SPORTS

Leland girls’ water polo pummels Pioneer 11-6

Stibbe scores five goals; Monsees returns

By Ken Lotich
Times Media

The Leland girls’ varsity water polo team is now 2-0 in Mt. Hamilton Division play after an 11-6 win on Sept. 22 against Pioneer.

Leland’s Elena Santa Maria (No. 7) looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to. Santa Maria had a goal in the Chargers’ 11-6 victory against Pioneer on Sept. 22. Photo by Ken Lotich

The game pitted the Chargers, last year’s Mt. Hamilton Division champion, and Pioneer, last year’s Santa Teresa Division champion, in a match-up with future playoff contentions in mind.

Courtney Monsees, who hadn’t played a game this season due to a hand injury, returned for the Chargers. Monsees was first-team all-league and was the sophomore of the year for the Blossom Valley Athletic League last year.

Monsees appeared to be more than ready for the game, racking up three goals in the Chargers’ victory.

Both teams in the contest were very familiar with one another, as many of the girls participated on a summer league team together.

Leland came out strong, going up 4-0 before letting Pioneer finally score with 2:32 in the second period.
The game stood in the Chargers’ hands throughout the entire game, with the Mustangs trying to claw their way back in the second half.

Despite the victory, Charger Coach Eric Rise still had reservations about the win.

“We were over confident,” Rise said. “We weren’t helping out on (defense), and we had tunnel vision on offense.”

Rise said although there are still some kinks to work out, he said Monsees performed well in her return to the water.

Christy Stibbe, last year’s Mt. Hamilton Division’s most valuable player, led the Chargers with five goals on the evening. Senior Tina Revels scored twice, and junior Elena Santa Maria had one score. Santa Maria returns after making first-team all-league last year.

For Pioneer, senior Becky Pies and junior Katrina Musco split time at goalie, which may happen more during the season, said coach Gordy Smith.

“They both bring different things to the table,” Smith said. “We’re going to try and give them equal playing time.”
After scoring only one goal in the first half, the Mustangs put up five goals in the second half.

“During the last couple of games, we’ve had trouble early on, and adjusted later in the game,” Smith explained. “We’ve had a tendency to come back in the second half.”

The six goals scored were spread throughout—sophomore Alyssa Samson led the team with two; junior Taylor Feezor and seniors April Ham, Elizabeth Hartland and Rebecca Wallworth each had one.

With the win against Pioneer, Leland stands at 6-1 overall and 2-0 in league play. After the loss to Leland, Pioneer is 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league.

Leland longs for repeat crown
“Our only goal is to win league,” said Rise, who is in his third year as coach. Before coaching the girls’ varsity team, Rise coached the junior varsity boys’ water polo team for four years.

New faces to the team include two freshmen, Amy Georgiou and Courtney Gold. Rise said the team has a solid bench, so it’ll be important for everyone on the team to contribute.

Rise said junior goalie Allison Mossing is “really coming on” this season, holding teams to an average of 3.5 goals a game.

Senior Rebecca Pele, who made second-team BVAL last year, has the strongest arm in the league, Rise said.
Rise expects Pioneer and Independence high schools to give Leland a run for its money this year.

“Defense is going to be the key to win league this year,” Rise said. “We’re making too many mistakes right now, but if we step up defensively, that’ll win it for us.”

Pioneer pushes for prolific performances
After being bumped up to the Mt. Hamilton Division from the Santa Teresa Division, longtime coach Smith is looking forward to taking on tough opponents this year.

Pioneer Head Coach Gordy Smith talks to his team during a timeout. Photo by Ken Lotich

“Good competition will only make us better,” Smith said. “With 20-point blowouts, you don’t learn much.”

Smith said he looks for Leland to be at the top of the heap of teams in the Mt. Hamilton Division.

“Right after Leland, you have a bunch of teams right together,” Smith said. “There are no real soft games for us in league this year.”

Senior Katie Lopiccolo, last year’s co-MVP, returns this year as a driver. Freshman of the year Elyssa Samson and junior of the year Wallworth are also back.

