SS Winter 2014-2015 by Spotlight Sports Magazine

Winter 2014-2015 VOLUME 6 NO. 1

Royce Freeman

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contents

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS WINTER 2014-2015 VOL.6 NO.1

Winter Edition

8 JULIANN FAUCETTE: University of Texas and Westview High Faucette Works Toward Olympic Dream * 10 ROYCE FREEMAN: University of Oregon and Imperial High Freeman Rushes to Oregon History; First Freshman to Surpass 1,000 Yards *

Spotlight Sports Magazine

13 DECHAUN HOLIDAY: Mission Hills High Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Holiday Season *

Opportunities Available

16 KENDYL STEWART: University of Southern Calfiornia and La Costa Canyon Dream of Rio Insight for Stewart *

Send an Email With Your Contact Info to: jschwab@spotlightsportsmag.com

* Athlete Features Written by Brad Hollingsworth

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

Departments

5 The Heart of a Champion by Donnie Dee: Why Sports? The Lessons You Will Learn About Life

7 Ask the Jock Doc; From the experts at the UC San Diego Health System - Sports Medicine

Cover photo credit: Get Sport Media

>> FEATURE The Heart of a Champion

Why Sports?

The Lessons You Will Learn About Life By Donnie Dee

1. Good things happen to those who work hard – Tim Tebow once said, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Playing sports is a lot of hard work. If you are an athlete who wants to be your best, then you will work even harder. You will never really know just how good you can be and what you can accomplish without practicing, lifting, running and working on your game. Be the hardest working kid on your team, and you will enjoy the results. 2. Adversity doesn’t make or break

you; it reveals you – No matter what sport you play, there are lots of ups and downs throughout the season. It’s how you respond to those unexpected events that reveals your character and allows you to learn the most. Are you struggling with playing time, losing games, injuries, lack of team chemistry, or a coach who yells more than coaches? How will you respond to the obstacles and adversity in your way? Don’t give up and watch how God uses these difficult experiences to prepare you for the rest of your life. 3. Together everyone accomplishes more – In team sports, you have to play together to beat the best. I have witnessed many times five athletes playing together and beating a team with five better athletes. This a powerful lesson learned in sports. As we share common goals, make sacrifices and serve each other, then we can accomplish the impossible. The San Antonio Spurs won the 2014 NBA Championship. I don’t believe they were the most talented team. The Miami Heat had the best player in the world and several future Hall of Famers. The Spurs reminded us of what a team can accomplish when they play together and for each other. Ephesians 5:16 instructs us to “make the most of every opportunity.” Think about why you play your sport. There are those opportunities you can see today, and then there are those which will influence the future because of what you have learned through being an athlete. Make the most of the opportunity to be an athlete and enjoy the lessons you will learn about life.

WINTER 2014-2015

As long as I can remember, sports has been a big part of my life. My dad played professionally and won a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics. I remember wearing his jerseys, holding the gold medal and looking through scrapbooks. At first, I played sports to be like my dad and follow in his footsteps. Then I realized for myself the incredible adrenaline rush that occurs with competing and winning. Once I got to college, I played because I was receiving an education. After college, playing in the NFL was my job, and then I was compensated for playing football. Looking back, what an incredible blessing to be an athlete and play at different levels for various reasons. Sport has not defined me, but it has without question shaped my life. Maybe the great benefit of sports is less about championships, scholarships or playing professionally. Maybe sports is about what we LEARN and how we develop as a person because we competed in a sport. Here are three principles that athletes learn while playing that will serve them long after they stop competing.

Donnie Dee has been with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 20 years and now serves as FCA’s Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Home Office in Kansas City, Mo. As a Kansas City native, Dee played football and basketball for Oak Park High School and was a four-year letterman in football at the University of Tulsa. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and played in the NFL for two years. Today, Dee directs the daily ministry of FCA’s Home Office, which serves more than 400 local and regional offices that annually impact more than two million people across the country.

