two runner for cross-country and distance track and made it to the state competitions for cross-country last year. However, Avis’ cycling and running often conflict. Running does not work the same muscle groups as cycling does, so the frequent transition Avis makes from one to the other can be tough. Additionally, Avis often has to take time off of running for his cycling races, many of which are international. “My cross country coach was really supportive of me going [to Italy and Croatia],” Avis said. “We worked out a plan so that I will be ready for CCS and hopefully states.” Cross country training is not the only thing Avis has had to sacrifice to participate at such a high level of cycling. “I’ve had to quit baseball, miss classes, and make lots of social life sacrifices because the sport is so hard and I train so much,” Avis said. Many students would not be able to take off in the middle of the school

“He FInDS A WAy TO DO WHAT He HAS TO DO. He rIDeS LIke A VeTerAn eVen THOuGH He’S OnLy Been rIDInG FOr A FeW yeArS.” Although mental toughness is often acquired with experience, it did not take Avis long to develop this strength. His teammates recognize this trait. “He’s a really smart rider,” Kuphaldt said. “He finds a way to do what he has to do. He rides like a veteran even though he’s only been riding for a few years.” His coach will argue that his untouchable composure gives him the upper hand in many races, an attribute that

ration to work harder. “It’s motivational to me to ride with someone as strong as him,” Shaffer said. “I try to keep up with him and it motivates me to do better.” Avis’ natural and physical ability are not the only things that have earned the respect of his teammates, he is respected for his attitude and professionalism as well. “You couldn’t ask for a better teammate,” Kuphaldt said. “You ask him

year for two weeks, severely jeopardizing their academics after missing so much school. However, Avis is optimistic about the school’s response to his absence and the help of his teachers in making up the missed work. In the end, Avis knows there is a price to pay to be a great athlete. “I am really excited for the next couple of years,” Avis said. “I cant wait to keep racing and improve on the world level.” <<<

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PALO ALTO

GirLs’ Tennis the breakdown COACH: Andy Harader ‘07 FinisH: League Champs sCHeDULe: 10/2/08 at Home 10/7/08 at Los Altos 10/14/08 at Lynbrook 10/15/08 at Gunn 10/16/09 at Homestead 10/20/08 at sHP 10/21/08 at Home 10/23/08 at Monta Vista 10/28/08 at Home 10/30/08 at saratoga 11/04/08 at Los Altos 11/05/08 at saratoga 11/12/08 at Home (CCS round two) 11/14/08 TBA (CCS Quarter Finals) 11/17/08 Courtside (CCS Semi-finals) 11/19/08 Coutside

(CCS Finals)

he Palo Alto High School varsity girls’ In its October 2nd match, Saratoga defeated tennis team had a firm grip on its league them, which was a large disappointment for the last season, finishing undefeated in whole team. league play. The team hopes this season will The Vikes lost 4-3, however Emma Marti, yield similar results. With a team of up and Vrinda Khanna, and Janet Liu were victorious coming players and 10 returning starters, the in their individual matches in addition to junior season looks promising. Currently the team’s Sophie Biffar and Dulik in their doubles match. record is 12-1. Despite the loss, Dulik remains optimistic. “I think we have a really good chance of “Now that we have seen their talent levdoing well,” junior captain Gracie Dulik el, we will be able to beat them.” Dulik said. said. “We will definitely be able to reach She noted that they tried to switch up our expectations.” their line-up, (switching singles playLast year, the Lady Vikes finished ers to doubles and visa versa) which first in their league with a perfect did not yield the results that they record and currently sit sechad intended. Coach Andy ond in their Harader, league however, (based on hopes Sophomore Janet Liu is the number one singles player recent tourthat this on the Palo Alto Girls’ Tennis team, boasting an naments and team will be undefeated record in her matches. Just Central Coast able to put some recently in a match against Saratoga she Section stats). topspin on their succeeded in defeating the number Two weeks ago, the game and take the one singles player in the league team beat long-standing championship. four to three. Liu’s victories are rival, Monta Vista, who “This team is on a critical to Paly’s overall success eliminated them from CCS mission,” Harader said. this season as they strive to reach last season. This was their “If we stay consisthe NorCal finals. first win against Monta tent and in shape we Vista in 13 years. should be able to reach Junior Lauren Mah our goals.” stressed how much moTeam captains, Vrmentum they gain from inda Khanna and Grabeating teams like Monta Vista, Menlo, and cie Dulik lead the team by setting a strong exSaint Francis. ample. Biffar and sophomore Janet Liu serve “It really pumped us up,” Mah said. key roles on the Palo Alto team. However, the road to victory this season “Our team is doing really well this year,” is not going to be a smooth one. This year, Biffar said. “Hopefully we will be able to beat they have moved up a league, which will ultiSaratoga next time we play them.” mately force them to step their game up. When asked about the season as a whole The team’s number one goal for the seaHarader summed it up by saying, “Great team, son was to beat the seemingly undefeatable, great season.” Saratoga. ~Liza Dernehl

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PALO ALTO

FOOTBALL resh off a 2007 CCS championship win whole secondary is back this season, except over Menlo-Atherton, the Palo Alto High for the free safety, which we have confidence School varsity football team is looking in with [Scott Witte],” Holder said. “We have ahead to the 2008 season with similar aspiragood receivers coming up from junior varsity, tions. and we have a good defense.” “We all have high expectation as far as this The Vikings also welcome the return of sefootball season,” head coach Earl Hansen said. nior running back Sam Tompkins-Jenkins, who “I think we do every year.” missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. The players agree that the football team “Sam is coming back healthy,” Hansen will make some noise in 2008. said. “I think he should be a huge addi“If everyone plays up to par, we tion for us because he is a lot quicker should make playoffs,” senior defenthan [anyone] we had out there last sive back Will Holder said. “Hopeseason.” fully we can play for The offense also features another star senior champiquarteronship.” back Will Senior running back Sam Tompkins-Jenkins makes Though a Brandin,wide his varsity team debut after missing all last season solid squad rereceiver Harry with a torn ACL. A former junior varsity standturns to the gridWoolson and tight out Tompkins-Jenkins will play the role iron for the upcomend Steven Gargiulo. of feature back in the offense this ing season there is a lack On the defensive season. Tompkins-Jenkins is a of big game experience on side of the ball, the Viquick and agile runner and the the team. The players that kings will start three new Vikings will require a big season took Paly football to great linebackers: junior Jared from him to be successful in the heights during the excepBeeson, and seniors Sean 2008 season. tional 2006 state chamKeohane and, Malcolm pionship and last year’s Bailey. CCS championship seaThough Paly got son are gone. Fresh off to a hot start this faces, eager to carry on a winning season, defeating the Burlingame tradition look to replace former standouts, such Panthers (28-7) and Archbishop Mitty’s Monas Mike Scott and James McCullough. archs (48-27), the team stumbled against Gil“Mike [Scott’s] very hard to replace because roy, losing 31-10, although they held the vaunthe is so athletic and tough to defend,” Hansen ed Mustang offense to just two touchdowns. said. “But Harry Woolson and Will Holder and Despite the defeat, the football team’s recent Joc Pederson are all going to be involved in dotrack record suggests that the resilient Vikings ing that so it is going to be more of a group will find a way to achieve their goals. effort.” “We are a talented team,” Beeson said. Despite the changes in their lineup, the Vi“But we will need to step up our efforts to win kings are confident that they can contend. CCS.” “We have a lot of kids coming back, and our ~Ashkaan Khatakhotan

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the breakdown COACH: Earl Hansen

‘07 FinisH: CCS champions

record: 2-1 8/29/08 Burlingame 28-7 W 9/12/08 Archbishop Mitty 42-27 9/19/08 Gilroy 10-31 L 10/3/08 Gunn

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: 10/11/08 @ Los Altos 10/17/08 Saratoga 10/24/08 Wilcox 10/31/08 @ Milpitas 11/07/08 Mtn. View 11/14/08 @ Los Gatos

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the breakdown COACH: Dave Winn

‘07 FinisH: CCS Quarterfinalist

record: 16-2 9/5-9/6 Reno Tour nament 7-1 9/11 Mt. Pleasant W 9/16 Woodside W 9/20 Harbor Tourna ment 4-1 9/25 Mountain View W 10/1 Gunn W 10/2 Homestead W

Upcoming schedule: 10/4 Cupertino 10/6 Los Altos 10/9 Saratoga 10/14 Los Gatos 10/16 Mountain View 10/22 Gunn 10/27 Los Altos 10/29 Saratoga 11/1 Milpitas Tour nament 11/4 Los Gatos 11/6 Homestead 11/12 CCS Playoffs

VOLLeyBALL n an attempt to avenge last year’s early exit bunch, it still goes back to the fundamentals from the CCS playoffs, Palo Alto High School’s to fine-tune their skills. varsity volleyball team is counting on a mix of “We’ve been working hard on serving newcomers and returning players to take home the lately,” Dauler said. “If we get our serves hardware this season. in, we’ll have a much better chance of winThe 2008 squad has a different look to it as they ning.” are counting on talented underclassmen to fill roles Head coach Dave Winn believes in his on the floor. Freshmen Maddie Kuppe and Melanie players, and feels like their off-the-court reWade hope to contribute to the team by rejuvenatlationships will serve them well this season. ing them and having a high energy level. “Our team chemistry is a strength of ours “I feel like I can add a spark off the bench and this year,” Winn said. “It should help us in get the team going,” freshman Maddie Kuppe tough matches.” said. To help the team bond as the season The upperclassmen have helped the starts, the players spend time togethyounger players feel like a part of the team er outside of practice. and are impressed with their “The off-court improvement. events are “The new what really Coming from a break-out junior season , senior Ally players have fit in help us mesh Whitson has not wasted any time leading her nicely with the team, as a team and squad to a 2-0 start in league play. Whitson and have been improving get familiar with has compiled 170 kills in just five games a lot,” junior Kristen Dauler one another,” junior and is on track to be one of the top said. Marissa Florant said. outside hitters in the league. She Along with the new talent, the The lady Vikes hopes to play in college after experienced leaders are confi- she graduates, and is looking to had a successful preseason dent in their team’s abilities and finish her Paly career on a strong as the team took third in have high hopes for the upcomboth the Reno and Harnote. ing season. Senior captains Ally bor preseason tournaWhitson, Allie Coleman, and ments and defeated Daniella Flonon-league opponents rant not only expect great Mount Pleasant and success, but are striving for constant improve- Woodside. ment. “These games were good to get the first “We want to win league and be the most im- game jitters out of the way,” Winn said. “Now proved team in our league at the same time,” senior we can concentrate on the little things that Ally Whitson said. help us win.” With six returning starters from last year’s team In addition to the successful preseason and a strong group of senior leaders, the Lady Vikes games, the team started its league games off are poised and ready to surprise. by dismantling tough league opponent Moun“I feel like we can go out there and compete with tain View in just three games. anybody,” junior Ke’ili Deal said. “We are really The lady Vikes’ next challenge is at home confident in what we can do.” on October 9th against Saratoga at 6:45 pm. Although this year’s volleyball team is a talented ~Chase Cooper

