July 27, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Evergreen Little League Softball program wins District 59 Championship

What started out as small and modest has now gained steam, as the Evergreen Little League 10-year-old All-Stars recently won the District 59 Championship.

Back row: Manager Darryl Simon, Lily Perez, Apolonia Vasquez, Carrina Flores, Victoria Balderas, and Coach Jermaine Baker. Front Row: Amanda Cabrera, Tonjane Watson, Malia Pula, Carissa Baker, Janette Ramirez, Emily Spacek, and Stacey Cartwright.

Evergreen’s Softball Division started off with just one team in 2005 before expanding to four teams in 2006, in a large part due to the enormous efforts of league managers and coaches. Evergreen Little League’s girls’ softball program has continued to grow in 2007 as well, as the program has expanded to seven teams for this season. The ELL Softball program allows girls age 6-17 to learn the game, meet new friends, and get a better understanding of the meaning of “Team”.

This year’s 10-year-old All-Stars dominated competitors in District 59, starting with the team’s first game, which saw Apolonia Vasquez pitch four innings of no-hit ball. In addition, the defense was stellar, committing no errors, while the offense excelled with an abundance of stealing and hitting for a 15-0 win.

During the final game of District 59 competition, Carissa Baker pitched six solid innings, while Amanda Cabrera hit a two-run triple in the first inning, leading to an eventual 5-5 tie in the fourth inning. During the bottom of the fourth, Evergreen got two runners on base before a bunt by Stacey Cartwright eventually scored two to break the tie. Buoyed by the momentum swing, the team rallied and finished the game 15-8 to take the championship title.

ELL looks forward to even more growth for 2008 and hopes to offer teams for ages 6-17 at all levels of play from Pioneer
(coach pitch) to Minors, Majors, Juniors and Seniors. Check the web site http://ell-baseball.com for more information.

Plenty of local talent at 33rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football game

By Diego Abeloos
Editor

Justin Stephens of Evergreen shakes the hand of Charlie Wedemeyer during pre-game festivities. Photo by Dan Miranda

Local talent was not in short supply for the South All-Stars at the 33rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game on July 18.

All told, four local players took part, in one form or another, in the game: Evergreen Valley seniors Quinton Scott and Justin Stephens, Mt. Pleasant senior Tyler Miller and Silver Creek senior Paulo Semedo. Out of those four, perhaps none felt a sense of needing to play more than Semedo, and not just because the South lost 24-21 to the North. Semedo could not participate in any of the South team practices, or the game, because of a leg injury he suffered about a month ago. Despite the unfortunate set of circumstances, Semedo said he was still proud to be a part of the South team.

“You always want to be out there with your teammates, but I still felt like part of the team,” said Semedo. “We all just bonded in the short time we had together.”

Semedo, who will move on to study engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall, said he’s looking forward to the next phase in life. And while that next phase won’t include football, Semedo said he might try his hand at track & field this coming year at his new school.

“I’m excited to be getting away from home,” Semedo said with a chuckle. “It’s about trying new stuff by myself. Hopefully I don’t leave sports behind, because sports has helped me get through high school, and hopefully, sports will help me get through life too. Having sports really helps you with determination and keeping focus - all that pays off in college.”

Tyler Miller of Mount Pleasant (in red).

Scott, on the other hand, saw plenty of action on the field for the South team, and noted that he was happy to be a part of the squad following his senior season at Evergreen Valley High School.

“It was a pleasure getting to play,” said Scott. “I didn’t do too hot this past year, and I was glad I made the All-Star team to show that I can play with the best. I’m just disappointed that we lost, because I lost my first high school game and I wanted to win the last one.”

Like Semedo, Scott said he’s looking forward to seeing what the future bears for him in college.

“I’m looking forward to that,” said Scott, who will attend De Anza in the fall and play football for the school. “I think I can excel. I just have to get a little bigger and keep working hard.”

And for Scott, playing his final high school football game had an all-too-appropriate ending in that he competed on the field with Stephens, an Evergreen Valley teammate for the past four seasons.

“We’ve been playing together for four years,” Scott said. “He’s always been my fullback or I’ve been his help on defense. We’ve been doing this for four year together and he did great this year. …I felt honored that I got to play alongside him in this game.”

SPORTS BRIEFS

Silicon Valley Tigers youth tackle football now accepting applications
The Silicon Valley Tigers are still accepting applications for players between the ages of 6 and 14 for their youth
tackle football teams.  We are a non-profit organization that was founded in 2006. We are dedicated to preparing
the youths of Silicon Valley to play football at the high school level. We are a member of the highly competitive NYFL football league.

To register or for more information, please go to our web site www.siliconvalleytigers.com and follow the instructions.  We have excellent coaching staffs in place for all teams.   If you have any questions about the Tigers or the NYFL, please contact Mary Ann O'Hara at 408-646-7748, Rod Abarca at 408-836-7844 or email rod@siliconvalleytigers.com.

Bay Area Boot Camp 5K Fitness Training Program
Boot Camp dates are from September 10 - November 4 at South Bay locations. The cost is $125 - All proceeds benefit the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative. The 5K Fitness Training program, developed by Bay Area Boot Camp’s expert coaching staff, is a comprehensive workout series designed to prepare you for the Silicon Valley 5K Run/Walk on November 4, 2007.

Designed for runners of all levels, this 8-week program includes:

8 weekly training sessions led by Bay Area Boot Camp coaches

A detailed schedule of running, speed, and cross-training drills

A Training log to help you track your progress and keep your focus

An 8-week nutrition plan designed to support your training and optimize your energy level

Unlimited phone and email support from our coaching staff of veteran 5K, 10K, and marathon runners

15% off September and October Boot Camp sessions - an ideal way to enhance your race preparations and cross train in a supportive group environment

A pre-race party – get to know your fellow 5K racers and learn more about BAWSI!

For more information, contact Mary Beth Gonzales at marybeth@bayareabootcamp.com or phone 408-425-9475. Visit our website at www.bayareabootcamp.com


Evergreen Valley College soccer to hold summer camps in 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 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 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.

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