The Drake Jolly Roger

Junior Tucker Wasuta gets his winter workout rock climbing | Courtesy of Tucker Wasuta

Snow-covered fields, chilly temperatures, and ice-covered lakes—that’s what most people picture when they think about winter. Fortunately in San Anselmo, we aren’t affected by chilly winter temperatures. So for those of us who are just looking for some winter excitement and don’t travel up to Tahoe to ski, three emerging indoor sports are headed your way.

Futsal

For the carefree souls, a pick-up game of Futsal might just be your cup of tea. According to futsal.com, the official website for the U.S. Futsal Federation (USFF), the sport originated in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930 when a man named Juan Carlos Ceriani created a version of soccer for youth competition in YMCAs. Ceriani’s version only had five players from each team, while the original game of soccer is played with eleven.

This new version of soccer grew rapidly in popularity, drawing in famous players like Pele, who developed his skill playing Futsal. The sport gained international attention as more and more soccer stars realized that it was a great way to train in the off-season, according to the USFF.

Futsal is similar to indoor soccer, but there are some key differences between the two. “In indoor soccer, you can play off the walls,” said junior Dylan Sewell. “Futsal is played with boundaries, whereas in indoor soccer, [the boundaries] are more made up.”

According to Sewell, Futsal is mainly a winter sport for people who want extra training and who just want to have some fun. “There are summer leagues [for Futsal], but they don’t get as many people out, so I think the majority of people play in the winter,” said Sewell.

Ice Skating

For the sports lover who seeks a winter-weather feel, ice-skating may be just the sport for you. According to Skating in America by Benjamin T. Wright, skating dates back to prehistoric times as a convenient way to get from place to place when lakes and bodies of water froze.

The U.S. Figure Skating Association, the national governing organization for the sport of figure skating in the U.S., states that there is a lot of demand in skating, with over 176,000 members in collegiate clubs, school affiliated clubs and Basic Skills programs.

Junior Chiyoko Wong has been ice-skating since the age of six, making this her tenth year on the rink. “I practice four to five days a week,” said Wong. “[The practices] are before school and once on Saturday mornings.”

The demanding practices could be something to scare people away from ice-skating. However, according to Wong, it makes a perfect winter sport because it doesn’t depend on the weather. “Since it’s already cold outside, its sort-of like, ‘oh well!’” said Wong.

Rock Climbing

And for those who are young at heart, and prefer adventurous activities, rock climbing may be right up your alley. According to Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, rock climbing was an important part of Victorian mountaineering in the Alps, but it is generally thought that the sport of rock climbing began in the end of the nineteenth century in various parts of Europe.

Its ability to be both an indoor and outdoor sport make it more adaptable to people, and according to junior Tucker Wasuta, it’s a great way to work out during the winter because if you have bad weather you can just go to a gym and climb. “I try to go to Planet Granite in San Francisco on Tuesday and Thursday, and then sometimes I go to the top of Mt. Tam with a group and climb there,” said Wasuta.

Planet Granite, located in Crissy Fields, is a popular choice among students. Juniors Olivia Johnstone and Seraphina Schinner also enjoy rock climbing there for their workouts. “It’s more of a strengthening thing than it is a cardio thing,” said Schinner. According to Johnstone, the sport is difficult but very fun.

This winter, new trends in the sport arena can be tailored to any lifestyle, no matter who you are. So whatever the weather outside, rain or snow, you can get great exercise this winter.

By Lincoln Robert Richards

As you drive around the corner of Highway 89, the usually-bustling hub of the north shore, Tahoe City, is little more than a ghost town. The snow that usually coats the town is nowhere to be seen. If you have driven through Tahoe City this winter, you have surely seen the effects the lack of snow has had for the locals and the Lake’s economy.

After last year’s unusually good season, the weather has taken a turn for the worse because of the La Niña weather pattern drifting in from the Pacific Ocean. The La Niña weather pattern has forced all the snow that normally would have hit the mid-Pacific up to the Northwest, up to the north of Lake Tahoe. Ski destinations in the northern states, such as Washington and Montana, are welcoming the abundance of extra snow and the skiers and snowboarders that followed the weather north.

