Page 6 August 2, 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Up and Adam The Day that Sports Ruled Spartans Anticipating Season to Come the World By Adam Serrao most successful but also South High’s most By Adam Serrao took home his first gold medal and broke his The South High Spartans have been some- prolific year ever, the team now looks to put Last Friday evening the 2012 Olympic Games first world record as the Americans went on what of a powerhouse in the Pioneer League it and all other previous seasons behind it. Opening Ceremony took place in London, to finish in first with a time of 6:58:56. Fast as of late. With the regular season quickly It is time to start anew for the Spartans and England, marking the beginning of more than forward to the 2012 Olympics and now Lochte approaching, Coach Joshua Waybright hopes regain the tactics that have worked so well two weeks straight of athletic competition. Any seems to be locked in and no longer ready to that the trend will only continue. With a for them in the past. That said, expect to sports fan’s dream, the Olympics symbolizes a take a backseat to Phelps. “I think overall, I’m whole summer full of offseason workouts, see a solid rushing attack out of South once time when all of the world’s greatest athletes just a lot older, smarter, and a better athlete the Spartans seem to not only be on track to again this year, while the team also attempts come together and compete on the highest than I was going into Beijing,” the 27-year- take back a traditionally competitive Pioneer to demonstrate a big and strong front line on level and on the brightest stage for global old related. “I changed my diet and I started League, but also make a deep run into the the defensive side of the ball. The schedule is supremacy in their respective sports. Titled doing heavier weightlifting.” The weightlifting playoffs. Waybright and the Spartans know, already set for the Spartans and as usual, it is “Isles of Wonder,” the ceremony not only left may help with all of the gold medals that however, that if they are going to have any not going to be a walk in the park. They will sports fans wondering what they would see Lochte plans to drape around his neck. The success this year, it is going to have to come need all of the offensive firepower that they in the athletic competitions to come, but also young swimmer started his Olympics off the against the conventional cross-town rivals of can get to finish on top of the Pioneer League gave the athletes from more than 200 nations right way by grabbing his first gold medal on North, Torrance and even West High. once again and make a run at the CIF crown. an inspirational jumpstart to what may be one day one of the competition, finishing first to It wasn’t long ago that the Spartans seemed Before league play even gets started, the of the most interesting and hotly contested Phelps’ fourth in the 400 IM. to be on top of the world, dominating all those Spartans will be put to the test early on. The Olympic Games in quite some time. Coming out of the water and stepping foot who came to the field of battle on their way football year for South High begins on August The Opening Ceremony to the Olympics on sand, another great story for America in the to the CIF title game. It was in fact only two 31 and in just their third week into the new made history not because of the estimated audi- 2012 Olympics lies in the attempted heroics years ago that the Spartans made their run to season, they will have to take on a Mira Costa ence of over one billion viewers worldwide, but of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. The the top of their division, losing only two times football team that they are 0-4 against in their because it was London’s unprecedented third two won beach volleyball gold in Athens in all season long in the 2010-‘11 campaign. The last four meetings. That matchup highlights just time hosting the competitions. London is now 2004 and again in Beijing in 2008 and are team’s first loss of the year came early on one of the few games before league play that the only city in the world to have hosted the now attempting to capture their unprecedented when in only the third game of the schedule, also features the likes of Palos Verdes Peninsula Olympics Games three times. The year 1908 third straight Olympic gold medal beneath Waybright’s Spartans fell to Palos Verdes by a and cross-town rivals the West High Warriors, was the first time that London became the the nets and on the sands of the beaches of final score of 29-17. From there on out, how- who have both traditionally come out on top focal point of the world for athletic competi- London. It won’t be easy, however. Since ever, the Spartans were perfect, not just beating against South High in the past. After those tion, but originally it was not planned in such America last saw the duo in ‘08, Walsh gave but dominating all teams that stepped in their games come and go, league play gets started a way. