Viking Volume 3 Issue 1 - All it Takes

142 Holly Court Mountain View, CA 94043 bus (650) 776-4755 - fax (650) 988-6748 email: NorthernLightsDLL@yahoo.com License # 910595

“Serving Palo Alto since 1923” 142 Holly Court - Mountain View, CA 94303 phone: 408.230.8183 - email: peggy@gardenanew. com www.gardenanew.com

“It’s Not Fitness. It’s Life.”

440 Portage Ave Palo Alto, CA 94306-2212 (650) 319-1700

900 High St. (650) 323-3176

Volume 3 Issue #1 October 2009

Staff List Editors-in-Chief Christine Chang Emily Fowler Cassie Prioleau

Business Managers Sophie Biffar Chase Cooper Wade Hauser

Section Editors Hanna Brody Lauren Hammerson Hana Kajimura

Staff Mary Albertolle George Brown Michael Cullen Brandon Dukovic Will Glazier Alex Kershner Cooper Levitan Sam Maliska Grace Marshall Talia Moyal Dustin Nizamian Mariah Philips Mark Raftrey Marco Scola Allison Shorin Spencer Sims Jack Smale Alistair Thompson

Photo Editor Malaika Drebin Design Editors Varun Kohli In Depth Features Editor Kylie Sloan Copy Editors Sam Greene Erin Kiekhaefer Statistician Sana Bakshi

Adviser Ellen Austin

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

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 e-mail at vikingeds @gmail.com or call 650-329-3837 for more information.

Printing Services The Viking is printed six times a year by Fricke-Parks Press in Fremont, Calif.

KICKOFF 6 | STAFF VIEw The Viking comments on the increasing intensity of high school athletics and how it plays a role in injuries and injury prevention.

7 | NEwS BrIEFS 8| ZOOM 10| HOT/NOT METEr AND By THE NuMBErS 12| ZOOM 14| TEN QuESTIONS wITH TrINA OHMS 15| INSIDE THE MIND OF NICOLE VArVErIS

photo credits (clockwise from top left): spencer sims, sam maliska, Brandon dukovic, hana kajimura, malaika dreBin, hanna Brody, kajimura, kajimura cover By hana kajimura

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The Li October

FEATurED SPOrTS rTS

24 | MEDIEVAL SPOrTS Journey back to medieval times to hear about medieval sports at a local Renaissance Fair.

Volume III, I

by Michael Cullen and Dustin Nizamian

28 | FALL wrAP-uPS PS

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PrOFILES 16 | SHA-BAM Shameem Jamil expresses her mindset as she becomes a more developed water polo player.

by Mary Albertolle

20 | LuCKy #13 Christoph Bono talks about whether he will decide to follow in his dad’s footsteps or choose a different path in life.

by Alex Kershner

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LAST wOrD 56 | ZOOM

FEATurES

58 | A BrIEF HISTOry Sam Maliska compares the Paly football team’s past and present success.

32 | GO BArE Or GO HOME The Viking takes a deeper look into why people now choose to run barefoot.

by Sam Maliska

61 | CALENDAr 62 | THE LAST wOrD Sam Greene reflects on what sports means in his life.

by Erin Kiekhaefer

35 | FOOTBALLErS PAST A look into what Paly alumni football players are doing after high school

by Cooper Levitan

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TREndS

38 | STrETCHING THE TruTH An investigation into the effectiveness of stretching before practicing

by Jack Smale

40 | SPOrTS SwAG Need some fashion advice?

The Viking is here to advise on how to sport your swag.

by Will Glazier

ISSuES 44 | IN THE BLINK OF AN EyE Explore the experiences of Paly athletes who have undergone the mental and physical effects of surgery.

by George Brown and Alistair Thompson

48 | THE NExT LEVEL The Viking discusses the ever-changing culture of sports from high school all the way to the pros just as Paly’s own senior athletes to prepare to join the scene.

by Marco Scola

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staff view Players should recognize their limits As this year’s inaugural issue of The Viking came together, we were struck by an unlikely connection between the two articles featured on the cover, “In the Blink of an Eye” (p. 44) and “The Next Level” (p. 48). At first glance, the tie between the two articles seemed unlikely-- one, recognition of the struggle injured athletes endure in their treatment and recovery, and the other, an investigation of how the rapidly changing sports culture affects high school athletics. However, there is a painfully fine line of connection between these two worlds. Injuries in sports are more than a possibility-- they are a given.

Within a matter of seconds, a hard hit or a misplaced land-

into a winning one, down-to-the-buzzer games and victories over Gunn--are the moments that make the game worthwhile.

This being said, The Viking also encourages all athletes not to take their good health for granted. Athletes should appreciate that they are able to lace up and play every day, and at the same be careful to listen to their bodies and distinguish between aches and injuries.

Mantras we hear so often include: “Play though the pain” and “Pain is weakness leaving the body”. It is time to redirect this train of thought. Injuries happen, and whether they are

Mantras we hear so often include: “Play though the pain” and “Pain is weakness leaving the body”. It is time to redirect this train of thought.

6

caused by overuse or by impact, these injuries should not be ignored. No athlete should hide an injury for fear of letting down the team or being seen as weak. Though it may not always be the easy choice, reporting and receiving treatment for an injury is always the right decision.

Although playing on an injury may seem tough, it is by no means smart. An injury that may have originally been easy to treat can quickly turn into a bigger problem with continued use. Although most athletes are well aware of this, it is not rare to find a Paly athlete playing through the pain.

The Viking encourages these athletes to make the responsible decision and seek medical attention at the earliest sign of discomfort. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your team.

The Viking hopes the Paly sports community will continue to put athlete’s health at its highest priority, while still maintaining the high level of competition and passion that is uniquely Paly athletics.

Photo by Hanna Brody

Photo by Malaika Drebin

ing can put an athlete on the sidelines for the rest of a season.

In some cases, careful training can prevent injuries, but in many cases, injuries must be accepted as part of the cost of playing a sport. Athletes put their bodies on the line every time they take the field, dive in the pool, or hit the pavement.

As we were putting the final touches on this issue, news came that starting varsity quarterback Christoph Bono (featured on p. 20) sustained an injury during the Paly-Gunn game on October 9th. In the second quarter, Bono went down hard and broke his collarbone, putting him out for at least four weeks. The Viking wishes Bono a quick recovery and looks forward to seeing him back in green and white.

For whatever reason young athletes play, whether in hopes of moving on and playing at a higher level or for the sheer love of the game, The Viking commends everyday athletes who take the risk and play anyway. The rewards for the risk-- winning streaks, dream teams that turn a losing season

Paly Alum remembered for her kindness ~Christine Chang & Emily Fowler

Former Paly athlete and senior at Harvard University, Ariel Shaker (‘06) passed away on Wednesday, October 7th at Boston Medical Center.

Shaker died from injuries sustained from a horseback riding accident.

While at Paly, Shaker, an avid sportswoman throughout high school and college, rowed for a Redwood City-based club. At Harvard, Shaker continued to row and in her senior year decided to pursue polo.

Her former teachers at Paly remember her for her classroom contributions and humble attitude.

“She was a great student,” history teacher Jack Bungarden said. “She was a fairly typical AP US History [student]-- smart and hardworking. She was good to have in class. She was smart, but didn’t make a big deal about it.”

Her accomplishments in athletics reflected in the classroom.

“She gave me the sense that she had the drive and the confidence, so that it was necessary for her to become a tremendous athlete, and she brought it back to the classroom,” Bungarden said.

Shaker also wrote for Paly publication, The Campanile. Esther Wojcicki, adviser to the newspaper, remembers Shaker’s friendly persona.

“She was interested in sports,” Wojcicki said. “She was really friendly and really liked.”

A memorial service for Shaker was held in Boston last Friday. Arrangements are being made for a memorial service in Palo Alto.

Shaker is survived by her father, Douglas Shaker, her mother, Teresa Feiock, and brother, Isaac Shaker (‘09).

The Viking sends its condolences to the Shaker family and those who knew Ariel.

Trainer Kofman takes temporary leave ~Gracie Marshall & Mariah Phillips

Stacey Kofman, Palo Alto High School’s athletic trainer, has left for a temporary sabbatical due to a shoulder surgery. She is replaced by Josh Goldstein Goldstein, a Stanford graduate, earned his masters from San Jose State University. He is now in charge of treating and preventing injuries for all Paly athletes. The work demanded

by Paly athletics is a change of pace for Goldstein.

“On most days at practice, I just clean up scrapes and bruises,” Goldstein said. “Games are when you see more serious musculoskeletal injuries.”

Goldstein is on a ten-month contract and is unsure at this point in time whether he will remain with the Vikings once Kofman returns. Kofman will rejoin the Paly athletic community as soon as she recovers.

Halas to step down as head softball coach

~Gracie Marshall & Mariah Phillips

Coach Jake Halas has announced he will step down as Palo Alto High School varsity softball coach this coming spring due to the birth of his twin sons last spring. He will continue to coach the football team this fall, but the demands of having two babies at home only allow for him to coach one season of the year.

Halas led the squad to two league championships and strong Central Coast Section playoff runs in the past two years since he took over in 2008.

“I know this is the best team Paly has ever had,” Halas said.

“It hurts to walk away.”

A decision has not yet been made as to who will fill the new coaching position.

Field construction on schedule

~Gracie Marshall & Mariah Phillips

Photo courtesy of Palo Alto Online

The completion date for the new turf field along El Camino is set for late October, in time for soccer season.

“The (construction of the) lacrosse field has gone really smoothly,” Principal Jacqueline McEvoy said.

Athletes at Paly believe that the addition of the turf field will benefit the soccer and lacrosse programs because of the improved field conditions. Previously, the upper field was not regulation size for lacrosse as well as being full of potholes and muddy.

“Having a new field will reduce the amount of injuries,” varsity lacrosse player Emy Kelty (‘12) said.

The new field will be turfed, have bleachers for fans and lights for night games.

Photo by Hanna Brody

viking updates

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ZOOM

Opposite hitter Trina Ohms (‘11) and middle blocker Melanie Wade (‘12) put up a tough block against Castilleja’s offense in a preseason match. Paly is now first in league half-way through the season.

Photo by Malaika Drebin

ZOOM

Doubles players and co-captains Sophie Biffar (‘10) and Gracie Dulik (‘10) concentrate on their game in a match against Sacred Heart Prep.

Photo by Allie Shorin

issue 1

BY THE NUMBERS

number of goals scored by paly boys’ varsity water polo driver bobby abbott this season (as of 10/12/09)

the number of goals paly girls’ waterpolo beat gunn by

1

43

10:24

number of high school athletes that see a doctor for sport-related injuries per year

course record set by phillip macquitty at crystal springs in XC meet against gunn

photo by Malaika Drebin

20

number of matches won in a row by the paly varsity volleyball team, making for the longest win streak in the league

The PoP CulTure Grid Josh Newby Cross-Country (‘10)

10

Maddie Kuppe Volleyball (‘12)

Charlie Dulik Cross-Country (‘13)

Haley Conner water Polo (‘11)

Aaron Ebert water Polo (‘10)

Phrase you overuse the most?

That’s hoot

Aite

Straight up

Most def

My bad

If I were Harry Potter I’d...

be all over Hermione

be really lazy because I would use spells to do everything

dominate Voldemort

play Paly water polo...most def

get contacts

_____ is the next big thing

Saturday school

I’m not good at foreseeing this stuff

The freshmen class

Dolphin training

College!

Best song for karaoke?

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It”

“Halo”

“Don’t Stop Believing”

“I’ll Make a Man Out of You”

anything by The Beatles...

Most prized possession?

Benoit

Cell phone

My bed

TI-89 Titanium edition

Food

“I wish my greatest moments were captured in HD. Kobe and Lebron got it good. :(“ -Michael Jordan http://twitter.com/michaeljordan Follow the Viking on twitter at www.twitter.com/thevikingmag

SpoTlight GaME SpoT

Explain Yourself...

10/9/09 paLY VoLLEYBaLL vs.Los Gatos The Paly varsity girls’ volleyball team defeated Los Gatos 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 17-25, 15-8 for its 20th straight win. The Lady Vikes are now first in league with a league record of 6-0 (22-3 overall).

This grueling five game match was especially key because it was the first time in over six years that the Lady Vikes have brought home a win from the Los Gatos gym.

SCO rC H ING Photo credits from top: Spencer Sims, Malaika Drebin, Hana Kajimura

The Viking’s favorite tweet of the month...

Paly Cheerleaders After the loss of three previous captains, the team has made a comeback with an influx of new freshman. Full of fresh routines and talent, the cheerleaders are loved by Paly students in the stands at the Friday night football games.

Marissa Florant With an outstanding performance in the beginning of the season, varsity volleyball player Marissa Florant (‘10) was awarded the Mercury News’ athlete of the week for the week of 10/7/09.

Football GaMe vs. Mitty The Paly football team fell to Archbishop Mitty high School on 9/18/09 with a final score of 13-35. even worse, the loss was on TV.

FrEEZI NG photo by Allie Shorin

“So, I had the ball and I thought the guy was pretty hot. I could not really control myself, so I started to gently [put my hand on him] and put him into a deep trance. Then, I scored and put him in a coma for the next three minutes.”- Quinn Rockwell (‘13)

Hot or Not 11

Photo by Hana Kajimura

ZOOM

Christoph Bono (‘11) tucks the ball and scrambles from the pocket eluding several defenders in a losing effort against Archbishop Mitty early in the season.

10 Questions

with

Trina Ohms

WHO KNOWS JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL STAR TRINA OHMS BETTER? TEAMMATE MARISSA FLORANT, BEST FrIEND NOA DAGAN, or MOTHEr JANE WOODWARD?