Since 1902, there have only been eight years in which there was less snowfall than this year up until mid-January, according to the Western Regional Climate Center. Of these eight years, there were only four Decembers that saw no snow in Lake Tahoe.

Senior Sarah Melbostad witnessed the snow drought firsthand in early December. “[I went up the] first week of Christmas break. I looked outside of my house and normally you can sled down the hill, [but this year] it was just ground. There’s not enough snow to even sled, which is the problem,” Melbostad said. So far this ski season, Melbostad has only gone up to Tahoe once to check on her family’s cabin. “When I was up there it was 65 [degrees]. [If we went up again], I’d probably go hang out by the pool and play ping pong. Honestly there’s nothing to do [when there is no snow],” said Melbostad.

Melbostad is unaccustomed to travelling up the mountain so few times during the ski season. “[When there’s snow,] I go up like every other weekend or so. I ski at Northstar and Sugar Bowl, [and] every once in a while, Squaw [Valley],” said Melbostad. “At Northstar, the backside isn’t open and they’re charging $80 for a one-day lift ticket. If it was half price, sure, I’d go,” she added.

Almost all of the cities and towns surrounding the Lake have been hurt by the lack of snow this season. Restaurants and even the shopping markets are nearly vacant as the ski crowd has not arrived.

When ski resorts would normally be flourishing in February, they instead have to lay off their seasonal employees because of the devastation the weather has had on the Lake. Every week, the lack of snow raises concerns among the employees who count on snow to put food on their table.

The weather in Tahoe is surreal for mid-January. The lack of snow gives the illusion and feeling of summer. The only reminder of the season is the occasional ribbon of white, man-made snow stretching from the top of a mountain to the lake.

However, man-made snow fails to attract the skiers that usually pack into the Tahoe area this time of year. The normal congesting traffic that creeps all the way around the lake’s perimeter is virtually non-existent without the snow.

It’s no secret that some Tahoe locals have begun to think that winter may not even come this year. But luckily for them, a wave of storms came blowing across California two weeks into January. The storm system held warm, tropical water from Hawaii. While the storm did bring a few feet of snow in some areas, a good amount of the moisture released was rain because of the day temperatures at the lake.

While it was still not the storm anybody was hoping for, any snow is better than no snow, and resorts have taken full advantage of this opportunity to open more of the lifts that are usually running at full throttle this time of year.

While some resorts such as Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows have over ten lifts now running, the rocky and barren peaks surrounding Lake Tahoe serve to remind everyone that this is one of the worst years for snow on record.

Coach Boston in a huddle with her new girls tennis team.

Mary Boston is certainly not new to coaching or girls athletics. She has taught pe at Drake for 15 years and has coached 21 high school tennis seasons at various Bay Area high schools.

Boston is a skilled tennis player who first entered the sport at the age of eight. Tennis has remained constant in her life ever since.

Boston was a pioneer of Title Nine, winning one of the first women’s college athletic scholarships at the University of Rhode Island, where she played singles tennis. “It was such an exciting time for women,” said Boston. Title Nine ended discrimination by requiring equal funding for athletics in college sports in 1972.

Throughout Boston’s long and successful career in tennis, her many coaches influenced and shaped her as a player. “During one summer prep I was coached by a Marine Corp. Sergeant,” said Boston, recalling a more memorable coach. “We hit hundreds of balls and at least 50 serves a day. Since then, I have always liked to coach with lots of balls and lots of hitting.”

Boston’s background as a talented tennis player makes her an ideal tennis coach. “Ms. Boston is going to teach us a lot this year, I think we’ll go far with her as our new coach,” said senior Natalie Chapman.

This year Boston is thrilled to take on the tennis girls. “I have 26 players, which is 12 more than a typical tennis team,” said Boston. “But with the help of parent volunteers and extra courts at Canyon Racquet Club, I am not going to make any cuts.”

