The Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • September 5, 2014
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Sports PEAK from page A-1 means student first, athlete second. No college I have ever dealt with will take a chance on any athlete if they can’t get their job done in the classroom.” In 2013, according to MaxPreps, an online one stop shop for stats when it comes to high school sports, only 3 percent of high school senior basketball players went on to play NCAA sponsored basketball. A figure like that can be spread across the board for all sports, but that of course does not take into account the opportunities that are available for athletes to compete in the lower divisions of the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA. That is where a Coach like Conley steps in to help. Over the last three years he has played a major role in helping well over 130 student athletes get sizable scholarships to four year universities all over the country.
Players he will take with him to Peru State include Adam Quintana (SBVC, Concordia), Joe Riley (Murrieta Valley, MSJC, Missouri Baptist), Angus Miller (SBVC), Zach Hubert (Paloma Valley, MSJC, Texas Wesleyan, Vanguard), and Charley Lutz (RCC). If you build it, they will come So where does this put Conley in the scouting spectrum locally? Just recently, he started Peak Performance Athletic Services (PPAS) at the encouragement of some of the families of boys he has helped in the past. “I did this because I knew I could help an endless amount of other Junior College and High School athletes, both male and female, move on to play any sport that a college offers a scholarship for. What makes us different from the rest is the old school personal attention we give to our clients and their families. The personal connections we make with the coaches and universities we are connected with are key. Not just mass emailing player profiles to schools, it’s the one on one personal contact between myself and the coaches that separates us from the rest. PPAS is the real deal and we are going to change the game,” he said. Conley’s partner is local baseball instructor, Joe Riley, who graduated in 2009 from Murrieta Valley High School and played for him at MSJC early on. “Joe was actually the first player I helped get a scholarship for when he was a player for me at MSJC, the kid was an All American with a huge heart and he had some cards dealt to him that set him back, but he worked through the issues and now Joe will be returning to Nebraska with me this spring to play for the Bobcats as he has one year of eligibility left. It’s an exciting time for both of us as we look to just continue to help everyone we run into that has a passion for their sports,” said Conley. The main philosophy behind Peak Performance is that everyone who plays varsity sports has the chance to go on to the next level as there are resources out there Families just need to know where to look. Conley and Riley have found some help along the way with local bird dog scouts Randy Shutz and Donnie Tulimero, who both look to help grow the operation over the next year. As the partnership began over the summer, PPAS was already receiving interest as a few local baseball players who grew up in the area experienced some tough breaks last season and still were given college scholarships. None of them played baseball in the spring of 2014. Nathaniel Dillon, Daniel Rubio and David Groh are names that may be unfamiliar to some, but thinking back a couple seasons, they should be recognizable names to those that are connected to the baseball world in the Temecula Valley.
Just a small town boy Born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, Conley and his family moved to the Moreno Valley area in 1980 when he was about 9 years old. He was a 1989 graduate from Moreno Valley High School where not only was he was a standout baseball player, he was also the first baseball player to be drafted out of his With the help of the Peak Performance coaches, David Groh, seen here with parents Rick and Linda Groh, school. signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Cumberland University in Tennessee next spring. Courtesy photo The Montreal Expos drafted now my world is changing again for senior year, but when the accident the dugout of his junior college him late as a draft and follow and happened and the schools learned team waiting for the opportunity the better.” sent him to Mt. San Jacinto ColDillon showcased himself a of the down time, the calls pretty to present itself where game time lege (MSJC) to play under Steve was concerned. When it didn’t, the couple times over the summer, much stopped, he said. Alonzo. It did not take Conley long “There were times he would get Groh family agreed it was time to worked out with Conley who got to start turning the heads of the him in front of some coaches. Dil- frustrated, it took a toll on him seek other options. higher ups in the Expos organiza“He just has so much potential, lon signed his letter of intent to play