Trina Ohms

Marissa Florant

Chace Crawford

Dream Date

“Live Your Life”

Favorite Song

When people don’t return calls or respond to texts tie between my iPhone and Noa Dagan

Pet Peeve Can’t live without...

at the beach or my “I wish I was ____” beach house

“Live Your Life” by Rihanna

mmm...Chace Crawford “Live Your Life!”

Jane woodward James Franco “Live Your Life” by Rihanna

Anything Dave Winn When dance and Her parents nagging volleyball schedules says to her her conflict me, duh

friends

Daniella

at the beach house

Kristen Richards

her iPhone

Raspberries

Favorite Food

CPK Pizza

Dried mango, raspberries and orangina

Raspberries

Jackie

Funniest Teammate

Me or Jackie

Cassie Prioleau

Cassie Prioleau

Favorite Animal

Blaze

Blaze

Dolphin

Nickname

T.O.B.O.

Trina, T.O.B.O., Trinibini, Trina homes

T.O.B.O.

A CEO, just like her mama

Professional volleyball player

Whatever she wants to be!

60% correct

70% WINNER!

30% correct

My doggie...Blaze!

Too many to count, but most popular: TO, T.O.B.O., Trinzz Photographer

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Nate from Gossip Girl

Noa Dagan

Dream Job

Inside the Nicole Mind Varveris Cheerleader Nicole Varveris (‘10) leads this year’s cheerleading squad as the only senior captain. She tells us about her coach, falls and jerkin’. Varveris was kind enough to talk to the The Viking about what really goes on in her mind.

ON CHEErLEADING

I have been cheerleading for four long years. I did gymnastics.

Then I broke my legs, so cheerleading was the closest thing at Paly. I am cheerful. I always hated cheerleaders, until I joined, and then I liked them. They seemed annoying and drama filled; we do have a lot of drama but it’s fun drama. Cheerleading is my life, actually. It’s not a lifestyle, it’s a passion.

ON MINOrITy POwErHOuSE Rayonna Adams, Vivian Landa and I are the minority’s of the team. It’s our responsibility to keep the team’s swagger in check, if you know what I mean. Ray and I sometimes have to get black on the rest of the team and threaten to slap them.

ON MACDADDy (MS. MCDANIEL) We have a love-hate relationship. We often pretend to hate each other; but secretly, we are best friends. We have two hour phone conversations about life. She knows every single thing about my life. Her husband and I are really close, too. I also freakdanced with her mother. I am practically a part of her family. She knows all the words to “Get Low”. She loves me, and she knows it.

On THE VAn Well, some people call it a soccer mom van, but it’s actually not a soccer mom van. It’s as fast as a race car, and shouldn’t be doubted. A lot of stuff goes down in the van. It is the party van and always pulls through. It’s my ultimate scrappa when I’m slappin’ in da vanizzle.

ON My FATHEr NICHOLAS GEOrGE He is quite a popular figure at Paly. He comes cruising to the games on his motorcycle and leather jacket. He is actually best friends with Adrian Augmon. They plan to celebrate Greek Easter together this year. You can find him on the stands of any Paly football game half asleep. His favorite song is “Hot In Herre” by Nelly.

Cheerleading Enthusiast

Photo by Spencer Sims

ON LANDING ON HEr HEAD Well, I’ve had a few bad falls. They happen about three times a season. I already got one out of the way this year. Many of you may have seen my fall at the basketball game last year. That was rough, and people can’t seem to forget about it. But it’s all good. Two more falls before the end of football season- they’re coming so get ready.

ON COMPETITION So, we’re pretty much about to dominate the competition this year.

We’ve been practicing pretty intensely. We practice every single day of the week, and we have double days on Wednesday. We start at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is. So, get ready to see us on national TV. Yeee.

ON CHEErLEADING AS A SPOrT Even though the Paly handbook doesn’t include cheerleading as a sport, which is really rude, it is a sport. Any court cases about injuries that are cheer-related, referred to cheerleading as a fullcontact sport, so the Paly handbook can [forget it].

ON JErKIN’ Jerkin’ happens to be one of Paly Cheer’s greatest talent. We jerk everywhere we go, every time we have a chance. Our best jerker is Sydnie Maltz (‘13); she gets it done.

ON VIKING MASCOT We definitely need someone to step up and be the Paly viking mascot. Someone who is down to bust out some crazy dance moves in a cool costume should do it. Gunn has a mascot, and he’s pretty hoot.

So we need to show them how it’s done.

“

“

By S P E N C E r SIM S

of

ON HANNAH TuMMINArO

Hannah and I have a special bond. We just really understand each other. There are many misconceptions about my girl Hannizzle, but she’s a good kid at heart. She jumped into the high school scene rapidly, and I love it. You can find us together at the party scene quite often.

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sha-BAM

Shameem Jamil (‘10) astounds fans, teammates and coaches with her rapid progress in water polo

By MAry ALBErTOLLE PHOTOS By MALAIKA DrEBIN

SuCCESS “One thing that helped me was being perceptive and athletic because water polo is so demanding,” Jamil said.

F

og rose from the serene, untouched water’s surface as the swimmers slowly marched across the pool deck, reluctant to end their summer. Step by step Shameem Jamil (‘10) slowly joined the other players. The other sophomores gathered in a circle, reminiscing about inside jokes and memories from the past season as Jamil sauntered up. Their heads turned to look at her unfamiliar face, then teammate, Kailey Flather (‘10), ran up to welcome her to the six a.m. practice. Palo Alto High School girls’ varsity water polo coach Cory Olcott quickly greeted the sleepy swimmers and ordered them to jump in the pool as practice commenced.

Determination plays a crucial role in both academics and sports. An athlete’s career depends heavily on ones mind set.

Many believe that the career of a success-

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POSITIVE “She needs to keep a positive outlook and that will reflect in the team’s attitude and playing,” Murao said.

ful athlete depends on how long they have been playing the sport. Jamil shatters this stereotype.

Jamil joined the Paly swim team her freshman year in spring 2007.

“I was really slow, but I knew I loved the water and I just loved swimming,” Jamil said. Jamil quickly fell in love with swimming.

“It was a good experience because it was my introduction into the world of water sports,” Jamil said.

Playing on the team helped the young swimmer’s speed and agility in the water, as well as expanded her social circle.

After transferring to Paly in 2006 from a private school run by her parents in Sunnyvale, Jamil did not know a single student on campus. Swim team provided an opportunity to bond with swimmers.

“I got to know some people,” Jamil said. “I met one of my really good friends

Kailey [Flather] now, on the swim team.”

When swim season ended, boys’ and girls’ varsity swim coach Danny Dye recommended that Jamil keep swimming or begin playing water polo. Flather also pushed her to join the team.

“She always talked about water polo, as well, and how fun it was,” Jamil said. “She really encouraged me to play.”

Water polo jumped out at her when she was forced to choose between swimming or playing water polo.

“She is very athletic, you can just tell by looking at her,” Olcott said. “What I didn’t know that I know now is that she is one of the toughest people I’ve ever met.”

Olcott met Jamil her sophomore year when she decided to play water polo for Paly. Jamil showed up at Hell Week and never looked back.

“My first impression was that she made the funniest face when shooting,” Olcott

said.

The sport did not come easily to Jamil, but she was determined to succeed.

“When I first started [water polo], I thought it was a hard work-out and really complicated, but I just kept up with the skills and [stayed] really focused; that’s what made it easy so fast,” Jamil said.

She quickly picked up and understood the sport, and played on junior varsity as a sophomore. She continued to improve, but socially the team did not accept her immediately.

“All of the water polo girls were very close because we had already had a season together and came into this new sport together,” varsity water polo captain June Afshar (‘10) said. “She was kind of an outsider, but it took a week, at most, for all of us to get warmed up together and accept her.”

Even with the presence of social exclu-

siveness, Jamil continued to play water polo.

“I do think I’m athletic, and I like to be competitive,” Jamil said. “It was kind of fun, learning something new and trying to master it and getting progressively better at it.”

Teammates never questioned her passion or desire to improve.

“You’re either going to love [water polo] or hate it after you try it,” Afshar said. “I guess she loved the team and the whole environment which is so exciting and fun to be in.”

By the time Jamil’s junior year rolled around, playing varsity did not prove to be much of a challenge.

“I wanted to work really hard during Hell Week my junior year,” Jamil said.

“Kailey [Flather] and I made a deal to work hard during Hell Week against each other.

That’s when I felt I started working really

hard and started taking water polo really seriously.”

Teammates also began noticing vast improvements from Jamil.

“During Hell Week sets, a lot of the time people slack off because it’s really difficult, but she would keep pushing through every single one,” Afshar said.

“She looked crazy for doing it, but it paid off.”

As the expectations became more intense, Jamil stepped up to the challenge.

“I think that what’s gotten me far as a player is just really focusing on the game during practice and taking it like an AP class,” Jamil said. “It’s varsity, a higher level of playing, and if you take it like an AP class you’re going to succeed.”

Jamil astonished her new senior teammates with her progress.

“As a junior you would have never been able to tell that she had been playing

BACK HAND “I don’t think we would be as strong offensively [without her],” Conner said. “She adds a lot of energy to practices.”

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for such a short time,” former captain Tara Murao (‘09) said. “I was very impressed by her progress.”

Jamil not only made varsity her junior year, but also started for the team, as well.

“She scores a lot of goals, which means she obviously adds a lot of value right away,” Olcott said. “Also, she has an intensity that helps everyone else stay focused. She demands a lot of herself, so she leads by example in that regard and everyone else feeds off of that.”

This year, Jamil, the team’s top scorer, lays a strong foundation for the team in the pool.

“I play on the perimeter, it’s also known as a driver,” Jamil said. “I like to play the post sometimes, or go in for quick drives and post up [to] try [and] get a shot off there.”

Seven players play for each team at once, including five perimeter players. Jamil, a perimeter player, stays on the left side of the cage, utilizing her right arm to shoot.

With many attributions to her success, Jamil remains infamous for her pump fake.

She picked it up by watching others, then trying to mimic their moves..

“Her awesome pump fake is what makes Shameem who she really is,” perimeter player Haley Conner (‘11) said.

Although this form may not meet standard requirements, her fake fools opponents. Jamil never learned how to pump fake.

“I guess it’s special, but coaches get after me for it because they say I’m doing it wrong, but it works for me,” Jamil said.

Not only are her basic skills and fundamentals keys to her success, but her mindset is also. Everyone that knows Jamil, both in the water and out, would agree.

“She’s so much more determined than a lot of other people,” Olcott said. “She really knows what she wants to do and she goes out and does it.”

Her teammates agree that willpower makes up a large part of Jamil’s ability in the water.

“She’s really dedicated, more than anyone on the team,” Afshar said. “She always pushes herself and swims faster

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EASy GOING “Shameem can come in anywhere and make everyone feel comfortable. She can make the whole room laugh even if no one has met her,” Afshar said. than anyone else.”

Jamil improved as much as she has over the past two and a half years because of her intensity and aggressiveness.

“She tries so hard when she practices,” Conner said. “She puts 110 percent into it. That’s what made her the player that she is today.”

Competitiveness also pushed Jamil further in her water polo career “She is competitive and wants to do well and win,” teammate Skylar Dorosin (‘12) said. “She’s a great leader in that way because she gets everyone excited for games.”

Jamil’s attitude has not changed since she was an intimidated sophomore.

“She’s really motivated us to do things and get better,” Murao said. “That attitude is ideal. As a captain and as a team-

mate you want to see everybody have the same passion and drive as she has.”

Jamil’s overall outlook shapes not only herself, but her team as well.

“What she does affects the rest of the team because they look up to her,” Murao said. “She needs to keep a positive outlook. That will reflect in the team’s attitude and playing.”

In order to advance, Jamil plays water polo every opportunity she gets. During the year, her schedule is also filled with choir and school. Summer and fall provide the time to improve her fundamentals and stay in shape. Jamil has played for Stanford and Norcal club teams, along with various Paly players, practicing twice a day for the entire summer. Many political issues controlled many aspects of the team, including the amount of playtime

in games and coaches’ overall attention, however, Jamil frowns upon the social aspects of club water polo.

Success in the water during the high school season does, however, pay a price.

For example, Jamil often falls asleep before finishing her homework, sacrificing some grades.

“I find myself really thinking about it all the time,” Jamil said. “Maybe it’s taking too much of my thoughts.”

Jamil is surrounded by the love of her fans, teammates and coaches both inside and outside of the water.

“She’s embraced and loved by all of the other parents on the team and their siblings too,” Afshar said. “She definitely has that group of fan support.”

Although her family is unable to come out to every game, her sisters manage to attend some games.

“Water polo has been something that I’ve done on my own ever since I started,” Jamil said. “Its my own thing that I take ownership of. I don’t feel that my parents have pushed me into succeeding or my friends have pressured me. It’s something that I push myself really hard to do better in and to take ownership of the way I play.”

Her fellow water polo players, especially the younger ones, look up to her.

“There is no one-literally no one-crazier, weirder or funnier,” Afshar said. “She is one-of-a-kind. She always makes me smile. I love her outlook on life and her being.”

Armed with a good sense of humor, Jamil’s teammates constantly tease her.

Nothing is forgotten from her shot to her voice.

“I get teased for my face when I’m shooting a lot,” Jamil said. “Sometimes I’ll react and take them down in practice, but other times I’ll just joke back, which makes the team fun and makes practice fun and keeps its positive.”

With better team chemistry this year compared to last, Jamil hopes that everyone will consistently shoot this season.

Her teammates admit to their lack of confidence when shooting.

“Our team sometimes is afraid to shoot and score and she just steps up. She’s determined to get the job done and encourage people to do well,” Conner said.

