Time Out with Ellen Toscano (Justin-Siena 2000 graduate)

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

Ellen Toscano: I enjoyed being part of a team and everything that entails -- working together to achieve a goal, using everyone's individual strengths and gifts as a unit to create something even stronger, learning to communicate with individuals from all different backgrounds, etc.  I also met some of my very best friends through playing sports, which is priceless. I loved being active my whole life - keeping my body strong and flexible and healthy - this is something I have always continued and I believe being active in sports my whole life is a big reason why.

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

Toscano: I moved to New York City where I received a drama major and music minor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. I was going to play volleyball there, but my acting studio wouldn't allow me to as I would miss too many Friday studio days to travel, and acting school was the reason I was in New York. It was a bummer, but how it had to be. After graduating college in 2005, I got hired as one of the 10 stars in "Beach Blanket Babylon" in San Francisco where I've gotten to sing at Giants games (including the World Series in 2014), perform for Nancy Pelosi AS Nancy Pelosi, meet and become friends with the comedian John Cleese, and meet some of my closest friends who have become family. I moved from SF back to beautiful Sonoma in 2009. I've been performing in BBB for the last 10 years, but recently gave my notice - I'll be hanging up my hats on October 1 and couldn't be more excited and happy to be making this change. While acting had always been part of my past, I have found that the theatre world is no longer the best fit for me. I will of course continue to sing, as I love music, and that will be more of my focus instead of theatre. I've been performing the last couple years in my boyfriend's zydeco band T-Luke & the Tight Suits where I sing and play tambourine and washboard.  

I'm looking forward to being able to perform more with the band, and perhaps starting my own.  I also started my own business just over a year ago that has been thriving rapidly - I feel very blessed.  I joined the doctors that created Proactiv in their new skincare line that will be their legacy company - it's called Rodan+Fields.  We work a lot as a team in my business, so having been in sports, I am very familiar with how that works and have been conditioned to be a good team leader.  

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

Toscano: I really loved Human Physiology with Mrs. Berkmeyer.  The human body fascinates me.  I also loved Honors Algebra II & Pre-Calculus with Mrs. DiGiacamo - not only was she an incredible math teacher, but math is like a puzzle that you have to figure out and I really love that.  Plus it's the same in every language I also loved my leadership class because almost all of my best friends were in that class and we got to call the shots for a lot of things. Apparently I really love being a leader.

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

Toscano: My favorite Athletic Moment at JSHS would have to be when I got my first big KILL against Vintage High when I was a Freshman on the Varsity team.  I'll never forget hitting that ball so hard that I knocked over one of the players on the other team.  There were so many, but that one really stands out.  

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?

Toscano: I have grown tremendously as a person since graduating from high school.  I've become much more confident and comfortable in my own skin and not afraid to ask for what I want or need.  In high school, my basketball coach Mark Dunn would always say "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."  That is so true in life too and I have brought that into my adult life especially being involved in the entertainment business and my own business - essentially, if you don't ask, the answer will always be "No" so you might as well ask.  I'm taking a lot of shots now and definitely make more than expected

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

Toscano: It's really hard to just choose one family member. I'm Italian and very close to all of my family members.  My parents have been incredible examples of what unconditional love means and 100% supportive of me, and my siblings in everything that we do. They both taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to and work hard at - they believe in me so much that it taught me to believe in myself.  My sister Lindsay is someone I've always looked up to - she was a star athlete and straight A student in high school as well, and she set a great example of what I wanted to be like. She's also very strong and not afraid to ask for what she wants - it took me a while to get there, but luckily I had her as an example to toughen me up.  

My brother Eric is one of the happiest, most compassionate and fair people that I know - he's also very proud of his little sisters and his Italian heritage - he's taught me so much about appreciation and gratitude and not taking life too seriously.  All of my grandparents were amazing people, but if I had to just choose one to talk about right now (I'd be happy to talk about them all & how they've each influenced me!), I would have to pick my Grandma June.  She was an actress in Hollywood, a singer, dancer, and percussion player too - so we always had a very special connection as I was the only grandchild to pursue entertainment.  

She was also one of the most spiritual, loving, equanimous people I've ever met.  I never heard her say a negative word about anyone or complain about anything - even toward the end of her life when she was in immense pain.  She was the definition of beauty - from the inside out, and that's how she lived.  

