Viking Volume 4 Issue 4 - Technology in Sports

[ KICKOFF ]

4 | STAFF VIEW 5|NEWS BRIEF 6|HOT/NOT METER AND

BY THE NUMBERS 9|ZOOM 10|10 QUESTIONS WITH ALEC WONG 11|INSIDE THE MIND OF RICKY MINNO

The L

[ WRAP-UPS ]

12|WINTER WRAP-UPS

A quick overview of the winter sports: basketball, soccer and wrestling.

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12

[ PROFILES]

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[ COLUMNS ]

18|THE BUTLERS DID IT

16| THE WEIGHTY ISSUE

Helen (‘11)and Josie (‘13) Butler keep a sisterly bond on and off the field.

by Shannon Scheel

Investigating the fine line between weight room studs and weight room stalkers.

by Shannon Scheel

17| SWEET TALKING OFFICIALS

23| BURNING UP THE MAT

Who says officials have to be impartial? Ben Sneider gives you all the tips you need to get them on your side.

by Ben Sneider

27| COMING FULL CIRCLE

Kalen Gans (‘12) is turning heads with his success at wrestling and lacrosse.

by Emy Kelty

A look into the life of an inspirational Palo Alto raised coach, dad and community member.

by John Dickerson

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PHOTO CREDITS (clockwise from top left): Jack Smale, Brandon Dukovic, Sam Borsos, Cooper Levitan (photo illustration), Creative Commons, (used with permission of) Emily Brown, Alex Kerhsner, Alex Kershner. Cover design by Cooper Levitan

16 18

[2]

Lineup March 2011 Volume IV, Issue 4

[COVER ]

[LAST WORD ]

46 | ZOOM 47 | THE LAST WORD

33| HIGH TECHNOLOGY

The Viking explores the technology and history behind protective equiptment in five different sports.

by Peter Dennis and Nathan Norimoto

Michael Cullen talks all-star games.

by Michael Cullen

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47

[FEATURES ]

30| GAME DAY SWAG Find out what Paly athletes wear to school on game days.

by Paige Borsos

40|VIKING SPORTS MYTHBUSTERS The Viking investigates three common misconceptions in the sporting world.

by Sam Borsos and Skylar Dorosin

43|CENTER COURT TO SIDELINE

A look into how Paly athletes use their sports knowlege to coach the community’s youth.

by Jacob Lauing

[3]

Intro

Editorial Staff List

Editors-in-Chief Mary Albertolle George Brown Will Glazier Managing Editors Gracie Marshall Mariah Philips Mark Raftrey Alistair Thompson Design Editors Cooper Levitan Ben Sneider Photo Editors Brandon Dukovic Alex Kershner Copy Editors Peter Dennis Sam Greene Anne Hildebrand

Columnists Michael Cullen Dustin Nizamian Business Managers Sam Maliska Talia Moyal Jack Smale Staff Mira Ahmad Paige Borsos Sam Borsos John Dickerson Skylar Dorosin Marina Foley Kevin Kannappan Charlie Kelsey Emy Kelty Matt Lam Jacob Lauing Alan Lamarque Brennan Miller Nathan Norimoto Shannon Scheel Alana Schwartz

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 email 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.

Staff View: Drawing the line Accessing a computer is as easy as looking at your smart phone or having a Skype face to face conversation with a friend 3,000 miles away.

The age of instant communication is just the extension of our desire to have technology that moves us faster and shaves a minute out of our day. Whether it’s Facebook or a television show, we always want more technology. But in the world of sports, the tension between human performance and constantly evolving technology can lead to a gray area. In the sports world, when does the edge technology gives us become unfair?

Excellence in athletics is measured by records, statistics and other quantitative factors. With new technology, important records that have existed for decades are broken in a heartbeat.

We have no way of knowing how many home runs Babe Ruth could have hit with the latest composite bat, how fast Mark Spitz could have swum given the full body Fast Skin or Laser suit, or how many more touchdowns Lynn Swann could have scored

with the boost that performance enhancing-drugs can give athletes.

Technology has a place in sports.

Certain mechanisms help athletes train, prevent injury or assist play in a substantial way without impeding pure athleticism. Sports are meant to evolve -- and the game changes with the technology. But there is a thick line that must be drawn between sports evolution and tainting athletics with new technologies that affect performance; a swim race, for example, is a clear-cut event that should measure the fastest athlete, and not the person who can glide through the water with the best-designed suit. The best athlete should not be the person who �inds a way to slip past drug tests -- indeed, performance-enhancing drugs have no place in the sports world.

There are also times when we need to consider what we are doing in introducing new technologies. Sports measure endurance and athleticism, and no matter what new technology comes along, that should never change.

Dear Reader, We strive to inform and entertain our readers while taking our content to the next level. From our features to our photos, our goal is to create a magazine that is interesting, informative and enjoyable. For this issue -- and for the future -- we have another treat for you that sticks with the theme of technology. Log on to vikingsportsmag.com to see what we have in store!

Best, George, Mary & Will

[4]

NEWS BRIEFS

A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME

BY MATT LAM

PHOTOS BY ALANA SCHWARTZ

“It’s unbelievable that [the �ield is] �inally �inished,” varsity pitcher Graham Marchant (‘11) said. “We know it’s been in the works for a couple of years but it never came through, so seeing it �inally done is great.”

Marchant and the rest of the baseball team have been anticipating the day when they would be able to step out onto the brand new �ield. With a shining turf in�ield, freshly rolled out grass in the out�ield and a new fence, scoreboard and foul-posts, the �ields are a sight to see. The $4.078 million dollar project is as good as a high school baseball �ield gets. Varsity baseball coach Dave Goldman even compares it to the home of the World Series champions.

“It’s similar to where the Giants play; there’s the same nooks and crannies out in right-center �ield just like AT&T Park.”

Even the dugouts have been renovated. Besides having a complete new look the fresh �ield is already helping the teams be more productive in practice.

“There’s a lot more open space for activities,” shortstop Jack Witte (‘12) said. “The �ield is really nice with the new grass and turf in�ield. Also, the added cages down the right �ield line are really ef�icient and we can get more reps in.”

The additional batting cages have proven useful, allowing more players to get batting practice for longer periods of time. The players will need the practice if they ever hope to clear the center�ield wall, which is an estimated 395 feet from home plate.

Despite the changes, the baseball players are pleased with the new �ield. Even the softball players are impressed with it. They too have a new �ield of their own. This year they will have a new out�ield fence and a practice area behind the right �ield wall, a huge improvement compared to the old �ield.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” second baseman Gracie Marshall (‘11) said.

[5]

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

BY MIRA AHMAD In a year that has already brought two nearly perfect seasons, the Palo Alto High School varsity girls’ basketball team is continuing the trend. The Lady Vikes, who were undefeated De Anza league champions and have continued the perfection in Central Coast Section (CCS) play. The team defeated North Salinas High School, 33-25, in the CCS semi�inals leaving its league and playoff record a perfect 14-0.

The Lady Vikes will face off against No. 3 Gunn High School (9-3 league) this Saturday at 6:00 pm at Santa Clara University. Paly has defeated Gunn both times the team faced off this year.

No matter what happens in their CCS �inals, the Lady Vikes will compete in Norcal for the state title.

For more coverage and the complete story go to www.vikingsportsmag.com

Intro

Intro Section

Count it

1 2 3 4 5

The Central Coast Section (CCS) seed awarded to the Palo Alto High School girls’ basketball team, the �irst No. 1 seed for Paly girls’ hoops.

Goals the Menlo-Atheron High School boys’ soccer team scored in the quarterinals to knock out No. 6 Palo Alto from CCS playoffs.

Times Palo Alto wrestler Kalen Gans (‘12) has been voted Athlete of the Week by The Palo Alto Weekly.

Winter sports that quali�ied for the CCS playoffs; boys’ and girls’ basketball, wrestling and boys’ soccer.

Online Exclusives The Viking tries Epic Meal Time

The Viking fries up a meal of epic...and quite possibly dangerous proportions.

By Dustin Nizamian

Magic Max

For forward Max Schmarzo (‘11), basketball is more than just a game, its a lifesyle and a love.

By Brennan Miller

Check vikingsportsmag.com to read these stories and more, including playoff coverage!

Life in the Chair for Lax Bro Kris Hoglund (‘12)

Games the Palo Alto boys’ lacrosse team won in the Fremont Jamboree. The team let in two goals on the day.

TEXT “Follow thevikingmag” to 40404 to get instant score updates and stories on all your favorite Paly sports OR “Like” The Viking on Facebook [6]

BY JOHN DICKERSON While playing goalie in a soccer game, Kris Hoglund (’12) was slid into by an opposing player, and the collision broke his leg. This was Hoglund’s �irst major injury, and adjusting to a sedentary life style has not been easy.

“It’s tough, I’m used to being pretty active, especially during lacrosse season.”

Hoglund was the leading goal scorer for the Paly boys varsity lacrosse team, and his broken leg will keep him sidelined from this sport.

“I’m going to help w/ what I can.

Although it’s kind of frustrating watching from the sidelines.

Although this change has been dif�icult, Hoglund is con�ident that he will return strong next season.

“I went to my �irst rehab session today. I’m trying to get my core in shape now, cuz then getting in running shape will be easier.

“Travis forgets any kind of negative things that happened to him, he forgets it really quickly and even [when he does something bad] to someone else, in the next minute he’s forgotten and wants to be your friend.” -Tony Brewer [pg 27]

HOT NOT OR

“I’m here to teach the kids the basics and teach them how to have fun and do what they love,” Bills said. “I want them to embrace the game rather than be forced to play. That was how I felt, and I don’t want to see their love for basketball destroyed.”

-Nathan Bills (‘12) [pg 45]

“They were wandering around carrying miniscule weights and stacking up bench press bars, but never actually using them. After 10 minutes or so, they would saunter outside to ‘stretch’ after their ‘grueling workout.’ Um..what?” -Shannon Scheel (‘11) [pg 16]

Girls’ Basketball The Lady Vikes went 12-0 in league, got the No. 1 seed and advanced to the CCS championship game against Gunn High School, all for the �irst time in history.

Game Day Swag Seeing teams’ game day swag is fun and creates hype around games. Just make sure not to stare at the boys’ basketball players in their “swaggalicious” suits.

New Field The new baseball and softball �ields are most de�inately worth the wait of construction. Hopefully the teams can shine as brightly as the new turf in�ields.

Wrestling It’s been a long drought, 25 years to be exact, since Paly wrestling has won league.

Even better, the Vikings are sending Kalen Gans (‘12) to the State Tournament!

All-star games Although, it’s fun to watch Justin Bieber get swatted in the celebrity game, the NBA All-star game was disappointing with players going 60% to avoid injury.

Wrestlers’ Hair Paly athletes can go a little crazy with their hair, but the wrestlers have taken it a step too far by bleaching theirs.

Isn’t chlorine-bleached swimmer hair bad enough?

Girls’ Soccer The Lady Vikes only won two league games this year and didn’t qualify for CCS for the �irst times in eleven years.

Luckily, the team kept its spot in the De Anza Division.

The Overcrowded Quad Sure, having portables in the middle of the beautiful Quad will be worth it eventually, but considering construction hasn’t started yet, why have they been there for so long?

Pop Culture Grid Dream Paly prom date

Favorite spring sport The new �ield is...

Favorite sporting gear

Reason Paly sports are so raw is...

Jordan Smith (‘13) Soccer Bill Lee (‘11) Lacrosse Fragrant Nike

The players

Nicholas Ortiz (‘12) Wrestling Hannah Tumminaro (‘13)

Hope Crocket (‘14) Basketball

Tony Panayides (‘11) Soccer

Better than before

Badminton

Nice, but weird

Baseball

The good athletic director

We kick a**

Freestyle wrestling White singlet

[7]

James Franco

Nike

Gracie Cain (‘11) Sick!

Soccer cleats

2011 is stacked

We’re all Partners in Education At Paly, PiE funds:

Career and College Counseling

Including 100% of the Teacher Advisory Program

Student Guidance

Including Link Crew for freshman orientation

Career/Technology Electives Including Biotechnology and a Java class at Foothill

Go to www.papie.org to donate today.