Jamil emphasizes the need of every player to shoot.

“I love shooting too, but I love to play a good, strong, frustrating, but effective defense and if you’re doing that then other people need to be open for shooting too.

I just really wish that everyone is going to shoot this year and not be shy about that.”

Her other goals for the season are to receive “First Team All-League” for a second year in a row and to earn a spot on the CCS team. Overall, Jamil hopes to keep improving as a player. She also wants to help the team grow and succeed.

As a senior, Jamil looks forward to college and possibly pursuing water polo.

“It would be really nice to have a team

[in college],” Jamil said. “That’s what I’ve found that I love about water polo, that team all working together.”

Her coach and teammates also look forward to seeing her fulfill all of her potential in college and in life.

“She’s got enough talent to play at the college level if she chooses,” Olcott said.

“The most important thing for her is that she’s enjoying it. As long as she’s having fun with it, it’s worth her while.”

No colleges have signed Jamil because she began the recruiting process considerably late, but her hopes remain high.

“I think that what has gotten me pretty far as a player is my behavior towards the game and wanting to learn how to do everything right,” Jamil said. <<<

PROGRESSIOn “I wanted to improve myself,” Jamil said. “I worked really hard and I did that.”

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L U C K Y 13

BY ALEx KERSHNER PHOTOS BY HANNA BRODY & MALAIKA DREBIN

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the decision to play football on his own.

“I never pushed him and said you need to do Pop Warner at this time,” Steve said.

“If he asked about doing it, which he did, I said yeah, so he kind of picked it up on his own.”

As Paly’s wide receiver and quarterback coach, Steve has the chance to mentor, coach and push Christoph to achieve his full potential. But off the football field, Steve’s job as a parent is more important.

“My role is being a dad, being a coach, and trying not to screw him up,” Steve said.

As the son of a famous football, Christoph feels the enormous weight to succeed.

“I try not to think about [the pressure],” Christoph said. “It’s there a little bit, but that should be the last thing on my mind. Just focus on what we need to do to win, and if I don’t there aren’t really any expectations for me.”

Not only is there an inherent pressure to play football, but also to excel in the sport. As a sophomore who played on the junior varsity team last year, Christoph had his work cut out for him to secure a starting spot on varsity.

“I probably would have been a little disappointed with myself [if I didn’t get the spot],” Christoph said. “But, I’m sure my dad would have told me to keep my head up and to keep fighting to try and get the job done.”

Steve realizes the pressure he has inadvertently put on his son.

“He probably does feel it a little bit,” Steve said. “But I don’t think that he would admit it. I think that he enjoys playing and he is having fun doing it.”

At 6’2” and weighing in at 155 pounds, Christoph certainly is not the biggest player on the field, but his position as the engineer of the team’s offense could not be more important.

“He’s got a good arm,” Archbishop Mitty assistant football coach Greg Saenz said after Paly’s game against Mitty. “He’s obviously young and he’s got some learning to

Photo by Maliaka Drebin

rinted across the back of his sweat-stained green jersey, the bold “13” gleams under the lights that flood the Palo Alto High School football field.

Starting varsity quarterback Christoph Bono (‘11) stands on the sideline listening carefully to the advice of head coach Earl Hansen. It’s Friday night and the long awaited first game of the Paly football season is here.

The “13” that Christoph wears is the same number his father, Steve Bono, wore as a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams. More importantly, however, the “13” is a symbol for their support of one another and a link that brings the Bono family together.

“I had kind of told him, ‘Hey, you didn’t have to [pick “13”],” Steve said. “I told him I liked the way number seven looked on him last year, but he said ‘No, I want to do it.’ That’s fine, it has always been a big number in our family.”

The number, the name and the position are all too familiar, but now, everyone’s eyes are on Christoph, not his father.

Since he was young, Christoph has grown up in the locker room, living in the shadow of his dad, the famous NFL quarterback. Finally, as a starter for the Paly team, he has the chance to be a leader for the squad, all while exceeding his family’s and community’s expectations for him as a player and as a person.

The son of an NFL quarterback faces immense pressure and expectations. These expectations are even greater when the father was not only an NFL quarterback, but also has won a Super Bowl, participated in a Pro Bowl and played with the likes of football greats Joe Montana and Steve Young. Some might expect the son in this position to avoid comparison by following a different path in life, but Christoph has embraced the opposite. Beginning as a Pop Warner player for the Palo Alto Knights in seventh grade, Christoph made

“He has a lot of talent and he has one of the best coaches you can possibly have in his dad,” Brandin said.

Photo By Malaika Drebin Photo by Hanna Brody

SKILL Starting varsity quarterback Christoph Bono (‘11) runs and kicks in a losing effort against Mitty and during practice earlier in the season.

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do, but I think he is capable.”

“We’re Christian and Jesus and his 12 disciples makes 13.” ChrisWith all the tools to succeed, Christoph has the potential to toph said. “It is my dad’s lucky number. I like to wear 13 and I am be one of Paly’s best quarterbacks. glad to have it “He’s good,” this year.” last year’s Paly Whether they quarterback Will are attending Brandin (‘09) each other’s said. “Once his games, pickbody matures he ing the numcould definitely ber 13 or display division one cussing the football. He has latest great a lot of talent, and he has one of the best coaches you can pos- play, the Bono family has shown a level of support for each other sibly have in his dad.” that correlates to the amount of success they have had and will Christoph not only has the raw skill, but also a calm playing style that mirrors his quiet demeanor.

“He never seems to get rattled, nothing ever bothers him,” Paly teacher and football announcer Mike McNulty said. “I remember seeing him play last year in the Wilcox game and they were way behind in the fourth quarter and all the sudden he’s doing this and he’s doing that and he kicks the game winning field goal with no time left on the clock. It wasn’t easy, either, at about 35-40 yards. He is really good under pressure...and he is completely under control.”

In addition to football, Christoph plays basketball and baseball for Paly. He is unsure of which sport he would continue were he forced to choose.

“I can’t decide because baseball is my favorite sport, but I like football a lot,” Christoph said. “If I could, I would like to play both. But in the end I would probably have to make a decision and I don’t know what I would decide.”

While Steve loves to see Christoph play football, he has always loved watching him play his other love, baseball.

“Personally, I’d love to see him play baseball, something I’ve always loved doing myself,” Steve said. “You just never know. You have to follow your dreams and enjoy competing and have fun with it everyday”.

Steve played catcher for a year at UCLA while not playing football.

To balance the pressure to excel, Christoph enjoys participating in activities besides sports that allow him to express himself off the field.

“I think he really enjoys baseball more than football and wants to play that,” sister and junior varsity volleyball player Sophia Bono (‘13) said. “But he also really likes engineering and auto - stuff like that. It’s not all about sports.”

According to best friends, baseball player Graham Marchant (‘11) and varsity football and baseball player T.J. Braff (‘11), Christoph enjoys hanging out with his friends to unwind.

“He loves snowboarding, movies and has many hobbies,” Marchant said. “Someday he might even like to coach a football, baseball or basketball team.”

Christoph’s success on the football field, the baseball diamond, the gym floor and the classroom can be attributed to the constant support of his mom, dad, sister and the “13” that SuPPOrT Starting varsity quarterback Christoph Bono (‘11) illustrates their loyalty to each other.

“It is my dad’s lucky number. I like to wear 13 and I am glad to have it this year.”

-Christoph Bono (‘11)

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Photo by Hanna Brody

continue having in all aspects of their lives.

“Personally, I’d love to see him Returning to the huddle, Christoph faces the team. He calls a play that he and his teammates play baseball, something I’ve have run countless times during practice.

After nodding, they break. In position, Christoph always loved doing myself,” Steve focuses as he squats behind center Marco Scola said. “You just never know. You (‘10). At this second, everything he has worked have to follow your dreams and toward, everything that is expected of him, falls enjoy competing and have fun on his shoulders. He takes one last moment to gather himself. with it everyday”.

“White 43, White 43, set, hut!” Christoph shouts from the crowd of the offensive line.

He takes the snap and drops back from the chaos. Surveying the field, he spots wide receiver Davante Adams (‘11), who beats his player down the field and jockeys for position in the end zone.

It is one of his longest throws yet, but he launches the ball perfectly. Spiraling, it floats high against the black and purple sky before falling into Adams’ outstretched arms. Touchdown.

Looking on from the home bleachers, mother Tina Bono cheers loudly as Christoph sets up to try for the extra point following a quick celebration with his teammates. Among the same crowd is sister Sophia Bono sporting Christoph’s away jersey, the same “13” shining brightly under the lights. And from the sideline, Steve watches proudly as his son kicks the ball through the uprights to give Paly the lead. Tonight, the whole family has come out to support Christoph, as he pours all his effort into the task before him; in the sport they all love, through the number that they all cherish. The one that brings them all together. <<<

Reporter’s Note Christoph Bono (‘11) suffered a broken clavicle after a hard hit from a Gunn football player Friday Oct. 9th in Paly’s 27-7 romp at Gunn. Bono could be out of action for as long as four to five weeks. Prior to the injury in the match up against Gunn, Bono had completed seven of seven passes on the night. On his next pass attempt he threw for an interception at the Gunn goal line before sitting out for the rest of the game with his shoulder wrapped, waiting for assessment. T.J. Braff (‘11) stepped in at quarterback and Joc Pederson (‘10) at kicker for the injured Bono.

Stat Box

Photo by Malaika Drebin

Passing yards Points P/G PAT’s (point after touchdown) Carries Completion % Total Points Touchdown Passes Interceptions

1,163 6.3 19 11 .654 25 14 5

listens to the advice of dad and ex NFL quarterback Steve Bono.

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Medieval Sports

Ye Joust

I

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

n the days of olde, boys were raised not to be computer technicians, lawyers, or doctors. Nay, in ye olden days, the lads aspired to lay their squire boots in the manure of purebred war horses, hoisting the flag of their knight, as they galloped around list, shattered lance hoisted high. Once a squire, the young man would be one step closer to bearing his own colors, holding his own lance, and riding his own steed upon the wings of victory. Knights were respected warriors, who showcased their battle skills in tournaments of games that took place on their home soil. The pleasant aroma of roasting turkey legs and bangers floated upon the melodious moans of a Crumhorn, while the turrets of a castle cast shadows over the splinters of broken lances that littered the jousting arena.

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T

Two knights charge headlong at each other from their respective ends of the list. When in range, one knight thrusts his lance at the other, shattering it on his opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shield. If neither knight is knocked off his horse after two passes, the two dismount and, aided by their trusty squires, battle to the death.

oday, the scene is much different. Knights are scarce, and it is rare to see anyone riding a horse to work or school. Chain mail has been replaced with shoulder pads, quill and ink with pencils, and the dungeon has been replaced with detention. The closest thing to a squire is a super hero sidekick, and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, nobody wants to be a sidekick. What was once the most envied job in all the land has become a mascot for sports teams all over the globe. But in an isolated field behind a Spanish themed restaurant, where the scent of garlic carries on the wind, a group of knights wielding armor they made themselves, their faithful squires, and a packed arena of spectators clad in wool tights sit in a metaphorical machine of time and watch sports as they used to be.

Ye Javelin Toss

A target (above) stands in the middle of the ring while knights on either end make several passes and thrust their long wooden spears into the target, aiming for the bull’s eye (the red spraypainted part). The knight who spears the most bull’s eyes wins.

Ye Watermelon Slice (top left) ‘Nuff said...

Ye Small and Large Rings

Sets of small and large rings (left) hang from stands along the list. While galloping at full speed, the knights spear as many rings as possible with the tip of their lances. The knight with the most rings at the end of the round is the victor.

Battle to Ye Death

Using a vast array of weapons, from ball and chains to axes, longer axes, and swords of all sizes, brave knights battle to the death with the help of their faithful squires. Some fight clean and some fight dirty, but all will fight until just one knight remains standing.

Inscribed by ye noble squires Michael Cullen & Dustin Nizamian

Photos by the hand of squire Samuel Maliska

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Let’em eat cake!

Located in Palo Alto’s Town and Country 855 El Camino Real - Suite #104 650-322-3601

100 Cardinal Way Redwood City, CA 94063-4755 (650) 385-5000

Senior Portraits ALL portraits are due October 30th Copies of ORIGINAL photo files in JPG format – 300 dpi (or able to convert from 72/180).

DO NOT submit copy-paste images from file sharing sites like Facebook. Come to Room 101 with images on a USB stick or CD. This is to avoid blurry or pixilated photos.

original image (300dpi) dragged from facebook (72dpi) will not be accepted For prints we can scan it for you into a digital file - bring it to Room 101 during LUNCH, 7th, or after RIGHT school.

If you drop off CDs or prints to Room 101- make sure that the envelope is labeled with the student’s FULL name printed LEGIBLY. ALL BABY ADS DUE OCTOBER 30 – FORMS IN RM 101 OR ONLINE www.paly.net/madrono

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2009 Fall wrap-ups rap-ups Photo by Hana Kajimura

The Palo Alto High School football team (3-1, 1-0) came into the 2009 season with high hopes after placing second in the Central Coast Section playoffs last year.

After a strong start to the season in a victory against non-league Burlingame, Paly squared off against the West Catholic League’s Archbishop Mitty on September 18th. The Vikings fell short against Mitty’s strong running game by a score of 35-13.

Paly got back in the win column the following week in a 61-7 thrashing of Gilroy High School, and continued its success with a win in its first league game of the season against Saratoga.

Leading Paly’s offense, quarterback Christoph Bono (‘11) has thrown for 12 touchdowns and over 200 yards in each of the first four games. Other key offensive players include wide receiver Joc Pederson (‘10) and running back Peter Ibarra (’10).

