Time Out with Ryan Kostecka (2007 Napa High graduate)

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

Ryan Kostecka: Athletics has been engrained in me since I was born. My dad is a former college volleyball coach (Northern Arizona University before coaching at Napa High). I grew up watching the game and attending all of his tournaments. The best thing about competing in athletics are the life lessons. It taught me how to win with grace and lose with humility. I learned how to work with others but also, how that no matter what happens in your surroundings, you're in control of how you handle any given situation. Also, one of the best things is being a part of a team, feeling that brotherhood, and achieving true team goals.

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

Kostecka: Since graduating in 2007, life couldn't be more different than where I pictured myself being. I live in Eugene, Oregon now where I'm married to a beautiful woman named, Dana. We've been together for seven years and we just recently bought a house in Eugene with our two dogs (Emma and Chewy). I work as a journalist, covering Oregon Ducks football and basketball, and as a personal trainer. Life has definitely had its ups and downs since I've graduated but one of the main constants has been the support of my three best friends since the 7th grade (Ryan Brown, Jason Westerberg and Josh Ohlandt — all former Napa High athletes).

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Napa High?

Kostecka: It's hard to choose between just one class. My junior year, I had English with Mrs. Ready and History with Coach Todd Pridy. Both of those classes, as well as senior year English with Mr. Aaron, were my favorite classes. All three of the teachers challenged me in different ways. I think it was during Mrs. Ready's class that I discovered my knack for stories and story-telling, that eventually indirectly led me to journalism. Pridy's class challenged me to be the absolute best I could be and the way he portrayed history to relevant topics in society today really stuck with me. As for Mr. Aaron's class, he just had this vibe and aura about him that made class enjoyable everyday.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Napa High?

Kostecka: My favorite athletic moment isn't from when I was in front of a big crowd during a game. My favorite athletic moments were during my junior and senior seasons of basketball. The night before Big Games, my dad (Scott) and I would have one-on-one practice sessions late at night. Just us, a ball and the hoop. We'd typically start once the girls game ended and as people were walking out of the gym, I'd be walking into it in my practice gear. Sometimes we'd practice for an hour, sometimes it would be more. I just remember those moments with my dad, who was extremely well-known as our athletic director. We talked about everything in our lives during those times and to this day, they've helped pave the way for the best-friend type of relationship I have with my dad.

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?

Kostecka: I can't even contemplate how much I've grown since high school. I look back at those days, and while I admire at how much fun I had, it's hard to imagine that I was once that same guy. Don't get me wrong, I'm still the same happy, go-lucky type of guy but the way I view the world and handle certain situations is vastly different. Honestly, the change is a combination of meeting my wife and athletics. I still have that same competitive drive that athletics instilled in me but now, it's been better used in ways my wife has taught me. I do find that when I'm in a situation that I don't know how to handle or deal with, I tend to reflect on my athletic background to help me start a path to get through it.

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

Kostecka: My entire family has been influential. My younger sister (Megan, 2010 Napa High graduate) is my best friend and one of the very few people in the world that I can tell absolutely anything too. She's still the best athlete in the family also. As far as my parents go, I'm a 50-50 mix of both of them. With my dad, I think the same way he does and I have that same "Is what it is" type of attitude like him. I hope to be just as good of father and person as he is one day. As for my mom, she's the one person in the world I would never mess with and always want to be my friend. All of my competitiveness and grit comes from her and the fight that she's showed in life through her tribulations is something I admire. Also, my mom truly believes that there's nothing that she can't do... and I agree with her. She's given me this "unwavering confidence" in myself that's served me well thus far in life. All together, my family is so important to me and without them, I can't even fathom where I might be.

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

Kostecka: I don't know if there is anybody I'd truly like to meet. I've been so extremely lucky and blessed to have met the people I've met, made the relationships I've made in my life and I wouldn't change that for anything. I think, more than anything, I would just like to see those closest to me more. As I mentioned above, I've had the same three best friends for nearly 15 years and we all live far from one another. I wish to see them more. I also wish to see more of my little sister and her fiancé. I've met many famous and non-famous people throughout my life but what's most important to me is keeping those friendships and relationships closest to me and strengthening them all the time. So, rather than meet anybody new, I wish to see the old.

