February 12, 2009

SPORTS

Leland Varsity cheerleaders take first place

The Leland High School Varsity Spirit Squad won first place in the California Spirit Championship held at UC Davis On Sunday, Feb. 8.  

Competitive Performance Cheer is a judged event that includes elements of tumbling, gymnastics and synchronized dance moves, as well as group stunts such as lifts and throws. Competing for a championship requires an aggressive program, with lots of difficult moves as well as excellent execution. The girls met the challenge and performed a flawless program on Sunday, bringing the crowd to their feet.

“This was a very exciting win because it’s the first time we performed our new more difficult program,” said senior Miranda Gahagan. “We won the California Championship my freshman year and to win again my senior year is awesome!”

LHS Spirit has participated in four Northern California Regional competitions this year placing in all four, taking first place in two. Competing in the regional competitions has allowed the team to refine their program by adding more difficulty in their tumbling, stunting and jumps as the season progresses.

“The leadership on this squad is incredible. Captain Leslie Panek, and co-captains Gahagan and Mackenzie Leis set goals for the squad and continually encourage the girls to strive to reach these goals” says Coach Katie Reyes. “I honestly can say that I love being a leader for this team. We have all worked so hard to get where we are now, and our efforts have paid off. I love these girls so much. We are like a family,” says Panek.

The Spirit Squad was formed in April 2008 and started to work immediately by beginning weekly practices and has worked nonstop since. During the summer, the squad hosted a fundraiser, Jr. Spirit Camp, and attended cheer camp where they bonded as a team and obtained new skills, dances, cheers and stunts. The end of summer found the girls and their parents planning and organizing many homecoming activities.

The girls cheer at all football games and all at-home basketball games. They practice four nights a week at Leland and one night at a cheer gym to perfect their tumbling and stunting. Many of the girls also attend “open gym” on the weekends and after their practices, and participate in private lessons. The girls are continuously trying to improve their skills. “This team would not be as successful without the hard work and dedication of every single girl,” Reyes says.

Lead by Coach Reyes and faculty advisor, Patti Young, the team consists of seniors Panek, Gahagan, Leis, Sarah McLinden and Jessica Zuccaire; juniors Kerry Sommer and Sonora Vanderberg-Jones; sophomores Amanda Griffeth, Andrea Hokanson, Samantha Meckenstock, Melissa Muncy, Nina Saifi and Emily Wang and freshmen Lauren Kim, Sheri Jean and Elle Lee.

The squad will compete at USA Spirit Nationals in Anaheim March 27-29 where they hope to fulfill their goal of reaching the finals.

The JV Spirit Squad placed first in a regional competition in December, qualifying for USA Spirit Nationals as well as the Group Stunt team of Panek, Leis, Zuccaire, Sommer and Saifi.

High School Sports Schedule Feb. 13 – Feb. 19

Leland

Friday—Boys’ basketball vs. Santa Teresa at Leland; JV at 6; Varsity at 7:30 p.m.
Friday—JV wrestling finals at Pioneer

Saturday—Varsity wrestling finals at Pioneer

Tuesday—Girls’ basketball vs. vs. Oak Grove at Oak Grove; JV at 5:30 and Varsity at 7
Tuesday—Boys’ CCS soccer begins
Tuesday—Girls’ CCS soccer begins

Wednesday—Boys’ basketball vs. Overfelt at Leland; JV at 5:30 and Varsity at 7 p.m.

Thursday—Girls’ basketball vs. Gunderson at Leland; JV at 5:30 and Varsity at 7

Pioneer

Friday—JV wrestling finals at Pioneer

Saturday—Varsity wrestling finals at Pioneer

Tuesday—Girls’ basketball vs. Overfelt at Pioneer: JV at 5:30, Varsity at 7
Tuesday—Boys’ CCS soccer begins
Tuesday—Girls’ CCS soccer begins

Wednesday-Boys’ basketball vs. Piedmont Hills at Piedmont Hills; JV at 5:30; Varsity at 7

Thursday—Girls’ basketball vs. Lincoln at Pioneer; JV at 5:30, Varsity at 7 p.m.