Forward Charlie Jones (‘11) goes up for a layup over an Archbishop Mitty defender. The Vikings lost to the Monarchs by a score of 61-39 in the Central Coast Section semifinals. The loss brings the Vikings league championship season to a close with a final record of 19-7.

Photo by Sam Borsos

ZOOM

10 Questions

with

Alec Wong

WHO KNOWS JUNIOR BASKETBALL/BASEBALL PLAYER ALEC WONG BETTER? BESTFRIEND JACOB LAUING, DAD LAI WONG, or FRESHMAN SADIES DATE LAYLA MEMAR? as told to Alana Schwartz

Photography by Alana Schwartz

Alec Wong

Jacob Lauing

Lai Wong

Favorite Sport

Baseball

Baseball and Basketball

No game day meal, only a pregame nap

Game Day Meal

Korean BBQ

Light snack/early dinner

Math (analysis)

Least Favorite Class

Analysis

Nike

Nike or Adidas

Nike

Nike

Nike

Big Neck

Favorite Nickname for a Friend

Jayy

Dawg

Badada Jay

Beyonce

Dream Date

Beyonce

Don’t know

Jessica Alba

Egg rolls

Favorite Chinese Food

Egg rolls

Lettuce cup

Potstickers

Going skydiving and the parachute doesn’t open

Biggest Fear

Talking to girls

Sports injury

Failure

Hair

Best Body Feature

His egg head

His memory

Million dollar smile

Pet Peeve

Slightly opened car windows

When people aren’t on time

People who ask stupid questions

60% Correct

20% Correct

20% correct

Baseball

Slightly opened car windows Images taken from

English

Layla Memar Basketball Double - double with extra crispy fries Analysis

Inside the Mind of Ricky Minno (‘11), a soccer superstar and wannabe model in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition, was kind enough to talk to the The Viking about what goes on in his mind.

“

Ricky Minno

BY JACK SMALE

AKA “THE WORD”

I wanted to try and bring that to the West Coast, so I started saying word after everything. Someone will say a sentence and you just close it out with ‘word.’ Or someone will ask you a question and you’ll answer it and you just say ‘word.’ So I started saying ‘word’ a lot and people made fun of me, to keep it G-rated, for the first couple of months.

But I just took it like a champ and it started catching on. Now I can say with all confidence that people I don’t even know are saying ‘word.’

ON SOCCER I’ve been playing soccer for as long as I can remember. It’s pretty much been the only sport I’ve played. Soccer has mainly dominated all the other sports I’ve played. Paly in particular has been a lot of fun. The best part has been making friends because you meet a lot of people in other grades who you can’t really meet otherwise. It’s not super competitive comparing it to club but it’s a lot of fun and you get a lot of touches on the ball because you can practice five days a week. It’s a great way to stay in shape.

ON HIS JETTA Let’s not refer to it as a ‘Jetta’ because I am not proud to own a ‘Jetta.’ ‘Jetta’ tends to be a female car but mine is pretty decked out. Its got tinted windows, I just messed with the grill and the rims so it looks pretty sick. The blue and black combination goes well. Oh yeah, it’s got a DVD player! That’s the best part. It doesn’t work but its got a DVD player, so if I were to fix it… It’s all show.

ON THE STEELERS Born and raised in Pittsburg, Pa. Pistolvainia, as Wiz Khalifa would say. I have been a die hard Steelers fan my whole life. I used to have season tickets. They are currently the second best team in the NFL, number one in my heart. They’ll be back though. Ben Roethlisberger is innocent; you can quote me on that. I will go to the grave knowing that.

ON HIS ATTENDANCE RECORD My attendance record, despite popular belief, has gotten better over the past four years that I’ve spent at Palo Alto High School. I think I have matured as a human being in spirit, mind, body and soul.

“

ON “WORD” It’s actually an interesting story how I started ‘the word.’ So I read the book, The Tipping Point, and it’s basically about how the smallest idea can turn into an epidemic. So I thought to myself, ‘I want to do a little experiment of my own.’ In east coast slang, it’s very popular to say ‘word’ at the end of a sentence to kind of close up an idea. I decided that

ON BEING A SENIOR Being a senior is awesome. Exclamation point.

Pretty much, you’re better than everyone else at Paly. Knowledge-wise, looks-wise, physically dominant. I remember what it was like to be a freshman, it sucked, because freshman guys are the lowest of the low. You progressively become the King of the Jungle. A man.

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Wrap-Ups

League Champions girls’ basketball finished at the top PofalotheAlto pack in the De Anza league with a flaw-

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less league record of 12-0. The Lady Vikes attribute their success to strong defensive play and a solid attack led by Emilee Osagiede (’12) and Sydney Davis (’11). Palo Alto made history this season, defeating cross-town rival Gunn High School twice, 47-39 and 39-33 respectively, a feat that took three years to accomplish.

In addition to offensive powerhouses Osagiede and Davis, the Paly squad has been led by Shamelia Clay (’12), Lindsay Black (’12) and veteran Katerina Peterson (’11). Newcomer Josie Butler (’13) has also contributed a crucial component to this year’s team with her swatting abilities. Mariah Philips (’11) sparks the team’s offense with her three-point shot.

The Lady Vikes received the first seed in the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs beat Santa Teresa High School (12-15), 53-57, in the quarterfinals in Salinas on Feb. 26. The team went on to _____ the defending Champions, North Salinas High School. The Lady Vikes will be losing Davis, Peterson, Philips, and Mary Albertolle (’11).

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finish in the CCS finals at Independence High School on Saturday. Juniors Kalen Gans, Joey Christopherson, Ryan Oshima and Nick Ortiz finished third, sixth, fourth and fifth in their respective weight classes.

With his third place finish in the 160 pound weight class, Gans will move on to the state tournament in Bakersfield which took place March 4 and March 5.

After the meet, head coach David Duran summarized it as “the biggest performance of the year.”

“I thought we could have advanced a little bit better, but it was a great year as a team and we finished strong,” Gans said.

Paly assistant coach Tony Brewer was slightly more enthusiastic about the performance. “[This is] the best season I’ve been involved in and I’ve been involved since 1995,” Brewer said.

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he Palo Alto High School wrestling team T wrapped up its season with a seventh place

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The Palo Alto High School boys’ basketball team won first in its league season with a record of 11-1 (18-6 overall). Coached by Adam Sax, the Vikings had a rocky start to their season, losing their second game but coming back with four wins to make up for it. E.J. Floreal (’13) led the Vikes by averaging 15 points per game, about 25% of Paly’s total points.

Strong senior leadership from the likes of forward Max Schmarzo (’11) backed the Vikings roster. Dominating from beyond the arc, Schmarzo made a whopping 62 3–pointers throughout the season.

“The team looks for me to score and shoot the ball,” Schmarzo said. “My role is to spread the defense out and I can also distribute the ball.”

The Vikings finished their season with a nine game win streak and made it to the CCS semifinals

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before falling to Archbishop Mitty, 61-39.

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The Palo Alto girls’ soccer team ended a disappointing season with an overall record of 5-11-3, 2-7-3 in league. Paly found leadership in their captains, Duke bound goalie Alex Kershner (’11), Cal Poly bound Center and Outside Midfielder Gracie Cain (’11), and Tufts bound Center Back Gracie Marshall (’11). Also the addition of Virginia-Tech bound Center Back Helen Butler (’11) gave the Lady Vikes extra defensive power. The Lady Vikes maintained a solid defense, but struggled on the offensive end. While the Lady Vikes found success early on in the season, they hit a slump midseason beginning with a tie to Los Gatos followed by six losses and a tie. Having to constantly guard their own goal, few scoring op-

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injured ankle. Despite only losing one game, the Vikings finished fourth in league due to the seven ties.

After the league season ended with a loss to league-champion Mountain View High School and no momentum, the Vikings were blessed with a No. 6 seed in CCS. Jumping on their opportunity to shine, the Vikings rolled over Milpitas High School with a captain John Richardson (’11) penalty kick and a James Maa (’12) tap in to send them in a 2-0 victory toward the quarterfinals. The Vikings win streak and season was cut short due to a loss to Menlo-Atherton in the quarterfinals. The team fell two goals short and lost for the second time this season at Gunn. The Vikings will be losing 10 seniors going into the 2011-2012 season.

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the Paly boys’ soccer team jumped off to a strong start in the Cental Coast Section (CCS) playoffs. The Vikings started out the season on fire with two straight wins to Saratoga and Santa Clara High Schools, however, their hot streak hit a cold front as they moved into a habit of allowing last-minute equalizers, two of which were to cross-town rival Henry M. Gunn High School.

“We had opportunities, we made opportunities and we missed opportunities,” head coach Don Briggs said after his team’s first loss to Gunn. “Everything went fine until the end.

The Vikings lost key players throughout the season. Paly back-up keeper Kris Hoglund (‘12) was unable to finish the season due to a broken leg after filling in for already injured keeper Austin Shiau (‘11). Defender Ricky Minno (‘11) ended his season early with an

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Wrap Ups

[14]

portunities presented themselves to the Lady Vikes, and the defense could only stand so much pressure.

“We had a lot of good players but could never seem to put the ball in the net,” Helen Butler (’11) said.

However, Paly ended with a bang, tying the number one seeded Mountain View, 0-0, in its final game. Although the Lady Vikes had a tumultuous season, failing to make CCS play, they maintained a strong team bond, and a positive attitude.

“Although it [the season] did not go as we had hoped, we continued to work hard for each other, stay positive,” Butler said. “In the end we had a great time together.”

The team is graduating five seniors in Butler, Kershner, Gracie Marshall, Gracie Cain, and Hannah Ohlson, as well as Melissa Johns, a junior who will be graduating a year early.

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The Wildcats Band Raising money for Palo Alto Schools

“the most popular Palo Alto dad band�

-- NY Times, June 17, 2007 Book the Band: Michael.Brown@quantum.com http://www.myspace.com/wildcatsband

Would like to thank all of its supporters for all their help.

We could not do it without you!

Columns

The Weighty Issue

SHANNON SCHEEL TACKLES...

THE WEIGHTY ISSUE

In the middle of January, most of the United States is covered in a blanket of snow or five-inch deep slush.

But in the Palo Alto High School weight room, it’s “suns out, guns out” weather all day, everyday. Seriously though. Throughout my three years at Paly, not once has the weight room been empty - not even on holidays. Trust me, it’s like 7-11 at 3 a.m.: there is always SOMEONE in there.

The other day during tutorial I was taking a leisurely stroll when I heard a rumbling “SCHEEL!” come from the depths of the no-nonsense workout zone. Coach Fung appeared at the door and gave me the typical hard time before he invited me inside. This was my first time experiencing the weight room since freshman year P.E., and let me tell you: the place was poppin’.

There must have been about 25 people in there, each rocking a swagged out workout wardrobe that showed off a fine pair of sculpted biceps. While I was thoroughly enjoying this spectacle of manpower, I couldn’t help but notice that something besides me was out of place. Dispersed throughout the rows of intense bench-pressers and perspiring dead-lifters were young men without a drip of sweat on their forehead. They were wandering around carrying miniscule weights and stacking up bench press bars, but never actually using them. After 10 minutes or so, they would saunter outside to “stretch” after their “grueling workout.” Um..what?

This really got me thinking. As far as working out goes, I know as much about the weight room as the average American knows about Gaelic football. But I always thought such an institution, despite its archaic equipment and ear-splitting stereo, demanded a kind of respect. Most athletes spend their precious daylight hours in that dungeon-like room by choice to make themselves better athletes. When its 70 degrees out in January, that takes some serious self-discipline. So naturally, I could only wonder: what were these other fools DOING in here?

Now if you want to spend your afternoons in such a cramped and sweaty environment just to hear Tory Prati (‘12) spin some girly jams, then be my guest. (I’m sure he’d thoroughly appreciate your approval of his budding career as the Bay’s next hit DJ.) But in all seriousness, the weight room is for working out, not pretending to work out. Perhaps this sounds silly, but some people obviously haven’t gotten the memo. By now, I’m sure all you ladies out there are wondering: “If they look fit and are in the weight room, how can you tell the difference between those who work and those who slack?” No need to furrow your brow: I’m here to break it down for you.