Coach: Earl Hansen Record: 4-1

Sean Chatmon (‘10)

Football

Pederson leads the team in receiving with 303 yards and five touchdowns.

Ibarra leads the team’s rushing game with 6 touchdowns.

As the team heads into the second half of the season, the Vikings will take on two of their toughest opponents in back-to-back games. The team faces powerhouse Milpitas High School (4-0) on Oct. 23rd before hosting Los Gatos High School (3-1, 1-0) on Oct. 30th for Paly’s homecoming game.

Team Leaders

Passing Christoph Bono-14 TD, 1087 yds.

Receiving Joc Pederson-6 TD, 382 yds Davante Adams-3 TD, 300 yds Maurice Williams-4 TD, 272 yds Rushing Miles Anderson-192 yds Terry Beasley- 2 TD 144 yds Peter Ibarra- 6 TD 121 yds

-George Brown, Mark Raftrey and Jack Smale

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Photo by Hana Kajimura

JuKE Terry Beasley (‘10) runs the ball during the Paly varsity football game against Archbishop Mitty on Septemer 18th.

Volleyball

Emma Marti (‘11) (‘11) have contributed to various wins in both singles and doubles matches this year. Captains Sophie Biffar (‘10) and Gracie Dulik (‘10) have helped the team to maintain a positive outlook despite early season struggles.

With upcoming matches against Lynbrook High School and Monta Vista on October 13 and 15, the Lady Vikes will continue to face tough opposition in their quest to attain a spot in the CCS playoffs.

Recent Games vs. Lynbrook 6-1 vs. Monta Vista 5-2 vs. Archbishop Mitty 4-3 vs. Notre Dame 7-0

-Sam Maliska, Gracie Marshall and Spencer Sims

Coach: Dave Winn Record: 22-3

Photo by Malaika Drebin

The Palo Alto High School varsity volleyball team enters the second half of its season riding a 19 match-winning streak. Although the Lady Vikes have just four upperclassmen, their overall record of 21 - 3 (5-0) seems to have dispelled any doubts about their lack of experience. The team has steamrolled through their competition thus far, especially in tournament play, where they have already set a school-record with two volleyball tournament championships at the Harbor Invitational and Menlo Invitational.

The Lady Vikes are undefeated in regular season play and currently sit atop the De Anza Division of the SCVAL with a league record of 5-0. Their highlights include victories over the Saratoga Falcons on the road, a grueling, five-game triumph over Mountain View and their star sophomore outside-hitter Brittany Howard, as well as a quick three game victory over cross-town rival Gunn.

Photo by Allie Shorin

The Palo Alto girls’ tennis team fell to one game under .500 after they lost 2-5 against Saratoga on Tuesday, October sixth. This loss followed a 5-2 victory on Monday, October fifth against Sacred Heart Preparatory. With their current overall standing at 8-9 and 2-6 record in league play, the Lady Vikes will have to win the majority of their remaining matches to keep their hopes of competing in the Central Coast Section playoffs alive.

The highlight of their season thus far was a fourth place finish out of 104 teams in the California High School Girls Tennis Classic in Fresno. Though they performed well in early season matches, the Lady Vikes have not carried over this high level of play into their regular season games. The team suffered painful losses to Homestead High School and Monta Vista High School, losing 2-5 and 1-6 respectively.

Mira Khanna (‘11) and Emma Marti

Coach: Andy Harader Record: 8-9

Jackie Koenig (‘12)

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The Lady Vikes are led by co-captain and outside hitter Marissa Florant (‘10), opposite hitter Trina Ohms (‘11), and libero Megan Coleman (‘11), all in the top handful of players at their respective positions in the league. The Lady Vikes will look to continue their dominance through October, with key road matchups vs. Gunn (10/20) and Mountain View (10/22). If all goes to plan, the Lady Vikes look to snag a high seed in the CCS playoffs in November.

Key Games vs. Los Gatos 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 17-25, 15-8 vs. Saratoga 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 vs. Mountain View 25-23, 22-25, 25-27, 27-25, 15-10

-Will Glazier, Dustin Nizamian and Marco Scola

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year in review Features

Boys’ xC

Girls’ xC

Captains: Philip MacQuitty, Ben Sklaroff, Henry Jordan and Josh Newby

race, instead.

The varsity boys will compete at the Concordia Classic in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Boys’ cross-country will race again at Gunn High School for the Palo Alto City Campionships on Tuesday, Oct. 27 and at the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Championship at Crystal Springs on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

-Erin Kiekhaefer and Allie Shorin

Team Leaders 2.18 miles-Bol Park Phillip MacQuitty 13:42 Josh Newby 14:50 Ben Sklaroff 15:00 5K-Stanford Invite Phillip MacQuitty 15:27 Josh Newby 16:28 16:57 Peter Wilson

Coach: Paul Jones Coach Captains: Susan Heinselman, Kathleen Higgins, Erin Kiekhaefer and Regina Wang

Photo by Brandon Dukovic

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After losing three runners last year, the Palo Alto High School girls’ crosscountry team has had inconsistent performances throughout the season.

At their most recent meet, the Lady Vikes placed second at the Central Park League Preview, on Tuesday, Sep. 29.

Six out of the seven runners placed in the top 20, with Gracie Cain ( ‘11) leading the team by placing eighth overall.

Three days before the Central Park meet, the team suffered a defeat at the Stanford Invitational, placing last out of 24 teams. Running in over 100-degree weather, only six out of the seven runners completed the 2.3 mile course.

Runner absences, injuries and the extreme heat prevented the team from reaching their potential.

One week before the Stanford Invitational, the girls competed in the Lowell Invitational at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Once again, Cain led the team, placing 14th overall. The team

Coach: Joe Ginanni

Photo by Erin kiekhaefer

So far this season, the Palo Alto High School’s boys’ varsity cross-country team has placed 14th at the Stanford Invitational meet, second place at the Lowell Invitational in Golden Gate Park and 13th at the Central Park League Preview in Santa Clara.

Only losing Skyler Cummins (‘09) and Charlie Avis (‘09) from last year’s varsity squad, the boys’ cross-country team hopes for a good season this year.

The varsity team consists of standout Philip MacQuitty (‘10), who broke the Gunn Bol Park record in 10 minutes, 24 seconds for the first race of the season, Josh Newby (‘10), Alex Voet (‘10), Peter Wilson (‘10), Brian Raferty (‘10), Ben Sklaroff (‘10), and Henry Jordan (‘10).

The top 14 boys that ran at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday, Sep. 26, did not run at the Central Park League Preview on the following Tuesday, Sep. 29. Juniors and seniors not on varsity were given the chance to run the varsity

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Henry Jordan (‘10) Peter Wilson (‘10) Ben Sklaroff (‘10)

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Emy Kelty (‘12)

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placed sixth out of the 15 teams in their division.

Some meets to look out for in the near future are the Palo Alto City Championships at Gunn High School on Tuesday, Oct 27. and the Santa Clara Valley All League Championships at Crystal Springs on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

-Mary Albertolle, Brandon Dukovic and Sam Greene

Team Leaders 2.3 miles-Central Park Gracie Cain 14:52 Kathleen Higgins 14:53 Leigh Dairaghi 15:07 5K-Stanford Invite Rachelle Holmgren 21:55 Regina Wang 21:57 Leigh Dairaghi 22:07

Girls’ WoPo

Bret Pinsker (‘13) season are against Los Altos on October 15th at Paly, Los Gatos on October 22nd at Paly and Gunn on October 27th at Gunn.

The team hopes to continue their recent success, racking up a few more wins before heading into the CCS playoffs.

Team Leaders Bobby Abbott- 43 goals Ken Wattana-30 goals Aaron Zellinger- 28 goals Goalie: Daniel Armitano has blocked 60% of goals attempted

-Alex Kershner, Talia Moyal and Mariah Phillips

Coach Coach: Cory Olcott Record: 6-5 Record

Photo by Allie Shorin

At the midway point of their 2009 season, the Palo Alto High School girls’ varsity water polo team’s record stands at 6-5.

With a key win over cross-town rival Gunn High School but losses against strong league opponents, Los Altos High School and Los Gatos High School, the Lady Vikes are sitting in the middle of the Central Coast Section standings.

Strong play by senior leaders Malaika Drebin (‘10) and Shameem Jamil (‘10) anchored Lady Vikes on offense, while stellar goal tending by captain June Afshar (‘10) has kept the defense strong.

With only twelve players, the Lady Vikes’ success has been hindered by lack of depth so far. Several injuries and overall inexperience due to numerous underclassmen have prevented the Lady Vikes from hitting their stride. However, as the team chemistry starts to build, the Lady Vikes hope to turn their season around and earn a berth in the CCS play-

Photo by Allie Shorin

Four weeks into the season, the Palo Alto High School’s boys’ varsity water polo team fights to gain a winning record, currently at 6-9, and 3-3 in league as of early October.

Captain Bobby Abbott (‘10) leads the team in assists, steals, and goals with 41, while teammate and goalie Daniel Armitano (‘12) continues to defend the net, making 63 saves this season.

The team started off strong with a double overtime victory over Monta Vista, and another easy win over Homestead. Even though the Vikings hit a snag and lost to Los Altos, Los Gatos and Gunn they came back with a victory against Mountain View by a margin of 13-11 at Mountain View.

After losing eight seniors last years, the team is still young with seven underclassmen, three of which are freshmen.

The boys continue to rebuild their program as they develop their strengths.

Big games to look out for the rest of the

Coach: Giovanni Napolitano Record: 3-4

June Afshar (‘10)

Boys’ WoPo

offs that begin on November 10th.

Looking forward, the Lady Vikes’ key games include two consecutive home games against Los Altos and Los Gatos on October 15th and October 22nd, then another game with Gunn High School the following week on October 27th.

Team Leaders Skylar Durosin- 14 goals Haley Connor- 9 goals Rachel Harrus- 5 goals Malaika Drebin- 5 goals

-Michael Cullen, Cooper Levitan and Alistair Thompson

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Go Bare or Go Home The newest trend of running without shoes hits the Paly community.

BY ERIN KIEKHAEFER PHOTO BY BRANDON DUKOVIC

W

earing only non-supportive racing flats, Joe Ginanni, Palo Alto High School’s varsity boys’ cross-country head coach, ran the Ohlone Wilderness 50 kilometer last spring.

“I did a 50k and that was my first marathon or above marathon distance I had ever done,” Ginanni said. “I had only done a half marathon before that. I did [the Ohlone Wilderness race] in my racing flats, and people thought I was psycho and were like, ‘Whoa, you run trails and run marathons in those?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m totally fine. I have no problems.’”

Marathoners from across the country have started to leave their shoes at the starting line. People have started to spread the word about minimalist running, a few by running in the San Francisco marathon barefoot. The trend has also inspired books, websites and articles, such as Wiggling Their Toes at the Shoe Giants in the New York Times.

In Christopher McDougall’s book Born to Run, about the Tarahumara Indians who run for miles in makeshift sandals made of rubber strips, he writes about Louis Liebenberg, a college dropout who lived with an African Bushmen tribe in the Kalahari Des-

When the Earth began to heat up after the Ice Age, sweating allowed Homo sapiens to run long distances in hot weather. In contrast, other mammals are not long distance runners, but sprinters.

For example, a jackrabbit can sprint at 45 miles per hour, but only for a half mile before overheating.

The fastest runners can sprint at 10.2 meters per second for roughly 15 seconds, but the average runner can jog for hours at a pace of three to four meters per second; five to six meters per second if the person is more fit. This gives humans a greater advantage over longer distances in running an animal into overheating.

The millions of sweat glands in the human body allow moisture to escape. Consequently, this cools the body temperature down to allow exercise for a longer period of time without overheating. Mammals lose their heat through their breath or a few sweat glands, but not nearly as efficiently as humans dissipate heat, which means they overheat quicker than humans.

“I did [the Ohlone Wilderness race] in my racing flats, and people thought I was psycho and were like, ‘Whoa, you run trails and run marathons in those?’

I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m totally fine. I have no problems,’” Joe Ginanni said. ert for four years. The Bushmen took Leibenberg on a persistence hunt in the Kalahari. Usually, the Bushmen wore light moccasins, but donned thin-soled shoes for the hunt. Leibenberg walked for twenty miles and ran for two hours in 107-degree heat, all to chase down a kudu, a type of antelope.

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And to top it all off, when humans first began to chase down these animals, they did not wear today’s cushioned, high-tech, and expensive running shoes.

Big-name sports companies tend to endorse the supported foot over a bare one, but some are taking a minimalist route:

STRIdE Ben Sklaroff (‘10) (center) and members of boys’ cross-country run barefoot across the turf after cross-country practice. producing shoes with very little support.

Only a handful of doctors believe that barefoot running is safe for every run and runner. On the contrary, most advocate for running in supportive shoes and inserts.

Dr. Amol Saxena, a sports medicine podiatrist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, believes that barefoot running is not ideal for most types of runs, but is helpful for building up foot muscles.

“It’s a good strengthening exercise,” Dr. Saxena said.

Dr. Tom White, a family practice physician in Colorado, and the girls’ cross-country coach for Buena Vista High School, agrees with Dr. Saxena. Dr. White has his team run barefoot twice a week.

“We started off by having the team run just one lap around the soccer field,” White said from his home in Colorado. “We slowly increased [the mileage] so that now they’re up to running about a mile at a time. They do that twice a week running barefoot on the grass.”

Sports companies claim running shoes support runners’ feet.

Barefoot advocates disagree. In padded shoes, runners tend to land on their heels instead of their forefoot. This can lead to

weakened arches and injuries. Shoes could potentially weaken the muscles that help bodies stay injury-free by keeping feet immobile.

