May 18, 2006

SPORTS

Game over

Chargers’ season ends with 3-1 loss to Mitty
in quarterfinals of CCS Volleyball

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Leland boys’ volleyball team saw its promising season come to an end on May 13 with a 3-1 loss to Archbishop Mitty in CCS Quarterfinals play at Santa Clara High School.

Kenny Tran delivers a kill against King's Academy on May 11. Photo by Jeff Frazee

The loss ended a season in which the Chargers won a co-championship of the BVAL’s Mt. Hamilton Division with rival Leigh. Leland went undefeated for much of the league portion of the season before an April 27 loss at Leigh forced the two-way tie for first in the standings. The loss to Mitty came after the Chargers took a robust 3-0 win over King’s Academy on May 11 in the opening round of CCS play.

Leland took game one by a close 27-25 score over the Monarchs before dropping the next three games by scores of 25-15, 25-15 and 25-21. Still, despite the early exit in CCS Playoff competition, Leland Head Coach Jason Hilbert was pleased with the season overall.

“This is definitely a disappointing loss, but what do you do?” Hilbert said. “You’ve got to be proud of what the guys did all season. You’ve got to look at the big picture. It’s very easy to be caught up in the moment, but they had a great season. This was one of the best teams we’ve ever had at Leland.”

Leland's Daniel Ortiz (4) blocks a King's Academy kill attempt during a 3-0 win on May 11. Photo by Jeff Frazee

Leland took a tense game one win, battling back from a 21-17 deficit with a 6-2 scoring run to tie the game 23-23. During the run, Leland received kills from Scott Lucas and Kevin Kashanian, while Seth Anderson also dropped in a tip.

From that point on, the teams traded points for a 25-25 tie before the Monarchs committed two errors—one on a dig and another on a pass—giving Leland two points and a 27-25 win.

Games two and three proved to be Leland’s Achilles’ heel, as the Monarchs jumped out to sizable leads in both games, while never allowing the Leland offense to get on track.

Game two saw Mitty holding a 19-10 lead before staving off a short 4-1 scoring run by the Chargers to come back for a 25-15 win.

“We didn’t pass well,” Hilbert said. “I thought after the first game that we could fight back and do well. We just got caught in some rotations and made simple mistakes that you can’t do against a good team.”

Game three, on the other hand, was close in the early going, with Leland battling Mitty for an 11-11 tie before the Monarchs put together a 9-1 scoring run to take a 20-12 lead. After Leland battled back with a modesty 3-0 stretch, the Monarchs finished off game three on a 5-0 run, getting two kills and a tip from 6-foot, 8-inch middle blocker Scott Rodgers.

“He hit the same spots and we just weren’t smart, we weren’t disciplined on defense,” Hilbert said of defending Rodgers. “We knew what he was going to do, we planned for it, and they executed better than we did.”

“There was a lot of frustration,” Lucas added. “Mainly, we were just trying to get focused and get back into the game. If you made a mistake, try to let it go … it just never clicked at all.”

Leland's Kenny Tran blasts a kill attempt over a two-man block by Mitty during a 3-1 season-ending loss to the Monarchs in the quarterfinals of the CCS Playoffs on May 13. Photo by Jeff La Plante

Down 2-1, Leland held an early 12-11 in game four before the Monarchs put together a 7-1 scoring run to take an 18-13 lead. Still, Leland managed to battle back throughout the contest cutting the lead to three at 18-15 before battling back to a four-point deficit at 22-18 after a 4-0 run by Mitty.

Leland continued to apply ample pressure toward the end, cutting a six-point Mitty lead at 24-18 to three points after a short 3-0 stretch. Mitty finally took game four however, as a two-man block by Kashanian and Andrew Atmeh on a Mitty kill sailed out of bounds, giving the Monarchs a 25-21 win.

Hilbert said one of the toughest parts of the loss was knowing that he coached the team’s seniors—Lucas, Kashanian, Atmeh, Alex Moon, Ben Tang and Boris Sanchez—for the final time in their high school careers.

