Time Out with James "Mickey" Lippitt (1991 Justin Siena High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Mickey Lippitt: It was always my escape and protection. It did not matter what was going on in life, when I was at practice I was on an oasis.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Lippitt: I work in San Rafael at Morgan Stanley and live here as well.     

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?

Lippitt: I took a summer school class from Mr Schmitz in Algebra going into freshman year. It was a good time, I made new friends, and I enjoyed having Mr. Schmitz as my teacher. He liked me and was fair and I wanted to do well for him.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?

Lippitt: Tough question but probably getting a big hit against St. Patricks’ at Dan Foley Park in a night game, Friday night, late in the season. I was a sophomore and happy to be able to be a big contributor that particular year. Our team went to the playoffs which was a first in a long time for Justin. It was a great season for my confidence as a baseball player. I also appreciated playing with all of those guys.  

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Lippitt: I have grown up a ton since high school just like all of us I am sure. Sports and baseball in particular were always my go to place so I lean on that experience I'm sure. I basically value the time that I had playing, and remembering my teammates and friends. The key value baseball teaches is that of learning to lose. That's what most people would tell you.    

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Lippitt: Within my family it would be my grandfathers, both of them.  

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Lippitt: Mother Theresa. Hard not to pick Bruce Lee, but I can't.  

Time Machine: St. Helena volleyball/basketball (2007-2011)

You often do not appreciate what you see in person until you reflect a handful of years later. For St. Helena High (St. Helena, CA) sports fans, the late 2000s to early 2010s were a special time for female athletics -- specifically volleyball and girls basketball.

The reasons for the significance of their achievements are different. For volleyball, the Saints have a rich history from Donna McCornack to Ouvidio Gomes to Herschel Sandler to Benny Rabanal. McCornack is a member of the first class of the St. Helena High Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 2013 -- and for good reason.

She coached St. Helena volleyball to two CIF State championships (1982 and 1984), seven league titles, five section championships and two more state runner-ups. McCornack retired after 39 years of teaching at St. Helena High after the 2010-2011 school year. McCornack’s impact, however, goes far beyond the fact that she led St. Helena volleyball to a 252-55 overall record in her 17 seasons.

Besides her successful coaching career, McCornack was instrumental in leading the charge for equality in girls’ sports. She fought vigorously for the inclusion of all-girls teams in the North Central League I.

Besides various brief spikes thereafter, most Saints volleyball seasons with the exception of 1994 and 2003 were very similar -- reach the postseason and possibly win a league title followed by winning a postseason game as a mid-level bracket seed only to lose to a high-end seed thereafter.

For girls basketball, with the exception the mid 1990s under Gomes and Frank Bozzini as co-coaches, St. Helena was mostly terrible until 2007 when St. Helena High 1977 graduate Will Densberger returned to his hometown by way of Oregon.

To set the stage, Adrianna “Missy” Particelli, Maddy Densberger, Jamie Marshall and Shelby Zumwalt each made significant impacts for the Saints at both sports. Densberger scored over 1,500 career points in basketball and over 1,000 career kills in volleyball before going on to have an accomplished volleyball career at Sonoma State. I could do a Time Machine post on Densberger alone, which may come at some point for now we focus on the team’s achievements. Particelli played for Pacific Union College and Marshall briefly at UC Santa Cruz.

The volleyball team enjoyed supporting cast contributions from Sydney Jacobs, Mia Barnett, Jenn Strunk, Kendall Shifflett, Diane Meyer and Callie Flood. In 2008, the Saints went 19-13 and as the No. 9 seed in the CIF North Coast Section Div. IV playoffs beat No. 8 Kelseyville in four sets before losing to top-seed and eventual champion Marin Catholic.

The next two seasons, the Saints ran roughshod over competition. In 2009, St. Helena went 27-6 and as the No. 6 seed beat No. 11 Kelseyville and No. 3 St. Patrick’s (Vallejo) at home before losing to No. 2 seeded Salesian (Richmond) on the road. Salesian beat Marin Catholic for the NCS Div. IV title.

