March 22, 2007

SPORTS

CEQA study unveiled at final Leland stadium lights meeting

District enlists help of additional consultants to address lighting, sound and traffic concerns

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The third and final public meeting held at Leland High School regarding the San Jose Unified School District’s proposal to install permanent stadium lights for the school’s football stadium featured the unveiling of an initial California Environmental Quality Act report on the site on March 14.

Almaden resident John Martin looks at the proposed plan for the Leland High School athletic field. Martin said he is concern about the congestion on the streets and surrounding area of the school created by the possible installation of permanent stadium lights at Leland’s football field. Photos by Dan Miranda

The report, which lists the potential impacts the lights may have on the surrounding community as well as mitigating measures to be taken by SJUSD was prepared and presented by Caroleen Toyama, a CEQA consultant from Shaw Environmental, Inc., with additional input from Ken Anderson, a transportation engineer with K.D. Anderson & Associates, Inc., Steve Lorente, an audio consultant from Lorente Productions, and Ty Williams, Director of School Construction for SJUSD. The report also took into account and addressed several issues raised by concerned residents regarding the possible installation of lights.

All told, the report recommended a Mitigated Negative Declaration be prepared for the final CEQA draft, which will be studied by the SJUSD’s Board of Education prior to a May 8 public board hearing on the matter. The board will also hold discussions on the lighting proposal for its other schools, including Pioneer, that night. Prior to the completion of the final report, residents will have a 30-day window beginning on April 2 to add additional comments or concerns regarding the proposal to the report.

Copies of the initial CEQA study will be available on both the Leland High School Web site, http://Leland.sjusd.org/, as well as the SJUSD Web site, www.sjusd.k12.ca.us. Additional comments and concerns regarding the initial report can be e-mailed to the district at webmaster@sjusd.org.

SJUSD Superintendent Don Iglesias told the crowd that a final decision by the board on whether to move forward with the installation of the permanent lights may occur at the May 8 meeting, but may also be delayed until a future meeting date, depending on the issues raised during the 30-day public review window and at the meeting itself.

Williams, who hosted the majority of the meeting along with Toyama, expressed confidence in the report’s accuracy.

“I’m confident that our findings are appropriate,” Williams said. “That’s what the report’s about. …What it comes down to is that it then goes to the board, and they need to listen to the community and hear what their concerns are and determine whether or not they want to move forward with the project.”

As expected, the report lists guidelines for the use of the stadium lights, should the district decide to move forward with the proposal. In short, the lights will be for school use only, and may be used for a maximum of 10 night events each school year, including up to five football games, with lights out at approximately 9:30-10 p.m. In addition, stadium lights may also be used for up to 10 athletic practice sessions during the week each school year, with lights out by 7 p.m. The report also states that the community will be informed ahead of time about a night event via the Leland High School Web site. http://leland.sjusd.org.

The panel of Williams, Toyama, Anderson and Lorente discussed a myriad of issues raised in the report, but focused on three main concerns the most: the impacts of lighting, traffic and noise to the surrounding neighborhood.

Lighting
Lighting, as stated in the report, should have a “less than significant impact” on the surrounding neighborhood. The report further states that “based on the lighting manufacturer’s specifications and light measurements, the permanent lighting is directed at lighting the field of play. Lighting would rapidly fall off from the field of play so that ambient light readings …would remain unchanged due to the stadium lighting.”

SJUSD Superintendent Don Iglesias addresses the crowd at the Leland High School Stadium lights meeting on March 14.

In short, Toyama told the crowd at the meeting that the directional lighting for the stadium is insignificant, and that nearby homes would receive more lighting impact from other factors, such as the headlights of passing cars. As shown in the report, ambient light readings taken by Toyama beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16, at three separate locations near Via Valiente show a range of 0.104 foot-candles to 0.508 foot-candles. The report also states partial shielding will be used on the lights to prevent offsite glare.

