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Ultimate Athlete Magazine Dear Readers,
Fall is here, school is back in session and it’s football season! It’s that time of the year when all of the hard work during the off-season is measured. Every team and athlete’s goal is to win a championship for their school. Fall is when hours spent in the weight room, miles that have been run, and work put in at two-a-days finally begins to pay off. In this issue we’ve covered the first weeks of football season at Erasmus Hall, Abraham Lincoln, Boys & Girls, Brooklyn Tech, Curtis and Sheepshead Bay High Schools. Although, fall is best known as Football season, we have also followed the Martin Luther King, Jr.’s boys’ soccer team and the Tottenville’s girls’ soccer team. At Ultimate Athlete Magazine, we don’t just believe in touchdowns, goals, wins and losses. An athlete is more than just a name and stats. A team is more than just wins and losses. We like bring a more in depth approach for the athletes we cover, the coaches that guide them, the school they play for and the neighborhood they represent. Four years of high school is a short period of time for an athlete to, hopefully, make a name for themselves, be a part of a championship team and grow as an individual. Whether an athlete is just playing for the love of the game or they’re trying to play at the college level, their hard work and dedication to their teammates is exemplary, and has not gone unnoticed. We’re pleased to bring you exciting stories from high school sports throughout New York City and are looking forward to the rest of the 2013 fall season. Kevin Sperandeo Assistant Publisher Ultimate Athlete Magazine
PUBLISHER/CEO EXECUTIVE EDITOR ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SENIOR MEDIA MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PAUL CORACE N.J COMANZO EMILY SOPER
LOUIS H QUACH PONNUTHURAI JEYATHAS MELISSA FEARON WIN-KYE CHEONG
RICHARD BROOKS KEVIN FREHEIT DR. TOM FERRARO SANDY SARCONA MIKE MEJIA CSCS JACLYNKELLI KRONEMBERG RYAN MCNAMEE EMILY SOPER KATARINA BARONE MIKE REPERTORIO
IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
KEVIN SPERANDEO KATARINA BARONE
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
ANTHONY HUGHES MIKE LANGISH
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
ANTHONY HUGHES
How to contact us Phone: 1-800-680-3213 Email: info@ultimateathletemagazine.com Ultimate Athlete Magazine (ISSN 1931-5295) is published 12 times a year by Ultimate Athlete, Inc., 24 Woodbine Ave, Northport, New York 11768. All contents copyright 2012 by Ultimate Athlete Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or part of the content without the prior written consent of Ultimate Athlete, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are properties of thier respective owners. Although the writers and the publishers have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication we aassume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of authors and do not neccesarily represent those of Ultimate Athlete, Inc or Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete Magazine.
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NEW YORK CITY FALL VOL. I 2013 6
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PG 10
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
PG 14
BOYS & GIRLS
PG 18
BROOKLYN TECH
PG 24
CURTIS
PG 26
ERASMUS HALL
PG 32
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
PG 34
TOTTENVILLE
PG 38
SHEEPSHEAD BAY
PG 44
NUTRITION
PG 46
PSYCHOLOGY
PG 50
TRAINING
Football Preview Football Preview Football Preview Football Preview Football Preview Boys’ Soccer Boys’ Soccer
Football Preview
Super Smoothies Sport Psychology of The Future A Hot Mess
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Story by Kevin Freiheit Photos by Kevin Sperandeo Every football team starts the season with an ultimate goal. Most teams aim to go as far as they can and win the Championship. You can ask coaches before the season starts, and even during the year, and their goal will probably be to win every game. They will give you the usual coach quotes – “We have to take it one game at a time,” “We’re looking to win every single game,” or “Our focus is winning one week at a time.” For most teams, they fail to achieve their goal. All it takes is one loss, one bad game, or even one simple mistake, to end a season. But the boys at Lincoln High have been living up to their expectations, and
have no intention of letting up. The Railsplitters are off to a perfect 6-0 start, and they have been merciless on the field and on the scoreboard. In its six games this season, Lincoln has allowed a mere 39 points and more than 10 in a game just once. Lincoln has many players that can step up and bring down the opponent. Junior Alejandro Oregon, who has 31 tackles, and leads the Railsplitters’ defense. Senior Leroy Hancle has recorded 30 tackles, as well. On the pass rush, senior Thomas Holley leads the team with five sacks. When the Railsplitters don’t get to the quarterback, they have found ways to force turnovers.
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Senior Khendell Puryear has two interceptions and senior Jahsi Meade has an interception and two fumble recoveries. As a team, Lincoln has forced five interceptions and seven fumbles. While their defense has been rock solid, their offense may be even better. Forcing turnovers has allowed more opportunities to get points on the board, and they have done just that, thanks to the team’s stellar offense. The Railsplitters have scored 218 points on the season, to their opponents’ 39. Lincoln’s lowest point total in one game this season was 26, which they did twice. Other than that, they have put up at least 36 points a game. Senior quarterback Javon Moore has completed 61 of 94 pass attempts this season, piling up over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. Moore has thrown as least two touchdowns in every game this season, with the exception of the one, against Tottenville. Senior runningback Antoine Holloman Jr. has played a big part in the offense as well. Holloman Jr. has rushed for 654 yards on 84 attempts, and an average of over seven yards per carry. He has also found the end zone 11 times, including once on a 70-yard run.
