The Viking: Volume 7, Issue 1

October 2013 Volume VII Issue 1

“Steve possessed the most cherished of human traits: compassion, generosity and kindness. He loved sports and was an exceptional athlete. He strove to bring out the best in himself and in others while reflecting the highest ideals of sportsmanship. This equipment is a gift in honor of Steve.�

BY ALEX MURRAY pg. 32

IN A+ GIN G G p g A TH .4 M 0 E EIR

THE SILVER LINING

BR

- the Steve Aaron Silver memorial plaque in the Paly weightroom

 

 The Viking Magazine would like to thank our sponsors...

Gold

Zoom Systems Kaiser Permanente The Kinnaman Family The Bhargava Family

Silver

Valencia, Wilberding & Tompkins

Bronze

Susan & Bert Bell

LINEUP Volume VII Issue 1 October 2013

ZOOMS 4 6 8

Fight or flight Splash down Last line of defense

KICKOFF 10 12 13

Staff view 10 Questions

with Keri Gee (‘14)

Where are they now?

by PAIGE BARA

14 15

of Justin Rittman (‘14)

SHORTS 16

Indecent Exposure

24

Viking Tries: Lawn Bowling

26

by SHEILA SUBRAMIAN

photo by Paul Bienaimé

Hot or not Inside the Mind

by AMI DREZ

Grosser than you think

by MEGAN VALENCIA and JULIA SAUL

30

Davante Adams

by GILLIAN CHRYST and KATIE FOUG

COLUMNS 28

Crisis mode?

46

The last word

by CHRIS SMITH

It’s on you

by ZACH RIZK

KILLER INSTINCTS Claire Dennis (‘16) records a kill against the Los Gatos Wildcats. The Vikings went on to beat Gatos 3-2.

THE SILVER LINING

32 BRINGING THEIR A+ GAME 40

Steve Silver’s (‘78) athletic legacy inspires those who remember him to live life to the fullest.

by ALEX MURRAY

CIRCLING THE PODIUM

18 DRIVING FOR SUCCESS

Raul Arias (‘14) may seem like any other Paly athlete but competes on the national stage of track cycling.

by ROWAN McEVOY

Paly’s teachers sare their experiences competing in high intensity sports.

by ANNA DUKOVIC and IDO GAL

21

HELL WEEK

36

Michelle Xie (‘15) co-captains the newly formed girls’ golf team.

Paly athletes start their fall season facing a long week of vigorous mornings practices.

by HAYLEY POORE and MADDIE KINNAMIN

by PRISCILLA BELL and ZOE BHARGAVA

ON THE COVER photo courtesy of Madrono (‘78)

CALENDAR

45

OCTOBER 2013

ZOOM FIGHT OR FLIGHT Ethan Look (`14) narrowly avoids a submerged Gunn player’s reach for the ball. The boys’ varsity water polo team went on to lose to Gunn, 14-7. photo by Tara Lawrence

ZOOM LAST LINE OF DEFENSE Cornerback Connor Scheel (`14) picks off the San Benito quarterback in the Vikings’ end zone.

The Vikings went on to beat the Haybalers, 28-7. photo by Tara Lawrence

ZOOM SPLASH DOWN Girls’ water polo captain Emma Wolfe (`14) avoids a foul while defending a Burlingame Panther. The girls’ varsity water polo team went on to lose all four games in the St. Francis Invitational. photo by Bob Drebin

From the editors Editors-in-Chief Pippa Raffel Josh Stern

Dear readers, We’d like to start off by welcoming you to the seventh year of The Viking, Palo Alto High School’s very own sports magazine. We are excited for the upcoming year and can’t wait to bring you all of Paly’s sports news.

We have a very talented new staff and would like to praise them and our returning writers for their hard work throughout our first production cycle. Their ambition and improvement in sports journalism is greatly recognized, and we are excited to work with them throughout the rest of the school year.

In this issue we will be covering several points of interest. We examine the impressive collegiate career of Paly graduate Davante Adams (‘11), Paly’s own potential Olympic cyclist Raul Arias (‘14) and the athletic experiences and histories of various faculty members.

Furthermore, our featured cover story, “The Silver Lining,” travels back in time examining the tragic story of Steve Silver (‘78), a Paly multisport athlete held in high regard by the Palo Alto athletic community.

Managing Editors Audrey DeBruine Ami Drez Chris Smith Design Editor Julia Saul Photo Editors Paul Bienaimé Tara Lawrence Columnist Zach Rizk Multimedia Editor Paul Bienaimé Business Managers Tara Lawrence Staff Paige Bara Priscilla Bell Zoe Bhargava Gillian Chryst Tori DeStefano Anna Dukovic Katie Foug Ido Gal Clara Harrington Maddie Kinnamin Rowan McEvoy Alex Murray Niall Patrick Hayley Poore Olivia Scola Sheila Subramania Megan Valencia

We also encourage you to read our staff view that examines the controversial topic of Paly’s Hell Week.

Representative of our staff’s opinion, this short addresses where the line must be drawn in the intense practice setting and what should be expected of each athlete at the high school level.

Finally, we would like to thank our new adviser, Michael McNulty, for his efforts and contributions to our staff. With past Viking adviser Ellen Austin, moving on as Director of Journalism at the Harker School, Mr. McNulty will be only the second adviser in The Viking’s existence. His efforts do not go unnoticed and we are extremely appreciative of his commitment to this publication.

We wish you all the best of luck on the upcoming school year and look forward to providing you with another great year of The Viking.

Go Vikings!

Sincerely, Pippa and Josh

Staff Adviser R. Michael McNulty

The Viking Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301 650-329-3837 Email contact: vikingeds@gmail.com Advertising and Sponsorship Contact: vikingads@gmail.com

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Letters to the editor The Viking, a sports magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Advanced Magazine Journalism class, is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its readership. The Viking is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. The staff welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity.

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Advertising in The Viking The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with The Viking, please contact the The Viking by email at vikingeds@gmail.com Printing Services 2,000 copies of The Viking are printed, six times a year by FrickeParks Press in Fremont, Calif.

Staff view: The Paly preseason style of practice known as ‘Hell Week’ has become problematic and hectic for many Vikings, posing academic and health predicaments.

With the new school year in full swing, fall sports are upon us. As they have every year, fall sport athletes at Paly must readjust to managing their course load, homework and extracurriculars on top of practices and competitions, which all vye for large chunks of precious free time.

With practice sessions that approach three hours in length and multiple practices in one day, some athletes are left wondering: How much is too much?

California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and Central Coast Section (CCS) bylaws say surprisingly little about how athletic practices must be regulated. According to CCS bylaws, “[a]ny single practice shall be no longer than 3 hours in length” and “[t]here shall be a minimum of 2 hours between any two practice sessions in a single day.” There is no cap on the maximum number of hours a team may practice a week, nor is there a maximum number of practices a day a coach may hold.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) bylaw 17.1.6.1 sets the maximum number of hours of “countable athletically related activities” for Divison I athletics at four hours per day and 20 hours per week.

It the term “student-athlete,” student always comes first--and this is how the two should be prioritized. In order to preserve this, the staff of The Viking believes that CCS should place restrictions on the maximum number of hours a team may formally meet per week. This levels the playing field for all teams in the section and would provide a healthy guideline for how athletics should be prioritized in the grand scheme of high school.

Twice-a-day practices multiple times a week take their toll on athletes in a multitude of ways, including less time for homework, other extracurriculars and family time. For many athletes, when practices cut into their outside time, sleep is the first thing to go -- especially when their alarms are set for the wee hours of

the morning.

Though extensive practices may seem beneficial in terms of improving conditioning and skills, when they cut into other areas of an athlete’s life, the benefits gained by practicing more become outweighed by the consequences. High school is all about learning to balance the different aspects of ones life, but this balance is often thrown out of whack by lofty expectations on the part of athletic coaches The Viking recognizes that for many Paly student-athletes, their athletics are a top priority and may be a tool they utilize to get into college. The regulations set forth here are in no ways meant to hinder this. These rules do not prevent an athlete from practicing on their own or in informal settings within CCS guidelines.

They are simply meant to provide a framework for which high school athletics remain just that -- a fun extracurricular for high schoolers that does not negatively detract from a high schooler’s main focus: school. <<<

News brief: First boys’ lacrosse head coach, Craig Conover, leaves team to pursue alternate opportunities

by CLARA HARRINGTON and OLIVIA SCOLA On Monday, Sept. 23, Craig Conover, head coach for the boys’ lacrosse team, announced that he will not be returning this spring. This will be the first year that the Paly boys’ lacrosse team will not have Conover serving as head coach and would have been both Conover’s and the Paly lacrosse team’s fifth season.

Conover messaged the team via Facebook stating that he had recently accepted a position at a startup company in San Francisco and was therefore no longer able to continue the strenuous commute he had endured in past years in order to keep coaching the Palo Alto squad.

Ending his final year with a 15-6 overall record, Conover led his team to two consecutive Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL)

semi-finals, Conover had numerous successful seasons with the Vikings. Four years ago, in their first season as a team, the Vikings won SCVAL. “It will change the team dynamic, because he was pretty laid back but was still very strong in the way he coached us,” James Harrison (‘14) said. “He made us all determined to work harder while at the same time have fun.”

The boys’ lacrosse team will look for a replacement head coach to lead them during their 2013-2014 season, starting on January 31st, 2014. <<< To read more sports coverage and news, visit www.vikingsportsmag.com/

Craig Conover, 2009-13 boys’ lacrosse head coach

OCTOBER 2013

Q uestions 10 with

Keri Gee

as told to Clara Harrington

The Viking asked Paly volleyball player Keri Gee (‘14) 10 questions about herself and then compared her responses to that of her coach David Winn, teammate Becca Raffel (‘14) and boyfriend Josh Totte (‘14). Read on to discover who knows Keri best!

Keri Gee

Varsity volleyball player

Questions

David Winn Coach

Becca Raffel Teammate

Josh Totte Boyfriend

Skittles or kit-kats

Pre-game snack?

Cookies

Skittles

Skittles

The Bachelor

Favorite TV show?

