March 25, 2004

SPORTS

High school sports briefs
By Miranda Schultz

A tough loss on Tuesday gave the Leland softball team a 0-1 start in the BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division. Oak Grove took the victory with five runs to Leland's nil at Oak Grove. Despite the loss, Head Coach Joe Gron said his team didn't play badly, “Oak Grove played well, they got hits in key situations,” he says. Leland had six hits in six innings, but nothing to put any runs on the board. Leadoff hitter Christina Saenz accounted for half of the hits. The sophomore shortstop went 3-4 with a double against Oak Grove.

“Christina had a great game, she's been doing well all year long,” says Gron.

Against Oak Grove, senior Jamie Vranich went all six innings and gave up four hits. Gron said there were a few defensive errors, “But those are things that are always going to happen,” he says.

The girls will face Leigh on Thursday.

A 10-5 victory over Prospect on Tuesday gives the Leland baseball team a 1-0 record in the BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division. Head Coach Scott Gillis says, “We seem to be turning the corner and starting to play consistent baseball. We need to keep up the momentum from Tuesday and follow up with a solid performance on Thursday. We had Kyle Woodruff back on the mound and the starters played their best game of the season.”

The boys have an overall record of 5-6-2, and will play Prospect again on Thursday.

The Leland golf team is 6-0 in the Mt. Hamilton Division, but Head Coach Adam Schiro says they haven't faced any really difficult competition in the league just yet. “I expect Branham to be pretty tough. We're just working our way up, we're definitely improving and I'm pleased with the progress,” says Schiro. The boys beat Santa Teresa on Tuesday 192-241, which was their lowest score so far this season. The boys are 7-2 overall and led by Michael O'Connor and Gary Beene. “They want to play well and work hard to improve, and I think that their work ethic and dedication is the biggest factor in their steady improvement,” says Schiro, “They all have quite a bit of experience, even outside of school, so they have a pretty good knowledge of the game as well.”

The boys face Lincoln on Thursday.

Leland's boys volleyball team has an overall record of 9-5 and 4-1 in the BVAL Santa Teresa Division. Head Coach Jason Hilbert says, “They're improving with each match. There were a few problems early on, but it seems they've realized the importance of playing as a team and making personal sacrifices in order to be successful, and now they're doing much better.” The boys beat Prospect on Tuesday in three games, 25-15, 25-18 and 25-14. Senior Noah Hall and junior Derrick Truong are the main force in kills so far this season. Truang slammed 11 kills in the three games against Prospect. “Derrick is probably the MVP of the week,” says Hilbert.

The boys placed ninth out of 32 teams in the Leland Charger Classic Tournament held last weekend, where Hilbert says the boys really stepped up their game.

The team faces Leigh High School on Thursday and Westmont on Friday, and is looking forward to the match against archrival Willow Glen on April 1.

The Pioneer golf team, despite a 194-211 loss to Branham High School on Monday, has a good attitude, according to Head Coach Myron Zaccheo. “They're a fun group of guys. It's a great atmosphere and they respect the game, which is very important.”

They are now 4-1 in the Mt. Hamilton Division an 5-2 overall. Zaccheo feels the guys are doing well, and mentions junior Tommy Garcia, “He's been really consistent for us,” says Zaccheo. “The last three matches, he shot a 38 twice and a 40, which is pretty much our best.” Junior Tony Ventimiglia and sophomore Alex Hunt are also top players on the team. They will face Branham again on Wednesday and Westmont on Monday.

After a 10-inning game against Westmont on Monday, the Pioneer softball team came up with a 2-1 loss for their first league game, giving them a 5-2 record overall. Despite the loss, Head Coach Brian Thompson says, “I think we're off to a good start. The girls are working really hard and we have a positive attitude. They're being extremely competitive, which is important.”

The team's only pitcher, senior Andrea Castillo threw 120 pitches in the game against Westmont, scattering 3 hits across 10 innings, and striking out 12, “She did really well,” says Thompson, “Westmont just got some good, key hits.”

Junior centerfielder Alysia Ramirez is an offensive leader for the team, while sophomore first baseman Chenelle Blake is picking the team up defensively.