Still, Bill Bernard, an opponent to the stadium lighting proposal, said he wasn’t entirely convinced. Bernard said he attended a demonstration of the lighting by SJUSD at the San Jose Academy campus in late January and found that lighting spread as far as 400 feet from the field onto the homes of nearby neighbors.

“I was able to do shadow puppets on the wall from the lights on the field,” Bernard said.

Williams, however, reiterated his confidence in the CEQA report and said the district is committed to being a good neighbor regarding the effects of stadium lights.

“If the lights get installed at the various (school) sites, wherever they end up being, I think that the community will see that we’re going to follow through on what we’ve talked about,” Williams said.

Sound
As for sound, SJUSD enlisted the help of Steve Lorente, an Almaden resident who lives behind the school, to help in gauging proper sound levels for the school’s public address system. Lorente said he’s recommending that portions of the current PA system, namely the speakers, be replaced with narrow dispersion speakers that focus sound more directly onto the field. Lorente also recommended the use of a digital control device to limit the volume, so that no one can individually increase the sound on the PA system directly. In addition, Lorente suggested the use of a microphone compressor that will limit the volume levels produced by a PA announcer, regardless of how loud he/she speaks.

“The digital compression limiting is something we promised early on,” said Williams. “We’ve identified an appropriate level of sound, we’ll crank it down to that and make sure that nobody can adjust it from there, to circumvent that maximum cap. I’m confident in the equipment’s ability to do that, I’m confident in the design to be able to limit it to those parameters that have been identified. I’m confident that it’ll be much improved over the system that’s out there now. I don’t know that it will, in fact, appease everybody that has a concern about it, but we will continue to work with the community to dial that in and bring that as close as we can to help everybody accept it.”

To that end, both Williams and Lorente told the crowd that bidding on the contract to replace portions of the PA system will include language requiring the contractor to periodically adjust the sound levels on an as-needed
basis throughout the first year of use.

Measurements taken by Lorente of the current PA system show readings of 84-87 decibels on the visitors side of the field (nearest to Via Valiente), and of 87-90 decibels on the home side, which would produce a decibel range of 62-65 by the closest housing to the stadium. To further illustrate his point, Lorente registered measurements of Williams reading the CEQA draft out loud to the crowd at the meeting, showing decibel readings between 59-61.

Lorente added that based on traffic and other factors already creating ambient noise around the Via Valiente neighborhood, the additional noise created by a PA system is not significant.

As shown in the report, ambient noise levels taken by Toyama around 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at three
locations near Via Valiente show readings between 45.5 – 75.6 decibels.

“I would expect, from my background, that people would be used to a slightly higher ambient level because they’re used to that traffic noise going back and forth,” Lorente said of residents living near Via Valiente.

“I think greater attention to the sound problem was a plus, and bringing in the sound engineer to pay more attention to the sound,” said Bernard, who added that he was feeling slightly easier about the noise issue. “That was probably my biggest gripe. That’s a plus.”

Another issue raised was the use of the fields and the PA system by outside organizations on weekends, but Williams said that won’t be possible, since the new system—including speakers—will be locked up to prevent outside use. The use of portable PA systems by outside organizations will have to be policed by the neighborhood, Williams said. To that end, Leland Principal Bob Setterlund offered to list on the school’s Web site which groups are using the fields on which days and at what times, so that anyone with a complaint can call the district’s central station to report the problem. Additional language concerning the enforcement of sound levels
will be added into the leasing contracts for outside groups, Williams added.

Still, Lorente cautioned that not all noise—such as crowd noise and traffic noise—can be completely controlled by the school or the district.

“There are some things they (the district) can’t change. You can’t change the volume of the crowd,” Lorente said. “You can’t change kids trying to race up and down the street, but they can do as much as they can to lessen that.”

Glenn Taylor, a nearby resident who said he was “slightly skeptical” about the process coming into the third public meeting, said the presentation by Lorente put some of his concerns to rest.

“I think they addressed most of (my concerns) tonight,” said Taylor. “Does it make an impact on the neighborhood? Yes, it does. You can’t completely mask the sound; you can’t completely mask the light. But the science of sound these days is as precise as the consultant (Lorente) described it to be, so I think we can look forward to a much better engineered sound system that keeps the sound more contained than it has been in the past.”