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Holloman Jr. does more than just run with the ball, he is part of a deeply talented receiving core, and has chipped in 10 catches for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior receiver Malik Andrews has been the biggest target for Moore, though. Andrews has gained over 500 yards on 25 catches, and has scored five touchdowns, including a 90-yard reception. These are just a few of the biggest players on the Railsplitters’ roster that have been putting up big numbers, but Lincoln has many others that have stepped up as well. This is an experienced team that is loaded with talent throughout the lineup, and they clearly have what it takes to win. In recent years, the Railsplitters have posted records of 13-0, 12-1 and 8-3. Lincoln has recorded 39 wins over the past four seasons combined. From 2004 through 2009, they won just 24 times, so they are doing something right. Their program has made adjustments, and is now heading in the right direction and in full swing. The Railsplitters are a team to keep an eye on, as they possess depth, experience, determination and intimidation. Lincoln is aiming to go far this year, and they have what they need to accomplish that.
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BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
Kangaroos Jump into the 2013 Football Season Story by Kevin Freiheit // Photos by Anthony Hughes
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he Boys and Girls high school football team hasn’t been one of the fiercest teams in the league over the past decade; however, the Kangaroos have quietly been improving their game since going 2-7 in 2009. Over the past three years, they have increased their win total and are looking for another successful season this year, after posting a 4-2 record to open the season. The Kangaroos finished with a strong 8-1 record last season, before falling to Curtis in the playoffs by a 20-6 score. Their only regular season loss was a 24-14 defeat against Erasmus Hall. The Boys and Girls team still managed to outscore their opponents by a 269-119 margin over the season. This season, the Kangaroos have started off on a positive note despite another loss to Erasmus Hall, this time 20-0. The Kangaroos were scheduled to open the season against Port Jefferson, but the Royals were forced to
forfeit, as they did not have enough players. This was due to some controversy involving a coach getting fired, and the team boycotted as a result. Head coach Clive Harding accepted the win, but wasn’t exactly pleased that his team didn’t get to play. He wanted a chance to see where the Kangaroos stood, but he had that chance shortly after. Since then, they have earned victories against Truman, Canarsie and Sheepshead Bay, giving them a chance to have another solid season. They did suffer a tough 42-22 loss against Port Richmond. A 76-yard kickoff return and 351 total yards on the ground led the Raiders to a blowout win over the Kangaroos. Even with that loss, the Boys and Girls have an opportunity to make something happen this year. The team is confident that they will be able to keep up their winning ways. They
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BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL only have one road game remaining (against Brooklyn Tech) and the other two games are home against DeWitt Clinton and Lincoln. A strong reason the team has been successful over the past few years isn’t because of a star player. The Kangaroos have head coach Clive Harding in his 3rd season on the sideline, once again. Harding has seen his team change dramatically over the past year, or so, losing 24 players to graduation. “I have been pleasantly surprised,” Harding said. “At this point, we may be overachieving a bit, but anything can happen. This team has been very good.” Harding has had the challenge of replacing numerous talented athletes from last year’s roster with young, less experienced players this season. So far, everything seems to be working out, but it’s a completely different team. Running back Najee Champagne and quarterback Keon March combined for 30 touchdowns last year, but since have graduated, leaving holes to fill on the offensive front. “I had a very emotional group last year, but this year’s team is very business-like,” Harding said, “They are very calm and are more laid back.” Seniors Dashawn Brice has taken over at quarterback, along with Hollis Superville at running back. These highly skilled
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players have already made an impact after just six games this season. Brice has completed 41 of 63 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns through six games. Superville has contributed eight touchdowns already, rushing for 310 yards on 34 carries and 161 yards on 12 receptions. The Kangaroos have been winning at the hands of these two players, for the most part, but Harding knows there are still areas that can use improvement. “We have room to get better,” Harding said. “We need to be a more cohesive group and do a better job on the offensive line.” The Kangaroos have been gaining some respect with the way they have playing but they know it is something they have to keep working on throughout the year, making sure not to overlook any opponent. “We have to take it one game at a time and stay focused,” Harding said, “We can go as far as we want to go.” The work is being put in and the wins have been coming along as a result. “We’re taking everything in stride,” Harding said, “We don’t want to get too high or too low, and it’s working for this group.”