I’ve observed that weight room slackers come in two categories: the “curls for girls” type and the “bench and bounce” type. Although the latter is more common, individuals who fall into the former category stick out like sore thumbs. These men work their arms excessively in order to show them off with deep-cut sleeveless shirts for the female passers-by. But before they pull the trigger on the gun show, these weight room newbies are clearly unaware of the meaning of real strength. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying arm strength is bad, but it can’t stand on its own. According to my trusted weight room insiders Dustin Nizamian (‘11) and Michael Cullen (‘11), boys who only work their biceps aren’t actually as sculpted as you may think. True physical strength comes from leg and core work as well as workout endurance. Chances are, dudes revealing only super sculpted arms are most likely lacking in other areas of their physique. Warning shout out to my ladies: Did he flash you a smile while flexing? Maybe even throw in a wink? OH PLEASE. Don’t be deceived by these confused souls. A real man of steel is well rounded in his strength and abandons the all-too-popular “curls for girls” nonsense.

And then there are the individuals who possess the “bench and bounce” workout mentality. These exercisers may stay in the weight room for extended periods of time, but do a minimal amount of work by taking frequent breaks, changing their music selection, and spending more time moving around weights as opposed to actually lifting them. Some of them only do one exercise before fleeing the scene altogether. Either way, they seem to get in the way of other athletes and end up spending more time displaying themselves outside.

Lastly, there are those who fit into no category: they are just lost. Judging by either their attire or bewildered expression, it’s clear that they don’t belong in the weight room. At all. <<<

photo by Alex Kershner

photo by Alex Kershner

Investigating the fine line between weight room studs and weight room slackers

[BEAT My fragile, feeble swimmer arms are no match for the bench press! ]

[16]

SWEET TALKING OFFICIALS with BEN SNEIDER

Walt Disney once said, “The way to get started game can be the edge you need – instead of heading home is to quit talking and begin doing.” But, the last I checked, things start after the official says, “Play ball!” And the talking doesn’t stop there. Fans may not know it, but officials can be regular chatterboxes. And unless you are arguing a call, it can pay to talk back. Having an official on your side in a close

head down, cursing about how the refs robbed you, you could go to In ‘N Out for a celebratory Double-Double and talk about how the umpire saved you in the fifth inning.

Why am I here? To give you the ultimate weapon in sports: The Athlete’s Three-Step Guide to Sweet Talking Officials.

Stick to small talk. Simple, yes, but foolproof. I cannot begin to describe how many times umpires have given me the benefit of the doubt just because I told them, “Great day for baseball, ain’t it?” before the game. Officials have a passion for the game equal to that of the players’, otherwise they wouldn’t bother to spend several hours a week calling balls and strikes or blowing whistles. They respect competitors who love being on the field just as much as they do.

Don’t talk too much. If you know me, you may find it hard to believe, but I am actually pretty quiet on the baseball field (“quiet” being a relative term). As much as officials like to talk to you, they are running up and down the court, the pool deck or around the turf for the game. Once you make it through steps one and two, shut up and play. It’s out of your hands at this point. Compete, leave it all on the field and, if your dialogue flowed like a river of gold, you should have the refs in your pocket, hook, line and sinker. <<<

Step 1: Soften ‘em up

Step 2: Acquaintanceship

Step 3: Just play

[

People usually butcher this step. This is not eHarmony. Officials are never your friends unless you know them personally or from years of playing with them. If you become too friendly, you look like a stalker, which just creeps them out.

My trump card is to ask the ump about the most recent holiday. How was your Thanksgiving? Have a nice Christmas?

You go anywhere for vacation? If you somehow find yourself in a time of year where the last holiday happened months ago, stay casual. Talk about the weekend or something, but do not panic and start asking about family – no heart-tohearts. Stay out of the “friend zone” at all costs.

[17]

]

People usually butcher this step. This is not eHarmony.

Officials are never your friends unless you know them personally or from years of playing with them.

This is not eHarmony.

The Butlers Did It Helen and Josie Butler take Paly by storm with their stunning athleticism, superior sportsmanship and sisterly bond

BY SHANNON SCHEEL

Photo by Alex Kershner

R

alph Waldo Emerson once said, “All of life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.”

Helen Butler (‘11) and her sister Josie (‘13) are all too familiar with this philosophy. After moving from North Carolina to California this past summer, these sisters have grown accustomed to experimenting with the changes that come their way: a brand new school, new people, new sports teams. For an athlete, experimenting can be difficult. Some athletes are thrown off by their new situation and are unprepared to adapt their style of play and attitude to fit their new en-

vironment. Some athletes lose their unique skills and techniques when they adapt. When the Butlers experiment, however, they maintain their athletic strengths and positive attitudes and integrate them into their new environment. By doing so, they have brought a humble and genuine presence to the Palo Alto High School sports community that enhances not only the sports themselves, but also what it means to be a part of a team.

Sit in the Paly library with Helen and Josie for 10 minutes and it becomes obvious that their bond is extremely strong.

‘We’re each other’s best friends,”

Josie said. “We do everything together.”

They exchange glances. They laugh.

They finish each other’s sentences.

These sisters have always supported one another, especially over this past summer. Before school started, Helen and Josie would work on their skills together to be prepared for the upcoming soccer and basketball season.

Having a sister close in age to practice with reminded both girls that they were not enduring the “new kid” experience alone.

“We always have each other’s backs,” Helen said. “We haven’t played on the same team since elementary

Photo by Alex Kershner

school, but if I ever need to go outside and have somebody to kick a [soccer] ball to, I’ll always ask her [Josie]. She always says ‘yeah sure, as long as after that you can try to block me while I shoot [baskets].’”

Although they lived here and briefly attended Addison Elementary School until 2003, Helen and Josie had to tackle this new experiment together.

Both girls felt extremely fortunate that they could find each other throughout the school day and guide each other through their new experiences.

“Even showing up to a new school, it’s daunting by yourself,” Josie said.

“We don’t have to be connected at the hip but we [still] do stuff together.”

Along with the support they received from each other, the Butlers’ sports teams also helped the sisters adjust. According to their mother Angela, Helen and Josie both joined club teams over the summer and received warm welcomes all around.

“Moving in high school is difficult,” Angela said. “Having those good experiences right off the bat [helped the girls adjust].” .

Josie values the cohesiveness with her new teammates. As an athlete who greatly values being a team player, she immediately felt welcomed by the accepting attitude of the basketball team.

“I fit in because the team is made up of a variety of different people,” Josie said. “It was easy [to become a part of the team because] immediately you’re welcomed and everything flows from there. I didn’t have to try at all [to fit in because] everyone is so nice.”

Helen experienced a similar welcome from both her high school team and her club team. She recalls receiving facebook messages over the summer from Paly teammates and being invited to pre-season pasta feeds.

These acts of reaching out have affected Helen’s athletic mentality. She is now more comfortable making her own decisions on the field since she has gained her teammates’ trust.

“It wasn’t difficult at all to join either team,” Helen said. “I can do more things with the ball and be more agres-

[

]

SISTER, SISTER Helen and Josie pose together. The sisters have grown closer after moving to Palo Alto. They have enjoyed adjusting to Paly and their respective teams.

sive without having to worry about what they [my teammates] think.”

Paly’s overall open and accepting nature truly stands out in the minds of Helen and Josie. Helen believes the positive attitude of her Paly sports team makes it easier to achieve team goals.

“I can tell that this team here is [more focused on] friendship and having each other’s backs,” Helen said.

Even though she’s relatively new to the basketball team, Josie feels she can still be a contributor and doesn’t have to worry about competing against her teammates.

“It’s always nice when people on

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your team aren’t hyper-competitive,” Josie said. “You don’t feel like you’re competing against them, you feel like you’re all working together to achieve something.”

Josie believes that “athlete” is the most appropriate adjective to describe her and her sister.

“Me and Helen, we’re two really athletic people,” she said. “We both love playing sports.”

Although many people jump to the conclusion that they are volleyball players, the Butler sisters’ talents lie in other areas. Helen committed to play soccer for Virginia Tech this past spring, while Josie has already secured

Profiles

The Butlers Did It

a starting spot on the varsity girl’s basketball team. Though early on in the season, each sister has already displayed her athletic capabilities either on the field or on court. In a game versus St. Ignatius on November 29th, Helen started at sweeper and consistently stole the ball from numerous forwards, according to varsity girl’s soccer coach Ernesto Cruz. Cruz, who was concerned about his team’s defense after graduating sweeper Claire Skrabutenas (‘10) and and losing Hannah Ohlson (‘11) to injury, felt extremely fortunate when Helen joined the team.

“God brought us Helen Butler,” Cruz

“I would definitely be intimidated [to face her],” Cain said. “She’s a totally solid defender [and] we’re really lucky to have her back there.”

However, height is only a fraction of Helen’s athleticism. Cruz is confident that Helen will be a force to be reckoned with throughout the soccer season. He believes that her ball handling skills -- as opposed to her height -- have brought her great success in the position of sweeper.

“She’s tremendously good,” Cruz said.

“She can intimidate a lot of players not because of her size. But, the way she reads the other player’s movements al-

Photo by Jack Smale

[

said. “[She’s a] nice girl and bonds with the team.”

Josie also started out her basketball season strong with nine blocks in a recent scrimmage until spraining herankle towards the end of the game. She also showed constant effort on defense as a whole and at the post position on offense, according to varsity girl’s basketball coach Scott Peters.

Both sisters are aware of the advantages of their height in their athletic careers. Because she is taller than most soccer players, Helen feels that she can use her height as an intimidation factor on the field. “ “I can definitely win balls out of the air and it seems like people are afraid to come near me as a defender,” Helen said. “That’s what I’ve been told by forwards.”

Helen’s soccer teammate and friend Gracie Cain (‘11) echoes this statement, witnessing firsthand her commanding presence as a defender.

defense],” Peters said. “She cleans up the mistakes that we make with that intimidation because she’s long and you’ve got to shoot over her or you get blocked. “ Although the athletic talents of the Butler sisters leave lasting impressions, their attitudes as teammates arguably leave deeper ones. From the point of view of both coaches and peers, Helen and Josie’s sportsmanship and positive attitudes serve as models for their teammates and help them form stronger bonds with their teammates.

“She’s a great leader by example,” Cain said. “She’s vocal but doesn’t boss

]

“[Josie] will come over and say, ‘Linds, you did a good job’ and give me a high-five. She tries to make everyone else feel positive.”

-Lindsay Black (‘12) lows her to always come out with the ball.”

Josie uses her height to block other players on defense. In her mind, this is the most integral part of basketball.

Blocking is Josie’s favorite part of both defense and the game itself.

“I really do believe that defense wins games,” Josie said. “It feels great when someone has the ball and they’re so close to the basket and you know that they’re open for a shot. To be able to get there and prevent that [a shot] from happening is a really great feeling. It’s the ultimate form of defense.”

Peters believes that Josie is a weapon on the team not only for her blocks but also for other aspects of defense. He has noticed that the combination of her height, wingspan and athleticism can affect the shots of opponents, and that the team depends on Josie’s defensive consistency.

“She changes shots as well as blocks shots, and that’s a big factor [to our

[20]

people around. She’s definitely someone to look up to both on and off the field and she takes practice seriously and gives her all at every game.”

Angela also witnesses a consistency in each of her daughter’s demeanors during games. She also believes that Helen influences her teammates as a silent leader through her behavior on the field.

“Helen has such composure out on the field, no matter how intense the game is,” Angela said. “She’s always able to stay calm and I think that really helps the other people around her to keep their composure and continue working hard.”

In the minds of others, Josie is the epitome of a team player. According to Angela, more often than not, she will pass the ball instead of shooting, trusting her teammates’ decisions on the court.

“I’m sure her coach wishes she [Josie] would shoot more [instead of passing],”

Angela said. “She’s an excellent teammate out there and very supportive of everybody.”

Teammate Lindsay Black (‘12) feels this kind of support from Josie on a daily basis. She feels she can depend on Josie to cheer her up during a rough game or practice.

“It’s nice to be a senior and be considered a leader because I’ve been waiting for it all my years playing soccer,” Helen said.

Even as a starter, Josie believes she is a silent leader in the grand scheme of things. Although only five players start the game, Josie feels that the sec-

demonstrates that leadership quality everyday she comes to practices. She goes hard 100 percent of the time.”

