Nado Natterings Back to Islandersports
A weekly column by David Axelson

Nado Natterings
by David Axelson, Chief Executive Officer
The Islander Sports Foundation

5 March 2008 Issue No. 9

Saturday afternoon at Helix High School, beneath cloudy skies that grew ever darker as the afternoon progressed, the Coronado High School Boys and Girls Soccer Teams both won their CIF Division IV title games by identical 1-0 scores. By winning their respective titles, the soccer program joined the Boys and Girls Water Polo Teams as CIF champions in 2007-08. 

The Boys Soccer Team advanced to the finals with a 2-1 home victory in the semi-finals over Mater Dei. Clay Butner scored on a Charlie Wood cross with approximately 15 seconds remaining in the first half to give Coronado the early lead. At the 21:10 mark of the second half, Alex Valle crossed a pass to Wood, who also scored on a header. At the 18:50 mark Mater Dei scored a goal to make things interesting, but Coronado’s defensive backfield wouldn’t let anything get past them for the balance of the contest.

La Jolla Country Day (22-3-3), which had the highest scoring offense in San Diego County during the regular season, supplied the opposition in the championship finale. LJCD’s striker Zach Wolfenzon scored 30 goals during the season, so Coronado’s (15-3-4) defense knew they had their work cut out for them. “Our defense really shut them down,” said Islander Head Coach Brian Hiatt-Aleu. “Wolfenzon only had one shot on goal and that was on the free kick that (goalie) Jeff Bucklew saved. The defensive backfield of Austen Speer, Charlie Wood, Connor Marcone and Nolan Woodhouse didn’t leave any gaps or spaces in the back and gave them no room to get started (offensively) in the back. We shut them down.”

Coronado dominated play during the entire game, but had no goals to show for their collective effort through the first 80 minutes of regulation play. Now that the CIF is going to a state-wide playoff format in soccer, the games are decided on the field and co-championships are not awarded. One 15-minute sudden victory (the politically correct phrase for sudden death) overtime period would be followed by a second 15-minute sudden victory (ditto) period, which in turn would be followed by a shoot outs, if needed. 

Fortunately for Coronado, only 5 overtime minutes were necessary for the Islanders to score and claim the title. “The ball went to Charlie Wood on the outside right and he put the ball into the box where Arturo Valle was making a run,” said Hiatt-Aleu of the game and championship winning play. “Arturo brought the ball down and had a nice calm finish.”

The Islanders approached their final two games differently, according to Hiatt-Aleu. “We were much calmer and more composed in the finals than in the semi-final. Our experience really paid off. The team was really confident and sure of themselves. It’s not easy winning back to back.”

Coronado entered the playoffs as the Division III titleholder and completed a rare championship double by winning the Division IV title this season.

It was satisfying for Hiatt-Aleu on a personal level as well. “I have coached Charlie Wood, Jeff Bucklew, Nolan Woodhouse, Austen Speer and Brett Clifford in club soccer since they were 11 years old, in and out. I would have them for a couple of years and then I got them all back and had them all the way through high school. I talked to them about putting up with me for eight years and they got their just reward in the end.”

The championship doubleheader brought out several hundred Coronado fans, a fact not lost on Hiatt-Aleu. “I was pleased with the turnout from the community. It was good that the boys wanted to stay for the girls game. We all went back on the bus together and the kids threw Kiko (Medina, Girls Varsity Head Coach) and me into the pool together. Everybody was happy for each other. They sang the Queen song “We are the Champions” on the bus on the way back. They practice together and are in classes together and it exemplified school spirit. It also shows how close the soccer program is. We all really, really enjoyed that.”

The new CIF playoff format adds another level of games to the soccer season, as the Coronado Boys Team now faces No. 1 seed Santa Margarita on the road Tuesday in the Southern California Regionals. Coronado for the sake of the Regionals is in Division II, as opposed to the recently concluded San Diego Sectionals where they competed in Division IV. In the Regional playoff format, there are only three divisions, so presumably Coronado’s enrollment of approximately 1,000 places them somewhere in the middle of the pack.

“We’re going to go, have fun and enjoy the moment,” said Hiatt-Aleu of the Regional competition. “You never know what can happen.”