Time machine: 2008 football St. Helena at Upper Lake

There are times where you know you are covering a team that is good but not necessarily great. You watch that team win a particular game. The process of the win won’t make you forget say the 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1984 San Francisco 49ers, 1985 Chicago Bears, etc.

You watch the game and the outcome does not appear signed, sealed and delivered until late in the contest. After the game, however, you feel like it is a solid road victory because it is a one-and-a-half hour drive that feels like three hours where you go “to” the game. On the way home, however, the hour-and-a-half drive feels more like 45 minutes because you saw the team you cover win.

That win would describe the 2008 St. Helena High football team’s 27-12 win over the Upper Lake Cougars.

Setting the stage: The Saints went into the 2008 season with their third coach in as many seasons and their 13th in 28 years when Brandon Farrell moved to Northern Napa Valley from Savanna, Ill. St. Helena won its first two games of the Farrell era (37-0 over Calistoga and 33-8 over Lower Lake). The Saints lost their next two games (37-21 to Kelseyville and 35-6 to Fort Bragg) before winning the following week, 27-7 at Willits.

Upper Lake also entered the game 3-2 with wins over Potter Valley (20-6), Lower Lake (28-14), and Kelseyville (30-18). The Cougars two defeats were against Fort Bragg (42-6) and Middletown (35-0). This mid-October matchup in Upper Lake on a Saturday afternoon would represent the North Central League I South opener.

After 2006, Ian MacMillan resigned after going 21-11 in three seasons. Then came the Dave Collinsworth experience that saw the program go 2-8. Collinsworth was a bad fit from jump. The 1988 Woodland High graduate was a University of Oregon offensive lineman that coached at large schools like Sheldon (Sacramento). He failed to realize that there is a big difference between coaching at a school, of 1,800 where kids are laser-focused on sport versus a school of 500 kids where coaches have to share athletes. Bar none, Collinsworth was one of the most arrogant turds I ever dealt with as a coach but that’s another story for another day.

Thumbnail sketch of the game: St. Helena made the Upper Lake fight uphill all day by scoring the game’s first 14 points in the first quarter en route to victory.

The Saints bolted to their 14-0 lead after one quarter on the strength of quarterback Morgan Densberger’s 17-yard touchdown run with wide receiver Jeff Quirici delivering a key downfield block. That touchdown capped off an remarkable 14-play, 80-yard march on the game’s opening series. St. Helena converted two third downs on the drive.

The Saints were successful on 6 of 10 third down conversions and 2 of 4 fourth down attempts for the game. Densberger later connected with Quirici for a 22-yard touchdown strike on fourth and eight. Will Saladin added both extra points.

Upper Lake used the big play to get back in the game as running back Joe Barnes raced 66 yards to paydirt with 7:06 left in the first half. The two-point conversion was no good and the Saints still led 14-6.

St. Helena took a 20-6 into the locker room when running back Ezekiel Valdivia scored from seven yards away. The extra point failed, giving the Saints a 20-6 halftime lead. The Saints controlled the pace of the game in the first half, running 41 plays from scrimmage to Upper Lake’s 16.

Upper Lake then cut the lead to 20-12 on quarterback Brandon Mendoza’s 3-yard run with 2:24 left in the third quarter. Valdivia and Saladin provided the final margin of victory with a 5-yard scoring run and extra point, respectively.

Densberger led a Saints rushing attack that generated 346 yards on the ground. The senior quarterback tallied 128 yards on 24 carries. Valdivia added 87 yards on 14 attempts. Edgar Caldera added 81 yards on 15 carries while Miguel Calderon tallied 50 yards on six carries.

Defensively, Densberger added an interception. Gino Trinchero added two tackles for lost yardage while Caldera and Victor Saldana each added one.

Trinchero and Elliot Carson shared a quarterback sack. The Saints defense allowed just 2 of 8 third down conversions and limited the Cougars to 283 yards of total offense.