The 2010 season, however, was truly a crowning jewel as they went 29-5, reaching the NorCal playoffs for the first time since 2003. In the NCS Div. IV playoffs as the No. 7 seed, the Saints beat No. 10 Healdsburg, No. 2 Berean Christian (Walnut Creek), and No. 3 Salesian before falling to Marin Catholic in the finals. However, by virtue of reaching the section championship match, the Saints earned a spot in the NorCal tournament. St. Helena would shock the world by beating top-seeded Ripon before losing to Notre Dame (Belmont).

The basketball team’s supporting cast contributions came from Kate Wignall, Holle DePina, Noemi Sanchez, and Zumwalt to go along with the lead efforts of Densberger, Marshall and Particelli. From 2007-2011, the Saints amassed a 76-34 with three NCS Div. IV playoff appearances despite not having a player to speak of that called basketball her No. 1 sport. While the postseason victory eluded the Saints (losing to St. Pat’s, Ursuline and Marin Catholic), they established a legacy in school history that will long be remembered.

In 2007-2008, the Saints went 14-14 for their first non-losing season since 1997-1998, which was a significant improvement over the 8-18 season the year prior, which was Ron Menegon’s last after eight seasons as head coach before giving way to Will Densberger the following year.

If I had to point to a game that represented a moment that a new day had donned, it was a 49-46 loss to eventual North Central League I champion Cloverdale, which needed a Lorraine Villa 3-pointer with 7.5 seconds remaining to subdue St. Helena. Though I would never use the term moral victory, this game was a turning point because the Eagles had beaten St. Helena like a rug in several years prior.

The following two seasons would bring back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1995-1996 and 1996-1997. The 2008-2009 Saints went 23-3, recording 21 wins in a row, which established a school-record to win their first league title in school history. The Saints went 21-8 in 2009-2010 and 18-9 in 2010-2011.

I could fill enough space for a novel in rattling off the team and individual accomplishments. As reporters, we are told to be impartial but covering sports at the high school level is different. You can’t cover the St. Helena Saints like you cover the New Orleans Saints.

I strived to report on bad teams with sensitivity but don’t unprofessionally gush over the very good teams. However, when you see a team work diligently to achieve so much, you can’t help but celebrate their success.

What I enjoyed most about covering these teams, and this is part of doing it in a small town of under 6,000 people, was getting to know their families. Though I have changed careers and my life takes me to Contra Costa County rather than the Northern part of Napa Valley, I still have semi-regular contact with the Rabanal, Particelli, Densberger and Marshall families.

Upvalley sports historian and 1962 St. Helena High graduate Jim Hunt was instrumental in establishing the St. Helena High Athletic Hall of Fame. I have no doubt Maddy Densberger will there if not possibly a couple other aforementioned Saints.

Time Out with Austin Cia: 2017 St. Helena High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Austin Cia: Throughout my life, sports have brought out my competitive side. They have taught me to be a team player, as well as a team leader when needed. What I have enjoyed most is building a bond with my friends who I have played with since the 4th grade.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Cia: After high school, I hope to attend a 4-year university. My first choice is the United States Naval Academy.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Cia: I plan on majoring in some sort of engineering, or a major related to agriculture. I enjoy being a problem-solver, and I think these majors would allow me to do that.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at St. Helena High?

Cia: My favorite class in high school is my zero period, BioDiesel, with Mr. O’Connor. In this class we run a biodiesel project as well as a steelhead research program in the Napa Valley Watershed.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Cia: My whole family lives in this town, so it is hard to narrow it down to one person. I think my dad has had the most influence on me. He has taught me to put my full effort into anything that I do and above all, never quit.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Cia: I would like to meet Pat Tillman. I believe he was a man of character and I would love to talk to him.

Time machine: 2010 softball playoffs: Calistoga at University

Though the difference between a No. 10 seed and a No. 7 seed is numerically minimal, winning as the lower seed on the road is always a very good feeling.

The 2010 Calistoga High softball team enjoyed such a feeling with a 5-1 win over University (San Francisco) in the first round of the CIF North Coast Section Div. V playoffs.