Islander Girls Soccer Claims Their Own Crown

Leading up to the CIF Division IV Championship Finals, the Coronado Girls Varsity Soccer Team bested No. 2 seed Francis Parker by the score of 2-1 in the Division IV semi-finals on the road last week. Mallory Mitchell unleashed a 20-yard screaming shot into the goal for Coronado’s first tally. Parker scored the equalizer with 4:19 remaining in the half.

With 34:49 remaining in the semi-final game, Leah Hatheway scored on an assist from Mackenzie Coutts, on what proved to be the game winner. The Girls received outstanding play from their defensive backfield of Rosie Harris, Courtney Ryan and Sandy Shepherd. Other than Hatheway’s goal, the second half at Parker was largely uneventful as the Islanders never let the Lancers get a coherent attack mounted on the Coronado goal.

The trouble with being the No. 3 seed is that you have to defeat both the No. 2 and the No. 1 to win the title. No. 1 seed Bishop’s presented a large challenge according to Islander Head Coach Kiko Medina. “Bishop’s is very direct and they have speed. They are dangerous offensively.” Coronado (13-5-8) celebrated briefly with the Boys Team at midfield Saturday and then settled down to business for their 2 pm game against The Bishop’s School (16-4-1).

Coronado had the better of the play in the first half, with several scoring opportunities that just never were completed. Most of the first half was played in Coronado’s offensive end of the field. Despite seemingly being in control of the game, there was no score by either Coronado or Bishop’s at the end of the first half.

In the second half, Bishop’s rebounded and seemed to have more momentum than Coronado. Then with 13:01 left in the game, the game referee red-carded Medina, without a prior yellow card warning, sending the Coronado coach off the field. 

Medina explained the ejection. “Kallie Caldwell got knocked down from behind and there was no foul called. I said to the referee, ‘What part of the ball is she playing there?’ And I said it again. Then I said, ‘At least I got your attention for once.’ I was trying to protect my players and he got a little upset with me.”

The net result of the red card is that Medina had to watch the balance of the game from just beyond the ticket sales booth, out of the field of play. So, that yielded an unusual view of the championship winning goal for the championship coach.

“We got Mackenzie Coutts going forward and she found Lauren Tobin, who flicked it on to the back post. Mallory Mitchell was there. Once I saw the celebration that was enough for me.”

Mitchell had an interesting season, starting the year on the JV as the heir apparent for the 2008-09 season at one of the defensive backfield positions currently held by seniors Harris and Ryan. Medina picks up the growing urban legend from there. “We brought her up at the end of December. We knew she was a great player and but we kept getting injuries. We were in a tournament and she scored both goals in the semi-finals. We couldn’t keep her down there if she was going to play like that. Since she came up, she has been unbelievable for us. She scored eight goals for us this year.”

As important as Mitchell’s contribution was, goalie Andrea Davis may have had the pivotal role in the game from the Coronado perspective. “The whole game she was unbelievable,” said Medina of the junior net minder. “In the first half she was off the line and taking away the long ball from them. She made three unbelievable saves for us. She won the game for us at the end. Mallory scored the goal, but Andrea won the game.”

Medina stressed the important role of the Islander defense. “They have been carrying us all year long. All year for them (Harris, Shepherd and Ryan) to play the way they did and then shutout  an explosive team like Bishop’s is quite an accomplishment.”

Other Islanders earned praise from Medina for their efforts. “Kallie Caldwell played extremely well in midfield. Mackenzie had a great game as well. Leah Hatheway stepped up and took over the game at times when we needed her to. Her speed is the reason why she was our leading scorer last year. This year she had injuries and has been hurt all year and kept trying to come back. She came back at the right time, against Christian, Parker and yesterday as well. She got back into form.”

Medina wanted to express his thanks to JV Head Coach Roby Monroe, who took over the reins of the team while Medina was visiting the ticket booth area. “I rely a lot on him to develop the JV girls. We just work really well together. He definitely was a huge factor for us in the playoffs. Also, every single player on the team, all year long made a huge contribution to us getting there. The competitiveness of our training sessions helps out.”

The Girls Team also made the CIF Regionals and will play at Agoura High School Tuesday. “I think the Regionals are a very positive step for soccer. Its great exposure for these kids to be traveling this much and to get these extended playoffs. There is no way of getting ready for Agoura. We’ll just go out there and figure it out during the game. We’ll see what happens and made adjustments as needed and see how it goes.”

