The last few weeks have been quite a rush for Pioneer High School senior Sean Lopes, who was crowned Pioneer High School homecoming king just after proving himself the number-one cross country runner in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division. Lopes, a 6-foot, 155-pound three-sport athlete, is senior class president and captain of the Mustang girls basketball team, and Mustang mascot Cody Savage, son of Pioneer freshman football coach Greg Savage. Lopes ran to a 17th place finish in a large field at the Lowell Invitational in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park last month. In the first BVAL/ST competition, he finished first in a field of 48 runners from eight schools over a 3-mile course in Alum Rock Park as the Mustangs defeated Westmont High School 20-35 (low score wins in cross country) and Evergreen Valley High School by a 17-42 total. Lopes, also a veteran varsity soccer player, said his goals this school year are to earn a berth in the state championships in both cross country and track and field (800 meters), which he narrowly missed in both last year.

--By Karl Laucher

Pioneer, Leland football teams continue onslaught in league openers

The Pioneer and Leland high school football teams are picking up momentum after opening league play with impressive victories last weekend.

The undefeated Pioneer Mustangs (4-0) proved they deserve their top 10 Central Coast Section ranking by pounding Gunderson High School 42-22 in the Battle of the Bell and the Pioneer Homecoming Game.

Leland (3-1) thrashed Overfelt 48-0 in a Blossom Valley Athletic League/Santa Teresa Division game under the Knights' lights on Cunningham Avenue, a victory that may merit the Chargers a spot on the CCS top 15 rating list.

Pioneer Coach Mark Krail says the schedule gets nothing but tougher for the Mustangs who visit Leigh High School (1-3) Friday night, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., and then defending BVAL/Mount Hamilton Division champion Oak Grove on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

While runningback Jeremy Landucci continues to lead the Pioneer scoring, with three touchdowns against Gunderson, Krail credits his offensive line with a superior effort, noting that his quintet of tackles Jeff Terry and Armando Apolinar, guards Jory Wilson and Steve Matos and center Pat Walsh were named co-captains for the homecoming game.

Leland is on the road at Andrew Hill High School (2-2) Friday afternoon (Oct. 10, 3:30 p.m.) in search of a fourth consecutive victory. After opening the season with a 21-20 loss to Pioneer, the Chargers have outscored their last three opponents by a 131-6 count.

Runningback Mike Day scored three touchdowns, wide receiver Sean Connors scored twice and quarterback Matt Hurley passed for three touchdowns to lead the Leland scoring assault on Overfelt.

--By Karl Laucher

LELAND SPORTS ROUNDUP

Compiled by Leland High School Athletic Director Chris Hansen

Volleyball - The girls had another outstanding week defeating both Oak Grove and Santa Teresa. On Tuesday the Chargers faced a very big Oak Grove squad. The team recorded 15 service aces and controlled all phases of the game. They beat the eagles 25-12, 25-22, 25-15. On Thursday, the girls struggled with a tough Santa Teresa team. After dropping the first game 17-25, the Chargers fought back to win the next three 25-21, 26-24,

and 25-10. Freshman Joyce Chang turned in an outstanding performance with 20 digs in three games. The Chargers are currently 4-0 in league and 11-2 overall.

Cross Country - The varsity boys beat Mt. Pleasant 15-43, sweeping the first five places but came up one point short against Silver Creek with a score of 28-27. Silver Creek is ranked No. 15 in the CCS. Alex Ramone had a personal best of 15:34 and is ranked No. 5 in the league, just 24 seconds behind the leader. The boys are currently 3-1 in league. The girls defeated Mt. Pleasant 22-34 but lost a close one to Silver Creek 29-26. This is very good considering that the girls team is comprised of freshmen and sophomores. They continue to get stronger with each meet that they run in. Katie Buckley turned in personal best of 21:00 and is ranked No. 11 in the league. The girls are currently 1-3.

Boys Water Polo - The boys beat Lincoln last Wednesday by a score of 16-3. Senior Zac Monsees scored six goals to help lead the chargers to victory. In the St. Francis Tournament (one of the strongest tournaments in the area) the boys finished fifth, beating Los Gatos, Live Oak and finally beating Los Altos for fifth in a 10-9 showdown. Nick Beene helped lead the chargers with outstanding play both offensively and defensively. Zac Monsees was high scorer in three of the four games played by the chargers.

(Jeff: please box…)

The week ahead:

Fri., Oct. 10

Football at Andrew Hill - Varsity 3:30 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 14

Boys water polo vs. Independence at Independence - Frosh/Soph 3 p.m.; Varsity 4 p.m.

Girls water polo vs. Silver Creek at Lincoln - Varsity 4 p.m.

Field hockey vs. Live Oak at Leland - Varsity 3 p.m.; JV 4:15 p.m.

Girls tennis vs. Silver Creek at Leland - 3:15 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Branham at Leland - JV 5 p.m.; Varsity 6 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 16

Boys water polo vs. Willow Glen at WG - Varsity 3 p.m.