Many members of the Paly community along with Peters acknowledge the leadership influence and the rapid adjustment of the Butler sisters to their new school. Cain is amazed at Helen’s

“She’ll come over and say ‘Linds, you did a good job’ and give me a high-five,” Black said. “She tries to make everyone else feel positive.”

Most new students would feel uncomfortable stepping into a leadership position right away, but not Helen or Josie. After receiving such a warm welcome from the Paly community, leadership came naturally to them. As a senior, Helen has long anticipated the opportunity to be a leading presence on the soccer field. Being a new member of the Paly team, she is not a captain, but still recognizes her responsibility to set an example for younger players.

ond string is only a continuation of the starting team’s talent. For this reason, the team is successful because each player can step up into a leadership role at a crucial time.

“So many people are leaders on the team that the starting positions don’t even matter,” Josie said. “You can put anyone in and they will perform for you, and that’s what makes us such a successful team.”

Peters attributes Josie’s success as a leader to her work ethic as well as her positive attitude.

“She’s one of the hardest working girls on our team,” Peters said. “She

smooth transition and her ability to adopt a leadership role on the soccer team.

“I cannot imagine moving from another state my senior year of high school,” Cain said. “The way she [Helen] has adjusted is so impressive to me.”

On the other hand, it was a no-brainer for Black that Josie would transition into Paly easily because of her optimistic attitude and passion.

“Her positivity and enthusiasm made it really easy for her to adjust to our team because she goes with the flow.” Black said.

Going with the flow. That’s the key to experimenting, as the Butlers have learned. By staying true to their athletic roots, they have been able to adapt to their new environment without losing specific qualities that distinguish them as athletes. Helen and Josie have made an impression on Paly athletics with more than just their towering presences. They remind all members of the Paly community the value of both sports and character. To them, the true test of moving was being able to maintain their passion for sports no matter the circumstances, which they overwhelmingly achieved.

“Coming back to California and being on both my club team and the high school team [showed me] that it’s not about being fast or the best, but it’s about enjoying yourself out there,” Helen said. “Because if you’re not enjoying yourself, what’s the point?” <<<

Photo used with permission of Al Chang

[

LUCKY STRIKE Helen Butler (‘11) clears the ball from the Paly backfield during a game against Castilleja on Nov. 30 at Mayfield. The Lady Vikes won 3-1.

[21]

]

] PhotobybyChristi Christi Chang Photo neneChang

[

“I cannot imagine moving from another state my senior year of high school,” said Gracie Cain (‘11) said.” The way she [Helen] has adjusted is so impressive to me.”

Come out to the Oshman Family JCC and support The Viking!

The photo exhibition is open, so check out photos of your favorite Paly athletes.

Congratulations Paly Volleyball!

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Burning up the Mat Kalen Gans (‘12) turns heads with his success as a wrestler and lacrosse player

BY EMY KELTY

Photo by Emy Kelty

K

alen Gans (’12) stepped into the high school sports arena a little bit behind.

“When he came into high school he had a lot of catching up to do,” Kalen’s younger brother, Jordan Gans (’14) said.

After battling injuries throughout middle school, Kalen started out his high school career as an underdog.

“I broke a part of my back, I broke my elbow, and both my shins,” Kalen said. “[I was out] sixth grade, eight grade and part of ninth grade.”

Although wrestling Coach David Duran saw significant raw ability in Kalen, he characterized him as “just another guy on the team.”

Flash-forward two years, Kalen Gans dominates the wrestling mat.

“He has been in the finals of every tournament we have been in,” Duran said.

He has been voted The Palo Alto Weekly Athlete of the Week three times.

As a sophomore Kalen made it to the quarterfinals of Central Coast Section.

This year the team expects him to win the section in the 160 pound weight class this year. He is currently ranked first in CCS for his weight class and recently placed first in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League championships. It is predicted that Kalen will make is to the State tournament and claim a medal at is.

Duran sees that Kalen has improved tremendously since he first came out for the team freshman year and says that

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today’s Kalen is unrecognizable when compared with one who stepped onto the mat freshman year.

What made Kalen so successful?

The immediate, but incomplete answer would be his athleticism.

“He has been very athletic since he was a very young child,” Hayley Gans, Kalens mom said. “He was able to hit a rock with a stick at age two with accuracy.”

Teammate Gabe Landa (’12) who has wrestled and played lacrosse with Gans has seen first hand the advantage that Kalen’s athleticism gives him on the mat and on the field.

“He [has] a mixture of strength and speed and together that makes for a good athlete,” Landa said.

Profiles

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]

Photo used with permission by Hayley Gans

GYMNASTICS At age five, Kalen Gans (‘12) had already been doing gymnastics for two years. Gymnastics helped him develop as an athlete. (below)

While his athleticism came naturally, Kalen had to develop his strength gradually. Between age three and 13, Kalen competed in gymnastics, facilitating his development as an athlete.

“I think that was the biggest thing that contributed to [my athletics],” Kalen said. “Gymnastics has given me a lot of balance, strength and flexibility that helps in sports. It also gave me the mindset that I needed in order to compete.”

The Schultz brothers, who are the most acclaimed Paly wrestlers in the history of the school were also gymnasts.

More than raw athleticism, what sets Kalen apart from other athletic teenagers however, is his drive to succeed.

Both his coaches and teammates describe Kalen’s work ethic as his best quality. “[Outside of wrestling] I go running, biking, swimming, kayaking, bowling and [I lift],” Kalen said. “My mom is a

Burning up the Mat Photo by Emy Kelty

real health freak so I eat healthy as well.”

Kalen feels that hard work is just part of the process. It is his will to win that pushes him to do the extra work and exceed all expectations.

“The more work you put in, the better you do and sports are only fun when you do well,” Kalen said. “I love winning.”

Kalen is a great wrestler, and his work ethic is what got him there, but his ability to lead makes him a great teammate as well.

As one of the wrestling team captains, Kalen leads the Paly wrestling squad. Younger wrestlers and older teammates alike look up to him for inspiration. “[Kalen is] the leader of the team and he is a role model,” Jake Dagan (’14) said. “You look at him and you see what you could be in a few years if you work hard.”

[

Kalen even takes the time to personally coach his younger brother in the sport.

“He works with me one on one at home,” Jordan Gans said. “My mom tapes it and then we go over the tapes and Kalen tells me what I did wrong and what I need to improve on.”

While Kalen is intense and competitive on the mat, once he steps off of it he transforms into an easy going and modest guy.

“Even though Kalen is a really good athlete, he doesn’t brag about it,” Christian Lonsky (’12), wrestling teammate and longtime friend said. “Kalen talks to everyone the same. He doesn't look down on anyone.”

As a little kid Kalen demonstrated similar qualities.

“When I first met Kalen in 3rd grade.

I just remember he was really good at everything but he would never talk

“When I first met Kalen in third grade I thing but he would never talk about it,” do backflips and stuff and I would ask he would say, ‘You can do it too, it’s [24]

[

]

HAND STAND Kalen has been in the finals of every tournament this season. He was awared first place at league and third in the CCS playoffs.

just sitting there in the stands with a mustache on.”

A sense of humor is something Kalen never seems to lack.

“I think it is always important to balance having fun and goofing off with being serious,” Kalen said.

As if being a star and leader in wrestling isn’t enough, Kalen also excels in lacrosse.

Last year Kalen was one of the three sophomores on the Varsity lacrosse team. As a midfielder, Kalen added 7 goals for the Vikings. He also picked up 49 ground balls.

Teammates suspect that Gans will be even more successful in his junior year season. “[For the coming] season I would not be surprised if he is a starter and wins all-league,” Landa said.

Cooper Levitan (’11), a captain of the lacrosse team, sees Kalen as not only a

great addition to the team for his skill but also for his positive attitude.

“He is dedicated, cooperative in practice, always listening to the coaches, he has great work ethic and is determined to be the best player that he can be,” Levitan said.

Through Kalen’s improvement since freshmen year, his accolades, the respect from his teammates, his natural athleticism, his work ethic, and his positive attitude Kalen has become a respected member of the Paly athletic community.

In just two and a half years Gans improved from a mediocre freshmen to an outstanding wrestler and lacrosse player. With a year and a half still left at Paly, the opportunities that Gans has are impressive on the wrestling mat and on the lacrosse field.

“Who knows what will happen between now and when we start again but he could be a state champion if he puts his time into it,” Duran said. “That is a goal he can obtain.” <<<

]

remember he was really good at everyChristian Lonsky (‘12) said. “He would him ‘How the hell do you do that?’ and really easy.’”

[25]

Photo by Brandon Dukovic

about it,” Lonsky said.

“He would do backflips and stuff and I would ask him, ‘how the hell do you do that’ and he would say ‘you can do it too it’s really easy.”

Duran also enjoys Kalen’s personality.

“You can joke with him,” Duran said.

“We do a lot of what you guys called roasting out there.”

Former wrestling teammate and lacrosse teammate, Michael Cullen (’11) recalls a typical Kalen moment. This particular time Kalen was playing lacrosse at a tournament in Watsonville.

The team found a fake mustache lying around between games and everyone started trying it on.

“We were all getting a good laugh out of it,” Cullen said. Then Kalen tried it on and it exactly matched his hair color.

It added about 20 years to his face. He wore it to watch the final match. He was

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Coming

BY JOHN DICKERSON DESIGN BY CHARLIE KELSEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANDON DUKOVIC

P

Full

eople often throw around the phrase ‘coming full circle’. It can mean a change in heart or a change in lifestyle. It can be an external change or an internal change. Certain circumstances give the phrase definition. For Tony Brewer, it simply means coming home.

Brewer was born in Coushatta, Louisiana, but grew up in East Palo Alto, California. As a sixth grader, Brewer entered the Tinsley Program. The program sends students from East Palo Alto to neighboring school districts.

When Brewer was a part of the program kids would live with Palo Alto families in order to attend Palo Alto High School. The immediate switch was not easy for Brewer, but an open family and community sports helped him assimilate.

“The sacrifice I had to make was that back then, you had to live with that family for four days out of the week,” Brewer said. “That was an interesting transition for me because growing up in East Palo Alto, a majority black neighborhood at the time, then coming to school in Palo Alto, which is majority white; having to figure out where I was in the community [was difficult].”

While the change was not easy, sports played an influential role in Brewer’s childhood, as well as in his assimilation into Palo Alto. Not only did sports help Brewer attain a college education, but also they helped him to learn and teach lessons.

Circle

[27]

Profiles

Coming Full Circle

need to respect that,” Brewer said. “If I see that you can’t handle that, I’m going to confront you.”

This hard-nosed, straight-to-thepoint attitude is something Brewer credits to his upbringing in East Palo Alto. Growing up, Brewer learned that he had to be responsible for both his words and his actions.

“Whatever you say in the street in

the Dodgers and in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters, has given Brewer knowledge and insight. “[Brewer’s professional career] has given him experiences to draw [from], and the players have the utmost respect for him because they know he’s played at the highest levels,” Goldman said.

Current Paly wrestlers, Christian Lonsky (’12) and Joey Christopherson (’12) believe his professional experience has helped them grow as athletes and people.

“He’s helped me mature; he just requires so much of you, that it makes everything seem easier,” Lonsky said.

Brewer has been there. He knows that reaching the top of one’s game is impossible without internal and external expectations.

“He knows what it takes to perform at the highest levels, so he expects that from us,” Christopherson said.

Brewer made it to the highest level possible in baseball, the major leagues, which is only a dream for most people.

“Tony is an ‘Old School’ disciplinary coach who expects his players to respect the game, their commitment, the rules and work hard at all times,” friend Mike Piha said, “Tony’s professional experience has allowed him to teach his players what it takes for an ath-

East Palo Alto, you’d better be able to back up,” Brewer said.

Brewer’s discipline allowed him to achieve success in professional sports and relay the lessons he learned to his players. His professional background, playing in both the United States for

lete to succeed with dedication and hard work. That is how he approached sports and how he made it to Major League Baseball.”

What separates Brewer is that he can channel these experiences into the lessons that he teaches players.

Helping Hands

Tony helps Jose Tochez (‘11) prepare for another day of wrestling practice.

