Loni Espinoza, a P.E. Teacher That Goes Beyond Measures

If I wouldn’t have married my wife, I would have no clue of what it takes for an elementary P.E. teacher to do an “excellent” job. Trust me, I’m not being biased.

Loni Espinoza, who happens to be my wife, teaches at Brush College Elementary in Salem, Oregon – she’s always thinking of the kids first. Loni has two daughters, Kalin (her husband Everett) and Darci (her husband Gino), and two stepsons, Jake (his wife Jennifer) and Matt. She loves all her grandkids, Silas, Luca, Tyson, and Josiah. She is all about health and fitness in a fun way for kids.

Child obesity is at its highest – an alarming rate. CDC (Center of Disease Control) states that 32% of American kids are overweight and 17% of ages 2 – 19 are obese. Many kids are spending less time exercising and more time watching TV, playing video games, and iPhone use.

Exercising is so important to our bodies and it should start at an early age. Loni wants to help as many kids as she can. She introduces sports and active games that keep the children engaged and participating in a fun way. She implements P.E. programs that can help kids presently and in the future.

On an average day, Loni is up early every morning – I’d say about 5:15 a.m. She reads the newspaper and usually works on school paperwork that she could not complete at school – there isn’t enough time with a full schedule. Batches of kids come into her gym one right after the other.

Loni spends extra hours at home planning her activities for all her classes. I see her every night working hard on school projects. Every kid is important to her – that extra time planning is crucial. She wants every kid to participate and not to just stand there watching others.

“It doesn’t make sense to me for a line of kids to be there standing and watching the others. So I organized my activities to never have more than a few students in line,” Loni said.

It’s not just her required work she plans for, but also extra activities outside of school that kids love. For example, the Elks Hoop Shoot competition. This is a competition where she invites every kid in the school to participate. Each student shoots fifteen free throws. There are several age-groups – the top person from each age-group qualifies to advance to the district level. At the district level they shoot 25 free throws.

The Punt Pass and Kick Contest is a well-known competition. Loni organizes volunteers to help spot where the football lands after each kid passes, kicks, or punts the football. Tryouts are held and she coordinates the entire process. Once she determines the winners she records the names, distances, etc. to the NFL committee and deals with any changes. Filling out paperwork and entering data into the NFL website is also another task she completes on her own time.

Country Kids Relays (formerly known as Jaycee Relays) is another activity that is not required by the school. She spends extra time to provide each kid with an opportunity to experience such an amazing event. She holds time trials for the 100 meters – logging each kid’s time. At Brush College Elementary the track is only long enough for 80 meters. She gives each kid an opportunity to prove they are the fastest. Each grade will have a 100 meter relay team for boys, girls, and coed. In addition, there is a race called “The Mayor’s Mile” which is a 1500 meter relay – fourth and fifth graders can try out for this by her standards.

On the day of the kids’ relay event Loni is up very early to drive down to McCulloch Stadium at Willamette University – to set up her school tent in the middle of the field. She normally packs everything in her car the night before. All of the teams from every grade and parent helpers show up on their scheduled time. Loni is there the entire time from morning to evening. She takes pictures and instructs the volunteers. She also times the races and makes it a point to tell each kid how much they improved. When she returns home it’s usually about 7:00 p.m. – she is exhausted. Loni sees how much the kids enjoy this event – the time put in for her is worth all the effort.

What the parents see is their kids racing that day, but really have no clue of the work it takes to make that event happen. I’m grateful not just for Loni’s work, but all of the other P.E. teachers that are doing the same thing – on their own weekend time! That is very generous.

There are more activities and events throughout the school year – the ones I mentioned are just a few. The biggest activity she coordinates and teaches is her “Bouncers” jump rope club. They meet every Thursday after school for practice – which makes it a long day for her after taking care of the equipment and cleaning up. Performances at basketball-game halftimes are regular events every year. She also takes the kids on field trips during the spring so they can perform jump-rope shows. Loni makes it a fun event for all of them.

One time we were at the store shopping for groceries.

“Loni, why are you filling up all those bags with different candies?” I asked.

“My jump rope club voted on an ice cream sundae to celebrate at our end-of-the-year party, and they voted for these toppings,” Loni said.

She goes out of the way to think about them and what makes them happy. She gives out prizes for certain things in her class. She takes time on weekends to pick out toys that the students will enjoy.

Every year she organizes a fifth-grade bowling trip. The top bowler gets a customized bowling pin. Again, not required by the school, but she knows the kids love that. I’m lucky to be her husband, I get to hear about all the good things she does for kids. And now that I’m retired I get to help her with these kids – that’s totally awesome.

Loni has what she calls “Units”. One unit could be teaching kids about basketball. Another unit might be teaching kids about volleyball. Whatever unit she is teaching that week, she takes it seriously and is very organized. Along with that she deals with discipline issues, injuries, parent complaints, etc.

Every teacher has a planning time. Loni has to crunch her planning time with referral notices or a kid that might have missed a time trial, or a fitness test, etc. Her day is non-stop – very busy.

One of the things that really touched my heart was how she figures out a way for every kid to participate. She gets kids that are handicapped from time to time – every year is different. How can you give a kid in a wheelchair the opportunity to exercise? How can you give a kid that has one arm a chance to compete? She thinks until she finds a way.

She once had a student that had one arm. He wanted to join the jump rope club. Loni found a way. She tied the rope in a way that he could use the one arm to swing the rope and jump over it.

Loni coordinates a “Jump Rope for Heart” day. Stations are set up for the kids to jump rope during P.E. class that day. She brings the apple juice and oranges early in the morning – slices the oranges up for the kids to eat. This fund-raiser event brings in thousands for the American Heart Association.

At the end of a school year she coordinates an enormous field day for the kids. She makes tons of phone calls to ask for volunteer help. She prepares all of the necessary equipment for games and other activities. This year she is having me build her a “Splash Wall” for field day – a new game the kids will really enjoy. She’s always looking for new games that the kids might have fun with.

Throughout the school year Loni takes many pictures of students and staff. There is a reason for this. Toward the end of the school year she slowly is working on a slide show. This slide show is so special to the entire school – it is shown on the last day of school in the gym. She picks the music to fit what appears on the screen. Loni makes it a point to have every kid and staff member in the slide show.

“When the kids watch this slide show and they see their picture come up, they just go crazy! There are some goofy pictures and some serious pictures – I try to make it fun for everyone,” Loni said.

I have to say that I’m so proud to be her husband and even more proud of her – really love her. I know she has a passion for what she does and I support her one hundred percent. Brush College Elementary is so lucky to have her there. I’ve witnessed her talking to the kids and teaching them so many things. Her compassion and selfless attitude is inspiring. She once showed me a card that one of her students gave her.

“Mrs. Espinoza, you are the most awesomest P.E. teacher in the world!”

I think that says it all. God Bless you Loni – you’re one of a kind.

AJ Lapray Update and a Big Oregon Duck Suprise

Before I fill you in on AJ Lapray, a freshman basketball player at the University of Oregon, allow me to share a few opinions about the high school state tournaments.

I had the honor of attending the 6A OSAA State Tournament at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday and Thursday. On Saturday my son and I attended the 5A OSAA State Tournament at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene. Best time of the year for us no doubt – love it! The disappointment for me was the lack of attendance. I understand that it is a financial expense, but I think that if it were my school and I had a team that made it that far, I’d do whatever I could to be there to give them support.

I have asked some people, why is it we don’t see as many students at games anymore? You’d think that maybe the technology toys on the market might be a factor. Maybe there are more club sports and students will only support their sport. Schools in small towns will have more support because they have more community ties (everyone knows everyone). Those are just a few possibilities but the reality is traveling, parking, ticket price, and meals can add up to a very expensive trip.

Something has to be done to fill up the coliseums and make the state tournaments an entire week of excitement … not just the championship day. If it were me, I would allow students to get into games for only $3.00 and adults $5.00 with no reserved seating. Include a discount meal during weekdays. On Saturday, okay, now you can charge $12.00 for everyone and $17.00 reserved seating.

When my two boys played basketball at McNary High School I remember how the coaches (that didn’t make it to state) took their players to the state tournament one day to watch the games. One of my sons is a coach at McKay High School. He continues to take a group of boys every year. It’s a joy to give that opportunity to a kid that has never been to a place like the Moda Center. It broke my heart when he told me, I think we’re one of the last schools that still does this. I feel that coaches need to step up their game and do something for their underclassmen. It’s not a disappointment to be happy for the teams that earned that trip.

Now, back to AJ Lapray, who played basketball for Sprague High School and is now on the Oregon Duck basketball team. My son, Matt aka “Noza” invited me to go with him to watch Jefferson High School play against Churchill for the championship game. I had never been to Matthew Knight Arena, so I couldn’t pass that up. He worked with AJ last summer on basketball skills and shooting.

“Hey dad, do you want to watch the third-place game too? I’m working out AJ after that game,” Noza said.

I said, “yeah!” I couldn’t miss an opportunity like that. I was looking forward to an adventure that most people from around here don’t get.

At the beginning of the season Lapray was excited to start his career with the Oregon Ducks. In the early part of the season during practice he suffered a hip flexor injury. A group of muscles in front of the hip was the area that caused him a great deal of pain. AJ received treatment and therapy. He wanted to return to action quickly, but because he returned too soon he re-injured his hip flexor. It was very difficult for him – frustrating. He has not been able to play in any games yet.

“That was a hard thing to deal with. My entire career I had never been the one to sit and just watch. I’m applying for a medical red shirt, which means I’ll be able to red shirt this year and still have four years of eligibility,” Lapray said.

AJ is enjoying college and is doing very well – he has a positive outlook. He maintains a 3.5 GPA and is starting to train again. He is excited for his team, which will be heading to the NCAA Tournament.

There are benefits to red shirting. You get to learn the basketball program inside and out. It puts you ahead of the game for next year.

As we followed him into the Ducks’ training facilities inside Matthew Knight Arena, he gave us a little tour of the amazing place. There was an attendant watching at every hallway for security and clearance. They have a media room, film room, weight-lifting room, etc. Everything is top of the line – the most comfortable seats I’ve ever sat on. We walked into the two college-length full courts – I was in basketball heaven. AJ says that he talks to Phil Knight on occasions – they call him Uncle Phil.

AJ trained with Noza. They worked on shooting drills mostly – his shooting is getting better every day. The equipment manager came in with two Gatorades and water. Whatever the players need, he’s there for them.

“This is a great job – I enjoy being there for the players. There are four of us that have this job. We provide the players with any equipment they might need, shoes, uniforms, towels, drinks, etc. We have a great relationship with the players and coaches,” Patrick said.

This trip to Eugene was such a joy to me. We also got to watch two exciting high school games that went down to the wire. West Albany won the third-place game against Madison. Jefferson from Portland won the championship game against Churchill.

We wish AJ Lapray the best of luck and a speedy recovery from his injury. He has a promising career ahead of him. Go Ducks!

Athletes, Parents, and Sports Fans will Benefit from this Book Signing

I don’t want this book signing to be about me, I want it to be about you – the public. I’ve done studies on youth sports and I’ve experienced being the parent of two athletes. While the positive aspects in sports dominate the negative elements, there is a dark side to sports. In my presentation I will share with you important information that you must know. This will help you enjoy a productive adventure as a fan, parent, athlete, or coach. I’ll have refreshments available as well. After the short presentations I’ll be there with my staff until 5:30 pm to answer any questions and to sign a book (at a one-time-discount price) for you to take home.

Hi, I’m the author, David Espinoza. Growing up I was a three-sport athlete – I even went on to play two years in a pro league – the NFA (Northwest Football Alliance). My major in college was computer science. I’m not a sports psychologist, but I’ve been around the sports world for roughly 47 years – give or take a few. I’ve also been a parent of two athletes that went through the entire process. Recently I’ve done some studies on youth sports today.

