Instead, coaches, athletes and parents have organized “Save our Sports” – a massive fundraising tournament and auction they hope will raise enough money to let AHS continue its 18 interscholastic sports this year despite losing half its sports funding to state budget cuts.

Their “Save Our Sports” fundraiser is a golf tournament, auction and dinner planned for August 21st at the Tilden Park Golf Course and the Emeryville Hilton Garden Inn.

The goal of this event is to raise $50,000 to save “all” sports at Albany High School,” said Stephen Dunkle, coach of the high school swimming team and one of the organizers.

The 18 interscholastic sports programs Albany High School have been allocated $97,000 for the year beginning in September – less than half of $212,000 they received the year before.

Such a deep cut threatens to decimate high school sports, organizers say, and discourage kids from participating.

“The reality is that is each student is probably going to have to subsidize his or her participation,” said Fred Brown, another organizer and former golf coach at Albany High School.

Fearing that requiring kids or their families to ‘pay to play’ will decimate the ranks of athletes and make it very difficult for lower income students to participate, Brown said the committee is trying to raise money to allow every student who wants to play sports to do so.

The committee of several dozen people includes representatives from eahc of the 18 interscholastic men’s and women’s sports.

This group is actually well on its way to saving AHS sports. Numerous businesses around town have contributed corporate sponsorships and AHS alumni have donated.

Albany Ford & Subaru has donated a $20,000 car for auction at the event and is the event’s corporate sponsor. Meanwhile, Arkin Tilt Architects, Safeway Corporation, Mary and Joe’s Sporting Goods, Fulford Orthodontics, Arrow Glass, State Farm Insurance, BayCal Financial, Mejia Photography and others made smaller donations. Individuals have made substantial donations as well.

And alumni groups have stepped forward, especially those from long ago. “The Albany High classes of 1954 to 1962 have donated more than $3,400!” Brown exclaimed.

To date, 39 players have signed up for the golf tournament.The committee is meeting tonight, Aug. 4, at 6:30 at the Community Center next to the Alameda County Library on Marin Avenue and welcomes new volunteers.
For more information go to the webpage  or contact Fred Brown at 222-2654.

By Barbara Grady-Ayer barbgrady@sbcglobal.net

Article and photos by Michael Mejia,  Coach for the Mountain Bike Team at Albany High School.

Newspapers lowered at the barber shop the other day when Jerry paused during my crew-cut and asked about the Mountain Bike Team. The customers, many old Cougars themselves, understand football and wrestling – but racing mountain bikes as a high school sport? You’re kidding, right? Mountain biking doesn’t enjoy the support bestowed upon traditional sports with a nested prospect in the high school tradition. It has no court or the dedicated spaces of a ball field with fences to keep out the Volvos. Yet in the fall of 2005 Albany High Freshmen Connor Chapman and Ian Breunig heard about the NorCal High School Racing League and thought it might be cool to race bikes. They were right in the end, but at the beginning it meant building something from scratch. With guidance from neighboring NorCal folk, interested athletes and their parents were provided a basic structure for how to get ready for racing.

Bringing this idea to Albany High School administrators for permission to proceed revealed that mountain biking seems to enjoy a reputation for being a troglodyte’s do-it-yourself careen into the beyond sort of thing followed by trips to the emergency room, making it a hard sell to a liability-phobic school district legal department. It puts off girls who think it is dangerous and parents who fear the certainty of a broken neck will jeopardize admission to Stanford. The reality is quite different; it is a discipline of measured efforts, gradually accumulated power and skill, cooperative group riding, and a love affair with a steel, carbon fiber, and rubber creature that only remotely resembles that wheeled sledgehammer rusting on flat tires in your garage.

Equating bike programs with emergency rooms is as ridiculous as equating Swim Teams and drowning. The fact is that this sport has fewer injuries than most all the other high school sports except golf. Ultimately, the jaundiced eye, still leery, conceded. Though arguably one of the most athletically demanding activities at the high school sport level, the mountain bike team couldn’t be a part of the Athletic department and was told it must be a club. There are no “coaches” from Chico State, no uniforms or equipment provided by the school and, of course, no money.

All the while the Albany parents did what they do best; support their kids. Thomas Breunig and Francis Chapman, both fine cyclists, took point and established rich logistical methods. They organized to find sponsors, volunteers, and raise funds. They helped transport riders to off-site workouts and co-ordinate with other parents to make sure that we do what we have to do to get to the starting line.

On March 5, 2006 Connor and Ian had their wheels on the starting line at the first race of the season at Ft. Ord. At mid-season the small team had its own jersey designed by Francis. By the next Thanksgiving, we had the historic addition of Jennifer Breunig, Aviva Pager, and Charlotte Perry-Houts, the first female mountain bike racers at Albany High.