After graduating from the University of Miami and playing professional baseball throughout the United States and Japan, Brewer chose to come home to the Bay Area. This choice, which brought him full circle, has influenced the lives of many athletes in the Palo Alto community.

Brewer was the head baseball coach for Paly from 1994 until 2001 and has been an assistant wrestling coach since 1995. He uses his position as a coach not only to train athletes physically, but also to prepare them for life outside of sports. “[He teaches] discipline, and above all, trying your hardest at all times, during practice, during games and that permeates everything else,” friend and fellow baseball coach Dave Goldman said.

While some coaches are quick to become frustrated with their players, Brewer does just the opposite. He takes a professional approach with his athletes to make them accountable.

“I am no-nonsense in a sense that I give you a lot of ownership, and you

[

“I’m trying to prepare you for more than just playing [sports], I’m trying to prepare you for life,” Tony Brewer said.

[28]

]

“I’m trying to prepare you for more than just playing [sports], I’m trying to prepare you for life,” Brewer said.

“You’ve got to be able to stand up for yourself, and take ownership of your life, because once somebody sees that you’re looking for excuses, nobody trusts you.”

While Brewer learned many of these lessons outside of Palo Alto, he continues to share his knowledge with the community. His coaching has helped kids in Palo Alto for decades, and many of his players have gone on to successful careers in both sports and the work world alike. Brewer’s players are not the only people who look up to him. He was also a role model to his son Travis.

Brewer has given so much back to the Palo Alto community, but on September 14, 2008 somebody was taken from him. Due to a heart condition, Travis died in his sleep.

Travis was known throughout the area as a kid who loved to have fun. His smile was never far from the nearest sporting event, and he always made the players happy. From Palo Alto Little League games to Paly varsity football games, and even his father’s American Legion games, Travis was always there.

He was a part of those games, just as much as any player was. This is what made Travis unique, this is what made him stand out, this is what made him Tony Brewer’s son.

The loss was hard for Brewer, but through Travis’ friends, his son lives on.

“Every time I see the kids he was really close to, I think of him,” Brewer said. “Everyday I see them, I see Travis and that’s helped me in a lot of ways.

They’re an extension to me of Travis, and they always will be. I’m very proud of the things they’ve done, and I know Travis would be.”

Travis learned as much from Brewer as Brewer learned from his son.

“Travis idolized his father and Tony was always proud of how special Travis was to his family and friends,” Piha wrote in an email.

Los Angeles Dodgers Nippon Ham Fighters Games Played: 24 Batting average: .108 Travis lived a life of ups and downs.

Sometimes things went his way, and sometimes they didn’t. Travis took all of this in stride; he became a leader by example. He always had lessons to teach, but one in particular stuck with Brewer.

“Travis forgets any kind of negative things that happened to him. He forgets it really quickly and even [when he does something bad] to someone else, in the next minute he’s forgotten that and he wants to be your friend,” Brewer said.

Typical of Tony Brewer, he will take

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the lesson he learned from losing Travis and teach it to those around him.

Brewer could have let this bring him down, but he learned from Travis; he recognized the importance of a positive outlook, and he teaches this to his players.

This is the epitome of Tony Brewer.

This ability to first learn, then teach is what makes him unique. When players play for Brewer, they know that they will learn lessons that are not confined to the sports world. They will learn lessons that will make them stronger human beings. <<<

Features

Game Day Swag

Game Day Photo by Paige Borsos

Swag What spirited attire do you spot Paly athletes sporting around campus?

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BY PAIGE BORSOS

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PALY BOY SWAG Israel Hakim (‘12), Mathias Schmutz (‘13) and Tory Prati (‘12) wear game day attire for boys’ hoops.

Game day: For any athlete, it

the game later that day. The Viking takes a peek into the closets of some of Paly athletes to see their most interesting game day swag.

The Paly girls’ soccer team shows its

dozen borrowed Castilleja school skirts in order to promote the game since it signifies an opportunity to compete, to was early on in the Lady Vikes’ season. showcase practice and to take home a In addition, the goal of the outfits was victory. Unlike an ordinary day, it is 24 to bond and create pre-game energy. hours of being in “I think the an athletic menmain focus was to tality. Whether it “I think it shows that you really care about your sport,” unify the team and is a Major League varsity boys head basketball coach Adam Sax said.

“I get everyone excited baseball team, a to play [Castilleja],” like everybody to be wearing the same thing. Instead of college basketball midfield Hannah team or the Palo one guy wears a sweatshirt, one guy has a hat on, they Totte (‘12) said.

“EvAlto High School all wear the same thing. It’s a tradition I grew up with.” eryone at Paly knows football team, all Castilleja.” athletes experihumorous side on game days.

The team The team believes that participating ence the hype of preparing for a game. usually rocks its team sweatshirt; that in such events is both fun and exciting.

On the Paly campus, many athletic is, unless the Lady Vikes are facing a According to center back Helen Butler teams showcase game-day enthusiasm particular opponent.

The day the girls (‘11), while some Castilleja parents by wearing matching outfits. Despite faced rival private school Castilleja, the seemed discontent, Paly’s next-door ridifferent styles worn by Paly athletes, team decided to dress up in almost two vals saw it as friendly competition. the purpose of them is to prepare for

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Key definitions of “swag” from Urbandictionary.com

SWAG

]

The way in which you carry yourself. Swag is made up of your overall confidence, style, and demeanor. Swag can also be expanded to be the reputation of your overall swagger. It is reserved for the most swagalicious of people.

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nifying a game day routine. Ronaghi believes that the team’s look is both en“People always ask tertaining and fun. you, ‘Hey, do you “It brings a lot of attention to them,” have a game toRonaghi said. “It makes them bond a lot to come out as a team like that. I day?’” center back think it’s really funny and cute how Helen Butler (‘11) they dress up professionally. It’s not said. “And ‘Who are something people talk badly about; it’s something people think is funny and you going to play? cool.” and ‘How do you Adam Sax, the varsity boys’ coach, think you’re going to decided that the team should dress up do?’” on game days for several reasons.

“I think it shows that you really care about your sport,” Sax said. “I like ev“I think the [Castilleja] players took it erybody to be wearing the same thing. as a joke,“ Butler said. “And it helped Instead of one guy wears a sweatshirt, pump us up. We played really awesome one guy has a hat on, they all wear the that game.” same thing.

It’s a tradition I grew up Additionally, dressing up at school with.” for game days helps stimulate the Although coach Sax advocates wearschool’s interest in the sport. ing team-oriented clothing, he believes “People always ask you, ‘Hey, do you that the attire has an certain effect on have game today?’” Butler said. “And the team.

‘Who are you goAlthough he does ing to play?’ and not believe that the ‘How do you think attire effects the acyou’re going to tual performance of do?’ I think it’s his players, he feels more of a mental that the overall prothing pumping us fessionalism of the up.” team is shown.

The team has Along with profesalso dressed up sionalism, dressing as stereotpical up as unit shows a “nerds” on the day team, rather than of its Henry M. individuals of a Gunn High School team promoting game and cats their own game. when facing Los While many teams Gatos High School. may alter their The outfits showgame day traditions case the interestBONDING The girls’ varstiy soccer team wore borrowed Castilleja skirts to school when throughout time, ing styles and a they faced their rival. “Everyone at Paly knows Castilleja,” midfield Hannah Totte said.

Sax believes in longsilly outlook that is unique to the team. However, unlike the girls’ silliness when wearing game day attire, the boys’ varsity basketball team shows a more serious side for game days.

Both the boys’ varsity and junior varsity teams sport khakis, collared shirts, and ties on game days almost twice a week. Many students around school raise eyebrows in curiosity about the meaning behind the attire.

“People are always like ‘Why are you dressed like that?’” forward Israel Hakim (‘12) said. “‘What are you wearing this for? You look like you go to a private school.’ We get that a lot.”

Neda Ronaghi (‘11), a classmate of several basketball players also found the attire to be intriguing.

“I thought it was really interesting that a basketball team would dress up nicely on a game day,” Ronaghi said.

Once explained, the outfits have been familiarized around school, sig-

Photo used with permission by Emily Brown

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SWAGALICIOUS

SWAGNIFIED The state of having swag.

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When one’s swag is magnified

Features

Game Day Swag

standing traditions and stability.

The girls’ lacrosse team demontive Americans started lacrosse,” attack “I don’t think you’re going to win more Kimmie Flather (’12) said. “We’ve also strates the increased team spirit begames if you wear a tie but I just think dressed up as ‘lax bro’s’ and in green hind dressing up for game days. T he it’s the professional way to do things,” and white. Anything we can come up girls show a more colorful reasoning Sax said. “It’s a team behind game day looks. with.” thing. I just think After looking into the closets of three The lacrosse team, it looks good; it similar to other teams, the players have demonstrated looks more profesteams at Paly, be- how game day attire can help enhance “It definetely brings sional. And, they comes closer as energy for games, as well as promote the team closer tolearned how to tie a result of dress- team unity and chemistry. Although a tie now. Ties are ing up together. others around campus may not undergether,” attack Kimkind of more old The girls show the stand why they spot males who look mie Flather (‘12) said. school. A few years school they are a as though they are prepared for work, ago all coaches wore girls for private schools, or girls back in whole team. ties, now they just “It definitely the Native American days, the attire alwear collared shirts. Everything’s kind brings the team closer together,” Flath- lows the players to explain their sport of changing. I’m still kind of the old er said. “We usually have a lunch that and their pride for their team to others. school way of doing things.” day which really gets us excited for the “It’s mainly for fun, but it also promotes At first, some of the boys were hesitant game. Depending on who we’re play- advertisement for our games,” Flather to wear dress up. But many quickly ad- ing, the more intense it gets. We usually said. “People see that we dress up and justed to the weekly dress code. really care about the sport.” <<< save lax bros for the bigger games.”

“We dress up because our coach wants us to look like a team, and no one to look different,” Hakim said. “At first I didn’t like it, but it’s cool showing up, dressing nice with your friends wearing ties. We look kind of swaggy.”

Hakim’s view on the look is shared by his teammate Alec Wong (‘12), Paly’s starting point guard.

“The ladies love ‘em,” Wong said.

The boys’ basketball teams demonstrate the serious side of game day, in which teams feel the need to look and act professional in order to maintain tradition. Other Paly teams show a wilder side.

The girls’ varsity lacrosse team, unlike the basketball team, takes a more creative approach to outfits on game days. Several ideas have inspired outfits for game day gear. SHOWING OFF SPIRIT The 2010 girls’ varsity lacrosse team dressed its seniors in crowns to “In the past, we’ve dressed up as celebrate senior night. “We usually have a team lunch [on game days], which gets us really Native Americans because the Na- excited for the game,” Kimmie Flather (‘12) said. (pictured bottom row, second from the right)

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SWAGGY

Photo used with permission by Emy Kelty

More terms from Urbandictionary.com

]

Having swag. Being able to portray swag in the way a person walks, talks and dresses.

SWAG LAG

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It’s the opposite of swag. It means he’s got no steeze or style.

Technology:

by Peter Dennis and Nathan Norimoto

design and photo illustrations by Ben Sneider

I

n the age of iPads and Xbox 360s, technology seems to change continuously. People have gotten so accustomed to the continual updating of technology that they get frustrated when the growth doesn’t happen or if it doesn’t happen quickly enough.

Of course, sports are not spared from this change. Baseball players research the new year’s bat models as if they are preparing to buy a new car. Basketball players scramble to buy the flashiest, lightest, bounciest basketball shoes every season and, in some cases more than once a season.

The University of Oregon football team, sponsored by Nike, is famous for its new and flashy uniform design that changes every few seasons.

But most fans do not realize that besides making Oregon one of the more stylish college football teams, the uniforms also incorporate new Nike technology.

The most recent uniform overhaul in 2009 severely cut weight from the Ducks’ uniforms by 25 percent overall.

Most fans recognized the 2010 change in shoulder pad design, from a diamond plate design to a winglike laminate anti-abrasion shoulder reinforcement. Less well known, however, is that statistically, the change was a 200 percent drop in weight differential from the older design.

Oregon’s uniforms are also nearly skin-tight, a design feature pioneered

by Nike. The tightness limits the potential for grabbing the jerseys, making the Ducks tougher to tackle.

