Old Airport News , 7 Feb 2008

The sports day began and ended with overtime, starting in the pool and ending in the stadium. In between, there was action in many areas of the old airport - LHS baseball & softball were warming up for take off at Bodary Field and the LHS softball field, basketball was practicing in the Paisola Pavillion for Friday nights games, at COLAC three Tsunami members were preparing for next weeks Junior Olympics, and the LPL girls water polo tournament finals were played, plus Lompoc & Cabrillo faced off in boys and girls soccer at Huyck Stadium. Lets start with the ending and begin at Huyck.

I am so proud of you....

When an emotional Lompoc boys soccer head soccer coach Phil Galfano addressed his tired but jubilant charges after a momentous 1-0 overtime win over Cabrillo, he knew exactly what to say. He began with "I am so proud of you". In a turbulent season that brought many disapointments, he had never stopped believing in his squad and kept working to get them to believe in themselves. In many games they had outplayed their opponent, but their inability to get the ball into the net had resulted in losses. But over the course of the last three weeks, they truly began to gel as a team. They did not lose in their final five league games, and by tying perennial powerhouse Santa Maria, and defeating the Conquistadores they proved they could play with anybody in the area. They also had a major effect on the LPL standings: the tie bumping the Saints to second, and the defeat dropping Cabrillo from first to third.
Both schools had chances throughout the game, but the defenses were intense. Several yellow cards were shown and play was quite physical. Many people's emotions grew quite heated during the game. Oscar Torres of the Conq's was assisted from the field, but later returned to the game. The Braves Andy Maldanado was not so fortunate, he had to leave the field on the cart and it is believed that he might have a leg fracture.
The play in goal was outstanding with several incredible stops by keepers Alex Zavala (CHS), Roberto DeLuna (LHS), and Jorge Hernandez (LHS) who finished the game after replacing DeLuna mid-way through the first half when DeLuna was injured on a collision in the box. Hernandez, in particular, had a brilliant series late in the game. He made three stops in continuing action inside the goal area, the last one, only partially blocked, was slowly trickling towards the goal from about two feet away before being cleared by Juan Elizalde.
The winning goal was scored in extra (injury) time of the second half of overtime. Alex Botello (#3) lofted a penalty kick, from about 5 yards beyond the box, towards the right-hand goal post, where a charging Marco Vargas (#5) headed it into the goal. Lompoc had several similar opportunities earlier in the game, but was unable to convert. The ball, however, always just managed to elude the net.
Galfano had one final message for the Conquistadores as they head into CIF competition - "Let me know where you are playing and I will be there to support you."

More Soccer

The Girls varsity soccer teams also met at Huyck, with Cabrillo prevailing 2-1. Diamonne Mitchell scored in the first off an assist by Amanda De Temple, she returned the favor in the second half when De Temple scored off a header by Mitchell. Lompoc' goal came late in the second when Sunny Estrada made a nice move on the left side, spun across the front of a defender, an booted the ball past a stunned Cabriilo goalie to cut the lead in half. This was also a very physical game.

Both the LHS varsity teams held reconition ceremonies prior to thier games. The girls honored the seniors on the team and support staff and also on the Cabrillo team. The boys honored their seniors and the seniors parents.

The CHS JV girls won their match 5-0 to finish league play 8-0-4. Goals were scored by Milinda Favela (2), Alisha Melatti, Christina Goodchild (just returned from a knee injury), and Emily Paz.
The boys JV match-up was another overtime affair. Tied 0-0 at the end of regulation, it was eventually won by the Braves on penalty kicks despite two great saves by Isaias Suarez.


Not ready to give up the title yet

The Cabrillo girls water polo team faced off against the upstart St. Joseph Knights in the LPL Championship Game. Both teams had won their preliminary match-ups on Tuesday - Cabrillo beating Morro Bay & St. Joe defeating Santa Ynez. There was even some talk around the pool that the Conquistadores reign at the top was shaky, if not entirely over. The problem was that apparently no one had checked with the girls in the pool. Cabrillo came out fired up, scored 3 goals in the first two minutes, 8 unanswered in the first period, and cruised to a 19-2 win. Cabrillo scoring: Rachel Nelson (8) [above], Ashley Coski (7), and one each by Daniela Alvarado, Maggie Carroll, Leesha Taylor, and Chloe Huggins. Michelle Buss [below] played well before being substituted.

In the third place game, Santa Ynez overcame a 4-1 deficit halfway through the 3rd period to win 6-5. It was a very close game with the game tied for most of the 4th quarter and both teams having good shots on goal.

The day started, however, with Lompoc attempting to hold on to 5th place. They jumped out to a four goal lead (5-1) at the end of the first, but Santa Maria managed to nibble away at it for the rest of the game and eventually tied it up at eight with 4:08 left in regulation.