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I was at soccer practice the other day and jumped to get a header when a teammate ran into me. My head really hurt. I tried to shake it off but felt a little nauseous and decided to call it quits for the day. There’s a lot of buzz these days about concussions. Should I be concerned?

just so you can keep playing. Delaying proper care can result in prolonged symptoms or even second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome is when an athlete goes back to play too soon, experiences another concussion and has severe symptoms or even brain damage. It’s best to see medical professionals trained in evaluating and treating concussions (ie. Sports Physicians, Certified Athletic Trainers). At UC San Diego Sports Medicine there is a Sports Concussion Clinic specifically geared toward the evaluation and care of sports concussions. Specialists provide a comprehensive evaluation that helps rule out deficits in your brain function like • orientation • concentration • memory • balance • ocular function (vision) • vestibular function (inner ear) • cognition “If needed,” says Dr. Shahtaji, “we have a pipeline to specialists in neurology, psychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and vestibular therapy.” The UCSD Sports Concussion Clinic also provides baseline testing at the start of the season for teams or individual athletes at their practice location. Understanding what’s “normal” for a given athlete can help to evaluate his/her responses after a blow to the head. Typically, an athlete needs both mental and physical rest until symptoms have completely resolved. For example, limit screen time (video games, computers, cell phones, tv), academic load and physical

activity. Many people think that rest is the only solution for a concussion recovery. However, recent research has shown that a physician-guided active recovery program may be more effective. Get checked out, and you’ll be back playing with confidence. Prevention is always a top priority in sports medicine. “Current concussion prevention efforts are mostly directed towards teaching athletes proper techniques and body awareness,” says Kevin Messey, ATC. “In football we emphasize proper tackling technique which has proven to reduce the incidence of concussion in football. Neck strengthening is a focus in soccer, although it’s still being studied.” Research needs to be done to identify those who may be at a higher risk for concussions. Some innovations have come to market with good intentions such as external helmet pads and sensors, but fail to definitively reduce concussions. For sports concussion care or athletic injuries call 844.DRSPORT (844.377.7678). Visit us at: sportsmedicine@ucsd.edu.

“Ask the Jock Doc” is brought to you by the sports medicine experts at UC San Diego Health System – Sports Medicine: the official sports medicine providers of the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Sockers, and the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. Let us help you get back on track. Call 858.657.8200. For answers to your sports injury or performance questions email jockdoc@spotlightsportsmag. com.

WINTER 2014-2015

JD: There’s a lot of discussion about concussions right now, and for good reason. You’ve probably noticed that much of the talk is related to football, but all athletes (basketball/soccer players, skateboarders, skiers, etc.) are vulnerable. Identifying and treating a concussion properly can make the difference in a speedy return to activity and long term brain health. “Concussions can occur from a direct blow to the head but it’s also common to get a concussion from a collision where your body stops or changes direction suddenly,” says Alan Shahtaji, DO, sports medicine physician with the UC San Diego Health System Sports Concussion Clinic. “This type of collision can cause a whiplash effect that can injure the brain. The brain is suspended in cerebral spinal fluid within the skull and, when the head moves abruptly in a different direction, the brain slams against the inside of the skull causing injury to the brain tissue.” Concussions can be a serious injury or life-threatening if not properly cared for initially. It can be confusing to know if you have a concussion. There are many symptoms including, but not limited to: • headache • dizziness • nausea • aren’t feeling normal • aren’t acting normal A common misconception is that you have to have a loss of consciousness or memory loss to have a concussion. This is false! Kevin Messey, athletic trainer with UCSD Sports Medicine, says “More often we see concussions where the athlete didn’t black out or experience memory loss. We treat all concussions with the same amount of caution and the goal of complete resolution prior to returning to contact sports.” If you think you have a concussion don’t try to “wait it out” or hide your symptoms

>> SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

Faucette Works Toward Olympic Dream

Photos courtesy of Univeristy of Texas Athletics

College: University of Texas Major: Corporate Communications Grade: Graduated in 2011 Sport: Women’s Volleyball High School: Westview High By Brad Hollingsworth

ULIANN FAUCETTE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the United States, but to succeed as a professional volleyball player she has two choices - the sand or a passport. And while Faucette has yet to make the transition to the beach circuit, she has decided that being a world traveler is the best way to reach her Olympic dream. The former CIF player of the year at Westview High in 2006 currently plays for RC Cannes in France after two different stops in Italy, and it is both glamorous and difficult at the same time. “The best part of living abroad is that you get to experience a new culture and see different parts of the world,” Faucette said. “Traveling is such a necessity in order to develop communication skills and to understand different types of people. “The worst part is that you are away from everyone you know and love for more than half the year. Living in Cannes has been great so far though. It is really beautiful and the organization I am with is amazing.” With no professional indoor league in the states, players with Faucette’s credentials must seek employment overseas. The 25-year-old was a firstteam All-America at the University of Texas and led the Longhorns to the Final Four three times. As a high school player, Faucette was ranked second in her recruiting class and one of the best junior players, helping the Epic Volleyball Club to a third-place finish at the Junior Nationals during

her senior year. “Once I committed to Texas, I was so relieved and excited to continue playing volleyball at one of the best universities in the world,” Faucette said. “I would not change anything about my college career. There were some really tough times, but I would never have become as strong as I am today without those experiences.” Even with such prodigious resume, Faucette knows when she trains with the USA women’s national team that it doesn’t matter how many trophies you have on your mantle. “The transition is pretty challenging. Although, I played with the USA team for a small portion of my college career, you are never really ready for how fast the game gets at that level,” Faucette said. “When I started my professional career, I had a tough time adjusting to the speed and defensive part of the game. The only way to be successful in the professional league is if you change and get better. So that’s what I did.” Even with those struggles, Faucette has enjoyed her time with team USA. She has toured with the team and is hoping for a larger role as the team prepares for 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janero, Brazil. Under coach Karch Kiraly, the greatest male player of all time, the women’s national team is considered a favorite to medal at the Games.

“To be able to train with the best players in the nation every single day in the summer is a blessing,” Faucette said. “It’s a tough environment, and all you can do is learn and get better. Karch and his staff have made a huge difference in the way we think, train, and communicate with each other. “That is huge and I truly believe that we can be successful because of this mentality. We are a family united and that’s going to be tough to beat.”

WINTER 2014-2015

Juliann Faucette

>> SPOTLIGHT

Royce Freeman

Freeman

College: University of Oregon Major: Biology Grade: Freshman Sport: Football High School: Imperial

First Fre

By Brad Hollingsworth

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

ITH ALL THE NATIONAL EXPOSURE of playing for the University of Oregon and its day-glow chameleon-like uniforms, football-crazed fans, ear-splitting Autzen Stadium and never-ending pushup performing Duck mascot, running back Royce Freeman yearns for something with less glitz and noise. His couch at his home in Imperial, Calfornia. “We have a good-sized home theater and I like to sit on my couch and watch TV for countless hours,” Freeman explained. “It’s definitely a change of weather and scenery up here, but I have gotten used to it. Still, when I go home I will just curl up in front of that TV.” It may be well after New Year’s Day when Freeman gets an opportunity to get back to the California desert as Oregon drives its way to the first-ever College Football Playoffs. While quarterback Marcus Mariota has been the face of the program for the past three years, it is Freeman who is the legs that drives one of the most electrifying offenses in the collegiate game. Freeman is used to being at the center of the running game. Last year, he concluded his career at Imperial High as the CIF-San Diego Section’s all-time leading rusher (7,601 yards) and was the medium schools state player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports and the San Diego County offensive player of the year. As a prep player, Freeman averaged 11.8 yards per carry and finished with 111 touchdowns during his four-year career, so the expectations were high for the 6-foot, 229-pound back, whose running style is similar to another San Diego product Ricky Williams, (Patrick Henry) the former University of Texas Heisman Trophy winner who spent 11 years in the NFL. “I didn’t come in with any expectations and I just wanted to come up here to grow