Ted McDonald, known in the running world as “Barefoot Ted” and one of the main characters in Born to Run, talked about Dr. Daniel Lieberman, a Harvard professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, and his research in Kenya.

“It turns out when people who are basically given an opportunity to grow up and never wear shoes, the way they run and move is primarily forefoot,” McDonald said over phone from Seattle.

An avid barefoot runner of five years, McDonald finds that running in shoes hurts his feet during longer runs.

“I was under the assumption that in order to run long distances people must have the capacity to endure more and more pain,” McDonald said. “I couldn’t really endure it for more than an hour. I tried all kinds of different shoes and different kinds of inserts and even went so far as to get those Kangoo Jumps, which are the least impact-resisting shoe in the world, and all of that didn’t work.”

After attempting to find suitable support for his foot, Mc-

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FIVEFINGErS Joe Ginanni runs on the turf in his Vibram FiveFingers, which he frequently trains in instead of normal running shoes.

Donald decided to go the farthest down the minimalist route he could: running barefoot.

“It was an epiphany for me,” McDonald said. “A remembering, too, that I could run barefoot.” McDonald and a friend made a pact to not wear shoes, shower, or comb their hair for one summer. His rediscovery of barefoot running reminded McDonald of his childhood antics.

Running shoes support feet to walk on the bony heel of the foot, instead of silently on the forefoot. According to Dr. Lieberman’s research, this emphasis on the heel while running adds seven times the amount of impact into the body than forefoot striking does.

Born to Run has swept into the running world, including the Paly running community, causing a stir in the way a runner looks at his shoes and the steps he takes.

Ginanni is hesitant to implement barefoot running as a regular part of cross-country practice.

“I don’t want the boys to do it and go crazy,” Ginanni said.

Ginanni has been running in more minimal shoes over the past four or five years, and believes the practice has aided him during his running.

“It’s helped my technique and made me more efficient.”

Ginanni said.

Completing the Ohlone Wilderness 50k in racing flats, a shoe with little support, reinforced his belief that this type of running is beneficiary for his style.

“That was my first ultimate test of what I have been doing in the last three years,” Ginanni said. “Doing that, to me, affirmed

what I’ve been doing. I’ve been training for it, running in [Vibram] FiveFingers and flats, and then running the whole thing in flats.”

When Ginanni finds more scientific backing to barefoot running, he might introduce it to the team, but feels it would be too complicated at the moment.

“It’s hard to manage it for an entire team at this point in time,” Ginanni said.

One member of the varsity cross-country team, Ben Sklaroff (‘10), recently began barefoot running.

“I read the book Born to Run and I started to do some research online and I figured out that there’s a lot of people who actually do run barefoot and it is probably better for you.” Sklaroff said.

Sklaroff first included barefoot running as part of his training a few weeks ago.

“I realized that if I tried to do too much I could really injure myself,” Sklaroff said. “I wanted to start slowly and incorporate it into my general training, so I didn’t lose anything for the regular season.”

Every day, Sklaroff starts off his training runs with a one and a half mile barefoot run, then puts on his shoes and finishes the run. On Sundays, he starts off with four miles instead of his usual one and a half.

Even though barefoot running does not have concrete scientific support as of today, barefoot runners remain confident that further research will come out in their favor. “[Running shoes are] pretty much not the way to go,” McDonald said. “I think research and more and more harder science is going to prove that.” <<<

DIFFErENCE Ben Sklaroff (‘10) stands amongst members of the cross-country team. He is the only runner on the team who runs barefoot.

FOOTBALLERS PAST What Paly’s stars of the past are doing with their futures

BY COOPER LEVITAN

Photo courtesy of Michael Anderson VICTOry Michael Anderson “56” and teammates James McCullough “34” and Mike Scott “81” celebrate the Vikings 14-7 CCS Championship victory over Menlo Atherton in 2007.

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hroughout the years, there have been many great athletes to go through Palo Alto High School. Many go on to play their respective sports in college.

However, others do not. Paly stars, like Michael Anderson (‘08), and Nick Goodspeed (‘07), all ended up at different colleges across the nation.

Anderson, the anchor of the 2007 Paly varsity football team’s offensive and defensive lines, led the Vikings to a Central Coast Section Championship (CCS). Winning the section championship for the second consecutive year was an important achievement for the team in 2008.

“We knew we had a great team senior year and it wasn’t anything as special as

junior year, but we were extremely excited to compete for a CCS championship,” Anderson said. “We lost two games early in the season and coming back to win our section was a great accomplishment.”

Anderson has not forgotten the four years spent at Paly. His experience on the varsity football team has greatly helped him in his college football. Anderson, also a member of the 2007 state runner-up team recalls that season as one of his best learning experiences in sports at Paly.

“Not only the credibility of playing for the California state championship, but also the winning atmosphere that came along with that state championship season and team [was a great experience for me],” Anderson said. “I know I can also

speak for Jordan [Jefferson (’08)] who is also [at Yale]. We brought that with us to Yale.”

After graduating from Paly in the spring of 2008, Anderson was recruited to play football for Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

“College football is a huge step up from high school [football],” Anderson said. “That was a huge shock at first, but the competitive spirit and the tenacity of Paly football helped me compete this past year.”

Anderson is taking a gap year this year and plans to use his off-time to work for a local start-up company, Think Computer Corp, and travel.

“I will be traveling, probably to South

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America, Peru, Bolivia, the Amazon and idea behind the word relentless is.” him for college life. then up through the Andes mountains,” Nick Goodspeed was quarterback for “The prep year at Choate definitely did Anderson said. “I took two Spanish classes the 2006 Paly varsity football team, which help me, even though at the time it didn’t at Yale and I want to further my Spanish earned a trip to the state championship seem like it,” Goodspeed said. “It helped skills as well my study habas test them its out a lot in real world and helped me situations and find a school learn more to go to play about the culfootball at.” ture.”

A f Anderson’s ter his time at year off does Choate, Goodnot mean speed enrolled that he has at Colorado totally forgotCollege, where ten about his he played footprevious year ball last year. in New Haven However, lack and hopes that his year off can help his game. Since graduating from Paly in the of funding led to the football program befootball career. spring of 2007, Goodspeed has been en- ing cut and unsatisfactory school culture “I have an opportunity by taking this rolled at schools all over the nation. After were key factors in Goodspeed’s decision year off to work out and train a lot harder Paly, Goodspeed went to Choate Rose- to transfer from Colorado College to the than I would be normally. I believe [that] mary Hall, a college-prep school in Wall- Miami University at Ohio. However, Goodwill help me very much in the long run,” ingford, Connecticut. Goodspeed notes speed will not be able to play football this Anderson said. “I will be a year older but that the year he spent at Choate prepared season due to a recent knee surgery.

[I] will have the same amount of eligibility.

[This year is] a red shirt year for me.”

Anderson says that the coaches he worked with at Paly were very helpful in creating the mentality that has helped him succeed at the collegiate level.

“Peter Hansen always said, and it’s his favorite word, ‘relentless,’” Anderson said.

“The many times we had to call out relentless on the windsprint-line drilled it into our brains. That relentless attitude, that persistent, relentless attitude of ‘If I can do this, this and this I will succeed. I Photo courtesy of Michael Anderson will be a starter and anything is possible.’ COLLEGIATE SUCCESS Michael Anderson (94) and his Yale teammates take the field in a junior varsity game That’s what I think the against Brown University at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut on November 9th, 2008.

“The many times we had to call out relentless on the wind-sprint-line drilled it into our brains. That relentless attitude, that persistent, relentless attitude of ‘If I can do this, this and this I will succeed.

I will be a starter and anything is possible.’ That’s what I think the idea behind the word relentless is.”

-Michael Anderson (‘08)

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Photo courtesy of Nick Goodspeed

Photo courtesy of Nick Goodspeed PrECISION Quarterback Nick Goodspeed (‘07) scrambles out of the pocket and throws in a game at Choate Rosemary Hall in the 2008 football season.

“I am liking Miami a lot so far,” Goodspeed said. “It is a total 180 from the experience I had at [Colorado College] and I’m enjoying that. I was planning on walking on here at Miami, but I actually had knee surgery last year while playing at [Colorado College] and I didn’t feel that my knee was in good enough shape to try to walk on.”

According to Goodspeed, his college football career is incomparable to his experience at Paly.

“My college football experience was not even close to as fun as my high school football experience,” Goodspeed said.

“The lack of school spirit at [Colorado College], paired with it being my first, and only, year on the team were the key factors in [my decision to transfer]. After

DETERMINATION Goodspeed throws on the run in a game during his senior year at Paly. Goodspeed now attends Miami University at Ohio after a year at Colorado College.

playing four years with the same guys who you have grown up with [you don’t] really ever have the chance for that to happen beyond high school. That is something pretty special.”

One key factor that differentiates between college and high school football is team chemistry.

“I learned more than I knew at the time from my experience playing football at Paly,” Goodspeed said. “I was friends with a lot of guys on the team even before I started playing football, but after my senior year, there really was a bond with that whole team that I hadn’t, and still haven’t, experienced at any other level. [At Colorado College] it was a bunch of guys who all came from different backgrounds and had many different skill sets, but for some rea-

son we all meshed really well with each other. To be honest it seems kind of like a dream how it all worked out that year [at Colorado College].”

Like Anderson, Goodspeed credits the coaching staff, as well as his teammates, for some of his most memorable lessons learned through athletics.

“The whole coaching staff was awesome and made you want to work to get better, even though I lived in fear of Coach Hansen every time he called for the [passing play] flanker cross,” Goodspeed said.

“I make an effort to go back and see all of the coaches whenever I’m home because of the impact they made on my life at Paly.

There were so many talented guys on that team; it made things pretty easy on me. I was definitely lucky to have them.” <<<

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stretching the truth stretChinG The Palo Alto high School varsity football team loosens up in its warm-up lines before its home game vs. Saratoga.

BY JACK SMALE PHOTOS BY HANNA BRODY AND ALLIE SHORIN

umerous athletes and teams believe that winning a game cannot be accomplished without proper stretching, while others deem the act of stretching a pure waste of time. The controversy of stretching is a daily battle between sports organizations and personal views of players.

For some athletes, stretching can damage their performance, but in other cases it can enhance their game. Whether or not stretching really is effective comes down to the basics.

For years, athletic trainers, coaches and physical therapists have preached the importance of stretching before and after any practice or game. To prevent injury and prepare for big games, players follow the ritual of stretching to make a smooth transition from warm-up to game time. Although stretching has been integrated in most athletes’ warm-ups from a young age, many wonder whether or not it is helpful in its whole.

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“I definitely think that [stretching] is an important part of warm-ups and cool-downs for all sports,” Palo Alto High School athletic trainer Josh Goldstein said. “[Stretching] elongates the muscles and prepares them for hard workouts.”

According to the Health Department in Sedgwick County, Kansas, stretching helps raise body temperature, increase

“[Stretching] elongateS the muScleS and prepareS them for hard workoutS,” goldStein Said.

blood flow and promote oxygen supply to muscles in warmups. In cool-downs, stretching prevents blood and other waste products from pooling up in limbs and muscles, and also by helping muscles and tendons relax and loosen.

“Stretching before and after workouts is equally important because it is critical to warm-up and prevent the potential micro-tears that occur every time you run,” Goldstein said.

“Stretching afterwards helps loosen muscles and keep them

Photo by Hanna Brody

“i think Stretching makeS you feel like Spaghetti before raceS, i juSt don’t like it,” newby Said. prevent muscle soreness or injury. While the study noted that stretching improves flexibility, flexibility does not prevent injury.

Therefore, the question of stretching comes up once again.

There is not enough evidence according to the study to determine whether or not to stop or continue stretching. If stretching feels good, keep going; but if it is a pain, take a break and focus on strength building. <<<

Photos by Allie Shorin

from getting sore.”

Although a number of athletes feel that stretching may not actually be effective, Palo Alto Medical Foundation physical therapist Haideh Plock believes that stretching is something that should be considered by all athletes because of the many advantages stretching provides.

“If you are active [in stretching] or plan on becoming active, you need to maintain a balance between strength and flexibility,” Plock said. “If you are strong, but not flexible, you may be setting yourself up for injury. Many sports or activities

require a rapid response from muscles. If those muscles are ‘too tight’ and you ask them to respond in a rapid manner, you can cause the muscle injury. You can also be too flexible; this leads to injury from instability in the joint.”

Despite qualified professional’s opinions, many still believe that stretching does not really help.

“I never have and never will [stretch],” varsity cross-country runner Josh Newby (‘10) said. “I think stretching makes you feel like spaghetti before races, I just don’t like it. Afterwards, I just do it if I’m sore, and even then I’m careful doing it so that I don’t exacerbate my muscles.”

At cross-country practices, stretching is not even incorporated into the schedule.

“Personally, I don’t think that [stretching] is necessary,” Joe Ginanni, the Palo Alto High School boys’ varsity cross-country head coach said. “If kids on the team want to do it, that’s great, but unless someone is super sore in an area, I don’t usually tell them to stretch just to stretch.”

In 2004, Stephen B. Thacker, the director of the epidemiology program office at the Center for Disease Control, conducted a study that reviewed 361 research studies on stretching. Thacker’s research, published in the March edition of the Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise magazine, concluded that stretching before or after workouts does not

warM-uP The Palo Alto varsity girls’ water polo team stretches before practice to get ready for its swim sets and scrimmages.

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DNA HELMET made by Schutt: One of the newest models of Schutt helmets with new gel padding. Designed to prevent concussions and all brain injuries, as well as increase style points

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Sports

BICEP BANDS made

by Nike: Strictly swaggy, with the added bonus of making biceps look larger FOREARM SHIVER made by Under Armour

GLOVES made BY CUTTERS: Come in many different colors including the clean look of all white.

