February 23, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Silver Creek wrestlers advance to CCS

Seven Raiders head to face top competition at championships

By Val Esquivel
Special to the Times

Senior Andre Gonzalez (121 pounds), currently ranked seventh in the state, comes away with another win at the BVAL Tournament. Gonzalez, along with six other Raiders, will advance to CCS. Photo courtesy of Chris Guerrerro

Seven Silver Creek wrestlers will advance to the Central Coast Section championships, following a second place finish at the 2007 BVAL wrestling tournament.

Entering the tournament with a 5-2 dual meet record, the Raiders finished second in a field of 24 schools with a total of 175.5 points in tournament play, and featured a mix of season veterans as well as a few surprises from some competitive underclassmen.

Leading the charge for the Raiders were individual BVAL champions Andre Gonzalez (121 pounds) and Peter Hoang (137 pounds), two seniors who have high hopes to place at the State Meet in their final year at Silver Creek. Gonzalez is currently ranked first in CCS and seventh in the state, while Hoang is ranked second in CCS, according to the California Wrestler Newsletter.

“Coach (Eddie) Luna and the rest of the staff make sure that we see the best competition through out the season so we’re prepared for this time of year,” said Hoang, who has been competing in wrestling since junior high.

Other Raiders who look to take their place on the podium are senior Tina Linhsamount, who placed third in the BVAL tournament after moving up a weight class to 114 pounds. this year. Sophomore Evan Crockett placed fourth at 142 pounds, sophomore Richard Segovia fifth at Heavyweights, and rounding out the pack were sophomore John Tran at 127 pounds and senior Gurinder Khaira at 191 pounds, with both finishing sixth.

Luna said facing top-flight competition outside of BVAL competition during the preseason and on weekends has prepared his team for the challenges that lie ahead in CCS.

“It’s a rigorous schedule but every weekend we’re facing the best competition whether it be traveling to Central or Southern California,” said Luna, who adopted this practice when he took over the program 10 years ago. “Our program is also highly active in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling in the spring and summer but most of all, our kids have fun.”

Speed City exhibit is on display at History Park of San Jose

By Renee Robinson
Special to the Times

The History Park of San Jose recently unveiled a retrospective exhibit entitled “Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power, Athletics at San Jose State College, 1940 to 1969,” a look at the San Jose and American history seen through the eyes of its student athletes.

Urla Hill, guest curator and former educator of African-American Studies at San Jose State University, has collected on loan through the generosity of athletes and their families, a vast array of photographs, authentic artifacts including Olympic medals, and clothing worn by both Olympic athletes and state coaches.

The exhibit celebrates two themes: the role San Jose State students played in the turbulent Civil Rights movement and the political stance they took in the Black Power movement on the world stage. The second theme is of San Jose State’s policy of integrating the sports department as early as the 1940s, before the National Football League, and Major Baseball League teams recruited minorities.

“San Jose State has not only a rich tradition of its sporting program, but it too should be valued for its acceptance of people of color decades before it became de rigueur,” Hill said.

The exhibit will be on display at History Park on Senter Road through Nov. 30. There will be several panel discussions with various professionals well versed on the subject of San Jose State’s History Makers at venues throughout the city. The exhibit and various discussions groups are an opportunity for families, historians and art lovers of every age to explore and learn from the past, and celebrate the history of San Jose State athletes and coaches, and their impact on world history.

For more information about History Park of San Jose’s exhibit, “Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power, Athletics at San Jose State College, 1940 to 1969,” go to www.historysanjose.org.

EVERGREEN SPORTS
SCHEDULES 2-24 to 3-9

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
2/27 – Boys’ tennis vs. Independence, 3:15 p.m.

2/28 – Girls’ basketball CCS Semifinals at Milpitas High, time and opponent TBA**
2/28 – Baseball at Independence, 3:30 p.m.*

3/1 – Boys’ tennis at Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.

3/2 – Baseball vs. Independence, 3:30 p.m.*
3/2 – Wrestling CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, times TBA**

3/3 – Girls’ basketball CCS Finals at Milpitas High, 6 p.m.**
3/3 – Wrestling CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, times TBA**

3/6 – Boys’ tennis vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.

3/7 – Baseball vs. Sobrato, 3:30 p.m.*

3/8 – Boys’ tennis at Leland, 3:15 p.m.
3/8 – Swimming vs. Silver Creek, 3 p.m.

3/9 – Baseball at Sobrato, 3:30 p.m.*

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
2/27 – Golf vs. Yerba Buena at San Jose Municipal, 2:45 p.m.

2/28 – Girls’ basketball CCS Semifinals at Milpitas High, time and opponent TBA**
2/28 – Boys’ basketball CCS Semifinals at Independence High, time and opponent TBA**
2/28 – Baseball at Branham, 3:30 p.m.*

3/1 – Boys’ tennis at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.