She doesn’t have time

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo

New Girl

The deck

Best part about being a senior?

Mountains

Beach or mountains?

The Last Song

Guilty pleasure movie is....

Looking forward to college

The deck

The deck

Beach

Beach

Despicable Me

High School Musical 3

Despicable Me 2

JT (either one)

Drummer from Goodnight Argent

Beach

Liam Hemsworth

Dream date?

Justin Timberlake

Shots - LMFAO & Lil Jon

Favorite pump-up song?

Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey

Toga

Most excited for what Spirit Week day?

Senior citizen

Senior citizen

AP Psych or APES

Favorite class?

AP Volleyball

AP Psych

AP Psych

Getting a pancake

Best part of volleyball is...

Big games with her teammates

Making close friends

The team

Images taken from

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0%

Shots - LMFAO & Lil Jon

40%

Shots - LMFAO & Lil Jon

90’s

40%

Where are they now?

by PAIGE BARA

Kimberly Flather San Diego State > Lacrosse

Former Paly lacrosse player Kimberly Flather (‘12) is a sophomore at San Diego State University. Flather plays attack for their Division I lacrosse program. Flather finished her first season with her team this May. “We got to play teams like Stanford which was really cool because I grew up watching them play,” Flather said.

She finished the season with two goals, one against Stenson and the other against Saint Mary’s. In her Paly career, Flather was named Outstanding Attacker of the

Year by Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and was also nominated a US All-American player.

“Paly prepared me by teaching me time management,” Flather said. “I had to figure out how to schedule everything around practice and school [at San Diego State University].”

Flather is now training with her team in the offseason to prepare for the spring. <<<

Tyger Pederson Dodgers > Baseball

Tyger Pederson (’08), previous three-sport athlete at Paly, graduated from University of the Pacific this year. After playing baseball for the Tigers for four years, Pederson was picked in the 33rd round of the Los Angeles Minor League Baseball June amateur draft. Pederson is the third member in his family to be drafted by the Dodgers. “[Getting drafted is] a dream come true,” said Pederson. “A lot of hard work is paying off and it made everything worth it from when I started playing baseball

photo by Grant Shorin

when I was five. All of the hard work was meant for something so it was really rewarding.”

He is planning on playing second base for the Dodgers.

“Right now I am training in the offseason and doing baseball workouts in LA up until Spring training which is right around February-March,” Pederson said. “Then I’ll go back out to Arizona for Spring training with the Dodgers, then go from there.” <<<

photo courtesy Tyger Pederson

Maddie Kuppe

University of Connecticut > Volleyball Maddie Kuppe (’12) is currently a sophomore on the Division I volleyball team at Univers ity of Connecticut.

“Going into your freshman year playing a Division I sport, you go into imagining its going to be hard but once you get there even then you don’t really realize how much commitment it takes,” Kuppe said. “It was difficult to get used to something dominating your life.”

Kuppe’s commitment to the team has earned her a starting spot on the court.

“But at this point [volleyball is] such a part of my life that I can’t imagine being in college without it,” Kuppe said.

Kuppe is an outside hitter for the Huskies.

“I was lucky enough to get to start right when I came,” Kuppe said. “It was really exciting

to put on my jersey for the first time and then immediately get to see the court.”

Kuppe works hard to maintain her spot on the court.

“But college teams are really competitive and everyone that’s on the team earned their spot,” Kuppe said.

She totaled 131 kills, 41 digs and 22 blocks her first season at University of Connecticut.

She is now training with her team for her second season.

“I’d say our biggest game this year is when we play Louisville; it’s going to be televised which is really exciting for us,” Kuppe said. “We played them last season and it was a close game so we’re excited to get revenge.” <<< photo by Matt Ersted

OCTOBER 2013

P Culture Grid

The op W H AT D O P A LY AT H L E T E S S AY ?

Kian McHugh (‘14) Water Polo

Claire Krugler (‘16) Volleyball

Favorite fall activity?

Enjoying the fall weather

Volleyball

Fantasy football

Going to football games

Biking

Netflix

The Voice

Volleyball games

New Girl

Walking Dead

Coffee or tea?

Iced coffee

Caramel latte

Coffee

Coffee

Neither

49ers or Raiders?

Raiders

49ers

49ers

49ers

49ers

Miley Cyrus is...

Cakey

No longer my idol

Bald

Crazy

Ugly

Most excited to watch...

HOT

Andrew Frick (‘14) Football

Cole Hechtman (‘17) Cross-Country

Oakland A’s:

For the second year in a row, the A’s have won the American League West. Representing the Bay Area after the Giants failed to make it to the playoffs this year, it’s been made clear that the moneyball mavens have triumphed again.

Fantasy Football:

iOS 7 for iPhone:

Although the new operating system for iPhines has a lot of new features, it also has a lot of flaws in the design. Resembling the Droid operating system, draining any phone’s battery life and taking up almosts 3 GB of space makes iOS 7 less desirable.

Fantasy football started up on Thursday, Sept. 5, alongside the beginning of college football. Paly students are getting together their fantasy lineups and hoping for good luck with their selection.

Players to watch include Adrian Peterson and Payton Manning.

NFL “Bag Ban”:

The NFL has created a new rule banning almost every bag at all exhibition games. Their list of unapproved bags includes backpacks, binocular cases, diaper bags, purses, and camera cases. Unless you’re carrying a clear NFL plastic bag or a 1-gallon Ziploc bag, looks like you’ll have to find another way to bring your stuff into the game.

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Sarah Tayeri (‘15) Tennis

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N OT Images taken from

Inside the mind of Justin AKA Rittman “J RITT DOM”

as told to Olivia Scola

photo by Paul Bienaimé

On Twitter page

“J Ritt Dom is a lifestyle, it’s where I can refer in third person. It’s somewhere I can go and be my self and make people laugh.”

On Dom

“Dom is this Youtube guy who made some weight lifting video that we thought was pretty funny when we were sophomores. I used to do an impression of him. Everyone thought it was funny and I kind of just made an Instagram and called it J Ritt Dom and made my twitter the same thing.”

On bromance with Keller Chryst (‘14)

“We usually just go to Chipotle, and Tony Awaida (’13) gives us some extra meat because he works there, and then we just kind of sit around my house. Sometimes one or both of us falls asleep. We just sit around and do nothing.”

On nicknames

“I usually change my name on Twitter and it usually incorporates J or Ritt. Right now it’s Ritt Carol. It’s been DomKippur, J Ritt from State Farm, J Ritt four hunnid.”

On being in a relationship

“It’s pretty fun. I really like Rachel. She’s fun to hangout with, so it’s pretty cool. In a relationship be yourself, make people laugh. That’s the only way you can live your life.”

On being ‘college bound’ “I’ve been talking to Stanford, UCLA, Nevada, and USC. Hopefully if all goes well I’ll be playing at Stanford next year.”

On Earl Hansen “He’s a great guy, he’s blue collar, he’s old school. That’s what I like about him.”

OCTOBER 2013

STRUGGLES Coach Brandon Johnson observes varsity water polo players Kian McHugh (‘14), Sheila Subramanian (‘15) and Omri Newman (‘14) struggle as they deck change in order to be timely for practice.

Indecent Exposure:

Swimsuit Edition

Join Sheila as she challenges the crackdown of the highly controversial “deck changing” rules enforced by the Central Coast Section.

by SHEILA SUBRAMANIAN

L

et’s be honest. It isn’t very often that you see a water polo player, swimmer or diver not walking around in their revealing attire at practice. It’s simple: these sports have made us increasingly comfortable with fewer clothes on. Commonly known as a “deck change”, more and more aquatic athletes wrap towels and parkas around their bodies to remove or put on a swimsuit while on the pool deck. It’s a custom, a lifestyle and a swimmer thing.

Deck changing has been witnessed at all levels whether it be high school, collegiate or even at the Olympic trials. Yes, you read that right.

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Even the magnificent Ryan Lochte does it.

For all aquatic sports, especially swimming and water polo, stripping down and changing in and out of a swimsuit in front of others has been considered acceptable.

Despite the popularity of the seemingly harmless method of changing, it is against CCS (Central Coast Section) rules.

Years ago, CCS created a rule prohibiting deck changing; however, it has never really been enforced until now.

According to the CCS Swimming and Diving Rulebook, “Deck-changing will NOT be allowed at the Meet venue. This will be considered as UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

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under Rule 3., Section 5., Article 1. of the NFHS Swimming & Diving Rules. Any participant in violation of this rule will be disqualified from further competition.”

If the official rulebook only prohibits athletes from deck changing in competition settings, then why are my teammates and I prohibited from doing so at practice? I wanted to see if others shared my sentiments on the matter.

“I think [deck changing] is unnecessary and [athletes] are going to have to get used to it this year that they cannot do it and it can cost them a game. ... The players know it, the coaches know it,” athletic director Earl Hansen said.

“It’s like streaking; some people are offended by it.”

Varsity swimming, girls’ water polo and diving coach Danny Dye echoed Hansen’s opinion and reasoning against deck changing.

“I am in favor of the rule. It has been a rule for 20 years and people that want to argue about it are people that do not want to follow rules. ... It’s considered sexual harassment and it should not be done,” he said. “We as coaches should be pushing all CCS rules whether it is at games, meets or practice. It’s all about decency.”

The athletes themselves, however, hold a very different opinion on the matter than coaches.

How can deck changing be placed in the same category as streaking?

We aren’t ‘showing off ’ our naked bodies.

In fact, swimmers cover more of their bodies with a towel or parka than when in the pool in speedos/swimsuits.

Both a swimmer and a water polo player myself, I understand the benefits of deck changing and the amount of time it saves athletes.

What’s the point in rushing to and from the crowded locker rooms to the pool deck to get ready, when it is easier to just slip on a suit and dive into the pool a couple of feet away? The locker room floors become wet from the water being dragged in, which poses a threat to athletes who are at risk for slipping and getting in-

“

jured. In essence, by not deck changing, we’re more at risk of injury!

Truth is, deck changing should not be deemed a serious concern.

