January 18, 2008

Sports Scene

Coach Ed Buller celebrates with his team after the final seconds of the CCS title game at San Jose City College.

Oak Grove's Buller named coach of the year

Ed Buller of Oak Grove has been named Cal-Hi Sports football coach of the year. He is the first coach in Oak Grove history to receive the coach of the year honor.

The honor came shortly after Buller won his fifth Central Coast Section title as the Eagles (12-1) rallied for a come-from-behind 46-35 victory over Gilroy. “It feels awesome,” said Buller shortly after the game.

Buller said after being told of the award “It’s truly unbelievable.” He said it was a tribute to his assistant coaches who have worked so well together, and our team also injuries this year.

The South San Jose Xtreme

Xtreme finishes third place in league play

The South San Jose Xtreme finished third place in the Fall 2007 Delgado B bracket with a record of 7 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. The only league losses came against the first and second place teams in highly contested matches.

The South San Jose Xtreme was established in 2004 and is a competitive soccer team for girls born between 8/01/95 and 7/31/96. The team is made up of girls from the Blossom Valley, Santa Teresa and Almaden Valley areas.

For more information about the Xtreme and upcoming tryouts (Jan 26, 27 and Feb 2), you can visit www.ssjysl.org or call (408) 202-2058.

Paul and Stephanie Metz with sons Brendan, age 8, and Morgan, age 5.

San Jose’s first family of cycling

The Metz quartet of Blossom Valley has long been noted as one of the Almaden Cycle Touring Club's most committed families with both Paul and Stephanie leading club rides and sons Brendan, age 8, and Morgan, age 5, either in the a cycle trailer or, in more recent years, on the third wheel behind mom or dad. With Paul being elected ACTC president for 2008, we can only assume the family plan will include ever more back roads to fun and fitness, only now with a whole club in tow, metaphorically speaking. Paul, 46, who works as a software engineer for PayPal, has been in the ACTC since 1996 and has worked as a database-entry volunteer for the club's annual Tierra Bella Bicycle Tour (set for April 19) as well as assuming the role of Energizer Station Captain for the Bike to Work Day activities (set for May 20). For more information on the ACTC, which offers some 150 rides a month for nearly 1,000 members, log on at www.actc.org.

—By Karl Laucher

Todd Clever

More than just Clever

Todd Clever, a 2000 graduate of Santa Teresa High School, has been named the Most Valuable Player for the USA Eagles rugby 7- aside team for 2007, but he won't be satisfied with this mantle until he leads the Eagles up the ladder of respectability in the rugby world. He'll have that opportunity in the USA Sevens International competition In San Diego Feb. 9-10 when 16 nations vie for another championship on a worldwide tour. Both Fiji, defending World 7-Aside champion, and South Africa, winner of the recent Rugby World Cup in France, will be there. The USA currently is ranked No. 19 in World Rugby. Clever, son of Robyn and Harry Clever, owners of The Clever Traveler in San Jose, was a three-time All-American at the University of Nevada-Reno before turning professional in New Zealand. He initiated what was earned the Rugby World Cup's Best Try (touchdown) with an interception vs. South Africa in France last October. To see this, go to Youtube.com/watch and, under "search,” type in Ngwenya, the man who scored the try. Clever now lends his formidable tackling skills and sense of timing to Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) in San Diego. For more information on the USA Sevens, to be held at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, log on at www.USASevens.com.

—By Karl Laucher

Sports Briefs

U10 Girls’ Select Soccer Tryouts
Santa Clara Sporting is looking for girls who love to play soccer in a competitive and fun environment. We focus on individual player development in a team setting. Your daughter will be coached and trained by experienced coaches who have special training and licenses for coaching young players.

Neither team charges any coaching or training fees of any kind. We have two teams playing Class 1 select and both are expanding their rosters. To be eligible, your daughter must be born on or after August 1, 1997.

We’re looking for 4 – 5 girls for each team. Both teams have a track record of success including 2nd place at last year and this year’s Norcal State Cup.

If you are ready to have your daughter step up to a challenging and FUN soccer environment, please contact either Jim Lawrence at 204-7020, sjlaw@aol.com or Dave Ballard at 408-600-4531, dballard12@sbcglobal.net.
Tryouts are Dec. 11 and 12 from 5 -7 p.m. at Central Park in Santa Clara at the grass field adjacent to the International Swim Center, 2625 Patricia Dr.(behind the Santa Clara City Library). For more information, visit www.scsc97.com.

Almaden Valley Girls’ Softball League holds Sign-ups
The Almaden Valley Girls’ Softball League is holding sign-ups. Our league is a Santa Clara County-wide League and available to all Santa Clara County girls which means we are not restricted by territory. The age range is 5 to 16 years.  We welcome all applicable ages and every skill level.  We will be holding sign-ups on the following dates at Greystone Elementary School, 6982 Shearwater Drive in San Jose.:

Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m,.

Wednesday, Dec.12, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information, please visit our website at www.avgsl.org.

San Jose Strikkers 18u – 2008 Summer Tryouts
The San Jose Strikkers 18u will be holding their 2008 summer tryouts on the dates listed below.  Just in case you have not heard we have already qualified for the 2008 ASA Nationals in Moline, Ill.!  Our main objective is to develop softball excellence and to assist each young lady in the achieving their goals on the softball field and assist them with their dreams of obtaining college scholarships.  Come and be part of our exciting team!  To learn more about our team philosophy and goals please visit our website.  http://eteamz.active.com/sanjosestrikkers18u/.

Dates:  Sundays, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16, and (if needed) 1/6/08

Place:  Oak Grove High School

Times:  9 a.m. Pitchers & Catchers / 10:30 a.m. Position Players

If you have any questions, please contact Richard Fangonilo (408) 439-7383 or Frank King (408) 406-8191.

E-mail:  Richard Fangonilo rfangonilo@sjm.com  or Frank King fgking25@aol.co.

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