3/2 – Baseball vs. Branham, 3:30 p.m.*
3/2 – Wrestling CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, times TBA**

3/3 – Girls’ basketball CCS Finals at Milpitas High, 6 p.m.**
3/3 – Boys’ basketball CCS Finals at Independence High, 8 p.m.**
3/3 – Wrestling CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, times TBA**

3/6 – Golf vs. Yerba Buena at San Jose Municipal, 2:45 p.m.
3/6 – Boys’ tennis vs. Prospect, 3:15 p.m.

3/7 – Baseball at Del Mar, 3:30 p.m.*

3/8 – Golf vs. Yerba Buena at Santa Teresa, 2:15 p.m.
3/8 – Boys’ tennis vs. Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
3/8 – Swimming vs. Del Mar, 3 p.m.

3/9 – Baseball vs. Del Mar, 3:30 p.m.*

Silver Creek High sports schedule
2/27 – Boys’ tennis vs. Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.

2/28 – Baseball at Overfelt, 3:30 p.m.*
2/28 – Boys’ basketball CCS Semifinals at Independence High, time and opponent TBA**

3/1 – Boys’ tennis vs. Prospect, 3:15 p.m.

3/2 – Varsity baseball vs. James Lick, 3:30 p.m.
3/2 – Wrestling CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, times TBA**

3/3 – Boys’ basketball CCS Finals at Independence High, 8 p.m.**
3/3 – Wrestling CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, times TBA**

3/6 – Boys’ tennis at Westmont, 3:15 p.m.

3/7 – Baseball vs. San Jose, 3:30 p.m.*

3/8 – Boys’ tennis vs. Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
3/8 – Track at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.
3/8 – Swimming at Evergreen, 3 p.m.

3/9 – Baseball vs. Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.*


For more information on local games, log on to the BVAL Web site at http://www.bval.org/

For more information about CCS Playoff schedules, go to the CIF/CCS Web site at http://www.cifccs.org/

SPORTS BRIEFS

South Valley Pop Warner youth football and cheer signups
South Valley Pop Warner is holding signups for youth football and cheer. Participant ages 5-15 as of 7/31. Signups are from 12-3 p.m. at Round Table on Thornwood Avenue on Feb. 3, Feb.17, March 3, March 17 and March 31. From more information, visit http://www.stpopwarner.org/ or call Bill Vines at (408) 808-1473.

Valley Flag Football now accepting Spring 2007 registration
Valley Flag Football is the premier youth football league for boys and girls ages 5-14. The program provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork. It’s an excellent way to introduce players before playing tackle and keeping tackle players.

Launched in 1996, the FLAG Football program is designed to educate young people about football while emphasizing participation and sportsmanship. Players learn skills and lessons that help them succeed both on and off the field.

NFL FLAG Football is played across the United States and is a fun and exciting sport that teaches great life lessons, such as sportsmanship, dedication and discipline.

This five-on-five game is recognizable to football fans everywhere. Participants learn about formations, pass patterns and different types of offense and defense. All teams are actual NFL team names. Players keep their team logo jerseys. Sign up today and be part of the Valley Flag Football family. The first 100 players to register online receive a free league T-shirt. Registration deadline is Feb. 28. The season starts March 25, 2007

Visit the Web site for more information and registration: www.valleyflagfootball.com or contact (408) 531-0417 or tmorgan_valleyflag@hotmail.com.

Evergreen boys’ soccer season ends with CCS Playoff loss to Bellarmine

Cougars drop 6-0 loss in quarterfinal round of CCS Division I Playoffs

By Diego Abeloos
Editor

A promising season ended on Feb. 17 when the Evergreen boys’ soccer team dropped a 6-0 loss to Bellarmine in the quarterfinal round of the CCS Division I Playoffs.

The loss to the Bells ended an otherwise successful season for the Cougars, who came into the game having won 15 of their last 16 regular season games en route to the West Valley Division Championship, followed by a 2-1 win over Oak Grove in the opening round of CCS play. All told, the Cougars finished the year with an 18-5-0 overall record, as well as a 14-1 record in the West Valley Division.

Evergreen’s Diego Ochoa tries to get past Bellarmine’s Eric Masch during a 6-0 season-ending loss for the Cougars in quarterfinal round of the CCS Division I Playoffs. Photos by Diego Abeloos

“We knew that we were playing probably the toughest team that there is around here, so we knew that we had a lot of work to do,” said Evergreen head coach Hernan Diaz. “Today, we just didn’t bring it. We’re not used to this style of play. They had a lot of good set plays and we just weren’t quite ready for that because we haven’t seen anything like that before.”

Bellarmine wasted little time getting momentum to swing its way, scoring three goals in the first 10 minutes of the first half. Diaz said that while his team had surged back from deficits before during the regular season, he conceded that the quick strike attack by the Bells was tough to handle mentally for his squad.