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THE ENGINEERS SEEK CITY
CHAMPIONSHIP Story by Ryan McNamee // Photos by Anthony Hughes
BROOKLYN TECH HIGH SCHOOL
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he Brooklyn Tech High School football team is coming off of a city quarterfinals finish and the Engineers are looking to improve upon that win with a city championship. As always, they have to go through a gauntlet of a schedule, as they need to face off against big rivals in Fort Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson Campus, and Boys and Girls High School. The Engineers are going to have to be sharp throughout the season to compete, and are going to be relying on a slew of new starters on both sides of the ball. This hasn’t detoured Coach McKenna’s confidence in his team as he states, “We made quarterfinals last year and (I) hope the experience will help us in close games. We expect to be competitive.” Brooklyn Tech returns five starters all-together; three on defense and two on offense. This loss of players to graduation is unfortunately the nature of high school football, but nonetheless, leaves the Engineers with a lot of holes to fill
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on the roster. With six of the graduates from last year moving on to play college football, and three moving onto division one programs, the Engineers lose a lot of athleticism as well. Some of these notable departures are DB James Gale, who is now playing for Princeton, TE/DE Thomas Plonski, who is now playing for the Wildcats at Villanova, and WR Kyvaune Brammer, who is now up in the Bronx playing at Fordham. The Engineers are going to be relying on key players this season, such as: junior quarterback Elijah Rueda, senior WR/DE Deon Mash and senior LB/OL Chawit Bunditwong. Their play will be crucial towards the success of Brooklyn Tech this season. The Engineers will have inexperience at some positions with the entrance of 17 new starters, combined with both sides of the ball. The team will need the senior leadership of captains Chawit Bunditwong, PJ Landers (OL/DL), and Tristan Brown(RB/SS). According to Coach McKenna, these players were chosen as captains “due
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to leadership by example.” The offense consists of many talented players. Junior quarterback, Elijah Rueda, at 6’1” 200 lbs, has the size and athleticism to sling the ball effectively around the field. The question will be how well he will be able to go through his reads as a junior at the helm of the offense. If his pre-snap reads are correct, the sky is the limit for this kid on the high school level. Tristan Brown will be carrying a good portion of the load at running back. At 5’10 180 lbs. of defensive back speed, Brown has the ability to run both inside and outside of the tackles. At wide receiver, Deon Mash will give the Engineers size and physicality to run the ball to the outside and to pass over the middle. He will also work as a security blanket for Rueda, who will be able to throw jump balls to Mash. The defense, like the offense will be replacing a lot of roster spots, but will have size and speed on the edge with Deon Mash at the defensive end. They will also have steady leadership, and central control on defense from Bunditwong at linebacker. Because of his experience, Bunditwong will be
able to make the correct calls to help guide the younger players on the defense. Meanwhile, PJ Landers will give Bunditwong the ability to rush free up the middle while taking double teams and personally causing havoc in the backfield. The bottom line is that the Brooklyn Tech Engineers will be replacing a lot of players, and will need some of their successful younger players to step up. They can rely on the leadership of their seniors, and the guidance of Coach McKenna to get through the season. However, there is no shortage of confidence or belief in the Engineer locker room. McKenna emphasizes skill, will, and teamwork as their team philosophy. During the off-season, McKenna had his team climb a mountain together to challenge his team’s overall determination and bring them together as a team. He suggests, “We believe that no goal or task is impossible if you have great will.” Brooklyn Tech is young at some positions, but is also athletic, confident, and well-coached. Don’t expect them to step back from their level of play from last year. They will be in the running for a PSAL City Championship.
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ULTIMATE ATHLETE
Curtis High SEEK REDE A
s the football regular season is nearing completion, the Curtis high school Warriors are looking to adjust and improve for a strong finish. The Warriors haven’t exactly had a dream season, but they are working through it and still have plenty of time to change. Six plays into the season, one of the biggest disappointments for the team had occurred. Curtis was relying on having senior quarterback Shane Daneluzzi’s return as a top player and a potent offensive weapon. However, Daneluzzi suffered an ankle injury in the second week of the season, and he is expected to be out for the rest of the year. Junior Maleek Darby has taken over at the quarterback position and has helped earn a few victories. In the team’s loss against Fort Hamilton, Darby was able to complete five of 16 pass attempts, collecting 80 yards, a touchdown and an interception. While those numbers aren’t impressive, Darby chipped in on the running game, scrambling for a total of 60 yards on over a dozen attempts. Gambardella is hopeful that Darby and the Warriors can succeed, but the loss of Daneluzzi has been a huge blow and that loss is something the team is looking to overcome. After a 42-6 loss against Lincoln to open the season and a 30-8 loss to Fort Hamilton, the Warriors have started to turn things around.
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h School Warriors EMPTION Story by Kevin Freiheit | Photos by Anthony Hughes
Over the last couple of weeks, Curtis has posted wins against Campus Magnet and Kennedy, upping their record to 3-2. Their other victory of the season was by forfeit at Jefferson high school. The Warriors have finished with a 6-4 record in each of the past two seasons, but are hoping to win out this year, which would give them a 7-2 mark. Curtis does have Pete Gambardella, who is in his 6th season as head coach. Gambardella has experienced players on this year’s team, but some fresh faces as well. There is a nice balance between the two groups, but trying to get them to get together as a team is always a difficult challenge. The Warriors have four games remaining before they close out the regular season, one of them being against Erasmus Hall, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs a year ago. Curtis fell 28-6 in the playoff game, but also dropped the season opener against the Warriors last year as well, by a closer 18-14 score. The Warriors are seeking redemption and the two teams will meet again on Oct. 26. With a combined score of 52-23 in their past two victories, the Warriors have built some momentum and may have something going. Whether or not they can keep this winning streak alive depends on them, but they do have a chance to make an impact in the postseason. They are heating up just at the right time.