What it meant: Very little in the short term. The Saints lost their next two games decisively: 35-6 to Middletown and 20-0 to Cloverdale. St. Helena finished the season on a high note in splitting its last two games to NCL I South co-champs St. Vincent (7-3 loss) and Clear Lake (7-0 win).

The next two seasons of the Farrell era brought a 4-6 season in 2009 and 5-5 in 2010 with an, NCL I South title. From 2011-2015, the Saints went on an incredible run in going 56-9 with seven CIF North Coast Section playoff wins.

In 2016, St. Helena went 6-5 but finished with three straight losses by a combined total of 101-51.

Time Out with Alvaro Torres (2017 Calistoga High senior)

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

Alvaro Torres: I've enjoyed being a leader for my team and being able to at least win one championship my freshman year in football with all my friends before everything went down the drain.

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

Torres: My plans after high school are to try to play football somewhere like a JC and keep on working but for sure stick with sports no matter what.

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

Torres: A major I would really want to take is nutrients and physical therapy because it's really important to athletes.

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

Torres: My favorite class in Calistoga high so far has been math because it's something I've always enjoyed and the teachers I've always had were always nice and cool.

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

Torres: My mom’s been my biggest influential because never in my life have I seen her give up on me and my other siblings and had always supported me and pushed me.

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?

Torres: Someone I would really want to meet would be Peyton Manning because I've always like the way he lead his team and how all his teammates liked him.

Time Out with Peter Garaventa (1992 Justin-Siena High graduate)

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

Peter Garaventa: I enjoyed the commitment to my teammates and the honor to represent my school on the field or court. Additionally, I enjoyed the bond that we shared as teammates win, lose or draw.

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

Garaventa: I have been working for HealthQuest Fitness Center in Napa, CA, for almost 20 years. I am the Operations Manager and am blessed with an incredible staff that makes my job fun. At HealthQuest we are very fortunate, our members are awesome and most times it hardly seems like work. I joke that my Biology degree comes in handy at times as the gym can be like a giant Petri dish. By far the best part of my job is that it introduced me to my wife. We dated for 18 years and got married last year. Our family has grown as we have been blessed with two beautiful grandchildren and probably a few more to come. Recently, I started riding cutting horses after a long hiatus and really enjoy my time horseback, just not often enough.  A couple of rental properties and a mobile dog grooming business run by my wife’s youngest daughter helps to occupy my free time as well.

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

Garaventa: I enjoyed a lot of different classes at Justin. Obviously Mr. (Bob) Morrish, but Daphne Birkmeyer and Mr. (David) Carlomagno really challenged me to perform my best in their Biology and Physiology classes. I wanted to do well for them. Coach (Randall) McClure's Freshman English class was an eye opener too.

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

Garaventa: Without a doubt it wasn't a moment, but it was a season. Our Freshman year of football season was 0-9. We worked hard and came back the next season to go undefeated in league. We tied Colfax 0-0, after losing the previous year 52-0 and took lap on their field after the game, Coach (Jim) Haver smashed the previous years game film in their parking lot and they chased us out of town half way down I-80.

If I had a moment, it was against Vanden. I was playing outside linebacker, came around the corner and had their quarterback in the crosshairs with his back to me. I got to run him over. My cousin, Paul Momsen, picked me up and shouted that my facemask was green. Some of the paint from the Vanden QB's helmet stuck to my red facemask.  That felt good.

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?

Garaventa: I don't think I've grown a lot personally since high school. My wife calls me an “old soul” and I think that's a pretty fair description. I've made my share of mistakes and I try not to repeat them. However, I believe that high school athletics helped me develop leadership skills that I use today, form a strong work ethic and to cherish the ability to move my body everyday.

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

Garaventa: My dad and my wife. They are extremely different, but I have learned so much about work ethic and management from them, nothing that could ever be taught in a classroom.

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

Garaventa: I think we put too much emphasis on sports figures, movie and television personalities and even politicians. I'm surrounded by people with all sorts of different backgrounds and experiences everyday. They come to the gym for a variety of reasons and most have interesting careers and experiences to share. I try to learn something from everyone. Sometimes the most unassuming person has the most interesting life outside of the gym. I get to meet new people everyday (if I want).