Though a softball team needs to score runs, this game was a prime example example of having a stout pitcher and defense will give a team a puncher’s chance to win on any day.

Setting the stage: The Wildcats entered the postseason with a 14-4 record with three of those defeats coming against the North Central League II South champion Tomales Braves, which had a dominant pitcher in its own right, Nicole Nygard. Calistoga had Nicole Taylor.

This contest also represented a rematch from earlier in the season. Calistoga defeated University 12-4 on March 20, 2010, in the Calistoga Invitational. In that game, the Wildcats pounded out 12 hits with Megan Hunt and Rosa DeJesus each logging five RBIs. University scored four unearned runs against Taylor, who gave up five hits, two walks and struck out 11 batters.

Hunt was in the process of finishing a stellar career as a Wildcat, having starred at soccer, basketball and softball.

Thumbnail sketch of the game: Taylor pitched a five-hitter and Hunt was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead the Calistoga.

Matea Alvarado was 2 for 4 with two stolen bases and a run scored, Taylor and Lucie Stanbor each went 1 for 3, Erin Lilly had a stolen base, and Jenna Reynolds had a stolen base and RBI for Calistoga.

Taylor went the distance for the Wildcats, striking out 11, walking three and allowing one earned run. University scored its only run in the bottom of the first inning. Calistoga came right back in the second inning. Reynolds, who walked, and Betsy Avila, who reached on a bunt single, both scored on a wild pitch.

Hunt delivered a two-run single and Reynolds drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning.

The defensive gem of the day took place in the fifth inning. Samantha Hernandez, who is University’s No. 2  hitter, started the inning with a single. The next batter, Serena Lowe, hit a foul pop-up that Hunt caught and initially threw wildly to first base in an effort to double off Hernandez, who took off for second after having dove back to first.

Right fielder Stambor picked the ball up and threw to Lilly at shortstop. Lilly tagged out Hernandez to complete the double play. Erin Reid then lined out to Lilly to end the threat.

“There are not many players that can make that play other than Megan Hunt,” Calistoga head coach Jake Blakeley said. “That’s quick to come out of your stance to catch the ball and be in a position to throw it. We have one in Megan Hunt. On top of that, the other players decided to play hard.”

The win meant very little in the short term. Calistoga travelled to four hours to Eureka three days later only to lose 9-0 to No. 2 seeded St. Bernard. The Wildcats’ win over University, however, was a very good example of how pitching, clutch defense and timely hitting give team’s a puncher’s chance whether the game is in Calistoga, San Francisco or Saskatchewan.

Sager's courage and positivity are qualities we can all apply

You hear the following phrases uttered so many times when a person dies as a result of illness: “It’s for the best” or “At least he/she is not suffering any longer.”

Mentally and emotionally, no one was surprised to hear about the news of sports broadcaster Craig Sager dying on Thursday, December 15, 2016. Most people were bracing for the outcome, plus or minus a few days, weeks, months, etc. However, knowing the outcome was inevitable does not make the news any more digestible.

With the passing of the 65-year old Sager, I feel like another part of my childhood is gone. I identify Sager with the NBA as much as I do any player or coach.

Sager was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and missed the entire 2014 NBA Playoffs. His son, Craig Jr., was deemed a match for bone marrow transplant, and the elder Sager underwent the treatment, pushing his cancer into remission.

On April 20, 2014, Sager's son Craig Jr. did the sideline interview with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich between the 3rd and 4th quarters of the 2014 NBA playoffs 1st round against the Dallas Mavericks to air a special get well message to Sager. The NBA on TNT crew did a special tribute to Sager as well, wearing suits similar to Sager from the past.

On the same day during the between quarters interview segments all coaches gave get well messages to Sager.

In late March 2016 Sager announced his leukemia had returned. It was also announced that doctors had told him that he had 3–6 months to live without treatment. Sager ultimately endured the process for a third time through the gift of marrow from an anonymous donor.