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ERASMUS HALL LOOKING TO DEFEND
THEIR TITLE
Story by Jaclynkelli Kronemberg // Photos by Anthony Hughes
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he Erasmus Hall varsity football team enters the season with a number one preseason ranking in the PSAL championship conference. Last season, Erasmus Hall defeated Tottenville in the PSAL city title game, and the Dutchmen are looking to defend their title this season as well. “We just want to keep working to be the best team,” said Erasmus Hall head coach Danny Landberg. Landberg is entering his 12th year as the head coach. Erasmus Hall is already off to a good start, they opened their season on September 7, 2013 against Tottenville. It was a rematch of the City title game, and again, Erasmus Hall came out on top winning 21-7. Erasmus hall is stacked with talented players, including senior Curtis Samuel (6’0” 185 lbs.), a wide receiver for the Dutchmen. Samuel is one of the top players in the country and is committed to go to Ohio State next season to play football. Samuel is versatile and can play multiple positions on the field. “Curtis is a great kid,” said Landberg, “He is fast, has a great character, and is the best player I’ve ever coached.” Surrounding Samuel is a group of talented players, including senior safety Darin Peart (5’10” 170 lbs.), who committed to Stony Brook to play football next year. “Darin works hard and will do anything for his team,” said Landberg. Senior running back Khalil Lewin (5’7” 190 lbs.) is another talented player for this team. “Khalil is the top running back for this team,” Landberg said, “He has been around this program his whole life.” Senior wide receiver/outside linebacker Khalil Beattie (6’3” 185 lbs.) is committed to Bryant University to play football next season. “Khalil is an excellent student and good athlete,” said Landberg, “He is a good neighborhood kid.” Next opponent for Erasmus Hall is Boys and Girls high school on September 15, 2013. “This team has a great character and they work hard,” said Landberg, “We have tough competition all season everybody we play is good. We have to stay focused and continue to work hard.”
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We Just Want To Keep Working To Be The Best Team - Head Coach Landberg
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THUNDERBIRDS
CONNETQUOT “
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Every year our goal is to win the Long Island Championship.
THUNDERBIRDS CONNETQUOT
ThunderbirdS aspire for the
long island championship
Story By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg / Photos By Morgan Harrison
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he Connetquot varsity football team enters the season ranked number three in Division one in Suffolk County. Leading the Connetquot Thunderbirds is head coach Mike Hansen. Hansen is entering his 11th season as the head coach. Last season, Connetquot ended the season with eight wins, two losses, and lost in the Suffolk County semifinals. “This year our goal is to try and win every game,” said Hansen, “Every year our goal is to win the Long Island Championship.”
A few of the players from last season have since graduated, and the Thunderbirds have only three offensive returning starters, and three defensive returning starters. “We have a solid team this season,” Hansen said, “We have skilled players and a good defense.” There are a couple of players looking to make an impact this year, and help get the team to the championship game. Senior wide receiver Tyler Nason (5’10” 185 lbs.) was one of the top receivers on Long Island last year with 38
receptions. “Tyler is athletic, has nice hands and runs great routes,” Hansen said, “I’m looking forward to him being a big impact player this season.”
“There are a lot of kids that have the potential to be real impact players this season for us,” said Hansen, “This is a great team and it’s a pleasure to coach them.”
Senior running back/ linebacker Marcus Gutierrez (5’9” 180 lbs.) is another key player to watch for this season. “Marcus is a tough hard runner,” Hansen said, “He will carry a lot of the load this year.” The offensive line features three seniors DJ Gallino (6’2” 270 lbs.), Rob Dawson (6’1” 270 lbs.) and Jimmy Oliver (5’11” 250 lbs.). “We have a solid offensive line,” Hansen said, “DJ, Rob and Jimmy are the anchors of the offensive line.” The defensive line features junior Sean Moore (6’0” 250 lbs.), Gallino and Oliver. “Our defensive line is physical and work hard.” Hansen said. Connetquot takes their first step toward the Long Island Championship on September 11, 2013, when they open the season against Patchogue Medford.