How many swimmers, water polo players, divers, etc. are really phased by seeing another’s changing under a towel, when they see their teammates half-naked everyday at practice?

Though it’s not what many want to hear, we aquatic athletes are all used to seeing each other in tiny speedos and tight sports bikinis. It’s the harsh reality and it doesn’t seem to bother anyone.

It’s not just female aquatic athletes that feel this way either.

“I feel frustrated because this CCS rule is enforced my senior year and as captain, I would like to be in charge and do what I believe is okay,” Newman, co-captain of the boys’ water polo team, said. “I try to enforce the rule and lead by example, but it’s definitely hard to change with the time-crunch before and after water polo and swim practice.”

In the end, sure, deck changing can at times be slightly revealing for those who are not used to seeing athletes in swimsuits. But classifying the harmless act as indecent exposure or sexual harassment takes it to a whole new level- a level that is simply over-the-top and unnecessary. <<<

PALY PULSE

We as coaches should be pushing all CCS rules whether it is at games, meets or practice.

-Danny Dye

”

photo courtesy of Bob Drebin

Who has the FASTEST shot on the varsity girls’ water polo team?

Emma Wolfe

47%

Olivia Scola

27%

Tess van Hulsen 20% Other

COVER UP Sheila Subramanian (‘15) is horrified as Omri Newman (‘14) and Kian McHugh (‘14) race to change into speedos on the deck.

6%

Percentages based on votes from the Varsity Girls’ Water Polo Team.

OCTOBER 2013

AROUND THE BEND Raul Arias (‘14) chooses to compete in track cycling over team sports offered by Paly. Arias has competed in both the Junior Nationals and the Juniors Track World Championships.

Circling the podiums At first glance, Raul Arias (‘14) may seem like any other Paly athlete, but this unsuspecting competitor competes outside of school on the national stage in a completely different element.

W

by ROWAN McEVOY ho will be Paly’s next Olympian? An obvious response for many people wondering this question would be to scour Paly’s numerous sports teams for big name athletes or to look on prestigious local club teams for Paly students. The answer, though, may lie in a far less obvious and somewhat unexpected location. The answer to this question may lie in Raul Arias (‘14).

Arias is a track cyclist. Like track runners, track cyclists race around an oval for various

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distances with certain rules that guide them.

Although the sport is less well known than many others, Arias’ success in it could take him to the Olympics.

This past summer, Arias competed at the Junior Nationals, taking first in the points race. The points race consists of around 60 laps, depending on the size of the course, and takes around 30 minutes to complete. Points are given to the top four riders every ten laps during sprint laps and are also awarded to any rider who manages to get a lap ahead of the main group of competitors. The person with the most points at the end of the race wins.

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Arias additionally placed second in the scratch race, another name for a basic race where the person who finishes first wins. Finally, Arias placed fourth in the omnium, an event that totals the point scores from six different races.

Arias’ success at Junior Nationals took him all the way across the Atlantic Ocean with the U.S. national team to the Juniors Track World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The Juniors Track World Championships, held once a year, are the amateur equivalent to the Olympics. Although Arias did not win anything in Glasgow, participation there signifies good things to come.

“Every year that he rides until he’s 25 he’s going to get significantly stronger,” Arias’ coach David McCook said. “He’s going to get a lot stronger and a lot more race experience. Overall, I think he has a really good shot at going to the Olympics.”

The surprising part about Arias’ success is that he has only been track cycling for two years. This seemingly impossible rise to the top, however, was set up by years of cycling growing up.

“He first started riding around the neighborhood,” Fabiola Arias-Lopez, Arias’ mother, said. “Then he got really into it and started doing real races.”

Although Arias started riding a bike at a young age, it took him a while to find passion.

Before he ever started track cycling, Arias rode a fixie, or a fixed gear bike. A free wheel on regular bikes allows the rider to coast without pedaling, but on fixies, the pedals are moving at all times.

In addition to riding a fixie, Arias also rode BMX, mountain biked and participated in what he called street races. The races took place throughout a few different cities and tested a participant’s riding skills as well as their problem solving.

“They would give us checkpoints like Jamba Juice in Palo Alto,” Arias said. “We’d have to go there as fast as we could and [use] whatever route we wanted to take. Somebody would be there, and they would sign a paper. Then we would go to the next one and the next one and the next one. You had to complete all of them and then go to where you started and whoever got there first won.”

For Arias, street racing only encompassed about a year. Much of his early riding consisted of riding with his friends in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was during one of these rides that Arias was told about track cycling by professional road rider Martin Acosta.

VELODROME (Below) Cyclists ride around the Hellyer Park Velodrome in San Jose while preparing for a race late in the afternoon.

Raul Arias (‘14) trains and races there during the week as part of an intense workout routine.

SPEED RACER (Above) Raul Arias (‘14) leans into a turn during a race. Arias races almost every week, either locally agaist teammates at the Hellyer Park Vellodrome or in more prestigious ones around California.

OCTOBER 2013

Arias and a couple of his friends were out riding on their fixies in the foothills and were heading home when they ran into Acosta and a few of his friends. Acosta took the whole group to a steep hill and they all raced up to the top.

Surprisingly, Arias and his friends, despite having fixies, beat Acosta and his friends’ road bikes up the hill. The extra gears should have given Acosta and his friends an advantage, but Arias and his friends beat them nonetheless. At the top of the hill, Acosta turned to Arias.

“He [said], ‘Man, you should start racing track...

On Tuesday I’ll take you to watch,’” Arias said. “I went, and I liked it” After that day, Arias’ cycling career was never the same. While watching races, he met a few guys at the track who persuaded him to join the San Jose Bicycle Club.

That was two years ago, and ever since, Arias has been training, racing and making a name for himself as a junior cyclist. Arias’ weekdays are filled with cycling. Practices and races encompass nearly every day of the week.

Besides a race on Wednesday or Friday of most weeks, Arias uses almost every other day for training purposes. Training constitutes a few different routines. Mondays are often easy rides or rest days, but Tuesdays and Thursdays are spent at the track. On the weekends, Arias goes on long rides of six or seven hours in the foothills. When races approach, motorpacing becomes a key part of training. Motorpacing consists of Arias keeping pace with a motorcycle going at race pace or slightly above for

“

spans of 10-15 minutes. This simulates racing and prepares Arias for the actual competitions.

Arias trains at the Hellyer Park Velodrome in San Jose. Velodromes, or tracks for cycling, like the Hellyer Park Velodrome, have steeply banked sides to allow the cyclists to ride at top speed without flying off the course. Cyclists ride fixed gear bikes without brakes around an oval track. Arias uses the Hellyer Park Velo-

pose. School, family and friends may sometimes put stress on Arias’ life, but cycling has always been an outlet for him to get away from his problems. “[When I’m riding], every stress and everything I’m going through just goes away,” Arias said. “I’m in my own little world up in the mountains. I just feel free.”

With many high school students trying to find ways to keep their stress levels down, Arias seems to have his locked down completely.

This love of riding translates to racing, where Arias uses his intense desire to win and love for the sport to fuel himself.

According to McCook, Arias’ greatest weakness is overall physical strength. Since Arias has been training for a mere two years, other cyclists currently have an advantage over him in this aspect.

The good thing about this weakness, though, unlike many others, is that training can solve it single handedly. Arias’ mental composure, on the other hand, is much more difficult to learn.

“He is very strong hearted,” McCook said.

“In order to push yourself as hard as you need to, you have to have that will to win, and he definitely has that.”

Arias’ will to win should keep him on track for the rest of his cycling career. Where he goes with his talents, only time will tell, but one thing is certain: With the Olympics coming up in three years, Paly’s next Olympian may be racing towards the spotlight. <<<

[When I’m riding], all the stress and everything I’m going through just goes away. I’m in my own little world up in the mountains; I just feel free.

-Raul Arias (‘14)

drome for both practicing and racing.

After practicing, Arias heads home. With long sessions of his day taken up by cycling, fitting in everything else is often difficult.

“I train for four hours, come home pretty late, eat and try to do my homework,” Arias said. “Sometimes I don’t finish it because I’m tired from training” Arias’ mom agreed that her son has a busy schedule. She noted that he often does not have time to hang out with friends. Additionally, she mentioned the changes that Arias’ cycling career make to her family’s life.

“This is something new for our family,” Arias-Lopez said. “It’s more busy when we’re going here and there to different places, but it can be exciting and fun.”

Track cycling also serves a restorative pur-

”

PACK MENTALITY Raul Arias (‘14) vies for the lead against his teammates at the Hellyer Park Velodrome. Arias’ success in track cycling has the potential to take him to the Olympics in 2016.

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w w w. v i k i n g s p o r t s m a g . c o m

Driving for

Success

Last year’s co-ed Paly golf team left Michelle Xie (‘15) wanting more. This year she has high hopes for the all-girls team.

A

by MADDIE KINNAMAN and HAYLEY POORE photos courtesy of Michelle Xie

t first glance, Michelle Xie (‘15) looks like any other Paly student.

However, she has a special talent: Xie is one of the best golfers at Paly. She is currently ranked 126 out of the over 2000 girls ranked on the Junior Golf Scoreboard. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Xie is the first avid golfer in her family, and she is attaining more and more success with each match she plays. Xie is co-captain of the newly established girls’ golf team, whose inaugural season started this fall.

Xie has been playing golf for close to half of her 15 years. She began playing golf when her mom decided to sign her up for a summer golf camp at

MID-SWING Xie takes her first shot of the hole off the tee. She participates in both local and cross country tournaments on her own as well as playing on the Palo Alto High School golf team. the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course when she was eight years old. Xie learned that she enjoyed playing golf after taking the camp and decided she wanted to continue to play. After starting her golf career at Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, Xie still practices and competes there every week for the Vikings.

“Well, originally, my mom kind of just put me in a summer camp, but after that it was mostly me wanting to play,” Xie said.

Following her experience at camp, Xie started to pick up the game more and more and began practicing at the Palo Alto Hills Golf Course, where she still practices, and plays on the summer team.

Xie’s passion for her sport shines through when she talks about golf. She enjoys the mental aspect involved in playing the game along with the game’s competitiveness.

