May 29, 2008

SPORTS

Almaden Valley Girls Softball League

Orange Crush puts on a real team effort

This is the third year that Almaden dads Jeff Wesolowski and Todd Courtney teamed up to coach the Orange Crush, and their first to guide this group of ten and under girls to a First Place Championship. Among their lineup this year were five girls who returned to the team and three who had never played softball.

The Orange Crush wins first place. In the back row, from the left are Dean Madsen, Makayla Hensen, Emily Hinojos, Tayne Anderson, Brooke LaVelle, Natasha Campbell and Nimisha Narayanan, In the front row, from the left, are Jillian Duran, Megan Wesolowski, McKenzie Courtney, Jeff Wesolowski, Lia Llamas, Alex Kirby and Carley Madsen. Coach Todd Courtney is not pictured.

Courtney could not be happier with the girls. “This was a great team, not just from the standpoint of winning the championship trophy, but more important, a great group of kids with heart and love for the game, along with great parents to work with.”

The coaches took an easy, fun approach to the game, moving the girls into various positions throughout the season. The team started out very strong, winning their first six games, and went into the final tournament in first place, with 10 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie.

Wesolowski is very proud of the team. “This group of girls was a joy to coach. We all had a blast together and the girls elevated their level of play over the course of the season-right through the championship game which we won 8-0.”

First year team member, Alex Kirby, speaks of her coaches as “phenomenal, nurturing and patient.” And her teammates as “very welcoming, like family.”

Kudos to the Orange Crush coaches and players for an all-around winning season!

Williams Elementary track team wins meets

While the track season has ended, the 2008 team members from Williams Elementary School have much to be proud of. The team competed in three meets and members placed well in all three.

The first race was Pat’s Run on May 3. Kevin Aspund, Anthony Guzman, Nikhil Kalra, Jason Lin, Isabella Mongomery, Ali Qutmiera, Navin Souda, and Nina Whitlock competed. Raymond Jessen participated in the Pat’s Run, but also completed the Wildflower 5K Run, the Human Race 5K Run, and the 4-mile Great Race.

Pictured are the members of the 2008 Williams Elementary track team including: Neil Agarwal ,Kevin Aspund Rory Buckman,, Milena Dragovic, Nica Farrahi, Kristin Gerick, Anthony Guzman, Kevaan Hasnian, Aaron Huang, Raymond Jessen, Nikhil Kalra, Jason Lin, Cameron Loftis, Isabella Mongomery, Anastasia Olenikova, Kelly Plath Brittini Quach, Ali Qutmiera, Navin Souda Kedar Thianarajan, Ryan Villafuerte and Nina Whitlock.

Members next competed in the Junior Olympic Skills Competition, May 5-7, at the Almaden Library. Competing students were Neil Agarwal, Rory Buckman, Nica Farrahi, Kristin Gerick, Aaron Huang, Cameron Loftis, Kelly Plath, Qutmiera, and Souda. The track and field events included the standing long jump and the 50-meter run.

In the girls events Farrahi placed first, Gerick placed second, and Plath place third. In the boys events Huang placed first, Loftis second and Buckman third. Loftis also placed first in the basketball skills event, and Qutmiera placed first in the soccer skills event.

The May 18 citywide Track and Field Meet saw Agarwal, Buckman, Farrahi, Gerick, Kevaan Hasnian, Huang, Loftis, Plath, Brittini Quach, Souda, Kedar Thianarajan, Ryan Villafuerte and Jessen taking part. Each student performed well in their individual events with Buckman placing first in the 400-meter run, and Huang taking a top three spot in the 800-meter run. Both of the latter boys will move on to the next level this summer.

The track team practiced twice a week, as well as other running events this season and should be applauded for all their hard work. Coach Rhoda Mirabeau hopes that each student continues to run for competition as well as fun and good health.

She also thanked her assistant coaches, Mrs. Buckman and Mrs. Lin, for their “invaluable” help.

LBret Harte to hold Broncothon

Bret Harte Middle School will hold its 10th annual Broncothon on Thursday, June 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This half-day of fun activities for all of the school’s students always comes on the last day of school. Activities include a climbing wall, games, a movie and five different inflatables.

While the school is known for its high academic performance, it’s also known for its athletic and school clubs. The Broncothom is the only school wide fundraiser supporting many of the sports programs and special interest clubs that keeps students engaged throughout the year. Without this fundraiser it would be hard for the school to include competitive lacrosse, wrestling, the spirit squad, cross country, football, basketball and the science club.