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CONNETQUOT HIGH SCHOOL
Soccer PREVAIL Yet AGAIN
Martin Luther King Jr. High School
Story and Photos by Katarina Barone
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or the past two decades Martin Luther King Jr. high school varsity soccer has prevailed as the top school in New York City, as well as top 10 in the entire country. This honor has been shared by the exceptional soccer players and their Coach Martin Jacobson, a clearly motivated and inspiring individual, who helps the team reach victory after victory. When arriving at the beautiful Riverside Fields on the Upper West side, the energy on the field is vibrant. The players are determined and shine with resilience. They stand their ground on the field and share intimidating glares with their opponents. Deservingly so, the fire in their eyes is lit by the statistics of rarely being defeated. Within minutes, the Knights’ players are performing exceptionally well, guiding the ball as if it were magic, and appear to be extremely relentless on the field. While playing Bard, it was clear that their opponents were having difficulties overcoming the top players in the country. Jethro Dede, senior midfielder, is also the captain of Martin Luther King Jr. varsity boys’ team, and is absolutely an incredible player to watch. He is number one in all of New York City, and hails from the Ivory Coast in Africa. Immigrating here in 2008, Dede has found a new home within the team, along with other star players such as Ibrihim Lakanobo and Amando Sanchez, both of whom are juniors. Amara Sesey had endured an injury, but is noted by Coach Jacobson as a very valued asset to the team. Most players on the team are from international backgrounds. Coach Jacobson is known for recruiting some of the most lethal soccer players. Many of the players had emigrated here, and with some help from their dedicated coach, can stay and play their passionate sport, and enjoy their time at the historical high school. Many of the boys find common ground uniting their diversity with the simple kick of a ball. It’s a highly cultivated sport that the boys feel passionate about. The communication on the field was immaculate and tight; they passed without hesitation, yelled to each other and moved as one united force of strength. A truly inspirational team to watch, as several people strolling in the park stopped to view the miraculous defending champions perform. The ball seemed to gravitate toward the boys of MLK, easily being tossed between the players and past the opposing team. With a two goal advantage halfway through the game, the coach claimed, “They aren’t playing their best today.” Watching these boys was nothing short of watching professional soccer. One could only imagine how limitless they must be when they are playing their absolute best. The fear opposing teams endure is evident when knowing they are up against MLK that day. Gaining a great victory that day against Bard, MLK Jr. high school is still undefeated this season. They currently stand at 5-0, and look to make the playoffs and hopefully, yet again, defend their title as number one in the greatest city of the world.
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ottenville High School’s slogan is “School of Excellence.” An idea that is not lost on their athletics programs, especially the Girls’ Soccer Team. Led by longtime Head Coach George Kaplan, the 2013 team has proudly continued the trend set by their predecessors. Over the past 14 seasons under Coach Kaplan, the Tottenville Pirates have not had the displeasure of enduring a losing season. This is something that wasn’t about to change. After going undefeated, with a 130-1 record in last year, the Pirates have followed up with an equally impressive 11-1 record with two games remaining on the regular season slate. Currently, the Pirates are tied for first in the Staten Island League with 33 points and all
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is running smoothly. After suffering a difficult 1-0 loss in the second game of the season to fellow League leader, Mckee/Staten Island Tech, they have not looked back. Despite experiencing similar success this year, as in seasons past, Coach Kaplan will not want the team to replicate those seasons exactly. The Pirates’ excellent 2012 campaign ended swiftly during the playoffs. With high expectations going in, the Pirates found themselves bounced out of Championship contention in only the quarterfinals. That season also marked the seventh straight year that the Pirates were unable to claim the title of Champions. Not the outcome the team was hoping for, but the slate was clean coming into the new season.
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With a new opportunity to reach their ultimate goal, this team has been making the most of every game. Since last year, the Pirates have only lost three seniors to graduation while bringing in four eager freshmen. Coming into the season, Coach Kaplan has looked at this talented group of incoming players and seasoned returning players with the hopes of raising the level of talent. So far, it would be fair to say, “Check that one off.� With four players having already scored six or more goals, Tottenville has been led offensively by sophomore Lizbeth Aparicio and senior Alexa Appel. Apparicio has scored a team leading seven goals while Appel has tallied nine
assists thus far. With two games remaining, Aparicio will try to jump into the top five in scoring while Appel will have the opportunity to remain atop the league in assists. Aside from offensive output (44 goals for this season), Tottenville has also been extremely difficult to score against. Only surrendering five goals throughout the entire season, limiting the opposition’s scoring opportunities has been a significant part of their success.
Story by Mike Repertorio Photos by Mike Langish
However, sophomore goaltenders Tiffany Tichio and Dana Vicino can thank their teammates focus on defense for that. However, the two goalies have done their part as well, turning aside 20 and 10 shots respectively.
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The Pirates will be back in action on Friday, October 18 against Port Richmond before wrapping up their regular season against CSIHS/McCown on Sunday, October 20. In their most recent match-ups with these two teams, the Pirates have outscored them 6-0 and 5-0 respectively. Port Richmond and CSIHS/McCown are still searching for their first wins of the season, which may be difficult to achieve against this
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powerhouse program. With all cylinders clicking, the Pirates will look to keep the momentum going as the wrap up their regular season and head into the playoffs.
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BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL INDIANS
Unstoppable
INDIANS OFF TO A STRONG START
Story by Kevin Freihart // Photos by Morgan Harrison
BRENTWOOD
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or the past decade, the Brentwood Indians soccer team have made a name for themselves, proving that they have what it takes to be competitive year in and year out. The Indians have posted more than just winning records, but have become the team to beat, in not only the county, but in the entire state. The Indians have won eight of the past 10 county championships, including each of the last five, and are looking to continue that success this season. Expectations have always been high for the Indians, and that will be no different this year. Brentwood soccer has had
BRENTWOOD BOYS SOCCER
a history of success, and last season, the Indians finished with a 22-1 record. When asked what the team could improve on, head coach Ron Eden said “We’d like to win more games.” Eden has been the head coach for the past 17 years, and has been with the team for 34 years overall. His plan is no different than it has always been, and he is confident his team can keep winning games. Brentwood was the second ranked team in the nation last year, but lost 2-1 in the state final. “It was a thrill to make that run.” Eden said. However, the Indians lost 19 seniors after last year, and
have holes to fill both on offense and defense. “We have a new defense after all three of our starting defenders graduated,” Eden said, “We have new players in the back, so I’m not sure what to expect from them. However, by the end of the year, we should be solid and if we stay healthy I think we can make a run.” Brentwood is poised to make another strong run this season, despite a touch of inexperience on the back end. With the amount of success and leadership that the Indians have, they are still candidates to win the county championship for their sixth straight season.