This year, with Ian and Charlotte as our first Varsity racers and three racing Junior Varsity, the team competed at the highest levels of the NorCal League. With the help of eight new adult mountain bike volunteer riders and developed talents in the sophomore ranks, the team of 12 secured a 5th place out of 28 teams statewide in Division Two mountan biking. In addition, Sophomore Miguel Mejia came in second statewide.

With all due respect, the nature of the efforts made by the mountain bike athletes on race day exceed most other sports and demand high-intensity high-speed skill. The marvelous thing about this is that these racers generally start as beginners. Through careful dynamic training and deft support from seasoned cyclists and mentors, they develop into skilled, powerful, smart riders. And that is the norm, not the exception. Why? It is because what we offer can be compared favorably to anything offered anywhere at the high school level. Anything. Full speed for two hours uphill into the wind and still keep your head? We call it AP Mountain Biking. Albany has created something great.

Youth soccer games could be seen on just about every open field in the region Saturday as the Alameda-Contra Costa Youth Soccer League launched its spring season.  Above, the Albany Berkeley Soccer Club’s Bubbles team (in yellow and blue) faces off against the El Cerrito Mersey Club’s Hotshots (in red).  Below, Albany-Berkeley’s United team (in blue) takes on Richmond’s Manchesters (in red).  Photos by Barbara Grady.

68-year-old Amy Chuang swam 500 yards, biked 9 miles, and ran 2 miles at Albany’s first triathlon Sunday. Several dozen Albany residents made splashes at the Albany Pool and roused cheering at Memorial Park during the race. Photo by Linda (Linjun) Fan.

Many of the 65 participants were trying out triathlon for the first time, including the champion Miguel Mejia, a sophomore at Albany High School. In 45 minutes and 25 seconds, Miguel swam 15 lengths at Albany Pool, biked around Memorial Park and Albany High School for 15 times, and ran the same lap for another four times.

He said he had some trouble taking off his sticky swimming suit before biking, and his knees knocked at each other when he started running after strenuous biking. But he obviously enjoyed the triumph of his first triathlon.

“I am going to do many more, ” he exclaimed.

 Miguel Mejia (right) at Albany Pool after the triathlon race.

***

Gail Shea called up all the mothers she knew from the cross-country team of the high school and solicited them to join the triathlon — just for fun. A dozen of them signed up and each pinned a Team Mom sign on their shirt before the race.

They gave each other high-fives at the pool and chatted during their running, or walking, section of the race.

About two hours into the race, I saw Gail walking down the path west of the pool with Connie Kidney, another Team Mom who had a paper cup in her hand.

“We are going at a conversational pace, ” Gail proclaimed.

It meant a pace that she could still feel comfortable chatting with Connie while racing, she explained.

Gail Shea (right) and Connie Kidney (left)

***

Amy Chuang decided to try out her first triathlon the night before the race started. At a family gathering that evening, her children told her about the race. Her son-in-law Jim Quinn was one of the organizers, and her two daughters and two of her granddaughters would participate in it.

“Grandma, you should join us,” said her granddaughters.

Amy got interested in the idea. She bikes to everywhere and regularly practices Qigong and yoga. But she hesitated for a while, for she hadn’t swum for several years, and she had little idea of how a triathlon works.

Her family convinced her eventually. The next morning Amy showed up at Albany Pool in a bright red sweatshirt.

She took out two tooth implants before swimming. She swam smoothly and finished her first task in about ten minutes. She then changed into her biking clothes, put the implants back and waited for the second part to start.

Quite a while later, finding out that she should have just gone ahead biking, she hurried to get on her bike and pedaled fiercely.

It was only during the final part she ran out of steam.

“I can walk, but I can’t run anymore,” she said while walking with vigorous strides down a path at Memorial Park.

But when another contestant ran past her, she immediately sped up and started running.

Amy finished the race in an hour and 43 minutes, including the ten minutes or so she regretfully wasted in waiting.

***

Amy’s two granddaughters, 11-year-old Camille Gwise (right) and 10-year-old Patti Quinn (left) were the youngest participants at the triathlon.  

The two girls enjoyed the warm water of the pool. After the swimming Patti put on her blue Marin Elementary T-shirt and a pink helmet with grinning faces on it. Camille didn’t bother to change her swimming suit and just put on a jacket outside of it. They got on their small-size mountain bikes and rode alongside each other, faces beaming with joy when passing by cheering family and friends.

A while later, however, I saw Camille sitting on the cement stairs in front of the pool, head buried in arms and eyes red.  Her dad, who sat beside her, explained that she felt sick to her stomach 13 laps in to biking, because she didn’t have breakfast.

“I want to finish it, ” Camille held up her head and said.

She was back in biking the next time I saw her, with Patti riding loyally alongside.
 
She dashed across the finishing line a hour and 21 minutes after the race started, while Patti finished the race three minutes before her.