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BOys’ XC espite a coaching change from last year, Ginanni and Welsh have both had running the Palo Alto High School boys’ crossexperience in their pasts. Ginanni is a collegiate country team has high expectations for athlete who took up track and cross-country afthis season. ter he was cut from the baseball team his sopho“Our biggest goal this year is to qualify for more year. the state meet as a team,” senior co-captain “This is my first time being an official head Skyler Cummins said. coach for a team,” Ginanni said. “It is exciting Although last year’s team did not qualify to have that responsibility. It is a lot of work but for the state meet, Cummins believes this it’s also really fun.” year’s squad has the potential to accomWelsh is also an accomplished runner plish its goal this season. who ran both in high school and in college “Philip MacQuitty, Charlie Avis, at Dartmouth. Welsh has one major goal and I are the only guys back from for the boys in mind this season. last year’s varsity squad,” Cummins “I do not think we said. “We have a great group have made it to states since ‘91 of juniors or ‘92,” Welsh who have said, “Obvireally ously that is Junior Philip MacQuitty has been integral to Paly’s been stepone big goal success for his enitre high school career. So far this ping it up and I have for the season, he has placed first at both the Gunn are really excitteam.” Alumni Meet with a time of 11:00 minutes ed to take a crack at So far this season, seand at the Lowell Invitational with what we failed to do lect runners have stood a course record 14:42 minute last year.” out in the eyes of their finish. MacQuitty is looking The team finished with coaches and teammates. forward to another outstanding five runners in the top 10 Junior Peter Wilson, came year on varsity and aims to lead at the Gunn Alumni Meet in 9th at the Gunn Alumni his team to a state meet berth. on September 4th. Junior Meet with an 11:41 minute Philip MacQuitty finfinish, and there are high ished in 11:00 minutes expectations for him in followed by an 11:18 the remainder of the seatime by senior co-cap son. -tain Charlie Avis. “I think Peter [Wilson] has also blown evSince former head coach Jeff Billing is no eryone away so far this season,” Cummins said. longer with Paly, coaches Joe Ginanni and “He is definitely going to be a key member of John Welsh have stepped in to lead the team. the team this year.” “Jeff [Billing] was such an amazing coach As for the rest of the season, the team aims and did so many things for the team in his time to surpass last year’s runners by making it to the at Paly,” Cummins said. “He played a huge state meet. role in my and many others members of the “The team is looking really good so far,” teams’ lives, and was in my mind, irreplaceMacQuitty said. “We have potential to be better able. That being said, Ginanni and Welsh have than last year’s team.” done an incredible job filling Biling’s shoes.” ~Hanna Brody

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the breakdown COACH: Joe Ginanni & John Welsh

‘07 FinisH: 1st in league and 5th in CCS

PREVIOUS MEETS: 9/4/08 Gunn Alumni Meet 9/20/08 Lowell Invi tational 9/23/08 SCVAL Pre view 9/27/08 Stanford Invite 10/2/08 SCVAL Scrim mage

UPCOMinG sCHeDULe: 10/10/08 Clovis invite 10/17/08 Monterey Bay invite 10/28/08 PA City Championships 11/4/08 sCVAL Finals 11/15/08 CCs 11/29/08 state Championship

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PALO ALTO

GirLs’ XC the breakdown COACH: Paul Jones

‘07 FinisH: 3rd In League 7th In CCS

PAsT MeeTs (AS OF 10/3): 9/4/08- Gunn Alumni Meet 9/12/08- Moonlight Run 9/20/08-Lowell Invitational 9/23/08-SCVAL Preview 9/27/08-Stanford Invite 10/2/08- SCVAL Scrimmage

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: 10/10/08- Clovis Invite 10/17/08-Monterey Bay Invite 10/ 28/08- PA City Championships 11/4/08- SCVAL Finals 11/15/08- CCS (Top 7) 11/29/08 - State Championship(Top 7)

ith a blowout performance in the first The girls started the season with a blowout meet of the season, the Palo Alto performance at the Gunn Alumni Meet on SepHigh School girls’ cross-country team betember 4th. Despite the grueling weather, the lieves that the upcoming season looks bright. Lady Vikes dominated their competition at the Varsity captains Sarah Haydock, Jessie Kuo, meet with an even stronger performance than Gillian Lui, Grace Park, and Elizabeth Scott last year. plan to help lead the Lady Vikes into a victo“It was a killer meet,” Lui said. “We ran rious season. Despite the difficult loss of the in temperatures that were supposedly in the two top runners, graduates Leah Gaeta and hundreds, and the course was redrawn due Mia Lattanzi, the Lady Vikes are looking to construction at Gunn, which made the forward to an even more successful seacourse even hillier.” son than 2007. For the varsity squad, Scott and junior “This year we have a lot of talent on Kathleen Higgins were standout runour team, both from returning and ners on the 2.2 mile course. Scott new runners,” sereceived third nior captain place with a Sarah Hayrecord time Senior Elizabeth Scott has been a runner on the Palo dock said. “A of 13:24 and Alto cross-country team since her junior year. In major focus will Higgins came in the Gunn Alumni Meet, Scott came in third be working togethseventh with a time place with a record time of 13: 24. As er as a team to be the of 13:48. New to the co-captain, Scott is a natural leader best we can be.” team this year, sophomore who plans to lead the team The team looks to improve Gracie Cain came in first for to state. As well as an accomthis season by focusing on the junior varsity girls’ race plished runner in high school, training and developing. with a time of 14:48. SophScott aspires to run at the “To do well as a team, omore Susan Heinselman collegiate level. we depend on all athletes came in seventh for JV as to contribute,” head coach well. Paul Jones said. “Work“We have a lot of potential ing on running form, t h i s year and are really excited gaining endurance, imto see what we can acproving speed and learning tactics all lead tocomplish,” Hay dock said. ward the team’s success.” In the 2007 season, the Lady Vikes placed Prior to the start of the official season, the third in league and seventh in CCS, but were Lady Vikes trained throughout the summer. unable to qualify for states. This year’s team Many of the athletes ran five to seven times a hopes to make it into the top three for CCS, and week just to prepare for the fall season. thus qualify for states. “This past summer, the girls put a lot more “We have a ton of seniors on the team this effort and time into summer training,” senior year,” Lui said. “To be able to go to states durcaptain Gillian Lui said. “The result is a team ing our final year as high school runners would that is already much more prepared for the be absolutely mind-blowing.” season to come than usual.” ~Lauren Hammerson

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PALO ALTO

BOys’ WOPO

a Central Coast Section championship W ithappearance last season, the Palo Alto High

“Last year’s loss was disappointing,” junior Bobby Abbot said. “I thought we made a couple School varsity boys’ water polo team intends to of key errors last year that cost us the game. If take another step toward its goals, a league chamwe can eliminate those mistakes, we can defipionship and CCS championship year. nitely give Los Altos another great game.” “We can hardly wait for those big games, the Coach Giovanni Napolitano agrees with his ones that determine who wins it all,” senior hole players. set Tom Cho said. “We have a mature collective group of kids,” Last season, the team had a returning class of head coach Napolitaio said. “They both have dominating seniors. Because of their consisenough talent to take us through our tough tent success, a few juniors did not gain game competition this season.” experience. This year the leadership of seWith the 2008 season underway, the nior captain Tim Wenzlau will be critical Paly water polo team’s hopes to conquer for the Vikings’ hopes. its tough schedule. They confronted “As the team captain, I need to early obstacles with Los Almake sure that the tos. The team new playpolished its ers are in the rusty meSenior Driver Tim Wenzlau is going to be the decidright places chanics during factor for the Vikings water polo team this and get their jobs ing its Septemseason. His strong swimming and playdone,” Wenzlau said. ber slaughter of making ability not only creates open“Also, I just have to Homestead by a score ings for himself, but for his teamlook out for them and lead of, 22-6, then hoped to mates as well. The Vikings will by my actions.” do the same to the Los Aldepend on his performance in Under Wenzlau’s leadertos Eagles in the following order to succeed this year. ship, the Paly team will have game, but lost in an 8-10 to come together to compete nail biter. against the tough competi“We had a couple of tion in the SCVAL league. problemson offense,” se“Our goal this year nior Jeremy Kim said. is to win leagues and “But we have to give move on to another CCS credit to Los Altos. They played a championship game,” Wenzlau said. great game.” In Paly’s competitive league schedule, Los AlAfter a disappointing loss, the Vikings tos High School and Mountain View High School bounced back by overpowering rival Gunn High are the two major adversaries the Vikings will School, winning 10-5. face this season. “It is always great to beat Gunn,” Cho said, “Los Altos is one of the schools we’ve prepared “All the energy and anger we had after losing to for in depth,” Cho said. “Mountain View also has Los Altos just poured down onto them.” the potential to give us trouble in league, but our With more game experience, this group will major focus is set on Los Altos.” hopefully propel itself past all obstacles and into Los Altos beat Paly last year in a close 9-10 the CCS championship game. battle i n t he C CS c hampionship ga me. ~Brendon Rider