Sager is best known for his work as a sideline reporter for Turner Sports, specifically covering the NBA. He was also widely known for his psychedelic wardrobe of suits. The colors ranged from lilac, orange, yellow, black and lime green. The patterns would include an array of stripes, plaid or swirls.

Through Sager was sartorially unique, he was an accomplished broadcaster. Most will remember his work doing NBA games but he also broadcast football (college and NFL), baseball, golf and the Belmont Stakes.

In an era where the media often has a contentious relationship with athletes, coaches and fans to a lesser extent, Sager was a favorite to all of them because he nurtured his relationships. Having been a sports reporter for 18 years before changing careers two years ago, I can tell you that ability is vital. The mantra is simple, take care of them and they will return the favor. Though Sager had a great relationship with players and coaches, he was not a shill. Sager was not afraid to ask difficult questions. When he was put in a such a position though, he exercised class, dignity and empathy.

Sager’s courage and class were not unnoticed. Those qualities won him the Jimmy V Perseverance Award — named for Jim Valvano, the former North Carolina State coach and ESPN commentator who died of bone cancer in 1993 — at the ESPY Awards show in July.

Sager said in his acceptance speech: “Whatever I might have imagined a terminal diagnosis would do to my spirit, it summoned quite the opposite — the greatest appreciation for life itself. So I will never give up, and I will never give in.”

Sager’s courage and positivity are qualities we can all learn to apply in our lives. For openers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov), 19.3 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed each year by 2025. Most every American, I have had multiple family members (immediate and extended) become afflicted with this dastardly disease. The courage one must show to combat the disease is real. Their courage was similar to the one Sager showed. The only difference is, they were not public figures.

As for Sager’s general positivity, in a society that has become increasingly anger and negative, Sager was refreshing. He even brought out the soft side of the aforementioned Popovich, who is known for his gruff answers during interviews. Before the Spurs game at Phoenix, Popovich did not take any basketball related questions. Instead, he spoke only on Sager for two minutes.

With the NBA season in full-tilt mode, a sideline in the sky awaits Sager, eccentric wardrobe and all.

Time Out with Claire Ballentine: 2015 Justin-Siena High graduate

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Claire Ballentine: I loved the pressure and adrenaline you would feel in an intense game, to me that was the ultimate rush. I played sports as far back as I can remember. I mostly played team sports where I made life long friends and great memories. My favorite part of competing would be when a team doubted our ability based on a record or size, and we would surprise them with a win.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Ballentine: I am currently a sophomore at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where I am pursuing a degree in Fermentation Science with a minor in Business. I am not currently playing volleyball at school, but instead I am starting to ski and have turned my time towards boxing. I love trying new activities and I never got to ski much in high school because of the risk of injury during sport seasons.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?

Ballentine: This is tough, it’s hard to pick one because I had such great teachers my senior year. If I would have to choose my favorite class at Justin-Siena it would either be senior service with Mrs. Wood because she is the nicest teacher ever and has the biggest heart, or Economics with Mr. LaRocco who was also amazing. I love how both these teachers taught and really engaged the students. I definitely miss them.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?

Ballentine: That's easy, my senior night was by far the best moment playing volleyball at Justin-Siena. We took Branson to five games, which we had never done at least the four years I played on varsity. Also was the proudest moment I had towards my teammates, everyone played out of their shoes and were all amazing. We ended up losing by two, but I have never walked away so happy after a loss. I still dream of that game and how great everyone played.

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Ballentine: I believe I have definitely grown as a person through my more improved work ethic and time management. I believe sports helped a lot with this by having to juggle sports with school work and social life. Being a part of a team also taught me patience and understanding different people’s personalities. I believe I get along with a lot of people because on a team you are taught to make it work with your teammates and respect each others differences.

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Ballentine: My parents and brother had a major influence on my life and athletic career. Both my mom and dad are the most hard working people I know. They are constantly setting goals to better their lives and business. They have really taught me that nothing is really out of reach if you put your mind and heart into it. My brother really had a huge impact on the athlete I am today. He is four years older than me and graduated from St. Helena High in 2011, where he was a very humble and amazing athlete. His work ethic and determination was really what guided me to work as hard as I did. I am truly grateful for my family.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Ballentine: My favorite quote is "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."-Mahatma Gandhi. I would want to meet him because I am moved by his love for others and life itself.