“It’s a great group. It’s the tallest group I’ve ever had,” Hilbert said. “Maybe the most talented group I’ve ever had too. We’re going to miss them greatly … these guys gave everything, and that’s all you can ever ask.”

Sports Briefs

Central Valley Outlaws Class I U13 Premier boys hosts team tryouts
The Central Valley Outlaws Class I U13 Premier boys’ team invites boys born between 8/1/92 and 7/31/93 to tryouts for the upcoming season. For more information, contact Richard Johnson at 439-9645.

Leland Junior Spirit Camp holds signups
The Leland Spirit Squad is hosting its annual Junior Spirit Camp June 19-23 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The early bird camp fee is $100 with an increase to $125 on June 1. The camp will offer cheers, dances and games for children entering K-8 in the fall of 2006. All campers will be invited to perform at a Leland High School football game. Please contact lelandjsc@gmail.com or Angelica Niklowitz at (408) 268-5549.

Almaden United U15 Boys Class 3 soccer team seeks players
Almaden United, a Class 3 U14/U15 boys’ soccer team, needs players for the spring and fall. Date of birth should be between 8/1/91 and 7/31/92. Call Coach Joe Escobedo at (408) 972-8906 or Manager Patty O'Malley (408) 927-5978 for more information.

Citywide Youth Track Meet set for May 21
Track athletes ages 9-14 have an opportunity to participate in a citywide track and field meet that may qualify them to compete in the largest youth sports program of its kind in North America, the Hershey Youth Program.

The City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services and the San Jose Police Amateur Athletic Association sponsor this free event annually. The event is a qualifier meet for the upcoming Nor Cal Hershey State Track and Field Meet and a stop on the road to the National Meet in Hershey, Penn.

Track events include the 50-, 100-, 200-, 400-, 800-, 1600-meter, and 4x100-meter relay. Field events include the standing long jump and softball throw.

The meet is Sunday, May 21 from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. at Evergreen Valley High School, 3300 Quimby Road, San Jose.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. For more information and registration forms, contact Joe Albayalde at joe.abayalde@sanjoseca.gov or Lily Ponce at lily.ponce@sanjoseca.gov. Both can also be reached at (408) 369-3900. Registration will also be accepted on the day of the event between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Almaden United U12 girls’ soccer team seeks players
The Almaden United, a girls’ U12, strong Class 3 team applying for Class 1 in the fall season, is looking for players for the spring and fall '06 seasons. Date of birth should be between Aug. 1, 1994 and July 31, 1996. Contact Jeff Pine at pine@apple.com or (408) 391-7542 for more information.

DeAnza Force 92G Black needs players
DeAnza Force 92G Black is looking for highly skilled players for the NorCal premier spring league and fall season. If interested, contact Head Coach David Blutrich by e-mailing davidblue7@aol.com.

Cheer coaches needed for South Valley Pop Warner
Cheer coaches are needed for South Valley Pop Warner. If you're interested in joining a team of outstanding coaches, please call Tiana Zarate at (408) 464-3285 or Teresa Smith at (408) 603-8280, or go to http://www.stpopwarner.org/.

Sports officials needed for high school sports
FERMAR Corporation, which contracts with high schools in Santa Clara County, is recruiting officials for high school athletics. Officials are needed for fall season sports such as football, volleyball and field hockey.

Men and women are encouraged to apply. No experience is necessary, as FERMAR will provide training through classes, clinics and tests. All training materials are provided.

Officials are paid $32-$61 per game, depending on the sport and level of competition. Additional opportunities to officiate youth and adult sports are also available.

Interested parties are encouraged to call FERMAR at (408) 567-1700.