I've got to briefly touch on my other grandparents too.  I'm blessed with an incredible family.  My Grandpa Gee Gee (June's husband) was a legend - he was hilarious and a very strong business man, but a big softy at heart.  I think about him a lot now that I own my own business and try to think "What would the Geeg do?" My Nonnie Nora is probably the strongest woman I know - she's almost 91 - was the city clerk & treasurer in Sonoma for 30+ years - a very hard worker, who has passed down that trait to several of her family members.  She would come to all of my volleyball & basketball games in high school and was my biggest cheerleader.  My Nonno Berto taught me that it's never  too late to grow - he was a WWII vet & purple heart hero.  He never talked about his experiences in the war and as a result, suffered severe migraines and was actually quite grumpy for most of his life.  About 10 years ago or so, he started opening up about his experiences, and as soon as he was able to talk about them and let them go, he became so much softer.  He told us often that he loved us these last 10+ years which, we knew he did, but just never really said before.  His family was the most important thing to him and he was SO proud of all of us.  I've never seen anyone grow so much at such an old age.  He passed away last August at 93.  All of these people have taught me the importance of family and how to truly love.

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

Toscano:  Lucille Ball.  And Buddha.

Time Out with Blaize Boles (2007 Justin-Siena High graduate)

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

Blaize Boles: The most enjoyable part of athletics is the competition. Sports are one of the few things in life that provide us the opportunity to compete in a setting with a clear cut loser and winner. Chasing the win and dealing with defeat are sensations rarely felt outside the realm of sports. It was an awesome experience putting the game uniform on, running out of the locker room, and feeling the energy in the stands. It is something I will never forget.

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

Boles: Since graduating high school I played a couple of seasons collegiately and have since settled down and started a family. I have two children, Raine (age 6) and Brevan (age 1). I have found steady employment in the restaurant industry.

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

Boles: My favorite class was senior year Government with Mr. (Tom) Bonfigli. He was also my basketball coach for four years. The class was no-nonsense and very business like. I got a kick out of how the other kids behaved in his class, suddenly they all sat up straight and paid attention.

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

Boles: My favorite athletic moment was winning Bonfigli's 500th career game at home against Terra Linda. We blew it the night before against Tamalpais and Terra Linda at the time was one of the top teams in the league. That might have been the most well-rounded game we played all year.

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?

Boles: I have grown a great deal since high school. I now have interests outside of basketball and enjoy things I never thought I would have. In a strange way I attribute a lot of that growth to my involvement with athletics. Since I was five years old I have been on a team, and that has definitely helped my ability to interact with people from all different walks of life.

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

Boles: The biggest influences in my life are my mother, Cate, and my father, Mike. Their passion, intelligence, and humor have guided me every step of the way. I am forever indebted to them and just hope I can provide the kind of positive influence they provided me.

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

Boles: I would like to have met Muhammad Ali in his prime. Not only was he a phenomenal talent in the ring but he also wielded incredible influence. He was steadfast in his beliefs and did not compromise them for the sake of his career. Whether you agree with him or not, he was undeniably charismatic. It was a wild time in history and something I have found interesting.

Time machine: Gonzalez and Murphree capture state wrestling titles in 2003

It is often said that football is the sport that mirrors real life. You get knocked down, you get back up. You make sacrifices for the good of the team. I would definitely concur that football mirrors real life more so than any other sport because it is a team sport. Life is a team sport including but not limited to the workforce and marriage. The latter of which involves sacrificing your needs ahead of your spouse and/kids.

For a different yet similar reason, wrestling is not far behind. Wrestling is similar to real life in that whatever path you choose, success ultimately boils down to you. It’s a one-on-one battle in the middle of the mat -- may the best man win. There are no politics involved. You win or lose because you did it, not because you’re the starting point guard just because you are the coach’s son. You can’t rely on teammates to help you beat your opponent. It’s also a sport that is so physically demanding that you can’t have a poor work ethic and survive.

I had a chance to cover some excellent wrestling throughout my career as a reporter, both on an individual and team level. I was blessed to cover St. Helena High wrestling during a time in which time the Saints won nine league titles in ten seasons as well as a CIF North Coast Section Class A title. St. Helena had four wrestlers reach the State Meet in that time (Joe Luna, Geoff Harner, Tim Nuss and Gian Traverso). I also had a chance to cover State Meet participants from Napa (Jaret Newton, Ed Blanton, Tim Kniefel), Vintage (Brian Watanabe, Daniel Murphree) and Vallejo (Louie Puno and Bobby Gonzalez).