“You guys are awesome. You should join our cross-country team, and the mountain bike team, and the swimming team,”  several Albany High School student said excitedly to the two fledgling athletes.  

***

Another promising young athlete at the race was 11-year-old Diego Chavez. Diego was running on the sidewalk south of Memorial Park when it was more than an hour and an half into the race. The organizers were not sure whether he was racing or just playing by himself. So I ran over to ask him.

He said he had swum and biked, and was in the fifth laps of running. Obviously he didn’t know that four laps were enough.

“My mom said I need to run five laps, ” he said.

After getting confirmed that he had finished his task, he ran back to the finishing line, and proudly signed his name on a notebook, which contained the names and racing records of about 60 Albany triathletes. Although he was not the fastest among them, Diego covered the longest course.

***
64-year-old Kathleen Kirke-Young was the last person who signed her name on the notebook, but she was quite happy with the result.

She said she joined the triathlon after receiving a phone call from her old friend Gail Shea. The two knew each other when their sons were in the same cross-country team, but hadn’t seen each other for six years.

Although her son is in college now, Kathleen said she was glad that the race helped to raise money for the athletic teams of Albany High School.

She finished the running section with ease, for she walks three miles every day after work.

“Walking was nothing,” she said.

But she confessed sheepishly that she had only swum four laps in the pool.

“I am gonna to take up swimming, ” she said to me in a whisper. 

Kathleen Kirke-Young (right)

***
31-year-old Susan Parkinson was the fastest swimmer at the triathlon. She finished 500 yards in 6 minutes and 41 seconds.

Susan used to compete for Cal on its triathlon team when she was a graduate student. She hadn’t raced for several years after graduation and having a baby.

“I came out for fun, and to support Albany, ” she said. “It’s also a good way to start the day. “

 ***

Leif Magnuson waggled his hands and bottom at cheering spectators when he was approaching the finishing line. It looked more like that he was performing than racing. He spent about an hour to finish the race. I asked him how he felt.

“The water in the pool tastes as good as ever, ” he said.

“Where is your family?” I asked.

“My wife is racing. My kids are in bed, ” he replied grinning. “I am sure they will make breakfast for me. “

***

Allan Maris was the mastermind behind the triathlon. He participated frequently at various triathlons in California, usually enjoying a cup of coffee between the swimming and biking sections. But he had never raced in his hometown Albany.

“I have been thinking about putting together a triathlon in Albany for five years, ” said Allan, who is an avid organizer of community events.

He finally got to carry out the idea this year at Albany’s centennial. Working together with athletic boosters of Albany High School, he designed racing rules and routes and souvenir T-shirts, and got the word out to the community.

He was worried about traffic and many other potential problems. But everything turned out to be going smoothly. Nobody ignored the cones and signs put on the streets which were temporarily used for racing ground.

“I am proud of Albany, ” Allan said.

***

I have to say that the triathlon is one of the most interesting sports events I’ve ever covered. It’s no less fun than the Beijing Olympics for me. I believe there were many more shiny stars in the race that I wasn’t able to meet. There are pictures of more triathletes in the photo slideshow whose names I don’t know. Please write down their stories and post them under the article if you happen to know about them. And also, correct me if I spelled any names wrong or erred at any details. I am looking forward to meeting more stars at Albany’s second triathlon. —Linjun

Albany Softball Team celebrated its NCS title Saturday at Levine-Fricke Field. Photo by Ned Purdom. Article by Rashad Alaiyan.

Albany Softball Team was crowned NCS champion after winning a tight match against its opponent from Concord High School at Levine-Fricke Field Saturday.

The Cougars of Albany went down quietly in the top of the first inning, while the Minutemen of Concord stormed out to an early 1-0 lead. Going into the top of the third inning the Cougars looked a little vulnerable, allowing two more runners to score, giving Concord a 3-0 cushion.

The lead Concord had built didn’t last long, as Joan Cannon of Albany singled to left center, sending sophomore catcher Maddie Cousens to the plate. After a wild pitch in which Cannon advanced all the way to third, Cousens laced an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1. Laura Cannon came up to bat and ripped a double into the gap in left center, reducing the lead to 3-2.

After a pitching change, Nicole Presher came up to bat, and hit a shot off of the pitchers glove, sending runners to first and third. Senior star Amaya Fernandez tied the game at three for the Cougars with an RBI chopper to first base, and following another wild pitch, Presher moved to third base, setting up an outstanding at-bat by sophomore right fielder Sabina Kahn. After fouling away a dozen pitches, Kahn eventually hit the 13th pitch of the at bat up the middle to give the Cougars a 4-3 lead going into the bottom half of the inning.

However, Concord immediately tied it up with a leadoff homerun to tie the game at 4-4. It plated two more runs and took the lead at 6-4 by the end of the fifth inning.