I was a software engineer for 31 years before retiring from my day job last summer. Now I get to do what I really love. I love to write non-fiction and fiction sports stories.

When I had my day job, I started grinding during breaks and lunchtimes. I would write every day – had everything stored in my brain. My mom once asked me, “How do you remember such details from years ago?”

In 2008 my first book was published, NOZA: A True Basketball Success Story – a non-fiction book about our family – focused on my son, Matt. In this book I include a prologue on Candi, my wife at the time who died of brain cancer in 1994. I was left to raise two boys, ages 9 and 11. God and basketball helped us through.

My two boys Matt (Noza) and Jake (Kid Espi) inspired me to chase a dream. I set an example for them on how to work hard at something you love. Watching their actions and how hard they worked at their passion made me feel like they returned the favor. I was motivated and never looked back.

Matt Espinoza is a Southern Oregon University graduate and currently an assistant varsity coach at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon. He is an expert at several trades – a basketball trainer, Bio Signature Certified, and a USA sports performance coach. He is also the founder of Salem Hoops Project (a program that provides free basketball training to less fortunate youths) … www.dynamicpd.net  … He will be a presenter on nutrition for the athlete. Matt learned during his high school days that if he was going to get anywhere as an athlete, nutrition would be a big part. I’m excited to hear his presentation. If you’ve read the Noza book, here’s your opportunity to meet Noza.

In 2011 my second book was published, Poor Kid, Wealthy Kid – a sports fiction. This book is based on my experiences as a young kid and some of the challenges I faced. Moving from Texas to Oregon wasn’t easy as a sophomore in high school. This novel is driven through the sport of football. I used my imagination to create all kinds of curves including a romance between Carlos and Liz and a mystery. The diverse setting is Gervais High School where I attended my last two years of high school. I’m currently writing a sequel to this book (coming soon!).

My new release is non-fiction work – The Professor – Grayson Boucher Plus More NW Sports Stories. Grayson is from Keizer, Oregon, and one of the eight stories in my new book. You will experience the lives of these athletes and their families. What obstacles did they face? How did they pursue a dream and reach it? I wanted to hear about their pain and their joy. I want to share these stories with the world. The additional and remarkable athletes in this book are Janelle Weiss, Alex Hurlburt, Avry Holmes, Brooke Chuhlantseff, Daniel Brattain, Brittney Kiser, and Noah Torres. While some of the athletes in my book will be attending the book signing, Grayson will not be there. Come meet the athletes that will be there.

All of my books will be available for sale at a one-time-discount price – but you must be present for this rate. Thank you so much!

Noza: A True Basketball Success Story – discount price $13.00

Poor Kid, Wealthy Kid – discount price $14.00

New Release, The Professor – Grayson Boucher Plus More NW Sports Stories – $15.00

All three books (package deal) $40.00

If you purchase a book, you can enter to win an entire luggage set!

We Hope to see you there Sunday, March 2^nd, Time: 3:00-5:30pm, Place: Keizer Heritage Community Center in Keizer, Oregon. Address – 980 Chemawa Road NE, Keizer, OR 97307.

If you have questions, please email me at espi42@comcast.net   thanks!

Katie McWilliams, a 6' 2" Guard, is a Huge Part of South Salem Girls' Basketball

#1 Katie McWilliams Goes up for a Shot

It’s not too often that you see a 6’ 2” point guard/wing in high school girls’ basketball. To add to this unique situation, her dad is the head coach. She has helped her team get into a position to reach the state tournament. What’s even more exciting is that her team has a legit shot at winning the whole thing this year.

Katie McWilliams is a junior and plays basketball for the 8th-ranked South Salem High School Lady Saxons (Central Valley Conference) in Salem, Oregon. Watching her play you’d never guess she was 6’ 2”. The coordination is unbelievably flawless. It doesn’t matter which way she takes it strong to the basket, she’ll score with the left hand or the right hand. She has a three-point shot that has been refined to almost perfection. This young lady has worked extremely hard over the years – it’s noticeable when she plays. She’s the totally package that has major Division I colleges very interested.

Nick is her dad and head coach of the Lady Saxons – Dianne is her mom. Katie has two older sisters, Alie and Lindsey. Katie has a great relationship with her family and stays close. She’s been around the game of basketball with her dad for many years.

Katie was born in Hillsboro, Oregon. When she was a two year-old her family moved to the south Salem hills. Her neighborhood was pretty mellow, nothing too different. She always had friends to play with outside.

Her sisters played basketball when she was four years old and her dad was coaching boys’ basketball at the time. She saw fun in the sport and her drive began.

“Watching my sisters play basketball and my dad coach, I picked up a basketball one day and started dribbling – I loved it and started playing after that,” Katie said.

Her dad, Nick, started showing her the fundamentals of basketball. Then at The Hoop (a basketball facility) she met Rob Jensen, a youth basketball coach. He started showing her more basketball skill sets. She was involved in basketball leagues at a very young age.

“I remember signing her up for a basketball class, and then a basketball league through the Courthouse Athletic Club,” Dianne said.

She attended Sumpter Elementary School and then Judson Middle School. By this time Katie had developed such an accurate shot that she signed up for the Elks Hoop Shoot Competition – a nationwide free-throw contest. In this contest you have to win at the school level, district level, state level, and the regional level before advancing to the national championships. In the second grade she made it to the regional finals. In the third, fourth, and fifth grade she advanced to nationals in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her best performance at nationals was third place. Her best score overall was 24 for 25 – this was at a competition where she needed to make 15 out of 15 in the second round to beat another girl.

She had worked hard at developing a sound fundamental game for herself in all areas – not an easy thing to do and it required a lot of dedication. She earned a spot on several AAU tournament teams. During her sixth and seventh grade years she played with the Mid-Valley Monarchs and in addition to that, a South Salem traveling team. In the eighth grade Katie joined FAST – another elite tournament team that traveled.

“The coaches would talk to me and tell me about their team. I wanted to get into teams that gave me more looks and better opportunities,” Katie said.

This young lady has trained at 360 Shoot in Beaverton, Oregon. They have some of the best coaches teaching basketball skill sets including ball handling and shooting technique.

During the summer Katie currently plays with Oregon Elite – a traveling team from the Lake Oswego area. She plays against and with some of the most talented athletes around the nation.

“I’m so thankful to my parents. They provided me with transportation to and from games and practices. They come to most of my games and pay for everything. Whatever I need they are there for me,” Katie said.

Basketball has been an asset for Katie. She’s found motivation to challenge herself, not just on the court but off the court as well. She’s learned about “discipline” and how to work hard to arrive at a desired objective. Social skills are so important in life and she’s definitely acquired some.

“I’ve made a ton of friends because of all of the teams I’ve played on or against. We travel to so many cities to play in tournaments. Also with my team at South Salem – we are all friends and we want to reach the same goals,” Katie said.

Standing pretty tall among crowds, Katie would get stared at all the time. She found it uncomfortable – you don’t see too many 6’ 2” ladies walking around. With her tall frame and nice-looking features she’s had people approach her about modeling several times.

“I travel a lot for tournaments – at airports a lot of people would stare at me. It used to bother me more when I was younger, but now I’ve gotten used to it – it’s just who I am and I can’t change that. With some of my other teammates being tall it’s not as bad anymore,” Katie said.

This year she’s a junior and one of the captains on her team. The Lady Saxons are stacked with great players and a great coaching staff. Katie’s high school basketball career is a positive ride that she is enjoying with her teammates.

Katie acknowledges the advantages by being the coach’s daughter. She trusts him to the fullest. She can talk back to him (in a good way) where maybe with another coach she would not say anything. At home Nick and Katie think alike as far as basketball goes. She gives input to him and he listens. Their relationship is so great that it benefits the entire team as well.

“I feel so comfortable talking to my dad about anything. He actually listens to what I have to say about offense or defense – and there are times when he goes with my ideas on what may work best. I know my teammates and see certain things he may not see,” Katie said.

Katie is an unselfish player – she wears number 1 on her jersey and has the ability to score 30 points every game in the CVC. But she’s a team player and distributes the ball well. She has a stellar cast of teammates like #10 Jordan Woodvine, #22 Jenessa Bodine, #24 Evina Westbrook, #11 Holly Martinez Moorman, and #13 Naomi Wasser.

“I think our team is goofy at times – we like to have fun, but at the same time my expectations are that we focus during practice and get motivated before each game. We compliment each other and have the same goal in mind. We even have team dinners to bond,” Katie said.

This year Katie has a 3.89 GPA in the academic world. In basketball she is averaging 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. For not playing four quarters that’s a heck of an accomplishment. South Salem girls are definitely in a different class in the CVC. Her game high this year is 24 points against McNary.

Katie is a kind-hearted person. She once noticed a girl being bullied. She stood up for her – she knew that was wrong and told the other person to not do that. I think the bully, looking up at her, must have taken Katie seriously. She’s always willing to help out a teammate if they need a ride home from practices or games.

Her dad, Nick, has coached basketball for 35 years. 28 years for boys and 7 years for girls. He played basketball for South Albany High School, Linn Benton C.C., and then Warner Pacific University.

Nick McWilliams and his Daughter, Katie

He has coached his daughter for many years and has instilled good values – not just on the basketball court but in life as well. The father-daughter relationship is so great that it makes it easy for him to be coaching his daughter. Before he started coaching Katie in high school, he met Brad Smith, who was coaching at Oregon City High School. Brad had a similar situation – he had a talented daughter playing for him.

“I asked Brad what it was like coaching his daughter. One thing I remember him saying really sticks in my mind. He said, ‘When you drive to and from practice or games, don’t bring anything up about basketball – that’s your time to be a dad.’ He did mention to me that if she brought it up first it was okay,” Nick said.

When Nick coaches he tries his best to keep the two separate – Katie is a player on the team or Katie is his daughter anywhere else. He treats her like the rest of the players. Katie respects his abilities to coach and is in full support of his coaching style. It makes it easy because of the common ideas they share – watching basketball games together and talking defenses and offenses.

“It’s easy to coach a daughter that has as much talent as Katie. Sometimes there’s envy, maybe someone hears that I’m running a lot of plays for Katie. Or maybe you see a kid react in a way that she’s my daughter – that’s why I’m running that play. I’ll admit that most of our plays are designed for Katie. What people might not understand is that I do that to benefit our team – it helps our team and our goal,” Nick said.

There have been times where the two haven’t agreed on something based on an offense or defense, or maybe a play. Sometimes Katie proves that her way would work better and Nick will go with it if he thinks it will help the entire team.

“Sometimes I rely on her for an opinion that will help me make a good decision. This year she has had more of an impact in that area – she knows the game well,” Nick said.

Nick expected to do well this year. He speaks highly of all his players. Players like sophomore Jordan Woodvine at 5’ 10” who has improved remarkably – great shooter and strong. Jenessa Bodine at 5’ 7” is another sharp shooter that has helped the team so much. Evina Westbrook at 5’10” an amazing athlete that passes the ball well – she’s only a freshman! To help the team more they have Naomi Wasser and Holly Martinez Moorman – if a team forgets about these two, they’ll knock down a three-ball.

“Our goal as a team was to go undefeated in the CVC – we’ve done that. We also would love to win the CVC tournament, win two playoff games, and advance to the state tournament at the Moda Center,” Nick said.

The last time Nick coached a team that won a state championship was in 1984 when he coached Santiam Christian School. Could he possibly lead the Lady Saxons to a state title this year? Time can only tell.

“Katie is a dream to coach. She has such a great understanding of the game. I remember when she was a freshman. We were playing West Salem – one of the toughest teams around. She was sick that day and West’s defense was executing a box-and-one on her – traps and all. She didn’t get many shots up, but it opened up her teammates for good looks. We won the game! She was so happy – ran over to me and jumped on me! It was more important for her to win the game than to score the most points – I was so proud of her,” Nick said.