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the breakdown

COACH: Giovanni Napolitano

‘07 FinisH: CCS Runner up reTUrninG sTArTers: 2 record 2-2 09/16/08 Homestead 22-6 W 09/18/08@ Los Altos 8-10 L 09/30/08 Gunn 5-10 W 10/2/08 Mtn View 11-12 L ... .. .. Remaining Schedule: 10/7/08 Monta Vista 10/9/08 @ Homestead 10/14/08 @ Los Altos 10/21/08 Los Gatos 10/23/08 Gunn 10/28/08 Mtn View 10/30/08 @ Monta Vista Nov. 4-8 SCVAL finals Nov. 12-22 CCS Playoffs

fALL preview ‘08

PALO ALTO

GirLs WOPO

the breakdown COACH: Corey Olcott

‘07 FinisH: 3rd in League 7th in CCS

PREVIOUS GAMES 9/16/08 Homestead W 7-3 9/18/08 @ Los Altos L 6-14 9/25/08 @ Los Gatos L 8-9 9/30/08 Gunn 10/02/08 Mt. View W 13-3

UPCOMinG sCHeDULe: 10/14/08 Los Altos 10/21/08 Los Gatos 10/23/08 Gunn 10/24/08 @ Menlo 10/25/08 @ Wood-side 10/28/08 Mt. View 10/30/08 @ Saratoga

he Palo Alto High School girls’ varsity is just another school that lost a lot of their sewater polo team looks to be successful niors and has a whole new team.” this season in CCS, but with only three returnThe girls played in the St. Francis Invitationing seniors, the Lady Vikes will rely heavily al, but were not satisfied with the results. on an inexperienced core. The team started “The St. Francis Invitational was kind of with a 3-2 record, but head coach Corey Olcott rough,” Hoffacker said. “We learned a lot is confident in his team’s ability. about where our level of play needs be to for “I enjoy playing with such great teamus to be a successful team this season.” mates,” sophomore Sabrina Lee said. “Our seIn a pool with Menlo, Archbishop-Mitty, St. nior captains, Tara Murao and Liza Dernehl Francis and Burlingame, the Vikings finished play a big roll by setting good examples for with one win and three losses. the underclassmen to follow. We’re going “We did win our last game,” Murao to be very successful this season, and we said. “[The win] gave us confidence hope to make CCS this year.” that we took into our first league game The team lost six of last year’s against Homestead.” starters leaving The girls started Olcott with the season the tough Senior captian, Tara Murao plays an important roll on off by wintask of finding the Girls Varsity Water Polo team. Murao started ning their first new players to playing the summer before freshman year. league game over take up the missing Murao has 19 goals this season and is Homestead seven to positions. one of the three remaining seniors three. With this vic“The team is very that are on the team. “ The tory the team continues young,” Olcott said. “But it underclassmen are definitely to work hard in hopes of a has a lot of talent.” capable of competing at the victorious season. The team is composed of same level as upperclassmen,” “The team has imeight juniors, three seniors Murao said. proved so much in the past and three sophomores. It three weeks, and we are fiprepared for the season nally starting to play as a with Hell Week. team instead of individu“The team is totally als,” Hoffacker said. different this year,” Murao said. “We are Paly could not maintain its winning really good at defense and have a lot of speed. streak, losing its second league game to Los We need to work on scoring more goals, and Altos 14 to six on September 18. The team also our movement, like where to be in the water at suffered an upsetting loss against Los Gato certain times of a game. This season is going eight to nine. to be about rebuilding the team and hopefully Facing cross-town rival Gunn high school improving a lot throughout the season.” on September 30, Paly battled hard and finThe Vikes opened the season with a win ished with a seven to two win. over Archibishop Mitty. “I think if we practice hard and prepare “I was really surprised how well we played ourselves we will be able to beat any team,” against Mitty,” senior Madison Hoffacker Hoffacker said. “We definitely have the skill.” said. “Last year they were really good, but that ~Spencer Sims

STAR WATCH

FEATURES

the BraIn In In the Brain

Beyond the Game Psychology Techniques for Any AThleTe BY KYLIE SLOAN 34

DRAWINGS BY SARA CHUN

FEATURES

atching a football, serving a volleyball, swinging backhand, sprinting to the finish line, and treading water are all physical aspects of the sports featured in this fall edition. Although these actions all fit into the puzzle of sports, these physical pieces only make up half of the picture. The other half is not seen on the field, on the court, on the track or in the pool. These pieces are the mental aspects, and they can be controlled, contrived and exercised in ways that will ultimately improve your athletic performance. By looking into sports psychology, the study of the mental aspects of athletic performance, you can find exercises that can take you farther in your athletic career or just make a sport more enjoyable for yourself. These next five categories, breathing, visualization, reducing anxiety, repetition, and rest and sleep, all include simple exercises that you can do whenever and wherever you want. They will help you develop the right mindset to be the best you can be in whatever sport you play.

1 BREATHING

Inhale slowly... and now exhale at the same pace...

These two voluntary movements, crucial for survival, are performed unconsciously. However, you can manipulate this same two-step motion in such a way that will bring focus and awareness to your body. “I start teaching them first about breathing,” Seán O’Riordan, Ph.D. said, regarding his patients. O’Riordan is a sports psychologist at the Stanford Faculty and Staff Help Center and in his own private practice in Los Altos. “I teach the person to sit in a chair and look at a blank wall, something the same color, and do some breathing, teaching the person to be aware of things like I am aware of the soles of my feet,” O’Riordan said. “Of course, the person should say that out loud so the person is not afraid to say it .” Next, O’Riordan would have you say: “I am aware of the palms of my hands” and “I am aware of my relaxed face.” You repeat these three phrases out loud to yourself a few times. Then, as O’Riordan puts it, “The person would say it to themselves si-

lently without moving their lips and without moving any part of their body so that they are completely still except for their breathing.” If this breathing technique is not for you, there is a similar exercise done in the yoga class taught by Nicole Wargo, R.Y.T. Wargo is the Group Exercise Program facilitator at the YMCA in Palo Alto and a registered mind and body specialist at the Pacific Shores Club in Redwood City. The exercise consists of a pose called Savasana, or “Corpse Pose”, which is also a state of meditation. You lie down on your back with feet hip-width apart and hands a few inches away from the hips. Your body should completely surrender to gravity, no muscle should be tensed, and your body is completely still. Focus only on breathing, no other thoughts, and if your mind wanders it should be brought back to focus on the breathing. Every inhale and exhale should be about eight seconds each, therefore each breathe involves the diaphragm. “’Breathing is the doorway to the unconscious mind,’” Wargo said, quoting her YogaFit training manual, “Breathing allows a person to feel their emotions but not be consumed by them. They become connected to the center of the body.” Both these exercises train you to practice the state of “flow,” when a person is so completely immersed

“Breathing allows a person to feel their emotions but not be consumed by them,” wargo said.

FEATURES in the execution of their performance that they become unaware of everything else going on around them. According to Mind Tools Career Excellence Club, “flow” allows you to not be distracted by audiences, scores or other outside pressures. “Flow” develops trust within yourself that allows you to have complete control over what you are doing, without actually being conscious of it.

VISUALIzATION

When you walk down a street, you usually recognize things such as a stop sign, a friend’s house or a mailbox. You recognize these objects because of the numerous times you have seen them. According to O’Riordan, this same relationship can be applied to sports. When you learn a new skill the brain “codes” it or forms a new nerve pathway, but the more this pathway is used the more familiar it becomes. Now, there are only so many times that you can work on new skills or work through mistakes in practice. When you are at home or in school, you can still practice these skills through visualization, and strengthening those nerve pathways even more. “They [athletes] could be sitting down or lying down and looking a something really blank and they are thinking inside, with their eyes open, so they are able to shut out what’s outside of them and visualize what is inside,” O’Riordan said. “[They] visualize something they want to do, that is they start out with the easiest thing to do and they go up the line until they get to something that is more difficult. Then they visualize themselves doing it the way they want to do it,” O’Riordan said, describing how he works with athletes in his office. Andy Harader, head coach of Paly’s boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis teams, has been encouraging his players to use imagery on and off the court. “I want them to play a pantomimed match, with no ball, so that when they play the body is trained [in a mental sense],” Harader said. However, he has trouble getting his players to take this advice, but really it is not his responsibility to do so. Varsity football head coach, Earl Hansen, expressed a similar attitude when talking about how his players should visualize their plays in their heads. “It’s an individual thing... tested by how they perform. If they play badly, then it shows that they weren’t going through their plays,” Hansen said. In other words, your coach is not going to force you to practice visualization, but if you want to get better you need to take the initiative. With visualization there must be consistency; you cannot practice visualization only once and expect to see a difference in the way you play. O’Riordan suggests practicing three weeks before your game, three times a day for about five minutes each time.

REDUCING ANxIETY

According to Idea Fitness Journal anxiety is distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune, and is

Yoga Sequence Want more yoga? Here’s a simple, beginner level sequence that you can do whenever or wherever you want.

1) SavaSana (CorpSe poSe) This pose should be held for about five minutes. Inhale for about eight seconds, and exhale for about eight seconds. Breathe heavily, and only focus on your breathing, do not let any other thoughts distract you.

BalaSana (Child’S poSe)

This pose should be held for about two minutes. Remember to breathe in this pose, using your diaphragm, and focus on relaxing every part of your body.

3)adho MuCka SvanaSana (downwardFaCingdogpoSe) This pose should be held for about two minutes also. Remember to breathe, relax your shoulders, and do not lock the joints in your arms or your legs. Also, distribute the weight evenly between your hands and your feet.

FEATURES a stage of apprehension. In the brain, anxiety is controlled by GABA, which stands for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that induces relaxation and sleep, and controls anxiety. “Anxiety is hidden in many athletes,” O’Riordan said. Anxiety can result from situations such as pressure from your parents, a coach asking too much of you or even doubt within yourself. “People are always breaking themselves down,” Wargo said. “By using Soma Psychology, we are changing the thought pattern, so that yoga allows the time and focus needed to replace negative thoughts with positives,” Wargo said. Jekara Wilson, head coach of junior varsity volleyball, uses a similar technique with her players: positive reinforcement. “I encourage the girls to seek what they want, so they don’t focus on the negative [aspects],” Wilson said. Like Wargo and Wilson, you can use positive reinforcement. If you are having an off day, instead of listing the things that you are doing wrong in your head, list the things that you are doing well. That way, you can build back up your confidence, and come out of that practice or game strong. In addition to this, you can also try progressive relaxation. “Progressive relaxation [is] where you squeeze your hands when you inhale then you hold your breath for about three seconds and then you exhale and when you exhale you make sort of a grunt,” O’Riordan said, “It gets the feeling of releasing the inside energy.”

