December 2009
Cedar Post Page 7
The Profile Barry Wilson Staff reporter
Player
Quick Facts Santa Claus Team: North Pole Reindeer Position: Quarterback Height: Tall Weight: Jolly
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Santa Claus has been a part of popular American culture for generations. Every year, Santa takes on the enormous responsibility of delivering presents to millions of children worldwide, asking only for cookies and milk in return. Santa’s career has been fraught with allegations of fraudulence, throwing his very existence into doubt. But the Cedar Post recently scored an inclusive interview with Santa. Here is what he had to say. What’s your training program for the 24th? “Staying up all night can be rigorous. I have to condition my body and mind for such a strenuous event as Christmas.” What is your favorite sport? “Snowmobiling, ice hockey, reindeer games.”
Is this Christmas like all the others, or is there something special about year? “Christmas is always special, but this year times have been tough. Kids’ lists are longer than ever, and we’ve really had to ramp up production.” What do you do for the other 364 days of the year? “I am always very busy making toys, eating cookies and training.” How do you fit all of the toys on your sled? “I have to make many, many trips back and forth, which is why I have such a rigorous training program.” How can you do it all in one night? “That’s the magic of Christmas.”
Another star athlete finds trouble
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iger Woods recently stated,“I have let my family down and I regret these transgressions with all of my heart.” These words were found on Tiger’s Web site after the golfing great was charged with careless driving and fined $164 by Florida authorities. He caused $3,200 of damage after crashing into a tree and fire hydrant across from his driveway at 2:25 a.m. on Nov. 24. At the time when Woods’ neighbors appeared at the scene, he was reported to be lying on the street, barefoot and snoring. His wife, Elin, broke out the
back two windows of his Escalade with a golf club. She asked the neighbors, “Can you help me? Can you please help me?” The neighbors then called 911 and Elin was reported to be nearly silent for the rest of the investigation. Many might wonder why his wife was chasing after him in a golf cart, and why he was shoeless and snoring. Woods has been publicly portrayed as having a perfect golf game, family life and strong personal ideals. Golf Digest featured Woods in its January issue, offering “10 things Obama can learn from Tiger — and vice versa.” Being the “Michael Jordan of Golf ” puts obvious expectations on a person who has never experienced a major scandal before. Tiger’s recent troubles have show us how quickly an icon can lose credibility and respect from the public. The reason for his quick rush from home raised a lot of eyebrows. US Weekly magazine put Woods on its cover on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Hours after the magazine reported allegations of a two-plus-year affair with a Los Angeles cocktail waitress, Woods posted a large public statement on his web site apologizing for his immoral behavior. Jaimee Grubbs met Woods in 2007 in a Las Vegas night club after the Masters, two months before Tiger’s wife gave birth to their first child. Ironically about
this same time, Tiger publicly gave Michael Vick advice on how to handle his dog-fighting incident. The US Weekly report also says that Grubbs, the waitress, has more than 300 text messages from Woods and a voicemail asking to change the I.D. on her phone so that his wife could not identify the number. Since the crash, Woods has been hounded relentlessly by the press and disgusted fans around the nation. For the average man, sexual temptations exist, but many can’t comprehend the same temptations of an icon like Woods. For those wondering how Tiger will bounce back, it’s easy to compare to football players Legarrette Blount and Michael Vick, who Trash Talk has recently covered. A cycle has been observed with both athletes: After major incidents, they have recovered from embarrassing situations. Now, Blount is being praised on his ability to turn his life around, and Vick appears on the track after recently having his best game since returning to the NFL. After watching those men come back, Tiger Woods has the chance to repeat the cycle for himself and try to salvage some of his “golden boy” he enjoyed less than a month ago. “I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means,” Woods said.
Connor Griesimer
n Post-season awards: Senior Cody Hecker carries the ball at the 4A State Championship game against Blackfoot. Hecker, along with many of his teammates, were recently honored for their on-field success.
