SPORTS

Going up?

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

Emily Childress is climbing her way to the top, and doesn’t plan to stop when she gets there. The 11-year-old picked up the sport of rock climbing two years ago and found it to be her talent. Childress recently competed in the national competition in Sacramento last weekend and placed fifth out of 32 in the 11-U female bracket.

Nationals consist of a three-day competition where each competitor climbs the same route and is judged on speed and difficulty. Childress mainly focuses on difficulty.

Her interest in the sport became apparent after she attended a birthday party at a local climbing gym in Almaden, according to her mother Desiree.

“She really liked it after that, so we started a climbing program for kids, which was a couple of times a week. She always climbed trees and in the doorways before that, now she really has an outlet for it,” says Desiree.

Childress now competes with a team based in San Francisco called Zero Gravity. They compete in local events and train for regional and national competitions throughout the year. Her goal is to be on the national team by the time she’s 14—the age that they are allowed to participate on the U.S. team, which is currently being sanctioned to be an Olympic sport.

“It is really a great thing to be involved in. It has both aspects, it’s a team sport, but it’s really an individual sport. They have incredible support from their team, but they’re really on their own when they’re climbing,” says Desiree.

Childress says that she’s made a lot of friends through climbing. Desiree says that the team stresses eating right and staying fit and strong. Childress has a pull-up bar and little rock climbing training wall in her room. “She does three pull ups when she goes in or out of her room, just for fun,” says Desiree.

“I’m a lot stronger since I started climbing, and I have a lot more self confidence now,” says Childress.
Even though rock climbing isn’t terribly popular among children, Desiree insists that taking up the sport has been great for her daughter.

“It’s a sport where you have to do a lot of physical training as well as problem solving. You have to rely on yourself, think things through and you’re constantly testing your limits and trying to do better.”

Childress says, “You really have to do everything on your own, but you have a team to help you work through problems. I really want to go to the world competition when I’m 14. It will take a lot of work to get there, but I’m on a great team, and I really want it.”

Cycle club’s ultimate ‘Grizzly Bear’

Almaden’s Andy Leach gives back by leading the pack

By Karl Laucher
Staff Writer

Andy Leach of Almaden Valley would be the first to say that he gets more pep points than he receives as a member of the Almaden Cycle Touring Club, but the 67-year-old retired engineer has pumped up the endorphins for many a cyclist who rode behind his wheel.

He is usually among the most dedicated participants, having already this year toured various sections of Santa Clara County on more than 30 rides totaling more than 800 miles.

Leach is far from being the most athletic rider on the ACTC’s roster of 905 members, but is often found at the front of the pack as a ride leader, this year specializing in the “Good Time Friday” rides of 23 to 38 miles at a moderate pace. He is the epitome of the club’s “Grizzly Bear” category.

Better yet, he took on the role of ACTC’s Ride Coordinator in 2003, a job that keeps account of the club’s offering of some 150 rides per month.

Nevertheless, when it comes to cranking up the heart rate in the saddle on a road bike, Leach always feels like the guy who made the successful breakaway from the corrosion of decades of living well. We all know we need exercise, but Andy says having “exercise buddies” makes it doable for him. “I enjoy socializing with people like myself,” he adds. “People who have been around for awhile, getting close to retirement or already retired.

“The ACTC has become one of my main social support groups. I have other things in my life, but it’s become a major part of my life.”

Leach admits to having taken a few falls in his cycling adventures, but believes the health benefits far out-weigh the dangers. He notes that riding with a group such as the ACTC is particularly beneficial because the pack is there to aid anyone who has a physical or mechanical issue. “There are bigger risks to your health sitting on the couch watching TV,” he said.

His fitness is particularly important, he points out, because his wife, Maureen, has Multiple Sclerosis and needs his assistance for the heavy lifting around the house. “She prides herself on being cute and funny. I’m the dumb guy with the muscles who carries the bags.”

Andy reveled that one of this first concerns upon joining ACTC 10 years ago was that he would look too bad in cycling pants. It’s no longer a concern. While many club riders find that participating in a regular diet of rides helps them to lose a few pounds, Leach says he weighs the same now as when he started. The reason: “I never met a pastry I didn’t like,” he joked.

Nevertheless, he adds, “I can walk up a flight of stairs without breathing hard.”

For more information on the ACTC, log on to www.actc.org.

Five Almaden women walk for a cure

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

Five Almaden women have made a commitment to do what they can for a cause that claims the lives of 40,000 women each year. Kristin Ballard, Julie Moore, Terry Pechner, Kim Giacinto and Sally Duke are currently raising funds for the Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk, which benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The five women are currently training each week to prepare for the three-day, 60-mile journey they embark on Oct. 15. Each woman in the walk must raise $2,000 to participate. The Best Breast Buddies (team name) are hoping to recruit one more teammate as well as raise $12,000 toward the search for a cure.