Although this pose just looks like standing, it is more than that. We stand numerous times throughout the day, but rarely do we stand still for two minutes without thinking or doing anything. In this pose, distribute your weight equally between your feet, close your eyes, and continue to take the deep breathes that you should be taking throughout this sequence.

REPETITION

Although doing drill after drill in practice may seem to be a strictly physical exercise, it is a mental exercise as well. Haideh V. Plock, a physical therapist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, uses repetition with her athletic patients throughout the healing process. “I’ll put them often times in front of a mirror for form and for repetition and for practice so they can see ok this is what you need to be doing with this movement,” Plock said. Like Plock, Harader uses repetition with his players when giving instructions and feedback. “You need to repeat things and approach things differently so they will register with the player,” Harader said. “You reach them sometimes and you don’t reach them sometimes.” However, physical repetitive use can have consequences such as injury or strain, which is where yoga can help. “Yoga can help athletes heal from repetitive movement because that overuse hurts [athletes’] optimal performance,” Wargo said. This reasoning, according to Wargo, comes from yoga’s contents, light stretches and poses that are designed to prevent further strain and tension. Next time you are in practice, be aware of movements that you are constantly repeating and try to limit their overuse. Although, repetition can benefit your performance, over practicing does not.

4) uttanaSana (StandingForwardBendpoSe)

REST AND SLEEP

You may think watching a movie, talking with your friends or reading a book are all ways to rest after a workout. However,

5) tadaSana (Mountain poSe) Athough the boy in this pose is extremely flexible, that amount of flexibility is not required to do this pose. Simply touching your shins will accomplish all that you need to. Hold this pose for about two minutes also. Remember to breathe and relax your body in this pose too. Bend your knees if you need to, and do not push yourself to pain or discomfort, just do what you can. After you complete this sequence, from pose one to pose five, repeat the sequence again, but instead start with pose five and end with pose one.

FEATURES none of these activities qualify as actual “rest”, since your brain is still active. “What athletes have to think about also is that they need a rest period, just fifteen minutes of lying down and doing nothing,” O’Riordan said. By doing this, you are giving your brain time to process everything that you have just done in practice, like in meditation. “Meditation is finding a seat or position where you can still your mind and still your body because that’s what meditation is, a sound mind in a sound body,” Wargo said. Sleep is equally as important as rest, so do not think you can substitute one for the other. “Athletes need at least seven hours of sleep every night, so they go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. It is very important, so the athlete can get to the fourth or fifth

stages of sleep,” O’Riordan said. The fourth or fifth stages of sleep include REM sleep or rapid eye movement sleep. These stages are when your brain organizes all of the information that it has acquired throughout the day. By reaching REM sleep each night, your brain can retrieve information more easily the next day, and that increase in sleep could be just the difference you need to improve your game. The exercises that each of these five categories contain can make a difference for you; so do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Repeating phrases out loud, doing yoga or lying on the ground doing nothing may feel unnatural at first, but if you keep doing these exercises you will get used to them. You will become more comfortable with your body, more aware of your body and more focused, plus you will become a better athlete overall. <<<

“The more the brain thinks about it, the more that will carry over to the physical aspect,” plock said.

FEATURES

Fantasy Focus

BY O L I V E R D AV I E S

Illustrations by Malaika Drebin and Noah Sneider

t’s August 25th, 2008, the eve of the first day of school. All over Palo Alto, students are eagerly awaiting the next day to see their new schedule, meet their new teachers, and see who has changed over the summer. Just about everybody is worrying about packing their backpacks, picking something to wear, or trying to brace themselves for an early wakeup the next morning, but senior Nathan Gould is too busy with his Fantasy Football draft. The anticipation, the surprise, the absolute unpredictability of a fantasy draft has become Gould’s number one priority as the school year looms ever so near. The call of fantasy sports to high school students is like that of the siren song, completely and utterly irresistible. “I started in seventh grade because my friends were doing it,” Gould said. “It is a good way to relate and be immersed in professional sports.”

ON EDGE Fantasy team owners live and die each week by the actions of their players, watching as their fantasy fate is played out on the television.

Gould’s modest start, however, was all it took to become Many “fantasy athletes” at Paly choose to play for money overwhelmingly involved in the culture of Fantasy Sports, as they as a prize, in addition to the motivation of pride that many cite. now require a significant amount of his time year-round. When leagues are formed, there is often a common buy-in for “I spend at least thirty to forty-five minutes a day with fan- each player, similar to a poker game, which concludes in a league tasy sports,” Gould said. “Football is probably only an hour a payout. week, but baseDue to the illegal nature of gambling, ball requires which take for granted in the fantasy “A good fantasy performance boosts your world, many at least thirty the following sources’ names have morale, increases your confidence, and minutes a day been removed for their legal protection. because you “[Playing for] money makes the combasically allows you to have a more prohave to keep petition more serious,” an anonymous fanductive day at school,” Gould said. “There tasy veteran said. “It makes my incentive to track of all the players who are is a direct correlation between school pro- win more important, in addition to playing hot. You know, for pride.” ductivity and team performance.” to stay ahead A senior fantasy veteran, the most reof the competicent winner of his fantasy baseball league, tion.” reeled in his fantasy earnings, which were all but fantasy as he Senior Mikey Calonne, an avid fantasy player, chooses to placed first in a league which requires a $20 buy-in. immerse himself in the fantasy world simply to augment the en“It feels great to win the $120,” the senior said. “I think joyment he already finds in watching sports. [money] makes it more fun because it gives each player more “I play fantasy for the sports I like to follow because I like to motivation to try harder, money makes people care about their watch the players,” Calonne said. “I play fantasy sports because I teams.” like to draft the players that I like, it makes watching sports more While Gould does not play in a fantasy league for a cash fun. In addition, it adds competition, which is a plus.” reward, he finds motivation from his team’s previous day’s per-

FEATURES

The In’s and Out’s Of Fantasy Sports BASEBALL

Widely recognized as the first fantasy sport, Fantasy Baseball is notorious for the time commitment required in order to succeed in such heated competition. Baseball connoisseurs across the globe eagerly await their respective drafts each and every year to show off their baseball knowledge in this ever-so-addicting game. So how does Fantasy Baseball work? First, a history lesson. In the early part of the twentieth century, scrupulous statkeepers like those in today’s game did not exist. Baseball, America’s pastime, was solely an opportunity to cheer on a hometown team and maybe place a bet or two. The latter proved to be the beginning of fantasy sports, as baseball fans alike looked to take advantage of the closely documented statistics in the later half of the century. In layman’s terms, Fantasy Baseball is simply an imaginary team made up of professional baseball players. The players who make up each fantasy team accumulate statistics for their team’s owner which are ultimately given point values and contribute to an overall standing. Before computers were commonplace, every fantasy baseball team “owner” would check his players’ respective statistics every morning in the newspaper, and tally up the accumulated numbers, i.e., runs scored, home runs, and runs batted in, among many others. In the modern era, there are countless websites who will offer to “run” your fantasy league, which expedites the process of checking your players’ statistics every morning. Sites such as Yahoo.com and ESPN.com even offer to run leagues that require a “buy-in,” which culminates in a cash reward awarded to the winner of each league. Popular fantasy sports websites also offer to run your own league’s fantasy draft. In a fantasy draft, similar to a professional sports draft, a predetermined order is set and fantasy team owners proceed to pick the best fantasy player available, paying mind to available roster slots, fantasy team needs, and other re-

FANTASY STARDOM Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians rewarded his fantasy owners this season, tapping into his Cy Young potential many had predicted a few years ago. strictions of the sort. After years of refining the rules of the game, Fantasy Baseball has split into two scoring categories, Rotisserie and Headto-Head. Rotisserie, a trademark of Fantasy Baseball, is the complex scoring system that focuses on statistics spread out over the season as a whole. As an example, let’s take a look at the “runs scored” category. Say for example there are 10 people in your league, if you had the most runs in an entire season, you would earn 10 points. If you had the second most runs, you would earn nine, and so on and so

forth. A standard Rotisserie Fantasy Baseball league plays with five categories for hitting, and five for pitching. In addition to Rotisserie Fantasy Baseball, a newer style of play called “Headto-Head” has recently emerged. In Headto Head Fantasy Baseball, team owners match up each week against each other, and earn “weekly victories” over their opponents depending on how many statistics their players’ accumulate throughout each respective week. At the end of the season, the team with the best record claims the title.

FEATURES

FOOTBALL

Fantasy Football, whose rules stem directly from those of Fantasy Baseball, is arguably just as addictive as its fantasy brother. According to research firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the 2007 fantasy football season cost employers $7.4 billion in lost workplace productivity; due to fantasy roster changes, fantasy trade talk and message boards during work hours. As opposed to the standard Fantasy Baseball Rotisserie Leagues, the majority of Fantasy Football leagues operate in a Head-to-Head format, which places teams in their respective standing in order of “weekly victories.” Unlike Rotisserie scoring, most head-to-head leagues incorporate a playoff scenario at the end of each fantasy season which usually designates the last two weeks of the NFL season to determine a playoff winner, which is run in the same Head-to-Head format. Fantasy football is widely considered an easier sport to play, as owners are only required to update their teams once a week. There are many free sites that offer to run and keep track of a Fantasy Football league, just like in Fantasy Baseball. Fantasy Football remains a viable option for any fantasy sports addict who wishes to cure his or her off-season baseball blues, or a rookie to fantasy sports as a whole.

formance, which can factor greatly into his attitude at school. “A good fantasy performance boosts your morale, increases your confidence, and basically allows you to have a more productive day at school,” Gould said. “There is a direct correlation between school productivity and team performance.” But what is it about fantasy sports that draws so many people each and every year into its grasp? As the nation moves

“[Playing for] money makes the competition more serious,” an anonymous fantasy veteran said. “It makes my incentive to win more important, in addition to playing for pride.” into an economic recession, Fantasy sports still remain a significant part of the nation’s economy. A 2007 survey by the Fantasy Sports Trade Association estimated a $3-4 billion dollar impact across the sports industry by Fantasy Sports. In addition, the survey also concluded that approximately 29.9 million people play fantasy sports in both the U.S and Canada, up from 19.4 million the year before. As Fantasy Sports become increasingly popular, more and more leagues are created each day in a new variety of sports. While Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Football remain trademarks of the industry, newer sports have joined in such as Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Golf, and yes, Fantasy Auto Racing. This fantasy phenomenon is slowly sweeping the globe, and it is now safe to say this “epidemic of distraction” has hit Paly in full stride. So the next time you see a student quietly asleep next to you in class, don’t wake them up. They were probably up late checking their fantasy team. <<<

Consensus Top 5 Draft Picks Fantasy Baseball 1) Alex Rodriguez 3B, New York Yankees 2) Hanley Ramirez SS, Florida Marlins 3) David Wright 3B, New York Mets 4) Jose Reyes SS, New York Mets 5) Chase Utley 2B, Philadephia Phillies

FEATURES

the new Kids on the Block BY MALAIKA DREBIN

From first-year players to seasoned stars, promising new additions to Paly’s fall sports teams are already standing out and making impressions as underclassmen.