High School Sports Schedule

*Note: for baseball and softball, only varsity games are listed because of space constraints. All JV games are played at the opposite site of varsity at the same time, unless otherwise noted

Leland High School
Saturday – Varsity baseball CCS quarterfinals at PAL Stadium, 4 p.m.
Saturday – Track CCS semifinals at San Jose City College, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday – Softball CCS quarterfinals at Salinas Sports Complex, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday – Softball CCS semifinals at PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

Wednesday – Varsity baseball CCS semifinals at San Jose Municipal Stadium, time and opponent TBA
Wednesday – Softball CCS semifinals at PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

Thursday – Softball CCS semifinals at PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

Pioneer High School
Saturday – Varsity baseball CCS quarterfinals at Washington Park, 1 p.m.
Saturday – Track CCS semifinals at San Jose City College, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday – Softball CCS quarterfinals at Salinas Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Tuesday – Softball CCS semifinals at PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

Wednesday – Softball CCS semifinals at PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

Thursday – Varsity baseball CCS semifinals at San Jose Municipal Stadium, time and opponent TBA
Thursday – Softball CCS semifinals at PAL Stadium, time and opponent TBA

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

For more complete and up to date schedules on CCS playoffs, go to:
www.cifccs.org

Banquet kicks off 32nd Annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football classic

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

While is spring was in the air, high school football was certainly on the mind on May 15.

Leland's Michael Dally, Travis Delamore and Melis Barota at the banquet, held at the Three Flames Restaurant. Photos by Jeff Frazee

A crowd of sponsors, players and coaches gathered at the Three Flames Restaurant for an annual banquet in honor of the 32nd Annual Silicon Valley Youth Classic—also known commonly as the Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game—set for July 19 at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose City College.

The Almaden Valley Rotary Club produces the game, an annual showcase for senior football players from the South Bay. All of the players on the rosters are nominated by their respective coaches.

“The coaches do take into consideration the character of each of their players,” said Roger Hassler of Allstate Insurance, a sponsor of the event. Hassler is serving as a media relations representative for the 2006 game. “I know these people are the peers of their group. They speak well, they’re educated, and they’re going to go onto college, most of them. We’re really excited to help give them one last chance to play a high school prep game.”

This year, Leland Head Coach Jason Tenner, coming off his first season at the helm of the Leland football program, will patrol the sidelines as the South team’s head coach, while Prospect Head Coach Carlos Boles will head up the North team.

Tenner quickly put the festivities to rest for the players of the South team, telling the crowd of high school seniors, “Congratulations fellas, I hope you guys are ready to work.”

As always, Charlie Wedemeyer was there, with his wife Lucy by his side, lending inspiration to those in attendance. Wedemeyer, a native of Hawaii, was diagnosed in 1977 with ALS—commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease—after a prestigious football career at Michigan State University before becoming a teacher and football coach at Los Gatos High School. Wedemeyer still holds the title of coach emeritus for the Los Gatos frosh/soph football team.

Lucy Wedemeyer, left, speaks to the crowd of young football players during the Silicon Valley Youth Classic banquet on May 15. Charlie Wedemeyer, right, whose name has been connected to the All-Star game for three decades, was diagnosed with ALS in 1977. Wedemeyer still serves as a Coach Emeritus for the Los Gatos frosh/soph football team.

“The young men that are here tonight, if they take into consideration what Charlie has gone through the last 30 years, and they dedicate their lives to moving forward when there is adversity in thinking about Charlie, they’ll do very, very well in their careers,” said Hassler.

For Tenner, who had three of his own players at the banquet as South team members in Melis Barota, Michael Dally and Travis Delamore, the opportunity to coach in the showcase was an honor he could not refuse.

“I played in this game 10 years ago, so it’s a tremendous honor to be involved in it as a coach,” said Tenner, who played football at Homestead High. “To be here tonight with the Wedemeyers, the rotary club and everybody who’s sponsoring this game, it’s an amazing feeling. There are a lot of good people in this room who care about high school football and keeping this game alive.”

In addition to the three Leland football players, four senior members of the Pioneer football team —Shaun Souza, Nick D’Antonio, J.J. Goulden and C.J. Miller—were also there as members of the South team.

“It’s great to know that you’re one of the best in the area and you’re going to be playing alongside the best,” said Souza. “It’s just great.”

