SPORTS & FITNESS
Falcons bring perfect
record to Homecoming
record to Homecoming
Last week, the Falcons kept their record clean with a 34-13 victory at Kearny High on Oct. 4. Kearny came to the game to play, and that they did. Kearny caused Scripps Ranch to fumble the football on the first play of the game. The result set-up Kearny for a touchdown. Scripps Ranch struggled a little in the first quarter but was finally able to find a rhythm in the second quarter that continued to the end of the game. Fortunately, the Scripps Ranch defense came through again to keep the opponents in check. (Photos on this page are from the victory against Kearny High.)
The Scripps Ranch High School Homecoming game against Crawford High is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 11 at Scripps Ranch.
Photos by Ralph LoVuolo. Visit ralphlovuolophotography.com.
That describes this year’s Scripps Ranch High School girls varsity golf team, according to head coach Todd Wilson.
“We have three seniors, a junior, sophomore and talented freshman who make up our top six players on varsity,” he said. “The seniors have played together all four years on varsity. Everyone is really clicking, practicing and playing together. They are having a great time.”
Last year’s team finished in second place in the CIF Division 1 competition, but Wilson is hoping for the ultimate prize this season, a state championship. Individual players can make it to the state championship but, in order for a team to qualify, it must win the CIF Championship.
“This team has the opportunity to be the best one we have ever had at the school,” Wilson said. “To win CIF and then have a chance to play at Poppy Hills (the site of this year’s state championship, located in Pebble Beach) would be awesome.”
Wilson believes in keeping coaching strategies clear and simple in order to coach the team to that level of success.
“Golf is a head game. To play well you must have a very short memory. The more you stress over a shot, it will affect your final score,” he explained. “So many matches are decided by just a shot or two.”
Also important to Wilson are the number of players who, after leaving Scripps Ranch High School, continue to play golf as well as those who are able to compete at the next level. This year’s seniors – Napua Glossner, Zoee Lynch and Kathleen Keomahazonz – are no exception.
“Each of those girls are pursuing college scholarship offers and will have options to choose from,” Wilson said.
Following behind them are junior Ruhee Pandit, sophomore Isabella Ranches and freshman Kiana Glossner, Napua’s younger sister.
“We also have a junior varsity team. So, combined with varsity, there are 14 girls playing golf for the high school – which is fantastic,” Wilson said. “This is a lifetime sport and I would encourage, whether it is the parents or the kids or both, to contact me if they are interested in playing on the golf team. You do not have to be a Tiger Woods to play on a high school golf team.”
Unlike almost any other high school sport, league rules prevent golf fans, family or friends, from watching team matches in person.
“You can watch the players tee off on the first hole, but that is it,” Wilson explained. “It is not like the PGA Tour where you can follow players around on the course.”
Wilson suggests the designated high school sports website as the place to find results, photos and information about the team at
srfalcons.org.
The victory raised the Falcons’ undefeated record to 4-0 and earned the team the pride-filled trophy and honor that goes with winning the annual game nicknamed “The Battle of the 15” – as in Interstate 15.
Game highlights included a stingy Falcons defense, a 35-yard touchdown pass from Luke Durkin to Mekhi Shaw, a 31-yard field goal by Matthew Killiam and a 26-yard touchdown run to seal the victory by Nicholas Gardinera – who gained 179 rushing yards.
The Falcons are scheduled to host La Jolla High on Friday, Sept. 20, with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
All photos by Justin Fine: sdactionphotography.com
The California 50 and Over Fitness Championship is for anyone age 50 or over who is looking to challenge themselves and compete in fitness events against individuals in their age group. There will be 10 different fitness events including:
1. Kettlebell Box Squat (single attempt for max reps; choose 8 or 12 kg for females, 16 or 20 kg for males; stand facing wall, toes 6 inches or less from wall; squat down touch buttocks to box with knees breaking 90 degrees; box height will be adjusted for each contestant)
2. Barbell Bench Press (single attempt for max reps; choose 33 pounds or 45 pounds for females; 65 pounds or 95 pounds for males; touch bar to chest and lock out elbows)
3. Chin Ups (single attempt for max reps; extend elbows all the way, chin above bar)
4. Farmers Walk (single attempt for distance in yards; half of body weight with Kettlebells in each hand)
5. Keg Toss (three attempts for distance in yards; use Dynamax balls; 4 pounds for women and 8 pounds for men)
6. 300 Yard Shuttle Run (single attempt for time; 25-yard marker; sprint down and back six times for a total of 300 yards)
7. Concept 2 Rower (single attempt, row 500 meters for time at level 10)
8. Jump Rope (single attempt; jump rope 1 minute as many clear rotations as possible)
9. Prowler Push (single attempt for time; one 25-pound plate on each side for females, one 45-pound plate on each side for males; 50-yard push, push down to the 25-yard line, turn around and push back to cross the start line)
10. Medicine Ball Slam: Women 10 pounds and men 15 pounds, as many as possible for one minute. Rule: entire ball has to come up, body upright, fully above the head each time.