Like most coaches, Boston can’t be sure of how her team will fare this year, but she is optimistic for its success: “I have no idea [how the season will go] but I do know it will be better than last year.”

The sheer talent on the team has Boston excited to coach. This year’s talent is predicted to be successful throughout the MCALS; sophomores Samantha Gilbert, Jasmine Sagebiel, and senior Natalie Chapman have impressed Boston with their skill. Currently, these players hold the top starting positions. Boston also sees potential in some of the newest players on the team.

With Ms. Boston at the helm and all 26 players, girls tennis seems to be the team to watch.

Liam Hunt smiles, conveying his optimistic attitude.

For Junior Liam Hunt, home and school were not the only priorities when his family decided to move halfway across the world from Australia this past June. Following his father’s legacy, he wanted to play basketball with the Pirates.

Hunt grew up hearing stories of his father winning the State Championships with the Pirates and wanted to follow in his footsteps as a basketball star. Hunt’s father attended Drake in the early 1980s and led the team to a state victory. His father’s jersey is hung in the gym and has remained a retired number since he graduated. Following high school, Mr. Hunt played professionally for over 20 years for the Western Australian National Team.

Although Liam Hunt has played for the Western Australian team over the past three years, playing for the Pirates was something he only dreamed about. Hunt’s main role model is his father and he aspires to be like him one day. “I have hopes of following in my father’s footsteps. I want to play professionally one day. Maybe not in Australia, but we’ll see,” said Hunt.

In mid-June, the Hunt family packed up their belongings and moved to San Anselmo. This 6’ 6’’ basketball champ now plays for the Pirates, whom have helped him through the transition from Australia. “The Drake team is very supportive,” said Hunt.

When he arrived in the Bay Area, he joined the Drake AAU summer club basketball team that traveled throughout California. “All the guys on the team were great; none of them are bad guys and they all treat me really awesome. That was a really big plus when I moved here, because it’s tough making such a big change in your life.”

As the summer came to a close, the Drake AAU team lost the championship game by 15 points. “We lost our mental strength,” said Hunt. Although they were defeated over the summer, this year’s basketball season started up on November 7 and Hunt expects a good season.

Just months before, Hunt was competing with his team nationally against the other Australian states, such as Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. “[In Australia] we try to play smart, that is, mentally smart. I never really liked it. I’ve made three national teams and I enjoyed one, but I had some pretty tough coaches,” said Hunt.

At the conclusion of summer, Hunt joined another extremely competitive club basketball team named the NBBA Spiders. Seniors Joey Euphrat, Ryan Euphrat, and Kamran Rathod also play alongside Hunt for the Spiders. The team traveled throughout the state in addition to Reno, Nevada where they won the gold medal.”We beat Arkansas, Wisconsin, Hawaii and many other states. The whole team played hard, which was great,” stated Hunt.

Hunt has played basketball since he was nine-years-old and doesn’t expect his career will end when he graduates high school. “I would love to play in a division-1 college. If I could go anywhere it would be St. Mary’s. They have a load of good Australian kids,” said Hunt.

Hunt is looking forward to the Drake season and believes they’ll go far with the talented players and varsity Coach Doug Donnellan. “Hopefully Coach has everything planned out because we have a really good team this year,” said Hunt.

Following basketball season, Hunt is considering using his talents in another sport: volleyball. For Hunt, reaching the top of the net shouldn’t be a problem. “I can dunk pretty easily, but I don’t have many hops,” said Hunt jokingly referring to his inability to jump. We will have to wait and see what Hunt can bring in addition to his basketball skills.

Although the move halfway across the world wasn’t easy, and he still misses his Australian family, “Hunt seems to be fitting into to Drake just fine. He’s really funny and outgoing,” said senior Nicolina Higgins. He also has some adjusting to do, “Everything here is opposite; the toilets flush the opposite way and the cars are on the wrong side as well,” said Hunt.

The basketball season has commenced, and it is time to look for the new 6’6’’ Australian champion, Liam Hunt.