Girls water polo vs. Independence at Ind - JV 3; Varsity 4 p.m.

Field hockey at Del Mar - Varsity 3 p.m.; JV 4:15 p.m.

Tennis at Westmont - 3:15 p.m.

Volleyball at Independence - JV 5 p.m.; Varsity 6 p.m.

PIONEER SPORTS ROUNDUP

The Pioneer girls water polo team played hard but suffered a tough 6-5 defeat to Independence on Wednesday. All the girls played hard and continue to

improve as the season goes on. Pioneer played Mt. Pleasant on

Wed., Oct. 8 at Lincoln.

The Pioneer girls JV team had a big win over Independence, 12-4. The Pioneer

girls are led by Lexi York, Megan Peterson, Katrina Musco and Michelle

Levish.

Junior Varsity Football

The Pioneer JV football team came away with a convincing 47-8 victory on Saturday over the Gunderson Grizzlies, improving their record to 3-1 on the season. The Mustang offense rolled up more than 300 yards and the defense allowed less than 100 yards. This was one of the best efforts the Mustangs have had this year. Touchdowns were scored by Sean Dreher, Nick D'Antonio (2), Dan Landucci, Ken Dorsett and Mike Schulz. Kyle Burchfeil added a couple of extra points. Also having good games on offense were

Gilbert Ramirez, Jerry Barnes and the entire offensive line.

The defense also played a very solid game. Leading the way, with a great performance was middle linebacker CJ Miller. The defensive line was strong, led by Edwin Zaragosa and Steve Lopes. Ken Dorsett also had an interception. The defense has not given up a touchdown in the last two games. The lone Gunderson score came on a long kick return. Gunderson never crossed the Mustang 50-yard line. The Mustangs return to action this Friday with a game against the Leigh Longhorns at 4:30 p.m. at Leigh High School.

By Coach Julie Szarlacki

Last week the girls team defeated Willow Glen and Branham. Our record is now 7-1. This week we play Leigh High School (Tuesday) and Mt. Pleasant (Thursday). Next week we play Independence (Tuesday) and Evergreen (Thursday), which should be a tough week. Our only loss is to Evergreen High School. Our number-two singles player, Misa Tanaka, is still undefeated (8-0).

Fri., Oct. 10

Football at Leigh - F/S 4:30; Varsity X p.m.

Girls tennis @ Independence - 3:15 p.m.

Girls volleyball vs. Evergreen - JV 3:30; Varsity 5 p.m.

Boys water polo @ Willow Glen - 4 p.m.

Girls tennis vs. Evergreen - 3:15 p.m.

Girls volleyball vs. San Jose - JV 3:30; Varsity 5 p.m.

Girls water polo vs. Silver Creek @ Independence - 5 p.m.

Boys water polo vs. Piedmont Hills @ WG - 5 p.m.

Football @ Oak Grove - F/S 5 p.m.; Varsity 7:30

10K, 2-mile race/walk ‘reunion' Sunday Community spirit the ultimate perk in 10th annual Almaden Times Classic event

By Karl Laucher

To the swift go the laurels. Winner takes all.

Not!!

Not in the Almaden Times Classic 10k and 2-mile foot races/walk, which will be celebrated for its 10th renewal Sunday with a prodigious package of perks for all participants. The event starts at 9 a.m. on the Leland High School track, and ends there as well.

Among those who have fallen from Almaden Times Classic overall race winners to merely honored race participants are Kyle and Leanna Dando, who topped all 10k finishers and the 2-mile women's race in 1996 and ‘99, respectively. Kyle and Leanna are the son and daughter-in-law of Race Director Bob Dando and San Jose City Council Member/Vice Mayor Pat Dando.

“I'm more of a father than a runner now,” said Kyle, 31, who will give Leanna the honor of pushing the stroller for their 8-month-old daughter, Hannah, in the 2-mile event.

Meanwhile, Kyle, who works as an electrical engineer, will try to maintain his place among the top 10 men in the open 10K competition. He attributes his 1996 win to being in near-peak shape having just graduated from Purdue University, where he was captain of the Boilermaker cross country team and a top 10 finisher in the 10k at the prestigious Drake Relays.

Since then, he admits, he has been more recreational runner than fiery-eyed competitor. “As soon as I got out of college, I started tacking on about 30 seconds (in the10K) each year,” Dando said.

The Dandos, like most participants, say they are not in the race for the glory or the booty. “I like seeing old friends, people I went to school with,” Kyle noted. “The race has a nice local feel to it.”

Added Leanna: “You feel a sense of community. It's nice to see many of the same faces every year.”

Bob Dando, in his third year as race director, says presenting the race is like “getting a lot of pieces to the puzzle together,” but he points out that he gets lots of help, particularly from the race beneficiary Almaden Valley Counseling Service and Leland High School students who earn community service credit. AVCS Executive Director Rocki Kramer notes that among the event's many special volunteers are Leland High janitor Bob Munoz, who helps prepare the Leland staging area, Assistant District Attorney Mark Buller, who secures the permits from the city, and Brad Chaboya, owner/artist of Screen Designs who creates the Almaden Times Classic T-shirts.