Smith said Samson, Feezor and Hartland will be some of the key offensive weapons for the Mustangs this season.

High School Scoreboard

Sept. 20
Leland girls’ volleyball 25-10, 25-17, 25-22 win vs. Independence
Leland girls’ water polo 17-3 win at Lincoln

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 28-30, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22 loss vs. Yerba Buena
Pioneer boys’ water polo 19-11 win at Lincoln
Pioneer girls’ water polo 13-12 triple-overtime win at Independence

Sept. 21
Pioneer girls’ tennis 7-0 loss at Independence

Sept. 22
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 win vs. Independence
Leland field hockey 1-0 win vs. Westmont

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 25-12, 25-13, 25-15 loss at Prospect
Pioneer boys’ water polo 15-12 loss at Mt. Pleasant

Sept. 23
Leland girls’ water polo 9-1 loss vs. Menlo School at Amanda McDonald Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 10-3 win vs. Mitty at Amanda McDonald Invitational
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 loss vs. St. Francis

Sept. 24
Leland girls’ water polo 3-2 loss vs. Los Altos at Amanda McDonald Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 15-5 loss vs. Palo Alto at Amanda McDonald Invitational

Sports Briefs

Mark your calendar: 12th annual Times Classic next weekend Oct. 9
The Almaden Valley Counseling Service is gearing up for the 12th Annual Times Classic. This is a 2-mile/10K race that starts and finishes at the Leland High School Parking lot. The race is scheduled for Oct. 9, starting at 9 a.m.
The racecourse runs along the beautiful Los Alamitos Creek Trail. There are eight age divisions with prizes three deep for each division. Sweatshirts will be given to the top 10 in the 10K and top five in the 2-mile. Overall winners receive a gift certificate from Athletic Performance. New this year photographs will be taken as runners cross the finish line. They will be available for purchase through 123Cheese.

For further information on the race, see the entry form on page 40.

Central Valley Edge holds youth soccer tryouts
CV Edge, a Class 3/U-17 girls’ soccer team, is offering Monday/Wednesday tryouts to girls born after 7/31/88 for the fall season for all positions. Contact Patty Rashid (408) 267-2740 or Ary Afsari at (408) 507-7008 for more information.

Almaden National Junior Basketball League sign-ups
Almaden National Junior Basketball League sign-ups are currently available online at www.almadennjb.homestead. com for boys and girls third through eighth grade. In-person sign-ups are Sept. 21, 6 – 8 p.m., at Amato’s Pizza, 6081 Meridian Ave, 95120. For more information call Ken Keiser at 592-4190 or e-mail: hoppekeiz@aol.com.

South Valley Lacrosse Chiefs offers free clinic Oct. 15; spring league registration now open
South Valley Lacrosse Chiefs are offering a free clinic for kids in grades three through eight on Oct.15 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kirk Park in San Jose. 

The Chiefs are adding a seventh/eighth grade team in spring, 2005. The free clinic gives newcomers a chance to try the sport before they purchase equipment (loaner sticks available on first-come, first-served basis). So bring a friend and come have some fun with lacrosse.

For those children interested in learning more about lacrosse, SVLC will be offering an introductory course for school-age kids (second grade through eighth). Fee is $35 for all three dates, Oct 8, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (equipment will be provided).

Go to www.svlax.com for all details.

All interested lacrosse players: online registration for our spring league continues through Nov. 30.  See www.svlax.com and contact joy.bender@prodigy.net with questions.

Almaden Metro holds soccer tryouts
Almaden Metro Class 3, U-17 boys, is holding tryouts for fall season most Sundays. Date of birth after 7/31/88. Contact Jeff Earl at (408) 268-5125 or jesvo11@yahoo.com.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity girls’ volleyball at Piedmont Hills, 6 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ volleyball at Piedmont Hills, 5 p.m.
Friday – Varsity boys’ water polo at St. Francis Tournament, all day

Saturday – Varsity boys’ water polo at St. Francis Tournament, all day
Saturday – Cross country at Artichoke Invitational in Half Moon Bay, time TBA
Saturday – Varsity football vs. Leigh, 1:15 p.m.
Saturday – Frosh/soph football vs. Leigh, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis vs. Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity field hockey vs. Leigh, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – JV field hockey vs. Leigh, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs. Branham, 6 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ volleyball vs. Branham, 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ water polo vs. Pioneer at Lincoln, 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ water polo vs. Pioneer at Lincoln, 6 p.m.