This California 50 and Over Fitness Competition will take place on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Fitness Quest 10, 9972 Scripps Ranch Blvd.
Entry fee is $35 per person plus $10 Sport Fee Includes: Medals awarded in each event, each age division, by gender; T-shirt and Restaurant Passport Entry to Celebration of Athletes on Sept. 20 in Balboa Park (RSVP required).
Register at SDSeniorGames.org
The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at 10510 Reagan Road.
Last Friday, Sept. 6, the varsity Falcons defeated Fallbrook High School 55-0 in what was most likely the team’s strongest game in years. Photos on this page are from the Fallbrook game.
Photos by Ralph LoVuolo. Visit ralphlovuolophotography.com.
The Chick-fil-A Mira Mesa will donate a percentage of the week’s sales to the two high schools’ football teams, but there’s one catch: Guests will determine how the proceeds are split. Guests who visit the restaurant during the week can choose which high school they would like to support with their purchase. When ordering, make sure you tell the cashier you want your order to count for Scripps Ranch High.
Also, a pep rally will be held at the Chick-fil-A in Mira Mesa from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12. The pep rally, which is free and open to the public, will feature performances by both schools’ cheerleading teams and drumlines, as well as speeches from the schools’ football coaches and two former NFL players, Nate Chandler (Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, 2012-2016) and J.R. Tolver (Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, 2003-2006).
“We are proud to support our local high schools,” said Tyler Lunn, franchise operator, Chick-fil-A Mira Mesa. “We hope our community will join us in supporting these schools’ football teams during rivalry week.”
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CFAMiraMesa.
The phrase “like father, like son” was coming to fruition for Mike and David Charbonnet until a horrific accident redirected them in a way they never imagined.
The father, Mike, a Scripps Ranch resident, is a Navy SEAL veteran. His Class 98 recently had its 40th reunion. His son, David, born in San Diego, was in Class 278 and following in his father’s footsteps.
Then, about a year into his career at age 26, David was injured in a parachuting accident outside of San Diego which left him paralyzed from the waist down. That was in October of 2011.
Mike and his wife, Beth, were living in Texas at the time but quickly realized changes were coming.
“We got the news (about David’s injury) and found out we were going to need to move right away,” Mike said.
After a series of medical procedures, David began rehabilitating at the VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center in San Diego. A process that continues to this day.
Along the way, however, he was given the opportunity to become the president of VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center, which now includes the title of CEO as well.
“Before taking over that clinic, the biggest thing he ever organized was a paint ball game,” Mike joked. “He has come a long ways.”
Just as David, along with his wife, Janet, who also helps manage VIP, were making adjustments in their lives, Mike was not a spectator on the sidelines. He and some of his fellow SEAL classmates created Beyond the Teams, an organization to help those with physical challenges, cultural disadvantages and needs that were not being met.
As Mike was quoted in a recent article, “Our battlefield is no longer the theater of Special Warfare. It's the world of fundraising.”
One of those efforts is coming up in a few months when Mike and four of his SEAL friends are going to make a 1,000-mile bike ride to raise money for VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center, which is a stand-alone non-profit that services people from all walks of life, whether they have been in the military or not.
Specifically, there is one piece of equipment that is always in high demand at VIP.
Called the Lokomat, it basically helps people learn how to walk again.
“I would say 80 to 85 percent of the patients at the VIP need and use the Lokomat,” Mike said. “The results in some cases have been phenomenal. Some patients are actually walking again.”
The challenge right now is that VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center only has one of the units and the cost is $350,000 for a second unit.
“To date we have raised $25,000 but, obviously, we have a long way to go to reach our goal,” Mike said.