A major factor in the comback was the decision by the Saints to continually pressure goalkeeper Erica Elenes. This forced her to pass the ball off and negated one of the Braves primary weapons - her down-pool passing on transitions which had set up several of the early goals. It also delayed the start of the Lompoc set offense by burning 5-10 seconds off the 30 second shot clock.

Niether team could score again before the clock ran out and the game went to overtime. The first overtime consisted of two three minute periods with a changeover between them. The Saints outscored the Braves in the first half 3-2 , but Lompoc evened it up with 14 seconds left in the 2nd half of the overtime period. The second overtime was a single three minute sudden-death period -- neither team scored. Another sudden-death period ensued, and Santa Maria posted a goal with 1:40 left.

Lompoc received 5 goals from Brooke Crouse, two each from Shelby Carpenter and Amanda King, and great goal play from Erika Elenes. The Saints got five goals from Bryanna Torres, four from Patty Vogel, and absolutely dominating physical play from goalkeeper Liz Loshbaugh.

Off to Bakersfield

Three members of the Lompoc Tsunami Aquatics Team have qualified for the Junior Olympics in Bakersfield next week. Paola Hernandez and Tiffany Hubbard both plan to swim in the maximum seven events selected from those in which they qualified. Rebecca Riley was able to qualify in the 100y breaststroke at the central area Last Chance meet last weekend. Paola (LVMS) and Rebecca (VMS) also like to play soccer, while Tiffany is a talented cross-country runner at LVMS. [Rebecca, Tiffany, Paola] -- el stato

The Tsunami Returns, Wednesday Hoops

The Lompoc Tsunami Aquatic Team has been busy since the new year began trying to qualify swimmers for the Central California (18 and under) Junior Olympics in Bakersfield. The event, to be held 15-18 February at Bakersfield College, is the sectional qualifier for regionals, nationals, etc. . They have been to two meets and may go to a third.

New Year's Resolution Meet

First they sent a contingent to the Pleasant Valley sponsered New Year's Resolution Meet at Ventura College. Twelve swimmers [7 girls, 5 boys]competed in seventy-five races.
The girls and the team were led, as usual, by Erin Gracyk & Paola Hernandez. Hernandez, the twelve year old "stud" of the squad, compiled 5 wins, 2 seconds, and a third at this meet-mostly in top division races. Eight year old Erin Gracyk had her usual up and down (sink or swim ?) meet with 4 wins and a 2nd to go along with 3 DQ's in relatively new events. Rebecca Riley (12) was in the top 9 in all eight of her races, including two 2nds and a 3rd. Erica Gracyk (10) had a 2nd & four other top 7 finishes. Emily Gracyk (12) showed great consistancy in 8 races, finishing 5th-7th in seven, and 9th in the other. Abigail Carpenter (11) had a 2nd and a 6th competing in five races against the twelve year olds. And Brittany Biedleman managed two 12ths in three races while making her first appearance of the season.
For the boys, eight year old Ryan Dang mirrored his compatriot Erin Gracyk with three 1sts, a 2nd, and two DQ's. Gavin Larson (16) had two wins (in the backstroke) and was top 20 in his other five races. Jacob Robinson (9) also suffered DQ-itis with three, but he was top 10 in the other five races- including two 3rds. Eleven year olds Blake Espinoza & Alex Hamner swam ten races - posting top 20 times in nine of them (1 DQ). Espinoza had three top 10's and Hamner had one.

For complete Resolution meet results click on : http://www.socalswim.org/Results/ResultsDetail.asp?iCategoryIdNav=18&iResultsId=3154&sReturnUrl=%2FResults%2FResultsSearch%2Easp%3FsSearchString%3Dresolution%26sSearchScript%3D%252FResults%252FResultsSearch%252Easp%26sSearchUsing%3DEXACT%26Action%3Dsubmit.



February Last Chance

Thirteen swimmers represented LTAT at the Santa Maria February Last Chance Swim Meet. This meet was marked by the debut of three girls. Lia Zarinen (9), Maddison Stangl (8), and Nichole Zarinan (7) all posted top 20 initial times in several events, led by Stagl's 5th place in the 100 yard backstroke. Paola Hernandez was her usual self winning six races while attempting to improve her times. Tiffany Hubbard (12) also had an excellent meet with 4 wins, one 2nd, two 3rds, and a fourth in eight races. Emily Gracyk (two top 10's & one top 15 in three races), & Rebecca Riley (two 4ths, a 7th , an 8th, and two other top 20's) also worked on bettering their times.
The boys got three 2nds and a 6th from Jacob Larson (19). Jacob Robinson (9) posted a 2nd, two 4ths, two 5ths, and a 6th in his six races. Ryan Dang had four top 10 finishes, topped by a 3rd in the 100 backstroke in his first official outing in that event. Alex Hamner (two top 10's) and Alexander Strub (one top 10) were 16th or better in all five races they swam.