Thursday – Girls’ tennis at Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Cross country vs. Willow Glen and Yerba Buena at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity field hockey at Lynbrook, 3 p.m.
Thursday – JV field hockey at Lynbrook, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs. Leigh, 6 p.m.
Thursday – JV girls’ volleyball vs. Leigh, 5 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Willow Glen, 6 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Saturday – Frosh/soph football vs. Independence, 11 a.m.
Saturday – Varsity football vs. Independence, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday – Varsity girls’ volleyball at Gunderson, 5 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ volleyball at Gunderson, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls tennis vs. Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ water polo vs. Leland at Lincoln, 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ water polo vs. Leland at Lincoln, 6 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Lincoln, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ water polo at Lincoln, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Girls’ tennis vs. Silver Creek, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs. Pacific, 5 p.m.
Thursday – JV girls’ volleyball vs. Pacific, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity boys’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Willow Glen, 5 p.m.
Thursday – Frosh/soph boys’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Willow Glen, 4 p.m.


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

Leland girls’ volleyball drops 3-2 loss at home to Westmont

Chargers drop to 1-1 in Mt. Hamilton Division play

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

The Leland girls’ volleyball team dropped a tight 3-2 loss at home to the Westmont Warriors on Sept. 22, leaving the Chargers with a 1-1 record in league play.

Leland’s Stephanie Kato digs one out during a 3-2 loss for the Chargers on Sept. 22. Photo by Diego Abeloos

The Chargers (10-7 overall, 1-1 Mt. Hamilton Division) spent much of the match trying to hold onto early leads with mixed results, as well as playing catch-up in two of the games, as the Warriors (9-6, 2-0) kept putting together solid offensive stretches throughout the five-game contest to pull away with the win.

“I would just say that mentally, I don’t think we were quite strong enough in that one,” said Leland Co-Head Coach Trisha Moore. “We had too many mental errors in critical parts of the match that really cost us.”

The game-five tiebreaker saw the Warriors jump out to a 7-3 lead on a kill from Ashley Britton, who led the game with 21 kills overall, and an ace serve from Kristin Obermeyer.

The Chargers jumped back into the game with a 5-2 run to cut Westmont’s lead to 1, getting a kill and a key block at the net from Joyce Chang during that stretch.

The Warriors, however, finished off game five and walked away with a win on the Chargers’ home court with a 6-1 run for a 15-9 win and a 3-2 match win.

“With Leland, Leigh, Branham and us, I think it’s going to be a tight race,” said Westmont head coach Peter Kim.

“We have a good chance. Leland is going to knock off people and I think at the end, it’s going to be who’s the toughest team because we’re all going to play against each other and probably take a win and a loss from each other.”

Games one saw 11 lead changes, beginning with an early 13-10 lead by the Chargers. The Warriors clawed back twice from small deficits in the early portion of the game, taking a 16-14 lead and an 18-16 just minutes after Leland came back to tie the score. Toward the end of game one, Leland took a slight 25-24 lead on a tip from Joyce Chang, only to see the Warriors rally for three straight points and a 27-25 win.

“I think our team has the ability to come back really well,” said Britton. “We just need to keep our heads in the game and realize that when we’re down by points, the only way we can win is to work together as a team.”

The Chargers came out in game two and put up a commanding 22-15 lead before the Warriors bounced back in a similar fashion in game one.

With the Chargers holding onto a 24-18 lead, the Warriors put together a 6-0 scoring stretch, led by two kills during that span from Britton, tying the game 24-24. But Grace Chang stepped up in the final moments of game two for the Chargers, recording back-to-back kills to give Leland a 26-24 win and a 1-1 tie in the match.