Islander Baseball Preview

At about the exact time of the CIF Sectional Playoffs, the Islander Baseball Team was playing their first meaningful game of the season (as opposed to scrimmages) against La Jolla as part of the annual Bully’s Tournament. La Jolla is the defending Western League Co-champs, along with Mission Bay. As Coronado is also a member of the tough Western League, last Saturday’s game is the first of four meetings (two in tournaments, two in league play) between the schools.

“We lost 5-4 in nine innings,” said Head Coach Sam Ceci. “It was a great game considering that it was the first game of the season. We played reasonably well, but they played better. The difference was pitching. We struck out 13 times and they had superb pitching. We were down the whole game and came back and tied the score three different times. In the ninth inning they scored once and we couldn’t’ answer.”

Among the bright spots offensively were a home run by Justin Parsons and two hits from leadoff batter Kyle Pokorny.

The La Jolla game was the first of five games Coronado will play in the Bully’s Tournament, with three of the games coming this week. Tuesday the Islanders travel to Mission Hills for a 3 pm game; Thursday Coronado goes to Orange Glen for another 3 pm game; and Saturday Coronado hosts Otay Ranch at Strand Field at 11 am.

There is plenty of talent on the 2008 version of the Coronado baseball squad. “Never, ever have we had this kind of talent from the top to the bottom of the roster,” Ceci said. “We have better players on the bench than I was starting five years ago.”

Ceci provided an overview of the team. “Tim Leary (returning team MVP) is the most accomplished player returning from last year. He will pitch and will normally be our designated hitter. We’re expecting huge things from center fielder Alex Rowan. He made some phenomenal plays Saturday. He ran down two balls that were hit deep into the gap. Pokorny will play second base mainly and a little at short and at third. He will be a spot starter and a relief pitcher. Jake McMahon is going to do some catching this year. Blake Malkemus will be splitting time early with Jake.

Pitcher Brian Crabb has been looking good in the off season and has been throwing well. He always has had a great arm. Pitcher Kyle Couture had a good outing against La Jolla. He came in and was able to throw strikes. Mason Mills will play shortstop. Tucker Johnson and Parsons will pitch as will Stephen Conrad. Stefan Massey will get some time on the mound.”

Ceci handicapped the Western League race. “The odds-on favorite is Cathedral Catholic. They have everybody coming back and they are a year better. Mission Bay and La Jolla didn’t lose much. University City lost seven starters, but their JV team a year ago was almost unbeatable. They will be very competitive. Point Loma may be a little off, Clairemont is good enough to beat anybody, but they’re not overpowering. There will be a real battle this year. Quality-wise, this is the best Coronado team I have had. But we can’t remotely be considered the favorites.”

Boys Volleyball Squad Readies for Central League Play

Head Coach Steve Merrill returns for his second season at the helm of the CHS Boys Volleyball Team and he has a much deeper squad this time around. The CIF champion CHS Boys Soccer Team will provide several of the players once their season concludes, including senior setter Nolan Woodhouse, junior outside hitter Christian Herrera, senior middle blocker Brett Clifford and newcomer Arturo Valle as a defensive back row specialist.

Other players include sophomore Nick De Marco who returns to the varsity for his second season and will play the libero position. Senior Will Holder who plays outside hitter will contribute as well.

“Coming up from the JV will be junior blocker Connor Martin, Cotter Stacy and Wade Zolla,” Merrill said. Also representing the junior class is the eponymously-named Junior Quintero at outside hitter.  Middle blocker Mike Davis played well for Coronado in a tournament held last week.

“We did ok,” Merrill said of the tournament outing. “We handled Clairemont in the first game and then lost two straight to them. We played Santana tight, spanked Olympic High School 25-4 and 25-12. We came back Saturday and got waxed by Orange Glen. I was pleased with what was going on, despite not having the full team there.”

The Central League, which fielded three volleyball teams last year, has grown to five teams this year. Lincoln, which re-opened their remodeled campus is fielding a team, along with Hoover as the other new entry. Madison and Coronado’s arch rival Clairemont, along with the Islanders round out the league field.

Merrill is having the team do pushups, often numbering around 250 per practice, for bad serves, mental miscues, etc. “Between the pushups and the sit-ups, they will be ripped for the beach in the summertime,” Merrill laughed.