“You don’t have to be the stereotypical ath-

lete. You don’t have to be very physical or anything. It’s a lot of a mental game,” Xie said.

Xie has received much praise from both her coach and her teammates, not only for her dedication to her outstanding golf career so far, but also for how well she handles herself both on and off the golf course.

“She’s motivating because she tries her best,”

“

little more outspoken and she’s a great leader because she’s such a great player”.

Xie is extremely dedicated to playing golf, practicing five to six times a week. She admits, however, that school can interfere with her practice schedule. She competes in golfing tournaments located mostly on the West Coast, but has started traveling to tournaments cross country recently.

Last year Xie traveled across the country to compete in tournaments in both Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Xie’s dedication to golf often takes away from her practice time with the Paly golf team because of a scholarship agreement she has with the Palo Alto Hills Golf Course that requires her to practice at their course. Despite this, she still makes the effort to go the extra mile as a leader for the girls’ team when she attends Paly practices.

One of the largest obstacles for Xie to over-

You don’t have to be the stereotypical athlete. You don’t have to be very physical or anything. It’s a lot of a mental game.

-Michelle Xie (‘15)

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”

co-captain Annie Chen (‘14) said. “She’s always at the top of her game.”

Girls’ golf coach Doyle Knight echos Chen’s praise, adding that Xie helps to inspire the rest of the girls’ golf team to do the best that they can.

“When she was a freshman she was very quiet,” Knight said. “Now I see that she is a

w w w. v i k i n g s p o r t s m a g . c o m

come during her time as a golfer has been her battle to return from surgery last year that forced her to take a four-month leave from her competitive golfing career.

“I had surgery on my knee last September and I had to stop golf for four months and that put me behind my competition a lot,” Xie said.

“Coming back into the season I really wanted to do well and put myself back up there.”

With the goal of returning to her pre-surgery status as a competitive golfer, Xie rehabilitated her knee and made a strong comeback during Paly’s co-ed golf season last year. Even so, she returned from surgery to face yet another obstacle she had to overcome. During last year’s season Paly only entered the boys’ Central Coast Section (CCS) championship, not allowing Xie to compete individually in the tournament. Despite this disappointment, Xie admits

playing against the boys throught the season had its perks, as she was able to challenge herself to work her way back into the game following her recovery from her knee surgery.

“It was good for me playing on the boys’ team,” Xie said. “Coming back from my surgery I had somewhere to go, I had somewhere to just start again. Starting at small matches and working up, that really helped me.”

Xie has come a long way as a golfer since she first played at a camp when she was eight years old, and now has aspirations of continuing on and playing golf at a Division I school. As the first season of girl’s golf progresses, Xie plans on continuing the success she has had thus far and doing even better during the fall season.

She has set high goals not only for herself but for the team as a whole. While Xie hopes to continue her golf career post high school, and

has already started to look at different possible universities, she is focusing on the immediate future for now. With the season of girls’ golf well underway, Xie has high hopes for the allgirls’ team. <<<

ON THE GREEN (Upper left) Xie sets down the ball before taking a shot.

TEAM PHOTO (Top right) The 2013 co-ed Paly golf team at Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course.

SWINGING (Bottom left) Xie takes a swing out on the golf course.

LOOKING (Bottom right) Xie looks ahead to where she wants to place her shot.

OCTOBER 2013

tries

Lawn Bowling

Learn more about The Viking’s day spent at the Gamble Gardens Lawn Bowling Green and their bowling session instructed by coach John Hikson.

by AMI DREZ

C

photos by Paul Bienaimé

onstantly passing by the sign that reads “Free lawn bowling lessons,” down Churchill Avenue on the corner of Churchill and Waverley, The Viking decided to look into the sport and club that the Palo Alto community had little to no knowledge of. They decided to try it out and share their experience in The Viking Tries for the Paly community. The Viking contacted John Hickson, professional lawn bowler and president of the Lawn Bowls Club, for some insight and lessons on the historic sport.

Upon arriving, just a few block away from Paly, we rolled up to the club. Located next to Gamble Gardens, the location was quaint and peaceful with a few men playing a nice game of lawn bowling. Inside, next to the bowling green, was a club house with all the equipment and a lounging area. Knowing little to nothing about the sport, we had no clue what to expect.

Luckily, Hickerson was able to give us background and insight on the sport. For those who have no knowledge of lawn bowling, it’s not bowling or anything remotely similar. It’s a bowl, varying in sizes, depending on the size of your hands. After selecting a set (four bowls), we learned the rules and objective of the game. The gist of the game is to get your bowls as close as possible to the jack (a smaller bowl rolled by the winning team). The technique is to swing your arm in a swift smooth motion while taking a lunging step forward (picture above). However, one side of the disks is heavier and will gradually turn the way of the heavier side. This causes you to make precise placement on your toss towards the Jack.

Ami, Chris, and Paul each got a chance to try bowling. After mastering down the technique,

24 | T H E V I K I N G |

TICK-TOCK Ami Drez threw her first bowl with guidance from prefssional lawn Bolwer John Hickson. Hickson reccomends to swing in a tick-tcok motion while taking a lunge.

they (including Hickson) tried a more competitive round, following one another after every attempt. In a close tie between the professional lawn bowler and amateur Drez, Drez was closest to the Jack and won the point!

Overall, The Viking felt lawn bowling was a relaxing way to spend a nice afternoon, and is a sport that can easily be picked up with a few of our tips be-

w w w. v i k i n g s p o r t s m a g . c o m

“

low. If you’re ever in need for some good wood, stop by the club on Sunday’s for free lessons to enjoy some relaxing, therapeutic lawn bowling among some wise men, where you will gain insight on the sport and perhaps, on life. <<<

... a relaxing, therapeutic sport that can easily be picked up

”

TIPS:

• Swing arm in a “tick- tock” motion back and forth • Be consistent in the motion • You want just enough power behind your swing. Not too hard, not too soft • Aim for a spot that is skewed to the left or right to give enough margin for the heavier disk turning • Take a lunge in a swift motion forward • With every throw keep in mind what you could have done the last time to get as close to the Jack as possible • Don’t forget to make sure the heavier side is on the inner palm of your hand • And most importantly have fun!

BOWLING GARDEN Located on the

corner of Churchill and Waverley, the bowling green is set in a beautiful loaction next to Gamble Gardens.

BOWLING RINK The bowling lawn is perfect on nice sunny day with grass freshly cut to perfection, making for the ultimate lawn bowling experience.

CLUB HOUSE Inside is an air condtioned lounge where you can sip a cold glass of lemonade and relax after a nice game of bowling.

PRO-BOWLER John Hickson, professional lawn bowler and preisdent of the Palo Alto Lawn Bowls club give The Viking a lesson on the well-defined sport.

OCTOBER 2013

GROSSER

than you think

by MEGAN VALENCIA and JULIA SAUL

Due to the recent outbreaks of Staphylococcus aureus (staph) infection in California high school athletic facilities, The Viking decided to conduct a test determining how clean the Paly athletic facilities really are. After swabbing the weight room benchpress barbell, wrestling mats and boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; locker room doorknob, the collected bacteria was placed in petri dishes and left in an incubator for 12 days to culture. Shown on the next page are the petri dishes photographed at five, eight and 12 days.

Benchpress barbell

26 | THE VIKING | www.vikingsportsmag.com

Locker room doorknob

Wrestling mat

Benchpress barbell Day 5

Day 8

Locker room doorknob Day 5

Wrestling mat

Stay Clean

Day 5

Day 12

Day 8

Day 12

Day 8

Day 12

Although Paly athletic facilities are cleaned daily, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to the athletes to help keep the equipment clean and the school infection-free. Here are some tips: 1) Wipe down the athletic equipment after use 2) Wash hands regularly 3) Always cover open wounds OCTOBER 2013

Crisis Mode?

Code Red and Gold

D

by CHRIS SMITH

espite a near victory in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Bowl, the 49ers have not had a promising start to the ongoing NFL season. As the season continues, the niners are looking more like Mark Sanchez and the 2012-13 New York Jets.

Once Colin Kaepernick seized the starting quarterback job from Alex Smith midway

28 | T H E V I K I N G |

through the season, he instantly turned the once-conservative 49ers offense into one of the most explosive and high-powered units in the NFL. With a more experienced Kaepernick at the helm of the offense, complemented by a defense patrolled by Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman and Justin Smith and company, the Niners looked to be unstoppable coming into the 2013-14 season.

The 49ers had set almost unreachable expec-

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tations after last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing performance; anything less than a 3-0 start to the season would have been a failure. Although they arguably had the most talented roster in the NFL, the Niners disappointed their fans and came out flat against the Seattle Seahawks on the road and the Indianapolis Colts at home.

The 49ers have lost their last two games by a combined score of 56-10. Fault lies in both the offense and the defense, and this is the first

time the Niners have been below .500 under coach Jim Harbaugh.

To make matters worse, defensive end Aldon Smith, who recorded 19.5 sacks last season, was recently arrested for his second DUI in two years along with illegal possession of illegal substance and sent to rehab for an indefinite amount of time. The 49ers general manager Jed York cleared out Smith locker after the Indianapolis Colts game and Smith was ordered to leave the facility.

Harbaugh’s decision to play Smith despite his arrest just two days before the game was widely questioned. If I was Harbaugh, I would have benched Smith to send a strong message to the team. By allowing him to play, it sends the wrong message that even if team and federal laws are broken, no penalty will be enforced.

If less impact players like kicker Phil Dawson or backup running back Anthony Dixon were involved, Harbaugh would have probably handled the situation differently.

Today’s sports era is all about winning and of course Harbaugh is going to start Smith because he is one of the best pass rushers in the league. For this reason alone I understand why some fans don’t condemn Harbaugh for the move but it overall conveys a bad characteristic of the team and its fans.

There are also other off-the-field issues for the Niners that have caused distractions for the

RUN IT Running back Frank Gore celebrates his first TD of the year. has always been the heart and soul of the team, and despite the 49ers’ offensive struggles in past years, the defense has been able to carry the team. However, due to the loss of Aldon Smith, and All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis

Kaepernick has thrown for a combined 277 yards, 0 TDs, 4 INTs and has fumbled twice.