Melanie Wade

freshman varsity volleyball To make one of Paly’s most highly selective sports teams as a freshman is a tremendous accomplishment, but to be the starting middle blocker, straight out of middle school, is quite another story. At six-foot-three, Melanie Wade looks the part of a star volleyball player, and she has the talent to match it. “She produces an intimidating block at the net,” varsity coach Dave Winn said of Wade. “[Melanie] has no fear, which is rare for a freshman.” Coach Winn has big goals for Wade, but acknowledges it will take time and effort. “She is going to need to work on her strength and conditioning to be able to be one of the best middle blockers in CCS by the time she is a senior,” Winn said. Wade comes to Paly from a summer with the USA High Performance U-14 team. Despite her achievements, she remains modest and soft-spoken. “She’s a very humble player for how good she is,” Winn said. “I just want to be a good team member,” Wade said. Wade already seems to fit right in with the veteran varsity players. “We call her ‘Melman’, the giraffe from Madagascar,” junior Marissa Florant said. “And ‘Blockhead’ because she is a blocker, obviously.” Whether she’s ‘Blockhead’ or ‘Melman’, Melanie Wade has officially made her grand entrance into Paly sports.

Maddie Kuppe

freshman varsity volleyball Yet another young standout in Paly volleyball is Maddie Kuppe. The six-foot tall freshman has often played middle blocker, but is looking forward to trying outside hitter for the varsity team in her first high school season. “I expect that Maddie will be a very competent outside hitter, able to help fill the void when Ally Whitson graduates,” coach Dave Winn said. “She is very easy to coach, has a good arm swing, and is quite strong.” In line with Coach Winn’s expectations, Kuppe aims to get comfortable with her new position this year, especially the passing aspect. She has a few other adjustments to make as well. “Maddie is also learning how to adjust to the increased speed of the game at the varsity level,” Winn said. Also a soccer player, Kuppe became interested in volleyball in sixth grade after hearing about tryouts at Jordan Middle School. “It just looked like a fun sport,” Kuppe said. “I started playing and I have loved it ever since. It is so much fun to do, and all [the positions] depend on each other.” Kuppe plays for the Palo Alto Volleyball Club along with fellow freshman Melanie Wade. With four years of varsity volleyball ahead of them, these two young stars are certainly the athletes to watch.

Corso Rosati

FEATURES

Sophomore Jv Cross-Country Corso Rosati did not always expect to be lacing up his running shoes at the Paly track after school. “I am a big swimmer,” Rosati said. “But I did well on the mile in middle school, and my PE coaches told me I should join cross-country.” This fall is Rosati’s first real season as a runner, but coach Joe Ginanni is already impressed. “He is a multisport guy, and he is really fit, so he does not have to do a lot of conditioning,” Ginanni said. Rosati enjoys the self-motivation aspect of cross-country. “You push yourself as hard as you can,” Rosati said “you do not have to depend on anyone else,” Rosati said. Currently running a mile time of 5:10, Rosati hopes to get down to 4:45 by the end of the season, and possibly be the number one JV runner.

Danny Lui

freshman Jv football Freshman Danny Lui, one of the biggest players on this year’s junior varisty football team, is an intimidating sight for any opposing team. “He’s a big, big freshman,” coach David Duran said of the six-foot-two lineman. “[Danny]’s just huge. He is really big and physical. The last [player] I can remember who was that big was Big Fred,” Duran said, referring to 2007 Paly alum and San Jose State star lineman Fred Koloto. With large shoes to fill, Paly’s new projected defensive force is ready to play tough. “I want to kill the quarterback on every team,” Lui said. “I love hitting the other players. I love taking them down.” Although Lui has the wild spirit of an experienced defensive tackle and offensive guard, this is only his first season playing football. “I got into it[football] from watching my cousins play,” he said. “And I decided I wanted to try it.” Coach Duran already sees Lui’s potential. “There’s a good chance he’ll be a 3-year varsity player,” Duran said. “He just has to understand his responsibilities and earn his spot. He is going to be very good.”

Sam Banks

Sophomore Jv Girls’ water polo A longtime swimmer, Sam Banks started playing water polo at her swim coach’s suggestion. “I thought it would be a good way to make friends,” Banks, who transferred to Paly from El Dorado Hills, said. Although this is her first season playing water polo, Banks has already made an impact on the Paly junior varsity team. “Sam is physically strong and athletic,” junior varsity and varsity head coach Cory Olcott said. “She is picking up on technique quick. By the end of the year I think she will be ready for the varsity team.” Banks plays 2-meters for the JV team, the center field position where most of the shots are taken. Olcott pegged her for the spot because of her strength and natural shooting ability. “I really like that she is already comfortable just picking up the ball and shooting,” Olcott said. “She will be very good at 2-meters.” Predictions aside, Banks’ goal for the season is simple. “I want to get better,” Banks said. “Way better.”

e v o L e h t For

e m a G e h t F eo

SOME PLAY TO WIN. SOME PLAY FOR GLORY. OTHERS PLAY TO BE VIKINGS.

BY CHRISTINE CHANG

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MALAIKA DREBIN

FEATURES

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

it’s friday night and the football field lights are on.

The fans and band have taken their places in the stands, and the Palo Alto High School varsity football team is on the field. Preparation is over; the music has been turned off, the inspirational videos have been watched, and Coach Hansen’s pre-game speech has been delivered. Now, it’s game time.

However, for senior football player Ariel Arsac-Ellison, game time comes an hour later during the third or fourth quarter, but only if the Vikings are winning. If the Vikings are losing, Arsac-Ellison will remain sidelined for the entire game unless one of his teammates gets injured. Regardless of the little playing time, Arsac-Ellison, as well as many other Paly athletes, believe that the satisfaction of wearing a Paly jersey makes their time on the bench more than worth it. “When you are on a team, you share the same emotions,” senior football receiver and track runner Ariel Arsac-Ellison said. “It’s a feeling of ‘Those are my friends out there. That’s my team.’ Even sitting on the bench is different from being out in the stands.” For Arsac-Ellison, this year brings his fourth season of playing football. As a receiver for the Vikings, Arsac-Ellison describes his playing time as something

“THe BeST ATHLeTeS CAn COMe OuT OF DeDICATeD junIOr VArSITy ATHLeTeS IF THey Are GIVen THe OPPOrTunITy TO SuCCeeD.” 46

he has earned over time, each year playing more than the last. However, Arsac-Ellison still sees himself as the “stand-in guy”, the player who trains the defensive line by running other teams’ offensive plays and substitutes in games to give the starters a break. It is a role he plays willingly because his true love lies in football. “I’ve always wanted to play football,” Arsac-Ellison said. “My heroes all played football when I was younger. I looked up to Jerry Rice and my grandma gave me his jersey. The first football game I went to was a 49er’s game.” Arsac-Ellison understands that coaches want their teams to be successful, but he also feels that during games coaches should turn around and recognize that they have a full bench of willing and ready players. “A lot of coaches want to keep the best players in,” Arsac-Ellson said. “They don’t realize switching players in can be good. It gives players a break and also gives others playing time.” runner Tamar Ben-Sachar also S enior sees an importance in allowing all

athletes to play, and finds that the junior varsity (JV) division of sports allows this. Competing on a JV level team does not merely mean second-tier, but a place for athletes to grow. “Everyone should have a turn to play on JV if they come to practice and work hard every day,” Ben-Sachar said. “The best athletes can come out of dedicated junior varsity athletes if they are given the opportunity to succeed.” For Ben-Sachar, her senior year also brings a fourth year of running crosscountry and track. In middle school, Ben-Sachar quit other sports like swimming to pursue running. “There’s nothing better than going out for a run through Stanford or along the creek,” Ben-Sachar. “It’s a great break to take during a long day.” As a top runner for the girls’ junior varsity cross-country team her freshmen year, Ben-Sachar’s running career continued to grow as she raced in the varsity division both her sophomore and junior years. However, come senior

FEATURES

each other and welcome all new runners. Ben-Sachar describes cross-country as both an individual and team sport and she promotes both aspects. “The team is made up of individuals with the same interest and are a part of something bigger than themselves,” Ben-Sachar said. “Running is very individual and you need to be able to motivate yourse lf.” enior basketball player Michael Brown also agrees that no matter how individual a sport seems, it requires a team, and that even the most team-like sports require individual effort. Practicing up to three hours a day during off-season, Michael has spent countless hours training for Paly’s basketball team. “I really love the game,” said Michael. “The passion I have keeps me going out every day to play.” Michael was brought up to the varsity squad last year from the JV team and, spent more time on the bench than off of it. He ranks himself as the top tenth player, but only top eight play in games. Michael accepts his time spent on the bench. “It’s [benchwarming] a part of any sport, especially in high school sports, where only the best play,” said Michael. This winter, Michael hopes to make the transition from the bench to a more actively used player. “You have to wait your turn, and you hope that the hard work really starts to show,” Michael said. Senior Sarah Brown began playing soccer when she was six years old. Eleven years later, she is still playing the game. Like many soccer players in the area, Sarah plays both club and high school soccer. And like most athletes, Sarah has spent her fair share of time on the bench. “It [benchwarming] is definitely a part of sports,” Sarah said. “It’s definitely frustrating and you just have to deal with it.” Sarah has found that spending time on the bench has taught her to focus on what she can change and accept what she cannot. For her, self-development and effort are of greater vaule than play-