This week Coronado plays at Kearney Tuesday; they travel to Mission Bay Wednesday; and then returns home Friday for a game against Point Loma at 3:30 pm.

Boys Tennis Team Expands Non-Conference Schedule

This is the first time in the past 40 seasons that the CHS Boys Tennis Team hasn’t been coached by Robbin Adair and this year Jim Mashburn moves into the position. Joining Mashburn on the team are several returning players from last season and a couple with a familiar last name.

Krishna Samperio, fresh from a fine season with the varsity basketball team, returns at the No. 1 singles slot. The No. 1 doubles team will be comprised of Daniel Grazian and Frankie Harrison and most of the rest of the varsity slots are still to be finalized.

Evan Wheeler and Patrick Holman are in the mix for the singles rotation. In the ‘familiar last name category’ Brenton Mashburn and Chase Mashburn are also on the squad. “I might try them out in doubles to see how they do as a team,” Coach Mashburn said. “They have played doubles, but not with each other. They are very competitive.”

Also back from last year’s team are Jordan Vance, Andrew Stump, Robbie Cattell, Max Mero and Collin Bowman. Jeff Miller, who is recovering from a broken foot, will rejoin the team in a week or two.

“The biggest news item is that we have a JV tennis team that is going strong,” said Mashburn. “We have nine players on the JV team and Leslie Koshland is coaching the team. We have had our first of nine matches already.”

Some needed assistance has come recently from the Coronado Tennis Association, which just authorized the purchase of a ball machine to be shared by the Boys and Girls Tennis Teams. “It’s a $1,500 item and we’re very happy and fortunate to get it,” Mashburn said.

Coronado will once again compete in the Western League, where perennial favorite La Jolla looms large over the rest of the conference.

This week the islanders compete with some of their newish opponents on the tennis court, as they travel to San Diego High School for a match Tuesday. Wednesday at 3 pm the Islanders host the San Diego Jewish Academy at 3 pm. Later in the season they will play Bonita Vista and Hilltop for the first time in several years.

CHS Sailing Team Competes in Cardinal Regatta

The CHS Sailing Team placed sixth in the Cardinal Regatta hosted by Stanford University recently. Facing the biggest storm in memory at a high school event including 15-25 knots of wind; temperatures in the high 40’s; and lots of rain; the team was resilient and had many Top 5 finishes in the 27-boat fleet.

Sailing in the Varsity ‘A’ Division were Pike Harris and Karisa Chapa. The Varsity ‘B’ Division included Ryan Sullivan, Cragan Smith and Brian Smith. The JV ‘A’ competitors included Philip Lozier and Kaitlin Dunphey. The JV ‘B’ squad featured Sally Harris and Hayley Eyer.

The team travels to Santa Barbara March 15-16 for the UCSB Gaucho Regatta; then competes for the Pacific Coast Championship April 19-20 at the Treasure Island Sailing Center in San Francisco.

Team Captains Pike Harris and Ryan Sullivan are spearheading the 2008 CHSST fundraising campaign, which allows for tax deductible donations of $70 or $250 to support the Sponsor-a-Sail or Sponsor-a-Crew program. The fundraising drive is needed to replace sails and to upgrade equipment on the CHSST boats.

Coronado Lacrosse Contributor Bill Parry To Be Honored

The ‘Godfather of Coronado Lacrosse,’ or as he is more familiarly known, Bill Parry, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the San Diego Chapter of the U.S. Lacrosse Association on Thursday, March 13 at 6 pm.

The event, which includes the inductee banquet and a silent auction, will be held at the Courtyard Marriott at 2435 Jefferson Street in San Diego. Tickets for the event are $75 and may be reserved by calling 619-260-8500.A hosted open bar and light snacks are included in the ticket price.

In addition to Parry, who helped found and coached boys club lacrosse for years in Coronado, hall honorees will include Lynn Beltran and Steve Whitman.

Recruiting Realities Program Thursday Evening

Thursday, March 6 the Islander Spots Foundation will present a program by Jack Renkens on the myths and realities of college athletic recruiting. The event will be held at the Coronado High School Auditorium at 7 pm and admission is complimentary for all student-athletes and their families at the high school and especially at the middle school level. 

Renkens is a former college coach with first-hand knowledge of the subject. His presentation is billed as ‘an entertaining, humorous and informative program,’ and it’s an important evening for parents and kids alike.