mentally and of course there was tion as he was selected first team at Texas Wesleyan University a few always that thought in the back of he has been playing this game since all-conference and signed with the weeks ago. He is now a full time his mind about getting hurt again he was three and we were a bit Expo’s before the 1990 draft. He student again, working out with the if he wanted to keep pursing base- skeptical about pulling him out of spent three seasons in the minor a decent school environment, but baseball team and looking forward ball,” added Fabiola. leagues with the organization until Rubio had been playing base- we feel he has the opportunity to to the spring season. an arm injury ended his career. Fast “He is a different person now,” ball since T-ball and moved to the get better with Matt and we believe forward almost 15 years and Consaid Dillon’s mom, Sylvana. “His Temecula Valley with his family in things happen for a reason and ley has since raised two children work ethic proved the tale; he was 2003. He played Little League and now we believe he is just going to Nolan, a senior at Chaparral High blessed with another opportunity Pony in Temecula and made the get better and better,” said Groh’s School and Shea who is a freshman. and we are all behind him as em- Freshman team at Chaparral High mother, Linda. “I coached my son off and on all School, played a year at JV and barks on this journey.” Groh’s family has always the way through little league but PPAS is very encouraging to then moved to Varsity his Junior stressed the importance of getdidn’t get into college coaching unathletes, ensuring them that dreams year. He pitched for a good amount ting a four year degree. His older til four years ago when still MSJC can become a reality, even if there of his life and mostly played first brother attends ASU and there are head coach Steve Alonzo asked me are some that feel their opportu- base, as most left hander’s do. some up and coming Groh-ers on to come coach with him. I spent two “He limited his pitching growing that way as David has three sisters nities have been passed for one seasons with him there and that is up, never overthrew, and would still at Chaparral. reason or another. where I started getting involved and always monitor himself. He was After showcasing for Conley, educated with the helping the playso responsible about his arm care,” it was obvious that Groh had the Tearing down the mound ers get scholarships to four year tools needed, so he picked up the Daniel Rubio, a 2014 graduate said Rubios father, Daniel. universities,” said Conley. “I was of course pretty bummed phone and got him an offer to from Chaparral High School is one Conley feels like he learned a of those players where the unex- when it happened, then I got scared, play ball at the University of the lot from Alonzo and said he repected happened when he tore the thinking about college and not heal- Cumberlands in Kentucky. Groh ally educated himself while he was accepted. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) ing properly,” said Rubio. there about all the possible avenues Not long after graduating, the in his left knee early in the season for his players. Going for the save for the Pumas, grounding him to the Rubios were introduced to Conley “I started cold calling coaches One major thing the coaches dugout for the entire season while by another Puma family and the from all over the country introducyoung Rubio immediately went to from PPAS stress is that Parents he recovered. ing myself to many schools in an “It was the scariest thing to work with Peak Performance staff. and Athletes need to look past the effort to build personal relation“It was a long Spring watching Division 1, NCAA thing. The goal ever happen to me,” said the leftships with them to create avenues handed pitcher/first baseman who my friends and teammates play the should be to get their children’s for players. In the two years I was had returned for his second season game I love, but I worked hard over education paid for and they say at MSJC, I helped every sophomore the summer and now I am excited they are taking families where that on varsity. that was qualified and wanted to During a routine practice drill, and I feel like I am at a 100 percent opportunity exists. transfer to a four year school get “If these athletes want to conRubio had turned to run and the and have no worries about my scholarships,” said Conley. next thing he knew he heard his knee. It’s like it never happened,” tinue to play, they may have to The next year Conley went to relocate, but at the end of the day knee pop and went down in pain. said Rubio. San Bernardino Valley College Rubio will also be attending schools all over would love to have Rubio’s senior year had come to (SBVC) and did the same thing a screeching halt. Once billed as Texas Wesleyan University on a California athletes. From Baseball there for his players, including Around the horn helping Ryan Miller ( a catcher who Nathaniel Dillon, or as his friends one of the