“I reALLy LOVe THe GAMe. THe PASSIOn I HAVe keePS Me GOInG OuT eVery DAy TO PLAy.” year, Ben-Sachar chose not to compete for personal reasons. Had Ben-Sachar chosen to compete this year, she would have competed at the varsity level. Regardless, Ben-Sachar remains as committed as ever. She trains just as hard as she did early in her high school career and her role on the team has only grown as younger runners look

up to her as someone to learn from. “It’s nice to see how much you improve through competing,” Ben-Sachar said. “But even if you can’t do that, you are still a part of the team.” Ben-Sachar stresses the importance of not just winning, but that of team camaraderie. She makes a personal effort to make sure all the runners know

FEATURES ing time. Like Ben-Sachar, Sarah believes that an athlete’s playing experience is determined by attitude. “If you’re an athlete not getting a lot of playing time, it is going to be what you make of it,” Sarah said. None of these athletes deny that benchwarming is an inherent part of sports, even Ben-Sachar, who has always a sport where everyone participates. Michael believes that the bench is not only a part of sports, but also a vital part of the team. “It’s like the Oscars,” Michael said. “You have your best actors and actresses, and then you also have your best supporting acts. The bench supports the guys who are out there playing. The bench can provide energy.” None of the players feel that their playing time has ever been affected by a coach’s poor decision. Each Paly sports team has its own policies and criteria to determine who gets to play, although most are determined on hard work, dedication, and skill. For football, varsity head coach Earl Hansen looks for all these qualities and one more: maturity. “Football is a high contact sport,” Hansen said. “There is difference between a 16 year old and an 18 year old. The older players are more mature physically and hopefully mentally. I will not put in a player who I don’t think meets both of these.”

strong set of second-string player Although both coaches look for similar qualities in their starting line-up,

game, they all hold fast to the belief that their lives would not be the same without their respective sports. “It’s cheesy, but running equals life,” Ben-Sachar said. “In life there are a lot of things you can’t control and you never know what’s going to happen, but you take what you’re given and just enjoy getting out there and doing what you love no matter where you ar e.” Sarah understands that she will never be a star player, and instead hopes that her contribution to the soccer team goes beyond how many goals she scored. “In the end, I hope I’ve made some friends and helped others improve their own game,” Sarah said. Arsac-Ellison and Michael both agree that the love and passion athletes have for whatever sport they play always eases the frustration of little playing time. “Being with all the guys and all those little team moments on the bus ride, in the locker rooms- no one except the guys on the team will ever know what it’s like,” Arsac-Ellison said. “No one can take that away from you.” Playing their respective sports in college may be questionable, but BenSachar knows that her love for running extends much further than getting to

“THe BeST ATHLeTeS CAn COMe OuT OF DeDICATeD junIOr VArSITy ATHLeTeS IF THey Are GIVen THe OPPOrTunITy TO SuCCeeD,” Ben-SACHAr SAID. “I CAnnOT WAIT TO GeT BACk On THe FIeLD.” Girls’ varsity socccer coach Ernesto Cruz also emphasizes the importance of attitude, as well as representation. “I look for girls who are committed,” Cruz said. “Because it is a high school team, these players represent not just themselves or the team, but also the school.” Both coaches head teams with a

Hansen does not believe that he has an obligation to play every single player, while Cruz tries to play the greatest number of girls possible. For Arsac-Ellison, Ben-Sachar, Michael, and Sarah, their high school memories will undoubtedly include their experience with Paly athletics. Despite the occasional frustrating practice or

compete. For all four, it is their passion, dedication and, love of the game that is most important. “When I grow up, I want to be one of those old people you see around town running around the neighborhood,” BenSachar said. “The ones who are still going at it.” <<<

PROFILES

Lockdown Corners BY E M I LY F OW L E R & H A N A K A JIMUR A Photography by Malaika Drebin he stench of sweat fills the air and T shrieks echo off the cement walls. The locker room is filled with chaos.

Players frantically take care of last minute preparations, searching for missing kneepads and lacing up their cleats. Music blasts through the hallways as players rush back and forth slamming locker doors, energizing their teammates before a big game. For many, this is a traditional pregame ritual. Two veteran players take a different approach. “Before a game I feel like it’s just a normal practice,” senior right cornerback Harry Woolson said.

integral role in extinguishing the opposing team’s offense. As returning starters, Paul Brown and Harry Woolson set examples for their teammates by showing leadership and teamwork. The two seniors share a unique understanding that helps them shut down their opponent’s wide receivers. Brown and Woolson’s coaches and teammates describe them as bringing experience and discipline to the team. They have been playing together since sophomore year, and their teammates indicate that their chemistry shows. “They have chemistry on and off the field,” starting senior quarterback Will

“THey BrOuGHT THe MOST DISCIPLIne. THey HAVe GOOD HuSTLe,” HAnSen SAID. “THey Weren’T reALLy LeADerS LAST yeAr, BuT THIS yeAr THey Are MOre MATure.” Senior Paul Brown, Paly’s starting left cornerback, prefers to avoid the mayhem of the locker room and focus on the task ahead. “In the locker room and in the bus I keep to myself,” Brown said. “I keep quiet and think about the game.” Along with the linemen and other defensive players, cornerbacks play an

Brandin said. Even though they were juniors last year, head coach Earl Hansen decided to start both of them. “They were the two best [cornerbacks].” Hansen said. “They brought the most discipline. They have good hustle. They weren’t really leaders last year, but this year they are more mature.”

PROFILES cornerbacks are confident in B oth their team’s ability and have set clear goals for this year. Brown and

Woolson are accustomed to facing a challenge. “Everyone thought we weren’t going to be good last year,” Brown said. “And we won CCS.” This year Brown plans to surpass even more expectations by winning another CCS championship. “My goal for the team is probably to win CCS,” Brown said. “You know, third time’s the charm.” Woolson has similar ambitions and hopes to prove that the Vikings have enough talent to retain their CCS title. “We have high expectations,” Woolson said. “We can win as many games as last year, league and CCS.” With complementing aspirations, Brown and Woolson hope to work together to achieve a successful season and raise the team to new heights.

PRE-GAME Paul Brown gets off to a good start during warm-ups.

Brown’s stepdad had a tellTing year, dream- his stepson would intercept wo weeks before the CCS finals last

a pass to win CCS. Brown admits that he did not think much of it at the time, disregarding it as nothing more than a dream. In the finals, two weeks later, Brown did in fact have the game-winning pick, leading Paly to CCS victory for the second year in a row. “That was the weirdest thing that has

freshman season, laying the foundation for years of improvement and success. Brown attributes his growth as a player in later years to former defensive coordinator Peter Hansen. “Hansen really helped me the most after coming from JV and learning to become a starter [on varsity] as a junior,” Brown said. Brown attests that most of his individual development occurred during the summer passing league between sophomore and junior year. He gained confidence and skill in the off-season, perhaps helping him earn his starting spot. Although Brown also excels at track, he appreciates the team aspect of football. “You really get to connect with the guys,” Brown said. “You can’t compare the two.” While having a strong presence on the field, Brown is more reserved when the helmet comes off. “I learned to be quiet from wrestling, because in wrestling you walk from the table to the mat with your opponent,” Brown said. “Our coaches always told us that whoever talks is the nervous one. So talking is a sign of weakness.” Brown brings this same mentality to football. Brown expects the Vikings to be successful this year and has a lot of faith in the team. “We have a solid team,” Brown said.

“HAnSen SAyS FOOTBALL IS THe uLTIMATe TeAM SPOrT,” BrOWn SAID. “SO reALLy I’M juST AnOTHer PLAyer OuT THere TryInG TO HeLP THe TeAM.” ever happened to me in football,” Brown said. Though it might have been strange, Brown admits that remembering that moment will refocus his drive towards CCS. Only this year, Brown aspires to achieve his goal earlier on in the season. He also aims to have five interceptions before CCS exceeding his three from last year’s playoffs. When CCS seemed only a distant possibility, Brown was striving for a starting

position on the freshman team. Brown constantly found himself under the radar of most of his coaches. Luckily for him, one coach did take notice. Assistant frosh/soph coach Joe Park was the first to see major potential in Brown. “I was a little fat kid in middle school, but I was fast for my size,” Brown said laughing. “Joe is the reason I am playing now. He gave me a chance, he put me in the game.” Brown started the last game of his

“Everyone trusts each other. We know what we’re doing out there. Hansen says football is the ultimate team sport, so really I’m just another player out there trying to help the team.” ambition and drive, WoolW ithsonhisfulfills the other half of

dynamic cornerback duo. Woolson started playing football i seventh grade with a group of friends. Previously a linebacker, Woolson has

PROFILES not only adapted to his new position, but has excelled in it. Though he prefers cornerback, Woolson also plays wide receiver on the offensive end. Woolson defines success in the cornerback position

my leg, which sucked because I was in the hospital for three days,” Woolson said. Woolson established himself as a key defensive component last season. Aside

have defense to back you up. Paul and Harry are very consistent, they don’t give up big plays.” Other teammates echo Brandin’s opinion by describing them as trustwor-

“PAuL AnD HArry GO A HunDreD PerCenT ALL THe TIMe,” junIOr COrnerBACk HArrIS SuLTAnI SAID. in a simplistic manner: the quarterback is afraid to throw the ball to his side. Similarly to Brown, Woolson feels that Peter Hansen, who recently accepted a position on the Stanford football coaching staff, impacted his football career substantially. “I miss Coach Hansen,” Woolson said. “He helped me a lot and taught me the most.” As a returning starter, Woolson’s principal goal for the season is to help the team as much as he can and become a better player. Because Woolson has not suffered any major injuries in his career, his play has never been seriously interrupted over the years. “In the off-season I had a blood clot in

from his seven interceptions, he also earned First Team All-League and Second Team All-County titles. Woolson’s experience, combined with natural athletic and leadership abilities, poses a threat to any team the Vikings will encounter this season. the term “lockdown corners” to deFscribe Brown and Woolson. ellow teammates and coaches use

