March 10, 2006

Evergreen Sports

Blossom Valley soccer showcase: screaming success

Evergreen’s Jennifer Herrera named outstanding player in girls’ action

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Evergreen midfielder Jennifer Herrera capped a stellar high school career by being named outstanding player in girls’ action at the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s senior soccer showcase event on March 3 at Piedmont Hills.

Evergreen Valley High School's Jennifer Herrera (7) finesses the ball through the opposing defense at the second annual Blossom Valley Athletic League Senior Showcase on March 3. Photo by Jeff Frazee

Two seniors representing each of 22 BVAL schools, clashed in the second annual matches, designed to raise and contribute money toward the BVAL scholarship fund.

Each May the BVAL Scholarship Award is bestowed upon an athlete who has faced down adversity and intends to further his/her education at a university.

“The purpose is to highlight graduating seniors from the BVAL,” said league commissioner Barb Beard. “It’s certainly one of the positive things we do and the kids really enjoy it.”

Interests vary, so some players view it as a final achievement in their high school careers, while others hope to impress college scouts, said Beard.

As A-league Mount Hamilton Division champion, Pioneer’s Randy Worthington head coached the white (home) team, distinguished from the colored jerseys worn by the away team, along with C-League champ Willow Glen’s Coach Mitch Method on the girls’ side. They faced Michele Kennedy of Leigh, the A-league’s second place finisher, and Michelle Sunseri of Evergreen Valley, who led the away team.

“The game was excellent,” said Worthington. “Both teams made some really great plays with only about three hours of practice total. You see instant pride when a coach nominates her kids for a super squad. It’s all about having fun and using athletic skill for enjoyment on the field.”

According to Worthington, approximately 90 percent of participants have the skill to play on in college, but for many, the senior showcase is likely the last game they’ll play at a competitive level.

Girls’ action concluded in a 3-2 victory for the away team, led by Evergreen’s Sunseri.

“It was competitive because we have competitive athletes,” said Sunseri. “But it’s set up as a fun event, where kids get to show off their talents and wear their jerseys one last time. It was all about them.”

Herrera was named outstanding performer based on her playmaking ability on either end of the field.

“I am always impressed with Jennifer,” said Sunseri. “When she gets the ball, everybody in the game seems to calm. When she gets ball, she looks, she controls it, and she dishes it off: Jennifer is a playmaker and an outstanding attitude. People she plays with love her.”

Maria Gonzalez and Jasmin Heredia of Silver Creek, Mount Pleasant’s Karla Guerrero and Divina Silvas, and Evergreen Cougar Laura Baker were also featured in the girls’ game.

On the boys’ side, Leland coach Rich Kubic coached the home team versus B-League Champion Lincoln High School’s coach Josh Sotelo and Overfelt’s Dr. John Martinez.

“The goal for coaches in this game is more about time management than anything— you want to let the players show their stuff to the different college scouts attending the game.” said Kubic. “I believe the game is primarily for that purpose, but also I think that they intend to develop soccer into a bigger sport in this area. It also allows the guys one last chance to play high school soccer for their friends and families.”

The away team opened with two early goals, but Kubic’s 3-5-2 attack paid dividends when Leland’s Stevie Munoz scored on a through ball he poked in with his left foot from 15 yards out before halftime.

Kubic’s team converted one more goal in the second and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” said Kubic. “We worked with the guys for four days including the game. The training sessions were focused and intense—the guys had excellent attitudes.”

Ivan Garcia and Daniel Ortiz of Mount Pleasant, Silver Creek’s Abraham Castillo and Antonio Tapia, and Justin Dagher and Kin Lam from Evergreen Valley were also showcase selections.

A BVAL committee consisting of Colette Cluff and former Pioneer boys’ soccer head coach Jeff Farro began initial planning for the event in January, enlisting sponsors Summit Remodeling Co, Garland, Sturges & Quirk, Blossom’s ‘N Bows and New Millennium Graphics, who contributed funds toward supplies.

“Jeff came into the BVAL office a couple of years ago and proposed an all-star game for seniors,” said Cluff. “We have tried to put together what we think will be an excellent opportunity for kids to round off their high school careers.”

EVERGREEN SPORTS SCHEDULES
Mar. 11 to Mar. 24

*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

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
3/14 – Badminton vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.
3/14 – Softball vs. Independence, 3:30 p.m.*
3/14 – Boys’ tennis at Westmont, 3:15 p.m.

3/15 – Baseball at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.*

3/16 – Softball vs. Prospect, 3:30 p.m.*
3/16 – Badminton at Silver Creek, 3:30 p.m.
3/16 – Track at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.
3/16 – Boys’ tennis vs. Prospect, 3:15 p.m.

3/17 – Swimming vs. Piedmont Hills, 3 p.m.