At our school girls varsity volleyball is really good. They have the ultimate program, with a varsity, junior varsity, and freshman team that have full rosters of very good players. The boys program only has a varsity team. Many other schools in this position only have one team because they are either terrible at the game or don’t have enough players to support both a varsity and junior varsity team.

The boys varsity volleyball team defies that kind of logic.The Pirates are one damn good team; good enough that the players who don’t start could easily start on other teams in Marin, and probably even coach the other teams in the league.

Where does all this success start? Last year Coach John Heldlund took over the team, and held an open try out like every other sports team.Little did he know what would walk through the door. Talent, lots of talent.So much so that last year’s team was twice the size of this year’s current roster, and they went on to win MCAL and North Coast Section playoffs.

This year’s team is much improved from last year’s group of talented players, with returning players such as junior John Herrero and seniors Julian Ruzzier-Gaul, Josh Birnbaum, Connor Lind, Matt Roache, and Zack Stuart. Lind and Roache are very talented and agile players on the inside at the middle blocker position.

Herrero, who starts at the setter position, was named Prep of the Week by the Marin Independent Journal on April 25, 2011. In one week Herrero had 55 assists, six digs, 10 blocks, five kills, and four aces, as written in the Marin IJ article.

Aside from Herrero one player that has separated himself from the rest on the court is Ruzzier-Gaul, who starts at outside hitter.

“Julian has really stepped it up as a leader this year. His play speaks for itself. He’s one of the most talented and hard working players I think in MCAL and NCS,” said Roache.

Talent is always nice to have, but like a slab of marble you have to sculpt it into something.Seeing as the competition in MCAL isn’t spectacular, coach Heldlund has to really challenge his team during practices.

“Coach Hedlund pushes us to our fullest ability while having fun at the same time. Practices are fun yet difficult,” added Lind.

Not only do they practice hard but the Pirates actively look for harder opponents at tournaments, where teams such as De La Salle have beaten the Pirates in the UC Davis Tournament and the Deer Valley Invitational. De La Salle entered the 2011 season rankedas number two in the state just behind Bellarmine high by MaxPreps.com.Folsom also defeated the Pirates earlier in the season at the UC Davis tournament and Capolindo at Drake’s own local tournament.

Overall the team still remains 24 wins and 4 losses, and has a perfect record in league. Already the Pirates have set themselves up well to head into NCS with confidence, not only from their league record but from the fact that they won back-to-back Mare Island Tournaments.

During the May 11 home game against Redwood, the varsity team won the first three sets and was always in control of the game. Redwood got a few points on the board but the Pirates have such good chemistry and team work that it’s hard for opponents to intimidate them.

The boys varsity volleyball team looks poised to make another run at the NCS title and have locked up the MCAL title. Winning MCAL adds yet another banner to the gym wall as if its business as usual.

Junior Sandy Curth and senior Emma Casey sail at the Richmond Yacht Club Regatta. (Courtesy of Mike Casey)

If what doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger, then the sailing team should be ready to crush the competition next season.

They’ve nearly sunk, they’ve capsized, they’ve made desperate repairs, yet the members of the team are confident that victory in the coming year will be theirs for the taking.

“We’re going to win next year,” said junior and current team captain Sandy Curth. The recently ended season was marred by mishaps and technical problems, but members of the team are looking forward to greater success in the season to come.

At the recent NorCal Championship, the sailors had to cope with some serious problems. “Our boat sank,” laughed junior and first-year member Colton Yalonis.

“The second day, due to some extremely valiant efforts on the part of Colton and Eric Jones, we basically built the boat on the dock 20 minutes before the race started, and we actually did okay, ” Curth added.

Despite these boat problems, the team placed higher in the NorCal Championship than they did the year before, and also placed well at the Rose Bowl regatta in Long Beach. Officially, the season is over, but some members of the team are still practicing.

The sailing team pays a fee to the Richmond Yacht Club, which provides them with boats and coaching. Next year, the Richmond Yacht Club will be buying new boats – a purchase the team members are looking forward to. Currently, they often have to make repairs while out on the water during practice or competitions.