Almaden Valley Gymnastics girls bring home two
gold medals from Western National Championships

Three girls from the Almaden Valley Gymnastics Club qualified to compete in the 2006 Level 9 Gymnastics Western National Championships on April 21-23 in Colorado Springs and brought home two gold medals. This competition included gymnasts from all U.S. states to the left of the Mississippi River.

Coach Donna Craig poses with Aia Evans, Amanda Lie, and Coach Liviu Mazilu.

Aia Evans won first on the floor exercise with a score of 9.625. Her vault score was 9.1; bars 8.750; beam 9.125 and her all-around score was a 36.6.

Amanda Lie won first place on the uneven bars with a score of 9.575. Her vault score was 9.1; beam 8.8; floor 9.1 and her all-around score was a 36.575.

Amanda Schlaefer also competed at Western Nationals. She scored a 9.175 on vault; 9.325 on bars; 9.275 on beam; 9.0 on floor and 36.775 for an all-around score.

Evans, 16, a sophomore at Valley Christian, won floor at the Arizona, Idaho and Regional competitions. She also got first place all-around at the Idaho meet.

Lie, also 16, a sophomore at Leland High School, won first place on the uneven bars at the Arizona, Idaho and State competitions. In addition, she got first place all-around at the Arizona meet. The girls also have won other first place finishes at several local competitions.

These girls train hard—more than 20 hours weekly—at Almaden Valley Gymnastic Club according to coaches Donna Craig and Liviu Mazilu.

All heart

Leland senior Margo Consul receives R.E.A.C.H.
scholarship award after overcoming heart
problem to play on volleyball team

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Leland volleyball coaches never questioned 2005-2006 Most Inspirational Player Margo Consul’s heart, but doctors did.

Born with a congenital heart block, Consul was recognized by the San Jose Sports Authority on May 3 as one of five Santa Clara County athletes awarded R.E.A.C.H. youth scholarships, after lettering for two years with the Chargers, while a pacemaker monitored her heart rate.

From left, Cal-Hi Sports’ Robert Braunstein, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce President and former San Jose Vice Mayor Pat Dando, Leland’s Margo Consul, former U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star Brandi Chastain and former San Francisco 49er great Ronnie Lott at the REACH Youth Scholarship Awards on May 3. Consul, a volleyball player for the Leland Chargers, was recognized for overcoming adversity and was one of five local athletes awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Photo courtesy of the Consul family

The organization aims to Recognize Excellence in Overcoming Adversity with Hard work.

“I am extremely excited,” said Consul. “It felt like it literally paid off, to keep going through volleyball despite being a reserve at times. Some people thought I couldn’t ever play volleyball. It gave me incentive to prove people wrong.”

Leland Coach Chris Hansen never doubted Consul’s role and significance, even when surgery relegated Consul to the sidelines, just weeks before her senior season kicked off.

“My particular brand of pacemaker had a recall on older models,” said Consul. “The sealant was wearing down, and potentially letting fluids into the device. It could have potentially caused me to blackout or be short of breath.”

Consul’s doctors at UCSF encouraged her to get it replaced, despite her upcoming senior season.

“Mine was already six or seven years old,” Consul said of the original device, which consisted of one lead screwed directly into her heart. The original was designed to control one of two chambers.

“It responds to the [rigorousness] of my breathing and increases the rate of my heart to match it.”

Unmonitored, Consul’s heart pumped approximately 40 static beats per minute. The replacement pacemaker consisted of two leads and controlled both chambers simultaneously. With the pacemaker, Consul’s rate can fluctuate between 50 and 120 beats per minute, imitating the function of a healthy heart.

“I never saw that kid down,” said Leland volleyball Coach and Athletic Director Chris Hansen, who nominated Consul for the award. “She has such an incredible spirit and determination within her. If I didn’t know about the pacemaker, I never would have guessed. It was nothing to her.”

Hansen said Margo’s family and the coaches were unsure if she would play this season following the August procedure, which took place just weeks before tryouts.

“She never missed a workout,” said Hansen. “She was there at every practice during tryouts, encouraging other players and learning.”

By midseason, Consul had grown strong enough to join the lineup.