Katie was busy last September, when college recruiters were allowed to talk to players. It seemed like there was a different coach at her doorstep every day. With her 6’2” frame, fundamental skills, and GPA, she has caught the attention of many Division I schools. Just to mention some … Stanford, Duke, Louisville, Nebraska, Gonzaga, and pretty much all of the PAC-12 colleges. The stack of letters continues – not bad for a junior.

“I haven’t decided on anything yet but I would love to stay on the West Coast. I want to stay close to my heritage. My family is pretty important to me,” Katie said.

Katie, Nick and Dianne, thank you for your time and for sharing such an amazing story. I enjoyed sitting down with all of you. I wish you the best of luck in the future.

Katie, what are you favorite subjects in school?

I like History and Science.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy playing sports, hanging out with friends, listening to music – hip-hop, country, Christian.

Favorite NBA Team and College team?

I like the Blazers and Thunder. In college I like UConn.

Favorite WNBA Players?

Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker

What are some of your best moments?

My freshman year, I had a triple-double against McKay – 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. We won a Seattle tournament playing with the Oregon Elite traveling team.  I was selected MVP at the Nike Interstate Shootout after winning the tournament.

Alex Bilodeau Finds Inspiration Through his Brother Frederic

I was never the one to watch the Winter Olympics – never around the snow that much. I guess it was just too cold for me. This year, I decided to watch as much as I could of the 2014 Winter Olympics. I have to admit that I have enjoyed the athleticism and dare-devil styles of these young dedicated people.

Although the USA is not fairing at the top, we are still making it to the awards stand regularly and we are winning a few gold medals. I always root for my country and hope we can claim a victory. I wasn’t too disappointed that the USA didn’t win the gold in the Men’s Moguls competition – you’ll see why in a bit.

The Moguls is a ski-slope event that has snow bumps all the way down (roughly a 25 to 30 second run). There are two small hills toward the end in which the competitor flips or turns in the air for points on style. This event is not just judged on speed.

Alex Bilodeau was born on September 8, 1987. He stands at 5’ 8” and weighs 170 lbs. He’s a Canadian skier from Montreal, Quebec and currently resides in Rosemere, Quebec. He was the youngest athlete in history to win a World Cup Moguls event. In 2009 Alex won four straight World Cup events.

Alex won the gold in this event in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was looking to repeat in the 2014 winter games – training as hard as he could. As we all know in the Olympics … anything goes. Look what happened to Shaun White from the USA – the best at the half pipe in snowboarding for years. He ended up with a fourth place finish.

What keeps Alex going? What motivates him and gives him the enormous amount of energy to climb to the top each time? Before we continue with his performance at the 2014 winter games, let’s take a look at his brother, Frederic.

Frederic is Alex’s older brother who has cerebral palsy (CP) – a permanent non-progressive-movement disorder that causes physical disability in development. It’s not genetic or contagious. Most cases hit at the time of birth and are diagnosed at a young age.

“Frederic is my inspiration. There were times when I got out of bed and it was raining – I just didn’t feel like training that day. All I had to do was look at Frederic and his unbelievable enthusiasm. That was my jumpstart – I looked forward to training after one look,” Alex said.

When Alex looks at Frederic, it hurts him so much that his brother has such a passion for the sport in the snow. He realizes that his brother will never have that opportunity – it just isn’t realistic. When he competes it’s for his brother then for himself. He dedicates his wins to Frederic who is at every competition cheering like crazy.

Frederic was able to travel to Sochi to watch Alex – another competition once again. In the front of the pack you could hear him cheering loud for Alex. He was so happy that Alex made it to the finals with a pretty good score – but not the top score. He had two final down-slope runs left. On his first run he faltered a little and did not get a great score – he was still holding the second-place spot.

It was finally time for Alex to make his final run and a chance for the gold. Frederic was watching behind a rope (tied across to control the crowd) with his family and a pack of people. Alex took off skiing – everything was clicking his way downhill moving his skis side to side through the bumps. He came to the first hill and flipped all the way around with style. He landed nicely and continued to the next hill. In the second hill he got up in the air, flipped several times, and stuck the landing. As he crossed the finish line he yelled and raised his hands up in the air. His brother Frederic knew it was close to perfect as he also raised his hands straight up and yelled as he looked at Alex.

Alex was waiting for his score at the staging area full of smiles as he looked on at the people. The score came through at 26.1 passing all competitors! He ran over to give his brother the biggest hug and held that for several seconds. You look at that scene and you see the word “subtext”. That’s right – there’s a lot of underlying history that only these two could begin to know.

Alex won the gold with a score of 26.1, his teammate, Mikael Kinsbury, won the silver at 24.7, and Russian Alexander Smyshlyaev won the bronze at 24.34.

“My brother is the best, he is my inspiration. I have no doubt that if he was capable he could be a three-time champion in this event,” Alex said in tears.

Alex dedicated the gold medal to his brother Frederic, his best fan and motivator. We don’t need to say how much he loves his brother because he displayed it in a passionate way that most people would admire.

Well done Alex, congratulations on such an amazing victory in the Olympics, not just in the sport of skiing, but in the sport of being a loving brother.

Malik Leaks, Striving for Success On and Off the Basketball Court

                                                 Malik Leaks #24 Photo by Naomi Stukey

Malik Leaks is a young man determined to succeed on and off the basketball court. He has become a responsible household figure while attending high school and dominating on the basketball court. Against the Crescent Valley Raiders from Corvallis, Oregon, he had a triple-double – 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Malik is from Salem, Oregon, and plays basketball for the North Salem Vikings in the CVC (Central Valley Conference). His parents are Lorenzo and Heather. He has two sisters – a sophomore and three-sport athlete, Simone, and a younger sister, Laila.

Malik was raised in a low-to-middle-income neighborhood. He has childhood memories of getting along with all the local kids. There were kids of all ages that hung out in the area and usually there wasn’t much trouble. However, he does remember a couple of altercations that were scary.

“Our block seemed to be okay, there weren’t any fights or anything, but it was weird because the next block over the police would come sometimes. I remember two times that scared me a little. Things like gang activity, theft, and other things going on,” Malik said.

Malik attended Auburn Elementary School in Salem. He speaks highly of his PE teacher, Jan Florip. Kids usually remember teachers that had an impact on their lives one way or another. Malik remembers having fun during the grade-school days.

“My favorite teacher at Auburn was my PE teacher, Jan Florip. She always allowed us to play fun games – kept us active. She used to put on these baseball tournaments and four-square tournaments. It was a lot of fun,” Malik said.

Malik attended Houck Middle School in Salem. There were two teachers that he remembers during that time, Mr. and Mrs. Horton. Malik speaks highly of these two. They helped him with schoolwork. Anytime he had a question he could count on them for answers. If he was about to get into trouble they would have a talk with him and prevent the distraction. He’s very thankful that he had teachers like them. Kristine Horton was his social studies teacher during his eighth-grade year. I was able to catch up with her.

“Sometimes I was a little hard on him and definitely had high expectations. I knew that Malik had great potential – he showed a lot of promise, not just as an athlete but also academically. I wanted him to be prepared for high school and to be successful there. I hope Malik continues to excel on and off the court,” Kristine said.

Malik’s passion is on the basketball court. His dad, Lorenzo, played college basketball at OIT (Oregon Institute of Technology) in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He was a 6’2” guard that could shoot the lights out of the ball – a huge contributor to his team.

“My dad took me to a basketball clinic at the Boys and Girls Club when I was in third grade. I discovered something I enjoyed doing – I loved it and have been playing the game since then,” Malik said.

Malik’s dad works as a foster care provider, he also trains kids for basketball at Houck Middle School. His mom is a dental hygienist and is very supportive of the things her son enjoys doing.

“My dad trained me over the years – he showed me a lot of what I know. Different basketball skill sets. Mom and Dad also put education as a priority. They actually made me read for them at times. Homework was a priority for me when I got home from school,” Malik said.

Malik was blessed to have had the opportunities his mom and dad made possible. He played on some AAU tournament teams. In the eighth grade he played for ICP (Inner City Players) from Portland, a competitive tournament team. Salem Select and Salem Triple Threat were two others. The last two years he’s played for Elite 24 – a 17U spring/summer all-star traveling team from Portland.

This young man has also attended national basketball camps – the Syracuse Camp, 14C Camp, Phenom150 Basketball Camp, California Bears Camp, and the Santa Barbara Camp. Malik attended the Michael Jordan Basketball Camp – when he told me this, I was so jealous … wow! In my opinion, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. What I didn’t tell Malik is that I had met Lebron James at the Adidas Big Time Tourney in 2003. I guess we’re kind of even.

“That was such a great experience – I actually got to meet Michael Jordan. He was involved in the camp and interacted with us during the camp. Every evening he would pick one kid out of the crowd to play him one-on-one. He never lost – played to win no matter what kid was playing him,” Malik said as he chuckles.

Everything was going great for Malik, the only obstacle he had faced so far was breaking his right ankle twice when he was in middle school. That was frustrating and it hurt him more not to be able to play basketball. He eventually healed and bounced back.

He ran into another obstacle that was a little bit tougher on him. A year and a half ago his parents decided to separate. Lorenzo and Heather had gone their separate ways. The kids would remain with their mom in the home and their dad would move out.

“That was really tough for me to handle. I have such a great relationship with my mom and my dad. I can talk to my mom about anything and I can call my dad up anytime – he’s there for me. It took me a long while to make that adjustment. I found a way to deal with it – I’ve moved on,” Malik said.

With his parents working long hours, Malik has taken on the responsibility of helping take care of his sisters. He cooks for them and cleans the house. He wants to set a good example for his sisters – protecting them and providing as much as he can for them. He cares a great deal for them – nothing is more important.

“I look after my sisters – especially the youngest one, Laila – she really looks up to me – goes to all my games and plays video games with me. It’s really important that I set a good example for her. I want her to be a good person and to treat people with respect,” Malik said.

Despite the separation Malik manages to keep in contact with his dad. His dad keeps that competitive spirit in him. He often plays one-on-one with his dad. That has helped him develop over the years in creating his own shot against anyone.

“My dad is 44 years old, but he is a tough player. He still has that fire in his eyes. He’s 6’2” just like I am and the same build. That makes things even when we go head-to-head. We’ve had some tough battles. One day I can take him and another day he’ll beat me,” Malik laughs.

Malik is now a senior at North Salem High School. He maintains a 3.35 GPA and has a goal to get a 4.0 in one semester. He loves the school he attends. It’s located close to the downtown area with plenty of restaurants or fast-food places to choose. He speaks highly of his teachers at North Salem.

“I truly believe that if you treat your teachers with respect, they’ll return the favor. Just be nice to them. One of my favorite teachers at North Salem is my English teacher, Mrs. Gordon, I’ve learned so much from her,” Malik said.

As a senior leader on and off the court, Malik encourages his teammates to make good decisions off the court – to him it’s important for them to stay out of trouble. He’s organized some barbeques at his house to create a team bond and some positive chemistry.

On the court he has a lot of experience. He’s the only returning senior that started every game last year. He motivates his teammates – shows them how to work hard to prepare for each game.

“I have two close friends that I hang around with, Caleb Roberts who maintains a 4.0 GPA and Jerrin Williams who maintains a 3.3 GPA. They are smart in the classroom and a big part of our basketball team,” Malik said.

This year Malik is averaging 24.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He has scored 32 points in two games and 22 points in one quarter. He’s hoping to help his team become one of the top teams in the CVC and he believes they can play in the post season – possibly making it to the state tournament.