BELT WITH GREEN TAPE: Strictly swaggy PALY TOWEL: Keeps players arms and hands dry to enhance their performance

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hey say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This age-old saying rings true throughout life, whether it is in the world of school, the world of business, or the world of sports. However, on the field, first impressions are different.

There are no formal introductions, job interviews, or freshman orientations. A

first impression in sports should intimidate your opponent, as well as put on a show for the crowd. But how do athletes go about this? Is it how they dress?

How they carry themselves? Or is it that intangible combination of the two that some athletes like to call “swag”?

“Swag to me is all about individual confidence,” varsity football player Davante Adams (’11) said. “If you come

looking nice, you just know you are going to play well.”

Athletes build up this individual confidence in many ways, one of the most obvious being the accessories and gear they wear while playing. Football players sport an extensive array of accessories and flashy gear such as visors, sleeves, high socks, wristbands, eye black, or even the highly stylish forearm

Swag

BY WILL GLAZIER PHOTOS BY HANA KAJIMURA, ALLIE SHORIN, AND MALAIKA DREBIN

VISOR made by Nike: Strictly Swaggy

MOUTHPIECE WITH LIP SHIELD: Designed to protect against concussions and other mouth injuries

FOREARM SHIVER made by Under Armour: Designed to keep forearms dry and prevent cuts and scrapes as well as turf-burn

GLOVES made by CUTTERS: Used to enhance catching abilities as well as provide padding for hands.

Wide receiver Davante Adams “10” and defensive back Brendon Rider “27” show off their swag.

shivers.

“Gloves, socks, and your helmet are the only three items that look swaggy and also help your performance on the field,” varsity football player Brendon Rider (’10) said. “Everything else is pretty much for show, like visors, towels, or wristbands.”

Yet this wide arsenal of gear does not necessarily serve the purpose of intimi-

dating your opponent as most fans or observers would assume. Showing off for the fans is also one of the main objectives.

“I honestly think that people deck themselves out in gear not so much to intimidate their opponent, but rather to put on a show for the crowd,” Rider said.

However, swag is not just limited to attire. Athletes can display their swag

from the moment they enter the stadium. The way an athlete warms up with their team can be crucial to setting the tone for an upcoming game and getting their opponents to recognize their presence.

“Our crazy warm-up is almost like a tradition for home games and we run around them to get them jittered up and off of their game,” varsity volley-

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When Swag Goes WronG...

“Usually when I see someone else swagged out it makes me want to make him look stupid,” rider said. “It’s always satisfying to make that person look bad after they tried so hard to look cool.”

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ball player Trina Ohms (’11) said. “It’s our house and we set the tempo and do things the way we want.”

While athletes’ warm-ups play a crucial role in displaying swag, what is most important to the players is what they do to prove it when the whistle blows.

“In football there are more ways to show your swag, there’s laying out your opponent, shaking him, and mossing him,” Rider said. “All these make you

STruT yOur STuFF Left tackle and defensive end Kevin Anderson “58” shows what it means to have negative swag on his home turf at Palo Alto High School.

look swaggy and make your opponent look weak.”

These displays of swag help athletes stand out to the crowd as well as potentially intimidate opponents. But for those who are not easily scared by a few pieces of cloth, a flashy warm-up jog, or a couple highlight reel plays, an excessive display of swag can actually make a player a target of their opposition.

“They definitely don’t intimidate me,

sometimes I just laugh because they are trying too hard,” Adams said.

However, some players desire to go one step further than just laugh at their opponent or continue on with the game.

“Usually when I see someone else swagged out it makes me want to make him look stupid,” Rider said. “When you have every accessory, but then play awful, that to me is the ultimate embar-

looking cool and staying safe.”

Yet helmets, shoulder pads, and leg pads are not the only types of protective gear. Some players have specific injuries that require a special piece of gear to prevent further injury.

The most common examples of these include ankle, shoulder, or other forms of braces. For instance, Adams has broken his arm multiple times in his playing career, therefore wears a hard protective pad to keep it safe.

An athletes’ swag, and the way he or she displays it, is an important aspect of every sport. Also, the most modern protective gear serves a duel purpose of keeping players looking fashionable and keeping them on the field.

However, when push comes to shove, a win is a win and it really does not matter how good players look if their team pulls out ahead.

“You can’t just have swag when you play,” Adams said. “You have to be able to back it up.” <<< JuMPIN’ Despite Kevin Anderson’s (‘11) acrobatic celebrations, in the eyes of opponents, he looks ridiculous.

MATCH uP Brendon Rider (‘10) guards Devante Adams (‘11) step for step as the two varsity players attempt to catch a pass in the end zone after practice in October.

“In football there are more ways to show your swag: there’s laying out your opponent, shaking him, mossing him,” rider said. “All these make you look swaggy and make your opponent look weak.” rassment. It’s always satisfying to make that person look bad after they tried so hard to look cool.”

All the accessories in the world cannot keep a football player safe from a 250 pound linebacker charging full speed ready for a collision. That is why protective gear plays such a large role in

football.

“Protective gear I think is the most effective,” Rider said. “Sure, gloves help you catch but a helmet keeps you from losing you head. And now that the companies like Schutt and Riddell make cool looking helmets that are more comfortable than ever you get the combo of

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In the Blink of an Eye

BY GEORGE BROWN AND ALISTAIR THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANA KAJIMURA

One false step. Bam. A knee collapses.

A tendon snaps. A bone shatters. In a split second, an athlete can be sidelined for weeks, months or years. All athletes live with the reality that at any time their athletic careers can be completely transformed.

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n early September, the Palo Alto High School varsity football team was midway through an early season practice preparing for Friday’s opening game. Running back Tyrell Walker (‘10) was readjusting to the Paly football lifestyle after leaving Paly to complete his junior year at another school. Walker looked strong after a few carries, and it seemed that he was on his way to contributing some much-needed depth at running back to the team this year.

After taking a fateful pitch, Walker cut outside. As he tried to make a second cut, his smooth footwork faltered and he fell to the turf.

“I was carrying the ball and made a cut,” Walker said. “I did a jab step and then I did a plant twist and my knee went the other way.”

As Walker limped off the field, it did not seem like this injury would end his Paly career. He would later find out that he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and would have to undergo surgery to repair it.

Before the injury, Walker had high hopes for his future in football. He had plans of pursuing a scholarship to play college football, but now that he is out for his senior year, Walker will either have to pur-

ed 500,000 high school athletes in the United States visit doctors every year for sports related injuries.

“People are so good at sports now that high school players are playing at levels that college players used to play at,” San Francisco Giants team surgeon Dr. Gordon Brody said.

Dr. Brody has worked extensively with high school and collegiate athletes.

“They’re bigger now, so they are stressing their frame, and they’re stressing their tendons sue football by walking on or atand their ligaments and so forth tending a junior college. in ways that the body is just not Walker now faces a two hour opera- designed to do,” Dr. Brody said. tion followed by six months of rehabilitation. He will never play on the Paly footying on his couch watching colball team again. lege football, Paly varsity basketball “It’s just devastating,” Walker said. “I shooting guard Max Schmarzo (‘11) live and breathe football. I’ve been play- is already feeling the mental and physiing since I was five years old. I took a cal effects of his surgery from the day bewhole year off and [now] I come back fore. Schmarzo, the leading three point and get injured.” shooter for Paly’s squad last year, started Situations like Walker’s are becoming feeling minor knee pain in February of more and more prevalent among high his freshman year. Although he played school level athletes. According to the through two AAU (Amateur Athletic Center for Disease Control, an estimat- Union) seasons as well as his sophomore

“It’s just devastating. I live and breathe football.”

- Tyrell Walker (‘10)

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year at Paly, the pain increased last spring and he decided to have it checked out by a doctor. Before he knew it, he was wearing a gigantic brace in front of the television, taking four Vicodin a day.

After consulting a doctor, Schmarzo found that he had a bipartite patella in his left knee. This, in effect, meant that his knee cap had separated into two pieces. A bipartite patella is a subtle deformation and many people live their entire lives without knowing that they have one. However, the friction occurring in Schmarzo’s knee got to the point where each game became a battle between himself and his knee.

“He’d have to get weaker, because the quad was pulling [on the patella tendon], so if he got stronger, it would actually cause more friction and pain,” Bill Schmarzo, Max’s father, said.

In order to avoid that situation, Schmarzo decided to have surgery to remove one part of his patella. This will eventually enable him to get stronger and improve his game. Meanwhile, Schmarzo is stuck on the couch waiting to start his rehabilitation.

“It’s frustrating to not be able to get myself ready to contribute to the team,” Schmarzo said.

This is one of the hardest parts for many athletes who have to have surgery, according to Palo Alto Medical Foundation physical therapist Ed Schiavone.

“It is common for an injured athlete to have feelings of disappointment that they can’t participate with the rest of the team, as well as frustration in the length of time needed for an injury to heal or rehabilitation,” Schiavone said.

Schmarzo’s desire to get back on the court for the second half of the upcoming season fuels his motivation for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, there is no denying the fact that it gets difficult from time to time.

“It sucks to have to sit on the couch all day,” Schmarzo said. “I feel so useless. I feel like I’m Jabba the Hutt or something. But you have got to have a positive outlook.”

He now faces three to four months of rehab, which will start with walking and lead to more strenuous exercises, such as swimming and lifting weights.

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“For some injuries, surgery is the only option,” dr. brody said. “it’s always the last resort, but sometimes it’s the only resort.”

Schmarzo hopes to be an impact player once he rejoins the team midseason. ot all treatment decisions for serious sports injuries are black and white. There are many different types of twists, turns, rotations, dislocations, sprains and fractures that an athlete can suffer. There are often multiple treatment options to help athletes get back to where they need to be in order to compete. And then, of course, they have to take action.

So was the case for varsity volleyball and softball player Kristen Dauler (‘10).

Last December, while playing volleyball with her club team, Palo Alto Power, Dauler’s knee started to bother her. Unlike many other injuries, Dauler’s was not an isolated incident, meaning that the pain occurred because of overuse, not because of one specific trauma to Dauler’s knee. She visited a doctor but continued to play through it. The doctor sent her to physical therapy, but, according to Dauler, this did not make a significant difference.

Dauler later tore her patella tendon – the same tendon that caused the friction in Schmarzo’s knee. She discussed her treatment options with her parents and doctor. These included more physical therapy, a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection, surgery or a combination of the three. She ended up sitting out the last month of the 2009 softball season, and

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scheduled surgery and a PRP injection for early August of that year.

It is not always clear what kind of surgery will be necessary, or if an athlete even needs surgery at all. Sometimes surgery is optional and can speed up the recovery process. However, there are times when athletes have no choice but to go through with surgery.

“The day I found out I needed surgery was a very emotional day,” Dauler said. “I was crying a lot just because I knew my recovery was six months and I would be out for my senior year of volleyball. That was extremely hard.”

Dr. Brody has found that adolescent athletes face a lot of frustration immediately following surgery.

Dauler now proceeds to the next stage of the process: rehabilitation.

Throughout rehab, athletes must first regain their range of motion and then focus on strengthening their muscles in order to get back on the field. “[The] goal of rehabilitation is not only to get the injured body part ready for the demands of sport, but to get the athlete prepared as well,” Schiavone said.

This fall, as Dauler goes through her rehab, she decided to stay involved with Paly volleyball, serving as the team manager. She goes to physical therapy each week and does exercises everyday at home to get back to where she needs

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to be for the softball season.

“My deepest worry is that the surgery isn’t successful and I need to have another [surgery] or live with the pain,” she said. “But if all goes well, I will be able to do everything I used to do in five

ow in college, former Paly soccer player Shaina Kaye (‘09) still remembers everything about the spring day in 2006 that affected her for most of high school.

“A girl tackled me from behind and I fell,” she said. “The bottom half of my leg went one way, my knee went the other way, and the rest is history.”

Another ACL injury. Three options.

“It wasn’t really a question of whether or not I was going to have surgery because I was so young and I completely ripped my ACL to shreds,” Kaye said.

Kaye had the option of using part of her patella tendon, hamstring tendon or a cadaver (a dead person’s ligament) to repair the tear. Because of long term problems involved with using the patella tendon and the risk of infection or rejection of a cadaver, Kaye chose to use her own hamstring tendon, which meant a longer rehab period.

Although Kaye’s surgery was successful, her recovery process was by no

“It sucks to have to sit on the couch all day. I feel so useless. I feel like I’m Jabba the Hutt or something.

But you have got to have a positive outlook.”

- Max Schmarzo (‘11) months.”

Rehabilitation veteran and Paly football alum Sam Tompkins-Jenkins (‘09) tore his ACL going into his junior year. Tompkins-Jenkins completed nine months of rehab to prepare for his senior season.

“When you’re given exercises to do at home, do all of them,” Tompkins-Jenkins said. “Never miss a day because you’re only hurting yourself in the end.”

Tompkins-Jenkins’s experience exemplifies the importance of staying committed to rehabilitation. In order to have the opportunity to return to the field, athletes need to concentrate their efforts to the process.

means quick and painless.

“I remember not being able to walk up and down stairs, run, bounce in bouncy houses and [not being able to] just be fun and crazy,” Kaye said. “[I could not] do things without having to worry about hurting myself.”

In Kaye’s case, surgery was the only option. It seems that, as the surgical technology improves and more people undergo operations, more and more athletes are leaning in the direction of having surgery.

“A lot of people want surgery because they see surgery as a miraculous quick fix,” Dr. Brody said.

However, many athletes attest that it

is anything but a quick fix.

“At the time [following surgery], I really thought that my life sucked and it couldn’t get much worse,” Kaye said.