While many sports incorporate

The SHOOTING SLEEVE

Another piece of equipment becoming more popular in recent years is the shooting sleeve, simply a compression sleeve that extends from the wrist to the bicep on the shooting arm. In some cases, the sleeve is adorned with protective padding on the elbow to cushion possible falls on the hard wooden floor.

Many NBA players wear shooting sleeves, including Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Allen Iverson started the trend in the 20002001 season following surgery on his right arm. But the sleeve is hardly basketball-specific, as the basic benefits of the sleeve, compression to reduce muscle fatigue and protection, are not particular to basketball.

Because of the few benefits, in many cases the sleeve is simply worn for style. In this way, sleeves are very similar to tights, which the NBA banned for use in the 2006-2007 season. The reasoning was that players, like Wade, James, Bryant and Iverson among others, were only wearing them for the look.

similar gear, like footwear and uniforms, all sports have specific equipment. The Viking looked at five Paly sports (football, tennis, basketball, baseball and swimming) to analyze the technology in shoes, protective gear and clothing material.

For all sports, the idea of footwear is to minimize weight as much as possible. But companies also focus on foot support to prevent most minor injuries. Because of this, companies

The Mouth Guard

In 1890 a dentist by the name of Woolt Krausa was the first to construct a mouth guard from a piece of natural rubber material called gum shields. The guard was used in boxing matches to protect the boxers from teeth or lip injuries. Phillip Krausa, Woolt’s son, took his father’s design of the mouth guard, but replaced the gutta percha with a stronger vella rubber. Today, the NCAA requires that mouth guards must be worn while playing football, field hockey, lacrosse and ice hockey.

Some professional athletes today have begun using an electromagnetic mouth guard that can increase the blood flow of tiny capillaries by 5%. This increase in blood flow relaxes muscles that creates the same effect as acupuncture does on the body but on a smaller scale.

continually research materials that are lightweight, yet strong.

As a result, Nike created Flywire in 2008. Woven filament-like cables in the upper wrap around the foot create a sturdy and lightweight exterior for protection. Nike now uses Flywire in virtually all of its athletic shoes and cleats, to offer performance and style.

The Nike Hyperdunk basketball shoe series uses Flywire to make the shoes lighter. Boys’ varsity basketball forward Israel Hakim (‘12) wears personalized Hyperdunks, both for productivity and style.

“I think having shoes that are lighter makes you a little more boingy,” Hakim said. “And I like to look good; looking good makes me feel better about my game.”

Most companies use rubber soles for traction purposes on the court or field, with the exception of cleats on fields and track.

Physics proves that the smoother a surface, the less friction will act on the sole. And since the point of traction is to increase friction, the surface should be as rough as possible, while not increasing friction to the point that walking would be unbearable. To do this, the sole of a shoe is flat from a profiled view.

But most shoe soles actually have traction, so that the player can enjoy the feeling of grip on the playing surface when participating in their sport. “[With more grip] you can do certain cuts and do certain moves,” Hakim said. “You don’t want to slip.”

The materials used in the upper part of the shoe are generally perforated, so that the foot can breathe, keeping it cool and limiting perspiration. Perspiration leads to blisters through the sliding of the foot in the shoe.

Many of the materials used in the upper of a shoe are similar to those in clothing. Adidas uses ClimaCool technology in its shoes and clothing to achieve this.

The SWIM SUIT

First popularized in the year 2000 by Ian Thorpe, fullbody swimsuits have recently sparked controversy, especially following the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, in which Speedo’s LZR Racer suit premiered on the world stage. Engineered using NASA windtunnels, the LZR features a compression zone which reduces skin and muscle vibration.

Michael Phelps promoted the LZR in the Beijing Olympics and won a record eight gold medals. All gold medal winners in the Men’s events in Beijing wore the LZR, while 23 out of the 25 world records set in the 2008 Olympics were set by swimmers wearing the suit. Overall, 94 percent of gold medal winners (and 89 percent of medal winners overall) wore the LZR. In July 2009, however, FINA, swimming’s world governing body, banned full-body suits like the LZR Racer in lieu of “jammers” for men (waist-to-knee suits) and shoulder-to-knee suits for women.

At the high school level, rule 3-3-2, implemented in August 2009, states that swimsuits need to be “constructed so that the style/shape of the suit for males shall not extend above the waist nor below the top of the kneecap and for females shall not extend beyond the shoulders nor below the top of the kneecap, nor cover the neck.” photos (left to right) by Mary Albertolle and Allie Shorin

Another popular clothing technol- terials make little difference to ogy attempts to wick sweat through the player. the fabric to the surface of the clothYet most players still hold on ing where it can then be evaporated to the idea that wicking and off, with the intention of maintaining compression increase perfora reasonable level of perspiration on mance on the field. The NBA the athlete’s skin. Ideally, the wicking All-Star Game in Los Angeles technology would wick away all of in late February was the first the sweat. in which players were given Another innovation clothing has the choice to wear either endured is the popularity of skin tight the new Adidas TECHFIT apparel. Compression gear reduces skin-tight compression muscle vibration, which is one of the leadIn 1952, the Pittsburgh Pirates were the first team to make ing causes of wearing a protective helmet mandatory. The helmet was muscle fatigue. based off of a miner’s helmet and was used on defense and So the reducoffense. By 1971 Major League Baseball made batting heltion of the vimets mandatory for all teams. Up until then most players bration inevihad inserted curved plastic shells inside their caps to protect tably leads to their cranium. Today, the batting has evolved from hard hat a reduction of to single ear flap helmets worn by batters, but with the inthe fatigue. creasing velocity of pitches, athletic companies have develUnder Aroped helmets to withstand pitches at 100 mph. New York mour, the Mets third baseman David Wright was the first player to don a new helmet after he was hit in the head by a 94 mph fastpioneer of ball from San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain on Aug. 14, p e r fo r m a n c e 2009. The helmet he used was an S100 helmet manufaccompression, tured by Rawlings, and it is larger and heavier helmet than maintains that other helmets due to the composite insert and extended the HeatGear padding. Few players today endorse this helmet due to the moisture transbulkiness and largeness of the shell. Despite the helmet’s port technolbulkiness, the safety benefits it offers outweighs any cost. ogy, “the origiThe death of Double A Tulsa Drillers first base coach Mike nal second skin Coolbaugh after being hit by a foul ball in 2007 prompted layer,” “ensures major league baseball to make it mandatory for base coachfast drying peres to wear helmets while coaching. formance that keeps you cool and won’t weigh you tanks or the more conventional, clasdown.” It also adds “bolstered muscle sic loose jerseys. support and increased circulation “They’re 40 percent lighter and resulting in higher efficiency output give players the advantage of being and increased stamina” due to the sleeker so they can’t be held. Not to compression. mention the built in performance enDr. Tom Gavin from East Carolina hancement,” Travis Blasingame, AdiUniversity found in a study that both das’ global business director, told the cotton and its nemesis, wicking material, Starting in the 1860s, elite baseball players put spikes on the had little effect bottom of their shoes, and in 1882 an all leather shoe was on altering the made available by Spalding. Hall of Famer and Detroit Tiger body’s core outfielder Ty Cobb immortalized the spiked shoes by aggressively sliding into bases to intimidate the infielders. Today temperature. four types of cleats rule the baseball market: Metal spikes, So scientifically, rubber spikes, interchangeable and turf shoes. the wicking ma-

THE BASEBALL HELMET

BOUNCE Guard Davante Adams (‘12) leaps up for a slam dunk on Aaron Gordon (‘13) of Archbishop Mitty on March 1 in the CCS semifinals.

Dr. George Havenith from Loughborough University in England explained that each sport has a different optimal temperature at which to perform, which depends on the amount of energy necessary to play the sport.

Since exercising creates body heat, the body’s sweating mechanism kicks in to attempt to cool off the skin. Ideally, the sweat would evaporate off the skin after it serves its use.

But most of us do not exercise naked, and the main alternative to doing so (wearing cotton) hinders that natural process from occurring, thus insulating the body and keeping the original body heat internalized. Because of clothing, the process of sweating can be seen as a waste of time.

ClimaCool technology actively directs cool air around the foot and body to reduce heat, which reduces the amount of sweat needed to be produced. The areas in which the air is directed most was designed specifically using a sweat map, which shows where the body produces the most sweat. The directed air attempts to optimize the heat loss of the player.

Baseball Cleats

p

THE TENNIS RACKET

Tennis players’ main equipment is their racket. Rackets were originally made from wood, with the strings formed from animal innards. Wood was used to make the frames through the 20th century, until metal alloys and composites became more popular. Later, synthetic fibers were used to form the strings.

Players can make minor improvements to their rackets, like adding shock reducers or changing the handle tape, but tennis regulations limit the frame’s size, so companies change the type of material the frame is composed of.

For example, according to Wilson’s website, their BLX technology uses Basalt, which is “made into fine gold fibers with incredible vibration resistance.” Babolat uses GT techology in their rackets, which combines carbon fibers (graphite) and tungsten filaments. This composite “improves racket performance, based on the concentration of Tungsten fibers at various strategic parts of the frame.”

THE BASEBALL BAT

photos (left to right) by Alex Kershner and Allie Shorin

Baseball players originally used wooden bats until the 1970s, when Worth created the first metal baseball bat. They became instantly popular, because the properties of metal, as opposed to wood, allow the ball to be hit farther than the classic wooden bat.

Using metal allows the bat to slightly flex, which allows a whiplash effect to occur, thus transferring more energy to the ball, making it travel farther.

Early metal bats used aluminum, but recent highquality bats use an alloy of aluminum and scandium, which adds to the strength and resiliency of aluminum without increasing the weight.

The most popular bats, however, are composites, employing technology like double-walls and composite handles. The DeMarini CF4 uses a double-walled barrel. The double wall reinforces the barrel, thus creating greater durability and harnessing more amounts of energy, through the conversion between the walls.

New High School Bat Rule

Composite bats like Easton’s Steath Speed were just recently declared illegal in high school baseball. The NFHS adopted the NCAA’s stricter regulations, which uses the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) as opposed to NFHS’ older Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR). Some BESR bats are still legal though, most notably, Demarini’s CF4. The new rules will go into effect January 1, 2012.

Toronto Star.

Adidas designs its compression tops, shorts and arm and ankle sleeves with TECHFIT, which focuses “muscles’ energy to generate maximum explosive power, acceleration and long-term endurance.”

Adidas also includes either padding or their TPU (thermal polyurethane) bands on compression apparel. The padding is relatively straight forward, placed on the most impacted places on the player’s body:

The Jock Strap

In 15th and 16th century a codpiece (a metal in the form of genitals) was worn by men to reduce the amount of genital exposure during everyday activities.

By the mid 1800s men’s swimwear consisted of a wool suit that went from the neckline to the knees. A girdle had to be worn underneath the suit to conceal any “buldges” from the suit. The idea of wearing protective gear while playing sports had spread, and in the early 1900s Sears was one of the first companies to mass market the jock strap. A padded section had been added to the strap protect the kidneys and abdomen from injuries.

PowerWEB on the Adidas Innovation Team, is that since the PowerWEB/TPU bands are elastic, they can store elastic potential energy when stretched by the athlete’s muscles.

When released, the bands simultaneously release that energy to be used by the athlete, therefore slowing down the effects of fatigue, which decreases the amount of force each muscle can produce.

The bands also align the muscles into their proper places where they can operate the best. Our muscles can be used to their full potential when in the right place.

“Our arm, for example, works best in a middle range of motion,” Stefanyshyn said. “It’s very weak at an extended position or a very weak in a contracted position, but by putting these elastic bands on that, we can manipulate where the operating range is of these particular muscles.” <<<

thighs, hips, rear, ribs and elbows.

However, Rick Powers, a sports management expert and professor with the Rotman School of Management, found the effects of the TPU bands and PowerWEB are mostly psychological.

“I don’t know how [the jersey] is going to improve performance, but it certainly addresses an intimidation factor,” Powers said.