What some people might not know about Malik is that he has done some volunteering for charity. He has helped prepare meals for the Union Gospel Mission. The Oregon Food Bank was another place – he helped deliver food to needy families. Head Coach Jack Martino organized a trip the Salvation Army for the entire team – Malik was involved in helping feed people.

“Malik is a great kid – always stoic when he plays. I always say, you never know if he’s up 20 or down 20. You never know if he’s having a good game or a bad game. He just plays! He respects his opponents, teammates, teachers, and coaches. He’s one of the most talented players I’ve coached in my 20-plus years of coaching. Not often will you find a great player and equally great young man,” Head Coach Jack Martino said.

Malik’s goal is to do well academically and to play college basketball somewhere. He is currently exploring options. He would like to study physical therapy as a career – possibly becoming an athletic trainer.

Some colleges that know of him are Stanford and University of Oregon. Colleges that are very interested are, Eastern Arizona, Oregon Tech, Chemeketa C. C, Corban University, and Clackamas C. C. I’m almost certain that before the season is over he’ll have more knocking at his door.

Malik, what is your favorite subject in school?

I like Social Studies. I find the different cultures and ethnicities very interesting.

What are your hobbies?

I like playing basketball of course, exercising, watching TV, outdoor activities, and hip-hop music. I also like insects – catching gardener snakes – just love the outdoor nature.

Who is your favorite NBA team?

Los Angeles Lakers – I really like Kobe Bryant.

Who is your favorite college team?

I don’t have a favorite team, but I love the ACC Conference.

What are your two favorite moments?

One is winning the CVC title with Avry Holmes two years ago. And also, last year hitting the game-winning shot with seconds left against McKay High School. I split two defenders just short of the three-point line, leaned forward and let it go. The shot was important because it meant us going to the state playoffs.

Injury to Senior Micah Sanders Felt by Entire Basketball Team

Micah helping at Salem Hoops Project

We can’t begin to understand why injuries in sports happen at the worst time. An athlete puts in hours of hard work to become the best athlete he or she can possibly be. All it takes is one time whether in practice or in a game – basketball, football, baseball, etc. No question about it – very disappointing. I tell you with pleasure that this athlete responded in the most positive way imaginable.

Micah Sanders is the son of Denny and Linda. He also has a sister, Hannah. Growing up in a middle-income-class neighborhood, he used to play whiffle ball and throw snowballs with his friends. He says those things kind of went away as he got into high school. The environment he grew up in was pretty calm – no real trouble.

“I’ve lived in this neighborhood my entire life – grew up in a Christian family. I attended Yoshikai Elementary School and Adams Stephens Middle School,” Micah said.

He plays Post for the McKay High School Royal Scots – Central Valley Conference in Salem, Oregon. McKay was off to their best start in years. The 2013-2014 basketball season was shining at the start with a record of 7 – 0 including a win against number-two-ranked Sheldon of Eugene.

McKay is a school populated with different nationalities – very diverse. Micah grew up around different cultures – especially the Hispanic culture. Out of 1,837 students, there are 61.4% Hispanics, 25.3% White, and 13.3% Asian/Black students currently attending McKay High School.

“I think it’s a good thing – I like diversity. I do believe that cultures affect us on how we react. In high school we are all in the same situation. We do just fine. We joke around sometimes but never anything serious,” Micah said.

Micah first learned about basketball when he was two or three years old. His dad played in a church league. Micah would watch and learn – he eventually started liking the game. He kept thinking about playing basketball and couldn’t wait to get on the court. His parents signed him up to play in a Boys and Girls Club league.

“I played at the Boys and Girls Club until I got to middle school. I remember always looking forward to the two practices a week and the Saturday games – I really loved it. I never played for an AAU tournament team,” Micah said.

Micah improved tremendously since his sophomore year. He trained with Matt Espinoza (Noza) www.dynamicpd.net  . He picked up quickly on several basketball skills – especially his accuracy in shooting the basketball. In my opinion, he’s one of the best shooters on the team – he’d be one of my picks to go to the free-throw line.

One of the most exciting games McKay has played thus far has been against the Sheldon Irish in Eugene, Oregon. There were several lead changes the entire night and every time a basket was made the crowd roared! Sheldon was a talented squad. Micah was one of the reasons McKay was competing well. He seemed to hit a three-point shot when we needed it or a fifteen-foot jumper to prevent Sheldon from making a run. His rebounding was huge – the final score was McKay 57, Sheldon 51.

Micah along with Dillon James, Jacob Brustad, Jorge Garibay, Isaiah Montana, Lorenzo Sterling, and Brandon Lao made up a solid squad of seniors with talent. During the Christmas break McKay was hit hard with injuries starting with Isaiah – a tooth injury, fractured and dislocated finger, and a shoulder injury. Then more players were injured – Jacob with a strained knee and Jorge with a sprained ankle. The bench had to step up (George Smith, Kris Williams, Sam Harris, and Trevyn Roberts) but it wasn’t enough, McKay dropped two games – beating Crater, but losing to North Medford and South Medford at the Abby’s Christmas Classic.

As players had a chance to heal up a bit, McKay was facing Canby at home on January 3rd. Isaiah had a taped-up finger and a weak shoulder. Jorge had a sore and taped ankle. At least they were back and good enough to give it a go. Canby was tough and the game went into overtime. Dillon, one of McKay’s best players, fouled out. But McKay still had Micah in overtime.

I remember watching the play halfway into the overtime. A Canby guard shot the ball and it bounced off the rim. Micah jumped up in the crowd battling for the rebound. As he came down, he felt a blow to the outside of his knee followed by a pop that he’d never heard before. He went down with excruciating pain – the entire gym went silent and the trainer ran across the floor immediately. His knee had popped out of the socket. McKay not only lost in overtime, but they lost a key player for an undetermined amount of time.

“I was so depressed and shocked after that happened. I almost passed out in the locker room. It was tough and there was nothing I could do. Instead of pouting I stayed positive. My teammates encouraged me a great deal,” Micah said.

After seeing the doctor, the diagnosis was a torn MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament – inside band on the knee). The good news, no cartilage tear or ACL tear. The trainer had better news than the doctor according to Micah. He will definitely be out for an undetermined amount of time – possibly the season. My prayers go out for Micah to return, but it’s in God’s hands.

“Micah has done everything he could to become a better player throughout the last three years that I have known him. It was hard to see his season come to an end, but I have been impressed with the role he has taken on since then. He has been a true leader for our team,” Assistant Coach Matt Espinoza said.

Micah has high hopes to return to the court by the end of league play. With his attitude I have no doubt it could happen. But for now he’s not just sitting around the house. He is supporting his teammates during practices and games. He gets up off the bench and gives pointers to help out. He’s been around the league a long time and knows some of the opponents well – his knowledge is valuable and an important factor.

“Micah is the ultimate teammate. He did all of the little things well on the floor. The biggest asset he brings to the team is his leadership. Even with his injury he’s still bringing that to the team,” Head Coach Dean Sanderson said.

Micah’s sister, Hannah, was never that supportive of her brother previous to his senior year. She would show up to his games but was not that thrilled about being there. During his senior year her attitude changed drastically – she had much more enthusiasm.

“I’m amazed at how well he’s handled everything. I’m more supportive of him now than I ever was before – I’m very proud of my brother,” Hannah said.

Micah is an honor student and maintains a 4.0 GPA. He likes taking AP classes although McKay doesn’t offer many. He is blessed with a good memory that retains what he learns well. He focuses on doing the best he can as far as homework or whatever needs to be done in class. Before taking tests, he reviews criteria that might not be as clear. His plain and simple words, I just don’t accept Bs.

This young man has goals. One is to graduate high school with a 4.0 GPA. He also believes that his team can win a CVC League Title and play in post season. A trip to the Moda Center (formerly known as the Rose Garden) is definitely not out of reach. As a senior he would love to be one of the Valedictorians at graduation. Micah feels his senior class is a great one and can leave an inspiring impression for the underclassmen.

What some people might not know about Micah is his involvement doing mission work through Salem Alliance Church – he takes great pride in his faith. Mexico is a country he visited in the past – he helped build houses for people in need. This summer he plans to do mission work in Africa (Burkina Faso) – he’ll be there for two weeks building church roofs.

I personally will pray for a speedy recover for Micah Sanders, he is a young man that has set a great example for young people to follow – not just in sports, but in life as well.

Micah, what are some of your hobbies?

I like playing drums and helping out in things like the Salem Hoops Project. I enjoy the outdoors – hiking and stuff. I’m not a big fan of video games but I do listen to Christian music.

Who is your favorite NBA team?

Portland Trailblazers of course!

Who is your favorite college team?

I like rooting for the underdog. I like colleges like Butler and Davidson.

What are your goals past high school?

I plan on applying at Whitworth and Northwest Nazarene. At this point I don’t plan on pursuing sports. I would really like to see what colleges have to offer without spending a lot of time on a sport. For a career I really like Kinesiology (assessing patient’s health by testing their muscles, etc.).

Five Seniors Define Unforgettable Basketball Memory

I’m so convinced that any team with a desire to make it all the way to the state tournament must have put in some extra time on the basketball court. Like the boys in this story, it doesn’t matter where any of the players came from, the important thing was how they blended well when it came to fearless competing.

Brian, Chad, Ryan, Jake, and Clark

In Keizer, Oregon, five seniors coached by Larry Gahr led the way for the 2001 McNary High School Celtics. Wow, has it really been that long? Here it is already 2016 and I remember it just like yesterday. I’m proud to say that one of those players in the photo is my son, Jake.

Number 12 Brian Zielinski, 10 Chad Harms, 32 Ryan Medford, 52 Jake Espinoza, and 44 Clark Ellison, were the seniors leading the way to a successful season. Two other seniors that were major contributors were Jamie Reznick and Tony Alefanti. Juniors were Trevor Cross, Ryan Schmidt, Drew Miller, and Grayson Boucher.

How did this all happen? Well, let’s take a look at four of the players. Chad, Brian, Ryan, and Jamie were playing together since the grade school days. They all had supportive parents that would go miles out of the way for their child. They played in an organized basketball league called the Skyball League and they represented Whiteaker Middle School. In addition, they played for a tournament team that traveled to different cities. I remember seeing the nice uniforms and sweatpants the players wore.

Jake played for Adam Stephens Middle School which participated in the same Skyball League. None of the kids at Stephens played on a tournament team. When Jake’s team played against Whiteaker in the seventh grade, well, the first half was close, but the second half was not a pretty sight. Whiteaker went on to win by 20 points. Ryan Medford at the time was probably 6’ 0”. Jake was maybe 5’ 7” and the best ball handler at Stephens. Brian Zielinski was a factor stealing the ball several times from some of the inexperienced Stephen’s players.

Jake tried out for the Keizer Celts eighth-grade tournament team the following year. This was the only local tournament team that we knew of at the time. I wanted my son to play in tournaments, not just the Skyball league. Jake made the team and started playing with Chad, Brian, Ryan, and Jamie. They started to get to know each other throughout the years. There were some uncomfortable moments at times due to Jake breaking in as a new member. But as time passed adjustments were made and things got better.

Clark Ellison didn’t come into the picture until his freshman year in high school. He was a transfer from Chicago and did not play basketball at McNary his freshman year. Clark was an athletic kid that could play ball, but he needed to learn the McNary offense-defense program. He joined the team his sophomore year where he played JV with Jake, Chad, Jamie, Drew, and Grayson. Brian and Ryan were moved up to play varsity as sophomores.

To be honest, I knew this team would be tough contenders just from watching them for years. Most of these players were leaders in their own way. There was plenty of drama, not just in the players, but in the parents as well. The officials had their hands full when the parents were at these games. I’m including myself as well – I’m not too proud of some of the comments I made to officials when they missed a call.

