The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/506412
Page 6 April 24, 2015 Coach of the Issue/NIchole Valdez Sports Varsity girls softball works hard JV baseball feels confident with experienced players Shania Prieto Staff Writer Red Bluff High School's Junior Varsity baseball team is preparing for their game tonight, April 24, against Enterprise. Austin Youngblood, a sophomore who plays 1st base and has played baseball since he could swing a bat said, "Well we played them before in a tournament and we destroyed them so I'm not really worried about anything." The last time the Red Bluff Spartans played Enterprise was in a tournament from April 5 to April 7 and they beat them with a score of 12-2. Youngblood said, "Yeah, as long as we hit well and don't screw it up we'll be good." Evan Tanner, a sophomore who plays anything they need him to play, has been playing baseball for 12 years and says the extra experience will definitely help them crush Enterprise one more time. He said, "There young, not as experienced [about the team]. They're decent for their experience level." Ian Skjegstad, a freshman who plays pitcher and has been playing for seven years, said they are preparing by stretching, practicing their catching, and then work on what they need to improve on. The team has created a bond and with that Tanner said, "Yeah definitely, it'll give us the upper hand." Skjegstad also knows that with a better bond it'll help them work together better against their opponents. The team practiced four days last week and have practiced more this week and are feeling great. Skjegstad loves the sport because it keeps him active, in shape, and it makes him happy. He said that in this season, they only have seven more games and that makes him a little sad. Although the season is almost over, they've done well and had some good times. The boys have not only been a great team, but have formed a great bond as well. The boys are excited to go against Enterprise for the third time. Youngblood knows they have a young team but knows they have strong team because all boys practice really hard and try their best. The boys plan on taking home a victory and want to do it by another landslide. A rnold Jimenez is this issue's coach of the issue. He has been coaching for over ten years and takes personal joy in it. "I love coaching, I love to see them succeed and hit their goals," he said. In the years he has coached he has coached many different things. "I've coached track and field and girls basketball at Vista and junior varsity football and track and field here." He said that he takes joy in watching the students do good and wants to help them do better. they still are one team. The track aspect is more running, and the field events involve jumping or throwing. Jacob Samuelson, Junior, said that in field, "You don't have to run but you put more strength into it." During meets there is a lot Valley, Shasta and Paradise. Grossman feels that his team's biggest rivalry would have to be Pleasant Valley or Chico High School and the easiest is Enterprise. The team has a game coming up on April 23, which is a Thursday and a game after that on the 27. They also have their last league match on the 30 of April. Grossman described the golfing system as playing independently then coming together as a team. The team previously had a tournament that included Chico, PV, Shasta, Paradise, and Enterprise. Grossman was asked how he felt about this year being his last season and he responded with, "I'm going to miss it for sure it's been a lot of fun the past four year's. I'm definitely going to miss my teammates and playing these last four years." Nichole Valdez Staff Writer Golf members become Track and Field coaches push for success Kourtney Sanders Staff Writer "We will do great, because we believe in ourselves." -Hailey Scott This year's golf team, led by second year coach Ron Kuwata consists of students with various levels of experience, but enjoy the camaraderie that the year has given them. They practice at Wilcox Golf course from 3:30 to usually 5:00, according to Dylan Grossman, who has been playing golf since he was three years old. This Varsity team consists of eight players. It consist of two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, and two seniors. "My parents got me into playing golf at a very young age and I've been playing ever since," said Grossman. Jaron Barrow is a freshman on the team and said, "My inspiration would be Tiger Woods." The team has played Chico, Enterprise, Foothill, Pleasant Red Bluff High's track and field team has been practicing and preparing so that they can get better at each meet. The particular meet that they've been preparing for is the West Valley invite. The West Valley invite is today at Oroville and the time is to be announced. The coaches for both track and field are very supportive. "They're great and they inspire you to do better," said Sophomore Danielle Lightfoot, who does shot put and discusses her first year in field. The coaches also push the athletes to push themselves and beat their own personal records. H a i l e y S c o t t , s o p h o m o r e , said, " I wouldn't be running at all if it wasn't for them." Under their guide, many athletes have made great accomplishments like Jose Monoya who had beaten his personal record and said, " I ran the mile in under five minutes." Although track and field practice separately, Spartan's Coach of the Issue Arnold Jimenez: Track and Field to efface pre-game nervousness of time to take a break and to get ready for the next event you are participating in. The events in track and field differentiate from short distance, to long distance, to different types of relays, to different jumps, and throwing sort of events. The team has positive thoughts about today's meet. They are confident that they will do their best and come home with a medal. Scott said,"We will do great because we believe in ourselves." Track and field's season is halfway through but won't be over until the beginning of June. Junior, Hannah Isaksen, pitching the ball during Tuesdays after school home game at Red Bluff against the Chico High School Panthers. According to multiple players on the team, nervousness is often felt. Nervousness is always present in softball throughout the beginning of the game. Shelby Baccala, senior said, "I get most nervous while there's a runner on third base. I'm the catcher, so if anything goes behind me, they score." Molly Murphy, senior, left fielder and first base, said, "I usually get nervous before the first pitch." Before the start of games, there's always a slight jab of fear that something will go wrong and affect the outcome of a victory. "It's just pregame jitters, but after the first pitch, I start to settle in," Murphy continued. Jenny McClusky, senior who's a right fielder, mentioned that she felt most nervous when the team has runners on the bases and there's more pressure to get them in. With all the anxiety of games aside, these girls have learned some valuable life lessons just from becoming a part of the team. Liz Baccala, sophomore and center fielder, said, "It's important for me to not over think and just trust my instincts." Murphy said, "Everybody makes mistakes but it's how you bounce back that shows your true character." McCluskly focused on the fact that it's important to work with the team. She said, "You have to form bonds with teammates. You can't just do everything by yourself." Baccala also said that teamwork was important. They were then asked what it was that gave them the motivation to play and she mentioned that it was her team. She said that she doesn't like to let them down. For Murphy, it was her family. She said, "My parents grew up playing softball, so then they passed down the love to me." Baccala said, "I really love the game, so just wanting to continue playing is enough to motivate me." McClusky revealed that she plays for her team. "We're like family. We play together, win together and lose together." She added. Working under pressure is also a part of the game. "Working under pressure teaches me a lot. I'm not the best and I do struggle with it, but I learn from it," said Baccala. Later on, they were asked what their thoughts were on their coach and they've all got affection towards her. Murphy said, "I love our coach, she's hard on us, but it's tough love." Julissa Villalobos Staff Writer Bluffer/Shania Prieto nostalgic over the team