SPORTS BOYS BASKETBALL
GIRLS BASKETBALL
VARSITY 12/06-12/14 vs. Gabrielino 79-39L vs. Los Altos 66-32 L vs. South East 34-38 L vs. Bassett 39-38 W vs. California 54-24 L vs. Paraclete 36-27 L vs. Arroyo 40-38 W vs. Arcadia 58-47 L JV 12/05 vs. Monrovia 52-25 L
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THE MATADOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013
VARSITY 11/29 vs. La Puente 11/30 vs. Monrovia 12/3 vs. Price
78-26 W 60-26 W 57-32 W
JV 11/25 vs. Whittier 12/13 San Gabriel Tourn.
N/A N/A
FRESHMAN 11/25 vs. Whittier 12/12 San Gabriel Tourn.
N/A N/A
GIRLS SOCCER
BOYS SOCCER VARSITY 12/03 @ Rosemead 0-4 L 12/09 @ Monrovia Tourn. 10th Place 12/11 vs. San Marino 1-2 L JV 12/03 @ Rosemead 12/11 vs. San Marino
1-4 L 4-2W
VARSITY 12/03 vs. Rosemead 12/05 @ Azusa
1-12 L 3-7L
JV 12/03 vs. Rosemead 12/05 @ Azusa
0-7 L 0-5 L
Track coach and daughter share passion for sports O s c a r M o l i na Waking up to the ringing sound of an early morning alarm, Steve Morales prepares himself for a 20-mile ride on his Specialized bike through the San Gabriel Valley. Dressed in his biking gear, he pushes down on his pedal and begins his exercise for the day. Quadriceps pumping, eyes focused on the road, Morales’ soul and body are inspired to push their limits. Neither the first nor the last in his family to participate in athletics, Morales, the head cross country and track and field coach, has had his fair share of family figures influence his sports life. Born and raised in Hamilton, New Zealand, he moved to America when he was 13 and began attending Alhambra High School, where his life commenced to revolve around running. “I think being in sports is very important because it teaches hard work, dedication and teamwork,” Morales said. “Whether you are talented or not, these principles translate into having a better lifestyle. Morales’ father, uncle, and grandfather, dominant male role models in his early development, guided him into participating in athletics. His grandfather, Elmo Morales Sr., was a military boxer, while his father, Esteban Morales Sr., ran 4:20 mile in high school and a 1:56 800 meter at Eastern Michigan University. In addition, his uncle, Elmo Morales Jr., was part of the national record holding 4x400 meter relay team at Whittier High School. His uncle was one of the first Hispanic runners to receive a full scholarship to Michigan University, where he participated in the national champion-
ship for cross country and track and field. I n learning this about his uncle, Morales began to realize that he could use sports to excel simultaneously in academics. “My family taught me to be involved in sports to keep me out of trouble and to be the best that I can be,” Morales said. During his time at Alhambra, where he was a varsity level competitor for 10th through 12th grade, Morales was awarded with being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for four years in row. After graduating, Morales went to Mount San Antonio College and then East Los Angeles College (ELAC), which he transferred out of to attend the California State University, Los Angeles. In his two years at ELAC, Morales also took the MVP title, as well as 20th place at the state community college cross country championship meet, and fifth in the 1500 meter race. “I encourage the younger generations of my family to stay active,” Morales said. “It helps if they know the history of our family.” Due to his support, Morales’ two sons and a daughter, have all been involved in some type of sport, whether it be running, or playing soccer. Despite Morales’ evident athletic accomplishments and fervent passion for running, he respects and acknowledges the fact that his children may not exhibit the same eagerness and success as him, but he explains that he do encourage them to do their best. “My father’s accomplishments do make me want to do better,” freshman Gabby Morales, his daughter who is a San Gabriel soccer player, said. “I care, but I just try to do what I can do.” Since the pinnacle of his athletic career, Morales has
Photo by Justin Toyomitsu
continued to stay active, such as by running in occasional distance races, like the Los Angeles Marathon, or with his cross country and track runners during practice. His passion continues to burn powerfully as he spreads his athletic enthusiasm to others.
Wrestlers’ weight control poses health risks While most people cheer at the sight of smaller digits on the weight scale, wrestlers may cringe at the sight. They are expected to maintain a weight on a narrow interval, determined in the beginning of the year, to continue competing. However, maintaining or increasing weight, can be just as stressful or dangerous as losing weight. There are many elements that need to be taken into careful consideration for the health of the wrestlers. Across the nation, wrestling teams may pressure their members to adjust their weights to fit into a weight class. “Sometimes, a weight class may lack members, and wrestlers may get recommended to lose or gain weight,” senior wrestler Tommy Chu said. “It’s not easy for a lot of people, but sometimes it’s what they have to do.” According to Doctor Keith Wilson on MomsTeam, young wrestlers focus too much attention on weight control and dropping weight class. The optimal weight class in which to perform is one that fits an individual’s natural weight. Intentionally diverging from that class may lead to health risks that can greatly put one’s body and health condition
under stress. Fasting and intentional dehydration may be successful in terms of losing weight, but only from muscle atrophy. It also reduces metabolism, so returning to a normal diet will cause a sharp rate of weight buildup; this phenomenon is known as the “yo-yo effect.” Once people who lose weight are content with their “progress,” they return to a normal diet and instantly regain the weight at an unprecedented rate. Artificial methods of losing weight, such as diet pills and induced heat, can not only fail to produce desired results, but also harm the body. According to WebMD, diet pills contain dangerous drugs such as caffeine that can lead to “dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.” A label proclaiming a medication is natural does not necessarily mean it is completely safe for the body. Actions such as exercising are legitimate “natural” ways to lose weight, not little pills concentrated with an assortment of chemicals and drugs. Weight loss is usually a positive action, as long as all the actions taken are safe and monitored. Around three pounds weekly should be the maximum weight an individual can lose without sacrificing health. Even so, three pounds per week is usually obtained after a combination of a commit-
ted diet and intense exercise. Any method that requires less effort, such as fasting and dehydration, lowers weight in a negative manner. The golden rule of weight maintenance is to keep a safe, stable weight suited for the individual that is possible to retain by a healthy, balanced, diet. There should be no severe or long-term diet adjustments for the sake of maintaining a specific weight. Receiving the proper balance between carbohydrates, proteins, and fat is the most significant health factor to improve performance. A proper diet may lead to weight loss without sacrificing muscle proteins.
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Illustration by Cassandra Chen
C h i rs t o p h e r L an