For complete Last Chance meet results click on :http://www.socalswim.org/Results/ResultsDetail.asp?iCategoryIdNav=18&iResultsId=3172&sReturnUrl=%2FResults%2FResultsSearch%2Easp%3FiAbsolutePage%3D2%26action%3Dmove%26sSearchString%3Dlast%2520chance%26sOrderBy%3DRank%26sAscOrDesc%3DDESC%26sSearchUsing%3DEXACT%26iCategoryIdNav%3D17


Wednesday Basketball Results

On the Bryan Ayer court at Paisola Pavillion, the Lompoc High girls varsity basketball team easily defeated a game but clearly out-manned squad from Templeton. The Braves raced out to a 10-2 lead with just over three minutes gone in the game, cleared the last player off the bench with 1:14 left in the first period, led 23-9 at the half, and were never seriously challanged by the Eagles en route to a 60-30 win. Jozza Ray led all scorers with 18, Lane had 12, Casullo and Lizzaraga each put up 8, Cromp & Stumpo 5, and Lopes and Taylor 2. Shelby Dutra had 14 for the Eagles.

Many of the Braves were dragging due to the fact that they were recovering from a week of flu-like symtoms- in one case consecutive days of 103 degree temperatures. Also Bree Taylor recieved a very painful knee injury late in the game. Her status for Friday's game versus Santa Maria is uncertain.

The JV, on the other hand, was suffering from two days of Exit Exam testing (for the sophomores) and the emotional 30-29 loss to Morro Bay last Friday. They had not fully recovered apparently, losing a close 34-28 game to the visiting Eagles. Templeton was able to get an early three point lead on the Braves mid-way through the initial quarter. The Eagles were able to push it up to nine points and Lompoc was able to cut it to one, but the Braves never could get to even or the lead. They spent much of the fourth period trailing by 5-7 points; close enough to maintain hope - far enough not to get there. Stephanie Baca had 9 and Claudia Aguirre had 7 for the Braves, Carly O'Sullivan 17 for the Eagles.
Claudia Aguirre has been added to the varsity roster for CIF, and since there was no frosh game three players from that team were brought up to the JV for the game. Those three were Kaylin Barnes, Chyane Fabing, and Sami Martin. ---el stato

Masson Blow leads valley wrestlers at the CIT

Masson Blow

The Sam Boyd California Invitational Tournament at Morro Bay is one of the premiere events on the wrestling calender, invoving some 2800 matches in fourteen weight classes by hundreds of wrestlers from over 60 schools. It regularly draws a large chunk of the top wrestlers in the state, and is considered by many as the best tournament in the state except for the CIF State Finals.

Masson Blow used it to help prove what many wrestling cognisceti already believed - Lompoc's squad may not have been very large, but they had quality. Led by Blow's 2nd place finish at 152 pounds, Lompoc finished a very respectable 34th despite only fielding eight wrestlers. This was the highest finish of any Santa Barbara county team. Other LPL/Pac-7 teams were: Atascadero (7th), Morro Bay (25th), Cabrillo (43rd ), Arroyo Grande (46th), San Luis Obispo (56th), and Santa Maria (60th). The Tournament was won by Clovis West High School.

Lompoc was also represented by Kyle Pickles (4-2 @112), Rory Slikker (2-2 @103), Irvin Vides (2-2 @130), Ed Pelkey (1-2 @ 119), Marcell Blow (125), Adlofo Robles (160), and Joe Machado (189). The Braves showing prompted the usual " Where is Lompoc ?" query from the central valley wrestling fans.

Cabrillo was slated to send 13 grapplers, but was only able to field twelve. Spencer Copeland (4-2 @ 171), Matt Zehuda (3-2 @130), Marty Garnica (2-2 @119), and Joe Segura (2-2 @ 189) led the Conq's. They were also represented by Anthony Morales (125), Steven Gonzalez (140), Jacob Schlosser (160) - all 1-2, and Kevin Tanous (103), Keenan Andrews (112), Paul Rehn (145), Jesus Medrano (215), and Ramiro Lara (285).

The Conquistadors won both match-ups between the local schools. Jacob Schlosser pinned Adolfo Robles at 160, and Joe Segura took a default win from Joe Machado when he had to withdraw due to injury.