One major problem that the 49ers are having is their inability to protect Kaepernick. He has faced constant pressure, which has led to inaccurate and ill-advised throws. Secondly, the 49ers’ rushing attack, something they rely on heavily, has been much slower this year. The Niners have averaged only 101.3 rushing yards per game (20th in the NFL), which is down from 165.5 ypg (tied for best in the NFL) last season. As more teams are focusing on stopping the run, more pressure has been placed on the right arm of Colin Kaepernick.

Despite a horrific 1-2 start, the 49ers’ season is not over. Do not panic, Niner Faithful. Niner football is still at an all time high. The season is not over. The read option that was so highly utilized last year is still effective even though more defenses are adapting to the new style of play in the NFL. In order for this style of play to be effective, offensive coordinator Greg Roman must establish the read option early while also mixing in an air raid passing game.

This NFL offseason has been one of the most hectic ever. Shockingly, the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs have both started out 3-0 while the Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings have started out 0-3. Any team can beat anyone and there are no clear-cut favorites to represent each re-

HOME FIELD The San Francisco 49ers franchise contend for its sixth Super Bowl title in its final season at Candlestick Park; the Niners will be moving to Santa Clara for the 2014-2015 season. team. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks hit a teammate on the head with a beer bottle in a June incident. Kaepernick’s favorite target Michael Crabtree suffered a potential season ending Achilles injury during preseason workouts.

The Niners cannot afford such incidents this season if they want any chance at their sixth Super Bowl championship in franchise history.

For the first time under Jim Harbaugh, the defense looks vulnerable. The niner defense

with a groin injury, this hiccup in the usually impenetrable Jim Harbaugh defense may be harder to overcome than one may think. Along with these losses, the largest problem the 49ers have on defense is that they are on the field for too long, as their offensive is unable to sustain any drives.

The offense has been absolutely abysmal. After lighting up the Green Bay Packers to the tune of 412 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions,

spected conference in the Super Bowl.

The 49ers still have one of the most talented and complete rosters in the NFL, and have enough weapons surrounding Kaepernick to solve the puzzle on offense.

If Coach Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman can jumpstart the offense, it will take enough pressure off the defense to transform this mess of a team back into a Super Bowl contender. <<<

OCTOBER 2013

DAVANTE ADAMS the Pride and the Passion

photo courtesy of Davante Adams

FLEX Davante Adams (11’) is quickly rising to the top as he has become one of the nation’s best receivers.

The lights are brighter. The stakes, higher. All eyes are on him.

P

by GILLIAN CHRYST and KATIE FOUG

alo Alto High School graduate Davante Adams (‘11) is no stranger to success. Adams, one of the top college receivers in the country, has had his share of hardships. This year Adams looks to prove just how talented he really is.

Adams started playing football his junior year in high school. Now a junior at Fresno State, he is currently on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given each year in college football to the top receiver. Adams is among several great players competing for this award.

Past recipients of the Biletnikoff Award often

30 | T H E V I K I N G |

become high draft picks in the NFL. As a sophomore in high school, Adams watched the football team practice every day craving to play the game. Sidelined because of a serious arm injury he had sustained in Pop Warner, the threat of an amputation lingered over his dreams of the football field he was born to play on.

Davante, now 6’2’’ and 216 pounds with a 4.46 second 40-meter time, was a two-sport high school sensation.

“He played basketball freshman and sophomore year,” former Paly head basketball coach Peter Diepenbrock said. “Somewhere in there

w w w. v i k i n g s p o r t s m a g . c o m

he just took off ... he was a great varsity basketball player. He was the star of the team.”

Adams averaged 15 points and eight rebounds a game and was heavily recruited. Despite his success in basketball, it was football that he would choose to pursue.

Head football coach Earl Hansen recognized Adams’ potential, but had no idea how good he would be. After all, it was his first year ever playing in a high school football game. In Adams’ initial football season he had a total of 29 receptions for 484 yards and 7 touchdowns.

“I knew he was an extremely talented athlete right away, it was pretty obvious. He just kept

getting better and better,” Hansen said.

Adams had a superb junior year, but as a senior his statistics doubled, with 64 receptions for 1,094 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“He was really part of the big picture,” Hansen said. “He was part of the whole team that was special. They had a ton of impact. He was just one of them. He was a matchup terror as far as the other team. They didn’t know what to do with him and Maurice Williams (‘11) and then TJ Braff (‘11) and Michael Cullen (‘11) then the two running backs. We were a nightmare to play against.”

Adams’ performance in the Central Coast Section (CCS) division game against Archbishop Mitty was a turning point in the Vikings’ road to the state title.

“It was pouring rain. If he didn’t catch it the game was over and we were out of it, but he made the catch,” Paly teacher and football announcer Mike McNulty said. “It’s one of those things that you always hear about but you don’t think you are ever going to see.”

The score was 10-6 Mitty, with 36 seconds left in the game, it was fourth and goal 21 yards out, the quarterback, Christoph Bono (11’), dropped back in the pouring rain and found Adams in the endzone for a miracle catch to win the game 13-10.

“It was the biggest catch of my life. Bono threw a great a pass. The officials were making sure I had two feet inbounds. I had three. We’re a team of destiny.” Adams told the Palo Alto Daily Newspaper immediately following the game. Adams’ legendary catch is still echoed throughout the Paly football community today. Bono still credits Davante for making that season so special.

“I definitely have to thank him for most of that season and for making that catch,” Bono said.

The “catch” may have been the greatest mark he left on Paly football history; however, his attitude was something that defined him every day.

“He never ever showed attitude,” Hansen said. “ He had to really buckle down senior year second semester. He had to get an extra class to be eligible to have a scholarship to Fresno State and he did it. He was still lifting weights, he did it all. When it came to crunch time he was able to do it.”

Adams’ hard work both in the classroom and on the field have paid off.

“He will probably go the farthest from all the players that have come through Paly,” Hansen said.

It would be fair to say that Hansen’s predictions have been more than accurate. Adams is regarded by experts as the number eight re-

“

ceiver in the 2015 NFL draft class should he decide to declare at the end of his junior year.

“He is on everyone’s draft list already,” Hansen said.

Adams redshirted his freshman year, but one year later he was named Mountain West

he had 12 receptions for 110 yards. His one touchdown catch marked the 11th consecutive game where he has scored, nearing the NCAA record of 18.

Adams was named to the 2013 preseason Mountain West all conference team, 3rd and 4th preseason A l l - A m e r i c an team, and College Football Performance Awards [CFPA] wide receiver trophy watch list.

Adams’ athleticism paired with a competitive attitude are what have brought him so much success in so little time.

“He is a very proud individual. He does not like to fail,” McNulty said. “That is one of the main reasons why he was so successful here and a huge reason why he is doing so well in Fresno.” <<<

He will probably go the farthest from all the players that have come through Paly.

- coach Earl Hansen Freshman of the year after he led the conference in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He received a honorable mention from Sports Illustrated to the red shirt freshman watch list.

This year Adams already has 4 touchdowns and 289 yards in only the first three games; his hard work has caught some major attention, helping him receive numerous awards.

In his most recent game against Boise State

”

photo by Allie Kershner

“THE CATCH” Adams catches the hail mary pass agaisnt Archbishop Mitty to win the CCS quaterfinals 13-10, and they went on the win state.

OCTOBER 2013

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w w w. v i k i n g s p o r t s m a g . c o m

The Silver Lining Steve Silver’s (‘78) athletic legacy inspires those who remember him to live life to the fullest.

by ALEX MURRAY photos courtsey of Paul Guillixson and Robert French

ON THE LINE Silver playing against Gunn.

The Viking would win the City Championship by beating Gunn and Cubberly.

L

ooking around the walls of the weight room, anyone would find things they would expect in a gym: posters detailing the perfect technique for doing shoulder presses, the names of some recent and notso-recent students who have benched about 300 pounds, even mirrors for spotting the flaw in your bicep curl. But a certain plaque has a bigger story behind it. A story that has meaning and purpose.

A story that remembers things that have since long passed by, a story that one would not know unless they stopped and read the plaque. Underneath the buildup of dust, they can make out the words: Captain Steve Silver.

Paul Gullixson (‘78) probably knew Silver (‘78) better than most.

“We grew up in Crescent Park together, we went to Crescent Park Elementary,” Gullixson said. “I knew Steve, probably since kindergarten.”

Going to the same schools since you were five

OCTOBER 2013

allows you to learn how people change over time: how their friends change, how they change, how their interests change. But for Steve, it was always about sports.

Before iPads or PS3s were the go-to source of entertainment, kids filled their days with fierce competition in sport. Silver, Gullixson and the rest of their friends in their neighborhood were no exception.

“What I remember the most is that we would ride around Saturday and knock on friends’ doors to go to play a baseball or basketball game and Steve was always eager to come out,” Gullixson said. “We spent a lot of time outdoors.”

Silver’s love of sports first came to fruition in

He was still an avid athlete, and had become a biathlete. Naturally, what brought together all of his friends was their love of sports. He sent out mail to all of his Crescent Park friends, inviting them to play a game of touch football.

They would play during the holiday season, when they came back to Palo Alto to visit their family. Year after year he sent out mail, and year after year his friends came.

They continued to play the annual game until 1991, when the unthinkable happened. Silver was flying to Tahoe, attempting to teach yet another student how to fly. Little did he know this would be his last flight ever. Silver and his co-pilot crashed.

“It was devastating for everybody involved,”

“

“

up and found themselves at Paly. They were older, but their love of sports remained. They still enjoyed the thrill of sliding into second in a plume of dust, dribbling on concrete courts until their hands were black with dirt and tossing last-second game-winning touchdowns to each other.

Silver played varsity football in 1978. He was still in the thick of action, and, according to Gullixson, he was someone you would not want to play against.

“He was not the biggest linemen, but he was very competitive,” Gullixson said. “He was the nicest guy in the world, but when you got him on the field, he was a tough competitor.”