“They are dependable and make it hard to throw to either side,” Hansen said. “They understand each other. They are separate, but they communicate.” “When they’re on the field, our best defense is on the field,” Quarterback Will Brandin said. “On offense, you know you

DETERMINATION Harry Woolson surveys the playing field during a home game against Archbishop Mitty. The Vikings won 41-27

thy, experienced and disciplined. “Paul and Harry go a hundred percent all the time,” junior cornerback Harris Sultani said. “They bring skill to the team. They should do well this year.” rown can also attest to the bond B he and Woolson share, stating that their common experiences allow insight

into the other’s playing style. Both players agree that the most difficult aspect of playing cornerback is communicating effectively with someone who is virtually 50 yards across a playing field. “We don’t even usually talk to each other except for in the huddle,” Brown said. “What ends up happening, even though we’re on opposite sides of the field, is that when the other quarterback looks to throw to the wide receiver, Harry always has him covered.” The Paly football team can expect great things from not only Brown and Woolson, but from the defensive team as a whole. “We all work well together,” senior running back Sam Tompkins-Jenkins, who also plays cornerback, said, “We’re all friends, we all have the same sense of humor.” The players are all very close and senior lineman Ashraf El Gamal notes how team solidarity helps them on the field. “We all bond and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” El Gamal said. “We’re not afraid to ask for advice.” Brown and Woolson have both come a long way, and as returning starters the team expects the lockdown corners to remain an impenetrable force. This season the Paly team has found a duo they can depend on. “We know we can trust them always,” El Gamal said. “We’re confident.” <<<

ZOOM

Palo Alto goalie Liza Dernehl successfully saves a goal in a game against arch rival Gunn High School. Paly smashed the cross-town foes 7-2 on their way to a 3-2 league record. Photo by John Christopherson

ZOOM

Thomas Cho fires a shot on goal against Gunn High School. Paly dominated the game, defeating the Titans 10-5 to add to their 3-2 league record. Photo by Malaika Drebin

PROFILE

ATTACKING THE NET BY SANA BAKSHI PHOTOGrAPHy By jOHn CHrISTOPHerSOn

Her stroke is unstoppable. Her passion is unbelievable. Her love for the game is undeniable.

hree years ago, she went into the weeklong tennis program thinking it was just another sports clinic-no big deal. She did not know she would come out with a newfound love and passion. From the first time she whacked the ball across the court and sent it sailing, Emma Marti knew that tennis was the sport for her. Now, as a15 year old Palo Alto High School sophomore, Marti has not lost a single bit of the passion she has for the game. Previously a year round swimmer and soccer player, Marti gave both up when she realized that focusing on tennis was what she wanted to do. After attending a clinic at the age of 12, Marti realized

she had passion for the game. “She plays tennis and then she comes home and watches tennis,” her mother, Jan Marti said. Marti is currently in a district-approved home-schooling program that allows her to have more free time than a student with a normal school schedule. Rather than spending that time with friends or watching TV on the couch, Marti plays tennis. “Home-schooling allows Emma to focus on her tennis and have a flexible academic schedule that helps her learn the best way for her,” Mrs. Marti said. According to Mrs. Marti, her daughter plays four hours of tennis a day. Marti has the focus and dedication

needed to be a successful tennis player. Supported by her family and her private coach, Kim Grant, she spends the majority of her week playing tennis. According to Marti’s sister, Nora, Marti lives and breathes tennis. “It’s all she talks about. It’s all she does and it’s all she watches on TV,” Nora said. Not only does Marti play for the Paly team, but she also plays on the individual circuit. She competes in most Junior Grand Slams in California and some nationwide tournaments. Marti holds the number two spot on the Paly varsity tennis team. Her coach, Grant, has high hopes for her tennis career.

PROFILE “I have been coaching Emma for “Tennis is a team sport that relies Mah said, “She knows when to be fun three years and she is a pleasure to heavily on the individual,” Harader said. and she knows when its game time.” coach,” Grant said. “She has an unbeMarti’s teammate and Paly junior Although Marti spends so much time lievable attitude.” Lauren Mah enjoys having Marti as a on the court, she still keeps her academTennis has helped ics and her social life in Marti’s competitive check. The amount of spirit. For her the best time she spends on the part of the game is how court has no effect on competitive it is. the amount of time Mar“I don’t think about ti enjoys spending with anything else,” Marti her family or friends. said. “I just think about “In a way, tennis has strategy.” become my social life,” Marti’s strategy has Marti said. led her through many After traveling to varimatches and tournaous tournaments with ments. Before each the same group of match, Marti stretches people, Marti considfor 15 minutes, jumps ers them her circle of rope, eats a banana, friends. and then calls Grant. Both coaches say Mar“I don’t have to push ti’s power in her swing her; she pushes herself,” and desire to succeed Grant said about Marti’s is what is leading her to drive. such a thriving career. Even though she “Her gift is her power,” only practices with the Grant said. Paly team twice a week, TEAMMATES Senior captain Vrinda Khanna congratulates Marti after their win. Grant, who coaches

“On THe COurT SHe GOeS InTO Her zOne.” MAH SAID. “SHe knOWS WHen TO Be Fun AnD SHe knOWS WHen IT’S GAMe TIMe.” she plays in all the matches. Paly tennis coach Andy Harader said he has no problem playing someone who does not come to practice with the team on a regular basis.

teammate. “She’s a great competitor,” Mah said. According to Mah, Marti is a different person on the court. “ On the court she goes into her zone.”

Marti everyday, sees her going far in the individual circuit for tennis. “She can take her tennis as far as she wants to-to be the best player she can be,” Grant said. <<<

EMMA’S ACES FOOD: PASTA MOVIE: DIE HARD SONG: FOREVER-CHRIS BROWN

TEACHER: MS. MCDANIEL SPORTS BRAND: NIKE

PLAYER: RAFAEL NADAL 55

kingbrewer

remembering the life of Travis Brewer

ver the course of the past few years, I was blessed to get to know Travis Brewer. Growing up playing baseball in Palo Alto, Travis was a familiar figure, but it wasn’t until I began playing for his uncle Mike’s Babe Ruth team that he became more to me than the kid with the goofy laugh and the never-ending smile who seemed to be everywhere. My introduction to Travis came during one of our first games – I got a base hit, only to be called out stealing on the next pitch. I sulked my way back to the dugout, and was met by an outstretched hand waiting for a high five. “Man, that ump is a FOOL!” Travis exclaimed. I couldn’t help cracking a smile. Eventually, that hand, always accompanied by his trademark smile, became a fixture for me, as it was for so many in the Paly community. It seemed impossible to make it through a day at Paly without somehow crossing paths with Travis, whether it was on the quad or on the field, and it seemed that I always came away smiling. Travis’ unexpected passing on September 14th shook the community, reminding us that life is a privilege. Yet, as the community came together in the following weeks to remember his life, it became clear that if there was one person who had always embodied that spirit, it was Trav. Travis was a rare person, someone whose life seemed to be defined largely by the joy he brought to those around him. Travis didn’t seem to mind if acting silly as long as it made one person laugh or one person smile. As The Viking thought about how to best cover Travis’ life, it seemed appropriate to let his story be told by those whose lives he touched. The following pages are a collection of thoughts, memories, and stories from current and former Paly students who knew and loved Travis.

BY NOAH SNEIDER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MALAIKA DREBIN ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY HANA KAJIMURA

ife r

He was an inspiration to everyone, even if they weren’t playing sports. He would celebrate after every touchdown, home run, etc like he had scored the td or hit the home run. He’s not only gonna be missed heavily by the Paly sports community, but the Palo Alto community as a whole. R.I.P TB.... -- Mike Scott (‘08) --

Travis was an inspiration to all of us, especially me. Even though he was younger I looked up to him in many ways. Never did that kid have the wrong idea, he knew what he wanted and he knew how to get it. His older brother was always there for me so I felt I had to be there for Trav through the good and the bad. He stood by my side when nobody else wanted to. He told me everything would be aite and to keep my head up, well, I did. Thanks babay boy. -- Danny Esquivel (‘08) --

Travis was truly a unique kid and one that does not come along too often. It was so refreshing to see someone with such real emotions in an era and community where that’s not the norm even for the most loved people. Travis will continue to live on in this community not only because of the way he is still watching over us, but also because he has left a piece of himself in everyone who has met him. Travis will be missed, no doubt about it, but knowing him, I think we can count on his legacy living on for a long time. -- Will Goodspeed (‘08) --

I have a lot of funny memories with Trav, but my favorite is probably everyday when I got to school after my first period prep I would always see him as I was coming from by the weight room and I would yell “Wassup Trav!” He’d always just laugh at me and then I’d ask him how school was going. He never really answered he just laughed like he didn’t have a care in the world. It made me smile no matter what was going on in my life, that he was happy showed me that there really wasn’t a point in not being happy. I learned a lot from Travis. He taught me not to take anything too seriously in life and to just enjoy it. -- Jordan Jefferson (‘08) --

Trav was the one who acknowledged your presence when others would look away. Even if he didn’t say anything, you just knew. He had the power to turn your day around with a simple wave and sincere smile, and drew attention to the little details in life that you or I are too busy to notice. One night I remember being at Brewer’s house just sitting around eating Chinese food and looking through old Paly yearbooks. Trav seemed to know someone on every single page, laughing at all the pictures and making them seem so real-that’s the thing about Trav, every moment you spent with him you felt like his best friend; you felt close to him just by being around. He kept all the little memories with him and valued every moment you spent together. I just couldn’t stop smiling whenever I was around him. He reminded me to be happy. Trav just wanted to see a smile on your face and know that he put it there…I know a piece of him will be with me forever, in all that I do. -- Hana Kajimura (‘10) --

I remember back in Little League, when we’d be losing in a crucial baseball game and I remember looking up to the stands and seeing Trav cracking jokes and smiling. He could put a smile on anyone’s face, no matter the situation -- Graham Marchant (‘11) --

Trav was the type of guy who could get on your last nerve walking out of the dugout, but by the time you got back in he’d be cracking up and all you could do was laugh with him. Trav was my boy and ill miss him very much. Get ‘em Trav, Get ‘em Trav. -- Steven Burk (‘09) --