These teams and wrestlers were all accomplished in their own right but on an individual level, I would have to look long and hard to find a more memorial wrestling season to cover than 2003. In fact, that was the last season that the State wrestling meet was held at the Spanos Center at the University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA). In a nutshell, the event had outgrown the venue and has since been moved to Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, CA.

Gonzalez and Murphree capped their senior years of 2003 with State titles in the 135 and 145-pound weight classes respectively. Another interesting footnote was that including Gonzalez and Murphree, the Monticello Empire League had four state champions. The other two were Brett Slone (160) and Kyle Devan (heavyweight), both of Vacaville. Devan went on to play college football at Oregon State and five years in the NFL (Indianapolis, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington). Devan is now an assistant offensive line coach with the New Orleans Saints.

What makes their accomplishments even greater is that California has one of, if not the most, difficult State meets to win. By no means am I suggesting that California has the best wrestlers but its State meet is more difficult because it does not split its state champions by division. Translation, if you weigh 155-pounds and win the state title, you are the champ of the entire state, not just Division I, II, III and so forth.

Both also had similar backgrounds in that their fathers were their coach. Carl Murphree was Vintage High’s head coach. Bob Gonzalez was Vallejo’s assistant coach under Mike Minahen. Their fathers loved hard and coached hard. I remember interviewing both Murphrees and Gonzalezes in the week leading up to the State meet. I asked all parties involved about the father-son-coach angle. The responses was similar in that there are peaks and valleys but when times were difficult, they would lean on the other person’s father to talk them off the ledge.

Gonzalez and Murphree entered their senior seasons with already accomplished careers. Murphree had reached the State meet in his previous two years, going 4-4. Gonzalez, like Murphree, had also reached the State meet the previous two seasons, including a fourth place finish in 2002.

Before the 2002-2003 season got underway, both had mountains of big stage experience not just with high school wrestling but freestyle and Greco-Roman. While predicting the outcomes of seasons can be a crapshoot, there was no question in my mind that both were going to at worst be medalists (Top 8) if not win it. I remember arriving at the Spanos Center for my employer at the time, GetLocalNews.com which is a website that later became defunct. It would be a two day event but as I watched both wrestlers throughout the two days, I was convinced with each passing match that they were going to be state champions.

Gonzalez’s path to the title match involved wins over Pennisula’s David Polan (13-0), Coalinga’s Francisco Laredo (pin), Clovis’ Jason Williams (10-3), and Valhalla’s Dean Kinports (3-0). Gonzalez then defeated Alex Herrera of Bakersfield 3-1 in the title match.

Murphree’s path to the title match involved wins over El Modena’s Jeremy Burzamato (15-1), Vista’s S.P. Morga (pin), Clovis’ Bryce Thompson (3-1), and Los Gatos’ Bobby Pease (technical fall). Murphree then defeated Anderson’s Micah Zachary (9-4) in the title match.

While as reporters we are taught to be impartial, sometimes you cannot help but get caught up in celebrating success. I’m honestly not sure if it is a matter of being biased because anyone that knows me is aware that my reporting was as down the middle as you get. My reason for celebrating the success of these two youngsters is because you see two great competitors work hard and take no shortcuts to achieve that you want to see them get rewarded.

The term “great competitor” often gets thrown around loosely but Gonzalez and Murphree acted the part as much if not more so than any student-athlete I had the chance to cover.

Time Out with Carl Murphree (1979 Vintage High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: Whether as an athlete or coach, what have you enjoyed most about being connected to athletics?

Carl Murphree: Primarily the people I have been able to meet along the way. I have also enjoyed making a living doing something I love.

D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about coaching?

Murphree: Being a part of the growth of an individual, not only as an athlete, but as a person.

D’Adamo: Besides skill level, what has been the biggest adjustment of coaching high school athletics versus on the college level?

Murphree: As a college coach, you become much more than a coach - you are mentoring Student-Athletes that are away from home and family for the first time - and act as a fill-in for their parents while at college, helping with personal and academic issues and assist in easing the transition to being responsible adults.

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

Murphree: Looking back I would have to say I have the fondest memories of expository writing with Dr. Dan Wolter. What I learned in his class has served me well in all the years since.

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

Murphree: There is no one moment that stands out, but being able to play three sports was something I am proud of. Maybe a winning league titles in wrestling and tennis.

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?

Murphree: I have grown personally. Athletics has been a big part of that, the challenges, setbacks, triumphs have all contributed.

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

Murphree: My wife April, my children, and my seven siblings, and my parents. All have influenced me in unique and positive ways.