Dr. Darren Stefanyshyn disagrees with Powers. His research at the University of Calgary found that TECHFIT provides an average of 5.3 percent improvement in energy output, a 1.1 percent faster sprint time over 30 meters and a 1.3 percent decrease In 1910 President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt threatened in oxygen to ban football in America due to the numerous deaths from consumption. football related injuries. As a result, rules were implementThe reaed to protect the players by forcing them to wear protective son for this, padding. Shoulder pads and helmets were the first pieces of according to equipment that were adopted by the league, and consisted of Stefanyshyn multiple leather pieces sewn together. Today, the pads rest and Brady on the shoulders to protect the collarbone, sternum and back Anderson, from tackles or hits. Pads have evolved from pieces of leather a Sport Reto a hard plastic shell that is strung together by a web of straps searcher for that help distribute the shock. the TECHFIT

Football Shoulderpads

RECEIVER GLOVES

“I don’t think I could have made that catch without [gloves] on,” Saint Louis Rams wide reciever Danny Amendola told Sports Illustrated regarding a catch he made Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. “You have to bring the ball down and cradle it, and that’s not easy with one hand. [Gloves] stop the rotation of the ball making it easier to control.”

Receiving gloves simply make the hands more sticky, which makes it easier for receivers, cornerbacks and safeties to snag the ball out of the air.

The NFL banned Stickum, a gluey spray-on adhesive, in 1981 after it was popularized by Fred Biletnikoff and Luther Hayes of the Oakland Raiders. It has even resurfaced in a certain alcoholic drink commercial.

Even after Stickum was banned, companies are still able to nearly recreate its effects through a glove. Companies like Cutters, Nike, Schutt, adidas, Under Armour and Reebok use sticky

The Football Helmet

Riddell was was the first company to patent plastic football helmets in 1939, but due to the material shortages of World War II its introduction into football came in 1944.

When the helmet was first introduced many doctors and coaches voiced concerns that the plastic shell turned the players into a dangerous weapon. The plastic helmet has evolved from a plastic dome to a concussion preventing tool. No helmet today is 100% effective in combating concussions, but with continuing development of technology concussions in football could become obsolete.

photo by Alex Kershner

substances on the palm and fingers of the gloves so that the ball can adhere to the glove to a limited extent. Cutters proclaims that their C-TACK Performance Grip Material used in their gloves “creates a strong grip” which self-restores itself and “performs in all weather conditions.”

Few players in the NFL use their bare hands in lieu of the sticky gloves. Dallas Clark, tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, is probably the most popular abstainer. While the gloves may help players like Amendola make spectacular grabs, Clark fills up the stat sheet without the sticky mittens.

Clark holds the Colts’ career record tight end marks in receptions and touchdowns; the tight end single season team record in receptions, yards and touchdowns; is the second tight end to record 100+ receptions; and is the first Colts tight end and the fifteenth NFL tight end to record 1000+ receiving yards in a single season.

Features

The Viking Sports Mythbusters

SPORTS

BY SAM BORSOS AND SKYLAR DOROSIN

I

An investigation into three sports myths

magine you are running off the court at the end of a winning effort. You are tired as your muscles ache. Someone throws you a bottle of a cool liquid. You hastily twist off the cap, and put the bottle to your lips, expecting cool, refreshing water. Not exactly. The unexpected rich sensation of chocolate milk slides down your throat in a refreshing manner. Although you were expecting something else, you down the bottle. While you feel content after the victory, the chocolate milk might have been the extra energy you needed after the game. Is chocolate milk a substitute for other drinks?

Myth #1: Got Muscle?

In the world of sports, curiosity is inevitable. We all want to know athletes’ workout secrets and through these secrets ideas are stretched and passed down for generations: myths. Let’s face it, we’d all love to know the truth behind those wacky rumors we hear about sports every once in a while. Is chocolate milk an effective sports drink? Is it better to be bigger in wrestling?

Does shaving decrease your swim times? No matter what the question is, someone somewhere knows the truth. The Viking explored the answers these three myths through interviews and investigative research.

Is chocolate milk a good sports drink?

T

he chocolate milk myth is a rumor that chocolate milk is an effective sports drink after workout for relief.

While some people have never heard of this myth, others disagree with it, and some have said to have experienced the positive effect of the drink, everyone says something different.

With the chocolate milk myth comes a lot of questions- why do athletes drink it?

Does it help muscle recovery or muscle building? Is it a myth or does this beverage actually work?

Paly football player Kevin Anderson (’11) drinks chocolate milk and other protein drinks after workouts, and found that chocolate milk has positive yet small benefits. He transitioned from chocolate milk after every game freshmen and sophomore year to drinking protein shakes after games junior and senior years.

“When I don’t take [protein shakes], my legs cramp really easily and it is extremely painful,” Anderson said. “Chocolate milk is not as good as some other protein and post-workout shakes that I have had, but it gets the job done.”

Other athletes agree with Anderson suggesting that chocolate milk is a good sports drink for a post-workout intake. Byron Sanborn (’12), a current Paly swimmer, has a similar routine to Anderson, drinking chocolate milk within 30 minutes after a workout.

belief that chocolate milk is helpful after a workout, others disagree that the drink is effective after a workout.

Dr. Clyde Wilson of Stanford University thinks that chocolate milk provides some level of benefit in that it gives the body sugar after workout, but it is not the best choice for muscle building and recovery.

“Since chocolate milk has the wrong ratio of sugar types, it is not good for any type of exercise intended for improving performance,” Wilson said.

“However, at least chocolate milk has sugar calories, and it contains protein, so it is infinitely better than having nothing at all.”

Though chocolate milk does not fuel the muscles, it is better than sugary sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, accord to Wilson.

“Chocolate milk does not emphasize glucose and therefore does not optimize recovery, but at least it contains sucrose and protein,“ Wilson said.

“Sucrose or high fructose corn syrup as the main ingredient (Gatorade and Powerade) and little else is a recipe for metabolic disease (heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, liver and kidney disease), not performance.”

[ ] “Chocolate milk is not as good as some other protein and post-workout shakes that I have had, but it gets the job done,” Paly left tackle Kevin Anderson (‘11) said.

“One of the nutritionists for USA swimming at this training camp I went to recommended [chocolate milk] for recovery,” Sanborn said.

Contrary to Anderson and Sanborn’s

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YTHBUSTERS Myth #2: Go Big or Go Home

Is bigger or smaller better in wrestling?

W

hen we think of wrestling, we often imagine competitors like The Rock and Hulk Hogan battling it out in a fierce competition based solely on size and muscle strength. However, the media coverage of professional wrestling is actually inaccurate to the various qualities of what it takes to be a successful wrestler. The image of short or skinny wrestlers may surprise people, but The Viking uncovered the truth behind this counterintuitive concept.

Wrestling is very different from other sports such as basketball or football where you could technically have a 5’3, 120 pound kid against a 6’4, 200 pound beast. However, the idea of matching opponents up by weight creates a fair

“If you’re not big, it’s okay because most of the big guys are usually really slow,” Joey Christopherson (‘12) said. “But a lot of the smaller guys are quick.”

level of play in wrestling.

“Wrestling is a little bit more unique than other sports because there are 14 different weight classes,” Paly wrestling coach David Duran said. “We do encourage the kids to get bigger but obviously there is a 103 [weight class], so how big and strong can those kids get?”

While one might think that the competition gets harder the bigger you are, this may not be true. According to Duran, the bigger your weight class is in wrestling, the competition can sometimes get easier depending on the situation.

“Alot of those [bigger] kids [who wrestle] do other sports like football,” Duran said. “For [smaller] kids, all they

Photo by Hana Kajimura

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do is wrestle. It’s not that bigger kids aren’t good, it’s just that there are less of the really good kids compared to the lower [weight classes].”

Paly varsity wrestlers range from weight classes starting at 103 all the way up to 210. Joey Christopherson (‘12), a Paly varsity wrestler agrees with Duran, and thinks that large size can be a disadvantage to wrestlers.

“If you’re not big, it’s okay because most of the big guys are usually really slow,” Christopherson said. “But a lot of the smaller guys are quick.”

Although Duran disagrees that bigger is better for the physical aspect of wrestling, he believes that strength and confidence go hand-in-hand.

“I think the biggest advantage you get is if you go into the weight room to get stronger, you feel much more confidant,” Duran said. “Once you get in there and you get some confidence, you can move some weight, get a little bigger and stronger.”

So next time you see a smaller athlete headed over to the gym equipped with a pair of wrestling shoes and a singlet, don’t assume that they’ll be matched up with a 300 pound opponent. Every size meets their match. While they may not have the stereotypical wrestler image we’re used to seeing, don’t underestimate their ability to earn the gold.

FAIR MATCH UP Three year varsity wrestler Joey Christopherson (‘12) competes against those in his same weight class.

There are 14 different weight classes in wrestling.

Christopherson has competed in several weight classes ranging from 103 to 119 .

The Viking Sports Mythbusters

Myth #3: Shave Seconds Off Race Time Does shaving decrease swimming times?

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alking around at a swim meet, it’s not uncommon to see the sun glistening on swimmers smooth and shiny legs of both girl and boy athletes. What makes these athletes’ seem so smooth? It’s because of the age-old tradition of shaving before an important swim meet. Swimmers often shave legs and arms, some guys even go as far as shaving their backs and chests, before big meets in order to reduce body drag in the water. While it can seem like a practice that would decrease one’s swimming time, the common practice actually has minimal affects time-wise.

Shaving alone will not take off more than a few tenths of a second.

“Shaving probably doesn’t affect you that much, but at the same time it’s a different sensation when you dive in the water,” varsity swimmer Corso Rosati (‘12) said.

The myth of shaving before swim meets is an age-old tradition and not necesarily a time reducer; the practice of tapering is what really takes off the

time. Tapering is a technique when a coach decreases the amount of yardage for swimmers gradually before an important meet. As a result of this, a swimmers’ body can recover from the high intensity and volume workouts

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“You’re really sleek and slippery when you dive in the water after you’ve just shaved,” Paly swimmer Margaret Wenzlau (‘12) said.

during training. It allows the body to rest and prepare to compete at it’s peak performance for the swimmer’s race.

Shaving plays a much smaller part in time reduction in comparison to tapering.

“I feel it’s more mental than anything, the pure effect of the shaving doesn’t help your time but the tapering is a huge part,” Rosati said. “I’ve noticed that my times aren’t that much faster from when I shave and taper from

when I just taper.”

While shaving may not improve a swimmer’s time, many think the psychological uses of the technique are important. Some think that shaving will increase confidence and mental strength before a meet. Varsity Swimmer Margaret Wenzlau (‘12) believes that shaving helps swimmers mentally more than technically.

“I think that fast suits affect your time much more than shaving does,” Wenzlau said.

Fast suits are high performance swim wear that swimmers use to drop time. The suits change the way that the water flows over a swimmer’s body.

The suits can help decrease drag and muscle vibration to help increase the swimmer’s efficiency in the water.

Some suits are even full body, rendering shaving useless.

While shaving can certainly decrease an athlete’s swim time, it’s more about the mental aspect of the competition. And to some athletes, it just feels nicer.

“You’re really sleek and slippery when you dive in the water after you’ve just shaved,” Wenzlau said. <<<

[ SHAVE OR SINK Many people believe that shaving their legs can greatly reduce swim race time, while others think this is false. ] [42]

Photo by Jacob Lauing

Features

From Center Court to Sidelines

BY JACOB LAUING DESIGN BY BEN SENIDER

Photo by Jacob Lauing Photo illustration by Ben Sneider

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ne year ago, Nate Bills (‘12) stood tall at center court in Palo Alto High School’s big gym, dressed in a full green and white uniform, post-warm-up sweat drops on his forehead, basketball at his side and ready to play. As captain, he led the 2009-2010 frosh-soph basketball team to a league-best 24-0, undefeated season.

“Well, [Nate] was a pretty reliable player,” Paly varsity basketball point guard and former teammate Alec Wong (‘12) said. “You could always count on him not only for his play but also for his leadership.”

But deep inside a realization began to blossom, one that would drastically change both his athletic and personal life. Now Bills finds himself not too far from the action at center court, but in an entirely different position. The basketball previously in his hands has been re-

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placed by a clipboard, the mesh uniform traded for a polo and slacks.

The leadership, however, remains in full force, as he paces the sidelines and tackles the art of coaching youth athletics.