Bulldogs honored
Sandpoint athletes earn hardware in football, soccer and volleyball Blaine Shultz
Assistant sports editor
Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
Pendleton Tourney Clarkston 78, Sandpoint 62 Senior Koko James picked apart the interior with eight points and ten rebounds in defeat to a tough Clarkston team. The girls had solid scoring from sophomore sophomore Maggie Kirscher, junior Natasha Roop and senior Christina Johnson.
Sandpoint 56, Cheney 69 Senior Stefan Buratto led the Bulldogs with 23 points in their season opener against Cheney.
Sandpoint 57, Ontario 41 The post play of Sandpoint punished Ontario, leading to their first win of the season. Sophomore Maggie Kirscher posted a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds to seal the 16-point win for the Bulldogs. Kellogg 47, Sandpoint 29 Sophomore Maggie Kirscher led SHS with 15 points, and senior Christina Johnson put up 10. Sandpoint played strong until the fourth quarter, which decided the game. n Note: Results from other games were not available at press time.
Pendleton Tourney Sandpoint 54, Clarkston 71 Although the Bulldogs jumped out to a huge lead early on, they were unable to finish the second half as strongly. The half-court trap Clarkston enacted slowed down the pace of the game and held the Bulldogs to limited scoring later on. Sandpoint 60, Ontario 50 Senior Stefan Buratto went 15-29 from the field scoring 35 points in the Bulldogs’ first win of the season. The boys also dominated the boards with a 44-22 rebounding mark. Sandpoint 63, Kellogg 53 Senior Stefan Burrato had five three pointers and a game total of 26 points to lead the Bulldogs past the Wildcats on Dec. 14. Juniors Blaine Shultz and Cole Fuhrman both had eight points, contributing to Sandpoint’s win.
Several Sandpoint football players were honored recently for the Bulldogs’ successful season, which ended in a loss in the 4A State Championship game. Senior running back Ben Fisher was awarded with the 4A AllIEL Offensive MVP award after rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. “Ben was the heart and soul of our offense,” Sandpoint head coach Mike Mitchell said. “He’s a true competitor and he loves to be the go-to-guy when the game’s on the line.” Fisher wasn’t the only one recognized for the Bulldogs’ potent offense. Also receiving IEL honors were Daniel Charvoz (QB, Sr.), Cody Hecker (RB, Sr.), Mike Hubbard (WR, Sr.), A.J. Smith (TE, Sr.), Jacob Palaniuk (OL, Sr.) and Jacob Cramer (OL, Sr.). Junior Eric Nikssarian was awarded the IEL’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year after becoming a key component to the Bulldogs’ tough defensive secondary. In addition to Nikssarian, a handful more of the Bulldogs were honored for their performances. Shane Kidd (DL, Sr.), D.J. McIntire (DL, Sr.), Luther Morgan (LB, Jr.), Ray Lee (LB, Jr.), Sean Hogan
(DB, Sr.) and Anthony Gold (DB, So.) all received IEL accolades. Coach Mike Mitchell was also awarded with the 4A IEL’s Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to an 9-3 record and the state championship game. The Spokesman-Review also recognized many Sandpoint players on the All-North Idaho offensive and defensive teams. On the offensive team were Fisher, Hecker, Hubbard, Smith, Cramer and Palanuik. Honored for their defensive efforts were McIntire, Morgan and Hogan. Mitchell was also awarded Coach of the Year out of the All-North Idaho teams. The All-North Idaho boys’ soccer teams were also announced, which included Daniel Anderson(MF, Sr.), Adam Crossingham (MF, Sr.), Tanner Williams (MF, Jr.), Anders Nostdahl (MF, Sr.) and Erik Wehse (G, Fr.). Coach Randy Thoreson was also awarded Co-Coach of the Year. The girls’ selections honored were Alicia Mertz (D, Sr.), Elli Kiselica (D, Sr.), Jessie Dexter (D, Sr.) and Meghan Pagano (F, Fr.). Sandpoint had two players make the All-North Idaho volleyball team after their successful season. Piper Wahlin (OH, Sr.) and Koko James (S, Sr.) led the talented senior class this year.
Bulldog Bench Supporting SHS athletics
Good job Bulldogs!