The other nine placers (top 8 ) from the LPL/Pac-7 were:

Brandon Spain (Atas 1st @171), Jerome Long (MB 1st @285), Jack Robinett (Atas 2nd @ 189), Jordan Rubio (AG 4th @160), Andrew Hernandez (Atas 5th @140), Mike Lombardi (Atas 6th @ 160), Brett Hiatt (Atas 7th @ 285), Eduardo Meraz (SM 7th @ 135), and Isaac Morris (MB 8th @ 140). Almost all were dual match opponents for the Braves this season.

Match Results and video

To see complete match results click on the link next to school name:

LOMPOC http://lompocsports.blogspot.com/2008/01/lompoc-cit-results.html

CABRILLO http://citwrestling.org/
For lower weights : lower weights home, teams, [scroll to Cabrillo], results.
For upper weights : upper weights home, teams, [scroll to Cabrillo], results.

To see video of Masson Blow's Semi-final vs. James Cook click link

http://www.flocasts.org/flowrestling/coverage.php?c=165&id=8241

To see video of Masson Blow's Final match vs. Geoff Doss click below

http://www.flocasts.org/flowrestling/coverage.php?c=165&id=8214

---el stato

The Women are Back on Course

Are Kellie George (top) and Sarah Jones going to the[Bull]dogs ?


Allan Hancock College - which did not field a womans golf team last year due to lack of participation, may be about to recieve a big boost from the Lompoc Valley. Sources report that dual dynamos Kellie George (Cabrillo) and Sarah Jones (Lompoc) plan to attend and play golf at the shool this fall. Both ladies earned first team All Los Padres Athletic League honors while competing for their respective schools last year.


Kellie G in action












Heath Update


Julia Heath (left), and Heather Brabb (below), mainstays of the Mustangs womens golf program lead the Cal-Poly womens golf team's return to action after a long lay - off. Heath, a sophomore from Lompoc, and Brabb, a junior from Maitland Florida, have already helped the Mustangs assault the Cal-Poly record book. Records are kept for single rounds (18 holes), and 36-hole and 54-hole tournaments. Since the two became teamates in the fall of 2006, the squad has set 14 of the schools all-time top 18 scores, including records in all three catagories this season. Shattered might be a better description. For example, in the 54-hole class the old record of 945 was surplanted by a 917 in the fall of '06, and has since been beaten twice. Individually, Brabb has 7 and Heath has 6 of the top 25 all-time scores. In scoring average, Brabb has the 2nd & 8th and Heath the 4th best all-time single seasons, while Heath has pushed past Brabb to occupy the top position as the all-time career leader. Both were named to the All-Big West Conference 2nd team last year.

At the collegiate level the golf season is essentially divided into two parts- a fall schedule and a spring schedule with the winter off. The Mustangs traditionally participate in four tournaments from September to November, and five more from February to April. At the fall schedules final event in early November, the Mustangs own tournament at Cypress Ridge in Arroyo Grande, Heath finished tied for 5th and Brabb 9th, leading the team to a tie for second place in a 36-hole, four scorer, school record 604. It was the squad's third top 5 tournament finish of the season. The Cal-Poly spring schedule starts with a Feb 11-12 visit to the UC Riverside Lady Braveheart Classic. Other tournaments are a dual meet with Cal State Bakersfield (9 March), the Western Regional prelim (at Sacramento 31 March/1 April), the Wolfpack Invitational (Unv. Nevada 14-15 Apl), and the Big West Championships (Mission Viejo, April 21-22). And this year they might just add a sixth- a visit to the NCAA Western Regionals in Sacramento.
Monday Soccer at LHS

Elicity Fabing got one & so did Roseangela Perez. Goals , that is, as the Braves defeated Mission Prep 2-0 in girls soccer. The JV won 5-0. Late & unconfirmed reports from SLO have the boys varsity losing 3-1 and the JV on top 4-0.--el stato

Duffy to A-Ball?

Duffy to A-ball?

DANNY DUFFY could be making the leap from Rookie ball to the single A level, so his dad conjectures.

"We're thinking he could be in Burlington," Dan Duffy Sr. said Sunday as he stocked up for Super Bowl TV.

"He just got back from a 10-day camp and everything went well. We're still taking it one day at a time though."

Duffy, a lefthanded strikeout machine, was drafted in the third round last June by the Kansas City Royals after putting up an Earned Run Average at Cabrillo High of 0.58. He then burst upon the pro baseball world in the Arizona Rookie League where he posted 63 strikeouts, only 17 bases on balls and an ERA of 1.45.

He was named by Baseball America magazine the league's most promising newcomer. He was similarly honored by the Southern California Scouts Association and even by Lompoc Locker Room where he was named local male Athlete of the Year for 2007.

The Burlington (Iowa) Bees compete in the low-A Midwest League against such rivals as Cedar Rapids, Clinton, and Quad Cities in Iowa, South Bend and Fort Wayne in Indiana, Lansing, Michigan, Peoria, Illinois, and Dayton, Ohio.