Kaye added that being injured and off the field for so long gave her a whole different perspective on being a kid.

“While volunteering at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital [after my surgery], I realized how fortunate I was that my situation was temporary,” Kaye said. “And that was the thing, surgery and recovery truly are temporary. It sucks big time while it’s happening, but being kids and being so active and resilient, we bounce back really fast.”

Even so, Kaye realized the difficulty in regaining confidence in her injured knee toward the end of rehab.

“Learning how to walk again was one of the hardest things I have ever done,” Kaye said. “It was so scary putting weight on my leg because I didn’t trust the fact that it was strong enough to hold all my body weight.”

Despite these challenges, Kaye was able to get past this setback and play soccer during her senior year.

Athletes will always get injured. Some will require surgery and others will not. There is no way to change the physical and mental obstacles that athletes must overcome on their road to recovery.

“I think the greatest challenges that injured athletes face are emotional,” Schiavone said. “It is difficult getting over the initial disappointment of not being able to compete, and refocusing their energy.”

Most athletes do not know what the physical or emotional impact of their surgery will be, until their operation.

When athletes get injured, they have to make their decision and live with it.

All athletes take these risks when they step on the field, but in the end they have no control over these sudden career-altering injuries. Some athletes are back on the field making an impact in a few quick months. For others, an injury means much more. <<<

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What it Takes

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to make it to the next level

BY MARCO SCOLA PHOTOS BY MALAIKA DREBIN & HANA KAJIMURA DESIGN BY EMILY FOWLER

Photo by Hana Kajimura

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As the lunch bell rings on a pristine mid-September afternoon, 1,836 Palo Alto High School students breath a collective sigh of relief. Finally-a break. In a school where 94% of students go directly to college, 79% of which to a four-year (more than two and a half times the national average according to the National Center for Educational Statistics), down time is few and far between. However, as the student body scatters about campus and local eateries during their coveted lunch break chatting and relaxing with friends, Joc Pederson (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;10) (right), is not so lucky. Or maybe he is.

Photo by Hana Kajimura

X X X X X

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he 6-foot-1, 185 pounder may not have as much leisure time as his fellow classmates, but as the face of Palo Alto High School athletics, he knows both edges of the student-athlete sword. Whether leading the football team with 745 receiving yards as a First-Team All League wideout and ESPN’s pick as a preseason all CCS player, knocking down a game-winning jumper as the basketball team’s starting small forward, or, for his main act, hitting .420 as the baseball team’s number three batting centerfielder, Joc Pederson does it all. In a school so rich with athletic talent where players struggle to make just a single roster, Pederson plays the role of superstar three times over. While the rest of the kids quickly stuff their notebooks into their backpacks and file out of the classroom, Pederson begins to tighten his shoelaces. It’s not as easy as it looks.

Though the student body spends the next better part of an hour dispersed about, sprawled out on the grass and

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that would have tasted the salt water of McCovey Cove, Pederson decides to call it quits-time to get back to class.

As his classmates pass by on their way back lunch, clutching their Subway sandwich bags and Starbucks cups, they cannot help but trade “He’s nuts” and “What in the world is he thinking?” looks as Pederson has already worked himself into a hearty sweat with half his classes of the day still remaining.

Though ambiguous to onlookers, Pederson has a method to his alleged madness. Like everybody else, it is always in the back of his mind. “It” can be applied to any situation, at any time and in any place-something that at one point or another consumes us all: The Next Level.

“Going to college, and then eventually going pro is what I want to do when I grow up,” explains Pederson. “Right now, I’m doing everything that I can to reach that goal.”

Already projected to be a potential first-round pick in this June’s Rule 4

though this may seem extreme, private coaches, personal lessons, weekend showcases and traveling teams have all become commonplace today in the lives of high school athletes.

While it was not always this way, it should come as no surprise.

In our essentially free market economy, entrepreneurs are perpetually looking for the newest niche in the market to exploit and make money, until others begin to take notice and

dOdGE Pederson alludes two touchdowns in the

“It’s not that hard to convince someone to go somewhere when the team is so good.”

-Paly soccer and softball star Kelly Jenks (‘10) XXXX

Photo by Hana Kajimura

soaking in the late-summer sun, Pederson trains to the point of exhaustion. He quickly makes his way across the quad to the batting cage, where he meets his Dad, former Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Stu Pederson, who greets him with a bat, batting gloves, and a bucket of balls. Within minutes, Pederson has blown through half of the first bucket. Blisters form on his hands as he continues to powerfully whip his bat at each ball that he deems worth the effort of his vicious swing. Finally, after five consecutive connections

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First-Year Player draft by ESPN’s senior baseball analyst and Hall of Fame voter Keith Law, Pederson is well on his way.

And like many other top-tier athletes across the country, Pederson really does mean everything. During the summer prior to his junior year, he was home for a total of 13 days. The rest he spent traveling the country with his NorCal baseball team, competing against the best high school players in the country, including Bryce Harper, recently featured to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the consensus first overall pick in next year’s draft.

X X X X X During the school year, X X X X X Pederson spends an estimated 30 hours per week X X X X X training and practicing for X X X X X his multiple sports. And,

eventually oversaturate the market, eliminating its original niche status and reducing profit margins. With the unprecedented influx of money into professional sports in recent decades, everybody wants to be a professional ballplayer. As a result, athletes have no other choice but to do what any other business people do when their market is flooded: differentiate, and ultimately, improve their product.

Dismissing this phenomenon as simply a natural progression of athletics would only be scratching the surface of an issue already deeply rooted in our culture-an issue that is here to stay. The noticeable effects in high school sports lay rooted, like almost everything else

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Photo by Malaika Drebin

an Archbishop Mitty defender for one of his Viking’s only losing effort thus far this season.

in the world, in one singular element: money.

Over the past 25 years, sports culture in America has changed drastically.

Today, sports belong in mainstream culture alongside cinema and television. According to CNN, over 18 million American men, or about 20% of the country’s adult male population, read Sports Illustrated on a weekly basis. With sport taking its new place on America’s center stage in recent years, the amount of money associated with it has grown exponentially.

New York, home to over 40 professional sports teams, serves as the epi-

center. In 1988, the Mets made Gary Carter the highest paid baseball player in the world with a $2,360,714 annual salary. Just 20 years later, today’s highest paid player, the Yankees’ own Alex Rodriguez, had already “earned” that sum 12 games into this season, a relative pittance when compared to his $33,000,000 annual salary.

However, this trend does not stop with baseball. Consider this: in 2000, the highest total team payroll in the NFL belonged to the Arizona Cardinals at around $59 million. This past season, the Oakland Raiders paid its players over $152 million (almost $30 and a

half million per win).

Even in individual sports like golf, purses continue to rise as never seen before. In 2007, Tiger Woods, the richest athlete in the world, with a net worth, according to Forbes, at around $500 million, made nearly $12 million from tournament winnings, as well as over $100 million from endorsements. In comparison, Jack Nicklaus’s most lucrative season, (1972-in which he won seven tournaments, including two majors) netted him a grand total of $320,524.

This unprecedented increase in money cannot be attributed to higher attendance figures, which have contin-

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Photo by Hana Kajimura

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ued unwaveringly on a slow annual rise for decades. The product on the field has not changed, box office statistics are steady. Yet somehow American culture has decided that watching the Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl this year at $1,000 per ticket is as reasonable as it was to watch the same team win the same trophy in 1980 for $30 per ticket. Outside of minor rule changes, spectators still pay for almost the same “goods” that they purchased 15 years ago. Even if the fan experience has been enhanced with the new state-of-the-art billion dollar stadiums, it would be difficult for anybody, even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, to assert that the NFL product is 33 times better today than it was in 1980.

The change in the culture of professional sports has significantly changed the ways of collegiate athletics. College sports have become almost semi-professional feeder leagues, with each student-athlete always seemingly keeping one foot out the door.

The new superstar treatment of coaches is one of the greatest indicators of this change. Last April, The University of Kentucky hired former University of Memphis coach John Calipari to fill its basketball coaching vacancy. The $31.65 million deal alone was enough to ignite uproar within the sporting community, but Associated Press reported that the deal also includes two cars, gas, a country club membership, 20 prime season tickets to UK home games, eight tickets for each UK home football game, the right to income from camps conducted at UK facilities, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in incentives for reaching certain milestones during the season.

Former UK coach Joe B. Hall, who received a salary raise to $40,000 after leading his 1978 team to the national title, commented in the same story.

“It wasn’t like it is now where you can get lifetime security in one year,” he said.

This trend should come as no surprise. At a postgame press conference this past February, freelance journalist Ken Krayeske made headlines by asking University of Connecticut head basketball coach Jim Calhoun about his status as Connecticut’s highest paid state em-

ployee at $1.6 million annually, in the midst of a projected $8 billion state budget deficit for the next two fiscal years.

“Quite frankly, we bring in $12 million [annually] to the university, nothing to do with state funds,” Calhoun said.

“Get some facts and come back and see me. Don’t throw out salaries and other things.”

Before finally adding, “Not a dime back.”

While it may seem crazy to pay a college coach so much money, the revenue that these big-time programs generate often supports not just the rest of the school’s athletics programs, but returns the school a sizeable profit as well. Additionally, extensive national media coverage provides schools with richer application pools by reaching high school sports fans. This cycle makes the program even more profitable, which then makes the coach even more invaluable.

The enormous amount of money that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) makes each year as a result of its athletes’ success has ignited a national movement demanding more equal compensation for those generating so much income. Peter Prowitt, a 2004 top-100 national high school basketball prospect at The Potomac School in McLean VA, became Stanford University’s earliest ever admit (as a junior).

Prowitt, who went on to play professionally Europe before an injury ended his career, echoes this call.

“The NCAA has really stringent and often ridiculous rules in their efforts to preserve the amateur status, which they do while conveniently pocketing millions off of athletes and paying nothing in return,” Prowitt said. “How fair is that $55,000 [scholarship] when people can make millions off of your work? If you come from a lower class home and your schooling is paid for, but you can barely afford to eat while you are there, it is a different experience. I see no reason why an entity like the NCAA should pocket as big a rip off of big money sports as they do without more accurately compensating their workhorses.”

With so much money flowing through professional sports, then down into college, the next logical step is into high school sports, precisely where it is starting to go.

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Photo by Hana Kajimura

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HOOPS Pederson zeroes in on the cylinder as he lines up for a freethrow in a game against Mountain View in the 2008 winter season.

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Paly athletic director and varsity head football coach of over 20 years, Earl Hansen has observed these changes slowly take place.

“The pressure is on student athletes,” Hansen said. “When you are a recruited Division I student athlete, you are basically a professional. You owe them many, many hours a week-throughout the year, not just during your season. That’s one of the major aspects of change between years ago and today.”

With so much on the line with each potential prospect, recruiting sites such as Rivals.com and MaxPreps.com have emerged in recent years, ranking individual high school players, teams and schools from across the country to help organize what was once looked at as an impossibly complex task of recruiting nationally. Rivals.com reached more than 11.5 million unique users in January 2009 alone.

Perennial Top-10 national powerhouses like the University of Southern California football program attribute its successes as much to their recruiting as their coaching. USC has averaged the second best football recruiting class in the nation since 2003, according to Rivals.com-- an effort that has brought the Trojans two national titles since.

In a world where college coaches are discarded like yesterday’s paper, the pressure to deliver a top recruiting class can be overwhelming.

As a coach makes a pitch for a potential recruit, he is fighting for his livelihood. If USC does not land this quarterback, maybe UCLA will snag him instead, and then maybe in a year or two this kid will make the difference in the big rivalry game. Though it may be indirect, landing this recruit could sway the job security of the USC coach.

“It’s not that hard to convince someone to go somewhere when the team is so good,” says Paly varsity soccer and softball star Kelly Jenks (‘10), who following her junior season, committed to play soccer for Santa Clara University in 2010.

“The fact that a school can hit that spot shows that a team has really good coaching and something special going on there,” she said.

With the table already set with such advancements in professional and colle-

giate level athletics, high school athletes to ramp up their commitment levels just to stay afloat. For those who have their sights set on collegiate play and beyond, especially at the Division I level, the journey is much harder than ever before, particularly when a family is on a tight budget.

“It’s definitely pretty expensive,” says Jamin Ball (‘10), a “blue chip” tennis player for Menlo School, and currently the 31tst ranked male under-18 in the country. “People don’t pay for you when you’re [not professional]. You need to pay for all of your own plane rides, hotel rooms and food.”

In addition to travel expenses, athletes who compete both individually and with a team, hire personal coaches to supplement or take the place of school instructors.

“A lot of people can’t really have coaches, private coaches at least, because they’re pretty expensive,” Ball said. “A hundred dollars an hour for one lesson, usually.”

Along with the stress of financial burdens, athletes make other sacrifices to compete on the highest level.

“You get so mentally exhausted,” Paly varsity sprinter Daniel Jones (‘10) said.

Jones placed second in the 100 meter dash at last season’s Santa Clara Valley Athletic League meet and is currently considering several Ivy League Schools.

“It really drains you,” Jones said. “In the beginning of the season, when I had three-four hour practices every day, I was always in such a bad mood. I was at the point where I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing at all. All the while, the only thing that kept me going, and what keeps me going, is the belief that all this time and effort that I’m putting in and the toll that it takes on me will eventually help me improve and get to the next level.”

Leisure time and grades are also often casualties in the lives of high-performance athletes.

“During the summers, I take classes to lighten my load for the upcoming school year and to ensure my eligibility for the NCAA clearing house,” threeyear varsity football starting right tackle Troy Boyland (‘10) said.

Boyland was recently named the 2nd best offensive tackle in Northern Cali-

pete for another title.