“It was really hard because we haven’t been down during the (regular) season,” Diaz said of Bellarmine’s three goals. “We’ve been down maybe one, and then we’ve come back, but to be down three so quick, that was kind of tough. We just weren’t used to that, so mentally, we just weren’t there today.”

Although the Cougars managed to keep Bellarmine off the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half, Evergreen’s offense struggled to convert on early scoring opportunities. In short, Diaz said his team wasn’t used to the physical style of play by Bellarmine.

“They’re a really physical team,” Diaz said of Bellarmine. “They’re really, really tough, so we just got banged around a little bit and it was hard to get used to because we really haven’t been challenged (physically) in our division before.”

Things didn’t fare any better in the second half, as the Bells put together another three-goal attack, this one coming in an eight-minute span that began with a goal in the game’s 54th minute and ended with Bellarmine’s sixth goal of the game with just over 17 minutes left to play in regulation. Diaz said Bellarmine’s speed and physical play on offense created match-up problems for his team defensively.

“They have a lot of talent over there, that’s pretty obvious, and that’s why they have the record that they have. We just couldn’t match that up one-on-one,” Diaz said. “We knew we had to do that (matching up well) or we were going to be on the losing end, and that’s what basically happened today.”

Despite the season-ending loss, Diaz said he was proud of the season long efforts by his players. Evergreen’s only loss in league play this year came at the hands of Sobrato on Jan. 25, but the Cougars responded to the loss by reeling off four straight wins to end regular season play, including three straight shutouts in which they outscored their opponents by a combined total of 10-0.

“Certainly, I think this was a very successful season,” Diaz said minutes after the final whistle in the loss to Bellarmine. “They may not be feeling that right now because this was the first time we lost this bad … this is the first one where we felt we got outplayed, out-powered and we just didn’t complete the sets we had worked on. But they did a fantastic job, and that’s why I need to go over (to the players) and mend a couple of hearts.”

Evergreen Valley’s Pena, Benigno and Calunpit to wrestle at CCS

Cougar grapplers headed for Section championships

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Sophomore Jordan Benigno is the top pick among three Evergreen Valley wrestlers who qualified for CCS at the Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals, held on Feb.10 at Oak Grove High.

Cougars Bryant Pena, Jordan Benigno and Ezra Calunpit advanced to the Central Coast Section Championship tournament from the Blossom Valley Athletic League finals on February 10. Photos by Justin Petersen

Wrestling at 103 pounds, Benigno, along with 152-pound senior Bryant Pena and 160-pound Ezra Calunpit, earned the right to advance into the Central Coast Section’s championship tournament, where only the top 12 competitors from all leagues will compete in each weight division on Feb. 24.

“Jordan should do well at CCS,” said first-year Evergreen coach Jason McHam. “He is very good on his feet, he’s a hard worker, and he shows up everyday. He is dedicated to the sport and dedicated to his teammates.”

McHam said that on several different occasions, Benigno would actually have battled in the first place match during league competition. Two weeks ago, the wrestler led 8-0 late in the semifinals’ third period, before a mental lapse got him caught in a throw.

“He would have been in the final, if he could have just gotten off his back,” said McHam.

McHam expects that Benigno will return to form for CCS and beyond.

Meanwhile, team captain Pena also advanced to the semifinal match at Oak Grove, finishing third in his weight division, the highest any Cougar took in the tournament. “Bryant has been my team leader since day one,” said McHam. “I believe he should place at CCS.”

In BVAL competition, Pena’s run ended versus eventual league champion and CCS favorite from Pioneer. Yet, McHam said that Pena could shake things up at the next level, giving the senior credit for leading a youthful group to 13 wins in dual meet action this season.

“Over half of the team was sophomores,” said McHam.

Evergreen, in fact, entered the BVAL tournament tied up with Mount Pleasant and Sobrato atop the Santa Teresa Division, with final results pending on the outcome at Oak Grove.

While the Cougars could not overcome rival Mount Pleasant, the highlight of the season occurred on Feb. 1, when Evergreen beat Sobrato, currently ranked 12th in the section by the San Jose Mercury News.

“We actually came down to a tie with Mount Pleasant, and they scored more points in league finals,” said McHam. “They had lost to Sobrato and we were the only team to beat them.”

Sophomore Calunpit will also appear at CCS as an alternate in his weight division. McHam called Calunpit extremely talented with brute strength, but said he needs work, and success will arrive in the years to come, as is the case with much of the team this year.

“Ezra needs to commit a little more in the off-season, but he could become one of the best wrestlers that Evergreen has ever had,” said McHam.

In his first year at the helm of the program, McHam made headway with just one senior on the roster, Pena. McHam called his regimen a lesson in basics.

“I am a big believer in basics,” he said. “At the higher levels of wrestling, everyone knows all of the basic moves. It’s about who is going to master those moves and make themselves more efficient.”