For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: www.phsathletics.com
Leland Athletics: www.lelandathletics.com
Blossom Valley Athletic League: www.bval.org

Sports Briefs

CV Dynamo Soccer Club tryouts
The CV Dynamo Soccer Club will be holding tryouts for two teams, the Dynamo Red and Dynamo White.  We are looking for skilled and talented players to join the club.  Try outs will be held on Feb. 21 at Ida Price Middle School (Corner of New Jersey and Curtner) from 1 – 3 p.m.  Separate tryout requests will also be accommodated, up until completing our rosters.  Please contact John at Jshikash@eea.epson.com, (408)930-8748.

South Valley Lacrosse Club needs Players
Registration is now open for the Spring 2009 Season!

Space is limited due to our high rate of player return so act now to register!

We are looking for players ages 7-8 and 13-14. Our season runs from Feb 2 - May 29.  Practices are in the Cambrian area and games are on Saturdays or Sundays.  Questions?  E-mail Joy Bender at joy@joybender.com To register or for more information about our club: www.svlax.com.

Almaden Arsenal Boys’ U16
Class 3 “Comp” soccer team holds tryouts

Almaden Arsenal BU16 Class 3 soccer team is looking for highly competitive players with birthdates between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994.  We are a year round soccer team (excluding the high school season) that play for the Almaden Valley Soccer League.

Tryouts will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1-3:00 pm and Sunday, Feb. 22, from 3-5:00 pm at DeAnza Park (5500 Marquette Dr, San Jose, CA 95118 (off Meridian Ave across from Meryvns) For more information please contact Tim Steinkopf at 408-930-8102 or by email at tim.steinkopf@gmail.com.

Girls’ U-13 Comp Soccer Tryouts
The South San Jose Hot Shots, a girls’ Class 3 “comp” soccer team, is holding tryouts for experienced players born between 8/1/96 and 7/31/97. The team is comprised of players from the Almaden and Santa Teresa valleys, and has played in the Delgado comp league for the past several years. Please contact the coaching staff at ssj.hotshots@gmail.com for further details.

Santa Clara Sporting Girls U9 “Comp” Soccer Tryouts
Try outs are currently being held every Monday and Wednesday through the month of February from 4 p.m. till dark at Curtis Field in Santa Clara (890 Pomeroy Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050)

Your daughter must be born on or after 8/01/2000 to play U9 in the Fall Season.

Two new teams are currently being formed.  For information on the Santa Clara Sporting Soccer Club, please visit their web page at www.santaclarasporting.com. Contact Coach Jeff Jenkins at 650-714-2873 or e-mail at: saprissafc@gmail.com regarding try outs

AVYSL 4v4 MicroSoccer Registration now open
Take advantage of one of the best sports deals in town, Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League’s Spring Recreational 4v4 MicroSoccer. Registration is now open from Jan. 8 through Feb. 27 for players aged U5 through U18 (teams are forming now). For more information and to register, visit WWW.ALMADENSOCCER.ORG.

Kiwanis Club of Almaden Valley invites you to the Races
Join the Kiwanis Club of Almaden Valley at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2009 for our sixth annual fundraising event.  Gates open at 11 a.m. with the first race running at approximately 12:45 p.m..   General ticket cost is $37 (kids 5-17 are $15) and includes valet parking, seating in the Turf Club and a buffet prepared with wonderful foods of the season.  Proceeds from this event benefit the following Kiwanis community outreach programs: Turn Around Scholarships, Key Clubs and K Kids leadership programs as well as other community service needs.  For tickets and information please email us at info@almadenvalleykiwanis.org or give us a call at (408) 997-6520 or 408-386-7410.

Almaden FC Boys’ U16, U17, U18 Class 1 & 3 Soccer holds tryouts
The Almaden FC – Boys’ U16, U17 and U18 Class 1 & 3 - are looking for highly competitive soccer players with birthdates between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1991. We are a year round, competitive team based in Almaden Valley and coached by Alex Saunders (Leland HS JV Coach).  Winners of four regional tournaments in 2008 and looking to increase our record this coming season, we believe in development play to give our players a chance to compete in high school and college. We are holding tryouts at the following date and time:

Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Pioneer High School’s natural grass fields.

Tryouts will continue through the end of February at times to be determined.

For more information, please contact our team manager, Alex Saunders 650-644-6507 or by email at alexandersaunders@hotmail.com.

Get listed!
Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC.
To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers
exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. 408-494-7078 (fax) Limit 200 words. Questions? Call 494-7000 x225