Traffic
To address traffic concerns potentially created by the installation of the permanent lights, SJUSD enlisted the aid of Anderson, who created the traffic portion of the initial CEQA study.

Anderson told the crowd that based on his analysis a total of 650 vehicles on average may be using nearby roads such as Via Valiente and Camden Avenue to get to the stadium site, using a crowd capacity of 1,900 spectators
as a condition of the study. Maximum capacity at the stadium itself is slightly less, at 1,750.

In terms of parking, Anderson said the school can meet the demands of the 650 vehicles. Leland, according to the report, has a total 516 regular parking spaces, as well as an additional 125 spaces created by parking on
hard court surfaces at the school. In addition, Bret Harte Middle School has another 235 total spaces—both
regular and hard court—to help meet parking demands. Street parking along Via Valiente and along a dirt stretch of Camden Avenue near Leland can also add another 360 spaces, bringing the total number of spaces available to approximately 1,236.

Toyama said the gate turnout at most events will be at about half the stadium’s capacity. Toyama added that
one or two events will reach maximum capacity each year, both related to football events. Traffic for evening practice sessions, Toyama said, will be insignificant because it is not an official game event.

Caroline Williams, who has a daughter attending Leland, asks a question to the panel during the question and answer session of the Leland stadium lights meeting.

The report further states that traffic will be heaviest upon the conclusion of a night event, but given the exit routes along Camden Avenue and Via Valiente, traffic should be able to clear up within 15-20 minutes.

To mitigate any additional problems, Anderson recommended the possibility of barricading certain local streets for periods of time during an evening event to prevent cars from using side streets to exit the area, as well as signage directing motorists
to parking areas, as well as signage directing traffic away from local residential streets, as shown in the report. In addition, Anderson recommended that the school and district should review any current management practices in place in the identification of potential traffic problem areas. Additional measures, such as traffic control staff assigned to evening events to help with the flow of traffic/parking, are also recommended.

Anderson also said that practices in place by the district and the school will be reviewed annually by the School Site Council—a group consisting of teachers, parents and community members—to determine effectiveness.

At the conclusion of the meeting, some community members, such as Brad Mortensen, the father of a Leland football player, expressed satisfaction at the district’s presentation.

“I think there’s a lot more comfort with the process now,” Mortensen said. “There’s been skepticism and fear, and it was a train that was out of control with some of the neighbors. The measures that have been taken and demonstrated as part of the process this evening specifically have gone a long way toward addressing those concerns. I think the happiness factor can be reached a little better.”

Mortensen said he is in support of the lights proposal because of the positive aspects it can bring to the community.

“More and more, with people’s busy lives and different cultures and broadening interests, to have an opportunity where all of the school kids and all of their families can get together at an event where they have a common goal and common motivation, it really, I think, does a lot toward school spirit,” Mortensen said. “It gives people the opportunity to bond and come together as a community. …It can’t help but have a positive impact across the board, as far as school spirit goes.”

Others, such as Taylor, said the additional input by consultants such as Anderson and Lorente was a must in easing some of the concerns of nearby residents.

“It was mandatory,” Taylor said. “If we had come tonight and there had not been the investment in these experts in these areas, I would’ve gone from being slightly negative to being much more negative. So I think that was very instrumental in making sure that we have experts address the issues and speak to them in as neutral a way as possible.”

Taylor added that the intentions of opponents to the proposal have at times been unfairly characterized.

“This has been a highly charged issue for proponents and those of us who live in the area, who are characterized as being automatically against this, which really isn’t the case,” Taylor said. “We just wanted to make sure the district was applying all of the resources that they could and to discover all of the technology that exists today to best manage it. I’m pretty satisfied at this point.”

Bernard, on the other hand, took a more cautious approach.

