SPORTS SHORTS SPORTS SHORTS (September 01, 2004)

GRIDIRON TUNEUP . . . The Palo Alto Knights celebrated the beginning of the Pop Warner football season with a preseason jamboree on Sunday. All five teams participated in the event at Palo Alto High, playing Oak Grove South. The Knights' Mighty Mites started the day with a strong performance by running back Eric Redwood, who scored three touchdowns. The Junior Pee Wee's were led by Jordan Piha, who threw two touchdown passes; a seven-yarder to Kevin Kannappan and a 10-yard score to Jackie Evans. Jarmari Beverly rushed for over 100 yards, and scored two touchdowns. The Pee Wee's were led by Gabe Manzanarez, who threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Atwater for the game's only score. The Knights open the season on Sunday, traveling to Branham High in San Jose to take on Cambrian Valley.

SOCCER VICTORY . . . After winning the Central Magic Cup Class 1 Tournament in Morgan Hill over the weekend, the Palo Alto 88B Blue Under-17 boys' soccer team of the Palo Alto Soccer Club dedicated the team trophy to fallen teammate Erik Wardenburg, who sustained two broken bones in his right forearm in the tournament's second game. The Palo Alto team finished 3-0-1 to capture first place. Darren Sweetman scored four goals in the tournament, Vinny Beltrami scored three times and Austin Brown and Nick Prebin each scored twice. Goalie Ian Powell recorded two shutouts and allowed three goals in the four matches. Ben Vasser had an assist. Other team members include John Barley, Darrell Chen, Brandon Der, Amar Ghose, Kyle Macomber, Avery Naar, Doug Simpson, Julien Veron, and coach Freddy Ferragut.
COACHING CORNER . . . The Palo Alto Recreation Department is seeking coaches for its volleyball, flag football and basketball programs at the middle school level. Volleyball and flag football begin in early September, and basketball begins in November. Coaches will work 4-5 days a week, with paid and volunteer positions available. Practices held in Palo Alto. Some travel to other local schools required. For information, contact Chris Neier, Recreation Coordinator at 650-463-4926 . . . Castilleja School is looking for coaches for the upcoming season in varsity cross country, JV water polo, JV tennis, varsity track and field in addition to an assistant coach for swimming. Interested persons should contact Athletic Director Jez McIntosh at jez_mcIntosh@castilleja.org . . . Woodside Priory School is looking for a boys' junior varsity and girls' varsity soccer coach. Contact Athletic Director Mark Stogner at 851-6107 or at mstogner@woodsidepriory.com . . . Menlo-Atherton High is looking for a number of coaches for the 2004-05 season: frosh-soph softball, frosh-soph volleyball, girls' JV lacrosse, girls' varsity lacrosse and cheerleading. Interested persons should contact M-A Athletic Director Pam Wimberly at 322-5311 (ext. 5706).

ON THE LINKS . . . The inaugural Tony Makjavich Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 11 at Moffett Field Golf Course. The event honors the former Palo Alto Oaks' baseball manager, who died last year after a memorable 45-plus years of coaching the Palo Alto-based semipro team. Proceeds from the tournament will go towards funding the Oaks, thus preserving Makjavich's legacy with the team. Cost for the tournament, which will be played as a scramble, is $150 per person and includes green fees, cart, prizes and a tri-top BBQ dinner. Cost for a foursome is $500, or $125 per person. A shotgun start gets things under way at 1:30 p.m. For those who want to attend the dinner only, cost is $20. Sponsorships also are available. For an entry forms, contact paoaks@hotmail.com or phone coach Steve Espinoza at (650) 302-3279.

OF LOCAL NOTE . . . The Stanford Water Polo Club is accepting applications for the fall session. The program is designed for boys not currently playing high school water polo. There is no minimum age or skills requirement, though a swimming background is helpful. The session runs from Sept. 7 through Oct. 31. Deadline for registration is Sept. 5. Additional information can be found at www.stanfordwaterpoloclub.com. Stanford Water Polo also is accepting applications for their fall girls' program. This session is for girls in eighth grade or younger. The first meeting is Sept. 13th. For information and forms, check www.stanfordwaterpolo.com.

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