April 1, 2008

Sports

Willow Glen NJB fifth grade team wins Silicon Valley NJB title

The fifth grade boys ALL-NET team from Willow Glen NJB punctuated its undefeated season by winning the Silicon Valley ALL NET championship tournament March 16.

WG Ballers, Silicon Valley NJB champions. Standing in the back row, from the left, are Joe Goode, Coach Noland Granberry, Masa Swain, Coach Mike Swain, Patrick Leahey, Benjamin Granberry, Derek Sornsen and Coach Robin Aylsworth. Kneeling in front, from the left, are Michael Purcell, Avery Aylsworth, Aiden Jardon, Cole Valentine and Kenny Sullivan.

The team calling themselves the “Ballers” has earned an invitation to play in the NJB ALL NET national tournament in Los Angeles the last weekend in March. This team represents Willow Glen NJB and is coached by Noland Granberry, Robin Aylsworth, Dave Valentine and Mike Swain. They have guided the Ballers through a competitive 12-game stretch of top All Net Teams in Silicon Valley NJB, represented by 13 NJB programs ranging North to San Mateo and South to Hollister.

In the Silicon Valley championship, the fifth grade team defeated West San Jose NJB 52-38 in the semi-finals and beat a fast and tall Evergreen NJB team in the championship game 55-40 at Valley Christian High School in San Jose.

The team is preparing for the National NJB tournament and is focused on a strong performance. Representing Willow Glen on this team are Avery Aylsworth, Joseph Goode, Benjamin Granberry, Aiden Jardon, Patrick Leahy, Michael Purcell, Derek Sornsen, Kenny Sullivan, Masa Swain and Cole Valentine.

The Ballers’ success can be attributed to their great style of play and team chemistry. They play an up-tempo, full-court pressure style of basketball, which creates an exciting style of play, generating offense off their defense and executing the fast break with precision.

“Throughout the line-up, from players one through 10, it’s pretty amazing to see how each player contributes to this style of play and working interchangeably in combinations which makes substitutions really easy for me,” said head coach Granberry.

The boys have a supportive fan base highlighted by one who waves a lucky green wig through games. Best of luck to this group as they compete in the National All Net Tourney in Los Angeles.

San Jose Vipers Lacrosse Club vandalized, robbed

Last weekend, the San Jose Vipers’ brown equipment box and all of its contents at the Campbell Union School District field where they play was stolen. It had its lock and chain cut off, and the box was carried away. The vandals also sliced all four of the goal nets, which will have to be repaired or replaced. It is estimated that the club lost approximately $2,200 in equipment.

The theft has been reported to the SJPD under case #08-084-0812 and the Campbell Union School District has been notified.

Some of the items that were kept in the box included two cases of field paint; one field painting machine; one field lining string, roll and marker; 30 reversable tank top pennies; three game boxes; 10 game timers; eight game horns; 10 mouthguards; three dozen balls; 16 orange cones; two game score boards, and four goal nets.

“This is a very unfortunate circumstance since these items have no replacement insurance, and the field rental contract with the Campbell Union School District has a ‘no liability’ clause,” said Ron Holcomb, Vipers president. “The club's budget did not have a provision that covered this kind of loss. Hopefully, we can absorb some of the additional costs and make do without a few of the stolen items. We have replacements to some of these items already that we can use, but we will have to purchase those that we cannot live without.”

Lacrosse is the fastest growing youth sport in the United States and the Vipers are San Jose's newest club, having only played two full seasons.

If you have any of these items to loan to the club for the rest of the season, or if you would consider donating them to the club, please contact Patti Holcomb at 832.2022.

Pat’s Run set for May 3

Every year in early May, there is a race held in Phoenix and San Jose to celebrate the gift of a man who gave up a career to fight for his country. The race, Pat’s Run is held to honor former football player Pat Tillman who left his career to fight in Afghanistan. This year’s race will be held May 3 at Leland High School.

The race is also a fundraising event for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which was created by Tillman’s family and friends, following his death in April 2004. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the Foundation's goal and mission is to carry forward Pat's legacy by inspiring people to make positive changes in themselves and in the world around them.
Online registration is open for through the evening of Thursday, May 1. Walk-up registration will be available Sunday, April 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sports Basement located at 1177 Kern Ave. in Sunnyvale at Highway 101 and Lawrence Expressway.

A scene from the 2007 Pat’s Run

Walk-up registration will also be available Friday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the stadium. Park on Via Valiente and enter through the football field, and also from 6 to 7:45 a.m. on race morning at the Via Valiente registration desk at Leland High School. Mail-in forms are also available, they must be postmarked by April 25.

The 4.2-mile run/walk is $25 per person thru April 27 and $35 thereafter. Race day registration is $35. Registrations are non-transferable. The kids’ 0.42-mile run for 12 and under is free.

The wheelchair division begins at 8 a.m., followed by Pat’s Run at 9:45. The kid’s run begins at 10 a.m. All events finish on the 42-yard line of Pat Tillman Stadium at Leland High School. This event will take place rain or shine, so dress accordingly.

Awards will be presented to the top male and female in each of the following divisions: overall winner, wheelchair, and the following age groups: 1-15, 16-25, 26-39, 40-42, 43-49, 50-59, and 60+. Awards will also be presented to the top male and female in the following divisions: Clydesdale (225 - 274 pounds, male), Super Clydesdale (275 pounds and above, male), and Athena (175 pounds and above, female). Awards will be presented to teams who generate the most participants in the team divisions. The fastest team will also receive an award (minimum 5 finishers). An informal awards ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Must be present to claim award.