An assignment to Burlington would indicate that the youngster, less than a year after his high school graduation, is considered skilled and mature enough to advance from a protected, virtually fan-free, camp atmosphere to a city with a baseball following. The Bees open their season hosting the Peoria Chiefs on April 3.

The Royals' other possible options for Duffy-- Burlington, North Carolina of the Appalachian League, and Idaho Falls, Idaho, of the Pioneer League, play short seasons beginning in June. Still another option would have been to keep him in Arizona.

Should Duffy advance to Burlington and do well, the next step up the KC ladder is High Desert of the high-A California League. The Mavericks play in Adelanto, near Victorville.

Sullivan's Giants Stage Super Bowl Miracle

Now that we have seen the miraculous world champion New York Giants, maybe you’re ready for another story about Cabrillo grad MIKE SULLIVAN, this one by Kevin Gleason of the Mid Hudson Times Herald.

February 01, 2008
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The Giants keep bringing Mike Sullivan back to Army. Not that he needs tangible reminders to drift off to 1996, the last great Army football team, when Sullivan helped coach the nation's lovable underdog. Or to his days playing for Army and graduating from West Point and being a platoon leader for the 25th infantry division in 1990, "the best time of my life, besides this.''

This, as Sullivan puts it, is coaching the Giants. He's sitting at a table in the lobby of the Sheraton Resort, the Giants' team hotel off in the desert where coyotes roam. The Super Bowl is only days away.

Sullivan is in his fourth season as receivers coach. He wouldn't be here without help from Bob Sutton, Sullivan's boss at Army. Sutton hooked up Sullivan with Tom Coughlin in 2002, Coughlin's last year as the Jacksonville Jaguars coach, another thread between Army and the Giants.

Now Sullivan is helping America get acquainted with Army football. He brought an old Army teammate into the huddle: Greg Gadson. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, Army all the way, who lost both legs from a roadside bomb in Iraq nine months ago.

Sullivan asked Coughlin about the possibility of having Gadson talk to the team before a game. Gadson spoke to the Giants the night before the Washington game in Week 3.
Army came back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to beat the Redskins 24-17, and Gadson became part of the team.

"He has a great bond with so many players,'' Sullivan says. "I'm humbled to say he's my friend.''
Gadson called Sullivan a week before being deployed in Iraq in April. "I'm so proud of you,'' Gadson told his teammate, his friend, his brother. "Good luck.''

Sullivan shakes his head. He visited Gadson at Walter Reed after his injuries. He found a man working the hospital ward motivating other patients. Because that's what Gadson did as an Army linebacker. Why stop now?

"He was one of those guys who could play at a lot of Division I-A schools,'' Sullivan's saying. "Just a very, very competitive, relentless player. Off the field, he was a guy who would always be there to help somebody else.''

He'll be here today to join the Giants, to bring Army to the Super Bowl. Coughlin says he'll leave it up to Gadson on when he wants to address the team. There's a distinct possibility Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, Army Class of '89, will deliver a pre-game speech hours before the Giants and Patriots kick off in Super Bowl XLII.

But there's even more than Gadson that keeps bringing Sullivan back to Army. These Giants embody the intangibles of the '96 Army team. The chemistry. The focus. The leadership.
The '96 Cadets talked only about that week's game, nothing long term. They had a saying — "1-0 each week'' — that was hokey and incredibly effective. They didn't so much beat teams as they tortured teams, putting opponents in late-game surrender mode with the nation's best running game.

Army finished 10-2 and played in the Independence Bowl. Who knew Army would go more than a decade without another winning season, 11 years and counting, never mind a bowl bid.
"It's one of those things where, if you have that type of attitude,'' Sullivan says, describing the 1996 Cadets and the 2007 Giants, "you always have a chance.''

The Giants get their chance on Sunday. They will bring a little bit of Army onto the field with them. A little bit of Army at the Super Bowl.

Maybe, Sullivan's saying, folks will hear the Gadson story and root for the Giants, 11 years from Army's unexpected ride, another lovable underdog.
kgleasonthr@yahoo.com

Church Excited About Santana; UW, UM Hoops Fall

CHURCH EXCITED TO HAVE SANTANA

RYAN CHURCH, the last newcomer to the New York Mets before yesterday’s announcement of the club’s trade for star lefthander Johan Santana, expressed delight at the acquisition.

“I'm just glad that he's on our team,” Church wrote in a Wednesday e-mail. “He really is the cream of the crop when talking about starting pitchers. He now joins an already solid pitching staff, and I can't wait to play behind all of these guys!“

Earlier, in an interview televised on Lompoc Locker Room, the TV Show, Church made clear just how very optimistic he is about his new Mets team.