“Getting to play all the way through the rotation on Senior Night and getting voted Most Inspirational Player by teammates were the highlights of my volleyball career,” she said. “I couldn’t really try out in tryouts this year, and I wasn’t able to do anything physical for four weeks. Finally getting out there toward the end of season for a full rotation was amazing.”

Early, it was a question whether Consul would ever be cleared for athletic activity, due to the risk that her heart, slowed by tissue blockage in three of four valves, would fail. But the pacemaker made it possible for Consul to compete in high intensity sports, a privilege she called extremely valuable and an important part of growing to maturity.

“If a kid doesn’t have confidence, it’s good to get into sports,” said Consul. “Sports made me feel more normal. I remember being picked on in middle school, but it changed when I became part of the volleyball team. It gave me a team and friends. It’s nice to have people with a common thread.”

Consul said that she would at least pay for books in her first quarter at Santa Clara University next fall with the $1,500 she received in scholarship money.

"We are proud to honor all 34 nominees for this year’s REACH Youth Scholarships,’’ said Dean Munro, executive director of the San Jose Sports Authority. “Each is a young person who has overcome tremendous obstacles in his or her personal life through participation in school athletics, and as a supporter of youth sports in our community, the Sports Authority is proud to spotlight their achievements."

Consul said that the courage fellow F.I.R.S.T. recipients demonstrated in overcoming their obstacles amazed her.

“I found the other stories astonishing,” she said. “One football player actually had a heart transplant and still went out with his team. I never thought of a pacemaker as an adversity myself.”

THE ROUNDUP

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Pioneer softball heads for CCS
Leland also a lock for playoffs after swapping places with Mustangs in Mount Hamilton showdown

Pioneer slighted host Leland 1-0 on May 11 and secured the Mustangs’ first trip to CCS under second-year Coach Ernie Garcia.

The Mustangs (15-8, 7-5) summoned stamina to outlast the Chargers in sophomore Alyssa Walker’s latest pitching duel. Since facing elimination from post-season play, the Pioneer won four of its final five contests, including two extra-inning marathons.

Alyssa Walker, shown here in a game earlier this season, and her Pioneer teammates are headed for CCS Playoff competition, garnering a No. 7 seed in the CCS Division II bracket. Photo by Jeff Frazee

“We are going to CCS, baby!” said Garcia. “We actually played Mount Pleasant three weeks ago, and I told the girls if we can win two out of three, we had a shot at CCS.”

The Mustangs instead won all three, pushing past Branham, Santa Teresa, and Leland, following the 2-1 loss at Mount Pleasant.

Yet, Garcia said tough tests the week prior actually started everything. Pioneer embarked on an overwhelming trip to league champion Leigh and second-place finisher Westmont, before hosting Westmont in a final meeting that week.

Walker went nine innings versus both Leigh and Westmont, however Pioneer lost both games 2-1. Then, at home, luck swung and the Mustangs shut Westmont out 2-0.

“That’s the week that started everything,” said Garcia. “We had to play Leigh once and Westmont twice due to rain makeup.”

The surge in momentum and Mustang victory over the Warriors set up a sinister three-way showdown for second place and a dramatic finish with cross-town rival Leland hosting the up-and-coming Mustangs on May 11.

The game’s sole run came when Pioneer catcher Nickie Redmond led off the fourth with a single. Michelle Menerik replaced Redmond on the bases as a pinch runner and reached second on a passed ball. Enter Britney Pancoff, who singled up the middle to score Menerik.

Despite losing in the league finale, Leland also gained an at-large bid in CCS brackets as the No. 8 seed. Pioneer, meanwhile, is the seventh seed in CCS Division II.

Charger golfers miss CCS qualifying marks
Harrup possibly pinned heir to coaching throne

Leland golfers sliced left in attempts to qualify for CCS on May 10, but seniors Mike Rulff and Justin Gio were closest.

Rulff shot a 91 and Gio an 81 at Rancho Canada, pitted against top competitors in CCS, who vied for final tournament bids.