as a player and person,” Freeman said. “I didn’t feel any pressure because I don’t pay much attention to what is said about me or our team. I just try to do my best.” And his best has been more than enough for the Ducks. Freeman leads the team in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards per game, but he doesn’t worry about his numbers; his focus is much narrower. “It’s just day in and day out,” Freeman said. “The physicality and attention to detail are a lot different than in high school. “It just started slowly for me, but I have been getting more reps and it is getting easier because I am getting used to the speed of the game.” Freeman came to Oregon, trying Photos courtesy of Eric Evans

Rushes to Oregon History

eshman to Surpass 1,000 Yards

2014 SEASON

to unseat Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner and because of a position change for Marshall to slot receiver and Tyner missing time for discipline and injuries, Freeman has risen to the top spot. “He’s been ballin’ these last couple weeks,” said Marshall in a recent article in the Daily Emerald. “I can’t put my finger on the right exact word but for a true freshman he doesn’t play like a true freshman, which we really appreciate.” Such competition is a staple of the Oregon running attack, which features two or three running backs prominently every game. According to running backs coach Gary Campbell, it directly from his blueprint. “I think they both give each other a

230 1,323 5.6 16 38

push in practice and the games,” running back coach Gary Campbell said of Tyner and Freeman on ESPN.com. “They’re tight friends, but they compete with each other and one wants to do better than the other, which is fine with me. That means that they’re going to keep getting better and better, and that’s what I’ve seen in the past few weeks. “I think that the competition has helped. Competition helps any backfield. When you have one guy back there that’s doing well and you both want to get some playing time in, then you’d better be trying to do better than the other guy. And I think the fact that [Tyner has] got some competition back there now is making him and [Freeman] better.”

WINTER 2014-2015

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DeChaun Holiday Grade: Senior Sport: Football High School: Mission Hills By Brad Hollingsworth

O UNDERSTAND HOW ATHLETIC DeChaun Holiday is, all you have to do is pop in a DVD and watch the game’s first play against Oceanside in Week 6. In the highly anticipated matchup between the No. 1 Pirates and No. 2 Grizzlies, Holiday took off like he was shot out of a

cannon on a deep post pattern. Mission Hills quarterback Dakota Miller threw the ball so high and deep that an Oceanside safety seemed to be fielding a punt about 60 yards away. Then just before the Pirates’ safety, Holiday swooped in like an Eagle hunting his prey and somehow came up with the football. That one play will tell you that Holiday is a four-star recruit who has offers from every Pac-12 school as well as 30 other offers from sea-to-shining sea. “His experience as a receiver comes to the forefront as he times his jumps well, able to pluck the ball at its highest point and away from his frame,” said Derrell

Warren of SB Nation recruiting service. “His upper flexibility and body control allow him to contort his frame and adjust mid-air to position himself to make a play on the ball.” Holiday, who is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, has made it clear he would like to play cornerback at the next level, not safety, and that position choice could impact his final decision. “I prefer defense because I can do two things at once _ defend and score at the same time,” Holiday said. “I want to be getting on the field early (as a freshman) and getting the shot to improve and be ready for the next level.” Holiday will get his chance next