“I’m not entirely confident about all of it: the lights, the traffic and the sound,” Bernard said. “I’m a little encouraged about the sound, but the rest of it, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Campbell won’t return as Leland boys’ basketball coach next year

Leland doesn’t renew contract of first-year varsity head coach; Campbell ‘perplexed’ by decision

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

There will be a new varsity boys’ head coach at the helm of Leland’s program next year, after school officials decided not to renew the contract of first-year varsity head coach Ed Campbell.

The decision, according to Campbell, came down earlier this month. Leland Athletic Director Chris Hansen declined to comment on the issue, citing confidentiality obligations with school personnel matters. When contacted by the Times, Leland Principal Bob Setterlund also declined to comment on specifics regarding the matter, but released the following statement:

Ed Campbell, shown here during a Leland varsity boys’ basketball game earlier this season, will not return as the Chargers’ head coach next season after his contract was not renewed by the school earlier this month. Photo by Dan Miranda

“We’re often called upon to make difficult decisions. These decisions are always seeking what is best for our students and the entire athletic program. We respect Ed Campbell and thank him for his hard work this year.”

Campbell, however, said he was surprised by the school’s decision not to renew his contract after one year at the helm of the boys’ varsity basketball program.

“I was not expecting this,” said Campbell, who also spent two years as the Leland boys’ frosh/soph basketball head coach before taking over as head coach at the varsity level. “…It’s been very perplexing to go through this.”

During his only season as head coach, Campbell’s Chargers amassed a 14-12 overall record, as well as a 9-5 record in Santa Teresa Division play, good for a third place tie with Silver Creek. The Chargers received the No. 14 seed in the Central Coast Section Division II Playoffs following the regular season, and lost a 64-29 decision to Menlo-Atherton in the opening round to end the season.

Campbell ascended to the position of varsity head coach along with several players he coached during his
two-year stint as the program’s frosh/soph head coach. To that end, Campbell said he regrets that he won’t be able to coach his players anymore.

“I feel a real profound sense of loss,” Campbell said. “…I didn’t do anything this year that I hadn’t done the previous two years. I thought by all accounts that we were successful this year.”

Despite the change, Campbell said he enjoyed his years at Leland and said he will continue to seek out new opportunities to coach high school basketball.

“I certainly still feel that my best coaching years are ahead of me,” Campbell said. “I had a great three years at Leland and I really enjoyed the opportunity I had to work with the players.”

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Swimming vs. Pioneer, 3 p.m.
Friday – Varsity girls’ lacrosse at Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ lacrosse at Castilleja, 5:30 p.m.

Monday – Frosh/soph golf vs. Leigh at SV, 1:45 p.m.
Monday – Varsity golf vs. Westmont at ST, 3:15 p.m.

Tuesday – Boys’ volleyball at Branham, 7 p.m. varsity and 6 p.m. frosh/soph
Tuesday – Baseball vs. Leigh, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis vs. Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Softball at Evergreen, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Badminton at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ lacrosse vs. Woodside, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ lacrosse at Menlo-Atherton, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday – Boys’ lacrosse vs. Bellarmine, 4 p.m. varsity and 5:30 p.m. frosh/soph
Wednesday – Swimming vs. Piedmont Hills, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Boys’ tennis at Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Track vs. Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Softball at Westmont, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Boys’ volleyball at Oak Grove, 7 p.m. varsity and 6 p.m. frosh/soph
Thursday – Baseball at Leigh, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Golf vs. Westmont at Almaden Golf and Country Club, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Badminton at Oak Grove, 3 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Friday – Swimming at Leland, 3 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ lacrosse at Woodside, 4 p.m.

Monday – Frosh/soph golf vs. Lincoln at RP, 3 p.m.

Tuesday – Badminton vs. Branham, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Baseball vs. Westmont, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Softball at Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis at Mt. Pleasant, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity golf vs. Live Oak at the Villages, 3 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph golf vs. Lincoln at RP, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Sobrato, 7:30 p.m. varsity and 6:30 p.m. frosh/soph
Thursday – Softball vs. Leigh, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Baseball at Westmont, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Badminton at Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity golf vs. Live Oak at ST, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Track at Silver Creek, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Swimming vs. Santa Teresa, 3 p.m.