“This gives us a very unique skill set among the people we race against, because most of them don’t have to fix their boats in the middle of a race,” said Curth. “A competitive edge… Next year, we will have new boats, so that competitive edge will actually count for something.”

According to Curth and Yalonis, their new equipment, growing team and excellent coaching will be the keys to success next year. “Our team basically doubled this year,” said Curth. “Redwood used to have the biggest team. We now have them beat, I believe. It’s really close, and we usually have more people competing.”

In addition to new talent, the team will benefit from the coaching of Dan Brandt (jokingly known as Tan Dan the Sailing Man), who coaches at the Richmond Yacht Club. “We have a boss sailing coach,” said Yalonis

“We have the best sailing coach in the Bay Area,” Curth said. “He’s why we’re good.” Under Brandt’s supervision, the sailing team meets two to three times a week during the season. The team members run through drills, stage practice starts and mock races, and occasionally venture out to nearby islands.

It may sound like leisurely fun, but members of the team are quick to point out the conditioning and skill necessary. Dealing with the reputation of being an “easy sport” can be annoying, and Curth happily mentioned that this year the administration decided to grant varsity letters to members of the sailing team.

Legally, the sailing team is still a club, but according to Curth, “Athleticism and teamwork deserve some recognition by the school, even if we’re only a club… We’re a very serious, competitive club.”

Indeed, the sport of sailing is one of the oldest in the world. While it fluctuates in popularity, Curth thinks’ its gaining. “Right now, it is on the rise,” he said, “especially here.” If the rise in popularity continues, the sailing team will be poised to benefit from any new members or new interest.

The goal for the next year? “Domination,” says Cruth. “We’re going to win.”

The boys golf team sports vibrant pants on the course.

When it comes to tradition and superstition, sports top all other realms of life.

Game day involves a sacred ceremony of either wearing a jersey or an assigned collared shirt with the team emblem on it. It’s a way of letting everyone know that you and your teammates mean business.

Boys basketball players are required to wear suits and ties, football players wear polo shirts and khaki pants, and varsity boys lacrosse players wear their jerseys. These traditions are unique to sports, but there is one sport that really exemplifies a distinctive game-day article of clothing: boys varsity golf and the Tisket-A diamond pants.

Of all the choices, our boys team chose the Tisket-A Diamond pattern. Last year the pants were donned by seniors Andy Polachek, Kyle Hogan, Daniel Pilger, and Niles Cottrell. This year, senior Jack Anderson is the lone wolf.

When asked what reactions he gets from the other team Anderson said, “They look at you a little bit.” He added, “Some are like, ‘man nice pants.’”

What makes this article of clothing so striking is the eye catching audacity of the Tisket-A green, yellow, and base white pattern. Just taking a glance at these pants is like taking a trip back in time to the 1970s when shock and awe were the goals of players sporting golf outfits.

You would expect to see the pants in a movie such as news station comedy, Anchor Man. Although 1970 was 40 years ago, making a statement is still the objective of many a golfer.
The young and brightly dressed Ricky Fowler is a prime example of wearing audaciously bright-colored outfits, provided by P.U.M.A, his main sponsor. Every time Fowler steps on the course, he looks like he’s just stepped out of a passion-fruit commercial.

The polar opposite of Fowler when it comes to course outfits is Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of all time. Even though his image is horribly tainted by his numerous affairs, flamboyant persona, and the fact that he doesn’t talk kindly to the media or trust anyone, Woods still shows up decked out in Nike’s best performance wear. Too bad his wife doesn’t.

Since the golfers at our school aren’t good enough to have clothes picked out for them by major sports companies, they must make do with on-line orders from loudmouthgolf.org. There, savvy shoppers can find selections in these categories: snow wear, headwear, neckwear, belts, gloves, sport coats, shorts, pants, and shirts.

The golf pants for sale on this website would make great pajamas.  But I seriously doubt that anyone would ever consider wearing these pants named Shagadelic, Rocky Top, Pole position, Mojodelic and Bushwood to bed.

