October 9, 2007

Sports

On your marks…

Record turnout for Almaden Times Classic

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Although cloudy skies greeted runners and walkers Sunday at the 14th annual Almaden Times Classic Run for Youth, there wasn’t a drop of rain in sight at the Leland High School parking lot where the event started.

A crowd of runners gets a quick start from the starting line at the 14th annual Almaden Times Classic, held Sept. 23 at Leland High School with 664 entrants in this year’s event.

The Almaden Times Classic Run, which includes a 10k run and a 2-mile run/walk through Almaden’s Los Alamitos Creek Trail and residential streets, raises funds for the Almaden Valley Counseling Service [AVCS], a nonprofit mental health counseling center now in its 27th year. AVCS offers a full range of counseling services to support and promote personal growth, positive family relationships and emotional well being at its facility on Crown Boulevard. The race is one of the major fund-raisers for AVCS.

“The Almaden Times Classic 10K race/2 mile walk is a very important fundraiser for the agency and the money we raise allows us to continue to place counselors in the local schools and offer low counseling fees to all who request it,” said AVCS Director Karen Sumi. “AVCS deeply appreciates the support and involvement of the entire community—as race sponsors, volunteers and participants.”

Race day started as registrants collected their official numbered bibs and Almaden Times Classic Run for Youth T-shirts. Spirits were high as Dr. Harry Ho of Elite Chiropractic and Sports Clinic led entrants in stretching warm-ups. The clinic is one of a plethora of community sponsors: Almaden Shopping Center, San Jose Water Company, 4-D, Actel, Braddock & Logan Homes, Robson Homes, ACLIS, Westfield Shopping Towns, Classic Car Wash, PG&E, The Schoenauer Company, Mid-Peninsula Bank, Unwined, Camden Almaden Buildings, Athletic Nation, Brandenburg Family Foundation, TotalFit Solutions, Dr. Thomas McGrath, Summerhill Homes, Shappell Homes, Camilles Sidewalk Café, Ventura Barnett Properties, Sports Basement, Cindy Cockcroft and Amy McCafferty from Alain Pinel Realtors, SCC Supervisor Don Gage, Panera Bakery, Del Biaggio Family Foundation and Almaden Times Weekly.

Almaden resident and Williams Elementary School teacher Rhoda Mirabeau ran the 2-mile at 14:29 and won a prize in her age group. She’s on the right with District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“This is our 14th annual run and it’s the biggest ever,” said former AVCS Executive Director Rocki Kramer. “We had 500 people pre-register and want to thank all our sponsors. It’s just wonderful. My grandson Bodie is even walking the 2-mile.”

The 2007 Almaden Times Classic had the largest entries ever with 664. Seventy volunteers helped organize with Kramer at the lead of AVCS board of directors, staff and auxiliary, the Kiwanis and local students. Kramer hopes to clear $20,000 from the event to benefit AVCS.

Kramer’s daughter Shari Saul with 5-year-old Bodie in tow entered the 2-mile walk while her other son Jack, 3, handed water to finishers. Kelly Dippel lives nearby and runs the 10k every year saying “it’s a good one, it’s so pretty.” Bret Harte Middle School had a great showing with 25 runners participating along with teacher Tiara Nelson. Student Samantha Ettinger even inspired her father Jeff into a dynamic duo team to run the race together.

But race entrants didn’t just come just from Almaden. West San Jose resident Scott Fulton registered for the Hat Trick—runners who complete three races—the Classic, the Rock and Roll Half Marathon and the Silicon Valley Marathon. Former San Jose City Councilmember Ken Yeager, who lives near the Rose Garden and is now a Santa Clara County supervisor—and who used to stage stair races at city hall—was also racing. Saratoga resident Cara Fernandez, who started training last January, was excited to run her first 10k. “I’m glad it’s for a good cause,” she said.

And Santa Teresa residents Steve and Leslie Soto, both accomplished runners, celebrated her move into a new age group at the Classic—her 50th birthday was the day before.