Time Out with Javier Garcia: 2017 St. Helena High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Javier Garcia: It's been an honor playing with my best friends and having fun doing it.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Garcia: I plan on continuing to go to school and follow a career in winemaking.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Garcia: I want to be a winemaker. I currently work at a winery, Castello di Amorosa, and I'm surrounded by wine anywhere I go.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at St. Helena High?

Garcia: My favorite class at St. Helena High is ag mechanics

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Garcia: Definitely my parents they strive me to do my best and always keep me up when I'm down.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Garcia: Kobe Bryant because I love his mentality.

Time Out with Javier Aguilera: 2017 St. Helena High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Javier Aguilera: What I've enjoyed the most from competing in athletics is being able to compete and battle with other schools while having my best friends by my side.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Aguilera: I plan on becoming a master barber.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Aguilera: I want to get a barbering and cosmetology licence. Being able to provide people a more satisfying look for themselves, building relationships with different individuals, and also meeting more people as time goes on.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at St. Helena High?

Aguilera: My favorite class here at Saint Helena High is advanced agricultural mechanics.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Aguilera: My older cousin Antonio Aguilera who is the owner of Bodega Wine shipping company has been the most influential family member in my life.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Aguilera: A dead historical figure I would like to meet is Tupac Shakur because he is my favorite rapper and the most influential song writer to me.

Lake County loses a great one; Cloverdale gets a home run hire

The old saying is that one person’s loss is another person’s gain. The Lake County Record Bee is about to get a taste of the former. The Cloverdale Revielle will soon get a taste of the latter.

Who does that involve? Brian Sumpter, who is leaving the Lake County Record Bee after 32 years as sports editor. Sumpter delivered this announcement on his Facebook page Saturday, Dec. 3:

“Lake County friends, my last day at the Record-Bee will be Friday, Dec. 30. After more than 32 years on the job in Lakeport, I am stepping down as the sports editor. Beginning in early January I will be the new editor of the weekly Cloverdale Reveille newspaper in Cloverdale. I will be covering local news as well as the sports beat for Cloverdale in my new position. Additionally I plan to continue on as a freelance sports writer in Lake County, though I will not be traveling to the county nearly as often from my home in Cloverdale. I have been commuting to Lakeport from Cloverdale since 1985, a round trip of 70 miles each day over the Hopland Grade. How long I am able to freelance for Lake County sports I cannot say, but hopefully a long time. I can't begin to tell you about all the good friends and acquaintances I've made since taking the sports editor's job at the Bee in late August of 1984. The industry and the job have changed so much since then, I hardly recognize the 23-year-old who former managing editor Ellen Leifeld took a chance on way back when. I've covered some great athletes and teams (yep, the Upper Lake girls basketball teams of the early 1990s were THE best) and worked with a handful of great coaches, not all of whom are still with us. Thanks for letting me serve you all these years, but it's time to be moving down the road a ways.”

I lasted 18 years in the newspaper industry before making a career change to route sales representative for Alhambra Water. That said, I have nothing on Sump.

The great thing about the sports reporting industry is that it is like a fraternity. Sure there’s a competitive aspect when I randomly crossed paths with other sports reporters while covering events. However, the joy of getting to know them as people far overrides the competitive aspect. I have enjoyed getting to know Sumpter throughout the years. Though we may not get together socially due to family lives and distance, I consider him a friend.  

There is only one Brian Sumpter.

The Healdsburg High and San Francisco State University graduate is vacating the Record Bee after 32 years. Sumpter is a picture of dedication and resolve. The dedication part is commuting from Cloverdale to Lakeport (70 miles round trip) five days per week and in his role as Record Bee sports editor, he is a man of many hats — reporter, editor and page designer for five high schools in all of Lake County. He did that for 32 years. The windy Hopland Grade is no joke.