As if high school students did not have enough on their plate: school, athletics, extra-curricular activities, college preparation and having a social life, students have little time for anything else. Despite these prior engagements, some students have found time for another hobby; coaching youth sports. Different students have different reasons, but the question arises, why are students using their own talents to enlighten younger athletes? Perhaps it is the drive to stay connected to the sport they love, or the satisfaction of their own knowledge being passed down to a younger generation. Maybe coaching even helps the

From Center Court to Sidelines

athlete understand the game better, by seeing it from a different point of view. Ultimately, these high school athletes, former or current, have purpose behind their new pursuits, and find delight in coaching the community’s youth.

“Do you wanna do push-ups right now or do you want to listen?”

Bills cracks a wide grin after keeping his players in check and re-establishing his place as the authority figure. At halftime, the Jordan Middle School boys

he once had for basketball, so despite playing the game for more than half of his life and attending Paly’s pre-season Varsity workouts until November, he chose to end his competitive basketball career.

“At the varsity level, the fun that was there playing basketball for 10 years of my life was completely lost,” Bills said.

With the burden and stressful routine of a varsity athlete lifted off his shoulders, Bills immediately sought opportunities that would keep him

EMILY BROWN TEAM PHOTO

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CHEESIN’ (Left to right) Caroline Ebinger (‘12) , Emily Brown (‘12) and Kirah Ingam (‘12) pose with their AYSO team after they gave each kid an award. “[Coaching] made an impact on someone playing soccer,” Brown said.

seventh grade B basketball team is up 17-7, and with a quick run-through of its second half game plan, a set of five disciplinary push-ups and a “One, two, three, Jordan!” cheer, they re-enter the gym to trounce JLS 38-17 for the victory.

To the kids, it marks just another win in a fun-filled, thrill-ride of a season. But to Coach Bills, this pure joy associated with playing competitive sports serves as a pleasant reminder of a fleeting feeling. “[Varsity basketball] felt more like a lifestyle rather than an actual sport,” Bills said. “I view sports as a hobby and varsity was just work.”

Bills struggled to find the enjoyment

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Photo used by permission of Emily Brown

Features

connected to the game, but in a more relaxed environment.

“I didn’t want to abandon basketball altogether,” Bills said. “Immediately, I thought about working with kids over at Jordan. I love basketball and I love working with kids so I figured it would be a perfect fit.”

Ryan Vertelney (‘12) joined Bills, serving as assistant coach to the team, hoping it would provide an opportunity for community service and a chance to get out of the house.

“My parents wanted me to get off my butt and I thought it’d be a fun way to earn some community service hours,” Vertelney said. “I had always wanted to try coaching and this seemed like a

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great chance.”

Similar to Bills and Vertelney, Paly varsity soccer forward Emily Brown (‘12) has also dabbled in athletics instruction, coaching an age seven and under boys American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) team with fellow classmates Caroline Ebinger (‘12) and Kirah Ingram (‘12). After suffering a back injury over the summer, Brown was sidelined from playing any offseason soccer and Ebinger approached her with the possibility of coaching AYSO during the fall.

“I had never coached before,” Brown said. “So [Caroline] suggested that we try co-coaching, so we could run our own team without any adults trying to control it. It seemed really appealing.

We always knew a lot about soccer and I thought it’d be really fun.”

During her tenure as a coach, Brown found self-fulfilment in seeing her influence on the players come to life.

“Telling the kids something to work on and actually seeing it happen, knowing that feeling of success that I actually made an impact on someone playing soccer, actually knowing the position and teaching kids to love soccer and teaching them to become sportsmanlike, it was awesome,” Brown said.

Not only did Brown enjoy providing instruction and skill development for her players, but because she still plays soccer at the varsity level, Brown has also discovered coaching to be a helpful tool in understanding the game better, as she frequently helped her players position themselves.

“Coaching them...I also got a better view of positioning,” Brown said. “You know you know something when you can teach it to someone.”

Brown took this insight into her own game, improving her skills as a player.

“I feel more aware of where to go on the field because I thought about it so much as a coach,” Brown said.

While Brown and the other young coaches expressed plenty of enthusiasm about the fun and excitement of the opportunity, each of the students soon found out that actually coaching younger athletes proved to be the toughest task of all. During his first day

on the job, Bills realized both the challenges that he would face as a middle school coach and the knowledge he would need to provide for his players, who did not yet possess all the tools necessary for victory.

from both his peers and elders, and chose an alternative outlet for his athletic talents, as a significant number of high school students are beginning to do.

Jack Bungarden, both a Paly history

“The talent was there. The confidence and swagger wasn’t. I taught them to believe in themselves and work as a unit,” Bills said.

This method proved quite effective, as the team posted a scorching 7-1 record, winning their first seven games.

Vertelney’s predictions of the team on day one were similar to Bills’, as he remained pessimistic of the youthful team’s future.

“I thought they were going to be terrible,” Vertelney said. “They were all unfocused and fighting with each other.”

Even the team’s star point guard, Nick Cook, initially failed to believe they could thrive, and credits their success to Bills’ coaching ability.

“At first I probably didn’t think we would do this well,” Cook said, “Nate had a good attitude from the start and helped us play as a team. He’s a fun coach and he runs a lot of fun drills.”

As a coach, Bills stresses this enjoyment of basketball and hopes he can act as an adviser of not only the physical skills, but also the psychological satisfaction of playing.

“I’m here to teach the kids the basics and teach them how to have fun and do what they love,” Bills said. “I want them to embrace the game rather than be forced to play. That was how I felt, and I don’t want to see their love for basketball destroyed.”

To Bills, coaching became the mix of competition and enjoyment that had deserted him during his basketball career. He experienced social pressures of the varsity lifestyle and demands

teacher, parent, and the Regional Coach Administrator for AYSO soccer, notices this increase in young adult athletes as coaches.

“Somewhere between five and ten percent of our coaches are high school students,” Bungarden said.

Bungarden attributes this rising number of young coaches to many diverse factors and appeals.

“For our sport, [the coaches] are soccer players,” Bungarden said. “They like soccer. They like the idea of teaching it to younger kids. Some do it, I would imagine, for community service hours.

A lot of kids just do it for the sheer experience. To most coaches it’s fun.”

With all of the demands, stresses and activities associated with high school, some may wonder if a student’s chaotic schedule could potentially interfere with their coaching responsibilities. Bungarden understands the hectic high school lifestyle, and recognizes the issues that could arise for students who coach.

“As a general rule, I think time commitment problems are a greater challenge for youth coaches because they are doing other stuff as well,” Bungarden said.

However, due to the young age of her players and low-key environment of AYSO soccer, Brown only spent three to four hours per week coaching, with two practices a week and one game every weekend, all as a volunteer.

Bills, on the other hand, spent an average of eleven hours per week, running practices almost every day after school and coaching at least one home

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CRACKIN’ THE WHIP Nate Bills (‘12) and Ryan Vertelney (‘12) unveil their practice plan to their Jordan Middle School B team on the outdoor courts.

Photo by Brandon Dukovic

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“[Varsity basketball] felt more like a lifestyle rather than an actual sport,” Nate Bills (‘12) said. “I view sports as a hobby and varsity was just work.”

and one away game per week, getting paid throughout. While the handsome accumulated salary appeals to Bills, it remains a secondary reason for his coaching ventures.

“The money is amazing don’t get me wrong, but to me nothing beats just enjoying myself around the game of basketball,” Bills said.

Clearly the drive to coach comes from much more than just a nice profit. Whether it is to stay connected, enlighten the youth, earn some service hours, take up free time, or just to get out of the house, coaching youth sports has become increasingly popular amongst high school students.

As the sun splits through the holes of the caged Jordan gym windows, Bills eagerly shifts his weight from side-toside as he watches the game he played and adored for so long. Constantly encouraging his players with a frequent “Nice hustle!” or “Nice pass!”, Bills realizes the fortune and pure elation gained as a result of his decision to coach instead of play varsity basketball.

“I’m staying in touch with my basketball routes, getting paid to have fun and teach kids the fundamentals of my favorite game,” Bills said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. I have no regrets. I’m living the dream.” <<<

Forward Zac Hummel (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;11) dribbles past defenders down the sideline in a 2-0 win over Santa Clara. The Vikings finished the league season 4-1-7 for fourth place in the SCVAL. They went on to lose to Menlo-Atherton in the CCS quarterfinals.

Photo by Brandon Dukovic

ZOOM

Photo illustration by Cooper Levitan

The All-Star Word

BY MICHAEL CULLEN

As I sat on my couch with a bag of

hydrogenated snack food and a tall glass of chocolate milk, I stared at the TV, puzzled. Julius Peppers, ferocious defensive end for the Chicago Bears, was lining up in his stance and bursting off the line of scrimmage as usual, but instead of rounding the corner and burying his noggin in Peyton Manning’s chest, he was pulling up and playing an oversized version of patty-cake with the offensive lineman before him.

Instead of bombarding the offensive line with a relentless pass rush, DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys instead dropped nonchalantly into coverage, and congregated to the ball with the rest of the defense to softly wrestle the ball carrier to the ground. What was this madness? What could possibly prevent such finely tuned athletic machines from unleashing their inner demons upon the opposing backfield?! Oh right… this is the Pro Bowl we’re talking about.

Such is life when it comes to All-Star games; the elite players of the league are selected to show their skills against the best of the best. But when gametime rolls around, the spectacular play that landed them in their swaggy All-Star jersey never seems to fully emerge. Granted, there are rules put in place for the safety of the players that slow the game (i.e. no blitzing in the Pro Bowl) and I understand that the risk of injury and losing a multi-million dollar contract outweighs the benefit of winning an All-Star game. But watching Robert Mathis restrain himself from blasting a quarterback into oblivion is like watching a caged tiger try to get exercise at the zoo. The stakes need to be higher, the stage needs to be bigger and they need to keep coming up with cool gimmicks that will keep guys like me happy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll watch an All-Star game from start to finish for many reasons. First and foremost: the swag. The best of the best have to look like the best of the best, and that means getting decked out in unnecessary accessories to

compliment the red white and blue jerseys. Second: All-Star Cheerleaders. No more need be said there. Third: All-Star related festivities. These include but are not limited to: NHL goalie racing, the Home Run Derby, and the Slam Dunk Contest.

I didn’t watch the dunk contest this year, but I saw Blake Griffin’s slam on Sportscenter. Needless to say the man has skills. I don’t know when you would ever need to jump over a car during a game, but watching Griffin fly over the hood of that conveniently placed Kia got me thinking that I should lace up the ol’ basketball sneakers and give it a shot. However, after parking my mom’s Camry in front of the hoop in my driveway and remembering my vertical, I reconsidered. I’ll leave the discreet endorsement of a sponsor through highly publicized dunk competitions to the professionals.

Mini-games aside, the All-Star games of the major professional sports have a certain uniqueness to them. In the majority of the major All-Star games, the teams are divided by region or conference, but in pro soccer in recent years, the MLS All-Stars have played an international club team, typically from the British Premier League. In hockey, it’s a little different. Instead of the traditional East vs. West matchup that was standard in past years, they went old-school on us, and had the game pick-up style, with two of the veteran players as captains who picked teams from the alloted group of All-Stars.

The Midsummer Classic is the only All-Star game with a true impact on the rest of the season. Since 2003, the winning division of the MLB All-Star game takes home field advantage in the World Series. As we saw firsthand this year, because the National League won the All-Star game, the Giants had the first two games of the World Series at home, and in both games they were victorious.

This is the direction All-Star games need to be moving in.

When something like homefield advantage is at stake, players are more likely to play their best: to show why they were chosen to be there. Let us not forget one of the defining teams in the history of American sport: the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team, which was composed of a group of college players instead of professionals from the NHL. The miraculous team of 1980 used team chemistry and heart to defeat the juggernaut Soviets in the semis, and Sweden in the finals. AllStar games should demonstrate the grit and determination of young players trying to prove themselves on a big stage, while also showcasing the established veterans’ love for the game. With the innovations that the leagues seem to be coming up with, its a step in the right direction. And hey, even if it’s not a ferocious battle for the ball on All-Star weekend, I can still eat my Cheetos and hold on to the hope that Justin Bieber gets swatted in the celebrity basketball game. <<<

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

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

Non-profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #44 Palo Alto, California

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

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

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

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

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

pamf.org/sports