Each student is asked to bring a minimum of $25 to participate. The students receive incentives and prizes including one for the top student fundraiser, 100 percent class participation and the top fundraising class.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Bonnie George at (408) 332-4865 or BonnieGeorge@designevents.biz.

Sports Briefs

Santa Clara Sporting '98 Girls Teams (U10 Fall 2008)
The Sporting '98G Team is looking for experienced players born after 07/31/98 to join our team as we prepare to become a U10 Class 1 Team. Club goalies can receive free keeper training with a licensed trainer.  A second Class 3 team may form if enough girls tryout. Please come to our two tryouts at Sutter Elementary School, 3200 Forbes Avenue in Santa Clara, with a ball and water (each tryout session is 2 hours long): Tryouts begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, and 5 p.m. Friday, June 6. The final/backup tryout for new players will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 10.  Please contact Michael Kutney at scsportinggirls98@bigfoot.com or 644-4304 for more information.

AVYSL U12 Boys Comp Soccer Team Tryouts
Tryouts for a new U12 Boys comp (Class 3) soccer team will be held June 1 and June 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pioneer High School field #1.  This team will be an Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League (AVYSL) team (www.almadensoccer.org) and is being organized for the Fall season.  The U12 age bracket is for players with birthdays between Aug. 1,1996 and July 31, 1997.  If you have any questions, please contact Frank Torres at frank.home@sbcglobal.net or 927-9219.

Go 4 Gold Soccer School
Go 4 Gold Soccer School presents its 2008 Summer Soccer Camps program. We offer week long, coed soccer camps for players age 5 - 16 in both San Jose and Los Gatos, coached by our staff of highly trained, certified professionals. Go 4 Gold also offers year round GoalKeeping & Field Player Academies every Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m.

For a camp schedule, locations or additional information, please call 997-7775 or visit www.go4goldsoccer.com.

Leland Junior Spirit Camp sign-ups
The Leland High School Spirit Squad is hosting its annual Junior Spirit Camp June 16 - 20 from 9 am to noon each day. The early bird camp registration fee is $120, increasing to $140 on June 1. The camp will offer instruction in cheers and dances along with games, arts and crafts and snacks for children entering K-8 in the fall of 2008. All campers will be invited to perform at a Leland High School football game in the fall. For more information or an enrollment form please contact lelandjsc@gmail.com or Jeanne Sommer at 472-6112.

14th Annual 5K Run and Walk for Lupus
The Lupus Foundation of Northern California (LFNC) announces its 14th Annual 5K Run and Walk to be held June 1 at West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga.

Race time is 9 a.m. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted after the runners and walkers have started, however no other wheeled vehicles are permitted in the Plaza area or on the course. Leashed dogs are welcome. Participants are welcome to register as individuals or to form teams, which are strongly encouraged to bring in at least $100 in sponsorships each. Prizes will be awarded to the three largest teams and the three teams submitting the largest sponsorships. Team Leader Packets are available at www.balf.org.

Entry fees are $20 if registered by May 22 and $25 thereafter. To register, go to www.balf.org. Onsite, event-day registration and collection of donations begins at 8 a.m. All entrants will receive a free t-shirt, goody bag (with redeemable coupons and merchandise), strawberry shortcake, and Starbucks or Peets coffee. Proceeds will benefit the LFNC.

AVYSL Registration is now open
Registration for the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League’s Recreation Program for fall 2008 is open from April 21 to May 31. Late registration will be from June 1 – 15, and will only be accepted if space is available. A non-refundable fee of $25 will be charged for each player registered during late registration, so please register on time.

See our website www.almadensoccer.org for registration instructions and some exciting changes to our fall program. We hope to see you on the soccer field this fall.

Evergreen Valley Soccer summer camps
EVS will be offering two soccer camps this summer. Sessions begin June 22 -26, with the All Girls Academy. The Academy is designed to help players develop all aspect of their game and topics will include: Ball mastery / Beginning and intermediate technical skills / Small-sided games / Offensive and defensive team tactics / Training for speed, agility, quickness.

Eligible girls are ages 8 – 17 and the fee is $145 per person (team discounts are available). Academy hours are 4 – 7 p.m.

The “Little Hawks” Academy is designed for players age 5 – 8 and focuses on having fun while learning new soccer skills. Coached by members of the EVC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Team, campers will participate in a variety of soccer games and activities. Session one is Aug. 4, 6 & 7 and Session two is Aug. 11, 13 &14. The fees are $90 fro one session, $140 for both. Hours are 9 – 11 a.m.

For additional information or to register, call Felicia Perez at 274-7900 x6910 or email Felicia.Perez@evc.edu.

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