The resilient part came watching his daughter, Sarah, lose her life at 25-years old as a result of brain cancer. The younger Sumpter courageously fought the battle for five years before succumbing in Sept. 2015. No parent should ever have to endure such a fate. My wife and I have three kids (ages 10, 8 and 8). I continually say, “I hope our kids are pallbearers at our funeral, not us being pallbearers at theirs.”

The first time I met Brian was in 1999. I made the trek to Upper Lake from Napa for a Saturday afternoon football game between Calistoga and Upper Lake.

As former Napa Valley Publishing sports editor Randy Johnson can attest, Upper Lake is one of the few places where late October feels like mid-July. The Wildcats won that game 34-19 on the way to a CIF North Coast Section Class B title.

However, the next season (2000), I had more interaction with him since St. Helena High rejoined the NCS, specifically the North Central League I.

Since 2004, when I took over the Upvalley beat, I have crossed paths with Sumpter very regularly.

Like every journalist, Sumpter has written something that has rattled a few cages. Heck, we all have. At his core, however, Sumpter is the quintessential community-oriented journalist that tries to accentuate the positive in a team’s achievements rather than trying to find fault.

He gets it that you can’t cover the Lower Lake Trojans the same way you cover the USC Trojans.

He gets it that you can’t cover the Clear Lake Cardinals like you cover the St. Louis Cardinals.

Other than freelance writing and online journaling, I have no desire to return to the newspaper industry but I can see the appeal of staying in Lake County for 32 years like Sumpter. They appreciate commitment. Good luck finding someone that defines such a term like Sumpter.  

The big challenge for Sumpter in his new job will wearing even more hats. Sure, he will still get to cover sports but he will also have to mix in covering city hall along with managing a staff.

If anyone is up to the task, it is Sumpter. The best news is, he only has to commute 15 minutes round-trip per day rather than at least an hour one-way.

For Lake County’s sake, I hope they find a viable replacement. As for Cloverdale, you have a home run hire.

Here’s the beauty of Sumpter’s career move, unlike many newspaper employees that are dispatched because of archaic technology, he has a chance to continue his passion on his own terms.

Time Out with Ruben Garcia: American Canyon High 2017 senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Ruben Garcia: I love the establishment of athletic dominance over a competitor, growing more physicality and working as a unit with your team.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Garcia: My plan is to go to a community college, then transferring to hopefully a CSU.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Garcia: Athletic training, as an athlete undergoing injury right now, I hate to see athlete's seasons ending due to injury. It's a great shame for that to happen, so I want to contribute to the prevention/recovery to sports related injuries. Also it keeps me around the sports I love.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at American Canyon High?

Garcia: Probably my Sports Med class because of how useful and interesting it is, it will help me when I study athletic training in college.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Garcia: No one in my family has really influenced me, I come from a family of many different backgrounds, none of which have influenced me to do anything I aspire to be. My passion for football and athleticism in general has been developed by my own motivations.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Garcia: I'd love to meet someone like Tom Brady, someone who was always overlooked or doubted due to a lack of the flashy athletic image, but has still managed to be one of the absolute best at what he does.

Time Out with Alex Fragoza: 2017 Napa High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Alex Fragoza: Throughout the seven years of playing football and two years of playing rugby I’ve enjoyed the person it made into. The discipline you get from football and rugby really contributed to the way I act at home and in the classroom. I also really enjoyed building relationships with people, who battled with me for the four years I’ve played football at Napa High, and it’s a really good feeling that they will have my back forever.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Fragoza: My plans after high school is too hopefully continue my football career at a university or junior college, or potentially enter the military. As of right now I’m still undecided on what I want to do.  

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Fragoza: The major I’m choosing is criminal Justice(BS). I choose this major because my ultimate goal is to be a police officer, and to study this field, it will give me advantage from other applicants.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at Napa High?

Fragoza: My favorite class here at Napa High would have to be physics. I don’t know why but it really connected wit me and I had lots of fun.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Fragoza: The most Influential person within my family would have to be my older brother. He always pushed me to be a better person, and pushed me to be the player I am in the field. I’m very thankful for him.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet.