WINTER 2014-2015

Photo by Kimberly Deutsch, Snapps Photography

It’s the Holiday Season

>> SPOTLIGHT

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month when he is one of 90 seniors to participate Jan. 3 in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He is just the third player from North County to play in the game and the sixth in the county history to be named. “Playing in this game has been a goal since my sophomore season,” said Holiday in a recent interview. “I talked about it quite a bit with my cousin (Devin who played at Mission Hills and now at Arizona).” Still, no matter which school Holiday selects, he will have fond memories of his days on Jack Ashby Field that saw Holiday and his teammates win a county title in 2013. “My high school career was very exciting and fun,” he said. “I loved playing with my brothers on the field and being involved with all the school spirit that is involved. And I will never forget my first pick six.” For the Grizzlies to continue to stay near the top of the county rankings, Holiday has some sound advice from what he learned under the Friday Night Lights. “I learned never to give up until time runs out,” he explained. “I also learned how to learn and lead at the same time. I would tell the younger guys to continue to work hard on your craft and when given an assignment, do it well, and shine every time.”

DeChaun Holiday with Mission Hills football coach Chris Hauser during a 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ceremony on campus. Photos by Kimberly Deutsch, Snapps Photography

WINTER 2014-2015

>>SPOTLIGHT

Dream of Rio in Sight for Stewart

Kendyl Stewart College: University of Southern California Grade: Junior Major: Biological Sciences, Spanish minor Sport: Swimming High School: La Costa Canyon By Brad Hollingsworth

SPOTLIGHT SPORTS

ITH AN EYE TOWARD a career as an optometrist, Kendyl Stewart can clearly see her goals. The former CIF-San Diego swim champion at La Costa Canyon is coming off a breakout summer where a dream of competing for the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janero, Brazil is more reality than just a dream of every swimmer whoever put on a goggles and cap. Stewart made her leap to the international stage with a lifetime performance last August at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Mission Viejo. The current University of Southern California student won the 50- and 100-meter butterfly with career best times (25.99 in the 50 and 57.82 in the 100) in both events.

She followed that up with a silver medal in the 400-medley relay and a bronze medal in the 100 butterfly at the Pan Pacific championships in Australia. Such performances earned her a spot on the 2015 World Championship team which will compete in late July in Kazan, Russia. Even with the success, it is tempered because Stewart must qualify at the USA Olympic Trials, where more dreams have been dashed for swimmers who seemed to be locks to represent the Red, White and Blue. “I have gained a lot of confidence looking toward Rio,” Stewart said. “However it all depends on how I swim on the Trials, where only the top two finishers are named to the Olympic roster. I am in a good position to finish in a high spot at the Trials, but a lot can happen in two years. “The competition at the Pan Pacs and the Worlds is comparable to what it will be at the Olympics so it’s good practice racing the girls that will also be a the top in the next few years. Also, it’s a bit of a confidence boost to establish myself as a member of these teams heading into 2016 - it puts a little more reality in the whole Olympic thing.”

starts which should make me extra tough in 2016.” So, Stewart will continue her long road toward realizing her Olympic dream, which would seem like drudgery to some staring at a black line of a pool for hours at a time, but Stewart looks forward to that chance to chase her dream. “To me swimming isn’t boring, especially at USC,” she said. “The training environment here is much different than anywhere else I have been. I never know what we are doing to do the next practice and I don’t think I have ever repeated a set since I have been here at USC. But if it does get tough to stay positive in practice, it’s important for me to keep my goals in mind.” And those goals are clearly painted in Red, White, and Blue as anyone can see.

Read about Kendyl Stewart when she first was featured in Spotlight

WINTER 2014-2015

Photos courtesy of University of Southern California

However, Stewart knows there are a lot of six-days a week, four hours per day workouts ahead of her if she wants to walk into the Olympic Stadium during Opening Ceremonies in Rio. She preaches patience because after years of swimming, getting ahead of one’s self is a prescription for disaster. “Although it is my dream to represent the USA in the Olympics, I try not to focus too intensely about it,” said the 20-year-old. “As of now, my goals are simply to keep improving. I’m still young and a bit of a rookie in the sport at this level, so I’m honestly focusing on learning more about myself as an athlete and simply becoming a better swimmer.” “My goals are to become physically stronger from working in the weight room and improving my

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