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in birth to two children, May-Treanor tore her path. With an aggressive rushing attack and a and things really begin to get interesting for 1906 meant that Italy was no longer prepared Achilles, the two separated as a team but got deep ball passer at quarterback, Waybright’s the Spartans. Competition is always sure to to comfortably host the Games, as London back together and eventually made their way versatile offense brought South High to a heat up against familiar foes, but fortunately politely stepped in to take over. London was back to the Olympics. A dozen years after matchup against Lompoc High School in the for the Spartans, they have a winning record again chosen to host the 1944 Games, which first teaming up, a third gold medal will make CIF finals. Those who follow the team know against nearly all fellow Pioneer League teams- were postponed because of World War II and May-Treanor and Walsh the greatest female that the Spartans would unfortunately lose the -so late in the season is when the Spartans later became the 1948 Olympics. This was a volleyball players to ever live. game to Lompoc, but it wasn’t before making figure to do the most damage. notable year for London because 1948 was Those are only two storylines of what will a valiant effort that players, coaches and fans Last year, the Spartans finished right in the the first time that the Olympic Games were be an amazing Olympic Games. Yet to even be of the team will surely never forget. middle of the pack in the Pioneer League with able to be broadcast on home television. Now talked about is the men’s Olympic basketball The ball was on the two yard line and the a 6-6 overall record behind both Torrance and it is 2012 and the Games are back in Lon- team featuring Kobe Bryant, LeBron James Spartans had just made an incredible comeback. El Segundo in the standings. An improvement don, but the only difference is that this year and Kevin Durant all on one team competing The team had trailed the whole contest and by on last year’s record will certainly mean success they have come to the city effortlessly and for one common goal. As good as that team a margin as large as 17-0 in the fourth quarter. for the Spartans, but beating out the Tartars efficiently. Certainly by the time the Games is supposed to be in the Olympics, the U.S.A. Just two more yards would have given the and the Eagles isn’t the only thing on the are over, London will have done its part to women’s basketball team is supposed to be Spartans a touchdown and a victory and the mind of the team from South Torrance. With make headlines once again and continue the even better. The 17-year-old Jordyn Wieber team’s first CIF football championship ever. With two first place finishes in the last six years, showcase of its rich sporting history on a will attempt to bring home gold for the U.S. only 10 seconds left in the game, the Spartans the Spartans look to stop short of nothing global level. women’s gymnastics team and who can for- handed the ball off to their star running back less than another first place finish this year, The reason why these Olympic Games will get about track and field? Justin Gatlin and of the time, Eric Cappachione, but the Lompoc allowing them to prove to all other opponents be great is not because they are in London and company will be out to prove that they are defense held strong and kept South out of the that they are indeed the best team in Torrance. also thankfully not because they are meant to faster on the Olympic stage than Jamaica. end zone as time on the clock expired. Though That fact remains to be seen, but one thing is take the world’s mind off of a natural disaster Even if Gatlin loses, Usain Bolt never ceases the Spartans lost the game, it was the farthest for sure: This football season should certainly (Vesuvius) or a historical tragedy (WWII). to wow and amaze with his cheetah-like speed, that any South High team had made it in 53 be a fun one to watch as the Torrance clubs These Olympic Games will be great simply propelling himself down the track in such a years (now nearly 55 years) of history. go at it for hometown bragging rights and because of all of the great athletes competing seemingly effortless manner. Keep an eye Though that season was not only Waybright’s Pioneer League supremacy. • in them. Fortunately for us, most of them come on Bolt’s teammate Johan Blake this year, from our very own United States of America, however, as he figures to make some noise spcalA from front page are feeling across seas right here on our very before all is said and done.No matter what storyline is prevalent at theso we can experience the glory that our athletes contributing to fake or untrustworthy animal before lunging to the phone or texting their own soil. That being said, let’s take a look moment and no matter which nation takes organizations is to donate money locally. This next donation. Just take a minute and make at the major storylines of this year’s Games. home the most gold medals, the Olympics allows the donor to see more tangible results sure you’re donating toward a legitimate