March 23, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Young Silver Creek resident places first at California State Speedskating Championships

Anthony Zapanta (in green skin suit at left) recently took first place at the California State Speedskating Championships. Zapanta is a sixth grader from Silver Oak Elementary and a resident of the Silver Creek Country Club.

Silver Creek Country Club resident Anthony Zapanta, a sixth grader from Silver Oak Elementary School, recently took first place at the California State Speedskating Championships.  

Zapanta, age 11, also plays forward for the Santa Clara Blackhawks Pee Wee A team, a private ice hockey club.
Following the California State Speedskating Championships, Zapanta went on to represent California in the U.S. Nationals Short Track Speedskating Championship in Cleveland, held Feb. 22 - 25.

Zapanta competed in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 200, 300 and 500-meter races and qualified to move up to the Super Final 700-meter. He placed second in three quarterfinal races and took third place in one of the semifinal events. Zapanta is currently ranked in the top seven nationwide for short track ice speedskating.

Lessons in lacrosse for Carolyn Clark students

San Jose Stealth defenseman Joe Vasold visits the school as part of the Sticks-2-Schools program

By Diego Abeloos
Editor

Students at Evergreen’s Carolyn Clark Elementary School got a pleasant surprise – and a valuable lesson in lacrosse – when rookie defenseman Joe Vasold of the San Jose Stealth paid the school a visit.

San Jose Stealth defenseman Joe Vasold (right) demonstrates the proper techniques to a face-off with the help of Carolyn Clark Elementary School teacher Phil Noteware.

Vasold, a New York native, didn’t come empty-handed either, bringing 24 youth lacrosse sticks and 24 orange practice balls as a donation to the school as part of the Stealth’s Sticks-2-Schools program. The program is designed in part to help fight childhood obesity and to promote the sport of lacrosse to the youth in the Bay Area. Last season, 41 businesses and individuals agreed to sponsor the program at 40 schools, resulting in approximately 30,000 students learning the game as part of their physical education or after-school programs. This year, the program has added five more schools, including Carolyn Clark.

Vasold said he relishes the opportunity to promote the sport, which is already popular on the east coast and in Canada, in San Jose. In addition to Vasold’s visit, Stealth General Manager and Managing General Partner Johnny Mouradian visited with the school’s teachers to speak, among other things, about the Sticks-2-Schools program.

“I love doing stuff like this,” Vasold said. “One of the first things I said when we came out here is that I want to use this as an opportunity to get out and try and help the game of lacrosse grow a little bit. I mean, back east it’s everywhere, so you don’t really have to promote it or make it grow. Out here, being in the beginning stages, to be able to be part of it, and to be able to use your name once you have that professional title, to help the kids get excited about it and start at a young age is awesome.”

Carolyn Clark was one of the recipients of the Sticks-2-Schools program because of the efforts of fifth-grade teacher Bernadette Marcias, who initially learned about the program last year during a meeting regarding the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s own youth fitness program, Fit for Learning.

“Someone had mentioned that the San Jose Stealth had the program. …So I wrote to them (the Stealth) and I looked at their web site, and I saw that they actually did have a program, Sticks-2-Schools,” Marcias said. “I wanted to see if they would be willing to come out and teach the kids how to play. I basically wanted to expose the kids to another sport, and I wanted to learn something as well.”

During the presentation to the school’s classes, Vasold told the students about his background in Lacrosse and explained to them the finer points of the game. Vasold then broke out the brand new youth lacrosse sticks and managed to get a few giggles out of the students when he asked some of the teachers to help demonstrate lacrosse skills such as passing, catching and face-offs.

Joe Vasold of the San Jose Stealth plays catch with a Carolyn Clark student.

Marcias said the kids seemed to enjoy seeing their teachers in action because it shows them hands-on learning, instead of having teachers always tell them how to do things.

“All these teachers are learning something new themselves, but I think it was fun for the kids as well,” Marcias said.

Vasold, who hopes to become a high school technology teacher someday, said teaching the kids at Carolyn Clark was a worthwhile experience, and one he is already familiar with. In addition to his duties as a face-off specialist and defender for the Stealth, Vasold also serves as the head coach of the West Valley Redhawks youth lacrosse program in Saratoga.