“They want to get an ace like Johan Santana,” Church said on January 11. “If they do, the sky’s the limit.”

“The limit” in baseball is winning the World Series. That is a goal Church's former team, the Washington Nationals, could only dream of for the far distant future.

“I know now that I have a chance year in and year out to win a championship,” Church said. “That’s why I said I was ecstatic and I still am.”

He also commented on a variety of other topics--

Playing right field instead of left field as he did in Washington--“I think I’m capable of playing all three (positions). It’ll be a different angle from where the ball comes off the bat but other than that it won’t be a problem. It won’t take long—a day or two of fly balls.”

The outfield at Shea Stadium—“It’s smaller than DC stadium, pretty much any stadium is. I won’t have to worry about playing so deep.”

Hitting at Shea—“It’s considered a neutral or a little bit a pitchers park but in years past, especially last year, I’ve hit well there.”

How many of his 43 doubles last season might have been home runs at Shea? – “At least 10.” Church hit 15 home runs in 2007.

Besides his doubles and home runs will his RBI total go up as well? –“The potential for hitting in a lineup like that with guys on base, I haven’t had that since I’ve been in the big leagues. In the minor leagues I had guys around me but not in the big leagues. You get better pitches to hit and more opportunities. I’m shooting for 85-90.” He had 70 RBI in 2007.

Is his batting average likely to rise also? “With more guys on base there’ll be more opportunities for sac flies and stuff like that. Definitely the average can go up.” Church batted .272 last season.

Omar Minaya, the Met General Manager, knew Ryan from when they both were with Montreal. Was knowing Omar a factor in the trade?—“They had two positions they had to shore up for next year and Omar, knowing me and Brian Schneider, he went and got us. So I think it played a role.”

Does it make a difference playing for a guy who wants you like Minaya? -- “It’s a confidence booster going in there knowing the guy that runs the team has a lot of confidence in me. He’s already shown that. Trading for me showed that here the NY Mets, a team that contends for the World Series year in and year out, wants me. That alone really brightened my day.”

Washington GM Jim Bowden did not seem to be a Church fan. Did that bother you? --“You can’t worry about it. You can’t let it bother you when they’re sticking it to you. It’s your job, your career. I kept my mouth shut and when I had an opportunity to do something to show them I tried to seize the moment and do it. There’s a lot of business stuff that goes along with baseball. You just have to keep your mouth shut and go out there and play hard.”

The New York sports writers have a reputation for being hyper critical. What do you think? – “I’ll respect them as long as they respect me. (Criticism) comes with the territory. There’s gonna be people writing stuff about you that you might not like. The best thing is not to read it, just go out and play. Don’t pay any attention.”

Regarding criticism from bloggers immediately after the trade — “I have a lot of things to prove to people. I’ll be happy to get in there and strap it up and get them behind me."

Does he like New York? — “I’m looking forward to it but you know me. I’m not a guy for hanging out with a lot of people. I don’t think you’ll see me living it up. I’ll go home, go to bed, get up and go to the yard.”

Is baseball still a thrill after four years? – “It’s a thrill every day. I love the game and I’m still a kid at heart.”

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JOEL

College Hoops

SEATTLE-- The California Golden Bears nipped Washington Saturday 79-75 to dump the Huskies to 3-6 in the PAC-10. JOEL SMITH (pictured above) scored five points in 15 minutes in his sixth man role.

-0-

GEOFF & JASON

College Hoops

BISMARCK, N.D.-- Visiting Wayne State nipped University of Mary 73-65 Saturday. The most startling statistic however was that point guard GEOFF WEST was held scoreless in 25 minutes of action. It was the first time in a regular season game West has not scored. His average is 9.8 points per game. The Marauders fall to 3-10 in Northern Sun conference play, 6-16 overall.

Ditka, Brown vs. NFL; Joel, Geoff Lose

DITKA, BROWN VS. NFL


One Super Bowl party you might not see on TV is Gridiron Greats Celebrity Golf.

It was held in Phoenix, all right. On Thursday, January 31.

It will boast 70 NFL legends like Mike Ditka, Don Shula, Paul Hornung, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Steve Young, Eric Dickerson, Mean Joe Green, Tony Dorsett, Franco Harris, Too Tall Jones, and Barry Sanders.

Why might you not see it?

Because it was sponsored by Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, the group which has taken point blank aim on the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) for doing too little too late for retired players in need.

“I feel like this is the right thing to do,” said former Dallas Cowboy Randy White in a GGAF press release. “So many players are suffering, it’s only right to help our brothers and provide assistance. I look at the list of over 70 players who will come to Phoenix to participate and know that as retired players we can make a difference and do what the NFLPA is not.”

But GGAF’s most vociferous spokesman is Ditka, the rambunctious Hall of Fame tight end and coach.