Game three saw the Warriors jump out in front with a 20-15 lead, only to see the Chargers come back with a 4-0 run, led by kills from Chaulet Scala, who led the Chargers with 12 kills, and Vicki Chang, cutting the Warriors’ lead to 20-19. The Warriors then bounced back with a 5-0 run to take game three 25-19.

“We just have huge swings right now of five and six points, and that’s a lot,” Moore said. “Five or six points you win, and then, five or six points you lose. Big swings like that can cost you a game.”

Game four saw the Chargers once more jump out to a big lead, only to get another scare from the Warriors’ relentless attack. The Chargers led 16-13 in the early portion of the game and extended their lead to 20-13 with a run that featured kills from Scala and Vicki Chang.

But the Warriors clawed back once more, going on a 6-3 run to cut the lead to 23-19. The Chargers ended up with a win in game four, getting two points to close out the game and draw even at 2-2, getting a kill from Grace Chang during that span.

Moore said the inconsistency throughout the match could be attributed to her team’s timing and awareness in games.

“There are times when you can swing 100 miles per hour and go for the kill, and there are other times where you have to place it and get it in,” Moore said. “We need to determine when those times are and right now, we’re not there yet.”

Leigh football routed 47-13 by Westmont

Longhorns drop to 1-2 on the season, await league opener on Oct. 1

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

The Leigh football team dropped a 47-13 loss to the Westmont Warriors on Sept. 23, leaving the Longhorns with a 1-2 record for the season.

The Longhorns trailed the entire game, going into halftime with a 13-0 deficit that stretched to 40-0 in the third quarter before finally getting on the board on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Doug Webster to Blake McFarland with 14 second left in the quarter.

Leigh quarterback Doug Webster gets ready to hand the ball off to running back Daniel Franke during a 47-13 loss to Westmont on Sept. 23. Photo by Diego Abeloos

Leigh came off two weeks of inactivity, starting with a bye week in week two, followed by a forfeited win on Sept. 16 against Overfelt. Leigh head coach Shawn Thomas said the two weeks off were no excuse for how his team played against the Warriors.

“I don’t want to use that as an excuse,” Thomas said. “The better team won tonight. They were ready to play. I thought we were ready; I’m not even going to say we weren’t ready to play. Westmont outplayed us.”

Penalties and costly mistakes hurt the Longhorns throughout the game, beginning with a botched snap on a punt deep inside Longhorn territory in the first quarter. Westmont recovered the ball on the Longhorn 9 and took advantage of the scoring opportunity, as Westmont quarterback Kevin Pham hooked up with Chantz Staden on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 6:49 left in the first quarter to go up 7-0.

The Warriors took advantage of another Longhorn turnover in the second quarter, as Ben Prevedelli intercepted a Webster pass at the Longhorn 18 and ran it in unscathed for a touchdown with 9:02 left in the first half, giving Westmont a 13-0 lead.

“Those are big momentum changers,” Westmont Head Coach Tony Santos said. “ … Those are both big plays. I’m just impressed with our defense.”

Things didn’t get much better for the Longhorns in the second half, as the Warriors proceeded to put up 27 points in the third quarter.

The Warriors scored on their opening drive on the second half, getting a 13-yard touchdown reception from Pham to Staden, who caught the ball outstretched in midair, for a 20-0 lead.

“Like I’ve said before, I think Chantz Staden is one of the best players in the (Central Coast) section,” Santos said. “We throw the ball up and he comes down with it. We have some very athletic receivers and the offensive line did good enough tonight.”

When the Longhorn offense came out for its’ first drive of the second half, another costly turnover increased the Warriors’ lead.

On the Longhorn drive, quarterback Austin Steacy, subbing in for an injured Webster, was hit by a Westmont defender at the Westmont 12 just as he attempted to hand the ball off to his running back. The ball popped loose in the air and was caught by Westmont’s Arthur Esterkin, who ran the turnover in for another touchdown, giving the Warriors a 26-0 lead.

“I’m more disappointed with the penalties and the miscues,” said Thomas. The Longhorns committed 11 penalties for more than 80 yards in the second half.

