Bishop Amat High School - Tusitala Yearbook (La Puente, CA)

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'W M ,, jill ' 32?Zekxuae35ig5l,h V T Q, 5 M if fi ,,.,,,x..,n.,.im.,,t E , i mmz Emil f ' l ' LW iior Gabriel Ramirez lunges to keep the ball in y. Tennis demanded the ability to run down s for extended amounts of time. Using all his leverage, junior Henry Felix swings the racket with the proper follow through. A good follow through meant added power to the shot. Freshman Dennis Mamaril hastily lowers his racket head to hit a low volley. The pressures of competition often promted the use of reflexes instead of proper form. Displaying total concentration, junior Rainier Manuel prepares for his service motion. A good serve was sure to keep the opponent off-bal- ance. Displaying true sportsmanship, freshman Danny Wood shakes hands with his opponent. The ob- ject of C.l.F. competition was to bring athletes together in friendly competition. Boys Varsity Tennis 273

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I ggi Taking The I s Anyone would think that we'd feel shaky about playing on a first year team. Actually, most of us were anxious to show how good this team really was. Henry Felix The most difficult aspect of any endeavor is getting started. The Boys Varsity Tennis team was no exception. Their first year in full-fledged competition raised questions as to their po- tential. Most of the players re- sponded in a positive manner. Junior Henry Felix replied, Anyone would think that we'd feel shaky about playing on a first year team. Actually, most of us were anxious to show how good this team really was. Confidence exuded from most of the players. Being the first season, there was added pressure to do well. The fact that this squad had to go up against seasoned teams didn't exactly help them out. Freshman Dominic Monte- longo explained, NA few of us felt the pressure of being a new team. Of course, no one could do much to relieve that. The only thing we could do was con- centrate on our games. Inexpe- rience prompted concern from the whole squad. Tennis at this level was new to the school. Be- cause of this, the initial part of the season was more of a trial period. The team showed signs of winning potential. They were not just a group of inexperi- enced tennis lovers. They were graced with a state ranked play- er, freshman Joseph Montoya. When asked about the future of the program he replied, The program is really going to gain strength as time goes on. Since we're a young group, many of us will return next season. This means that thereis going to be more experience and maturity. The team did its best to pre- pare for the challenge. The practice sessions were hard and demanding. Most of them thought it would be easy. Ten- nis required top form and fit- ness. Playing tough opponents was a challenge. Keeping up with a schedule that had them playing matches three times a week was even more demand- ing. Yet, this squad kicked off the season with optimism. In the words of junior Gabriel Ra- mirez, If we can keep up the level of play throughout the season, I'm sure that this team can finish in good positionf, f E Boys Varsity Tennis WilSO1'1 :'Saint Paul U V 'Saint P3111 Glendora Tourney 2.Li,Q3 - Cal High Diamond Bar V 'i La Puente La Habra 'Servite 'Mater Dei A fl 'Bishop Montgomery 'Saint Paul - Monrovia 'Mater Dei qr.fQt. Nogales fServite i Mater Dei 'Bishop Montgomery '-i-i.L ff . fe Indicates Angelus League i 'i5f4lT9ff?2i-fililiiiilii fiaffiiafeflVl5f5fJ5l3Q1Gf5?ifi6f.?F6iiif.JasefiliiQP?-iiii1e?Q.-Legal-iffieenisi.'wraiil as iemanflafiiifkle-X55ig5?Y4fQf 3'Flll?fFf?if3.U,ElTS?3U1iFi5-A4Demi?gmaiissfliiiiiailnsi.i4U2adH'.i-,iE1i??ing in 1feizfasladifffJeSan?Eeie.fiS2fQaQra6.Wbcfd.- -.Henry-Fe1wg sbcmihififvi-fsrstefiangesi jceaea-gsievel . fifleneaa fe.e- NQr19iEGi4fe1ii.e-Jvsaefliwgaivnai.wihfieieiB3mi5ez.zWeQieyi Rini l.t-f f .fi. ff.t'Tgf.i.1 272 Sports T Y 5 A is