Berman a one-of-kind

Sometimes reducing someone’s role feels the the end of an era, even if that person’s career is continuing.

Multiple media outlets broke the news that Chris Berman is stepping down as host ESPN's NFL studio programming after 31 seasons but will remain with the network in a number of different roles after signing a new contract on Thursday.

Berman is a six-time National Sportscaster of the Year honoree and will remain as ESPN's host of NFL Primetime highlights after the NFL championship week games and the Super Bowl, and will have a role on Monday Night Countdown, offering opinion and perspective on historical events in the NFL. He will also call an MLB division series for ESPN Radio and be part of the ESPY Awards.

Berman, who was known as “Boomer” and “The Swami,” will also make appearances on-air in other capacities and serve in other public-facing roles for the company, ESPN said in a statement. He will no longer host the NFL draft or Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby.

Berman has hosted Sunday NFL Countdown for 31 seasons and has been part of SportsCenter with his Two Minute Drill for 38 years. From 1987 to 2005, he hosted NFL Primetime with Tom Jackson. He has covered 34 Super Bowls and handled NFL draft coverage for ESPN since 1987.

He was an original SportsCenter anchor and has also called MLB games and U.S. Open golf for ESPN.

No replacement for Berman has been named, though Suzy Kolber and Trey Wingo have been bandied about as potential replacements.

Berman has been known for his schtick and quirkiness, to the point of being like an overgrown 12-year old that is actually 61. There is a segment of people I talk to that believe his act grew tired. The problem I have with that sentiment is, take any person in any walk of life or profession, we find a way that works for us and we often double down on that approach. Berman has been no different and that quality should be celebrated, not scorned.

He has his catch phrases that included, “back, back, back, back, back …… gone!” for Major League Baseball. For NFL highlights, “He could …. go … all …. the ….. Way!” or “whoop!” or “Rumblin’ bumblin’ stumblin’!” Throw in random play on words nicknames like Kirt “What is that” Manwaring … Jeff “see through” Blauser …. Bert “be home” Blyleven. There was a time when those catch phrases were the funniest thing on the Planet Earth.

To me, Berman represented a different era of broadcasting. I remember in my college years getting up to watch NFL Countdown as he and Tom Jackson previewed all of the games before watching football all day. Then after the games, I remember watching the highlights of all the games. If you wanted to see highlights of a specific, you actually had to sit through the entire program to see them.

Nowadays, if you are a Philadelphia Eagles fan in Alaska, all you have to do is Google the highlights and they are at your fingertips.

I also remember such as an era where you watched the football games you were given. If it was Saturday, and you’re an Oklahoma or Nebraska fan in California, you had to find a sports bar or order Pay-Per-View to watch their game against Kansas State. If it was Sunday, and you’re a New Orleans Saints fan in Minnesota, you better find a sports bar or buy a satellite dish to watch their game against the Atlanta Falcons because you’re stuck with that Vikings-Bears game.

Now, thanks to DirectTV, BigTenNetwork, SEC Network, Pac 12 Network, etc., you have choices. Berman, however, has been a constant amid the cable network saturation.

You truly would have to look long and hard to find someone who has had a more lasting impact on a cable network than Berman, who joined ESPN in 1979 one month after the network was founded. Sure, Tom Brokaw had a lasting impact for NBC’s news desk. The same could be said for Dan Rather and CBS. However, those news desks existed before either.

I know this move does not mean the end of Berman’s time at ESPN but it’s the end as we once knew it.