Whether or not this happens really depends on the performance of some of the newer players. The Indians are a bit younger than usual, but still have highly skilled players, who are capable of scoring goals. One of those players is junior Ever Torres, a two-time all-county athlete, who put up 19 goals and 18 assists last season. He may be the Indians’ most dangerous scorer, and certainly one to keep an eye on at all times. Torres has led the team in scoring during the past two seasons. “We have a very good attacking team,” Eden said, “We are the number one ranked team on Long Island, and we’re hoping to continue that.” The
BRENTWOOD BOYS SOCCER
INDIANS
Indians have a streak of five consecutive championships, and they hope to add to it.
Another player that the Indians are relying on is Eric Molina, who Eden considers one of the fastest players in the county. This season will be a test to see if the younger players can excel under the pressure in being part of such a dominant team. “They know what it is like to be in a Brentwood uniform,” Eden said, “We always have a bulls-eye on our backs.” The Indians are everyone’s intended target once again this season, but the question is whether or not someone can actually stop them.
The Indians started off their season with a 5-0 victory over Bay Shore. Moises Gomez scored a pair of goals, while goaltender Jose Cerna stopped all four shots that he faced for the shutout. Brentwood has already begun on a positive note, and the confidence and momentum of the team may be difficult to stop. “The players come from a strong tradition of winning and don’t want to let it down,” Eden said, “They want to win and carry on that tradition.”
BRENTWOOD BOYS SOCCER
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The Sheep Rise to the WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
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he Sheepshead Bay Sharks have been led by head coach Fred Snyder for 29 years, since 1984. The Sharks had an impressive season last year, especially considering a rocky start. “We made it to the Quarter Finals after starting off the season 0-3,” Snyder said. Making it to the quarter finals is indeed a feat for a team that loses the first three games of the season, but a veteran coach like Snyder knows how to encourage his team, and knows how to make them confident and competitive enough to keep going when the odds are not in their favor. This season, Coach Snyder has similar expectations for the Sharks. When asked what his expectations for this coming season would be, Snyder responded, “to be competitive and win some games.” The Sharks are currently 3-3 in the City PSAL Conference varsity football standings, and there is nowhere to go but up for the team that rises to the occasion when the odds aren’t always in their favor.
pshead shead Bay Sharks e Occasion Story by Emily Soper Photos by Anthony Hughes
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Coming off of a 0-3 start from last season, to a current standing of 3-3, gives hope for a fervent return for the Sharks. Coach Snyder sees a lot of strengths in his team. “Some of the returning running backs and defensive backs have the most experience,� Snyder says. There are many great players that make up the Sheepshead Bay varsity football team. A few stand out this season as players who support the team, and who also show true athleticism. Senior Stephan Garrick plays for the team as both running back and defensive back, and has shown excellence as an athlete. Another breakout player this season is Junior Jim Campbell, who plays fullback and linebacker. Last but not least as a standout player, according to Coach Snyder is Imani Vincent, a senior. Vincent is the quarterback and plays defensive back for the Sheepshead Bay Sharks.
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The future looks bright for the Sheepshead Bay Sharks with seasoned Coach Fred Snyder. The Sharks also have the determination to pick themselves up, even after losing some games, as they did last year. This attitude will take the Sharks far, and help them towards their ultimate goal of getting back to the quarter finals, and perhaps going even further. The Sheepshead Bay Sharks can be caught at home for the duration of their regular season. Their homecoming game is Saturday Oct 19th at 12 p.m., where they will face-off against Flushing High School. They will also play DeWitt Clinton High School on Saturday Oct 26th at 12 p.m. Sunday Nov 3rd at 12 p.m. is the Senior Game for the Sharks, where they will play against Jefferson High School.
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SHUT TER
SPE ED Photo by ANTHONY HUGHES
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Super Smoothies By Sandy Saracona
Student athletes are sometimes too busy to prepare healthy foods. If you own a blender or even a hand or immersion blender, a smoothie is a great way to get a mix of ingredients to provide the nutrients you need for ultimate performance in your sport. Some smoothie pros include: keeping you hydrated, providing vitamins and minerals, and delivering extra protein and fiber. When you are in a hurry, smoothies are a quick way to start the day and offer the right mix of carbohydrates and protein for a recovery snack after a workout. In addition, smoothies can taste delicious!
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Try these simple combinations and blend them together: •
Start with milk, juice or soy milk as your liquid base.
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Add any kind of fruit: fresh, canned or frozen (bananas, peaches, berries, and pineapple are popular).