Senior Laura Cannon stops a baserunner. Photo by Ned Purdom.

Neither team netted any runs in the sixth inning. Joan Cannon struck out to begin the top half of the seventh inning. But Cousens advanced to first base on a walk. Laura Cannon hit a blooper to the shortstop, but it was misplayed and the Cougars had runners at first and second with only one away. Presher hit an RBI single to center, and an untimely error by the centerfielder advanced the runners to second and third. Fernandez hit little dribbler back to the pitcher, who threw the ball home, trying to prevent the run from scoring. An overthrow to third by the catcher tied the game at six a piece.

The momentum shifted to the Cougar’s side. After a quick bottom of the seventh inning, the Cougars put runners on second and third, setting up some late-game heroics for Joan Cannon. Cannon hit a slow grounder to short, which scored the go ahead run, giving the Cougars the lead for good at 7-6.

By posting an outstanding 24-1 record, including a remarkable 16-0 in the BSAL, the Cougars impressed even their harshest critics.

*Ned Purdom is an instructor of the Journalism Program of Albany High School. Rashad Alaiyan is a reporter under his guidance.

Freshman Meagan Tokunaga at Albany High School rips a pitch to left in a softball game Wednesday. Her team has won three games this week and will compete for NCS champion Saturday. Photo by Daryn Singh. Article by Rashad Alaiyan.

Led by an outstanding performance by sophomore pitcher Sara Muse, the Albany Cougars defeated the Las Lomas Knights in a close second-round NCS softball game Wednesday.

The Cougars bats came out on fire from early on. Senior twins Joan and Laura Cannon, two of the top players in the BSAL, led an early onslaught of runs, and the Cougars took an early 2-0 lead going into the top of the second.

The Knights were unable to get anything going offensively all night long, and their frustration was evident throughout the entire game. The Cougars began manufacturing runs for the last few innings of the ball game, and by the end of the 7th inning, the Cougars had built a 5-0 lead in a contest that was not as close as the scoreboard indicated.

The Lady Cougars marched on and beat the Heritage Patriots 12-3 in a NCS semifinal game Friday. They will take on the softball team of Concord High School to compete for NCS champion at Levine-Fricke Field Saturday, May 24.

Click here for more information about the team. Daryn Singh and Rashad Alaiyan are students at Albany High School and reporters for the Cougar.

Sarah Muse of Albany High School Softball Team fought in a fierce battle last Wednesday. Photo and article by Daryn Singh.

The Softball Team of Albany High School won the championship of Bay Shore Athletic League after beating Richmond’s Kennedy Eagles last Friday.

Finishing the league matches undefeated, the Cougar softballers will compete in North Coast Section Championship in the upcoming week.

The team fought a spectacular battle against its closest rival — the Bruins of St. Patrick’s -St. Vincent High School, last Wednesday.

The St. Patrick’s Bruins batted first and scored two runs quickly. Things didn’t seem to get better as the Albany Cougars couldn’t answer back as each inning rolled by. The first hit came from senior Laura Cannon in the fourth inning to get the Cougars on base. However, both teams struggled to put runs on the board and the game remained 2-0 for the majority of the contest.

Near the end of the sixth inning, Coach Stephanie Vasarhely of the Cougars decided to call a timeout. She told her players that the game was on the line and urged them to “step it up”.

These words turned into actions as Laura Cannon singled. Cannon was moved to second on a single from sophomore Sabina Khan. Senior Nicole Presher then walked, bringing junior Hannah Kramer to the plate. Kramer rapped a single scoring Canon. Khan was brought home on a single by sophomore Krista Smithers, but Presher was thrown out at home, knotting the game at 2-2.

The game remained tied 2-2 through regulation play.

In extra innings, the Cougars took the outfield first and played defensively with three quick outs. After holding the Bruins scoreless for two innings, the Cougars surprised the Bruins with the star of the game, freshman Ellie Arkin. In the bottom of the ninth, with one out, Arkin stepped up to bat for the first time in the game. Arkin blasted the ball into left field for a triple. Senior Joan Cannon ripped a grounder to bring Arkin – and the win — home.

*Daryn Singh is a junior at Albany High School and a reporter of the Cougar, the school’s news publication.

Albany wrestler Taylor Raphael is heading for the California State Wrestling Championship this weekend, after winning the fourth place in the North Coast Section Championship Saturday. Raphael, a student at MacGregor High School, is the first Albany wrestler that wins a place to compete in the State match since 2005.

The Albany Wrestling Team won three medals at the regional championship Saturday. Matt Malanche (285 lbs) won the 6th place, and Daniel Singh (125 lbs) won the 8th place. A total of nine wrestlers of the team participated in the match, according to head coach Kermit Bankson.

Watch the video clip below for Raphael’s performance at the championship.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vs5-IIn9Fs]