This group of guys all came together through Larry Gahr’s basketball program by their senior year. Just how, I’m still not sure. Every senior on this team was different – unique in their own way. They all had different hobbies, they all were raised different, and they all had different study habits. But the one thing these boys had in common was the competitive spirit and the drive to win.

To this day, I feel for Coach Gahr and his staff. I commend the coaches for making it through challenging years – keeping those kids together the best they could. I mean, I'm so thankful for the study tables they had to keep the athletes’ grades up. Also, the talks during practice and after practice, were helpful. Another challenge was dealing with the parents – Lord knows that’s always a challenge. I’m sure there were more I didn’t know about.

Back in 2001 our conference was called the Valley League which consisted of 10 teams. Class 4A (Big schools’ league), McNary; Crescent Valley; North Salem; South Salem; Sprague; Lebanon; West Albany; South Albany; McKay; Corvallis. The top four teams made the playoffs and sixteen teams from the state made it to the OSAA State Tournament at Memorial Coliseum. This is where the Blazers played before the Rose Garden and Moda Center came into play.

There were no superstars or go-to players on this team. Everyone contributed. Each player knew their role and executed it precisely. Coach Gahr put in many offensive plays, defensive presses, etc. I used to watch some of the practices – amazing the things these kids learned. They were all very smart and aggressive – that certainly helped.

During high school Jake grew 4 and ¾ inches from his 6’0” freshman year to his senior year – he stood at 6’4 ¾”. Ryan grew four inches standing at 6’4”. Clark grew to 6’3” and could jump like a rabbit. We started hearing the term “Terrorizing Trio” referring to the three big guys we had. These three were strong, fast, and didn’t back down from anyone. They all would rattle the rim in practice.

Chad and Brian were our guards that rarely turned the ball over. They took care of the basketball ball and they ran the offense. The defense was intense from these two little guys. The three-point percentage was great as well.

It was not usually a big deal if any of the five fouled out, because the others would step up – McNary was deep in that sense. This made the case of a winning season in league play. But with one game left in the playoffs before advancing to state, they had to face Beaverton, Oregon – winners of the Metro League. The winner would move on to the State Tournament.

I can still hear the standing-room crowd. I had never seen a high school gym so packed. All you could see was people everywhere. It was an intense game and every shot counted – the pressure was amazing! The intensity from every player was felt. Clutch free throws made by different players in the end helped seal an overtime victory defeating Beaverton 53 – 50 and earning a birth to the OSAA State Tournament. The Celtics were on their way to Portland, Oregon!

The team goal was to play on Saturday. On Wednesday, March 07, 2001 McNary would face Roseburg, Oregon, at 7:00 pm inside Memorial Coliseum. They were facing 6’7” Joe Newton, 6’6” Brennan Gavrelts, and 6’5” Alex Williams – a lot taller than McNary.

The entire year every player on the team had their shining moment – it was like they took turns. But on this stage at the state tournament, it was Jake Espinoza who shined like an all-star. It brought me to tears watching him play his best game of the season. Most of you will never know what he and I went through for years – it wasn’t easy.  I love my son to this day and stood by him every day. Jake led all scorers with 19 points and he pulled down 10 rebounds – a double-double. Ryan scored 9 points, Drew Miller scored 8, Chad had 5, Clark had 4, and Brian led all players with 4 assists. McNary defeated Joe Newton and the Roseburg Indians, 57 – 45. They held Joe to only 15 points.

The team goal was met, they played on Saturday. They lost to nationally-ranked Jefferson High School on Friday and rivalry South Salem on a down-to-the-wire game, 58 -61. We were all so proud of these guys for such an amazing season – a record of 20 wins and 7 losses.

Four out of the five seniors went on to play college basketball and contributed significantly to their teams. One went on to play college baseball. Memories like this are never forgotten but treasured.

Oympic Figure Skating -- You're Kidding! Mirai Nagasu Places Third but 4th-Place Wagner is Sochi Bound

My wife is an elementary P.E. teacher. She teaches her students fairness. A kid once tripped and fell, then got up and finished his time trial. This kid was one of the fastest in the school, but during that race he wasn’t. The teacher’s rules are carried out … the fastest times will represent the school at the big relay event. She feels bad for the kid that tripped – his time is normally faster. But she would feel even worse replacing the person that earned the spot.

Organization’s president, Patricia St. Peter, said these words which I read in our Monday’s local newspaper, the Statesman Journal.

“If you look at Ashley Wagner’s record and performance, she’s got the top credentials of any of our female athletes,” said Patricia St. Peter.

Really? Why even have the Olympic Trials on figure skating if we’re going by credentials. Mirai Nagasu was third and Ashley Wagner was fourth. On that day Mirai was better. That’s why we have judges. What is that doing to their credibility?

I don’t know Mirai personally, but I can guarantee that she put in just as much work (for years) as Ashley. Not trying to bash Ashley, my heart goes out to her. She is not the one that made that decision, and I’m sure she was torn when she didn’t perform up to par. But that’s how it is.

If I was Ashley, I would take myself out of the team and hand it over to Mirai – the person that earned the trip and deserves to go to Sochi. That would be the right thing to do. I don’t know how I could compete when I wasn’t the one that earned the spot. Again that’s just me speaking.

Another thing, what are we teaching this young girl? What kind of an example are we setting for the younger kids that are watching? Wow, I can see this being an issue for a very long time.

“Why can’t I go? Ashley did in figure skating and she didn’t win – that’s the Olympic Trials,” a kid would say some day.

In my earlier post I was defining the meaning of “sport”. How can we see figure skating as a sport now? The organization can determine who represents the USA on their past record – not on the day of competition.

I guess the worst part of this is that our country “The USA” is not allowing a young lady that earned this spot to go to Sochi.

Mirai Nagasu, you rock! As far as I’m concerned you are an Olympian. I hope many people in the USA feel the same way I do. God Bless you.

Is Mall Walking a Sport?

I recently started walking inside the Lancaster Mall in Salem, Oregon. I had no idea that this option was available to the public. The mall actually encourages people to come get fit. The cost is free – you just have to provide your own transportation. The walking times are 6:30 am - 10:00 am Mon. through Sat., 7:00 am - 11:00 am on Sunday.

In the northwest part of the USA it is cold in the winter. I was walking outside while the weather was permitting, but once the temperature dropped I was shivering and my face was going numb. I had to do something else. My wife and I went shopping one morning at Lancaster Mall. She mentioned to me that there was walking allowed during certain hours.

I would never have considered mall walking being a sport, but I’m rethinking that now. If race walking is a sport, well, you be the judge. The mall has a map that illustrates one lap being just over a ½ mile – side hallways included.

There are usually a few people walking in the early morning. Ages range from 20 to 90 years old – I’m one of the youngest at 55. I’ve only seen one 20 year-old. I’ve seen a sixteen year-old, but she was just waiting for the stores to open. One lady even uses hiking sticks, “Hi!” she says with a smile to every person that goes by. She informs me that several people come because of chronic illnesses and use mall walking as therapy.

The people that show up seem to be very friendly – they’ve gotten to know each other over time. They yell across the hallway at times while walking at their own pace. I can’t forget to mention how safe walkers feel with security there at all times.

“Good morning!” one gentleman says to me as he passes me on the left. He’s about 20 years older than I am with mad confidence – he can really move fast. I feel so out of shape, some day I’ll be able to keep up with him.

Anita Griswold (no not from Wally World) is an ambitious lady that walks there regularly with her friend. She recently retired from the Salem Hospital – she’s discovered so many benefits in mall walking.

“I thought to myself, I can sit around home and nibble on food or I can exercise instead. I need to work out – this keeps me in shape while I enjoy myself. Five or six miles are what I try to do here. It’s a great way to stay healthy and keep warm,” Anita said.

I don’t know if I’ll be doing six miles any time soon, but I hope to work up to it. I definitely have to get in better shape to be able to stay with the lady that walks with a stroller. I’m not joking – she moves very fast and embarrasses me every time she flies ahead of me. All I see is the dust from the hallway hitting my face.

There is a store in the mall that’s called Victoria’s Secret. I think most of you know the one. Every time I walk by that store I think to myself, Victoria … the secret is out! Put clothes on those girls! There are kids that come to the mall.

The definition of “sport” is an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition. So if I made it a competition in my own mind, I could try to keep pace with some of these professional mall walkers … I’d say mall walking is a sport.

On a different note, I never understood why I had to force myself to wake up when I had a day job. Now that I’m retired I seem to wake up pretty easy. Has anyone else experienced that situation? Maybe it’s just me.

I definitely recommend mall walking in the early hours if you don’t like the cold weather. As we get older the bones take a toll. Trust me, I know.

Are Parents Living a Dream Through Their Kids in Sports?

As parents we have a responsibility to teach our children good values and to protect them from any harm – whether physical or emotional. We can’t predict what they will choose to be when they grow up. Parents can influence a child in many ways. Let’s look at the sports-world avenue.

I don’t write on this issue because of research I’ve done, no, I’ve actually experienced a few things during my life. I also realize that if you have children you will raise them how you choose and not how anyone else is suggesting. It is entirely up to you. Just remember, there are repercussions.

Sports are a great part of life, a gift that God gave us all to enjoy. This adventure can be for teammates to learn social skills; how to lose or win (with good sportsmanship hopefully); entertain crowds; earn scholarships for college tuition; treat injuries; work as a team; take coach’s instructions; experience traveling to another town; laughing together; crying together, etc. I could create a very long list but I don’t want to take up all your time.

I’m speaking in general to most parents. We’ve all taken an interest in one thing or another throughout our lives. Maybe horse riding, missionaries, science fiction, camping, sewing, cooking, truck driving, business-career oriented … I think you get the idea. Some parents will go through the extra mile to teach their children the necessary skills to learn what they (the parents) enjoy.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that’s a great thing! While our kids are very little it’s very important to spend time with them and show them many good things. Discipline is important at an early age – teaching them to do the right things. As they start growing up it is crucial to nurture them and to continue spending time with them as best you can. Personally, I think one of the best things you can do for your child is to “listen” to them.

The child finally gets to an age that we as parents decide to get them involved in sports. It could be football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, volleyball, etc. It doesn’t matter which sport. The important thing is to introduce them to several sports not just one. If the parent only played football, don’t just introduce your child to football. I’m not saying the child’s interest won’t be in football, but there’s a chance it may not be.

The worse thing a parent can do is to force their child to play a sport that the youngster doesn’t enjoy. So many times I feel that parents were once athletes and maybe they didn’t reach a stage at the top. They put in their minds that maybe their kids can reach what they (the parents) once wanted. Maybe parents get into the competitive game of my kid is better then the rest of those kids and I want him/her to shine (in a sport the kid doesn’t want to play). These are just two facts, I’m sure there are plenty more.

If a child is forced to play a sport they don’t enjoy, this could cause problems between the child and parent. This is not showing love toward your son or daughter. It’s one thing to introduce a sport to a kid (it’s perfectly okay). However, once you discover they do not enjoy it, have them finish out the commitment. The next year, support them on the sport they enjoy doing.

In most cases your child will not want to hurt your feelings. He or she will continue doing the sport you want them doing – keeping anger inside themselves. You’ll see signs of the child not being happy. That’s when we as parents have to listen to our children – especially during the middle school and high school days – very important.

Listening to your kids can make a world of difference in your relationship. They will know that they are important to you – they will feel valued. When you tell them what to do all the time, well, that’s not really listening – particularly during middle school and high school. In grade school they are still learning and we do have to educate them by telling them what to do and setting a good example for them.