Thompson says, “The girls are being competitive, and that's all one can really ask of them. They go out there and do their best every game. At the end of the season, hopefully we'll have won more than we lost.”

The girls face Independence on Thursday and will play in the Charlie Miguel tournament this weekend, facing Leland on Friday night at 6 p.m.

Players of the week

Andrea Castillo, #15
Sport: Pioneer softball
Position: Pitcher

Castillo is Pioneer's only pitcher. She pitches in every game, every inning. In the seven games so far this season, Castillo has only given up three earned runs, striking out 57 batters.

Head Coach Brian Thompson considers Castillo to be an asset to the team, “She carries us through every game and gives us her all. She is a leader and the other players trust and her.”

Aaron Klapper
Sport: Leland tennis
Class: senior
Position: Number-one singles

At 3-0 Leland is cruising toward another Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division championship, behind the play of their number one singles man, Aaron Klapper. Klapper, who is currently 6-1 on the year, added two more victories this week, winning in straight sets at Silver Creek after sweating out a nail biter against Los Gatos.

“I had to go into a tiebreaker at Los Gatos,” said Klapper. In that match Klapper displayed determination and composure beyond his years coming back to win the final sets 6-3 and 11-9.

Sports Schedules

Leland High School

Thursday 3/25

Baseball @ Prospect 3:30

JV Baseball vs. Prospect 3:30

Golf vs. Lincoln @ Almaden 3:00

JV Golf vs. Santa Teresa @ Los Logos 3:00

Softball vs. Leigh 3:30

JV Softball @ Leigh 3:30

Boys Tennis @ Independence 3:15

Boys Volleyball @ Leigh 5:00/6:00 (JV, V)

Badminton vs. Santa Teresa 3:30

Friday 3/26

Softball—Charlie Miguel Tourney @ Twin Creeks

Boys Volleyball @ Westmont 5:00/6:00 (JV, V)

Saturday 3/27

Softball—Charlie Miguel Tourney @ Twin Creeks

Boys Swimming @ Fairfield HS 9 a.m.

Girls Swimming @ Fairfield HS 7:30 a.m.

Track & field @ Live Oak 9 a.m.

JV Volleyball—JV Charger Classic—All day

Monday 3/29

JV Golf vs. Lincoln @ Spring Valley 2:15

Boys Lacrosse vs. Menlo/Atherton 3:30/5:00 (V, JV)

Tuesday 3/30

Baseball @ Mt. Pleasant 3:30

JV Baseball vs. Mt. Pleasant 3:30

Girls Lacrosse vs. Woodside 3:30

Softball @ Santa Teresa 3:30

JV vs. Santa Teresa 3:30

Boys Tennis vs. Oak Grove 3:15

Badminton @ Del Mar 3:30

Wednesday 3/31

JV boys Lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart

Boys Tennis vs. Los Altos 3:15

Track & Field @ Mt. Pleasant 3:30

Pioneer High School

Thursday 3/25

Badminton @ Evergreen 3:30

Softball vs. Independence 3:30

JV Softball @ Independence 3:30

Boys Tennis @ Prospect 3:15

Track & Field @ Lincoln 3:30

Boys Volleyball vs. Willow Glen 5:00/6:00

Friday 3/26

Swimming/Diving @ Santa Teresa 3:00

Baseball @ Branham 3:30

JV Baseball vs. Branham 3:30

Monday 3/29

Golf vs. Westmont TBA

Tuesday 3/30

Badminton vs. Live Oak 3:00

Softball @ Mt. Pleasant 3:30

JV Softball vs. Mt. Pleasant 3:30

Boys Volleyball vs. Gunderson 6:00/7:00

Wednesday 3:30

Baseball @ Del Mar 3:30

JV Baseball vs. Del Mar 3:30

Swimming MVP

Justin Pollard of Almaden focuses on books and the finish line

By Karl Laucher
Staff Writer

Justin Pollard didn't win the swimming scholarship he deserves. Obviously there are a lot of sharks in the water. Undaunted, the 2003 Pacific Swimming, Western Zone, and the 2003 Bellarmine College Preparatory Most Valuable Player will swim next season at the school of his choice: Cal Berkeley.