*JV or frosh/soph team plays at opposite site of varsity at the same time

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

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

High School Scoreboard

March 13
Leland baseball 4-2 win vs. Pioneer

Pioneer boys’ volleyball 25-18, 25-8, 25-12 loss at Leigh

March 14
Leland softball 3-2 win at Mountain View
Leland boys’ swimming 103-80 win vs. Live Oak
Leland girls’ swimming 105-71 win vs. Live Oak`

Pioneer golf 211-219 loss vs. Leigh
Pioneer boys’ volleyball 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 30-28 loss at Sobrato

March 15
Leland softball 4-3 loss vs. Monta Vista
Leland boys’ tennis 7-0 win vs. Yerba Buena
Leland boys’ volleyball 25-16, 25-13, 28-26 win at Pioneer
Leland badminton 10-5 win vs. Santa Teresa

Pioneer softball 13-3 win vs. Oak Grove
Pioneer boys’ track 85-50 loss at Oak Grove
Pioneer girls’ track 91-36 loss at Oak Grove

Pioneer baseball earns first league win over rival Leland

Mustang bats put up nine runs in first three innings during 11-2 win on the road

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The sixth time proved to be the charm for the Pioneer baseball team, as the Mustangs ended a five-game losing streak to open league play by posting an 11-2 win at Leland on March 15.

Leland starting pitcher John Pfeiffer took the loss in an 11-2 decision to Pioneer on March 15. Photo by Dan Miranda

The win, which bumped Pioneer’s overall record to 5-6, saw the Mustangs put up nine runs in the first three innings of play, including a six-run third inning. All told, the Mustangs pounded out 12 hits throughout the game, knocking Leland starting pitcher John Pfeiffer out of the game after only two-and-two-thirds innings pitched.

Pfeiffer gave up a total of eight runs and seven hits, including two home runs, and took the loss.

The win was a welcome sight for Pioneer head coach Jake Hernandez, whose team dropped a 4-2 decision to the Chargers on March 13 to extend the losing streak to five games.

“We know we have a chance to compete with any team in the league and we knew it (the first win) was going to happen, so the guys stayed loose,” Hernandez said of his team’s first league win.

Leland, meanwhile, struggled offensively, collecting just five hits and two runs—all off Pioneer starting pitcher Scott Rudolph, who went four innings to pick up the win.

“Our guys didn’t come ready to play,” said Leland head coach Anthony Siri. “We’re really black and white right now. Tuesday (March 13) we pretty much put every facet of the game together and then today we just kind of lied down. We didn’t compete.”

The Mustangs came into the March 15 game struggling on offense, averaging just under three runs per game. That changed right away in the first at-bat for the Mustangs, as center fielder Derek Clark led off the game by launching a solo home run as part of a two-run first inning for Pioneer. First baseman Garret Lewis added an RBI single later in the inning for a 2-0 lead.

Hernandez said Clark’s home run seemed to give his team an early boost on offense, and it showed, as the Mustangs added a run in the top of the second inning for a 3-1 lead on a solo home run from left fielder Michael Boudinot, who finished the game going 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a stolen base and two runs scored. Pioneer continued its momentum on offense in the top of the third, scoring six runs—five off Pfeiffer—while sending 11 batters to the plate. Lewis started the scoring with a bases loaded groundout that scored Scott Lowry, before a squeeze bunt single by shortstop Kyle Burchfiel added a second run. Boudinot then singled to right field for another run, knocking Pfeiffer from the game with two outs in the inning and giving way to Leland reliever Malte Reinschmidt.

Still, the Mustangs continued to score, as a dropped third strike on designated hitter Russ Marone saw Leland catcher Tyler Henry throw wildly past first baseman Garrett Avilla down the right field line, scoring Burchfiel for a
7-1 lead and putting runners on the corners. Third baseman Don Medlinger then followed with an RBI single to score Boudinot, before a bases loaded wild pitch later in the inning scored Marrone for Pioneer’s sixth run of the inning.