Many people have been close to or at least know someone who has or is suffering from breast cancer. The Best Breast Buddies are walking in honor of team member Sally Duke’s cousin, Christina Kendrick, who was diagnosed this year and has been undergoing treatment.

“Christina is my inspiration,” says Duke. “She has gone through the surgery and the chemotherapy, and now she’s doing radiation every day. We have a really positive outlook for her.”

All of the women on the team have been touched in one way or another by breast cancer. A mother-in-law, a grandmother, a friend or a peer, they find it directly affecting their lives each day. Hence participating in the three-day walk.

To raise the money, the team has asked friends and family and a few total strangers for donations. Along with the financial legwork, they are also putting in up to 25 miles each week. “We’re following what the schedule tells us to do,” says Ballard. “It’s fun, we get together and talk while we walk. It’s really enjoyable.”

The team plans to do a car wash among other fund-raising strategies to raise the necessary funds to participate in the event. They are also looking for corporate sponsors. “There is a lot of competition in doing this. A lot of different groups are asking for money from large corporations,” says Ballard.

Net proceeds of the walk go toward breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs, as well as the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide a permanent endowment for breast cancer initiatives.

The walk is aimed to honor lives lost, celebrate survivors and promote breast cancer research. The Best Breast Buddies have also found other ways to benefit from the walk.

Each of them has two children, four out of five of them have two children attending Guadalupe Elementary, where they met.

“We all have kids, and I think it’s really neat that we have this opportunity to teach them the value that we are fortunate for our health. It teaches them that it isn’t all about ‘Me,’ even though that is tough to teach in our society. There’s nothing quite like showing by example. I was able to teach them about donations and what they are, how to share, things like that,” says Giacinto.

Duke also believes there is great benefit in participating in the walk because it builds awareness in the community and in people that don’t know a lot about the illness.

“Besides the healthy aspect of walking, I think I’ll be empowered by the fact that this has helped others. It seems like a lot of money to raise, but we all kind of jumped in, and together we find the support we need to keep trying,” says Terry Pechner.

Team member Julie Moore provided the motivation for the women to team up for the walk. “I thought about doing this a couple of years ago but this year I know someone at my church that is going through treatment. It took a hug from her, and hearing her story to really get me going on this,” says Moore. “This year, I know someone, and in seeing her strength, it has made me want to do something, anything I can, to help her and everyone else that is going through the same thing. It could be me tomorrow.”

The three-day walk is known to be an emotional event. During the three days, people have the chance to meet each other and share stories. Friends and family can be on the sidelines to cheer on their loved ones.

This year’s walk takes place in 10 cities across the country. The San Francisco walk begins in San Mateo and ends in San Francisco. Participants walk 20 miles each day and camp in tents at night. Entertainment, food and drinks are provided at the campsites.

The Best Breast Buddies are hoping to raise more than their goal of $12,000, and also hoping to find another teammate. “The tents sleep two to each tent,” says Ballard. “Another member will round us out and help us in fund-raising.”

Donations to aid the Best Breast Buddies in their participation in this emotional and touching event are greatly appreciated. “We hope to have all of the money we need by the end of the month so we can focus on training,” says Ballard.

Anyone who would like to share their hope for a cure can send donations to Kristin M. Ballard at P.O. Box 20912, San Jose, CA, 95160. All checks should be made payable to Breast Cancer 3-Day, and all donations are tax exempt.

“It’s a way for us to do something for our community and fellow women. There are a lot of women that are suffering,” says Ballard.

Shadow Brook Sharks set sights on Champs

Cabana League Championships at Saratoga High set for July 17

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

It’s been a feeding frenzy of a good time this summer at the Shadow Brook Swim Club just north of Bret Harte Middle School on Shadow Brook Drive. Between Fourth of July festivities and annually themed social functions, divvying up the pool rights to a voracious group of swimmers, adult masters and Cabana Leaguers alike, it’s a wonder how all the appetites are filled.

However, according to the Sharks’ Head Swim Coach Jared Hancock, coinciding with Cabana League tradition, as of this Saturday, July 17, Shadow Brook members will gain a larger pool share. This weekend crowns the 2004 Cabana League Champion in the final meet of the year, ending the swim team’s bid for volume.

The Champs meet is to be hosted by Shadow Brook at Saratoga High School. ‘Champs’ is a summer tradition, dating back to the early 70s when the local subdivisions developed cabana clubs, gaining a summer oasis and creating cross-town rivalries.