Fragoza: I would love to meet Jerry Rice because he is my favorite football player of all time. I would love to get the opportunity to go one on one with him.  

Season-ending loss does not tarnish Wolves 2016 resume

Sometimes a good story does not have a happy ending. Such was the case for the American Canyon High football team.

The No. 2 seeded Wolves’ season came to a screeching halt with a 29-0 loss in Friday’s CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. III semifinal playoff game to the No. 3 seeded Christian Brothers (Sacramento) Falcons.

Though the loss stings now, and will for a few days if not a few weeks, but as time passes and you get further removed from the defeat, you will remember the many great moments the team produced rather than Friday’s loss.

American Canyon has established its mark in the sport of football since the school opened its doors in 2010. The Reader’s Digest version is in that span the Wolves have gone 49-22. That record is deflated by going 4-6 in 2011 when the program had no seniors and to a lesser degree by going 5-6 in 2015. American Canyon has won five straight Solano County Athletic Conference titles, shared and/or sole possession. The Wolves finished the 2016 campaign going 11-2 and reaching the SJS D-III semifinals, just as they did in 2012 before losing to eventual champion Oakdale.

You hear the phrase so much, “you’re only as good as your last game.”

I agree with that but only to a point. I tend to think that a person’s or team’s resume is the body of work over a period of time. All I know is this, the 2016 American Canyon Wolves were a treat to watch. Well, in my case, cover on a weekly basis.

Whether as a full-time sports reporter or as a freelance writer, I have covered Wolves football for three seasons. The 2011 and 2015 seasons had their peaks and valleys. The former, you can chalk up to having no seniors. The latter, you can chalk up to having its third coaching change in three seasons from Ian MacMillan to Ernie Lawson to Larry Singer. Since Singer has been with American Canyon since Day One be it as the freshmen head coach, JV head coach or varsity head coach, hiring him made sense. However, asking 17-year old kids to enduring three changes in as many seasons can be unsettling.

I’m not just saying this to be politically correct but all three coaches have sweat equity in the Wolves’ success. Singer is front and center now but as the previous JV head coach has played a role in their development. They also learned under the tutelage of Lawson and MacMillan. I would also be remiss not to mention assistant coaches Chris Yepson, Chris Rapacon, Joe Beachum and Mike Morofsky. Like Singer, they have been with the Wolves from Day One.

The senior class is to be commended. Last season, they stayed the course after a 1-5 start and went 15-3 thereafter. Among those seniors that should take a bow are Darren Antes, Andrew Rapacon, Anthony Gobert, Gamon Howard, Vaughn Johnson, Lorenzo Peterson, Jonathan Roeder, Oscar Lopez, Carlos Chavarria, Nelson Jarquin Aleman, Ethan Hughes. My goodness, I could go all night.

What stood out about this team was that the roster had players that genuinely wanted to be there, wanted to work to get better every week and played with the passion that competitors of the past like like Jon Bade, Chris Seisay, Jomon Dotson, Nate Gutierrez to name a few would have  appreciated.

Was it disappointing to see the season grind to a halt?

Yes. However, when the aforementioned players walk into the gym and see a league championship banner, chances are, they will be talking about the good memories on and off the field, not Friday night’s loss to the Falcons.

I’m not trying to channel my inner Dr. Phil, but if a resume is the body of work over a period of time, the 2016 Wolves have an impressive one.

Sideline slant

I have mentioned before in this online journal that I was a full-time sports reporter for 18 years before I changed career. For the past two seasons, I have been a route sales representative for Alhambra Water the last two years. However, when my former employer (Napa Valley Register) reached out to me before the 2015 season to cover games, I was floored in a good way.

I figured, why not, I would have been going to games as a spectator anyhow. However, running my route that involves physical work for 8-10 hours followed by covering a football game expends a lot of energy. Sometimes more than I imagined. That said, I’m taking this one year at a time. I’m tired now but who knows, by June, I’ll be excited again and say give me another year.

This is my inner Brett Favre.