Reporter’s Note Some players are maxing out of the Since committing to play basebench press while others are running ball at USC this August, the piggy-back-ride relay races with their University’s Head Football Coach teammates in the 100 degree weather.

Pete Carrol has contacted PedAs defensive end Kevin Brown (‘10) erson to discuss the possibility tries to catch his breath by going to of him walking on next season. change the song playing through the Additionally, he and his family weight-room speakers, he notices a new have met with a number of repmessage on his phone. Looking it over, resentatives from Major League his eyes widen, he turns down the music, and reads aloud: Baseball teams about their inter“Joc texted me,” Brown said. “He just est in drafting him this June. committed to BIG HITTER This August, Pederson committed to play baseball for UniverUSC.” While it was sity of Southern California following his graduation in the spring of 2010. never really a question of if, but when, the news still causes quite a buzz with his teammates.

Suddenly, Pederson does not seem so crazy anymore. All the late practices, early morning workouts, extra batting practice, lifting, wind sprints, missed parties, shortened vacations and extra-strength Tylenol prescriptions start to make sense. And while it is easy to say you wish you were Joc Pederson now, it is easy to forget one simple fact; he, other hard-working student-athletes, earned it.

Setting down his phone and walking back to the other side of the weight-room to finish his workout, Brown puts it best.

“It looks like Joc is going next level on us.” <<< Photo by John Christopherson

fornia by ESPN’s Rise Magazine.

“When I’m not studying, I’m driving up and down the West Coast attending football camps hosted by Division I colleges and run by their coaches to get more exposure and increase my skill set,” Boyland said.

Often, athletes are faced with the choice of studying or training for their sport.

“I spend a lot more time practicing than doing homework,” Pederson said.

Pederson rejected scholarship offers from virtually every school on the west coast, including University of Oregon, Oregon State, University of Arizona, Arizona State, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly, Fresno State, St. Mary’s University, and University of Pacific among others.

“But baseball is the only reason I could ever get in to most of [those schools],” Pederson said. “It’s not like my grades are bad; they just aren’t up to par with the kids who can focus solely on academics. I’d probably have like a 4.0 GPA and 2200 on the SAT’s without sports.”

Though the sacrifices that athletes must make for just the slight possibility of going to school for free, or even one day of playing professionally for millions of dollars are enormous, the potential payoff is far too much to ignore.

“The possibility of getting a scholarship means a lot,” Boyland, who is aiming for his second straight first-team all De Anza League award this season, said. ”[My chances] are very high, I just need to make sure I stay on top of my schoolwork. A scholarship means a lot to help out my family, so they don’t have to pay for college, because it’s so expensive.

That money means a lot. I can help my mama out, move her to a safe environment-my dad, too. I can provide. I can provide for many people.”

Lifting that last weight, finishing that last rep, sprinting that final straightaway all seem more and more worth it when millions of dollars are attached to an athlete’s every move.

Which brings us back to Pederson.

The Paly varsity football team is in the middle of one of its most strenuous August workouts. Returning many key players from last season’s Central Coast Section (CCS) championship game runner-up team, the Vikings expect to com-

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Photo by Allie Shorin

ZOOM

Daniel Armitano (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;12) blocks a close shot against Homestead High School. The Vikings went on to win 20-13 in their first home game of the season.

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last word

My Take

The Viking’s Sam Maliska compares this year’s football team to the 2006 squad that made it to the state championship game.

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xactly two years, seven months, and 23 days after the Palo Alto varsity football team fell to Orange Lutheran High School in the California State Championship, varsity football head coach Earl Hansen and this year’s squad stepped onto the field for the inaugural practice of the 2009 season.

Donning brand-new practice jerseys and crisp white helmets, new faces replaced those of seasons past. Although each year brings new talent and different challenges for the team, Paly football is renowned for its unwavering tradition of excellence on the gridiron.

Even with outstanding talent, and a great deal of leadership from their team captains, the ‘09 team is undoubtedly different from the ‘06 unit, whom many consider to be the greatest team in the history of Paly football. Despite having several standout players on par with those of the ‘06 team, the 2009 team still lacks what their predecessor had in several key areas.

As a member of the ‘06 team, Will Holder (‘09) still remembers watching the team dominate throughout the entire season.

“The state team had size, speed, talent and discipline that is unmatched to this point,” Holder said.

The ‘06 offensive line included three players pushing 300 pounds with All-State guard Fred Koloto (‘07), left tackle Uly Morales (‘07), and right tackle Will Elmore

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PREPERATIOn Wide Receiver Davante Adams leads his warmup line through pre-game exercises before the October 12 game against Saratoga High School. The Vikings would go on to win the game by a deficit of 41-17. Photo By Malaika Drebin

(‘07), all of whom are 6’4” or taller. For the 2009 squad, only left tackle Kevin Anderson (‘11) reaches 6’4”.

“I think Fred Koloto had a huge impact on the team,” wide receiver Harry Woolson (‘09) said. “Also, Buddy Benaderet was excellent on both sides of the ball.”

Even though the size difference is evi-

dent in this year’s team, the new squad is just as conditioned for the season to come. Four of this year’s starting offensive linemen are likely to bench press 300 pounds before the year ends, each of whom dedicates a great deal of time to achieve the strength necessary to dominate their opponents. This elite group includes Kevin Anderson, guard AJ Castillo

(‘10), center Marco Scola (‘10), and tackle Troy Boyland (‘10).

“The ‘06 line was incredible,” running back Sam Tompkins-Jenkins (‘09) said.

Will Glazier (‘11), Peter Ibarra (‘10) and Miles Anderson (‘11) are all undersized in comparison to 6’1” and

“The ‘06 line was incredible.

They were potentially the biggest line in all of California at that time.”

-Sam Tompkins-Jenkins (‘09) 270 pound fullback Sione Mataele (‘08). Likewise, this year’s starting quarterback, Christoph Bono (‘11), has a large void to fill in comparison to quarterbacks Will POwEr Fullback Sione Mataele (‘08) hurBrandin (‘09) and Nick dles a defender in a game against Carlmont Goodspeed (‘07), both High School. Photo By Adam Heeger. of whom enjoyed wildly successful careers at Paly.

Though this is another LEADErSHIP Coach Earl Hansen commands the Viking area where inexperience offense against Archbishop Mitty while Kevin Anderson could hurt the team, comes off the field for a quick water-break.

Bono has maintained a Photo By Malaika Drebin high level of composure thus far.

“Goodspeed was an in“There have been big changes to the sane quarterback for the ‘06 team,” offense with the more spread-out look Tompkins-Jenkins said. “Even though that we developed two years ago,” Holder Bono lacks experience, he should be re- said. “They will probably have to utilize it ally good in the next two years.” in this season, due to the athleticism that Looking back at the ‘06 Vikings, one of- they have at wide receiver with Joc and ten remembers names such as running Maurice returning and Davante coming back Will Frazier (‘07) and wide receiver in.”

Mike Scott (‘08), who led the team with Though this year’s team will be forced their immense play-making abilities. to work harder and stay engaged late in Fortunately, this year brings Davante each game, quickness and precise execuAdams (‘11) and Maurice Williams (‘11) tion will help the team to pull off wins to the team, with All-League receiver against tougher opponents such as Los GaJoc Pederson (‘10) returning. The trio tos High School and Wilcox High School. will be the starting receivers for the team this year, and it is clear that all “If they can achieve their goals and three possess uncanny athletic abilities continue to perform at a high level,” said that will undoubtedly aid the team in Holder, “the 2009 Paly football team will this season. definitely be one to remember.” <<<

“They were potentially the biggest line in all of California at that time.”

As for the skill positions, the 2009 team may struggle to match up with the ‘06 squad. Running backs Terry Beasley (‘10),

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ALL OUT Santa Clara

Mervynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plaza 2118A El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95050 Phone: (408) 261 2255 - Fax : (408) 261 2254 Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5:30 Sat 11-5 Closed Sun

20% Discount

for all Paly students

DAY N U S

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CCS Round 1 (TBA) CCS Round 1 (TBA)

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SCVAL at Crystal Springs (3:00) SCVAL at Crystal Springs (3:00)

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CCS Semifinals (TBA) CCS semifinals (TBA) CCS Semifinals (TBA) CCS Semifinals(TBA)

CCS Round 1 (TBA) CCS Round 1 (TBA) CCS Round 1 (TBA)

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CCS Round 2 (TBA)

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vs. Saratoga (6:45) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA)

vs. Los Gatos (6:45) vs. Mountain View (3:30) vs. Mountain View (6:45) vs. Los Gatos (3:30)

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CCS Finals(TBA)

at Wilcox (7:30)

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at Mtn. View (2:45) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA)

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vs. Los Gatos (7:30)

vs. Menlo School (3:30) at Mountain View (6:45) vs. Milpitas (7:30) vs. Los Gatos (3:30) vs. Los Gatos (6:45)

SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL at Los Altos (1:00) SCVAL at Paly (1:00)

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at Homestead (6:45) at Gunn (6:45) at Gunn (3:30) vs. Saratoga (3:30) at Gunn (3:55) at Gunn (4:30)

at Gunn (6:45) vs. Los Altos (3:30)

CCS Quarterfinals (TBA) CCS Semifinals (TBA) CCS Semifinals (TBA)

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vs. Salinas (3:30)

OctOber/NOvember

CCS Finals (TBA) CCS Championship (TBA) CCS Championship (TBA)

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CCS Quarterfinals (TBA) CCS Quarterfinals (TBA) CCS Quarterfinals (TBA) CCS Championship CCS Championship

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SCVAL Playoffs (TBA) SCVAL Playoffs (TBA)

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Spikefest2 tournament at MIlpitas (8:00 am)

Volleyball Tennis Girls Water Polo Girls Cross-Country Boys’ Water Polo Boys’ Cross-Country Football

issue 1 ProFiles

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last word

The Last Word

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Photo by Hana Kajimura

For What It’s Worth

n a split-second, I sealed my fate, signed away my soccer career and regained those precious hours each week that I had religiously devoted to soccer for the past decade.

For nearly four days beforehand, I had been training at the University Of California San Diego’s recruiting camp alongside a team of fourteen college-competitive footballers. We trained tirelessly twice a day and celebrated our efforts with a grueling match in the evening against the other squads. Oneby-one, we spanked each team and worked our way to the top of the food chain, finishing the nights off with fresh pizza in the dorms. Now, with four days of work under my belt, I woke up bright and early the final Wednesday morning to step out onto the field and finish what I had begun.

There is a blurry line between what I know and what I’m told about my last day of training at UCSD. I know that I woke up at 8:30, chugged a double-shot, downed a banana, snacked on some M&M’s, threw on my bag, bumped my iPod and strutted out from the dorms to the field where I started in my last game. That is the extent of my memory.

As told from the sports medicine doctor’s shaky recollection of that morning, I did start in the game, but it would all be a blur ten minutes after the starting whistle. The course of events were as follows; the ball was over my head and up in the air, our keeper left his line to collect it and I was preoccupied with a grabby-feely forward, who couldn’t manage to get around me and to the ball. In a sprint, I raced toward my keeper while he charged the ball and in swift leap with an extended knee, he connected and I was out. I was out cold, out of sense, and out of luck.

Newton never fails; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Through my parents eyes’, I only needed one concussion for them to make the decision to permanently erase soccer from my life. There were no if’s, and’s or but’s; that was my parents’ plan for their post-concussion son, and it had been decided long before the situation arose. My in-

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stinct would be to logically break apart the argument and emphasize the lack of reason and understanding my parents had, but that wasn’t the case. I felt a deep-seated emptiness inside of me. At this point, logic could prove nothing and only emotions influenced my thoughts.

After ordering a CT scan, the doctor reassured me that the concussion I endured would only hold me back from playing for a matter of two weeks. His words meant nothing. The inconclusive research and nature of concussions fueled my dad to keep me from playing while arguing that the consequences of second-concussion-syndrome out weighed the benefits of allowing me to continue soccer. Time wasn’t the issue; my parents were, and their opinion was set in stone.

“It’s not to punish you Sam, it’s because we love you,” my dad said. “We care for you and we don’t want you to become a vegetable. To everyone else you’re just a piece of meat on the field, ready to go head to head and smash each other in the spirit of competition.”

We don’t have to search far and wide to find exercise-oriented gurus who turn the cold shoulder to us sport-pursuing folk. Day in and day out, they consider the concept of sports through their narrow-minded lenses and conclude that sport, for what it’s worth, is merely organized exercise - nothing more, nothing less. Many of these supporters, such as my dear father, refuse to accept the notion that sport can be seen in a different light; a light beyond the idea that sport is solely organized exercise.

“It’s a sport Sam, it’s a game,” my dad said. “You were out there to get exercise and nothing’s stopping you from exercising in other ways.”

I’d try to speak only to find myself lost for logic and arguing with emotions. There was absolutely no way to express a greater meaning of sport to a man, who ardently believed that the mere difference between soccer and running was a ball and a field. At the time, although I could not reason my way to satisfaction, I inherently understood that there would be no escape route to the satisfaction I once possessed.

Consequently, I gathered that soccer, for everything that it’s worth, is a key component to the foundation of my well-being.

On and off the field, it pushes me to balance mental stamina with physical will-power, seemingly, a test of character. Each movement, from the slightest shift in weight to striking the ball, tests my determination to achieve perfection. Soccer, by its nature, demands a higher standard of greatness; a higher standard of potential. In part, it enriches me in the present moment, from play to play and tackle to tackle, but it also instills patience and hope for the future. The sport compels me to see beyond tangible and temporary happiness and to strive for a deeper satisfaction; a satisfaction uniquely true to sport that cannot be taken for granted. ~Sam Greene

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