“Being able to teach anything and having these kids with a blank slate, not knowing anything about lacrosse and to be able to show them simple things to help them learn this way, is great,” Vasold said.

Vasold also said that the players on the Stealth hope to play an integral role in helping the sport grow on the west coast.

“I feel like I can almost see it grow, day-by-day and week-by-week,” Vasold said of the sport’s growing popularity on the west coast. “In coaching for the West Valley Redhawks, they started with small numbers, but in the last year or two, it’s doubled.”

To that end, Vasold said the Sticks-2-Schools program will continue to reach out to the youth in the Bay Area.

“The Stealth organization has been excellent in get us out to the community,” Vasold said. “…The Sticks-2-Schools (program) is great because what it does is bring the equipment to the schools so that it’s always in the kids’ sights. Now if they’re flipping through the TV channels and they see a lacrosse game, they can say, ‘Wow, I played that in gym class today.’”

EVERGREEN SPORTS
SCHEDULES 3-10 to 3-23

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
3/27 – Boys’ tennis vs. Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.
3/27 – Softball vs. Leland, 3:30 p.m.*
3/27 – Badminton at Silver Creek, 3:30 p.m.

3/28 – Baseball at Prospect, 3:30 p.m.*
3/28 – Track vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.

3/29 – Boys’ tennis at Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.
3/29 – Swimming at Branham, 3 p.m.
3/29 – Softball at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.*
3/29 – Badminton vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.

3/30 – Boys’ tennis Singles/Doubles Division Tournament at Leland, 1 p.m.
3/30 – Baseball vs. Prospect, 3:30 p.m.*

4/2 – Boys’ tennis Singles/Doubles Division Tournament at Leland, 2:30 p.m.

4/3 – Baseball at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.*
4/3 – Softball vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.*
4/3 – Badminton at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.
4/3 – Boys’ tennis vs. Leland, 3:15 p.m.

4/4 – Track vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.
4/4 – Swimming at Prospect, 3 p.m.

4/5 – Baseball vs. Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.*
4/5 – Badminton at Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.
4/5 – Softball vs. Westmont, 3:30 p.m.*
4/5 – Boys’ tennis vs. Leigh, 3:15 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
3/27 – Boys’ tennis vs. Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
3/27 – Softball vs. Pioneer, 3:30 p.m.*
3/27 – Badminton at Westmont, 3:30 p.m.

3/28 – Track at Evergreen, 3:30 p.m.
3/28 – Golf vs. Del Mar at Deep Cliff, 3:15 p.m.
3/28 – Baseball vs. Sobrato, 3:30 p.m.*

3/29 – Golf vs. Del Mar at San Jose Municipal, 3:30 p.m.
3/29 – Softball at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.*
3/29 – Swimming vs. Prospect, 3 p.m.
3/29 – Boys’ tennis at Prospect, 3:15 p.m.
3/29 – Badminton at Mitty, 3:30 p.m.

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

4/3 – Softball at Leigh, 3:30 p.m.*
4/3 – Golf vs. Willow Glen at Santa Teresa, 2:15 p.m.
4/3 – Boys’ tennis at Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
4/3 – Badminton vs. Overfelt, 3:30 p.m.
4/3 – Baseball vs. Independence, 3:30 p.m.*

4/4 – Swimming at Oak Grove, 3 p.m.
4/4 – Track at Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.

4/5 – Golf vs. Willow Glen at LL, 3:45 p.m.
4/5 – Softball vs. Leland, 3:30 p.m.*
4/5 – Boys’ tennis vs. Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
4/5 – Badminton at Leigh, 3:30 p.m.
4/5 – Baseball at Independence, 3:30 p.m.*

Silver Creek High sports schedule
3/27 – Softball at James Lick, 3:30 p.m.*
3/27 – Badminton vs. Evergreen, 3:30 p.m.
3/27 – Boys’ tennis at Prospect, 3:15 p.m.

3/28 – Baseball at James Lick, 3:30 p.m.

3/29 – Swimming at Willow Glen, 3 p.m.
3/29 – Boys’ tennis vs. Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
3/29 – Track vs. Pioneer, 3:30 p.m.
3/29 – Softball vs. San Jose, 3:30 p.m.*
3/29 – Badminton at Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.