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Get extra protein from pasteurized liquid egg whites, peanut butter, whey or soy protein powder, dry milk powder, and/or yogurt.
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Supplement even more vitamins and minerals by adding fresh spinach or kale leaves.
Most athletes think of smoothies as just a protein drink, and yes, it is plentiful in all of the essential amino acids, but athletes need more than just protein. Milk, soy milk and yogurt will provide added calcium and Vitamin D that are typically challenging for athletes to meet the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of. Fruits and vegetables deliver vitamins C and A, antioxidants, and are chock full of fiber. Due to this balance of nutrients, a smoothie is not just a snack, but can serve as a meal. Buying a smoothie already prepared from a café can be just as nutritious, but beware of an abundance of added sugar. If you are cautious about calories, pick one that meets your needs. At home it is more economical and fun to experiment with different ingredients to find your favorite combination of flavors!
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SPORT PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FUTURE By Dr. Tom Ferraro Athletes will get stronger and equipment will get better as sports advance over time. But what about their mental treatment? is always fun to think about the future of any field. Baseball will be different in the future and so will cross country and golf. Equipment is always improving as is fitness. Athletes will be stronger and faster. All this is certain. Anyone who plays a sport seriously sees the changes happen on a yearly basis. But what about sport psychology? What will the changes be in this field?
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Behavior Modification
Having worked with a variety of professional and elite amateur athletes has made it abundantly clear that they are typically in need of some help. Athletes usually come in after many months or years of suffering and only with great reluctance. Usually, they are in a career-ending slump, have lost all ability to perform up to ability and are hoping for immediate relief. The nature of competitive professional sport is extremely demanding and this lends a feeling of immediacy to the work. The last thing they want is three times per week analysis. The patient is in need of an immediate turnaround and the referral will often come from either the coach or the general manager who wants to know what happened to their $150 million investment. What I usually do is begin the work with a variety of behavioral interventions, which will range from
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hypnosis, RET, visualization, verbal instruction, goal setting, homework, relaxation autogenics, anger management, etc. This part of sports psychology will improve over time so that emotional control on the playing field will be easier to administer.
Athletes will continue to be treated with hypnosis and other techniques to manage emotion on the playing field. WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
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Supportive Psychotherapy
It is also very obvious to me that these very same patients have a right to be treated with long term supportive psychotherapy in order to be able to ventilate, receive solace, get help with problem solving, gain some reality testing, find comfort and receive much needed encouragement. We establish a long-term and weekly structured working relationship, and it is there that they feel the support that they need amidst all the chaos of their profession. In the future, we will see that this element of sports psychology will continue to expand.
Athletes will also be given more supportive techniques in the future to help them cope with stress and sadness.
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Psychoanalitic Psychotherapy
Athletes also have a right to be diagnosed and treated for their various anxiety disorders, depression, drug or sex addictions, narcissistic or conduct disorders. We see evidence on a daily basis that suggests that athletes have serious issues that need treatment. Tiger Woods had a sex addiction which cost him about $500 million in endorsement money. Michael Phelps’s foray into pot smoking cost him about $50 million in lost endorsement money. General managers and coaches will all eventually learn the hard way that their elite athletes have a hard time coping with day-to-day activities under constant pressure, and will have no choice but to turn to a clinically trained sport psychologist for help. When diagnosis is made and a long term therapeutic relationship is established, we begin to use It has not been difficult to see that this three-part process will become the standard treatment in sports psychology. The world of competitive sports is demanding, and adds high pressure and strain to an athlete’s already complicated and demanding lifestyle. This is what makes it so much fun, but also what causes such emotional damage to the athlete. Short-term cognitive behavioral techniques will continue to be used in the future, but
analytic techniques to help them explore their underlying conflicts and motivations. This is when dream analysis and transference analysis is introduced. This usually saves careers and this part of sport psychology will blossom in the future.
The truth is that athletes suffer with the same neurosis that the rest of the public have and will be treated for this as well.
you will see a growth of more long-term supportive psychological work as well. All serious athletes need a place to ventilate pent up emotions that they have been sitting on for many years. Having worked in this field for as long as I have, I feel certain that this field for as long as I have, I feel certain that this three-part model is the future of sports psychology. You first deal with symptoms, then establish a supportive relationship and
finally treat underlying neurosis. This makes for comfortable athletes, happy coaches and general managers, and an overall better lifestyle and living environment for an athlete to feel relaxed, but also feel confident in their day-to-day abilities in their sport throughout their professional career.
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A HOT
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Avoid Common Summer Training Mistakes by Mike Mejia, CSCS
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he summer months offer young athletes a great opportunity to get into the best shape possible for the start of school year, and club sports in the fall. Unfortunately, they also serve as the perfect breeding ground for a variety of potentially dangerous training mistakes. From kids training with more weight they can handle in the gym, to coaches and trainers allowing shoddy technique on various speed and agility drills, things get messy in a hurry once the calendar hits July. Before we can truly eradicate this problem, though, we have to know exactly what we’re looking for. This short list is compiled of some of the most glaring summertime workouts blunders. Take a look and see if you’re guilty of any the following infractions.