Perhaps creating the most buzz as the top are back and every sports fan can now rest with regards to the money they contribute. charity that is doing what you want them storyline of London’s Olympic Games is the easy knowing that they will have unlimited “Nothing gets people angrier than to realize to do because it may be a legitimate charity friendly battle between America’s golden boy coverage of athletic competition for the next that they gave to the wrong organization. If that is not doing what you want to do. Or Michael Phelps and the up-and-comer Ryan two weeks. From basketball and swimming you give locally you can visit the charity, it may be a charity that is spending money Lochte. In 2008’s Olympic Games in Beijing, to judo and table tennis, the world’s greatest you can see the work that they are doing on the fundraiser and none of the money Phelps was America’s shining star, bringing athletes have all assembled to extend their and you can ask those questions and see the is going to the cause. There is a lot that’s U.S.A with him. At the time, however, Phelps’ talents further than they have ever been ex- results of your contributions,” Bernstein said. wrong here.” teammate Lochte didn’t look too shabby him- tended before and go after the golden prize. “It also helps to stimulate the economy in While the SPCA does not have a specific self, specifically showcasing his talent in the All we as fans have to do is sit back, watch the area where you live because it is your troop-related program, they have in the past 4x200 meter freestyle relay where the latter and enjoy. • local charity that is hiring people and it is assisted troops in need of assistance with their your local charity that is providing a safety pets, such as during evacuation efforts. In Penguin from page 5 net that is not provided by anyone else in many instances, troops being deployed will the community. As a result, the community turn their pets in or they will return from game, the way you win the presidency isn’t to challenger may have a better chance to derail gets stronger and you are consistent in that deployment in search of new pets. However, amass the most popular votes, but to garner the Obama Express. you cared for your hometown first. And if not all charities work the same and Bernstein a majority of the electoral votes. Nationwide, the latest Gallup poll has the you have additional dollars and you want to reminds animal lovers to do their homework President Obama or Mitt “The Glove” incumbent with a scant one percent lead over donate them to more exotic or out-of-the-area before getting involved. Romney will win the presidency if they are Romney, 46-45. In California, the numbers organizations, that’s fine, but people should “It’s natural to have an emotional response able to pick up 270 of the available 538 votes. portend a rather easy victory for the incum- know what their priorities are.” because you consider yourself a good per- So the 55 that we have here in Cali amount to bent Prez with Obama holding a comfortable Bernstein understands how challenging son. There is a certain amount of blame that a nice chunk of change for either candidate. double-digit lead over Romney. it can be to avoid being deceived by such you can place on charities trying to get in Now the reigning POTUS picked up the 55 And the good news for the President, misleading information. However, she puts on dollars that it technically should not be in 2008, easily outpointing Republican rival California-wise, is that recent reports have much emphasis on the obligation a donor entitled to, or that are the fruit of a misunder- John McCain, 61 percent to 37. And back trumpeted the fact that California leads the has to being informed. “These charities standing,” Bernstein said. “I also think that in 2004, the Demo man without a chance, nation in job growth. ‘Bout time we lead just play on your emotions--they know that consumers have to take some responsibility easterner John Kerry, actually crushed the the nation in something, other than gouging there is going to be a response so they know too. You work hard for your dollars and the incumbent President Bush, 54-44. our college-age kids and their beleaguered they can get up and ask for money before few dollars that you have, given the state of So Romney obviously has his work cut parents for more Benjamins when the young anyone,” Bernstein said. “There are so many our economy, you should at least do a little out for him in Cali. Unless he and his op- scholars attempt to attend a school in the things involved with these types of issues bit of research before just donating to an eratives have already thrown in the towel, state in which they actually live--in which that people just really have to know what organization that you’re not sure about are preferring to spend their time and money in their parents continue to pay some pretty they’re involved with and think about it not familiar with.” • so-called swing states where the Republican hefty taxes. •
Torrrance 8.2.12
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