of the week
Bryan Snyder
powered by:
las lomas . water polo . senior
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Everyone dreams of winning a championship. Sinking the shot at the buzzer, belting the game-winning home run, etc. But for Bryan Snyder there were no game-ending heroics necessary as he led the Las Lomas boys water polo squad to the NCS Division II championship 13-8 over Alhambra on Nov. 13. He paced the Knights, leading the way with a game-high six goals. sportstars: The game was very close early on. Was there a change in strategy in the second half? Bryan snyder: Not really. We weren’t putting our shots away. We just had to get back in control of the game. sportstars: Where does this game/ accomplishment rank for you? Bryan: It’s been my goal for four years to win NCS. All the work I put in was toward this. sportstars: Your head coach, Steve Mann, and assistant coach, Larry Banfield, had their head and facial hair shaved, respectively, after the championship game. What’s the story behind that? Bryan: At the beginning of the year, they promised that they would do that if we won NCS. Coach Banfield claims he hadn’t shaved since 1974. sportstars: Do you have plans to play in college? Olympics? Bryan: I’m playing at Cal next year. After college, I’m going to try out for the senior national team. BRYAn’s QUicK hits Pregame ritual: Listen to music for an hour, start visualizing, thinking about plays I can make. If you could go anywhere in the world: Cabo San Lucas. Dream job: Coaching collegiate water polo — Erik Stordahl
honorable mention
tori bidwell The Monte Vista senior scored five goals in the NCS Division I girls water polo championship on Nov. 13. The Mustangs defeated San Ramon Valley 13-3 after only leading 3-2 at the half.
ross anderson Miramonte’s junior quarterback used his feet more than his arm as he rushed for 147 yards and a TD as the Matadors survived a scare from AnalySebastopol in the first round of the NCS Div. III playoffs on Nov. 19. Miramonte won 17-3.
Caitlin dewitt The senior outside hitter led the Foothill girls volleyball team to a NCS Division I title with 26 kills and six digs in a 25-21, 2514, 20-25, 25-22 victory over San Ramon Valley on Nov. 20. November 25, 2010
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