Between 400 and 500 participants are expected to join in the romp, or stroll, on the courses, which include parts of the Los Alamitos Creek Trail. Early registration is closed. Late entries will be accepted until race time. Fees are $25 for adults and $15 for children (the family plan for four people is $55). For more information call 997-0200 or register online at www.active.com .

Almaden's Wagner can't save U.S. women's soccer team in World Cup semifinal

By Karl Laucher

Almaden Valley product Aly Wagner and the U.S.A. women's soccer team came up frustrated as Germany earned a 3-0 Women's World Cup victory on Sunday in Portland, Ore., earning a berth in the championships this Sunday vs. Sweden in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.

Wagner came into the U.S. midfield in the 51st minute to try to rescue a frustrated U.S. team down 1-0. She delivered several well-placed passes to her forwards, but the Germans held their ground and scored twice in the final minutes on counter attacks.

The U.S. will face Canada for third place on Saturday in Carson. The game will be televised by ESPN 2 at 12:30 p.m. The World Cup final can been seen on KGO Channel 7 on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Iceland Gymnastic's gem polished in Almaden

Leland sophomore Gigja Hermannsson battles mononucleosis while scoring high in school and in gymnastics

By Karl Laucher

Her poise and glowing demeanor could score a 10 out of 10 from most judges, but of course, it isn't that easy in international competition. As a member of the Iceland National Gymnastics team and a straight-A student at Leland High School, Gigja Hermannsson nevertheless is a young lady who has a flicker in her brilliance.

She has been suffering from mononucleosis for nearly a year. The disease, characterized by fever and enlargement of the lymph nodes, can cause a perpetual weariness. Gigja (pronounced gee-ya) says she seems to have little time for anything but to study, train for gymnastics and sleep.

Despite the odds, after missing the 2002-2003 winter gymnastics season as a member of the Almaden Valley Gymnastics Club, Hermannsson recovered well enough to accept the May offer to join the Iceland team for the Gymnastics World Championships held in Anaheim in August. Gigja, 15, holds dual citizenship with the U.S. and Iceland. Her parents, Margret and Gigsti, and her older sister, Hrund, were born in Iceland. Margret is the manager of the AVGC and is in charge of the Terrific Tots and class programs.

That Gigja was able to find the energy and the heart to train her way back into competitive condition after being sidelined for three months is a testament to her work ethic and her dedication.

AVGC Coach Donna Craig gave this description of “what most likely would be the biggest gymnastics event” of Gigji's life:

“Throughout the summer, Gigja did have setbacks in her health. Mono never leaves you. Her glands would swell, her throat would hurt, and she would not train for a day or two. For as excited as we all were for Gigja, no one wanted to alert the media to this story for fear of adding more pressure than what Gigja was already coping with. Day by day we would see how she was feeling. Day by day she worked her best.

When the big day finally arrived, Gigja did a terrific job. She competed at the 2003 World Championships and is currently ranked 124th in the world. Who would have ever dreamed that a young girl from the Almaden Valley could have fought through mono and propelled herself onto the world scene in just four short months? I would have, because Gigja is just that kind of teenager. I am so proud of her and I hope our community can finally be made aware of her tremendous accomplishment.”

The 5-foot 6, 105-pound Gigja has been a gymnast since before she was two years old and was known in Iceland because she trained there two summers ago, and competed for Iceland in the 2000 Scandinavian games in the Iceland capitol of Reykjavik.

Iceland is a small country obviously in need of quality gymnasts for international competitions. Gigja is a talented athlete having placed sixth in the Western Championships all-around last year in South Dakota. But she is not yet an elite-level athlete. That is beside the point, says Craig. “Gigja has the heart, and heart is more important than talent.”

For more information on the Almaden Valley Gymnastic Club membership and events call 268-1272, or visit www.avgc.com

ALMADEN RUCKUS WIN AGAIN

The U12, class 1, Almaden Ruckus boy's soccer team took home another tournament championship trophy last weekend. This time the boys completed four tough games scoring a total of 13 goals with zero goals against. The Almaden Ruckus shut out the Danville Mustang, El Dorado, Livermore and their rival, Placer, during this two-day tournament near Sacramento. In the championship game, the Almaden Ruckus beat Placer, 2-0 to complete the weekend with no goals against.

After a few league games, the team is off to tournaments in Danville, Fresno and Sacramento before participating in state cup this year. As the state cup finalist from last year, every team that the Almaden Ruckus faces plays hard fought soccer, which helps to improve both teams. The Almaden Ruckus, currently ranked second in Northern California by National Soccer Ranking, is looking for one exceptional impact player for a forward or midfield position.

The Almaden Ruckus is coached by Dan Minutillo, Todd Dunivant from the San Jose Earthquakes, Carlos Rimola, goalkeeper coach Omid Amirkiai, and managed by Angelo Gallo. For more information about the team call (408) 266-1666 or (408) 858-5548.

Almaden Explosion takes first place in Rotary Cup