Mirador 4/23/10 Sports 13

SPORTSPreview: Dodgeball’s Top 25 Players

by Evelyn Alper

With a 14-1-0 record, the Mats baseball team continues their flawless season with high hopes of repeating as NCS champions. Coach Vince Dell’Aquila and captains Justin Sawrey-Kubicek ‘10, Michael Mann ‘10, and Kevin Paulsen ‘10 provide a strong support system for the team.

“We have a good chance of winning NCS this year,” said Sawrey-Kubicek. “We have a very technically talented team with a strong line up all the way through.”

Some of the Mats’ biggest competitors this year are Campolindo, Alhambra, and Doughtery Valley, all of whom the Mats have defeated. They will face each of these teams again in the second half of the season.

“We play smart baseball,” said Sawrey-Kubicek.

With the loss of 10 graduated seniors, the Mats have to work even harder to accomplish their goals.

“Part of the game and getting better is not only practicing hard on the field, but also bonding while off the field,” said Dell’Aquila.

Dell’Aquila hosts barbeques at his house after the team wins four games and team dinners take place at various restaurants every Wednesday after practice. The Mats also listen to funk music in the locker room before games to “stay loose.”

“Our team has an advantage over most others. We know each other so well that on the field, we

work together as a whole,” said Mann.After outstanding pitching performances from Raul

Jacobson ‘10, the Mats beat Alhambra 5-2 and beat No. 20 in the state Campolindo 6-5.

The Mats faced Dublin April 20 and Acalanes on April 22, who is undefeated in league. As of now, the Mats are in a good position to win league with a league record of 3-0.

“Since Campo is 1-2 in league right now, they are in a poor position to win league, taking one more team out of the picture for us,” said Mann.

by Brian Friel

After a fast start, the Lady Mats lacrosse team is looking to make a run at a league championship. However, in order to do so, the team will need to rebound after an abrupt mid-season coaching change.

Peter Carolan replaces former first-year head coach Katie McMahon as field general for the Lady Mats, and faces the onerous task of guiding the young but talented team to success.

“I like our new coach a lot,” said Marissa Morris ‘11. “It was really disappointing when coach McMahon left, but we just need to rebound and play our best in league.”

Despite a recent loss to Acalanes, the team posts a respectable record of 8-4 (3-2 DFAL) and still has a legitimate chance to compete for a league title.

“The good thing is that we play every team twice, so if we can turn things around and win the rest of our league games we have a shot,” said Morris.

In order for the Lady Mats to make a run though, they will have to rely on some new faces that weren’t on last season’s DFAL championship team. Despite having only four seniors, captains Erin Walsh ‘10 and Emily Hinkamp ‘10 have inspired the relatively inexperience group of underclassman to become key contributors. Alex Seclow ‘11 and Lauren Dougherty ‘13 are x-factors for the team, as they are among the top three statistical leaders in goals and groundballs. Goalie Danie Albo ‘11 has also stepped up, recording 72 saves this season.

Perhaps the biggest test of the season will come on April 30 when the Lady Mats face off against Campolindo. Campo won the last match up in an 11-9 nail-biter on March 30, and will be the first of many hurdles on the Lady Mats road to success.

The Lady Mats will travel to Alhambra today to take on the Bulldogs.

Baseball Runs For NCS Win Women’s Lacrosse Transitions From Coaching Changes

Raul Jacobson ‘10 pitches during the Campolindo game. Jacobson has one of the lowest ERAs among NCS pitchers this year.

Photo: Miramonte Baseball Website

1. Michael Mann- The reigning MVP has the entire package: catching, throwing, dodging. He’s the perfect player.2. Drew Jackson- Bursting on to the scene last year, Jackson has a cannon and is a capable catcher, but he doesn’t have the experience yet. 3. Justin Sawrey-Kubicek- With an injury last year, JSK wasn’t able to show his stuff, but with a hairdo like that, how could he not be good?4. John Coupin- COUPIN THROW BALL!!!5. James King- He’s a flat-out pure athlete, but has too much attention to football weakened his game?6. Alex Joss- One of the best catchers in the tournament, he needs to work on his arm to rise up higher in the rankings. 7. Kevin Paulsen- As the catcher for the Mats baseball team, Paulsen has experience catching and throwing. Let’s see if it translates to dodgeball.8. Joey Fabian-The water polo team’s flamethrower, he could lead the tournament in kills if he works on his accuracy.9. Troy Akin- Can this Justin Bieber aficionado play dodgeball? Oh, baby, baby, baby, oh yes! 10. Raul Jacobson- The ace pitcher of the baseball team can definitely bring the heat, but his dodging ability is the big question. 11. John Holland- An All-American water polo player, Holland will try to finally prove that water polo ability can translate to dodgeball.12. Brian Ostrom- Ostrom’s hole allows him to absorb shock when catching the ball, making him a perfect catcher. 13. Anthony Piganelli- Using a soccer goalie style throw, Piganelli has a decent arm, but his height makes him an easy target.14. Andy Joss- The younger Joss has to prove that he can play at the same level as his brother.15. John “The Trainer” Grigsby- This jack-of-all-trades teacher has participated in many P.E. activities during seventh period this year to gain experience. 16. Aleck Ryner- The backup goalie in water polo, Ryner was one of the best catchers in last year’s early rounds.17. Xavier Frippiat- He bikes everywhere, so of course he can play dodgeball.18. Charlie Wiser- The freshman-phenom will hopefully have a strong debut for the water polo team. 19. Davis Louie- This basketball player is an all star when it comes to handling balls.20. Tyler Davis- Davis is one of the most competitive people at Miramonte; look for him to be one of the baseball team’s rising stars this year.21. James Lathrop- A former Cal water polo star, Lathrop has participated in multiple Miramonte sporting events like the volleyball game.22. Jack Pietrykowski- The golden boy; he’s destined for greatness.23. Ross Anderson-This gargantuan sophomore is a pure athlete. 24. Adam Clark- Miramonte’s new principal is a flat-out boss, period.25. Chris Perry- Perry has some of the best dodging ability, but his lack of any other skills makes him at best a complement player.On the Bubble: Nick Mora, Jake Nelson, Casey Nichol

With a pristine record, a repeat NCS victory is imminent

Photos: D. Louie

Top: Last year many of the juniors had little impact; will things change this year? Above: Michael Mann ‘10 (center) leads a senior class team that could be the best ever.

by Jeremy Unger

No other Miramonte activity has captivated students more than the annual Dodgeball tournament. This year’s tournament will be the third time that teams featuring teachers, students, and school officials will compete for the title of best team at Miramonte. In this issue, Mirador picks the top 25 best players in the tournament. Note: Due to the fact that signups have not ended, this article assumes that all of these people will participate in this year’s tournament.