McHam said his wrestlers put in 100 single leg takedowns, 100 doubles, and so on, every day at practice.
“It’s about repetition, getting better at the basics,” he added.

Mt. Pleasant soccer ends season with tough loss to Gilroy

Cardinals Coach calls controversial 2-1 CCS Playoff loss an ‘embarrassment to soccer’

By Ali Abdollahi
Staff Writer

What began as a tensely fought battle between two of the top-15 teams in CCS boys soccer erupted into fireworks in the final minutes of regulation and into overtime, as Gilroy edged Mt. Pleasant for a 2-1 victory in the first round of the CCS Playoffs on Feb. 14.

Both teams played physical, yet close-to-the-vest for 75 scoreless minutes to open the game. But an apparent game-winning goal in the 78th minute by Mt. Pleasant defender Felix Velador provided only short-term euphoria for the Cardinals’ contingent. A controversial equalizing goal in the final minute of regulation left Mt. Pleasant goalkeeper Jonathan Arellano down for several minutes, and left the Cardinal coaches in an uproar.

Mt. Pleasant goalkeeper Jonathan Arellano and two Gilroy players are shaken up after a violent collision during the Cardinals’ 2-1 CCS Playoff loss on Feb. 14. The collision resulted in a controversial game-tying goal for Gilroy.

Gilroy’s tying goal came after a violent collision between Arellano and two Gilroy players inside the goal box. Though rules stipulate that any substantial contact made with the goalie by an offensive player while the goalie is attempting to secure the ball is a foul, no foul was called, allowing a Gilroy striker to head the ball into the vacated goal. All three players involved in the collision stayed down on the ground for several moments, but Arellano clearly took the worst of the blow.

Right after the play, Mt. Pleasant coach Nick Arellano yelled to officials, “Are you saying that they didn’t touch him? Look at him, this is bad. (Gilroy) has been doing this stuff all game.”

Arellano declined comment after the game, with one exception.

Regarding the controversial call that knocked his goalkeeper out of the game, Arellano said, “You saw what happened out there. That was an embarrassment to soccer.”

Arellano had already received a warning from the officials in the first half for arguing, after Velador apparently caught an elbow that sent him down to the turf.

Despite the play, the Cardinals managed to stay aggressive in extra time, as Mt. Pleasant’s Anthony Nunez and Jose Aguirre kept the pressure on the Gilroy defense. However, just as they managed to strike in the waning moments of regulation, Gilroy scored on a shot into the right corner of the goal in the final minutes of overtime for a 2-1 lead.

Mt. Pleasant continued to press, earning a corner kick opportunity in the final 30 seconds, but a header by Aguirre was scooped up by Gilroy’s goalkeeper, effectively sealing the outcome for the Cardinals.

Evergreen Little League earns Positive Coaching Alliance Seal of Commitment for 2007

ELL recognized for providing youth athletes a positive, character-building experience

Evergreen Little League has earned the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Seal of Commitment for 2007.
PCA bestows this prestigious national honor only upon youth sports organizations and schools that officially commit to providing youth athletes a positive, character-building experience by requiring every coach to be trained and certified as a Double-Goal Coach.

“A Double-Goal Coach strives not only to win, but also to use sports to teach life lessons,” said Jim Thompson, PCA’s founder and executive director. “Likewise, PCA’s Seal of Commitment helps ensure that Evergreen Little League provides all of its youth athletes with a positive, character-building experience.”

Evergreen Little League (ELL) boasts 50 certified Double-Goal Coaches, serving over 600 youth athletes, said Scott Karstetter, President of ELL.

“Earning PCA’s Seal of Commitment reinforces our commitment to focus on the best interests of our youth athletes,” Karstetter said. “It takes work to get coaches certified, but we owe it to the families participating in our programs to provide the best experience possible.”

For a list of youth sports organizations nationwide that have earned PCA’s Seal of Commitment, please visit www.positivecoach.org/commitment.

About Positive Coaching Alliance
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a Stanford University-based non-profit dedicated to transforming youth sports so sports can transform youth. Since 1998, PCA has conducted thousands of workshops nationwide for youth sports leaders, parents, coaches and athletes in an effort to ensure a youth sports culture that delivers a positive, character-building experience. Espousing Double-Goal Coach techniques – where the first goal is winning and the second, more important goal is teaching life lessons through sports – PCA has garnered support from National Advisory Board members Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Doc Rivers, Dean Smith, Herm Edwards, Bill Walsh, Barry Zito, Alexi Lalas, Joy Fawcett, Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci and other noted athletes, coaches, and academic and business leaders.

About Evergreen Little League
Established in 1962, Evergreen Little League has Baseball and Softball programs for youth athletes age 5 to 18. For more information see ELL’s website http://ell-baseball.com.