“It’s one of those things where high school kids are in a slump and they think too much about it and it gets in their heads a little bit,” Hernandez said of his team’s offensive woes coming into the March 15 game against Leland. “They’ve been pressing too much. It has nothing to do with skill level or anything like that. …They fed off each other and they had a lot of energy today. Hopefully we can continue that.”

On the pitching front, Hernandez said he was pleased with the relief effort of Medlinger, who tossed three scoreless innings and struck out five batters to pick up the save.

“We’re really happy with what Don’s doing,” Hernandez said. “Our pitching is probably our number-one bright spot right now. As long as we keep on pitching, we’re in it. We’ll always have a chance.”

As for Pfeiffer, Siri chalked his starting pitcher’s performance up to just having a bad day. “Every athlete has an
off day and finally, Pfeiffer had his off day,” Siri said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t apply any pressure offensively, so there’s nothing he can do on his end. He tried and it just didn’t happen today. The ball was up today and he was flat. It was one of those days for him today.”

Still, one bright spot, according to Siri, was the relief effort by Reinschmidt, who went four-and-one-third innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out three.

“I was happy to see that,” Siri said of Reinschmidt’s relief effort. “…I was happy to see him go out there and do his thing. That’s a kid who deserves that. It’s an opportunity for him to go and show what he can do and keep us in the game, and he did.”

Leland tennis aims for improvement in postseason play

Chargers navigate rigid league and non-league schedule

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Leland tennis coach Pam Headley hopes her boys can improve upon their trip to the quarterfinals last season in the Central Coast Section finals tournament, set for this May.

Standing at 6-1 after a harsh preseason schedule and two dominant wins in league, the Chargers are on course.

Leland boys’ tennis player Stace Klinger during a home match against Yerba Buena on March 15. Photo by Dan Miranda

“They are doing fantastic,” said Headley.

Headley said the Chargers will know more about themselves later in the week, in matches versus Bellarmine and Los Gatos.

Headley hopes that the Chargers’ experience will test well versus
the perennial powers.

“We only lost two players from last year, and we lost to Los Altos
4-3 in a very close semifinal match,” said Headley. “Because we have a lot of returning players, and we have two new kids that are really stepping up, I could see us in the semis this year.”

To prepare the talented group for the rigors of postseason play, Headley stacked Leland’s preseason schedule beyond A-league play, where the Chargers have won five titles.

Leland will have faced 2006 CCS Division I finalist Los Altos, perennial Santa Cruz Coast power Aptos and both 2005 Division II finalists, Bellarmine and Los Gatos, by the time the postseason tournaments begin.

“We just need to come up big in some of these non-league matches, so the guys can get a sense of what it takes to advance
to the next round in the playoffs,” said Headley. “We set up tough matches to produce an excellent learning opportunity for the kids.”

It’s not all about learning, however. Leland has already faced Los Altos—who knocked the Chargers out of the
CCS tournament in the quarterfinal match last season—and Aptos, winning 5-2 on March 5.

Los Altos prevailed 6-1 in the opener for both teams, but the match versus Aptos was inspiring, according to Headley.

“Aptos is always strong and this year they are particularly good,” she said.

Headley added that three of Leland’s five wins versus the Aptos Mariners came down to the third set, but Leland was able to come up with the big plays when it mattered most.

No. 1 singles player Stace Klinger, a junior, produced the most memorable match of the set, when he went into a tiebreaker. After two hours and 45 minutes, Klinger stopped his opponent, winning 11-9 in the third set.

“It was a battle of wills and Stace just held on,” said Headley. “He is not overwhelmingly [large], but Stace is a power baseliner. He has been a tournament player for years, so the big match experience certainly helps.”

Junior Thomas Norton, meanwhile, who narrowly missed occupying Leland’s No.1 singles post, when he lost to Klinger in a challenge match early in the season, remains the only undefeated Charger.

Norton, in fact, filled in at the No. 1 spot in a league match versus Independence when Klinger was out sick. He won 6-1, 6-1.