For Shadow Brook, the Champs trophy has eluded their strokes since 1979 but remains a goal to strive toward.
“We’re getting there,” said Hancock of his young, yet supremely talented Sharks. “The club is definitely in a growing stage right now. We have a lot of younger swimmers who could eventually swim year round and in high school—eventually compete in CCS.”

The young swimmers have responded this season to the young coaching talent of Hancock and staff, including age group coach Carrie Miller. “Jared and the coaches do such a wonderful job with all of the kids. He really gets involved, listening to their concerns and helping them learn,” said Shark mother Morgan Ducker
Hancock, a business student at San Jose State by day, brings national level experience to the Sharks, having earned his coaching membership with USA Swimming and spending time on Australia’s Gold Coast with Emanuel College.

“We started off a little slow,” continued Hancock. “But most of our swimmers have been improving. We’re really refining our techniques so hopefully our older age groups will be able to get more numbers. We’re a smaller club.”

This season, several Sharks have stood out in particular. Despite an outside shot at regaining the coveted Champs trophy, five Sharks will challenge records currently standing more than 25 years, set in 1977. The challengers include Joey Pezzoni, Jake Heindel, Christopher Asplund, Lisa Trimberger and Lucas Payne.

“We don’t have a huge percentage of children that swim year round in contrast to the other clubs you see,” added Shadow Brook volunteer coordinator, Mary Nicholson. “We are in the traditional sense a club of cabana swimmers.”
Currently the Sharks’ roster holds 120-124 swimmers, 70 percent 11 years or younger.

“I think [cabana club swimming] is a breeding ground for competitive swimmers because they start off in a friendly environment,” said Hancock. “When you switch to a year round club they get involved in blood testing, dieting, things like that. It’s less intense here, but the kids still learn.”

For more information regarding the Shadow Brook Swim Club visit www.shadowbrook.org.

Second annual Classics & Hot Rods Car Show held in honor of Manny Costa

Family pays tribute to local hospice in appreciation

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

In loving memory of Campbell resident, Manny Costa, family, friends and car enthusiasts in general, gathered Saturday for the second Annual Classics & Hot Rods Car Show held at Elks Lodge #2347 on Martin Avenue in Santa Clara. All proceeds raised from this years’ event benefit Hospice of the Valley, supporting end-of-life care programs for adults and children alike.

“The car show is just a wonderful, celebratory way of honoring Manny who loved cars and spending time with family and friends,” commented Reneé Leopardi, who helped arrange the event along with husband, Jack, and the Costa family. “It’s our way of supporting Hospice of the Valley, [for all they did].”

A day filled with good humor, food and music open to the general public, the gathering showcased over 90 classic custom cars, trucks, motorcycles and hot rods. According to those closest with Manny and the Costa family, the celebration captured the honoree’s spirit.

“I feel very honored that they do this for my husband because he would have just loved it. He loved cars and he loved all these friends of his,” said Costa’s widow, Beatrice. “These were truly friends. It’s just great.”

Approximately 400 ‘friends’ turned out for the event which raised over $3,000 in Hospice donations last year. Many of the group recalled old war stories, relating their experiences on the road with Manny.

“We’ve always been into cars,” said Costa’s grandchild, Jason Romano. “My grandfather was into crazy cars. I remember one time when we were little and Grandma yelled at my grandfather for going 115 mph in a Lincoln Town Car, up to Petaluma across the Golden Gate.”

In separate incidences, it was conveyed that best friend, Jack Leopardi and Manny would get into ‘trouble’ together; the good kind of course. Pulled over by law, the men would receive convenient warnings in respect of their finely tuned automobiles. “The cops would tell them that they were going into the little black book, but thanks for showing the engine,” said Romano.

As for the beneficiaries, Hospice of the Valley representatives attended, expressing feelings of gratitude regarding the event. “This is an amazing tribute to Manny,” said Sally Adelus, executive director of Hospice of the Valley. “We’re honored to be the beneficiary of Reneé and Jack’s fundraising efforts.”

Hospice of the Valley spent Manny’s final months working with the Costa family, addressing the medical, social, psychological and spiritual effects when losing a loved one.

“We really appreciate them,” said Romano, unofficially on behalf of the entire family. The staff was so pleasant. It was such a difficult time but they took good care of us and helped us pull through. It’s a good program. Whenever I hear of somebody having family troubles, dealing with death I recommend Hospice services.”

The Costa’s plan to continue both honoring their fallen patriarch and supporting Hospice of the Valley, for as long as the United States builds cars. “Each year it gets bigger and bigger. It’s a great way to honor my grandfather,” said Romano. “He was always there to help others.”

“Like Manny, [Hospice of the Valley] have touched so many lives,” summed up Leopardi.