After 1978, the Crescent Park men went

He was always willing to take on new adventures. Steve never wanted to be afraid to try something new.

- Paul Gullixson (‘78)

1971, when he, Gullixson and the other boys from the Crescent Park neighborhood won the Pacific Coast League Little League Championship. It would be something that had a lasting impact on all of the boys on the team, especially Silver.

“Steve was always a terrific athlete...Steve played third base mostly as I remember, which was his personality,” Gullixson said. “When playing sports, he always wanted to be in the thick of things.”

Eventually, the Crescent Park boys grew

their separate ways. Many headed off to college, Silver, however, would join the Air Force. “ I was very proud of him when I heard he became a pilot,” Gullixson said. “He was always willing to take on new adventures. Steve never wanted to be afraid to try something new. That’s something I admired about him.”

As the years wore on, the men all wanted to meet up. They wanted to share the good memories that they had with each other and catch up. By then, Silver was out of the military and had become a flight instructor.

Paly football coach Earl Hansen said.

Silver’s family and friends wanted something to remember him by. His entire life had revolved around sports and living life to the fullest, so it was fitting when those who knew Steve donated gym equipment to Paly. Gullixson believed it was the right thing to do.

“My senior year, he was always in the weight room,“ Gullixson said. “He did everything he could to improve his strength.”

Silver’s friends still play the annual football game, but it is now named the Silver Bowl. It

LITTLE LEAGUE Silver (2nd row, far left) and Guillixson (1st row, far right) THE JORDAN DOLPHIN Silver at on their championship-winning Pacific Coast League (PCL) team. Jordan Middle School in 1974.

34 | T H E V I K I N G |

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is an appropriate name, reminding the players of who inspired them to play back when they were ten.

“I always remember he was ready to play something,” Gullixson said. “We used to play sunny or rainy, it didn’t matter. He was always ready to play.”

The gym equipment is still there, though those who use it do not know where it came

from. Charlie Stephenson (‘16) and Zach Kirk (‘16) both use the equipment, but when asked if they knew who Steve Silver was, they both replied: “No”.

Maybe it’s fitting, in today’s world where professional athlete’s demand multi-million dollar contracts and are expected to appear at red-carpet events, Silver’s pure love for sport is a refreshing reminder of why we play sports:

because it is what we love. And that’s important, because he still inspires his friends and family today, who carry a piece of Silver with them.

“He was never in a bad mood and he always had a smile,” Gullixson said. “I never had anything bad to say about Steve. I wish that I could grow old with him.” <<<

BACK IN THE DAY Silver’s senior year- WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Silver (#60 shown in the third row) on the book picture at Paly in 1978. 1978 varsity football team that captured the City Championship.

VIKING FOREVER The plaque dedicated to Steve Silver that hangs in the Paly weight room memorializes his athletic and strong spirit. Captain Silver’s friends and family donated the gym equipment that resides in the gym. Pictured on the plaque is a photograph portraying Silver in a biathlon, something he had picked up after his athletic campaign as a Viking.

OCTOBER 2013

ONE HELLOF A WEEK

An infamous week full of conditioning and morning practice whips fall athletes into shape before they can take on the season.

by PRISCILLA BELL and ZOE BHARGAVA photos by Zoe Bhargava

A

s fall sports at Paly begin their seasons, players grumble about setting early alarms on the weekend, having to be at school twice in one day and running countless laps around the track. This is hell week - the return to school sports from an easy summer. It works to get players into shape so they can take on the new season without facing the possibility of tiring out.

Hell week is unique to the fall sports of football, volleyball and water polo, and typically takes place a week or two before the start of school. Practices, which are often long or early in the morning, focus on strength and conditioning in order to get athletes ready for the long seasons ahead of them.

Previously, these practices fell in the week leading up to the first day of school, allowing multiple, rigorous practices in one day to be less early in the morning and more manageable. However, this year, hell week was forced to be during school due to the fall sport start date of August 16 set by the Central Coast Section (CCS). Though the CCS date has never before served as a problem for fall sports, the early shift in Paly’s schedule last year became an issue with this year’s regulated start date.

Because of this, school and sports started at the same time for fall sport athletes. For coaches, this meant that their pre-season schedules had to be shortened.

“This year was quite unique because we did not get to start before the school year started,” girl’s water polo coach Danny Dye said. “I did not do a traditional hell week.”

In years past, all three sports have had intense hell week practices, but with Paly’s new schedule and legal practice starting the day after school did, only water polo continued to run something similar to a “regular” hell week. “[Hell week is] a pretty big tradition here at Paly,” varsity water polo player Tess van Hulsen (‘15) said.

The water polo schedule has always been long and demanding of players’ time, even this year with the schedule change.

“Our first practice was 6:00 a.m. on Friday and then again at 3:45 p.m. that day,” varsity water polo captain Omri Newman (‘14) said.

“And we had a Saturday practice 9:00-12:00, and then the whole next school week Monday through Friday we had a morning practice from 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. And then had [two hour practices] every afternoon that week.”

In comparison to water polo, volleyball and football had less intense hell weeks than usual due to the early start of school. Both volleyball and football had only one double day on the Saturday after the first day of school - a much less time intensive training than that of the water polo teams. Their preseason day was focused solely on fitness.

SUNRISE SWIM The girls’ water polo team swims at their regular season morning practice. They had 5:30 a.m. practices during hell week.

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OCTOBER 2013

JUST KEEP SWIMMING The water polo teams spend the majority of their hell week conditioning in the pool swimming a multitude of laps. Unlike the rest of the season, the focus is not on ballwork or skills.

“In hell week we do a lot of conditioning, so we go on the track and usually run 400s, 200s, 100s, and it’s just all conditioning, really,” varsity wide receiver Eli Givens (‘16) said.

Volleyball had a similar experience.

“It’s a lot of running, and a lot of pretty much just nonstop around the track and core and bleachers,” varsity volleyball player Claire Krugler (‘16) said.

During their hell week, water polo also tries to build up their stamina by spending the majority of their week focussing on purely swimming without working on skills or ballwork.

“During hell week, the first couple days are just swimming; you don’t even see or touch a ball,” Newman said. “It’s all just much harder. The legwork we do is way more intense; it’s way harder. You’re trying to build muscle; you’re trying to get [back] in shape.”

Getting into shape is what all the sports focused on in their hell week, no matter how long. A high fitness level leads to a beneficial season coming right off of summer. Later is when coaches can work on skills and the game.

“You’re trying to get a strong cardio built, so you’re doing more cardio wise, and you’re hitting them kind of hard so they get a base built about two weeks in, then you can go from that base from there on out,” Dye said.

Throughout the years, water polo’s hell week has long been recognized as a very rigorous set of practices, and now even more so that players were balancing school work and two prac-

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tices a day, because of the clash between the CCS start date and school start date. Despite coaches having to recognize that school was starting as well as hell week, practices were still long and intense.

“It really impacted how much sleep I got, when I had to go to bed, when I did my homework and all of that,” varsity girls’ water polo player Izzy Kelley (‘17) said. “So, it was [a hard adjustment].”

The balance between getting in the necessary practices and giving the student-athletes enough rest to manage their work was a situation that the coaches faced for the first time during hell week.

The volleyball team still managed to get in conditioning without a whole week of doubledays, and is already starting their season off strong.

“When we had [hell week] for a week, it was all the activities spread out,” varsity volleyball player Jade Schoenberger (‘15) said. “[This year] was just everything on one day. I think either way you have to be ready [for the work].”

While preseason hell week practices often serve as the first mental test of the season, they are also a very difficult physical test. It shows what the fall sport athletes are capable of and what they can achieve in their upcoming season. Only a week long hell week shows the teams are still ready for the season.

“Teams are teams because they want to work hard and they want to succeed,” Dye said. “I think this is a good group of girls. I think they want to succeed, I think they want to play hard. I don’t think it’s going to be a deterrent at all.”

By building up stamina and cardio in the time they have, coaches can then focus on getting players’ skills up. Players recognize the beneficial part of hell week, despite the extensive time and effort needed to put into it. They know that it will help for the season in the long run.

“I think [hell week] is a necessary part of a fall sport,” Newman said. “It may suck during it because it is very painful, but it is the only way to get in shape after a very long summer.” <<<

It’s all just much harder. The legwork we do is way more intense ... You’re trying to build muscle; you’re trying to get [back] in shape.

- Omri Newman (‘14)

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“You hope that you can do the right amount,” Dye said. “You have to balance it out between how are the kids’ aches and pains, and how is their mental stability, how is their class work load, are they ready to be fried. And so you do the best you can.”

With the shortened schedule teams look optimistic towards their seasons despite irregular preseason training.

“I think our team will be fine,” Givens said.

“I think we’re going to be pretty good this year, so I don’t think that [having less practices] will affect us.”

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by ANNA DUKOVIC and IDO GAL

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S

itting in a small wooden desk in a Paly classroom listening to a teacher, one would normally focus on the words coming out of the teacher’s mouth. A student might focus so much energy on doing well in a class that they take little time to think about who their teachers really are, and who they were. Looking up at a teacher, a student may find it hard to picture their teacher as a teenager, harder yet to imagine that teacher as an accomplished athlete. However, Paly is full of teachers who one did and still do participate in competitions.

From a BMX racer to a ballroom dancer, it seems that Paly teachers have done it all. But one important question remains: “Who are Paly’s teacher-athletes?”

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Craig Bark

t a young age, Paly English teacher Craig Bark participated in a sport that not many kids play. Bark was involved in bicycle motocross (BMX), or racing 20 inch BMX bikes around a dirt track.

“I started when I was 11 years old,” Bark said. “I had ridden on bikes my entire life and I had a friend who started racing. I went with him, realized I was good and kept going.”

A big part of racing back in 1983 was getting sponsorships from various bike shops or franchises to support travel to global events and to build up a name for oneself.

“I started racing with no sponsors, then a bike shop wanted to give me parts and discounts if I wore their jerseys,” Bark said. “I was eventually sponsored by big factory teams, such as GT and Torker, once I got really good.”