“I focused a lot on school and kept my options open,” said Pollard, a National Merit finalist, as he prepared for a workout at the Almaden Swim and Racquet Club where he trained many years under Gerald Machedo, whose son, Matt, recently graduated from Cal as an All-American swimmer.

Said Gerald Machedo of Pollard, his current phenom: “I don't think they make them any better at paying attention, work ethic, personality, attendance...”

Pollard has won Central Coast Section championships on relay teams for Bellarmine, but last year missed and individual title by a touch, placing second in the 100-meter butterfly. He also took a fourth in the 50-meter freestyle. His best distance is the 200 fly, not held in high school.

His cheerful countenance reveals a person not easily discouraged by life's small distractions. He says he loves to compete, but also “I really like to be around the team. It's a great atmosphere.”

Asked what people don't know about competitive swimming, Pollard pointed out that athletes in other sports might not have a high regard for swimming, but noted “if any of them tried to do just our warm-up, they couldn't finish it.”

Pollard will turn18 years old on May 14, the first day of the two-day CCS championships to be held at Independence High School. He is undefeated as a Bellarmine Bell after four meets in the West Catholic Athletic League this season, but it will be in the CCS where Pollard will get a chance to again represent his team and himself as an aspiring student-athlete.

He intends to major in environmental science at Cal.

Leland girls dominate Santa Cruz relays

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

The girls on Leland High School's swim team performed their best Moses imitation on March 20. After traveling over the hill to face the sea-faring schools of the coast at the Santa Cruz Relays, the Chargers parted the waters, sprinting to seven medals, including three firsts, three seconds, and one third.

“We didn't keep score because it was exclusively a relay event,” said Leland Coach Mike Haake. “These type of meets are all for the kids. They get to concentrate on relays and winning some medals.”

It's an opportunity for Leland to win some medals, anyway. The other schools were thankful no score was kept with Leland's winning the seven medals on varsity and seven more on J.V.

“We pretty much won in every event,” said Haake, who traveled 29 girls over the hill to compete. “The meet really showed our depth. It was a team effort.”

When asked who stood out, Haake was pleased to announce that everybody contributed. In that case, this year's varsity swim team includes: Melanie Plott, Jenny Wickersham, Tina Revels, Courtney Monsees, Nichole Atkin, Joyce Lee, Lucy Chen, Casey Armstrong, Brittany Hall, and Kathryn Kirtland.

Next, the Chargers travel to Fairfield High School where they will be joined by the male half of the varsity swim team and compete in the Fairfield Relays. The Chargers, who remain 1-0 in league competition, after a win versus Mt. Pleasant High School last Friday, will resume their league schedule next Friday.

“We're doing pretty well,” concludes Haake. “It's still early in the season so we'll be moving some girls around letting them try new events, but overall I'm really pleased. We have had some very good races so far.”

Pioneer tennis suffers first loss of the season; remains amped about prospects of league championship

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Another week on the courts logged a sound 5-2 victory at Overfelt High School and a nail-biting, down-to-the-wire loss versus Del Mar High School for the Pioneer High School boys tennis team. The Mustangs also learned that number-one singles man Kareem Berdai has been ruled ineligible and lost for the year. Heading into the second half of league in a first-place deadlock with Del Mar High School, Pioneer must regroup and focus on the task at hand: a Blossom Valley Athletic League, Santa Teresa Division, league championship.

“Even without Kareem, I think we have a really excellent team,” said Pioneer Coach Julie Szarlacki. “The loss is forcing me to move our lineup around, but our other players seem up for the challenge.”

In the 5-2 victory versus Overfelt, freshman Noah Lamoyne was up for the challenge, moving into the number-four singles position and winning his match. Lamoyne, normally paired with senior Art Soshnikov at the number one doubles post, returned to his partner versus Del Mar where they won handily as well. The Soshnikov-Lamoyne connection remains undefeated in doubles play.

However, Soshnikov and Lamoyne's victory was not enough versus the Dons. The match came down to the very last set of the day with Pioneer's Ben Cooper playing for the tiebreaker. Unfortunately the ball rolled the Dons way as they handed the Mustangs their first loss of the season.