A plethora of activity was led by former AVCS executive director Rocki Kramer with lots of help from AVCS board of directors, staff, auxiliary, the Kiwanis of Almaden and student volunteers. AVCS Director Karen Sumi, left, stands with Kramer and Mark Stadelman who led the 10k race on his bike.

After finishing the race, entrants cooled off with drinks and refreshments. Then it was time for race results and prizes presented by District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle.

“The Almaden Valley Counseling Service did a spectacular job today as well as all the sponsors,” said Councilwoman Pyle. “And so did all of you.”

Kevin Pierpoint of Palo Alto won the men’s 10K with a time of 29 minutes, 26 seconds. Dina Rosenthal of San Jose was the 10K women’s winner with a time of 37:4. The top male and female 2-mile race winners were Michael Bordoni of Los Altos with a time of 9:57 and Stephanie Barnett of San Jose, who ran the race in 11:5.

For a complete list of runners and where they placed, check the Almaden Times Weekly’s Web site at www.almadentimesweekly.com.

For more information on Almaden Valley Counseling Service visit www.avcounseling.org or call (408) 997-0200.

Sports Briefs

San Jose Aces 18U Travel Baseball Team Seeks Players
The San Jose Aces 18U competitive travel team seeks 16-17-18 YO players (no older than 18 years on April 30, 2008 ) for the fall/winter season.  All positions are welcome but especially seeking experienced high school-level pitchers.  Current team consists of players from Branham, Leigh, Bellarmine, Santa Teresa and other local schools.   

This team will compete at local and some regional 18U wood bat tournaments.  Players should have prior travel/tournament and/or high school baseball experience. 

Contact Coach Warren Nagatani at warren@sanjoseaces.com or 449-7229 for tryout, practice and fee information.  You may also visit www.sanjoseaces.com for more information.

Point Break Volleyball Club Clinics and Tryouts
We will be holding volleyball skills clinics on October 21 and 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Santa Clara High School. The cost is $20 per session. Players are encouraged to come out and meet the Point Break coaches, players, and families, and get a taste of the club’s “Live Aloha” style. Players of all ages who wish to brush up on their skills before the tryout season begins are welcome to participate, whether they plan to tryout for a Point Break team or not. Tryouts for Power and Area teams will be held on November 3 at Lynbrook High School for $25. Power team tryouts for all ages will be from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Area team tryouts for all ages will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Be sure to come at least 45 minutes early to check in. If you cannot make it on that date, there will be make-up tryouts on November 11 from 4-6 p.m. at Santa Clara High School for all ages, for both Power and Area teams. The cost is $25. For more information, please visit our website, www.pointbreakvbc.com.

Youth Lacrosse coaching opportunity at Bret Harte Middle School
Bret Harte Middle school has an opening to hire a coach for the spring ‘08 Lacrosse season. Youth coaching experience preferred. Traditional sports such as soccer and football make a great foundation. Lacrosse experience not a prerequisite as Lacrosse training will be provided. Responsibility, positive attitude, and patience are required. Season / practice starts Jan. ’08, games begin March 1, ending by Memorial Day. This is a great opportunity to help our youth Lacrosse program grow in Almaden Valley while learning the fastest growing new sport on the west coast. The kids are great, the parents are top notch, and the school supports the program. This is an excellent part time opportunity for a sport-minded college student. Please apply before Oct. 31, to allow time for training, background check, etc. Interested parties should contact Club President Wayne Schatz at 623-4691 or wayne_schatz@sbcglobal.net See also; www.brethartelax.com.

Sixth Stroll and Roll Walk-A-Thon to Benefit Disabled Youth
Young Life Capernaum Project is sponsoring their sixth Stroll and Roll charity walk-a-thon to support the programs for disabled youth of Santa Clara County. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Campbell Community Center Track at the corner of Campbell Ave., and Winchester Blvd.  Registration is at 9:30 a.m. and the Stroll begins at 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m.  A light lunch will be provided for all participants. We encourage wider participation from the community to help us double our contributions from the previous year.  Please call Shelley Smith for pledge sheets at 286-3224 or to donate to this event, please call Lee at 286-3207.

Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC. To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122.