top pitchers at Chapar- baseball scholarship in the spring to Bowling, there is no limit, we attended Tahquitz High School) call him, “Natty,” was a varsity ral, he spent the entire season on with Natty Dillon and his parents even have a local water polo team getting placed at schools all around increase his skill level and expo- baseball player at Murrieta Valley the bench, not knowing what to could not be happier. “Hooking up with Matt and Joe the country,” said Conley. sure with both Division 1 schools High School, graduated in 2013 and expect next. “Matt has such a passion for Rubio’s parents, Fabiola and has been a blessing. Going from and the MLB so much that he was went on to go to school at Northern offered a full ride to the University Arizona University, but baseball Daniel Rubio Sr. both agreed that nothing to having a scholarship, this and that is what makes him well we know it’s because of his standout. He brings his emotions of Nebraska by Darin Erstad, but was not an option as the school there was a loss of hope. “We told him during his down drive and athleticism and of course into play and Parents and Players ended up signing with the Padres doesn’t offer that particular sport. who drafted him in the 14th round. “It was definitely a growing ex- time to lift his spirits, and we would from lots of prayers. Now he is love him because he is real about Last year Conley went to coach perience,” said Dillon. “I felt that tell him it’s not the end of the world hungrier and as a family it looks seeing these young athletes carry at Peru State in Nebraska because there was something missing in and to be patient. He stuck to his like we will be making lot’s more on their dreams,” said Riley. “It all starts with finding the he had sent seven players there on my life and being out in Arizona therapy, and knew there were others travel plans,” said Daniel Sr. players that need to be found. We scholarships and had a great rela- and meeting new people and being roads to travel,” Fabiola said. Groh-ing the distance are going to take this to a national `After sitting out his senior year tionship the coaches. away from friends and family wasa.m. (Sharp!!!) Pleasewith register at: www.active.com | Race Starts at: 8:00 Another local athlete that also spectrum and our team is going “Coaching there was an amazing hard, and I felt like I turned my in recovery, Rubio hoped to walk on to a team wherever he was plan- had ties to Chaparral High School to start here in the southwest. We Price: Adults & older): & under) (withme paidsoadult) experience and (15 I am headed$25.00 back | Youth back (14 on the sport FREE that gave there in January rejoin myQuestions, much. So whencall I came back home ning on going to school, at either is a former player by the name of want to impact kids, see the smile Or 10.00to(w/o paidwith adult) please 951-694-6410 players and Race also Location: bring fiveTemecula Cali- this summerRecreation I met JoeCenter Riley who Palomar or MSJC. He had been David Groh who fell victim to not on their faces and watch them Community fornia newcomers with30875 me,”Rancho said Vistaworked with me, shook off some of getting calls from schools like Cal knowing the recruiting game during grow up, of course keeping them Rd. Temecula, 92592 grounded, making sure they realize Conley. my rust, introduced me to Matt and Baptist and Arizona going into his high school. “There was a lack of commu- that not everyone needs to be a D1 nication when I went to school a prospect,” said Conley. couple years ago and I really did To find out more about Peak not know what options were out Performance Athletic Services., there,” said Groh. contact Conley at (951) 902-5863. Groh graduated in 2013 and Joe Riley, recruiting consultant, spent the last year watching from can be reached at (951) 852-3334.
2014 5k/10k Run “Run for Fitness” Sunday, September 14, 2014
The City of Temecula understands the benefits of overall health and wellness and wishes to encourage citizens to participate in the 2014 Run for Fitness 5k/10k, sponsored by the City of Temecula Community Services Department. The race consists of a timed 5k and 10k run. This event is terrific for the experienced runner and/or the entire family whether you walk or run …. just enjoy and have FUN while doing something healthy! Each participant will receive a event t-shirt, goodie bag and post event refreshments. Each finisher will also receive a participant ribbon. 1st - 3rd place awards will be presented in each age division, at an award ceremony succeeding the race. The race will begin at 8:00a.m. sharp, so please allow ample time to check-in before the race starts, check-in will start at 6:30am.
Please register at: www.active.com | Race Starts at: 8:00 a.m. (Sharp!!!) Price: Adults (15 & older): $25.00 | Youth (14 & under) FREE (with paid adult) Or 10.00 (w/o paid adult) Questions, please call 951-694-6410 Race Location: Temecula Community Recreation Center 30875 Rancho Vista Rd. Temecula, 92592
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