“It was disappointing,” said Leland Coach Mark Schwab. “They are much better players than that. It just didn’t go their way.”

Rulff and Gio qualified for CCS trials at BVAL individual finals May 1. Gio finished in 75 strokes at Spring Valley, while Rulff followed shortly with 78.

While Rulff and Gio realized relative success, Schwab expressed dissatisfaction with the team results at league, where Leland finished in third place behind Pioneer and Leigh. Schwab said the talent was there this year, but that the solution to harness it and assemble consistency in consecutive rounds never materialized.

Schwab, in fact, will not be coaching at Leland next season, but he has presented his wishes as to who should fall heir to the throne.

“The person I hope wins the position is our junior varsity coach, Mark Harrup,” said Schwab. “He is going to do great because all of the people on his team this season are going to be moving up to varsity.”

Schwab said that Harrup has expressed interest in the position and that Harrup is definitely the best person for the job.

“Our junior varsity team went undefeated this year,” said Schwab. “Mark had our junior varsity guys shooting scores that were just as good as our varsity team.”

Mount Hamilton golf champion Mustangs swing toward future
Sharpshooters Hunt, Walters snubbed at CCS

Pioneer enjoyed its golf season in the sun this spring, and won the Mount Hamilton Division championship by besting rival Leland in the final regular season match of the year.

“It was lot of hard work and dedication from the kids,” said first-year Pioneer Coach Jason Burkhart. “We had to overcome some obstacles, but we got through it and played well. We were pretty steady all year long.”

Following MHAL play, seniors Alex Hunt and Chris Walters narrowly missed qualifying for the CCS finals last week. Hunt shot a commendable 75 and Walters a 76. But the cut, in an unusually competitive field, was hovering near par at 72.

“We were up against the Bellarmines, Mittys and Serras out there,” said Burkhart. “The highlight of our year was beating Leland and winning league. Over the years, they have been our rivals. It usually comes down to Pioneer and Leland at the end of the year. It was nice to beat them.”

Yet, Burkhart’s work to rebuild begins immediately. Pioneer will graduate seven seniors this June.

“It’s going to take some juniors and sophomores to step up and fill their shoes,” said Burkhart.

Hunt, Walters and Joe Pineda, who all intend to play next season at San Jose City College, leave the largest chasm.

“They will be very competitive at the next level,” said Burkhart. “They have the drive and work ethic to get it done.”

Sizzling Mustangs close Mount Hamilton play on 12-game high
Leland is champion, but Pioneer turns heads

Leland won league, but Pioneer’s 12-game win streak and second-place finish is the big news in Mount Hamilton Division baseball circles.

The Mustangs (21-5, 16-5) swept contender and 2005 MHAL champ Leigh during the first week in May and planted themselves in favor of CCS seeding committees, who awarded Pioneer the No. 2 seed in Division II brackets last weekend.

“We’ve peaked at the right time,” said Pioneer Coach Jake Hernandez. “I think the guys are playing with a lot of confidence right now and they are ready to play at a very high level through CCS. You never know what can happen, but at the same time, any team can beat any other team in the playoffs.”

Hernandez cited offensive production from the bottom of the lineup as a key change after the Mustangs opened league 0-3, and appeared to be headed for a painful learning experience this season.

“We try to remain consistent and make the routine plays,” said Hernandez. “We don’t have any superstitions or anything like that. The strategy is to avoid big hitters getting big hits and to limit their runners in scoring position. We try to get to their bullpen and avoid big innings.”

Hernandez said Andy Wright, John Muirhead, Eddie Hsieh, Shaun Souza and Scott Lowry in particular have sparked Pioneer’s success.

“I don’t know what you call it,” said Hernandez of Lowry. “It’s a super hot bat or something. They’re definitely playing with a strut right now.”

Meanwhile, Leland (19-5-1, 17-4) quietly captured another MHAL title, fending off a competitive field of contenders in 2006. Leland garnered a No. 4 seed in the CCS Division I bracket.

Monsees takes two more
Leland, Pioneer shine at CCS swimming finals

Winners are in the water south of Blossom Hill Road.

