University City High School - Excelsus Yearbook (San Diego, CA)

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-»- (y ' -» Kyle Yasuhara and John Shaffer concentrate during Coach Ed Yandall keeps track of Centurion points on the scoreboard a take-down drill V Tony Moscatos opponent tries to crash his arms of steel. ' Steve Hawley and Tony Moscato work for a take- down. Wrestling 119

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Get A Grip! The whistle blows and you shoot out at your opponent without even thinking, your concen- tration centered on getting a hold on your foe and receiving the first takedown, the first key step in dominating and winning a wrestling match. You force him to his back and get those first two points, working up the body to the head for a head and arm, the most lethal of the pinning moves in its easy access and effi- ciency. Your opponent struggles to roll you, sensing your superiority, and you shove his arm across his face to cut off his breathing. He wriggles frantically to keep his shoulder blades off the mat for a few seconds and then slows, your iron grip draining his last spurts of energy along with his breath. Then, Wham! The ref- eree ' s hand slaps the mat as the whistle blows and you ' ve won your team six more points, adding another pin to your record. This was the dream that kept every wrestler going this winter when he stepped back onto the mat for another three hours of grueling practice. Every day the Centurion wrestler was met with the wrestler ' s mile, consisting of five laps including stairs (because wrestlers can ' t count) before practice to get them in condi- tion. We were a much better team physically this year . Coach Yandall commented. The extra conditioning kept us from tiring in the last period and won us a few bouts as well . Led by team captains, Mike Houghton and Jeff Benzon, the second year grapplers added victory after victory to their individual records and the team competed fiercely in the Western League as strong contenders for the title. Few wrestlers returned from last year but those who did helped to teach the newcomers and added drive, unity, spirit and experience to the team, the key ingredients to a successful wres- tling squad, Coach Yandall said. Gary McDowell and George Brooker also helped coach the team this year, getting into the ring with the wrestlers and showing them precisely how it ' s done. Going to all day tourna- ments and pushing the wrestlers to victory, where at the Orange Glen tournament. Coach Yandall got news that he was now the proud father of a baby boy, Eki. the team ' s mascot. Standing: Coach Ed Yandall. Gretchen Smith, Mike Anderson, Mike Houghton, Steve Harris. John Kapitze. Tony Moscato, Steve Hawley. Alvin Pangilinan, Coach Gary McDowell, and Coach George Brooker. Kneeling: Craig Morrison, Kevin Aylesworth, Todd Brehe, Jeff Venzon, Kent Ninomiya, John Shafer, and Paul Livesay. Jeff Venzon puts the crunch on his opponent. Standing: Coach George Brooker, Coach Gary McDowell, Bruce Stone, Steve Manber, Brian Vowinkel, Craig Jerpseth. Larry Geller, Coach Ed Yandell, Kneeling: Daniel Glazerman, John Helsing, Brian Engleman, Francisco Vom Borstel. and Kyle Yasuhara. 118 Wrestling

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Sharing The Glory All noise dissipates as you tune your senses to their highest level, the blood running hot through your legs as they tense, your fingers tingling with anticipation. BANG! cracks the gun like a whip. The runners herd forward like a team of horses; cheers filling the infield as teammates and fans spur them on. The first runner approaches the end of his quarter of the race, and with his last ounce of strength, passes the baton to his team- mate. The race continues as other events come to a close, the results of each event contributing to the overall outcome of the track meet. Track is a team sport, commented Coach Mitchell. It ' s comprised of many individual ef- forts which all contribute to one single cause — winning. The Boy ' s Track Team coaches were: John Hutsel for discus and shot put; Connie Thompson for hurdles and infield events; Nick Ciaccio for sprints; Robert Grant for long distance running; and Head Coach Rick Mitchell, who with the help of various volunteer timers, announcers and offi- cials from the UC High Staff, engineered the pass- ing of this symbolic baton, (representing the hearts of all the athletes and coaches combined) to carry it down the final straightaway to victory. Scott Schneider pulls ahead in the 2 mile. Doug Dixon sprints to gam the lead. -i PhS ' I am going to go over that bar with this pole? Back Row: Gerald Black. GeoH Folsom. Randy Barnes. Cliff Gordon. Dan Hood. Tim Patrick. Jofin Eichorn. Jofin Samuels. Mike Jungltng, David Gosney. Tony Romag, James Young, Rich Synnott. Scott Sctineider. Ctiris Coibom.Thad Krebs. Mark Schoonover 4tti Row Ken Pippin, Andrew Goldstein, Richard Diaz-Canedo. Jim Eveleth, Jeff Gurley, Maurice Simmons, Mike Cohen, Rico MacDowell, Mike Norris, Don Marks, Larry Gelier, Ricky Gish, Ray Kelly, Jeff Randell, Doug Dixon, Doug Grant 3rd Row Tom Jetton, Robert O ' Barr, Cory Krell, Doug Lewis, Chris Beresford, Mike Meister, Jeff Hunter, Darnell Hopkins, Damon Werner, Albert Crosby, Sam Thomas, James Jones, Glen Rogers, Joe Scaratone, Shawn W Smith, Scott Mraz, Robert Marcos 4th Row: Coach Ciaccio. John Hutsel, John Mamber, Robert Grant, Coach Mitchell, Coach Hill The UC runners give it their all in the 100 meters. 120 Boys Track John Elchhorn throws for the winning mark. David Weinbaum follows through on a powerful release.