Last September Ditka called out the NFL telling a committee of Congress that his organization has “picked up the slack left by an NFL PA that does not do enough for disabled retired players and an ownership that seeks to avoid doing anything at all.”

Ditka told the committee that only 4% of the 10,000 NFL retirees receive any level of disability benefits and a grand total of four (4) have ever received benefits for brain injuries.

“Anyone who has played the game, especially in the recent past when it was often played on a concrete parking lot covered with a quarter-inch layer of indoor-outdoor carpeting called ‘Astroturf,’ will tell you that NFL football often results in concussions. The idea that only four men who have ever played pro football have had disabling brain injuries just doesn’t make sense.”

Ditka noted NFLPA president Gene Upshaw’s $7 million salary and accused the NFL/NFLPA pension plan of intentional delay, most blatantly in the Mike Webster case.

“Here was a guy who started almost 250 games for the Steelers and played every offensive down for six straight seasons. He played when the head slap was legal, and probably had thousands of serious hits to his head. But the plan told Mike he wasn’t disabled.”

After retiring from football Webster could never hold a job and died in 2002 before the plan made a final decision. His estate sued and was upheld in a court decision which found the plan ignored unanimous medical evidence.

Mike Ditka’s roommate with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967 and 1968 was FRED BROWN of Lompoc (pictured above). Brown was a linebacker five years for Philadelphia after one with the Los Angeles Rams, this after a college career at Miami. He was a second round draft pick.

Seated upstairs at a Lompoc coffee house recently, Brown declared he was not at all surprised when Ditka began to challenge the NFL establishment. “Ditka is that kind of a person. He’s very committed to anything that he sees is wrong.”

Brown tells the story of Iron Mike once going ballistic at halftime when the Eagles were being clobbered by the Cowboys.

“Ditka was so upset that he went into the locker room and destroyed it. Sinks, urinals, he just went off. And he went off primarily because as a group of players we were someplace else or some of us had quit. He just could not tolerate that. When things become intolerable he does not mind letting you know.”

Brown too is furious over the Webster case. He won’t go on TV like Ditka, but when queried, he pulls no punches.

“People like Webster set the foundation for the league. The owners and the players association do not recognize the import of these people. He goes to the league thinking it would help him with health expenses attributed to his participation in the league, and then the league (the players association and the owners) put him through a bunch of barriers and obstacles that over time become…. It’s like they’re waiting you out. You get so frustrated. You get tired waiting. In the meantime you’ve got these horrendous bills that are piling up.”

On its website the NFLPA defends itself by acknowledging need for change in the disability system but points to basic retirement raises which it has negotiated in each of its last three contracts. Ten-year veterans who played from 1959 to 1968 now receive at age 55 an annual pension of $30,000, it says.

““With taxes you’re talking $25,000,” Brown comes back. “The people having the problem need at least a living wage. Is that enough for all his medications? A reasonable amount would be $50,000.”

Forbes magazine calls the NFL the richest sports league in the world. The average franchise is worth $957 million. The Cowboys are the crown jewel at $1.5 billion.

Brown, 64, is vested in the union’s pension plan. He has not made a disability claim, but that day might not be far off. He has had shoulder, knee and four ankle surgeries. His right ankle has been fused. The speed he demonstrated on the gridiron is vanished. He takes stairs step-together-step.

“I was active most of my life,” he says quietly. “Now I can’t. I have reason to be concerned.”

Parts of this story appear in the Santa Maria Sun currently on the newstand.

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JOEL

Thursday night the Stanford Cardinal upended the Washington Huskies 65-51, the first time in seven years Stanford has won at Seattle. JOEL SMITH played five minutes for Washington, but did not score. Washington is now 3-5 in the PAC-10.

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GEOFF & JASON

In Bismarck, North Dakota tonight the Marauders of the University of Mary played their first home game in weeks. Didn't matter. They lost 71-59 to Southwest Minnesota State to fall to 3-9 in conference, 6-15 overall. GEOFF WEST was held to two points. JASON WEST scored one.

News from the Old Airport 31 Jan 2008

This one was just a little bit high.

The LHS girls water polo team wrapped up the regular season on Thursday at COLAC. It was not the ending for which they were hoping; the varsity dropped a 9-6 game they could have won and the JV was looted by the visiting Santa Ynez Pirates. The news for the Braves was much better next door at Huyck Stadium where the girls soccer squad fared much better at fending off their own group of Pirates - this bunch from Morro Bay.