Some of the material looks like horrible window curtains you would find in dirty motels, but don’t forget that regular pants start at $95 and snow pants at $125.
But some golfers see them as stylish.

“Professional Golfer John Daly actually promotes these pants,” stated Anderson.
It is now clear to me that golfer John Daly is still stuck in the 70’s. Loudmouthgolf.com is his latest creation for golfing attire. Since he started representing his clothing on the course a couple of years ago, his game took a massive downswing. Maybe these pants aren’t all that.
Maybe that’s why Anderson is the only one wearing them. Does he think the pants actually improve his game?

Anderson stated, “I would like to think so.”

We hope so too, because Bushwood hasn’t worked for Daly.

Girls lacrosse team comes together at practice for a final cheer (Andrew Vargas Delman | JR)

Girls varsity lacrosse plans to start off this season with a cradle, pass, and a goal – or a slew of these – under the direction of their new coach, John Zerbe, Sr.

Earlier this year Zerbe Sr. heard from athletic director Pete Donoff that there was a chance that there would be no girls’ lacrosse team this year.

 “[Donoff] told me that they didn’t have a coach lined up … I was kind of hesitant to take it because I didn’t know the rules for girls [lacrosse],” said Zerbe Sr. “But I wanted to jump in and learn.”

Zerbe Sr., a dedicated Drake parent to junior John and freshman Claire, first joined the boys coaching staff two years ago when he and his family moved into the district. In his first year, Zerbe Sr. worked as an assistant coach for the varsity boys’ lacrosse and just last year took on the head coach position for the junior varsity boys’ lacrosse.

But he didn’t start his coaching career here. “I started coaching in 1993 at Novato High School,” said Zerbe Sr. “I coached the varsity boys [there] for five years.” Once a Novato High School lacrosse player himself, Zerbe Sr. has years of experience with the sport, both on and off the field. 

While Zerbe Sr. has always been a boys lacrosse coach, this years varsity girls are counting on him to learn fast and lead the way.

“I think it’s good that [Zerbe Sr.] is coaching because in the past the girls’ lacrosse team hasn’t won much. [The girls] need motivation to build up a better reputation and I think he can do that for us,” said Claire Zerbe.

Under the coaching of her father, Claire is confident that the team will benefit from his years of experience with the sport, and his positive and encouraging attitude.

“I know he’s my dad, but he works really well with all kids and gives everyone a chance, despite their reputation,” said Claire.

Having never played on a team with him before, Claire is excited to finally work with her dad. “He’s practiced with me, but he’s always coached my brother and local recreation leagues in San Francisco,” said Claire. “The best part is [after practice is over] whatever happened at practice gets left on the field.”

Zerbe Sr., who in the past has coached teams with his sons as team members, admitted that being both a parent and a coach can be a difficult position to be in. “It’s kind of tough to have your child on the team sometimes,” said Zerbe. “People can get upset” when they feel that their kids aren’t getting enough playing time. But he’s not the type to let that affect him. “I play the best and those who are at practice everyday.”

 As for their father daughter relationship, Claire says that the time they’ve spent together out on the field has brought them even closer. When asked about the teams’ opportunity for success this season, Claire was pleasantly optimistic. “We’re at least going to beat Novato,” Claire said.

 Similarly, Zerbe Sr. is confident in the team members’ abilities, although he isn’t making any preseason assumptions. “We will prepare the best we can, and if we prepare and work hard we’ll be okay,” said Zerbe Sr.  

 The varsity girls’ lacrosse season starts with a game against Ursuline on Monday March 7 at the Red Hill field. Originally an East Coast sport, lacrosse is gaining momentum and popularity here in the Bay Area, so come out and see them play!

Boys tennis is no joke.

Varsity boys tennis is still riding the wave from their last season when they won 15 games.

Coach Jenno Morson is the head coach of boys tennis and has been playing tennis since he was seven years old. Despite his life-long commitment to the sport, Morson has only been coaching at our school for two years.