“Again, things that can be corrected, that’s fine. I don’t want to take anything away from Westmont. They beat us to the punch. That’s just it. I can take my losses just the same way I take my wins.”

The Longhorns finally got on the scoreboard with 14 seconds left in the third quarter, but not before the Warriors scored two more touchdowns, one on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Pham to Stefan Fowler, and another on a 44-yard run from running back Kelly Peterson.

“That’s a good football team,” Santos said of Leigh. “They’re just a little rusty because they haven’t played in a couple of weeks. They are going to win their games, but I think we’re a pretty good football team.”

Webster, back in at quarterback, found McFarland for a 13-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Warriors’ lead to 40-7.

In the fourth quarter, the Warriors found the end zone one more time, getting an 8-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Bryan Thompson to Ryan Kanzaki for a 47-7 lead.

Meanwhile, the Longhorns put together the last scoring drive of the night, getting a 9-yard touchdown pass, again from Webster to McFarland, with 4:57 left in the game to make it 47-13.

Bruins running toward successful 2005 season

Branham quarterback Duce Ferrante gives most of the credit for the offense’s success to the offensive line, which he said has “carried” the team. Here the offensive line shows what it does best, carrying Ferrante (top) and the Bruins to victory. From left, top row: tight end Zack Marshall (44), linemen Eric Findley and Chad Christiansen (carrying Ferrante), Brendon Colin (53) and Danny Allfrey (79). Bottom row: Kyle Dreyer (55) and Dan Shehan (52). Photo by Diego Abeloos

2-1 start and a prolific running offense has Branham hopeful for winning season

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

The Branham football team is full of hope for a successful 2005 season that has, so far, gone the Bruins’ way with a 2-1 record.

The Bruins, who finished their first season in the Mt. Hamilton Division with a 4-6 overall record and a 2-5 league record in 2004, are expecting bigger and better things in 2005.

“We have a lot of balance in this team and I like the team attitude,” said Branham Head Coach Dave Cardoza. “We learned a lot last year, our first year in the A-league (Mt. Hamilton) as far as just the intensity and playing hard and the expectations. You have to play hard every play. What we’ve learned about is that a few mistakes against an A-league team, and they can capitalize on it.”

Part of the Bruins’ early success can be attributed to their run-based offense, led by senior quarterback Duce Ferrante. Ferrante, who missed most of the 2004 season with an elbow injury, is leading an offense that has averaged more than 40 points per game so far this season, including a lopsided 63-13 win over Andrew Hill on Sept. 16.

Ferrante and the rest of the Bruins’ offense was on full display in the win over Andrew Hill, rushing for 374 yards, including 129 yards on the ground by Ferrante, who also completed five of nine passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns.

To date, Ferrante has thrown six touchdowns with only one interception for a quarterback rating of 111. He has also amassed 166 yards on the ground with four touchdowns.

Ferrante said that his individual success can be attributed to the players around him, beginning with his offensive line.

“It’s not just me, it starts with the linemen first,” Ferrante said. “If it wasn’t for the linemen, nothing would be going on right now. They block, I pass. They block, we run. The credit goes to the linemen.”

Ferrante’s play has drawn comparisons to last year’s starting quarterback, T.J. DeStefano, a mobile quarterback who gave defenses fits with his ability to run and pass.

“We thought he’d be more of a passing type but he’s run the option real well,” Cardoza said Ferrante. “T.J. could do both, he leaned a little more toward the running option type of guy. Duce can do both, he can throw. He’s more of a passing type that can run the option. It’s good to have that balance. Duce has been a pleasant surprise.”

But Ferrante is only part of the equation. The Bruins have also relied on the running attack of juniors Scotty DeStefano and Craig Hertler. In the win against Andrew Hill, DeStefano ran the ball five times for 67 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching one pass for 40 yards. Hertler complimented DeStefano with 78 yards rushing on four carries, while also recording two catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

For the season, the duo has combined for more than 400 yards rushing and 175 yards receiving, to go along with five touchdowns.