Explain to your child why they aren’t allowed to do something. Don’t just tell them, “No you're not!” Inform your son or daughter what can happen if they make a bad decision (whatever that might be). I know it’s difficult because there will be times when we as parents have to put our foot down and say, “You know I love you very much, but I don’t feel this would be a good idea, this is what could happen …”

I think being a good parent has to be one of the toughest jobs in this world, even tougher than US President Obama’s job. We owe this to our children, and to our community. Once your son or daughter has decided on what sport or sports they enjoy playing and wish to continue, please support them on this. It may even be a sport that you’ve never heard of. I had never heard of “curling” before, but if that’s what my child would have selected, you got it, I'd better support him or her on this. I’m not saying that curling is a bad sport – it just wouldn’t be something I would enjoy.

When I was growing up years ago (in the 70s) our school only had three sports, football, basketball, and track and field. Today there are so many sports, not just in the public school system but also club sports. There are organized traveling teams for kids that are more advanced than others – they have tryouts for these. There are leagues in the Boys and Girls Club, or the local Parks and Recreation Divisions. This is good news to many kids wanting to play sports.

We can’t be perfect parents – no one is perfect except Jesus Christ. But we can be there supporting our children, listening to them, showing them the love they deserve. If every parent would just put in a good effort, this world would be a better place – trust me.

Sports Injuries Can Happen Anytime

I remember meeting Lebron James in 2003 at the Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas when my youngest son Matt (Noza) was playing with the Oregon Ice traveling team. You can read about it in my book Noza: A True Basketball Success Story. Lebron was still in high school at the time and was not playing due to an injured wrist. I’m sure he would have loved to play in the tournament since hundreds of people showed up to watch him. I was fortunate enough to walk over and say hi to him. I had no clue that this kid was going to be a superstar someday. I was just going on what my son told me.

“Hi Lebron, I’m David Espinoza, I have a son playing in this tournament. He’s playing for the Oregon Ice.”

Lebron shakes my hand and says, “Nice!”

“How’s your wrist doing?” I ask.

“It’s getting better man, thanks for asking.”

He stands up and looks down at me. I’d say he was about 6’8” at the time and his body was definitely an NFL football body – I’m not joking!

While he’s talking to me, he’s signing autographs for many kids. They walk up with their basketballs and have them signed.

“Well, good luck in the NBA next year man, I’ll be watching you.”

“Thanks man, I appreciate that,” Lebron said very politely.

I don’t think I would have met him if it wasn’t for his injured wrist. It worked out for me, but I think I’d prefer him healthy to play in the tournament. It would have been a blast to see my son matched up against him – 6’4” against 6’8”.

Injuries are a part of life, and when you play sports the risk will be greater than when you’re cooking, sleeping, working in the office, etc. Sometimes injuries can happen when you least expect them. Take our local high school boys’ basketball team for example. The McKay Royal Scots were 7 – 0 and ranked high in the state of Oregon. They were getting ready to play at the Abby’s Holiday Classic in Medford, Oregon.

McKay has three top-notch ball handlers and, as we know, to win games you need ball handlers. McKay first lost Jacob Brustad with a knee injury. On Thursday, December 26^th, Isaiah Montona went down with a dislocated and fractured finger the day before departing to the tournament.

The first game of the tournament was against North Medford, Oregon, the home team. They had a really good team and despite our second guard going down we took a ten-point lead early on. Perhaps you can guess where this is going – our third ball handler went down in the first quarter. He was defending a fast break against a North Medford guard. Jorge Garibay was up in the air when he came down awkwardly and sprained his ankle severely. He fell to the gym floor in excruciating pain. McKay ended up losing by 13 points, 62 -49, their first loss of the season.

The good news, well, the good Lord made our bodies to heal with care and time. I can’t explain why injuries happen when they do – it’s just part of the process – part of life.

At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, there was a young lady by the name of Kerry Strug – a 4’ 9” gymnast. The Womens’ USA Gymnastic Team was doing well and she was performing the vault. The Russians were neck to neck with the USA and it was coming down to Kerry’s performance for the chance at the gold medal. She had two vaults for the best score possible. On her first vault she landed hard feeling a crack on her ankle – she slid backward in tears holding her ankle. She received a 9.162 for her score which was still a chance for a gold medal but not guaranteed.

Let’s pause for a minute. This is a dream that this young girl had since she was five years old – training intensely for years before this moment. Not only was it a chance for her to accomplish an amazing feat for her and her teammates, but for her country as well.

Her coach took one look at her, not convinced that the USA had a gold secured, and said, “I need you to go one more time.” Kerry put herself into a focus mode despite the pain. I know what a torn ligament feels like so I can relate to what Kerry was going through. She gets back on the 75-foot runway with her ankle taped as best as possible. She seemed to block the pain and her mind was telling her, you can do this one more time.

As she takes off, everyone is intensely watching the moment. Kerry approaches the vault placing her hands down as she throws herself up in the air twisting and turning. She then lands, hearing a second crack, but perfectly sticking her landing. The crowd goes wild! She begins to hop on one leg in tears as her teammates and coach come to her for help. She is carried away in a stretcher. Her score turned into a 9.712 securing gold for the USA!

Kerry suffered two torn ligaments. That was a performance that will never be forgotten.

I certainly can see the reason why Kerry continued with an injury. In my opinion, when you reach a moment that you’ve worked so hard for, I guess you want to do whatever you can because you may not get that opportunity again on such a huge stage.

My advice may not be perfect, but I would x-ray the injury to be sure there are no broken bones. If it’s an important playoff game or event, try to tape up the injury and see if you can go. If you can’t go, trust me, don’t go. You could hurt your team by not being able to move as quickly. You can also cause permanent damage to your body. In Kerry’s case she only had one jump to do. In a basketball game, or a football game you’ll be on that injury a little bit longer. Kerry was also performing in the Olympics, not the same as a high school game or college game.

I actually saw a referee pull his hamstring after calling a foul on a player – no joke! It happened in Silverton, Oregon two years ago. Please do the best you can to stretch out and warm up before playing any kind of sport, yes, even table tennis or officiating a game.

All I Want for Christmas is a Holiday Basketball Tournament

’Tis the season to be jolly! Every year I look forward to watching at least one holiday basketball tournament – Oregon has some of the best. The Les Schwab Invitational and the Southern Oregon Subaru Christmas Classic are two great ones. The Abby’s Holiday Classic in Medford, Oregon, is the state’s longest running tourney for this time of the year. There are so many good ones all over the state.

Christmas is about giving. When Jesus Christ was born he received gifts from the three wise men. This special time of the year should not be about what I want. All too often we think about ourselves and “getting”. Maybe this year we can take the time to do something for someone or give someone a gift they enjoy. All too often I’ve seen where people receive gifts that the “giver” enjoys. Do research on the person you’re buying for or doing for. You’ll feel much better seeing that smile on their face when they open the present – to me, that’s a gift in itself.

Christmas is time for family. Everyone has busy schedules throughout the year. It’s rare for the entire family to be together in one place. For instance, with my family, I have two boys and two stepdaughters. They each have their immediate family and schedules. They work year-round and have busy lives (a good thing). One of my stepdaughters lives in Canada. My other stepdaughter lives in Wilsonville, Oregon. My two boys live here in Salem (blessing). I guess what I’m trying to say is that holidays are special and important – a time for everyone to see family and catch up on things.

Okay, now back to holiday tournaments. Sorry I got off track. The tournaments give us a chance to go somewhere with family and experience an eye-opening event while supporting our local team. We can eat at restaurants that are different than our local area. Also, meeting new people from the opposing team can be a great experience … if we let it. Staying at a hotel that you’ve never seen or experienced can be fun. Sharing that time is precious and healthy – if we choose to make it that.

I’ll try to prepare myself for the tournament by using this as an example. I was sitting next to a gentleman at the McKay vs. Sheldon game on December 16^th. Our local team (McKay Royal Scots) was playing at the Sheldon Irish gym. During the game, I felt one of their players traveled and the referee missed the call, instead, a foul on our player was called. I yelled, “That was traveling!” The gentleman turned to me and responded, “He got tripped first that wasn’t traveling!” I remembered what I had written in one of my earlier posts about good sportsmanship. I thought about it for a few seconds. Then, I said, “You guys have a really good team, they are very quick and can shoot the ball well.” A smile came from him and we became friends in the fourth quarter.

My heart goes out to people that are struggling and can’t afford to take that time off from work. I know that a majority will take a vacation during the holidays. If you’re one of those people and have never been to a holiday tournament, I really encourage you to take a chance – you’ll love it!

This is the time of the year where there is plenty of delicious food to eat – and don’t forget about the hot chocolate with marshmallows. The ham, turkey, pies, fudge, etc. are treats for the entire family to enjoy during the season – please, no fruitcake. Pack some holiday treats for the trip to a holiday tournament and eat them while you watch the games.

I know I’m talking basketball in particular, but there are also other sporting events that go on during the holiday season. Pick the one that your family most enjoys and have fun!

Merry Christmas to all! I want to wish everyone a joyful holiday season. I also want to thank all of the athletes competing in holiday tournaments. May everyone stay injury-free during the games (Alexis Wolf, don’t worry that ankle will heal soon).

I remember those tournaments when I was playing many moons ago – some of the most exciting times.

The Professor - Grayson Boucher Plus More NW Sports Stories (New book released!)

Great news! My new book is available for sale! Book Title: The Professor – Grayson Boucher

Subtitle:      Plus More NW Sports Stories

Genre:         Non-fiction Sports Biography

Retail Price: $15.95

Publisher: E-BookTime, LLC (Dec. 2, 2013)

Edition: Paperback, 236 pages

ISBN: 978-1-60862-530-7

To Order Online: Just simply click on the book cover displayed

To Order an Autographed Copy: click on Order Autographed Copy at the top

Book Description

This is a must-read book – eight northwest USA true sports stories. Athletes in these stories have a passion for the one thing they desire. It takes them a tremendous amount of sacrifice, determination, and hard work to accomplish success. Experience their journey.

This book features Grayson “The Professor” Boucher – a short skinny boy from Keizer, Oregon. He became an overnight sensation signing a contract with the And 1 Mixtape Tour. He now plays professionally for Ball Up Streetball and tours worldwide. How about Noah Torres from Moses Lake, Washington? This young man dealt with twelve fractures in his skull along with more medical issues. Noah is a miracle kid who God kept alive for a reason. Also, Brooke Chuhlantseff from Salem, Oregon, who as a freshman in high school captured a district championship title in the 1500 meter run – she has a strong vision of the Olympic Trials. All eight stories in this book are unique and will leave you inspired.

I would like to thank the eight families that willingly shared personal information with me about their son or daughter. We spent countless hours of interview time including phone calls and text messages. After two and a half years we’re finally done! This book would not have been possible without their help. I’m so thankful for amazing people like them. God Bless you all.

I would like to also thank the contributors - my sons Jake and Matt for their contributions. Thanks to my wife Loni, for assisting me in editing.

I hope that you consider ordering one of my books for a great “Christmas present for someone you might know”.

A Heart-Touching Story - Kayla Reyna Loves Basketball

Photo by Kent Brewer

Who is this young lady with fire-winning eyes? That’s what McKay girls’ basketball has this year. In Salem, Oregon, there is a basketball player that tells everyone, I want to win! She won’t say it but she’ll display it on the basketball court. Standing at 5’ 2” as a basketball player might be misleading – this athlete plays like she’s 5’8”.

The first time I met her was last summer during a “Salem Hoops Project” session. I didn’t think too much of it, but when I saw her shoot and dribble the basketball during some of the most challenging drills, well, I knew she was a “baller”. Action, not words, is what I saw in this young female competitor.

Kayla Reyna is a Latina and the daughter of Ayda Leyva and Rudy Reyna. She has one older brother – Rudy Jr. Kayla plays point guard for the McKay High School Lady Scots.  McKay plays in the Central Valley Conference. Her successful road in hoops has not been an easy one, but an admiration to many people.

