Sports Shorts Sports Shorts (September 14, 2005)

OF LOCAL NOTE . . . Former Stanford All-conference tight end Alex Smith made his regular season professional debut one to remember by catching four passes, two for touchdowns, in Tampa Bay's 24-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. "I knew sooner or later my number would be called," Smith told the St. Petersburg Times. "I couldn't have dreamed this in a million years." . . . Swarthmore College (Pa.) freshman outside hitter Jennifer Wang of Palo Alto, a Gunn High graduate, was named Centennial Conference Player of the Week after leading the Swarthmore women's volleyball team to the championship of the Moravian Greyhound Premiere Invitational Tournament on Sept. 3-4. Wang posted a .265 hitting percentage on the week, totaling 42 kills, 58 digs, and a team-best 11 service aces in four matches. Wang was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance in helping Swarthmore open the season with a 4-0 mark for the first time since 2001 . . . Josh Payne, who since 2003 has been the first assistant pro at Palo Alto Hills Country Club, has taken over as head golf pro at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links.

OAKS' CORNER . . . The Menlo College women's soccer survived an offensive onslaught from host Point Loma Nazarene to record a 0-0 tie on a cloudy, but warm, Friday in San Diego. The Sea Lions took 30 shots on goal and Menlo freshman goalkeeper Heather Klassen recorded 17 saves. Point Loma's Christine Grover took seven shots, one less than the Oaks as a team. Klassen made five of her saves in the two overtime periods as the Sea Lions had a 12-1 shgot advantage in overtime. Gunn High grad Ja'Net Lawrence had three shots . . . The Menlo College men's soccer team scored three goals in the final 13 minutes to edge host San Diego Christian College, 3-2, on Friday. The Oaks received goals from Aiden O'Flynn, Kevin Koutou and the game winner from Gary Hodgson. O'Flynn got the assist. On Saturday, Menlo (3-1) dropped a 4-1 decision to host Point Loma. Senior forward Armando San Vincente scored the Oaks lone goal. Point Loma outshot Menlo, 35-9, and Oaks goalkeeper Pat Conte recorded 13 saves. Menlo visits Division I Sacramento State next Wednesday . . . The Menlo College football team suffered a 60-14 loss to visiting Humboldt State on Saturday. Sophomore wide receiver Kevin Lyle caught a 78-yard touchdown pass from Joe Micco to highlight the Oaks' offensive attack. Micco completed 11 of 21 passes for 137 yards. Eddie Connor also scored for Menlo (0-2), which visits Whittier on Saturday at 7 p.m.

NEW COACH . . . Former Palo Alto High baseball coach Pete Colombo has been named the new head baseball coach of the Palo Alto Oaks. Colombo, the athletic director at Jordan Middle School, resigned his post at Paly with two weeks remaining in the 2005 schedule due to health problems. Colombo replaces Steve Espinoza, who will concentrate on running the business side of the team as well as the annual Tony Makjavich Memorial golf tournament.

COACHING CORNER . . . Woodside Priory is looking for a girls' varsity basketball coach, boys' junior varsity basketball coach and a varsity swim coach. Contact Mark Stogner, Director of Athletics at 851-6107 or mstogner@woodsidepriory.com . . . Palo Alto High is looking for girls' varsity and JV soccer coaches for the 2005-06 winter season. Those interested should contact Paly Athletic Director Earl Hansen at 329-3886 . . . Sacred Heart Prep is looking for a boys' assistant soccer coach for the current season, a girls' varsity basketball assistant coach, a head coach for girls' JV basketball and a head varsity baseball coach. Interested candidates should forward their resume with a letter of interest to Anthony Thomas, Athletic Director, Sacred Heart Prep, 150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, 94027 . . . Menlo School is looking for a girls' varsity basketball assistant coach and girls' frosh-soph basketball coaches. Call 330-2001 (ext. 2282) or e-mail bmckinney@menloschool.org. . . Menlo-Atherton is looking for coaches for the 2005-06 school year: wrestling, track and field assistant (shot and discus), girls' varsity and JV lacrosse, and frosh-soph softball. Those interested should contact M-A Athletic Director Pam Wimberly at 322-5311 (ext. 5706) or e-mail resumes to pwimberl@seq.org.

OF LOCAL NOTE . . . Palo Alto Babe Ruth is now conducting online registration for their Fall Baseball league, which is open to Babe Ruth age players (incoming 13-, 14- and 15-year olds) residing in Palo Alto Babe Ruth's local area. Details and registration information can be found at www.eteamz.com/palo_alto_babe_ruth. The season runs from Labor Day through October. All registration will be on-line . . The Menlo Park Strikers' FC girls' 10-Under soccer team is looking for experienced players for the upcoming fall season. For more information, contact Chris at 1-408-497-3816 . . . Registration is open for City of Palo Alto's Fall Adult Sports Leagues in basketball, softball and volleyball. Leagues are accepting complete teams, and individuals can be placed on a free agent list. Palo Alto is also looking for coaches for the middle school athletics program. Sports include cross country and flag football. For more information, call 463-4926 or e-mail sabine.sander@cityofpaloalto.org.

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