“Nothing's a given in this league,” said Szarlacki of her Mustangs' loss. “I guess the outcome usually depends on if you're having a bad day or a good day.”

Szarlacki and the rest of the Mustangs hope that there are more good days than bad days on the horizon heading into the second half of league competition. On Mar. 25, Pioneer visits Prospect High School at Prospect before returning to play Branham High School the following Tuesday, thus officially entering the second half of their schedule.

Leland boys primed for another league championship in tennis

By Justin Petersen

Whoever said “nice guys finish last” never saw the 2004 Leland High School boys' tennis team in action. The defending champs of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division, return a CCS finalist in senior Steven Richards, and a whole bunch of real nice guys, according to second year coach, Jory Segal.

But personable demeanors don't equal pushover victories for Leland opponents. The Chargers, who typically field as tough a tennis squad in all CCS [Leland finished third last year], leave no exception this season.

Despite losing over half of the 2003 squad to graduation, Leland returns Richards, who went all the way to the finals in doubles last year, along with number one singles player and team razz-man, Aaron Klapper.

“I hope we win CCS this year,” said Richards, while fending off a jeering Klapper, who addresses Richards as “The Enforcer.” Richards, who is paired up with sophomore, Simon Cheng as Leland's number one doubles team, is known for a big serve and efficient movements on the court. He plans on attending UCLA in the fall, but is unsure whether he'll continue his tennis career beyond Leland.

“We have some talent,” said Segal. “But our number one goal is to play good tennis and improve. We'd like to win league, but every year is different. The thing that sets this team apart is the group of kids. This year they're all very fun to work with. They don't tear each other down.”

On Tues, Mar. 23, Leland pushed their record to 4-3, 3-0 in league with a 5-2 over Silver Creek High School. Number one singles player, Aaron Kalpper, set the pace for the Chargers winning his match in two straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

Multiple winners shine as Leland falls, Pioneer rises in track and field

By Karl Laucher
Staff Writer

It may be like this for the entire track and field season: Leland High School getting throttled in the Blossom Valley Athletic League's top-tier Mt. Hamilton division and Pioneer High School crunching foes in the third-level BVAL West Valley division. Boys and girls compete separately, but, for dramatics, we combine the numbers from last Thursday's dual meets. Overfelt 174, Leland 93; Pioneer 207, James lick 42.

Something is out of whack.

While keeping the teams in a competitive environment may be challenging, individually the quality athletes make themselves known.

In a class by himself for the Leland boys is Charger senior Alex Ramon, who won at both 1600 and 32000 meters for a second straight week. Against Overfelt, held at West Valley College, he was the only Charger boy to win.

The ladies of Leland were much more on the ball, led by Jessica Chen's wins in the 100 high hurdles, long jump and pole vault, and Shelley Shun's double in the 200 and 400 meters. Charger Coach Jerry Rose was particularly proud of the effort by sophomore Connie Wang, who ripped off a strong 2:38.5 effort at 800 meters and ran the anchor leg on the winning 4x400 relay.

Rose also hailed the performance by freshman Bob Toney, who placed second behind Ramon in the both the 1600 and 3200.

Winning by lopsided scores, Pioneer naturally had multiple winners in the rush past James Lick. Rolando Gomez in the weight events and Marissa Silver in the hurdles and Elizabeth Bolender in the 1600 and 800 were doubles winners for a second straight week. Add doubles wins by Albert Gonzalez in the sprints, Brandon Hansen in the hurdles, Kyle Brookmeyer in the long jump and triple jump, Steven Delay at 1600 and 800 meters and Camille Brown in the 100 and 400 meters and you have a whole herd of Mustangs stampeding over hapless James Lick.

Leland had a bye from league action this week, but is gearing up for some positive results in the Raymond Relays at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill on Saturday. The Chargers return to BVAL action on April 1 visiting Mt. Pleasant High School, the site of the BVAL championships in May.

Pioneer will be at Andrew Hill High School today (Thursday, 3:30 p.m.), and will encounter Lincoln High at San Jose City College on April 1.