The water polo varsity started the action off hoping to hold on to their third place seeding going into next weeks LPL Tournament. Unfortunately, they gave up three first quarter goals, while scoring none. Santa Ynez never relinquished the lead after that, although Lompoc gave them a good scare by scoring four in a row. After playing even, three goals each, in the second the Braves cut the margin to a single point (6-5) by the end of the third period. The Pirates came out hot into the last stanza, however, scoring two goals in the first two minutes, and pushing the lead to four before Lompoc was able to respond just ahead of the final buzzer. Elizabeth Sweet & Jenna Berberness each scored four goals for the Pirates. The Lompoc goals were scored by Brooke Crouse (3), Oyuki Gonzalez, Amanda King, and Daniella Caballero. Erika Elenes again had an excellent game in goal.

The JV squad managed to stay with Santa Ynez for a quarter, countering two early Pirate goals with one by Anna Clark, but almost all of the remainder of the game was controlled by the visitors. The exception being a high arcing shot from way outside by Carolina Cazarez that surprised everbody - especially Carolina. The final was 14-2. Natalie Castillo scored seven for the Pirates and Rachel DeLeon had three.


Meanwhile over at the stadium Larry Justice's JV soccer girls began a turn-around in Brave fortunes with a 3-0 win over Morro Bay. Torrie Faulkner scored twice, Brittany Reeves once, and Amy Dominguez had six saves in goal.

Veronica Villareal

The varsity was able to continue the trend when they took the field, albeit not to the same degree. Even though they dominated play throughout the game, they were unable to put the the Pirates away and were forced to anxiously await the final whistle while trying to run out the clock. Veronica Villareal scored the lone goal of the first half on a nice assist by 'Sunny' Estrada. Morro Bay evened the score early in the second when three Lompoc players all decided to back off the ball allowing Olivia Wall to feed an easy pass to Joanna Wheeler for the goal. A stirred up Braves team soon responded by ramping up the tempo. This resulted in a Lindsey Eckersley corner kick that "V" Villareal stuck in the net for her second goal of the game. Several Lompoc players, including Villareal, had scoring chances but none of them were able to convert.
The Braves win, combined with Cabrillo's 1-0 loss to St. Joseph at CHS, provides Lompoc with a great opportunity to move past both those teams in the LPL standings, since they play St. Joseph on Friday and Cabrillo next week - both at home. Their other remaining game is on the road Tuesday against Santa Maria. ----- el stato

LHS Girls Meet the St Joe Truck 74-36

Chyane Fabing

For those of you who were unable to identify the truck that ran over the LHS girls basketball team - it was a Riezebos Duo with personalized McPike license plates. The Riezebos sisters, Annalise (10 points) and Devan (12 points), provided a constant inside force, while Ane' McPike furnished whatever was needed at the moment for Knights. She finished with 15 points, most from the charity stripe. St. Joseph raced out to a quick 6-0 lead just 2 minutes into the game and never looked back en route to a 74-36 win. Denee Lane (11 points - three 3's) and Jozza Ray (10 points - 2 treys) led the Braves, who also recieved scoring from Cassulo (6), Cromp (5), Lopes & Lizzaraga (2 each). The girls hope to rebound versus Morro Bay on Friday, in a battle for second place in the LPL.

Denee Lane and Jozza Ray

The JV girls entered their game hoping to play better against the "Joe-ggernaught" than they had in their earlier 59-18 defeat. They did. They were very much in the game through the first quarter and a half. Then a combination of bad shooting luck by Lompoc and a shower of threes by the Knights blew open a tied ballgame to win 43-20. Lompoc gave up a quick 5-0 lead but fought back to tie and then lead the game before a nervous St. Joseph squad eased out to a one point margin (10-9) at the end of the quarter. Lompoc tied it up early in the second, but was unable to take advantage of several opportunities to regain the lead before the Knights hit three 3-pointers and two foul shots to take a 21-12 halftime advantage. The Braves shooters did not recieve a great deal of help from the rim, as one commentator put it - "You wouldn't see more lip-outs in a room full of pouting debutantes." Roshonne Ray had seven to lead the Braves scoring, Maureen Silva had five, Claudia Aguirre & Shandee Berryman had three each, and Gabby Rodriguez contributed a bucket.

The girls freshman team endured their third loss of the season to St. Joseph 53-34. They generally played well but also suffered from the same shooting problems as their elders. There were no great bursts of points from the Knights, just a continual erosion of the Braves' chances. Miranda Ledesma had six points, Kaylin Barnes & Sami Martin had four each, and Taima Broadhead hit a free throw, but the leading scorer for the Lompoc girls was Chyane Fabing with 19 points and an all-around great game.

The boys squads played at St. Joe's Hofsculte Gym. The varsity (with only six eligible players) lost a close one 58-52. The Knights used a a 17 point second quarter to stake themselves to an advatage the Braves were never quite able to erase. Late, unconfirmed reports have the Lompoc JV winning 71-64, and the freshmen loosing 61-52. ---- il stata