3/30 – Baseball at San Jose, 3:30 p.m.

4/3 – Badminton at Piedmont Hills, 3:30 p.m.
4/3 – Softball vs. Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.*
4/3 – Baseball at Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.
4/3 – Boys’ tennis at Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.

4/4– Swimming at Branham, 3 p.m.
4/4 – Track at Independence, 3:30 p.m.

4/5 – Badminton vs. Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.
4/5 – Baseball vs. Andrew Hill, 3:30 p.m.
4/5 – Softball at Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.*
4/5 – Boys’ tennis vs. Branham, 3:15 p.m.

*JV or frosh/soph team plays at opposite site of varsity at the same time

For more information on local games, log on to the BVAL Web site at http://www.bval.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 March 31. From more information, visit http://www.stpopwarner.org/ or call Bill Vines at (408) 808-1473.

Evergreen Valley College soccer to hold summer camps in June and August
Evergreen Valley College will be holding summer soccer camps for boys and girls ages five and six, as well as ages 7-14 in June and August.

The Baby Hawks summer soccer camps, for ages five and six, will take place on the following dates:
- Session I – June 18-21, 5:30-7 p.m. (girls only)
- Session II – Aug. 6-9, 9-10:30 a.m. (boys and girls)
- Session III – Aug. 6-9, 10:30 a.m.-noon (boys and girls)

In addition, the Advanced Hawks summer soccer camps, for ages 7-14, will take place on the following dates:
- Session I – June 18-21, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (girls only)
- Session II - Aug. 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon (boys and girls)

For more information about the camps, call Evergreen Valley Women’s Soccer head coach Felicia Perez at (408) 274-7900 ext. 6910 or email Felicia.Perez@evc.edu.

United States Youth Volleyball League signups
Space is still available for the United States Youth Volleyball League site at Kirk Park in San Jose. The league’s teams meet on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. The season begins on April 17 – registration is required before April 1.

The USYVL is an instructional coed volleyball league for boys and girls ages 7-14. The USYVL’s mission is to provide every child with a chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised and low-pressure environment. The program also emphasizes good sportsmanship, cooperation and teamwork.

For more information, call 1-888-988-7985 or go to www.usyvl.org.

Evergreen baseball snaps three-game skid with win over Del Mar

The Evergreen Valley baseball team got back on track with a 4-3 win at home over Del Mar on March 21, snapping a modest three-game losing streak in league play.

The win improved the Cougars’ overall record to 5-3, as well as a 4-3 record in the Santa Teresa Division, good for fourth place and mere percentage points behind 4-2-1 Mt. Pleasant. Junior pitcher Joe Fischer picked up the win against the Dons, throwing three-and-one-third innings of hitless and scoreless baseball in relief of starting pitcher Sam Mahr, striking out three and walking two in the process. Catcher A.J. Lang went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the win.

Prior to the win against Del Mar, the Cougars endured a small three-game losing streak, which included an 11-5 loss at home to division-leading Branham on March 16. The three-game skid came on the heels of four straight wins by the Cougars to open the 2007 season. Starting pitcher Alex Kasinski (pictured) took the loss against Branham, dropping his record to 2-1 on the year. Despite taking the loss, Kasinski is still sporting a .423 batting average, as well as a respectable 4.66 ERA over three starts this season.

In addition, Evergreen senior infielder Kyle Aganad is currently leading the Santa Teresa Division with a robust .630 batting average.

—Photo by Diego Abeloos

Silver Creek wrestler Andre Gonzalez takes the long road to CIF meet

Senior wrestler places fourth at CIF state wrestling meet to finish his high school career

By Val Esquivel
Special to the Times

When it was all said and done, Andre Gonzalez finally captured what had eluded him throughout his high school career.

A calm and poised Andre Gonzalez takes on his opponent

Most wrestlers competing in the Central Coast Section strive to place at the CCS tournament during their high school campaign. Gonzalez had accomplished that feat his freshman year with a fourth place medal but still desired more. Reaching the CCS finals his sophomore and junior year, he settled for second place, dropping both bouts to Fremont’s Filip Novachkov.