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Many students who craved variety in their athletic life opt- ed for sports outside of school. Because this option was an inde- pendent one, they found it diffi- cult and very different from school-sponsored activities. The student who chose a competitive sport sacrificed his leisure time to train, without the rewards of school recognition. Neverthe- less, they continued. The sport, whether it was judo or hockey, was more than just a hobby, it was a passion. Junior Mike Sheety first be- came interested in Sport Judo during his freshman year as a result of a book report he did on the subject. Two and a half years later, Mike achieved a brown-belt ranking and was named Honorary Judo Athlete of 1987. Judo, which required a great deal of discipline, called for minimum effort with maxi- mum efficiency. The difference 274 Sports Excelling In Outside Sports between Judo and school sportsf' Mike observed, was that I had to take it upon myself to respect the Japanese tradi- between sensei finstructorl and student. Unlike school sports, Judo pupils could maintain their training with only two and a half hours of practice twice a week. Not only did it keep him in shape but it provided a prac- tical use for dealing with daily life. 'KI had to practice a throw thousands of times before I could even do it-just like life, commented Mike. Although still considered an unusual sport for Southern Cali- fornia, hockey was rapidly grow- ing more popular. Junior Gary Lyons, who played defense for the Southern California Con- dors, spent 11 years dedicated to the sport U. . . because I enjoyed the excitement of hockey which combined balance, agility, and strength. His brother Mike Ly- Sports ' The Bishop Amat Boosters was a paid membership organi- zation which supported all school projects with extra em- phasis on assistance to the sports program. This group con- sisted of about 300 parents, fac- ulty, alumni, and fans of the athletic teams. They assisted at all sports functions that re- quired volunteers and were also there to lend a helping hand at the annual fiesta, open house, and graduation. Through their hard work, the Boosters saved the school thousands of dollars by assisting with field and gym preparation for different events. Senior Charlie Aguirre, whose father is an active Booster mem- ber, explained, My dad spends a lot of time around school. Most of the students don't real- ize the improvements the Boost- ers make. They think the jani- tors do it. Like every club, the Boosters were led by a group of dedicated officers which consisted of Mr. Patrick Froehle, president, Mr. Boosters Mr. Nick Kaustic, Mr. Jim Wiard, and Mr. Chuck Stanzione use their talent as chefs. Barbecuing for teams was a weekly event. ons also joined and played cen- ter for the California State team, the Silver Surfers. One similar aspect of hockey to school sports was the fact that the parents exerted the same amount of energy as fans. Both boys were encouraged by their father, Gary Lyons Sr. who served as commisioner of the Los Angeles Hockey Associ- ation. There was a great deal of politics involved, commented Mike Lyons, 'Sometimes the parents cared more than the kids themselves. Myke Prus- zynksi, who played right wing for the Pasadena Maple Leafs, owed his interest in hockey to his cousin-in-law, Dan Nagy. He got me started by taking me to King's games. He is now training me for junior and col- lege play, Myke remarked. Un- like school sports, hockey teams received more opportunity to travel. The Silver Surfers, for example, traveled extensively to Canada and to neighboring and eastern states. The main differ- ence was the financial stability of the team, Gary reported, We had to find our own spon- sors and fund raisers to pay fof the expensive equipment. We donlt have a school to support us. Because hockey was such ar unusual sport for Californiar schools, it often did not receive deserved recognition. The tric Mike, Gary, and Myke along with hockey fans tried to orga- nize a street hockey club a1 school but the attempt was un- successful. However, Mike thought this would change HOnce people watch a game they'll only have one though' . . . awesomef' Senior Michael Lyons, usually cen ter for the Silver Surfers, the officia. state team, poses as goalie for thi: photograph, Uplifted By Boosters Charles Gover, vice-presidentg Mr. Ray Mercieca, second vice- presidentg Mr. Alfred Salcido, treasurer, and Mr. William Clark, secretary. Mrs. Mary Pat Wiard, who was a member of this group for the past eight years, comment- ed, My husband and I love Bishop Amat. Even though we don't have any children who at- tend school anymore we enjoy being part of the Boosters as well as meeting and working with the peoplefl Mrs. Connie Cruz looked at it from another perspective stating, Being part of the Boosters was my way of supporting the school and my sons who were involved in the sports program. The Boosters were a tremen- dous support to all of the athle- tic teams and the school. Their continued effort and work was appreciated by all. . .'., SQL!! .