Dan Gabor Memorial Track & Field Invitational tomorrow Dan Gabor Memorial Track & Field Invitational tomorrow (March 19, 2004)

Northern California's finest teams to test their mettle at Amador
by Heidi Massie

Track and Field athletes will converge on Amador Valley High tomorrow for the second annual Dan Gabor Memorial Track & Field Invitational. The 2004 edition of this meet promises to be the biggest and best yet, as some of Northern California's finest teams test their mettle in the spirit of the late, great Dan Gabor.

The meet is in honor of Dan - the 1987 State Champion in the 800-meter run - who died tragically in 1996 in TWA Flight 800. Dan is still the only AVHS athlete to ever win a state championship.

"The meet is a celebration of Dan and his love of track and field," said meet director and running coach Chris Puppione. "At Amador Valley, we celebrate him in our track and cross country programs with the words, 'Run like Dan!'"

Competition events will be in Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls, Frosh/Soph Boys, and Frosh/Soph Girls divisions. In addition to the team medals, a special ceremony will follow the final featured event - the Dan Gabor 800 Meter Run - where the winners are recognized and presented with the meet's perpetual trophy by Dan's mother, Ann Gabor, who is an avid Amador Valley track and cross country fan.

"We had an amazing meet last year, and this year promises to be even better," added Puppione. "We have added the Triple Jump Relay and the 4x100 Relay per the request of several coaches, and we are looking forward to hosting this special event."

The meet begins at 8 a.m. with field events followed by running events. The 800-meter run begins at 2 p.m. followed by the special awards ceremony. For more information, visit www.amadorsports.com.
Softball

The Lady Falcons softball team got a big 5-1 win over James Logan in a non-league game Tuesday. After four scoreless innings, Foothill ran in four in the fifth to take the lead. The Falcons scored again in the top of the seventh making it 5-0, but home team James Logan scored one in their final attempt, giving the win to Foothill.

The top hitter for Foothill was Jessica Lau who went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Nicole Romero had two RBIs and a double, and Brittany Throne added another RBI.

Amador's varsity softball team played great defense Tuesday forcing American High to make errors, giving the Dons a 2-0 win and improving their record to 3-1 in the pre-season. Mindy Tangney and Alex Bright each went 2 for 3 in the game. Bright also scored one run as did Kristen Hart on a close play at the plate.

Emily Cipolla got her first high school win, pitching all seven innings, giving up four hits, one walk, and striking out three, to improve her overall record to 1-1. Her only loss was at the hands of NCS finalist Newark Memorial last week. Baseball

The varsity Dons baseball team scored big against Berkeley on Tuesday, 11-4, improving their overall record to 6-1. Chris Lewis hit for two RBI and a double, Chris Dudziak also had two and a big triple hit. Nate Young, Will Dickenson and Brett Zollman each added one RBI.

Amador JV baseball triumphed in a tough game over Castro Valley, 6-4. Pitcher Kevin Bailey fired five innings, giving up only three runs for the win. Chris Hillman pitched the final two innings for the save. Offensively, Mike Purpura kept his torrid hitting, going 3 for 3 with three RBI's. Chris Grider went 1 for 3, scoring two runs.
Games scheduled week 3/19 - 3/26
Friday Baseball Foothill vs. Castro Valley; 3:30 p.m. Amador vs. Liberty; 3:30 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse Foothill vs. San Ramon Valley; JV 5:30, Var to follow
Boys Lacrosse Amador Invitational; 5 p.m.
Saturday Baseball Foothill Frosh at Moreau; 11 a.m. Amador JV at Moreau; 11 a.m.
Track & Field Amador at Dan Gabor Memorial Invitational. 8 a.m.
Softball Amador at Branham, San Jose; 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse Amador Invitational 5 p.m.
Monday Boys Golf Amador at Aiello Invitation, Discovery Bay CC; 8 a.m.
Tuesday Boys Golf Amador at Granada, Las Positas; 3 p.m.
Boys volleyball Amador vs. Livermore; JV 5 p.m., Var. 6 p.m.
Baseball Foothill Frosh at Dublin, 3:30 p.m. Amador Frosh vs. Castro Valley; 3:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis Foothill vs. Amador; 3:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse Foothill vs. Miramonte; Jv 5:30 p.m., Var. 7:15 p.m. Amador at Berkeley; 7 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse Foothill vs. Miramonte; JV 5:30 p.m. Var. to follow Amador vs. Menlo Atherton; 5 p.m.
Softball Foothill vs. Liberty; 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Golf Amador at Liberty, Discovery Bay CC; 3 p.m.
Baseball Foothill JV vs. Deer Valley; 3:30 p.m.
Thursday Boys golf Amador vs. California, Ruby Hills, 3 p.m.
Boys volleyball Amador at Castro Valley; JV 5 p.m., Var. 6 p.m.
Baseball Foothill at Freedom; 3:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis Foothill vs. San Ramon Valley; 3:30 p.m. Amador at Livermore; 3:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse Foothill at California; Jv 5:30 p.m., Var. 7:15 p.m
Track & Field Amador at California; 4 p.m.
Softball Amador at Liberty; 3:45 p.m. Foothill vs. Antioch; 3:30 p.m.
Friday Baseball Amador JV at Alhambra; 3:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse Amador vs. San Ramon Valley; 7 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse Foothill at California; JV 5:30 p.m. Var. to follow Amador at San Ramon Valley; 5:30 p.m.

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