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Rushing Through, or Completely Skipping Warm-Ups: Unfortunately, this is something that is occurring with increasing frequency. From eager young athletes who make a beeline for the weights as soon as they enter the gym, to coaches who start sprinting kids after a couple of rudimentary stretches, this failure to adequately prepare young bodies for intensive training is not only no good for a workout, it’s dangerous. Prior to every workout, practice and sports competition, athletes need to engage
in a thorough, full-body movement prep. Drills like jumping jacks, hip bridges, traveling lunges with rotation and side shuffles will help kids transition from a state of active rest, to rigorous athletic movement. In addition to being sequential in nature—progressively increasing in both intensity and range of motion—it’s imperative that all the drills contained in these types of warm-ups be done with proper technique. Failure to do so may actually increase an athlete’s risk of injury!
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TRAINING UA
Try These Warm-Ups Before Your Next Work Out WARM-UP EXERCISE
REPS
Flings
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Reverse Lunge with Overhead Reach (alternating sides)
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Prisoner Squats
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Spidermans (alternating sides)
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Supine Hip Bridges
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Iron Crosses
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Lateral Lunge with instep touch (alternating sides) Leg Swings (forward & backward)
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Hip Cradle Walk
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Prisoner Squats
Lateral Lunge with instep touch (alternating sides)
10 strides
Inch Worm
5-6
High Knees
15 yards
Butt Kickers
15 yards
Side Shuffles
15 yards Reverse Lunge with Overhead Reach (alternating sides)
Hip Cradle Walk
Inch Worm
Supine Hip Bridges
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Doing “Speed and Agility” Drills:
Seeing a group of athletes running through agility ladders, or around various configurations of cones with little if any attention being paid to proper running/ change of direction mechanics is another common mistake. While there’s no arguing that these types of drills can go a long way towards helping kids improve their speed, agility, quickness and coordination, they need to be done with proper technique to achieve those results. When the sole emphasis is on how fast the drills are done, and not whether or not the athlete is employing good movement mechanics, any gains that are made will likely be short-lived.
In order to have a lasting effect, speed and agility training must first focus on improving strength and mobility. This way, athletes will not only learn how to apply the necessary force into the ground for effective acceleration and deceleration, but they’ll also be better able to get into the proper positions to avoid injury while doing so. Regular practice of form running drills and proper directional changes (pictured below) will have a much greater impact on speed.
Urine Chart
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Failing to Fuel and Hydrate Properly: Summer schedules may offer growing athletes more time to sleep, but their lack of structure often throws theta dietary habits out the window. Waking up late and not getting in enough fuel poses a real problem for kids who engage in afternoon sports practices or strenuous training. Getting up late and working out in the afternoon while working out on the bagel with cream cheese you ate an hour earlier will do your body no good. Not taking in enough fluids is another big problem. Many young athletes walk around in an at least a partial state of dehydration as it is; add in outdoor workouts in the summer sun and things can get dangerous in a hurry! While sports drinks can help during intense activities that last over an hour in duration, more often than not, all kids really need to do is increase their intake of good old-fashioned H2O.
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Target
Here’s a great tool for assessing an athlete’s hydration status, along with a few good pre-workout meal/ snacking ideas from a registered dietician, Cristina Rivera, of Nutrition in Motion in Bethpage.
Dehydration
Pre Workout (1-2 Hours Prior to Training) •
1 large apple or banana with 1tbs of nut butter.
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Whole wheat pita with 3oz turkey and 1 slice of reduced fat cheese.
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PB&J on whole wheat bread, 1tbs of nut butter & 1 tbs of fruit spread.
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Trail mix: 1/2 cup of almonds with 1/4 cup of dried fruit & 1/2 cup of pretzels.
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1 protein bar: Balance Bar, Cliff Bar, Power Bar or Luna Bar.
Severe Dehydration
—Your target is to make sure your urine is the same color as 1, 2, or 3. —Colors 4 and 5 suggest dehydration. —Colors 6, 7, and 8 suggest severe dehydration
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TRAINING UA
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Rushing Into Advanced Forms of Training: I get it—towing weighted sleds, working the battle ropes, jumping up on platforms and flipping tires looks really cool...especially to motivated young athletes! The truth is though, as effective as these training modalities can be, they’re not suitable for everyone. Most teens have enough work to do in terms of improving things like mobility and core strength before they should even consider going anywhere near these types of exercises. Seeing kids trying to lift a heavy tire off the ground with the posture of a shrimp, or land from a plyometric jump with the inside of their knees practically touching each other is not the way a young athlete should be working out. It’s better to stick to the basics and practice until you’re in great physical shape, and then work on form before jumping into this advanced type of training. It may work great for the RG IIIs and Kobe Bryants of the world (who, by the way, have a lot more training experience under their belts), but perhaps it’s not the best idea for the JV football team.
Instead of trying to be the next Crossfit superstar, focus on the proper execution of staple lifts like squats, dead lifts, bench presses, rows and cleans. Keeping the weights manageable and mastering good technique will help you build a solid training foundation for more advanced forms of training down the road. Besides, summer goes by way too fast to waste valuable time and effort on training the wrong way.
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