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

Murphree: Steve Martin, banjo picker, song writer, comedian, and actor. If he's not available I'd like to meet April's Uncle Leon - musician, inventor and builder of fun things.

Time Out with Rob Lucchetti (1991 Justin-Siena High graduate)

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

Rob Lucchetti: The competition. It always left me wanting more.  

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

Lucchetti: I received my BA from San Francisco State University in business and then spent 10 years living and working in San Francisco.  While in San Francisco, I married my wife who has stuck by me for 17 years.  Our first daughter was 2 1/2 when we decided to move back to my home town of Sonoma, where we have lived now for 10 years.   While in Sonoma we had our second daughter.  Living and raising a family in Sonoma has been wonderful.  I spend a majority of my time working for a startup company, coaching basketball, and working on our family farm growing olive trees.  I still make it a point to keep in touch with my high school buddies.  Just recently I had the chance to play a little golf with Bill Keller and Jason Cole. Good times.

 

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

Lucchetti: English class with Bob Morrish.  I had the privilege of traveling with Bob to Hong Kong and China where we developed a good relationship outside of the classroom.

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

Lucchetti: My favorite athletic moment at Justin was playing Sonoma High School in pre-season basketball.  A majority of the players on the Sonoma team were friends and team mates I had had since I started playing basketball in 3rd grade.  

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?

Lucchetti: It all started with my parents who gave me a solid foundation as a child growing up.  That foundation has paved the way for me today and has given me the opportunity to do the same for my family.  Athletics taught me hard work, dedication, commitment, and perseverance.  I take those traits I learned from athletics and apply them to my work today.

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

Lucchetti: My wife.  Smart answer right?  My wife has given me balance in my life.

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

Lucchetti: I would not say this person is a historical figure but I would like to meet Shaquille O’Neill.

Time Out with Ray Sisemore (1977 Vintage graduate)

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

Ray Sisemore: The camaraderie of my teammates

D’Adamo: What were the biggest football and life lessons you learned from coach Burl Autry?

Sisemore: If you work hard someone will notice and give you an opportunity.

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

Sisemore: Gym and Gourmet Cooking

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

Sisemore: Beating Napa HS 62-0 and catching my one and only touchdown in Memorial Stadium from Craig Landis.

D’Adamo: How much has coaching youth football allowed you to stay connected to athletics?

Sisemore: I feel much younger than I am by being around our youth and participating in their lives

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?

Sisemore: I am more of a team player today and that is a direct result of Athletics

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

Sisemore: My mother for sure. She was deaf and mute. I saw her struggles and how faith gave her some peace in life also my brother, John, who is a Vietnam Vet who came to all my high school football games and encouraged me to succeed.

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

Sisemore: Joe Montana.

Time Out with Travis Aspegren (2002 Justin-Siena High graduate)

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

Travis Aspegren: Sports for me was like a test, with a mix of teamwork, friendship and fun all mixed into one.  It's like saying, "me and my friends can beat you and your friends."  The competition in that is all the fun and enjoyment.

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

Aspegren: Since graduating Justin Siena, I went to school at Santa Barbara City College. I played baseball there for two years. I ended up tearing my labrum and dislocating my right shoulder all at once, subsequently ending my baseball playing days. I got my AA degree and moved to Sacramento. I graduated from Sac State with a degree in Organizational Communications.  In 2010 I landed a job in law enforcement, and have been doing that ever since. Along the way I got married, bought a house and had a baby girl named Lizzy Paige. She's nine months old and a total maniac.  

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

Aspegren: History. No new concepts there. All I had to do was remember things that already happened (which I later forgot).

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

Aspegren: Home playoff game. I got intentionally walked, Mike Savino laid down a suicide squeeze to tie the game. Steve Andres blooped the game winning hit in walk off fashion. I did approximately nothing to win the game, but I'd never been so excited.

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?

Aspegren: Sports lays the foundation for growth as an adult. When you have guys like Coach Allen Rossi and Coach Mitch Boggs in your life, you're gonna learn some stuff. I often find myself falling back on the lessons these coaches instilled in me at an early age. Their simple motivation to be the best, and never to satisfy for mediocrity still drives me to this day.  They taught me composure, respect, integrity and mental toughness.  All valuable character traits I would have otherwise not developed.

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

Aspegren: That's easy. My twin brother Justin. He's my built in best friend, and about as competitive as it gets. Luckily for me, we had shared interests that mostly revolved around sports. Always having someone to play catch with comes in handy.  Having someone like him to compete against is even better.

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

Aspegren: Carrie Underwood. So I could talk about music with her.