3/21 – Softball at Del Mar, 3:30 p.m.*
3/21– Badminton at Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.
3/21 – Boys’ tennis at Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.

3/22 –Baseball vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.*

3/23 – Softball vs. Willow Glen, 3:30 p.m.*
3/23 – Boys’ tennis at Branham, 3:15 p.m.
3/23 – Track vs. Overfelt, 3:30 p.m.
3/23 – Badminton vs. Independence, 3:30 p.m.

3/24 – Swimming vs. Leland, 3 p.m.
3/24 – Baseball at Independence, 3:30 p.m.*

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
3/14 – Golf vs. Prospect, 2 p.m.
3/14 – Boys’ tennis at Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.

3/15 – Golf vs. Prospect, 2 p.m.
3/15 – Baseball at Prospect, 3:30 p.m.*

3/16 – Boys’ tennis vs. Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.
3/16 – Badminton vs. Yerba Buena, 3:30 p.m.
3/16 – Track vs. Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.

3/17 – Baseball vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.*

3/21 – Boys’ tennis vs. Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
3/21 – Softball at Leland, 3:30 p.m.*
3/21 – Golf vs. Willow Glen, 2 p.m.
3/21 – Badminton at Leigh, 3:30 p.m.

3/22 – Baseball at Evergreen, 3:30 p.m.*

3/23 – Boys’ tennis at Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
3/23 – Softball at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.*
3/23 – Swimming at Oak Grove, 3 p.m.
3/23 – Golf vs. Willow Glen, 3 p.m.
3/23 – Track vs. Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.
3/23 – Badminton at Gunderson, 3 p.m.

Silver Creek High sports schedule*
3/14 – Badminton at Leland, 3:30 p.m.
3/14 – Softball at Gunderson, 3:30 p.m.*
3/14 – Boys’ tennis at Willow Glen, 3:15 p.m.

3/15 – Softball at Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.*
3/15 – Baseball at Independence, 3:30 p.m.*

3/16 – Swimming vs. Willow Glen, 3 p.m.
3/16 – Badminton vs. Evergreen, 3:30 p.m.
3/16 – Boys’ tennis vs. Andrew Hill, 3:15 p.m.
3/16 – Track vs. Independence, 3:30 p.m.

3/17 – Baseball vs. Del Mar, 3:30 p.m.*
3/17 – Softball vs. Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.*

3/21 – Badminton at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.
3/21 – Boys’ tennis at San Jose, 3:15 p.m.

3/20 – Softball at San Jose, 3:30 p.m.*
3/22 – Softball at Yerba Buena, 3:30 p.m.*

3/23 – Badminton vs. Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.
3/23 – Boys’ tennis vs. Del Mar, 3:15 p.m.
3/23 – Track at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.

3/24 – Softball vs. James Lick, 3:30 p.m.*
3/24 – Baseball at Prospect, 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 contests, go to http://www.cifccs.org

Silver Creek wrestlers make waves in CCS, State meet

Silver Creek’s Tina Linhsamount makes history as first girl to place in CCS

By Val Esquivel
Special to the Times

For the majority of Silver Creek high school students, the week of February 20 through the 24 was reserved for “winter break.”

It’s a time for rest and relaxation, as students head into the second semester of school. For six members of the Silver Creek high school wrestling team, this would be unheard of.

With only six CCS qualifiers and a third place finish at the BVAL tournament, junior Tina Linhsamount (105 lbs.), senior Robert DeGuzman (114 lbs.), junior Andre Gonzalez (121 lbs.) junior Peter Hoang (132 lbs.), freshman Evan Crockett (137 lbs.) and senior Michael Rico (154 lbs.) faced a tough road ahead.

Dropping from the fifth spot all the way to a 12th-place ranking due to Oak Grove and Overfelt placing higher in league finals, it was up to these six individuals to silence the critics with their actions on the mat.

For the two weeks leading up to the CCS tournament, these six wrestlers endured a grueling training regimen; refining technique with Silver Creek wrestling alumni, early morning sprints up the hill that leads up to “The Ranch” as they braved the elements, and practice at Overfelt high school between the best wrestlers of the BVAL. When the smoke cleared and the last mat was rolled up, five out of the six wrestlers earned medals and three earned a berth to the State wrestling meet held March 3 and 4 at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena.

Because of a scheduling conflict, the first day of the CCS tournament was wrestled at Independence high school, the second day at Overfelt. In dominating fashion, all six wrestlers qualified for the second day tournament, going 12-0 collectively and advancing to the quarter final rounds the next morning.

Right out of the gate, Linhsamount squared off against Fremont’s Boris Novachkov, a double junior National champion in freestyle and Greco and California’s No. 1 ranked wrestler at the 105 lb. weight class. Losing in the first period, Linhsamount dropped into the consolation brackets.