She grew up in Gervais, Oregon, a small town with a low-income community, which resides fifteen miles north of Salem. Her family moved to Silverton, Oregon, while she was in grade school.

“When I was little I looked up to my older brother, Rudy. I always wanted to hang around him because I thought he was really cool. I just hung around him and his friends. We played basketball just about every day,” Kayla said.

Kayla’s brother inspired her to love the game of basketball. She was very close to him and felt safe being around him when she was out and about. She watched and learned from good basketball players.

Sometimes in the Latino culture the parents don’t always encourage their daughters to play sports. In Kayla’s situation her mom and dad supported her one hundred percent. They just wanted to be sure she was safe while playing basketball with Rudy’s friends.

When Kayla was in the fourth grade something heartbreaking happened – her parents went through a painful divorce. At that same time she also lost her grandmother who was very close to her. To some people sports is not important. But to Kayla, it was her counseling. Basketball helped her deal with the emotional times. It meant being around kids that were having fun plus it took her mind to a more relaxed place.

“That was really hard for Rudy and I to deal with – I started playing a lot of basketball. My family seemed to always have problems – some relatives even getting into trouble. When we lost Grandma I was torn – she meant the world to me. This is something I usually don’t share with people,” Kayla said.

After her parents split up, Kayla and her mom moved back to Gervais where she attended Gervais Middle School. She started seeing “the lack of success” in her family tree. She wanted to change that. Using basketball to cope, she became a good student athlete. Making the right decisions for her future was important.

In the seventh grade Kayla played with Cascade (an all-star tournament team) for two years. Later her mom moved them to Woodburn, Oregon, when she was a freshman. While attending and playing for Woodburn High School, she played for two other teams – The Hoop in Salem and The Portland Rebels (an AAU traveling tournament team).

Spending most of her high school years in Woodburn, Oregon, Kayla and her mom moved to Salem after her junior year. She has joined the McKay Lady Scots for her senior year. Assistant Coach Lamar Griffin was working with her on skills for awhile, but then he left McKay. Griffin referred Kayla to Matt Espinoza (Noza), the boys’ varsity assistant coach. Kayla spent all summer training with Noza at the Salem Hoops Project.

“Kayla began working out with me last summer. She has a desire and work ethic to become a great point guard for her team,” Coach Matt Espinoza said.

Her mom, Ayda, has been very supportive of Kayla. The two of them think of others. They help Kayla’s teammates with rides to and from practices. Kayla encourages this and her mom supports it.

“A lot of people don’t think of McKay in a winning mentality. As one of the leaders I want to help create a winning mentality for McKay. We have some talent this year. I want to adjust with my teammates in how they play – whatever I need to do to make us better. One of my goals is to be able to compete with South Salem – the number one team in the CVC. I would also like to help us make the playoffs,” Kayla said.

McKay girls’ basketball has a stellar roster this season with great shooters like all-around-player Braylee Stone, sharp-shooter Alexia Wolf, and inside-force Kenya Williams, plus more. They work hard when they set foot on the basketball court. With the addition of Kayla Reyna they will be able to compete with any team.

“Kayla is such an outstanding player, she can shoot from anywhere on the court. She’s a smart player and can adjust to any play. I’m so excited to continue the season with her! I love how much work she puts into practices and games,” said her teammate, Braylee Stone.

Academically she maintains a 3.5 GPA and would like to improve that. Her dream is to get a college scholarship to play basketball somewhere. She wants to be the first in her family to succeed in life – really wants to make her mom proud. Kayla’s focus for the future is to study sports medicine. She would love to be an athletic trainer after college.

“It’s been a huge boost for the team having her leadership. She’s worked really hard and has done a great job getting acclimated to her teammates’ style of play – she is fitting in perfectly. Kayla brings calmness to the pressures of defenses – her teammates feast off of that. She sees the floor differently than most players, and she makes those around her better players. She has the work ethic to improve and we’re looking for big things from her this season,” Head Coach Derick Handley said.

Kayla will set a mark, not only for her family, but also to all of the young female athletes out there looking for an example to follow. She is great proof of what hard work can accomplish. Keep up the good work Kayla!

Kayla, what are your favorite basketball moments?

Before my junior year, I played for an international USA team and we won a huge tournament in the Bahamas. I also once scored 27 points in a game.

Favorite NBA team and college team?

The LA Lakers – I like Kobe Bryant. In college I like Duke.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Oh my gosh, falling on the floor during a basketball game.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy hanging out with friends, watching movies, and listening to music – Hip-Hop Rap (Drake).

Swimming is Important to the McNary Girls' Team

The sport of swimming has to be one of the best sports for the human body. Close to every muscle in the body is used. It is a cardio sport, and even better, the bones take no pounding. I would often visit doctors throughout my sports career because of injuries. Most of them would say, “I recommend doing some swimming for therapy.”

At McNary High School in Keizer, Oregon, the girls swim team is about to get going on another season. They are led by Head Coach Kim Phillips who’s been at it for thirty four years – that’s love for the sport.

“We have roughly twenty seven swimmers this year. We practice every day. I’m predicting that we’ll have a good season this year,” Kim said.

I arrived at the Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon, at 2:55 p.m. where the swimmers (inside the aquatic center) were sitting up on the stands suited and ready to go. Most of them were hanging out socializing while they waited for practice to start.

What inspires some of these girls to be swimmers? Jewel Boyd is a junior at McNary – she started swimming when she was five years old. Her older sister swam for a team. Jewel would eventually go on to be part of a club swim team … the Bearcats. Her specialty is the freestyle.

“I followed my older sister’s footsteps – she inspired me. Swimming for Coach Phillips is an inspiration in itself – she’s really good. I enjoy the team aspect of it all. My goal is to swim in college and study foreign relations,” Jewel said.

Brittney Kiser is a sophomore and one of the best at the backstroke. Brittney’s story will be one of eight featured in my new book to be released sometime in December 2013, The Professor – Grayson Boucher, Plus More NW Sports Stories. Brittney was inspired by her mom. Tara Kiser introduced swimming to her daughter (when she was a child).

Samantha Williams is another sophomore who will help the girls’ swim team. She is great at the long distance swim – the 500 freestyle.

“It’s an inspiring sport in itself when you get in the pool. I enjoy the great exercise and the calmness of it all – it’s a fun sport,” Samantha said.

Abby McCoy is a freshman. She’s young but looking forward to great things in the future – she is motivated by her coaches’ instructions each day at practice.

“I enjoy swimming – it’s definitely a stress reliever. I get a chance to isolate myself from everything. Swimming makes me a stronger person while gaining more confidence,” Abby said.

Before the practice starts, the coach reminds the athletes to get their participation fee in. She also adds that the booster club will be helping pay for some of the swimsuits they purchase.

In my opinion, our priorities are not set right. There has to be a way for schools to provide fees and equipment for athletes. Can I get an Amen on this?

“The kids are great, I enjoy coaching them. We normally don’t have any problems. The only challenge we might have is getting everyone here. The school is about 5 miles away and the kids have to rely on their own transportation,” Kim said.

The team starts warming up with a tool called a kickboard. They hold on with two hands stretching their arms forward and fluttering the legs. Assistant Coach Erika Rose has been coaching at McNary for six years. She is a volunteer and enjoys helping the young swimmers. She mostly works with the beginners.

“We have our team do the kickboard for about fifteen minutes before starting a one-and- a-half hour training session. They stay in the pool the entire duration. Every swimmer has a type they do – some do several types. They get a one or two minute breather throughout, but they’re in the water the entire time. Sometimes we have them do a stroke workout or simply an endurance workout,” Erica said.

During the practices the Kroc Center has a police of mandatory lifeguards. Kelsey Lund and Sara Brending were keeping an eye on the swimmers that day.

“We have to keep a constant watch at all times, practices or swim meets. Basically, anytime we have people in the water, a lifeguard will be on duty,” Kelsey said.

Swimming definitely takes a different kind of “getting in shape”. It is a challenging sport and to acquire the technique for the many types of skills, takes dedication and hard work.

Let’s review the different types.

Freestyle:

This is the most common known swim type. The competitor does a front crawl, circling arms forward, alternating arms, and kicking their feet (known as fluttering). This is the fastest of all types and used for long distance races as well as short distance.

Butterfly:

This style is known as the “fly”. It is swum on the breast with both arms moving continuously, accompanied by a dolphin kick. It takes a tremendous amount of arm strength and leg strength.

Backstroke:

This type is sometimes called the “back crawl” or the “upside-down freestyle”. Swum on the back, the advantage is breathing. The disadvantage is not being able to see where they are going. The competitor uses long-axis strokes. It is the only competition that has a different start – on the wall in the water.

Breaststroke:

This style is where the chest or torso does not rotate. The stability and ability to keep the head out of the water most of the time, is amazing. This is the most difficult stroke and requires a tremendous amount of leg strength and endurance compared to others.

In addition to individual events at swim meets, there is also an individual medley. This is where the swimmer does several types in one race. There are also relays, the medley relay and the freestyle relay. The races are all in yards for the winter season, which are mostly high school. In the summer the races are in meters.

If you’re not doing anything on Thursday December 12th, come to the Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon at 7:00 p.m. and watch a high school swim meet. The McNary girls and boys will be competing against Lebanon.

I would like to thank Brittney Kiser and Coach Kim Phillips for inviting me to one of their practices.

Thanks for the time you took to read this post.

Jacob Brustad has High Expectations on the Basketball Court

                                                             Photo by Kent Brewer

McKay Boys Basketball in Salem, Oregon, is about to make a run, not only for the CVC (Central Valley Conference) title, but also to play in the post season. That’s right – if all goes well and the team stays healthy this could be a great year for McKay Basketball. Come out and watch their first home game. The McKay Royal Scots will play against Tualatin on Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m.

Jacob Brustad is a six-foot senior point guard who has a vision of playing at the next level after high school. Born in Salem, in 1995, he’s the son of Chris and Nina You Brustad. Jacob also has an older sister, Christa.

The young athlete speaks of being raised in a low-income-family environment. When he was a little kid he remembers living in a rough neighborhood. It was scary and definitely not a place that was always safe. He survived the storm choosing to do the right things in life and he continues to head in a positive direction.

“We had all kinds of young kids doing bad things and getting into trouble – mostly teenagers,” Jacob said.

He attended Scott Elementary School in the northeast side of town. His parents really pushed him to be a baseball player. They would sign him up for fall baseball and encourage him to get better at the sport. Jacob did not like baseball and started eyeing the sport of basketball.

In the fifth grade Jacob’s uncles, Judd You and Michael You, took him to a Blazer game. Jacob instantly fell in love with basketball. This adventure inspired him to become a basketball player. The transition from baseball to basketball began. His parents did what understanding parents should do. They supported Jacob on the sport he enjoyed the most.

“My parents are very supportive of me. They would take me to practices and buy me basketball shoes. Mom’s always at my games and Dad works late hours but manages to make it to my games as well. My uncles, Judd and Michael, also support me by coming to my games,” Jacob said.

Jacob played on several AAU tournament teams during his middle school years. Salem Basketball Club, Team Adidas, and Oregon Pump and Run were teams that helped him get the experience he needed – and the most important thing … he was having fun!

Jacob started getting really serious when he was in middle school. He started training with Matt Espinoza (Noza)  www.dynamicpd.net .  Skills training sessions were important to him – he wanted to help Mckay’s basketball team.

“I have been working with Jacob since he was a seventh grader. The amount of progress he has made is remarkable,” Assistant Coach Matt Espinoza said.

Dunking the basketball when he was a freshman in high school was an eye-opener. Not too many ninth graders can dunk the basketball. He has natural quickness and abilities that any athlete would love to have. Jacob also has a great three-point shot.

“I’m like … where’d that come from? It was a great feeling but it must have been a good jump because after that I could not dunk it again, but I kept trying,” Jacob laughs.