“He is a real get-down-to-business kid,” said Headley. “He sets a goal at the beginning of the match and sort of puts his head down and grinds it out. He is very focused.”

In doubles action, junior Osheen Davoudi and senior Eric Banks are Leland’s top team. This is their third year playing together and it shows, according to Headley.

“They just balance each other out well,” she said.

Meanwhile, freshmen Brian Higashi and Teddy Truongo are contributing immediately as the only new faces in Leland’s lineup. Higashi fills the No. 3 singles post, and Truongo teams with sophomore Sam Hatamian on the
No. 2 doubles team.

Headley said that Leland has improved most in doubles play, since the Chargers’ defeat at Los Altos.

“The doubles teams have improved,” he said. “It was the whole teamwork aspect of it. They are starting to get familiar with the muscle styles of their partners, which is huge.”

Junior Michael Chen occupies Leland’s No. 4 singles position, while senior Michael Shieh and junior Sahil Bakshi team up as No. 3 doubles players.

Mustangs riding fast start

Pioneer badminton team opens season by winning four of five

Eric Zimmerling
Times Intern

The Pioneer badminton team is off to its best start in 11 years behind ample senior leadership and the tutelage of head coach Blaine Hashimoto.

The Mustangs are riding a current winning streak past a field of league competitors, compiling a 4-1 record so far this season, including a solid 14-1 win over San Jose High Academy on March 20.

The leadership of 12 seniors has helped guide the Mustangs to the top of the West Valley Division standings to date. Hashimoto, in his seventh year at Pioneer, looks to take advantage of his 62-player roster.

“This is the most players we’ve ever had since I’ve been here,” Hashimoto said. “We used to have to forfeit some matches because we would not have enough varsity players to compete.”

The Mustangs now have more important things to worry about, such as trying to win their first division championship since 1996. The Mustangs have hit their stride early with their winning streak in part because of an undefeated mixed doubles record and strong play from boys’ singles player, senior Steven Tran.

“The whole team is working really hard—from freshmen to seniors,” Tran said. “This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here. The incoming freshmen knew how to play well when they got here. As a senior, I have to help them out, but it’s easy when they already have talent.”

High school badminton typically consists of 15 total matches, which includes three matches in five different categories: Mixed doubles, boys and girls singles, as well as boys and girls doubles.

The only loss for Pioneer this season came at the hands of Gunderson, which narrowly defeated Pioneer 8-7.

Mae Limskun, a senior at Pioneer, is a part of the undefeated mixed doubles team. She said that confidence is
at a high point for the team, which will help them in the future.

“This year we are a lot more confident,” Limskun said. “We didn’t finish too high in the standing last year and we want to change that. We had one loss at Gunderson but that’s it so far. The next time we play them, we’re going to get them.”

On the flip side, the Mustangs have enjoyed league wins over Prospect 12-3, Gilroy 8-7, San Jose 14-1 and Sobrato 9-6. In short, Hashimoto said expectations have gone up as the season has progressed.

“Going into this season I didn’t know what to expect with the players I had,” Hashimoto said. “As I’ve seen the team play well thus far and taking Gunderson to the final match, expectations have gone up some. We are just looking to play well and see where it takes us.”

Sports Briefs

United States Youth Volleyball League signups
Space is still available for the United States Youth Volleyball League site at Kirk Park in San Jose. The league’s teams meet on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. The season begins on April 17. Registration is required before April 1.

The USYVL is an instructional coed volleyball league for boys and girls ages 7-14. The USYVL’s mission is to provide every child with a chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised and low-pressure environment. The program also emphasizes good sportsmanship, cooperation and teamwork.
For more information, call 1-888-988-7985 or go to www.usyvl.org.

Editor’s note: Due to the high volume of requests, announcements in the Sports Briefs section will run for one issue only, effective immediately. Announcements submitted to the Times must be 100 words or less and must be received by the Times no later than noon on Monday for that week’s issue. To submit announcements, please e-mail Almaden Times
Weekly Sports Editor Diego Abeloos at diego@timesmediainc.com.

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