Bark competed in almost every state in the country, as well as in Holland, Germany and Australia. Bark credits his parents’ support as a key to his success in BMX. “My dad would work extra jobs just to get me money so I could travel,” Bark said. “The

“

GAME DAY Craig Bark (number 11) races alongside Mike Miranda in 1982. Bark raced bicycle motocross for four years, traveling across the country and internationally for competitions. company did pay for a lot but I did need spending money for food and things of that sort. They did it as long as I kept a B average.”

Bark was able to excel and stand out in the

to travel for competitions.

“When I was on GT we had to go to bike shops. We had to make appearances over the summer tour. We had to be in a certain city on a certain day. I had a schedule...I had to sign autographs, practice, race, and go back to the hotel.”

I n 1983, Bark traveled to Australia at the age of 13 and became the world champion for his age group. Two years after this, Bark decided to quit motocrossing.

“I stopped because I didn’t love what I did and I didn’t want to ride my bike every day,” Bark said. “After becoming an English major I realized I wanted to be an English teacher and I wanted to work for the best school possible.

That is why I came to Paly.”

Bark credits motocrossing with teaching him many valuable life skills, including how to handle finances and negotiate with companies.

“It made me confident,” Bark said. “It taught me that I am responsible for myself and how people see me and if I wanted to do something I could do it. All I needed was to work hard and be honest with myself.”

[Bicycle motocross] taught me that I am responsible for myself and how people see me; If I wanted to do something, I could do it.

All I needed was to work hard and to be honest with myself.

-Craig Bark

IN THEIR ELEMENT Craig Bark (top left), Michelle Steingart (top right), Melissa Laptalo (bottom left) and Shirley Tokheim (bottom right) are among many Paly teachers with competitive athletic pasts.

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amateur racing world mainly because of one important race in Morgan Hill.

“There is this one weekend in my life where I became famous,” Bark said. “I was racing for Robinson [an original BMX company]. I was doing well. Then I started doing really well.

I started winning national events, which is where people from all over the country come and race.”

Bark’s improvement in his racing sparked the attention of GT, who approached his father, informing him that if Bark performed well in Morgan Hill, he could have a spot on the team. Bark did just that, which took his career to the next level.The more successful Bark became, the more opportunities he had

OCTOBER 2013

Even though Bark does not race anymore, he still keeps up with the sport.

“I go to the BMX hall of fame every year,” Bark said. “I’m not in it but most of my friends are, I didn’t race long enough.”

His experience in racing also helps him connect with his students. Bark is understanding of the commitments that students make for athletics.

“The amazing athletes here remind me of my high school experience.... their sports are important to them,” Bark said. “As a teacher I really respect those athletes and try to give them leeway to enjoy their sports, and push them academically as well.”

“

ingart said. “I wish I could take that day back because my shoulder has never been the same.”

She had to rest the shoulder, missing a criti-

“I had shin splints and stress fractures my freshman year,” Steingart said. “Then I had mono. I took some time off and I came back, but it was never the same.”

Despite being injured, Steingart did what she could to stay in shape.

“I found different ways of exercising,” Steingart said. “It was about running in the pool or doing laps, or doing intervals on a bike.”

As she transitioned out of college, the length of her workouts transformed.

“After college it is hard to sprint for fun,” Steingart said. “I started running longer distances and I tried to run about three to four times a week.”

Steingart continues to run long distances now, but her job and her kids don’t allow her to run as often as she would like.

“Before kids I did some half marathons and some 10K’s, but since having kids I don’t really have time to start training longer,” Steingart said. “When I have more time again I do want to compete in a half marathon again. I have some goals there as far as times and pushing myself to get better.”

The reason she runs and the reason she hopes to run more in the future is because of the feeling running brings her.

“I enjoy exercise because it makes my body feel really good,” Steingart said. “I like sweating and I like that feeling you get after working out.”

I enjoy exercise because it makes my body feel really good. I like sweating and I like that feeling you get after working out.

- Michelle Steingart

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Michelle Steingart

iology and chemistry teacher at Paly, Michelle Steingart was a college runner for Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Steingart began her running career at Saint Francis High School.

“I first started track in high school,” Steingart said. “I ran hurdles and short sprints up to 400 meters starting my sophomore year.”

Steingart was a competitive athlete in California, placing fifth in the 400 meter dash in the state her junior year of high school. Her senior year, she made it to the state championship; however, she did not perform as well due to an injury she sustained earlier that season.

“The shoulder dislocation—I still remember the date—it was my senior year, April 17,” Ste-

cal meet against Los Altos during that season.

Stephanie Downey, one of Steingart’s main competitors from Los Altos, was upset when she found out Steingart would not be running in the meet.

“She’s my nemesis, so I was a little bummed,” Downey said in a beat, Downey and Los Altos down St. Francis by Andy Nystrom.

As it turned out, Downey had many more opportunities to run alongside Steingart at Brown University. Steingart, recognized for her academic achievements, received a $2,000 college scholarship award that only went out to 10 student-athletes in the state that year. Additional praise came from her high school coach, Roberta Chisam.

“Michelle is the type of athlete you wish everybody was,” Chisam said in the article. “She’s dedicated, a leader and cares about her teammates on and off the field.”

Although Steingart entered college healthy, she struggled with injuries over her next few years.

”

THE LEAPING LANCER Michelle Steingart (left) clears a hurdle in a race while competing on the St. Francis High School team. Steingart continued her track career at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

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Shirley Tokheim hen most Paly athletes want to get in shape, they run for a couple miles - nothing too long, just enough to get in a good workout. They head out, meander their way around their neighborhood for a bit and then return home.

Taking an entirely different approach towards running, Shirley Tokheim, an English teacher at Paly, chose to compete as an ultramarathon runner. Ultramarathons are races that are longer than marathons. She first began running in graduate school nine years ago.

“I met someone who ran 100 milers and suddenly it felt like a fun thing to aspire to,” Tokheim said. “I was running twenty minutes a day, a couple miles a day. He said slow down and you can go a lot farther.”

Competing in a 30K at first, she then went on to run a marathon. Increasing the distance in her races, she then ran a 50K, followed by a few 50 milers, and a 100K. She also attempted a 100 mile race; however, painful blisters caused her to stop 30 miles short of the end.

Blisters were not the only problems Tokheim faced when running.

“When I ran the 100K it was really hot,” Tokheim said. “It was 90 degrees and it was up and down hills. I had trained really well, but sometimes your stomach doesn’t always work. You have to manage your body, make sure you don’t get dehydrated. You have to make sure you take enough salt in and make sure you eat enough.”

To prevent problems from occurring, lots of preparation was put in for each race.

“When I was training for the 50 milers I would do back to back runs, so I would run 22 miles one day and the next day when I was still tired, 20 miles,” Tokheim said.

For the 100K and 100 mile run, the entire day was spent running.

“The races are super long,” Tokheim said.

“You get up and start at five or six in the morning, you eat along the way, you talk to people and it is this whole deal. It is not this fast race where you are running really fast and you get tired. It is an endurance race.”

Instead of worrying about her times and her placement compared to other runners,

Charles Taylor Charles Taylor, senior guidance counselor at Paly, was a two-sport athlete during his time at Vanderbilt University Taylor participated both in football and track and field for the Commodores as a widereceiver and 100 and 200 meter sprinter. He also competed for the team as a long jumper.

Taylor attests that life in college as a two sport athlete can be challenging especially when juggling academics. His experience, in fact, led to his future as a school counselor.

“I was fortunate that I had a great counselor to work through sport and school work,” Taylor said. “He was dedicated just to helping athletes. He helped us put together study schedTokheim mainly focused on crossing the finish line.

“It’s all about pacing yourself and going aid station to aid station, which are typically seven to 10 miles apart,” Tokheim said. “You break it up into little chunks in order to finish the long thing. It’s like writing a paper. You break it up into little parts and then its something that you can do. As opposed to sitting down and writing a paper.”

Even though Tokheim does not have enough

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ules and how to max out credits.”

Regardless of the athletic versus academic challenges, playing football and running track still resulted in a positive outcome for Taylor.

“Traveling was awesome,” Taylor said. “You get to see a lot of places and stadiums and we you get to meet a lot of new people. Also the level of the level of competition was awesome.”

Taylor’s athletic experiences and past contribute to his development as a professional.

“It taught me how to be disciplined and balanced,” Taylor said. “Pushing yourself mentally can help you with anything.”

Logo taken from

able to work,” Tokheim said. “I would need lots of time to train. Maybe the next race I’ll run will be 50K and that will be long enough.”

Tokheim benefited from running and all the training she put herself through.

“It showed me that if I stuck with something long enough, I could accomplish something big,” Tokheim said.

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Melissa Laptalo

any people can remember being placed into dance classes as small children. They often decide to move onto other sports and activities, but Melissa Laptalo, Palo Alto High School English teacher, stuck with it since she was a little girl and now competes regularly as a ballroom dancer.

“I started when I was three years old,” Laptalo said. “I grew up doing jazz dancing. My first lesson in ballroom dancing was when I was in college. I took this class where the instructor was a competitive ballroom dancer, and asked me to be his partner, and I got swept up really quickly into this world and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Laptalo and her husband compete locally in the Bay Area four to five times a year. A competition usually spans an entire weekend, where eight or nine pairs dance every round and are ranked. To prepare, Laptalo and her husband practice four different routines three days a week.

“Minor changes can make a major difference,” Laptalo said. “At practice, we do a lot of work on what things are supposed to look like, we drill it a bunch of times because the way

You break [ultramarathons] up into little chunks in order to finish the long thing. It’s like writing a paper.

You break it up into little parts and then it’s something that you can do.

- Shirley Tokheim

”

time now to train for races with work, she still manages to run once a week.

“I don’t run as much now,” Tokheim said.

“My runs are much shorter, but I always run on trails, so it’s always beautiful. It’s nice to feel like you can set a goal, work towards it, and then accomplish it.”

Tokheim sees herself running races in the future, but is unsure of the distance she wants to compete in.