Though he hasn’t been coaching for very long, he sets a high bar for players. Morson makes sure he continues to challenge all of his 17 tennis players.

When asked about coaching commitments, Morson stated that he aims to strengthen connections and continuously work with the kids to make them better on the court.

The only losses for boys tennis last year came at the hands of Justin Siena, Marin Academy, and Redwood. While none of these teams is unstoppable, don’t forget that Justin Siena happens to have the best under-16 player in California.

Both these matches will determine the fate of the team’s chance at the MCAL title.

How does Morson plan to beat these teams?

“The best will play the best,” he replied.

Besides matching other teams stroke for stroke, what would team members need to do to improve skills?

“I think [the team] needs to be more committed to practice, conditioning, and focusing on the entire season [and] they need to understand the finer points more,” Morson said.

When asked about the potential of the team, senior Jesse Bodony stated a few simple words: “contention for the title.”

“Our singles lineup is stacked with experienced players such as myself, [seniors] Jesse Bodony, Ben Judkins, and [junior] Jeffrey Gerwin,” added Longo.

Gerwin and Bodony return after a stellar 2010 season, in which the two earned first team all league rankings in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) singles.

Besides the title race, the tennis team still manages to have fun, despite the results of their weekly competition.”[They’re] always excited to play matches,” said Morson.

“I love being part of the tennis team because we are one big family,” Longo stated. “On the courts we keep our competitive nature.”

With the help of coach Morson, the 17 boys tennis players plan to go not only for the MCAL title but deep into North Coast Section.

From year to year various coaching positions change.  The only two sports teams here that haven’t changed coaching staff in more than a decade are boys varsity basketball and boys water polo.

And this spring, our high school will welcome yet another new head coach. His name is Carlos Campos, and he will be taking over for Rene Ayala as head coach of the girls varsity soccer team.

Campos grew up in Hayward, and began his soccer career at the early age of four. As a teenager, Campos attended Moreau Catholic High School, playing soccer all four years. He started on the club circuit at the age of 16 when he was able to drive himself to practices and tournaments. After high school Campos played at Chabot Junior College in Hayward, then as a professional for the Class A San Francisco Seals. He also spent some time playing overseas in Germany.

“Soccer really provided a big opportunity as a kid,” Campos said.

Campos has been training soccer players of all ages for the last 15 years at soccer camps, was an assistant high school soccer coach at Bishop O’Dowd, and has spent the last eight years coaching for a living. He currently is the head coach for the College of Marin girls soccer team, where he works in the fall.

“[It’s] the bread and butter of what I do,” says Campos when talking about his coaching career.

After starting from scratch in 2007 at College of Marin, Campos has built that program into a winner. When he started Campos didn’t know if he would have enough bodies to practice with. He is excited to coach here this spring because of the good group of players we have here on campus.

“Now with a bigger talent pool, it will allow me to work on more of the big stuff,” he said.

“Drake represents an opportunity to execute a game plan” explains Campos.

On Jan. 5, Campos held a girls soccer meeting at lunch and 49 people showed up, and a good number of these are returners from last year’s team.

A group that large is not something he’s used to seeing very often.

“If I had numbers like that [at COM] I could do some damage in the league,” he remarked.

Last season the girls varsity soccer members had an overall record of 10-5-3, a home record of 8-1-3, an away record of 2-4-0, and a winning percentage of .639, finishing fourth in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL), according to MaxPreps.com. Even though the lady Pirates finished fourth in MCAL, they pursued the title hunt all season.

When asked about whether he expects to win or not, Campos replies, “[I] expect to win games [and] to be very competitive.”

Planning to win with strategy, out-organizing the opponent, playing clean but tough, and establishing good lines of communication are all cornerstones of his coaching philosophy.

“Team work will build success [and with that], the rate at which we can improve will be much greater,” he said.

Besides winning Campos acknowledges that fact that like all other athletics here, girls varsity soccer team represents the community and student body. Through the leadership of his team captains, Campos wants to preach respect for the game, your opponent, team, parents, and the public.

“Yeah I’m looking forward to it” says coach Campos.