“It’s really added to our balance in our running game,” Cardoza said of Hertler and DeStefano. “We’re real well-balanced there … We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things, and that’s really nice.”

Ferrante said the Bruins have an offense with plenty of big play options, including wide receiver Jason Whitcomb, who leads the team with 157 yards receiving through the three games the team has played. Overall, Ferrante said the offense has a well-balanced attack both on the ground and through the air.

“You want teams to recognize you as a chuck-it-or-duck-it team, to be able to throw it down the field or run it,” Ferrante said. “Our (offensive) line is huge. We can either run block or pass block. It really doesn’t matter what we do. We’re pretty proficient in everything we run.”

Still, Cardoza admits that the team still has plenty of work left to do in order to be considered a top A-league squad. Defense, as well as the running game, is key to success in the Mt. Hamilton Division, Cardoza said. So far, the defense has held up well, allowing a little more than 17 points per game so far.

“To stop the run is first and most important thing probably in winning,” Cardoza said. “I think we’ve got some key people in the right spots.”

The Bruins will open league play on Sept. 30 at home against Piedmont Hills at 3:30 p.m.

The Bruins will then face neighborhood rival Leland on Oct. 7 at home at 3:30 p.m.

Almaden United Girls class 1 soccer team captures first place in Livermore Fall Classic

The Almaden United Girls class 1 soccer team captured first place in the Livermore Fall Classic soccer tournament the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25. 

They made the finals with wins over teams from Sacramento (6-0), Oakland (2-0), and Fresno (3-2). 

Almaden United Girls class 1 soccer team, front row, from left: Joycelyn Martinez, Maddie Hyde, Melissa Johns, Alyssa White, Ashleigh Brendlen, and Katie Foreman; second row: Kendall Jung, Kristen Chin, Aly Murakami, Hayley Wilson, Megan Caviglia; and back row, from left: Coach Fred Sanchez, Lauren Kuechle, Emily Griffith, Courtney Lisowski, Emily Sklar and Manager Frank Lisowski. Photo by Brandt Foreman.

In the championship game on Sunday, the Almaden girls faced a tough team from Mt. Diablo and were scoreless at halftime. Coach Fred Sanchez made a halftime adjustment that slowly turned the tied in Almaden’s favor.

Finally, Melissa Johns punched in a corner kick from Courtney Lisowski to take a 1-0 lead with 15 minutes to play. Almaden utilized fresh legs and ball possession from that point forward to maintain the lead and secure the championship. 

It was a true team effort as evidenced by the fact that eight different girls scored goals for Almaden over the weekend, led by Johns, Lisowski, Aly Murakami and Joycelyn Martinez with two each. Martinez and Emily Sklar also chipped in offensively with three assists each while Katie Foreman registered two helpers.

Defensively, Almaden was again strong as goalkeeper Emily Griffith, along with fullbacks Alyssa White and Megan Caviglia, registered three shutouts to match those she has already notched in just three league games this fall.

California Sports Center opens new location in South San Jose

After months of preparation, California Sports Center (CSC) has opened the doors to its newest and largest gymnastics facility.

This state-of-the-art training center is located at 100 Great Oaks Blvd., Suite 150, just off of Highway 87, near 101. The new location offers gymnastics and cheerleading programs for girls and boys of all ages.

A grand opening celebration was held Saturday, Sept. 24. Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez and San Jose City council member Chuck Reed were on hand and said a few words to kick off the celebration at the official ribbon cutting. CSC’s boys’ and girls’ team, along with CSC’s cheerleading team, preformed exhibitions while a packed house looked on.

Afterward, pre-school and recreational open houses were held for the public.

Children and their parents came out to enjoy face painting, balloon animals, food and drink and of course gymnastics. Pre-school and recreational classes at Great Oaks are being taught now.

For more information, contact Manager Liliana Petronelli at (408) 360-9400, or Owner/ Director Dave Peterson at (408) 210-3561.

Share your news

Do you have a sports story to share? Contact the sports department at 494-7000 x 217 or by e-mail at diego@timesmediainc.com or fax to Almaden Times Sports at 494-7078.