Travis was the kind of guy who always gave you a high five no matter what day HE was having. He was a very unselfish kid and everyone at Paly can say that at one time or another, when they were feeling down, Trav was always there to make you forget about your bad day and just be thankful that there was a guy like Travis on campus. I love you man, and you will be deeply missed. -- Joshua Gould (‘10) --

I remember every day I would pass him in the halls and he would talk with me about sports. And his classes. Travis was a happy-go-lucky kid. He was always sweet to everybody, and loved to make people smile. I will never forget him. -- Juli Gaeta (‘11) --

Trav, I always wondered why you came out to all the Paly sports every day. You dedicated so much time and effort just to be out there. I don’t think I have ever seen you happier then when you did the Paly jumping jacks with us at the end of practice. Seeing you smiling and laughing made me realize why you do it. You always just wanted to be a part of it and be one of the guys. When I saw you doing the jumping jacks I decided instead of spelling out PALY I would spell out TRAV. This made you laugh even more and it made me realize how much all of this meant to you. Above all of your birthday parties, going trick-or- treating with me and Jordan and you helping out at the haunted house, that is the memory that stood out to me. It made me proud to be a part of it with you and I am proud to have been a part of your life. You inspired so many to do their best. Whenever I felt down or I felt sorry for myself I would think of all the challenges you faced and how you overcame each one. You inspired me to work harder and to take nothing for granted. Every day I saw you, you said something to me that made me laugh and I loved to simply be around you and hear what you had to say. And I have never met anyone who knew how to make people smile better than you. I know you have a good spot up there and I know your watching over me. You made the world a better place, I love you man and I’ll miss you Big T. -- Alistair Thompson (‘11) -Travis was a great guy who could cheer you or anyone one up with a simple joke or the huge smile on his face all the time. He gave me a high five everyday and we’d talk about sports and everything else that had happened the day before. At practice or in the locker rooms at baseball he was always in a good mood and was always singing and bringing out all these crazy dance moves that would get the whole team going. I think one of his greatest characteristics was his ability to turn a bad situation into a much better one by his constant cheering and smiles that would truly brighten everyone’s day. Travis was an inspiration and role model who will never be forgotten. -- Jack Smale (‘11) --

One of the best memories I have of Travis is on the 7th grade basketball team, and he got in with like five minutes to go, and everyone would pass it to him, and he kept on shooting and making threes, in the end he probably had like 4 or 5 threes, and with every shot, the tiny gym got crazier and crazier. -- Kevin Anderson (‘11) --

I coached his 7th grade basketball team and he was a great kid to have on the team always supportive and I remember him being so happy when he banked in like fives shots in a row, and the whole team went crazy. That was pretty amazing. Also, I remember every Monday when we run snakes for football, probably the worst run of the week, he would always be giving us high fives as we ran by which always made it a little easier. -- Ashraf el Gamal (‘09) --

Every day during brunch he would come over to me and give this huge hug and then just walk away. And at lunch he would tell me all about his baseball games and how they were doing. He just cheered me up no matter what. -- June Afshar (‘10) --

I didn’t have a best memory with Travis. It was more like everyday with him was a great day, and we had lots of memories. Just seeing him everyday at practice smiling and ready to go day in and day out would make my day. I think I can speak for everyone when I say Travis was an inspirational part of our team. The thing I will always remember about my boy Travis is all the jokes he would make at practice, they would crack me up every time. -- Tyger Pederson (‘08) -Trav was a good kid, and I don’t remember a time when I saw him upset for more than five minutes before putting on a smile again. I met Trav because I was friends with his older sis. I remember the first time he came up to me when I was at his house and just started talking to me like he had known me for years. It was funny because after that conversation I felt the same. He is younger than me but I’ve learned from him. Life can go at any time and nothing is worth being mad about for too long. Travis has shown me that having fun is what counts most in life and that’s all he ever did. -- Dennis Muaka (‘08) --

In the game [7th grade basketball], Trav made all those shots but was also sprinting up and down the court even though you could tell that he was tired. Every time someone missed a shot and we all ran back up the court, there was Trav sprinting as fast as he could to get the ball to take the next shot. When he felt tired he stood there with his hands on his knees, sweat dripping, and he was panting hard. But he never gave up; he kept running up and down the court because he wanted to win the game for the rest of the team. -- Jeff Cohen (‘11) --

DAY

NOVEMBER SUN vs. Los Gatos (6:45) SCVAL Begins SCVAL Begins SCVAL Begins SCVAL Meet

at Homestead (6:45)

vs. Mtn. View (7:30)

7 13

at Los Gatos (1:30)

11 18

CCS Begins

16 24

CCS Begins CCS Begins CCS Begins

CCS Meet

State Meet

28 DAY

6 13

@ Castilleja (4:00)

vs. Saratoga (5:30) at Los Altos (3:30) vs. Monta Vista

Girls’ Water Polo Cross-Country Girls’ Tennis

vs. Mtn. View (3:30) vs. Saratoga (3:30)

Football Volleyball Boys’ Water Polo

at Gunn (W 3-1)

vs. Gunn (W 43-0)

10 Clovis Invite

vs. Saratoga (6:45) at Homestead (3:30) vs. Menlo (4:00) at Homestead

vs. Saratoga (7:30) Monterey Bay Invite

at Mtn. View (6:45) at Homestead (3:30)

vs. Gunn (3:30)

at Los Gatos (6:45) vs. Los Altos (5:30) at Lynbrook (3:30) at Los Altos

vs.Gunn (6:45)

vs. Wilcox (7:30) MacDonald Invitational

at Sacred Heart (3:30)

vs. Gunn (3:00) at Monta Vista (3:30) vs. Gunn

at Milpitas (7:30)

vs. Los Gatos (5:00) vs. Los Altos (3:30) vs. Los Gatos

at Los Altos (6:45)

OCTOBER SUN

5 12 19 26

at Saratoga (6:45)

vs.Los Altos (6:45)

at Saratoga (3:30) at Saratoga (3:30) at Monta Vista

vs. Mtn. View (5:00) vs. Los Gatos (3:30) vs. Mtn. View City Championships

Cupertino Tourney

at Los Altos (1:30) Presentation Tourney

MacDonald Invitational

Milpitas Tourney

The Last Word what A

Summer by Ben Brown Some of you might be wondering how the heck I’m going to replace Austin Smith on this last page but… never mind, I won’t be able to live up to the legend, ‘nough said. Game over. I think a little introduction is in order. I am generally identified as a big-headed, hairy-chested, Jewish, Michigan fan. Most all of these things are easy to make fun of me with. My big head is unrivaled by any other, which is an easy joke target. My hairy chest is a chick magnet. Aside from saving the environment with my forest, I always seem to turn some heads whenever I take off my shirt. As for the Michigan fan part, it’s been rough. Anybody who enjoys making fun of Michigan, HAHA, very funny, like I’ve never heard that before. So far, writing for The Viking has been almost as hard as watching Michigan lose to the seven year old girl team, Appalachian State. Sure, Michael Phelps says that training for the Olympics is demanding on the body, but let me tell you, matching Austin’s humor is far more wearing on the body. If you guys are anything like me, you may have been particularly interested in this summer’s gymnastics and beach volleyball. Nothing got me to the couch faster than the two words: Nastia Lukin (except maybe Jennifer Aniston dancing in white shirt in a fountain to “I’ll be There For You”). While the Iowans (ites?) liked Shawn Johnson so much that they made an entire sculpture of her out of butter, there’s nothing like a good Russian name to get me going (although I can’t say I wouldn’t mind buttering up Shawn Johnson myself). Besides the fact that for a period of time Michael Phelps had won half of the US’s gold medals, he has had to overcome many obstacles to get there. Like me, Phelps has ADD which makes it that much harder for him to stay focused in a pool for so darn long. Also, he probably can get more ladies with his ugly looking teeth than I could with my beautiful, white teeth. I saw, when I was reading People Magazine (that’s right) that Mr. Phelps eats between 10,000 and 12,000 calories a day. Uhhh… take a second to process that. That would be like eating ten power Peanut Butter Moo’ds (my personal fave, but a bad idea to eat in between football double-day

practices) from Jamba Juice. For those of you who don’t know, the Peanut Butter Moo’d was found to be the least healthy smoothie in the country (delicious). I have been told that I have a big appetite myself, and I can’t imagine eating three fried egg sandwiches, an omelet, bowl of grits, French toast and pancakes… all in one meal!! And if I did, it would not be fun afterwards. As you can see in this issue’s water polo previews, most swimmers, along with Michael Phelps, have no body hair besides that of their head and eyebrows. If I were to race Michael in a swim race, I would win for the one fact that my chest hair would give me extra hydrodynamics. Like I said earlier, my chest is covered. I’ve heard so many different names regarding my chest. I’ve been told it looks like I’m wearing a sleeveless sweater, and that there are probably creatures living inside the forest. In fact, when I recently shaved it, we called it the deforestation act. I guess I can only imagine the race with Michael Phelps happening though. Other than Michael, we all had to find someone else to yell at on the TV pretending like we knew what we were talking about. My family tended to watch gymnastics. These athletes would do things that I can’t even dream of doing. For some reason, the American gymnasts looked much older than the Chinese gymnasts did. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that thought so. These girls looked like me in the good ol’ days when I would dominate on the monkey bars. When I looked at Shawn Johnson and Nastia Lukin; I thought they were so sexy. When I watched the Chinese gymnasts; I felt like a pedophile. The most thrilling Olympian to watch was Jamaican Usain Bolt. Just in case you didn’t know, he is insanely fast. Any man that could jog the last 30 meters of a 100 meter race and still set a world record, is just being unfair to his competition. All in all, the 29th Olympics were a huge success. US’s athletes suffered some heartbreaking losses, like in softball, but once again, the Olympics provided not only great entertainment and excitement, but made us all proud to be Americans! Well it’s been fun, and until next time… GO BLUE!

I am generally identified as

a big-headed,

hairy chested, Jewish,

Michigan fan...

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Sharon Witte Coldwell Banker

sharon.witte@cbnorcal.com www.sharonwitte.com

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