Time Out with Steve Maloney (1990 Justin-Siena High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life? Steve Maloney: I enjoyed the shared experience with my teammates the most. When I was at Justin-Siena, I think a lot about how fun it was but also about how our teams underperformed. We could have done better if we had a better program and guidance. It was very frustrating to see the misguided efforts of our team to practice to win, yet we were not ready to do that. We had enough talent to do well but our three varsity coaches in four years did not instill the confidence and bond that a football team needs to learn life lessons like confidence, responding when you are down or intimidated, committing to others, resolving to work hard for a team cause, and focusing on moments. This is what a football team is about, helping the players with these core life skills. This is directly related to how well a corporation runs; How well its team delivers on its objectives. This is that part of team performance that I love; Competing with your teammates to win, giving your all, always improving and to do your best. A great organization has this same environment. D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school? Maloney: Since leaving Justin-Siena, I have been a software sales leader for over 21 years. I enjoyed selling solutions that drive revenue, cut costs, find competitive advantage, predict outcomes, help to find/hire great people, etc. D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High? Maloney: I enjoyed English with Bob Morrish the most. Even though I was terrible at it back then, he was such a great and challenging teacher. This quote sums him up very well; Principal Greg Schmitz characterized Morrish as “a wonderful man, a great friend, teacher, colleague, mentor, confidante, coach and director and a wonderful Christian.” D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High? Maloney: Starting at Linebacker in the 1990 East-West All Star Game was a highlight for me. I appreciated very much winning the 500 Club Award and the Defense Award as a Senior when I made 103 tackles. But being able to represent the Braves who did not get much respect from other area schools was fun; I got in about 7-10 fights in practice trying to make a strong presence for the Braves brand while hitting people hard and going all-out in practice. I hope it earned a little JSHS respect at that brief interval in time. I had four tackles and a sack in the game and I truly enjoyed representing our school. Overall I loved my JSHS teammates and long-term friendships that were formed there. “Sempre Avanti” to all Braves. 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? Maloney: I trace a lot of my personal growth maps to football. I struggled at times with confidence and resilience and I have it anchored in me now and the sport helped with this; Primarily driven by great teammates who helped me commit to myself and to them. Playing also at DVC (Diablo Valley College) for Ed Hall, who founded De La Salle's Football program before leaving to go to Coach JC Football at DVC for more than 35 years was a life-changing experience. I worked so hard and believed so much that I could contribute that I found a way to start and contribute, when I thought I could not just due to the sheer number of guys that were bigger and faster than me. In my second year on the team I received an award I will always cherish; Most Improved Player - Defense; 1992 at Inside Linebacker; 124 tackles/89 solo/5.5 Sacks/7 forced fumbles, and Player of the Game vs. College of San Mateo w/16 tackles and one sack. Personal growth comes from challenges and football has certainly helped me to be a better teammate now in business, a better husband, and friend, and person. D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people? Maloney: Most influential to me are my family and my dear friends who I consider as family. Life is hard and we have to rely on each other for feedback, ideas, love and to get through life to make the most positive impact as possible. Friends that I count as family include these people that I still am extremely grateful for. These friendships formed initially by playing sports at Justin with these great people. I still have strong friendships with ex-teammates Bill Waggoner (funniest guy ever wow), Philip Antoniadis, Andy Berry, Kerry Egan, Matt Buoncristiani...and others. D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet. Maloney: I would have to say Jesus. Since this is not realistic I will keep focused on meeting and conversing with as many interesting people as possible, there are so many in all our lives if we just engage.

Time Out with Matt Buoncristiani (1990 Justin-Siena High graduate)

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

Matt Buoncristiani: I enjoyed the preparation, challenge, teamwork, enjoying victory, coping with losses and moving on.

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

Buoncristiani: I have become the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Buoncristiani Winery in Napa.

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

Buoncristiani: Bob Morrish and his English class. There was never a dull moment.

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

Buoncristiani: A 67 yard run in fourth quarter for a touchdown against Lower Lake my junior year. It was a game we dedicated to a friend who had passed and I felt like he was there with us to celebrate a late comeback win.

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?

Buoncristiani: I think I have grown leaps and bounds, partially due to my immediate family (wife and kids) and I like to think the sports experiences mentioned in question one from high school and collegiate teams have attributed as well.

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

Buoncristiani: My wife and kids, they inspire me to improve, succeed, and enjoy life in both personal and business situations.

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

Buoncristiani: I would like to have met Walter Payton.