With Blossom Valley Athletic League action wrapped—Leland claimed titles on the boys’ and girls’ sides—Pioneer and Leland each trawled top qualifiers through the waters at CCS finals last weekend, hosted by Stanford University.

Charger junior Courtney Monsees paced all racers, winning both the 200- and 500-meter freestyle events in record times, and was a part of Leland’s 200-meter medley relay team, which also broke a school record set in 1989.

Marks of 4:54.70 and 1:48.46 gained fourth and fifth individual titles for Monsees and bested her own record marks set last season. Monsees won the 500-meter race as a freshman, doubled as a sophomore, and again as a junior.

“Everybody swam their best,” said Leland varsity swim Coach Mike Monsees. “We saw a terrific drop in all of our individual swims and especially the relays.”

Emily Chortek, Alethia Shih and Christie Stibbe rounded out the relay team, which placed fifth in CCS.

Coach Monsees said that the meet concluded with the 400-meter freestyle relay, a team that also scored CCS points for the Chargers. The team was Chortek, Ariel Young, Bethany Nollette, and anchor Lucy Chen.

Pioneer Coach Gordie Smith praised his girl relays as well. The Mustang 200-meter girls’ relay team broke a school record, posting a sub- 1:44 time, with Kara Simpson, April Hamm, Talyor Feezor and Kim Atala parting waters.

“I thought we did a great job,” said Smith. “We performed well at league finals, where the girls finished second and the boys third. We came back and improved at CCS. That’s what you hope for. Overall, it was a really successful season.”

Simpson was also successful as an individual. The sophomore finished 14th and 16th in the 100- and 50-meter freestyle events.

On the boys’ side, Pioneer senior Kevin Zondervan posted a 0:21.93 mark and finished 12th in the 50-meter freestyle race. The time was good for second all-time in Mustang record books.

Leland boys James Kim, Lucas Payne, Tim Jen, Raymond LaRochelle, Max Dobrushin, Shayan Moazeni, Jon Pavlovich, and Kenny Barcos all improved on personal best times during CCS events, according to Monsees.

Almaden Little Leaguer blasts four home runs in doubleheader

Almaden Little Leaguer Colby Campbell had quite an afternoon on May 10, blasting four home runs and knocking in nine runs during a doubleheader against the Giants.

Campbell, a 12-year-old left-handed slugger who plays for the Cardinals in the league’s Majors Division, went 4-for-4 in game one with three home runs, a double and six RBIs before adding another home run, a double, and three more RBIs during a 3-for-3 effort in game two.

“I wasn’t trying to (hit home runs),” said Campbell, a sixth grader at Castillero Middle School. “I got my pitch and I just cranked it.”

Cardinals Coach Kevin Mohs said the robust effort by Campbell was the result of some tweaking with the young slugger’s swing, making it more level.

Colby Campbell

“He definitely changed his swing a little bit and that’s what we’ve been trying to do all year,” said Cardinals Coach Kevin Mohs of Campbell. “He hit them all on a rope. There were no pop flies. They were all line drives.”

The Cardinals went on to win both games of the doubleheader by scores of 10-3 and 13-6, respectively.

“He’s getting stronger by the day,” said Colby’s father, Perry Campbell. “He works hard and he loves the game.”

In fact, Campbell was part of a home run onslaught for the Cardinals, who ended up hitting seven home runs as a team in the doubleheader. Campbell’s teammate, Bobby Rose, went 6-for-7 in the doubleheader with home runs in each game, along with four RBIs. Rose also tossed six innings in the first game and struck out 10 batters.

In addition, catcher Nick Long hit a home run, a three-run blast, while also catching all 12 innings of the doubleheader.

“I think they’re eating more spinach,” Perry Campbell said jokingly of the team’s power surge.

Mohs, however, had a more realistic explanation of the team’s success.

“They finally came up to their potential and hit the ball well,” said Mohs. “I know we’ve got a good team, but they finally just played up to their abilities.” —By Diego Abeloos

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