“I would like to say that it is on my list to finish a 100 mile, but the reality is that the amount of time it takes to train, I wouldn’t be

OCTOBER 2013

you look in dance matters a lot.”

In dancing, both partners must perform well in order to succeed. For Laptalo, dancing with her husband has its pros and cons.

“You have a lifelong partner,” Laptalo said.

“Dance partnerships break up often because people have different schedules, different levels of commitment and different things going on in their life. Also, there’s no jealousy.

If you’re dancing with someone else that plays a factor. It can be a little upsetting watching your spouse touch somebody else.”

Laptalo acknowledges the challenges to dancing with a spouse.

“Sometimes you get too comfortable,” Laptalo said. “We get distracted a little too easily.

If you have a problem at home, it’s hard not to bring it up on the dance floor.”

“

Laptalo emphasizes that she and her husband complement each other by bringing different strengths to the dance floor.

only so many hours at the end of the day. Often times, a struggle is having all my grading done and having my dance lessons.”

In terms of her dance future, Laptalo is open-minded. “When we choose to start a family, we won’t dance competitively,” Laptalo said.

“We might just do show dances, where you’re not competing against anyone.”

Regardless of Laptalo’s future with dance, it will always be a big part of her life.

“Dance is kind of like therapy,” Laptalo said.

“It’s expression; it’s pushing myself in a way that I’m not sure I can achieve. it helps me understand who I am. I picture us as old people dancing together, it’s always going to be a part of my life, whether it’s competing or just dancing around the house.” <<<

teachers EDITION

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By the numbers:

I picture us as old people dancing together, it’s always going to be a part of my life, whether it’s competing or just dancing around the house.

- Melissa Laptalo “I can pick up choreography faster,” Laptalo said. “I’m more into the showmanship, things on the surface level. My husband is very good at the technical side of dancing; he has more knowledge. He helps me with the smaller details.”

Together, they balance time between their jobs, practice, and competitions.

“The main challenge is time,” Laptalo said.

“We practice one to two hours and there are

3 2 90 5 1983 $2,000 Number of sports Charles Taylor participated on at Vanderbilt University

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Degrees Shirley Tokheim had to compete in during her first 100K race

Age that Melissa Laptalo began her dancing career

Ranking of Michelle Steingart in the state of California

Year Craig Bark traveled to Australia, capturing the World Championship in BMX racing for his age group.

Amount Michelle Steingart received in academic scholarship money

PALO ALTO ATHLETICS

CALENDAR MONDAY

Football Volleyball Girls’ Tennis B. Waterpolo G. Waterpolo Girls’ Golf X-Country

6

OCTOBER

sunday

7 Tournament @ Poppy Ridge vs Milpitas @ Paly 3:30

TUESDAY

1

vs Monta Vista vs Lynbrook @ Paly 3:30 vs/@ Monta Vista 3:30 vs/@ Lynbrook 6:45

8

vs/ @ Monta Vista 6:45 vs Los Altos @ Paly 3:30 vs Los Altos @ Paly 6:45

WEDNESDAY 2

vs Los Gatos @ Paly 3:30

vs Saratoga vs/@ Mountain View 6:45 vs/@ Monta Vista 3:30

9

10

vs. Saratoga @ Paly 3:30

13

20

27

3

14

21

28

4

15

vs. Wilcox vs Gunn @ Paly 6:45 vs/@ Los Altos 3:30 vs/@ Saratoga 6:45 vs Lynbrook @ Paly 3:30 SCVAL @ Sunnyvale Baylands 3:00

16

22

23

SCVALS vs St. Ignatius @ Paly 5:30 vs/@ Lynbrook 3:30 vs/@ Mt. View 3:30 vs/@ Saratoga 6:45 City Championships @ Gunn 3:00

vs. Hillsdale @ Paly 3:30

29

vs/@ Gunn 6:45 League Championships SCVAL Championship 1:00 (Nov 4-9)

vs Lynbrook @ Los Altos 6:45 vs/@ Gunn 6:45 vs Gunn @ Paly 4:45

17

vs. Homestead @ Homestead 6:45 vs. Gunn @ Paly 3:30 vs. Los Gatos @ Paly 6:45 vs. Los Gatos @ Paly 4:45

24

vs. Mountain View 6:45 vs. Monta Vista @ Paly 3:30 vs. Lynbrook @ Paly 4:45 vs. Monta Vista @ Paly 6:45

31

CCS Finals vs/@ Monta Vista 6:45 vs/@ Saratoga 3:30 City Championship @ Crystal Springs 3:00

5

THURSDAY

3

vs Gunn

vs. Los Altos @ Paly 6:45 vs. @ Mountain View 3:30 vs/@ Los Altos 6:45 vs/@ Los Altos 4:45

6 SCVAL Semis & Finals 1:00

Watch Palo Alto’s exceptional athletic teams take on SCVAL and out-ofleague teams as they compete for various CCS titles.

7 vs. @ Los Gatos 6:45 Stanford vs. Oregon 6pm

FRIDAY

saturday 5

4 vs. @ Fremont 7:30

11

Stanford vs Washington 7:30 Artichoke Invitational

12

vs Wilcox @ Paly 7:30

18

19

@ Saratoga 7:30 Monterey Bay Invitational @ Salinas 3:00

Stanford vs.

UCLA

25

26 Varsity SpikeFest @ Milpitas Lincoln Invite

vs. Milpitas 7:30 Lincoln Invite

1

NOVEMBER

2

@ Mountain View 7:30

8

Spikefest 2 Tournament @ Independence

9

vs. Los Gatos @ Paly 7:30

Images taken from

OCTOBER 2013

Columns: The Last Word

It’s on you

In the end it all comes down to you and your own decisions, and there will be no one to blame but yourself

by Zach Rizk

MY BAD My inability to invest an adequate amount of time towards my English studies proved consequential.

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s the football season kicked off, so did several headlines around the NFL community. None have hit more at home than the news of San Francisco 49ers’ Aldon Smith’s substance abuse issues.

On Sept. 20, the praised “Smith Brother” was arrested for possession of marijuana, unspecified pills and driving under the influence, registering a blood alcohol content of .15. A devastating loss to an already unstable 49ers team, Smith has not only hurt himself, but disrupted his team’s dynamic.

Despite playing a part in San Francisco’s 27-7 loss to Indianapolis, the Niners franchise announced Aldon Smith’s indefinite suspension regarding the season. According to Smith, it appears he’ll be in control of his own suspension until he can clean himself up as he enters rehab Putting a part his irresponsible behavior, I credit Smith for confronting his issue, “It’s something that I will get fixed,

46 |THE VIKING| www.vikingsportsmag.com

and that I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that this never happens again,” Smith said to the the press.

Adding to his disappointment, this is the second time Smith has been charged with a DUI. With this news, The 49ers’ already disappointing start to the 2013-2014 season will be further diminished, but the San Francisco loyal should know that there is plenty of promise in store for their beloved defensive end.

Taking responsibility and admitting that he does indeed have an issue that requires fixing is the first step to Smith’s road of redemption.

Having the ability to confront his issues, apologize and take full responsibility for such behavior in front of the press is no feat to be undermined. In a world that seems to be riddled with egotistical cowards, Smith’s apologies are a testament to his true and commendable character.

Yes, Aldon Smith’s actions are nothing but disheartening. I’ve always admired Smith’s ability to come off the edge striking fear into opposing quarterbacks. In only two years

of being a Niner he’s made major contributions to the bruising Niners’ defense. I for one will miss him, I mean the 37 sacks he’s racked up since 2011 is unreal, isn’t it? It’s unfortunate to see that Smith has yet to correct these character issues. As unfortunate as it is to see that Aldon has to go so far as rehab, I believe there’s enough promise in store for #99 and for the Niner faithful as a whole.

By leaving the team Smith has set himself on the right path to bettering himself.

I’d rather we an NFL player follow Smith’s example rather than see another Von Miller who, after being charged for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, was later found guilty of corrupting his drug collector.

It’s pretty pathetic to see that Miller couldn’t face his mistake and acknowledge that he’s got an issue at hand that needs correcting. As a result he’ll have to face even larger consequences. Aldon’s situation seems better, right?

So Paly community, my message to you is this. We’re all humans. We’re all going to screw up at one point or another. Some of us, more often than others. But it isn’t the number of mistakes that speaks to who you are.

Or even the the magnitude of our errors.

Instead, what will determine what our character is about, is how we address our issues.

There are two types of people in this world folks: Those humble enough to address and correct their mistakes and those who cower behind excuses. Don’t “pull a Von Miller” and find yourself in a deeper hole.

Whether you failed that test, didn’t pass that class or didn’t receive the starting spot on your squad, all your failures can be traced to your own past decisions. Excuses will only keep you further from correcting your issues and taking the step to bettering yourself. Being able to humble yourself and to accept critique pays dividends in the long run to improving yourself. The next step resides in your actions and attempts to change.

As the great Gandhi once said, “Manliness consists not in bluff, bravado or loneliness. It consists in daring to do the right thing and facing consequences whether it is in matters social, political or other. It consists in deeds not words.”

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PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL 50 EMBARCADERO ROAD PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94301

Sports Medicine Specialists Frank Chen, M.D. Colin Eakin, M.D. Sally Harris, M.D., MPH Warren King, M.D. Amol Saxena, DPM Kirsten Conrad, MSN, N.P. Sean Cutright, P.A.-C Melissa Fought, R.N., N.P. Laurel Greenfield, P.A.-C Beth Ogelvie, P.A.-C

If you are the parent of a young athlete, you may be concerned about the demands of their training, and you worry about the potential for injury or permanent damage.

For over forty years, Palo Alto High School has trusted the sports medicine experts at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including current team physician Dr. Colin Eakin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to help its student athletes stay in the game.

The Palo Alto Medical Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Medicine Department is nationally recognized for its non-surgical and surgical approaches to adolescent sports injuries. They are committed to helping young athletes prevent future injuries, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the first to tell you when there is a better alternative to surgery.

Learn more about how your student athlete can stay in the game at pamf.org/sports.

Palo Alto Center Clark Building 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto 650-853-2943