The bike ride will begin in late October in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It will take 11 days and finish at the Navy SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida on Nov. 9, coinciding with the 34th annual Muster and Music Festival Honoring The 75th Anniversary of D-Day.
The last segment of the ride will be 53-miles.
“I have had 29 surgeries. My fellow SEALS on the ride are old geezers like myself,” Mike said. “But if I have to crawl to Florida, I will be there.”
The plan now is for David to join the group for the last segment by using a hand cycle.
Those who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting the VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center website vipneurorehab.org or Beyond the Teams at beyondtheteams.org.
The Scripps Ranch High School varsity football team overwhelmed Fallbrook High School 55-0 on Friday, Sept. 6 in front of a home field crowd.
The Falcons got the offense going to join what has been an invincible defense so far this season. The team is undefeated in three games so far.
Justin Fine: sdactionphotography.com
The Scripps Ranch High School Falcons varsity football team will take the home field in an attempt to remain undefeated at tonight's game against Fallbrook High at 6:30 p.m.
On Aug. 30, the Scripps team advanced its record to 2-0 with a 30-10 win over Del Norte High. The Scripps Ranch defense dominated the game, only allowing Del Norte to gain 10 points. The offense, led by quarter back Luke Durkin, scored 30 points.
Running Back Nicholas Gardinera gained more than 100 yards.
Ralph LoVuolo: ralphlovuolophotography.com
Justin Fine: sdactionphotography.com
It kicks off on Sept. 6 with the first invitational meet at Rohr Park. Practice officially started the first week of August, but Warren said most of the students are so dedicated they train all summer long. They work out Mondays through Fridays, with many of them running on the weekends as well.
“This time of the year our top varsity kids are running 50 miles a week,” Warren said.
He said his cross-country teams average 120 kids a year, and are comprised of girls JV and varsity teams, and boys JV and varsity teams. Any and all students are welcome to join.
“We don't cut kids, that's not my philosophy,” Warren said. “If somebody is willing to run, why would you want to cut somebody? My philosophy is if they show up to practice on time, every day, they have a good attitude, and give 100 percent in the races and the meets, they're on the team.”
Along with both the boys and girls teams making it to the state championships in Fresno the last two years, the boys have been league champions the last five years and the girls have been league champions four out of the last five years, Warren said. That’s no small feat, especially considering that in 2016 the team moved from the Eastern League to the more competitive Western League, where they face powerhouse rivals including Cathedral Catholic, UC and Coronado High schools.
“Every year we want to put ourselves in a position to be contenders to win the league championship and the ultimate goal is to send our teams to the state meet,” he said.
Warren said they had a lot of seniors on the team who graduated last school year, so this year’s team is relatively young. He said some of the top runners who are favorites to win league this year include, on the boy’s side, juniors Giancarlo Da Silva and Caden Farrow; and on the girl’s side, senior Julia Kiersnowski and juniors Emily Brown and Delphine Maurer.
Maurer said this will be her third year running cross country and her goals are to beat her times from previous years and for the team to have a positive environment.
“I enjoy being on the cross-country team because of the fellowship between the runners,” Maurer said. “Everyone on the team is supportive of each other and I have made many friends by joining.”
She said coach Warren is a good, easy-going coach who is always available to listen to his runners.
“He is very knowledgeable about running and that shows in the workouts that he plans for us and the advice that he gives,” Maurer said.
Warren said the majority of the team’s key interval workouts are done away from the school, at nearby Jerabek Park or other community parks, where it’s more of a cross country environment instead of just going on the track. For their Saturday workouts, which he said are mandatory for varsity runners, they go to different locations like Mission Bay Park and Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, to help make it more interesting.
"Running can get boring and tedious and we want to keep them motivated, so we go to different locations," he said.
Warren said he also likes to let the runners cut loose by doing fun things like a planned beach bonfire and small dinner parties the night before most meets.
“We want to be competitive, but we also want to make it fun for the kids,” he said. “I want to show these kids that I care. If you show them that, a lot of these kids will run through walls for you.”
The opening night victory against Serra High was featured on KUSI Sports’ PPR as the Jersey Mike’s game of the week and Connor Battaglia was the Jersey Mike’s Player of the game.
Photos by Justin Fine: https://sdactionphotography.com/
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