In her first match she recorded a decisive victory over Monterey’s Jesse Perez by a score of 10-6; in similar fashion she defeated Edward Yanogacio from Milpitas. With this victory, Linhsamount made CCS history becoming the first female competitor to place at the CCS championship tournament. Linhsamount ended the year with a 6th-place finish at CCS, a 4th-place medal at league and looks towards next year as a year in which she can hopefully qualify for the State meet.

Struggling with his weight for the majority of his senior year, Robert DeGuzman was focused on qualifying and competing at the state meet. Having failed to make weight for the second day at two of the toughest tournaments in the State (the Doc Buchanan invitational at Clovis high school and Gilroy’s Mid-Cal tournament) resulting in him defaulting out in two tournaments he would have placed in, DeGuzman would have to again face what seemed to be his toughest opponent all year, the scale.

If he made the weight, Robert would face the No. 4 seed, a wrestler who he had beaten during his junior year. Having won the battle with the scale, but dropping a close decision to the No. 4 seed from Monta Vista, Robert wrestled back to finish fifth in CCS, one match away from making it to State.

At 121 lbs., junior Andre Gonzalez recorded a decisive 14-7 victory over Ueunten from Archbishop Mitty in his quarterfinal match-up. Gonzalez’ next match came against league rival Sergio Hernandez from Oak Grove, both wrestlers holding a victory over one another (Hernandez won their first meeting at the Mid-Cal tournament, Gonzalez returning the favor in the finals of league). In a hard fought match, Gonzalez was victorious winning by a close 2-1 decision and automatically qualifying for the State meet.

Getting caught in a cradle in the finals against eventual State champion Filip Novachkov of Fremont, Gonzalez made it two consecutive trips in a row to the State meet with a 2nd-place finish. Winning one match at State and dropping two close decisions, Gonzalez looks forward to his senior year where he will hopefully capture his first CCS title and bring home a state medal.

At 132 lbs., No. 2 seed Peter Hoang was determined to improve upon his 3rd-place finish at last year’s CCS tournament. The first match of the morning saw Hoang record a 35-second fall over Jeff Rossini of Santa Cruz. In his semifinal match-up, Hoang faced Edwin Pech from Menlo Atherton. In the early seconds of the match, Hoang scored with a textbook firemen’s carry and never let up winning 9-4 going into the finals.

The final match-up against King City’s Leo Zendajas started in similar fashion. Again Hoang scored with his firemen’s carry on his way to a 5-2 victory and his first CCS title.

Winning his first match at the state meet but dropping his next two match-ups by a slim margin, Hoang is looking to stay in the same weight class next year, defending his CCS title and in the hopes of becoming a State champion.

In whom head Coach Eddie Luna refers to as “the future of Silver Creek wrestling,” freshman Evan Crockett surprised many wrestlers, fans, and coaches with a 4th-place finish at the BVAL tournament. Going into CCS unseeded in a weight class that featured two of the top ranked wrestlers in the State, Crockett’s first match ended in a pin by Crockett over Charlie Reckmeyer of El Camino. Crockett’s second round match-up saw Crockett come away the victor again, winning by an 11-8 margin over Greenfield’s Trent Sharp.

Advancing to the quarter final round, which is uncommon for a freshman, Crockett lost his next two matches but has already been lifting in preparation for next year.

A staple in the Silver Creek wrestling room for years, Senior Michael Rico had one goal this year and that was to qualify for Senior Nationals in Pittsburg, PA.

In order to do this, Rico would have to place at the State meet, a feat that had not been accomplished by a Silver Creek wrestler since his older brother Joseph accomplished this in 2003. Advancing to the finals of CCS, Rico wrestled against No. 1 seed and returning CCS champion Aaron Palacios of North Monterey County. Arguably the most highly anticipated match of the evening, Rico scored the first offensive points with a blast double leg. Scoring again off a failed lateral by Palacios, Rico captured his first CCS title.

At the state meet, Rico advanced all the way to the quarterfinals with dominant victories before losing an 8-4 decision to the eventual state champion. Wrestling back to get into the medal rounds, Rico scored a pin in his next match, guaranteeing a state medal.

The next bout saw a victory slip away, as Rico was in on a double leg but was not awarded the takedown to the eventual 3rd-place medalist. Facing off against a wrestler from Fallbrook, Rico put on a “double leg” clinic and came away with a 7th-place finish at the state meet.

With a solid group of veterans and proven leaders as well as underclassmen looking at making an impact in the varsity line-up, head coach Eddie Luna sees some great things next year.

“Next year’s group shows a lot of promise, we have great role models and leaders in Tina Linhsamount, Andre Gonzalez, and Peter Hoang who are all returning CCS placers,” he said. “Going 5-1 in league and losing our title was tough, but a 5th-place finish at CCS, Tina making history, and Mikey placing at State made up for it.”