The run also will include several free entertainment options, including live local music and a carnival-like kids area, with popcorn and snow cones. Water, energy drinks and post race snacks will be available for participants without charge. Drinks and refreshments may also be available for purchase.

To find out more about the Pat Tillman Foundation and how to get involved, visit the Web site: www.pattillmanfoundation.org. To make a donation to the foundation online, go to www.pattillmanfoundation.org/get_involved_donate.php; or by mail to Pat Tillman Foundation, 120 S. Ash, Suite B-101, Tempe, Ariz., 85281.

Getting ready for the May 17-18 Relay For Life

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The seventh annual Willow Glen Relay For Life is off to a good start. Just before the end of March, 35 teams had signed up with 176 participants and $11,879 had been collected.

With less than two months until the Relay takes place, the volunteers are hoping to make this the biggest and best relay ever. Last year’s Relay hosted more than 40 teams, and collected more than $185,000 by early June. A little over a month ago, just over 20 teams had registered.

This year’s Relay will be held on May 17 and 18 at Willow Glen High School’s track. It will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning and end 24 hours later.

Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. It’s a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.

It’s not just an opportunity to celebrate, remember and fight back, your involvement will help the American Cancer Society work toward a mission of eliminating cancer as major health issue and will support much-needed services in your community. Thanks in part to the donations from Relay For Life and other events, the Society is saving lives, helping those touched by cancer, and empowering people to fight this disease all over the world.

And if you’re wondering about the flamingoes, last year’s All-Star team has graduated and moved off to college, but the team’s work is being taken up by another team of high schoolers, the Brat Pack. The team offers a special gift, they will cover the lawn of your choice with 50-plus pink flamingos for a suggested donation of $20. Those wishing to “gift” their friends can let team members know where and when. The flamingos will appear as if by magic—in the dark of the night—and be removed the following night. An additional donation will insure the donor protection against being flocked.

Gifts are limited to Willow Glen and Rose Garden neighborhoods, but the team can be bribed to other locations if the donation is large enough—and they are able to find their way. To order the flamingos, you can e-mail to Mary@jackbkeenan.com or phone (408) 448-4658. Or if you prefer snail mail, send it to the Brat Pack Flamingos, 1820 Georgetta Drive, San Jose, 95125.

If you want to be a part of the fight against cancer, you can sign up today for the Relay For Life of Willow Glen. You can be part of a team, can be put on a team or just register by yourself or with a few friends.

If you’re interested in learning more or have online questions, e-mail Felice Lopiccolo at lopicc@pacbell.net.
Event questions should be sent to Mary Keenan at Mary@jackbkeenan.com.

If you would like to be a Relay sponsor, contact Jan Hahn at Janhahn@pacbell.net.

LifeSport Fitness to expand boot camp programs

LifeSport Fitness is expanding its popular fitness boot camps at the Shamrock Martial Arts Academy in Almaden beginning in April.

"We've been looking for a venue in the Almaden area to offer our small group boot camp classes, and we're very excited that Shamrock has agreed to let us use his facility," said Becky Williamson, president of LifeSport Fitness. Shamrock is none other than Frank Shamrock, the undefeated five-time UFC Middleweight World Champion.

"We are excited to have LifeSport bring their camp to our facility," said Ralph King, general manager of Shamrock Martial Arts Academy. "The boot camp program coincides perfectly with our philosophy and our existing programs. It's all about fitness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having fun while doing it!"

Holding boot camp at the Shamrock facility provides Almaden and South San Jose residents an opportunity to experience the classes and adds exercises in the martial arts facility that aren't possible at the group's other venues. "The fact that this camp is located inside the training gym of a champion just adds to the excitement and intrigue," she added.

"Becky knows how to create an environment that makes you want to come back to train and I can see why her classes are in such high demand," adds King.

LifeSport Fitness has been offering fitness and wellness programs in San Jose for over 18 years, and began offering boot camps as a "summer only" series at a park in Campbell in 2004. Since then their boot camp has grown to be a year-round offering with an indoor location in Willow Glen at St. Francis Episcopal Church as well as their summer program at John D. Morgan Park in Campbell.

LifeSport will kick off its boot camp program at the Shamrock facility with a three-week camp from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning April 14. Shamrock Martial Arts Studio is located at 5725 Winfield Blvd, Suite 1. Interested individuals can log on to www.lifesportfitness.net to register or learn more.

Sports Briefs

Walk For Life / Charged Up For Life 5K Run
Community Pregnancy Centers will hold its annual fundraising “Walk For Life & Charged Up For Life” 5K Run at Almaden Lake Park, Arroyo Picnic Site in San Jose on Saturday, April 26.  Take a beautiful walk around Almaden Lake or Run on the Los Alamitos Creek Trail. This year’s event will offer exciting activities for the whole family, including a light continental breakfast, kid’s zone, bingo, and a raffle. The event is being sponsored by C28 and KLOVE.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Community Pregnancy Centers, and will help to make the community aware of the many important services offered at CPC’s throughout Silicon Valley. All services are available to the community without charge and are confidential. You may register, or download a registration brochure on-line at www.mycpc.org or you may register on site at 8:30 a.m. The walk/run begins at 9 a.m. For additional information please contact Paula at 229-9836 or at paula@mycpc.org.

Presentation High School’s 23rd Annual Golf Tournament
This annual fundraising event is scheduled for May 9 at the Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Lunch is set for 11:30 a.m. followed by a 12:30 p.m. Tee Off. The $225 cost includes golf fee, tee prize, lunch, course refreshments and the awards dinner. All proceeds benefit academic programs at Presentation High School. For additional information, contact Jane Jeziorski at 264-5110 x2428 or jjeziorski@pres-net.com.

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