Now he can dunk consistently. We could possibly see one in a game this year if the team is ahead and the coaches give him a green light. Coaches don’t usually encourage dunks, they prefer to have a made basket.

This young man has worked hard over the summer (off-season) – in my opinion, that’s how a player gets better. Jacob worked on ball handling, passing, shooting, and defense. During summer league games, pushing the ball down court and finishing a shot at the end or making a solid assist was the focus for improvement.

“Jacob’s worked extremely hard to improve his game and has matured tremendously as a player and person the last two years. I’m excited to see the results of his hard work on the floor this season,” Head Coach Dean Sanderson said.

When Jacob is not playing basketball, he loves hanging out with his friends and listening to music (Hip-hop rap) – Kanye West usually. XBOX games are another thing he enjoys doing.

Academically, he’s great at Math, but Chemistry is his favorite subject – Jacob always tries to get his homework done ASAP. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA and recently bumping it up to 3.86, is not an easy thing to do, but inspiring. Jacob also does great things for others. He gives rides to his teammate, Dillon James, to school and to practices. Plus, he always gets his teammates involved in games.

Jacob, who is your favorite NBA team and who is your favorite college team?

I like the Oklahoma City Thunder and in college I like Kentucky.

What is your favorite basketball moment of all time?

I actually have two of them. When I was a freshman we were losing to Sprague by twenty-five points at halftime. We made a huge comeback and won the game! In the eighth grade I scored 37 points to help our tournament team beat the Woodburn Bulldogs.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

During school one time I was walking to the white board to do a problem. My knee gave out on me – I fell to the floor and everyone started laughing.

What are your expectations for the team as a senior and a leader?

To help my team put in a good effort in practices and games – off the court, setting an example for our team to be good people … no messing around.

New Book Coming Soon! The Professor - Grayson Boucher, Plus More NW Sports Stories

In 2008 I wrote my first book “Noza: A True Basketball Success Story” a non-fiction book based on my son Matt. He never gave up despite obstacles. In 2011 I published my second book, “Poor Kid, Wealthy Kid,” a sports-fiction book based on some of my experiences as a young kid – from Texas to Oregon.

I started realizing how many amazing stories there are here in the great northwest part of the USA. I love this part of the country and plan to spend the rest of my life here.

My wheels started spinning and I wanted to write another book that would expand on my Noza-book idea. Now it’s 2013 and my new book will soon be released – exciting! I’m really praying for sometime in December.

Title: The Professor – Grayson Boucher

Subtitle: Plus More NW Sports Stories

The idea of going into athletes’ homes and interviewing them for hours was a little nerve racking at first. I’ve conducted plenty of interviews, but not of this magnitude. The expectation was unknown. Asking a family to answer questions that were “personal” was educational. I was not only impressed with these athletes and families, but also very thankful for their willingness to share such details with the entire world. It was a great experience. I was passionate about writing this book – really enjoyed it. I thank the good Lord for the guidance.

My new book consists of eight northwest USA true sports stories. The featured story is Grayson Boucher. The additional seven stories are also amazing and unique. You’ll get a good taste of every athlete’s life and how they reached accomplishment.

Grayson Boucher: Featuring Grayson “The Professor” Boucher – a short skinny boy from Keizer, Oregon. He became an overnight sensation signing a contract with the And 1 Mixtape Tour. A big change came about with And 1. He went on to sign a contract with Ball Up Streetball where he’s touring worldwide. Grayson has also played a lead role in the movie Ball Don’t Lie. You will read about where this young man grew up and how it all happened. This is a remarkable basketball story.

Janelle Weiss: At 5’ 5” this young lady was determined to play Division I basketball. She played for West Salem High School in Salem, Oregon, then moved to Beaverton and played with Southridge High School – a power-house team. Overcoming obstacles along the way she returned to West High for her senior year. Several colleges started eyeing her.

Alex Hurlburt: A young boy from Salem, Oregon, that adjusted to society and faced many challenges. Despite being born with a missing limb, he always remembered what his parents told him, “Can’t is not an option.” The challenges started as soon as he was born and led to the daycare center that he attended. He would go on to defy the odds and become a three-sport athlete. In baseball, it was amazing what he accomplished while playing on an all-star team.

Avry Holmes: He’s from Salem, Oregon, a talented young man that was athletic since he could walk. Everything was going great for him. Avry played two grades up sometimes. His dad, Rick Holmes, was his best friend and his coach in many occasions. Avry went everywhere with his dad just to keep learning about the game of basketball. His dream was to play Division I basketball and possibly continue in the NBA. After a phenomenal eighth grade year something terrible happened.

Brooke Chuhlantseff: This young lady is from Salem, Oregon, she loves to run. Her mom was a competitive runner in college. This inspired Brooke to become a runner. They would run together often – daughter would learn from Mom. As a freshman in high school she captured the varsity district championship title in the 1500 meter run – she has a strong vision of the Olympic Trials. She caught attention from several Division I colleges.

Daniel Brattain: He’s a gifted hurdler from Keizer, Oregon. He faced a tough situation with his dad being deployed overseas. Daniel discovered that he was great at running the hurdles. As a freshman his technique was very sharp. The sharpness was due to the hard work he put in at a young age. He made the varisty team as a freshman and went on to set two hurdle records at McNary High School. An amazing story you won’t want to miss.

Brittney Kiser: She’s from Keizer, Oregon, and has a love for swimming. The backstroke is her type. Brittney was doing great and her destination for college swimming was in her future … until something happened. Brittney faced major obstacles, some that would cause her emotional stress. She’s a fighter and one that would not give up her dream but become stronger as an athlete and a person.

Noah Torres: He’s a legend from Moses Lake, Washington. This young boy dealt with a spider fracture in his skull along with more medical issues. Noah is a miracle kid who God kept alive for a reason. Because of his surgeries and recovery time, he began late in the sports world. He loved baseball and nothing was going to stop him from playing. His hard work and persistence landed him a spot on an all-star baseball team.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my Blog. I’ll keep you posted as the new book release date gets closer!

It's All About Me!

I remember playing sports back when I was a kid. My parents attended maybe one game a year. Usually it was a homecoming game or a senior night event. I would often ask them to come watch me play – I was always one of the starters in football and basketball. They would take me to my games and drop me off, but usually did not stay to watch. Other parents would be there watching their kids – even if they sat the bench. I actually played the entire game most of the time. I felt sad that my parents had no interest in my school activities – at least that’s how I felt. One of the times they showed up at my game was back when I was in the fifth grade in Dimmitt, Texas (we moved to Oregon in 1976). I was signed up to play in the Dimmitt Little Dribblers League – a league that included fifth and sixth graders. My mom was a teacher’s aid working for the elementary school. Mom knew Mrs. King who was the coach’s wife. Our game was on a Sunday – a playoff game at the end of the season. I told my coach that I could not play because I had to go to church. Mr. King said, “What?” The look on his face said it all. He continued, “David, we can’t win without you. We need you to play on Sunday.”

I had talked to my parents about this previously, but my mom insisted that I go to church and not the game. So I accepted the fact that I was not going to play and that I would let my team down – coaches and all. I had no clue what was going on. Sunday morning my mom explained to me that Mr. and Mrs. King were picking me up at our house and taking me to the game. I’m like, “what?” Somehow they convinced my mom to allow me to play. My brothers and sisters were furious because they had to go to church.

Church service was over by the second quarter. I noticed that my mom and dad walked into the gym. They came to my first basketball game ever! Naturally I was so excited. I scored 34 points and had 13 rebounds – it helps when you’re the tallest kid on the team. That game meant so much to me. Not because I did so well and we won, but because my parents were there watching. That was the last time they attended, except for senior night in 1978.

It got to the point where I felt great about other parents coming to me and congratulating me on a great game. All I could think about was, “Why couldn’t my mom and dad be like that?”

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to bash my parents, they had six kids to deal with. My dad was the only provider for the household – he worked very hard. He must have been tired after work. He would fix the car when it broke down – plus other household duties. My mom usually followed what my dad decided. I love my parents and am not ashamed to say that we were very different in “the way we think”.

When I became a parent, I remembered that feeling. Never would I miss what my kids were involved in at school. I wanted them to know that they were important and that I took interest in whatever they were doing. I made it a point to be there for whatever they needed – even if it meant taking time off work. If I was tired, it was refreshing for me to watch my sons. Don’t believe me? Just ask one of them.

It bothered me to hear some of my co-workers talking, “I can’t wait to get the rug rats out of the house.” Even if they were joking I don’t think it’s something to say about your kids. Our responsibilities to our children are to teach them good values and support them in what they want to pursue. Some parents tell their kids that they cannot play sports or that they can only play one sport. Here’s a good one I once heard someone say … “I had a bad experience with sports back when I played and I’m not about to let my kids play.” How selfish can a parent be?

Why do some parents become “power trip people”? Well, maybe it’s because “it’s all about me”. We often think about ourselves and not others – which includes not thinking about our kids. Listen to your children – don’t tell them what sport they need to play, ask them what they enjoy playing. It’s not the same thing as chores around the house – two separate things.

A child may want to play an instrument or sing in choir. The parent wants him or her to play sports. I understand keeping a child active with exercise and all. But in this case, if a child wants to pursue music, then we as parents must support their dream. Encourage them to go jogging or swimming so they can stay healthy while participating in music. It’s a proven fact that when you exercise your mind works better in the classroom.

When a child is forced to do what the parent wants, the fun will end. There could also be issues with the parent-child relationship. Some kids handle that better than other kids, but as they get older it will eventually get worse.

Don’t make it comfortable for you. Give up your night with the guys or working late at night. Give up watching TV and bring your other kids with you. Attend your child’s event. Sometimes we need to sacrifice for our kids. Support them – be there for your children. Take interest in what they are doing and go to every possible event that you can. Make an effort – they’re your children. Love them.

How Important Are Grades for Athletes?

How important are academics for an athlete? Growing up as a young kid I always wanted to play college football or basketball – some day possibly in the NFL or NBA. Never once through grade school did I learn that in order to play high school or college sports you had to have passing grades. The only reason I passed my grades was because I was competing with my fellow students. “What are you going to major in when you get to college?” I asked one of my friends. “Oh, football – maybe basketball,” he responded. Some kids really have no clue that grades are so important. I went on to explain to my friend. “Football is not a major. I’m speaking of majoring in physical education or science?”

A very small percentage of athletes make it to the NFL or NBA. Pick a field that you enjoy so when you graduate you can land a decent job. Even if you’re a great athlete, injuries could end your career, and then what?

I’m not going to get into the GPA (Grade Point Average) aspect of it, because I’m sure it varies in some schools. But basically if you can maintain a C average (2.0 GPA) you most likely will be allowed to play sports at most schools. There are exceptions with schools that have stricter requirements than others. If an athlete receives an athletic scholarship from a college, it’s important that he or she reads the agreement. Grades come into the picture – you have to maintain a certain GPA. If the athlete does not comply with the agreement, he or she will be declared ineligible and cannot play until the grades are valid again. Pay attention … some colleges will require that the tuition money be paid back. Before signing to play college sports, read any kind of agreements you sign very carefully.

I started looking into the importance of grades and sports when Coach Durham, my eighth-grade coach, informed our basketball team about the matter. I realized I had to put in a great effort to keep my grades up.

If you know an athlete that has no clue about how important grades are, let them know. Coaches at most high schools have programs set up for students that struggle academically. My heart goes out to athletes that have amazing talent but can’t make the grades – someone could have helped them.

One last note, some students have parents that are not educated. They don’t know themselves what goes on at school – some don’t even know how to read. But if people help, they can make a difference in one kid’s life. To the people that have helped kids with grades and explained to them the importance, take a bow you’ve made a difference.