With his senior year under way, there were two wrestlers that separated themselves from the pack wrestling at 121 pounds - Silver Creek’s Gonzalez and Gilroy’s Martin Gonzalez.

Showdown in Clovis
It was the semifinals of the Doc Buchanan Invitational in Clovis, CA where two of California’s best squared off. During a highly contested bout that saw both wrestlers push each other into double overtime, it was Silver Creek’s Gonzalez who prevailed. Countering a single leg attempt, Gonzalez threw the Gilroy wrestler to his back in the waning seconds of overtime to score a two-point reversal. This victory vaulted Silver Creek’s Gonzalez into the finals against Stephen Weimer of Clovis. Scoring with a barrage of takedowns, including the utilization of his signature double-leg takedown, Gonzalez captured his second tournament title of the season.

Where the rubber meets the road
In what is arguably one of the toughest tournaments in the country, the very next weekend saw both wrestlers squared off again at the prestigious 5 Counties Invitational, in Fountain Valley, CA. This time, while again wrestling into double overtime, Gilroy’s Gonzalez came out victorious.

“A lesser wrestler would have been discouraged but Andre is different,” said Silver Creek head wrestling Coach Eddie Luna.

Third time’s a charm
At the Mid-Cal Classic in Gilroy, considered to be a preview of the CCS finals, both Gonzalez’ would meet for a third time. The outcome of this match determined who would be seeded No. 1 at the CCS tournament. There was no overtime in this match, as Silver Creek’s Gonzalez relied on his offense to score a myriad of takedowns. Victorious and poised by this accomplishment, Gonzalez garnered the coveted No. 1 seed at CCS and was voted by his peers as the “Outstanding Wrestler” of the tournament.

Eye on the prize
After cruising through both the BVAL league finals and the field of CCS by defeating all his opponents by fall, Silver Creek’s Gonzalez once again faced Gonzalez of Gilroy. Following a scoreless first period, Gilroy’s Gonzalez opted for the down position to start the second, scoring off an escape. This, however, was the only time Gilroy’s Gonzalez lead in the match. Attempting a shot, Silver Creek’s Gonzalez countered the attack with a two-point takedown off a throw and three more points for near fall. After a six-minute match, Silver Creek’s Gonzalez captured his first CCS title and an automatic berth in the CIF High School State wrestling meet, held March 2-3 in Bakersfield, CA.

Silver Creek’s Andre Gonzalez (in silver suit) executing his textbook double leg takedown

CIF competition
During the early rounds of CIF State competition, Gonzalez drew Richard Alarcon, a wrestler from Southern California’s Mayfair High School.

“I wasn’t feeling well that first match.” Gonzalez said of dropping a close 4-2 decision, placing him down to the consolation rounds.

In order to medal and be regarded as one of the best in state, Gonzalez had to rally and win his next five matches.

“College Coaches really look at the consolation bracket. If they see a wrestler who loses early and comes back to medal, it shows how tough they are mentally,” said Luna.

Which is what started happening. With each match, Gonzalez started to break away from the pack. A couple of technical falls here (winning by 15 or more points) and a pin there, and Gonzalez found himself with seven straight victories, which culminated in Gonzalez wrestling for third place.

Just short but morally victorious
Finally, Gonzalez faced off against another wrestler from the Southern Section, Angel Garcia from San Dimas. Following a close first period, a costly mistake late in the second period cost Gonzalez five crucial points. Coming up just short after scoring three takedowns, Gonzalez settled for a fourth place finish at the state wrestling competition.

Not over yet
With trips slated for Virginia for Senior Nationals, Western Regionals in Las Vegas, and various recruiting visits, it appears as if the season is just beginning for Gonzalez, which is the way he likes it.

“To me wrestling is a lifestyle,” he said. “You spend a majority of the year training, traveling with teammates, and competing so you can be at the top of the podium. My family, my teammates and my coaches have made this a great experience.”

As for Luna, he said Gonzalez’ four years at Silver Creek has raised the bar for future Raiders wrestlers to meet.

“Andre is one of the guys that set the standard for success,” Luna said, “and hopefully there are kids that are ready to fill his shoes.”