Pleasanton Rage awards soccer scholarships Pleasanton Rage awards soccer scholarships (July 29, 2005)

San Ramon girls named top achievers
by Susan Miller

The Pleasanton Girls Soccer Association (PGSA) has awarded two $1,000 college scholarships to Taylor Hendren (RAGE U17) and Allison Falk (RAGE U18).

Hendren and Falk were chosen from among the Class of 2005 eligible candidates who played with RAGE teams. These included girls who had the highest academic averages for their combined junior and senior years in this first year of the scholarship program.

Taylor and Allison are both Division 1 players, who averaged at least a 4.35 GPA in their junior and senior years. RAGE representatives called that academic achievement "impressive," given their soccer practice and competition schedules that consume 12 or more hours a week.

Both girls just graduated from San Ramon Valley High School, where they played varsity soccer for the Wolves all four years. Falk plans to attend Stanford University this fall. Although she has not yet declared a major, she plans to study abroad in Florence, Italy during her junior year and intends to study Italian.

Asked how she balanced soccer practice with her numerous Advanced Placement classes, she answered: "Time management."

She said that worked as far as helping her manage school, sports and sleep. As for winning the scholarship: "I thought it was really cool, and I'm honored to represent the RAGE," said Falk.

Hendren will attend Cornell University, where she plans to study chemical or biomedical engineering. Like Falk, she considered soccer and studying as integral parts of her daily schedule.

"I was surprised and excited to receive the scholarship," said Hendren," and I'm glad that Allison won as well."

Ross Stonesifer, treasurer of the Pleasanton RAGE, announced the scholarship program.

"We feel that soccer is but one aspect of the continuum of developing life skills," she said. "Academic achievement is another important component."

The PGSA has a membership of 2,000 families, the majority of whom reside in Pleasanton. The organization plans to offer the scholarship to graduates each year in its effort to promote academic achievement.

Killer Whales out-swim DBAC Piranhas Killer Whales out-swim DBAC Piranhas (July 29, 2005)

Ruby Hill team takes four 'firsts'
by Susan Miller
The Ruby Hill Killer Whales won in an evenly matched, suspenseful dual swim meet last week against the DBAC Piranhas in the Tri-Valley Swim League with a final score of 498-479.
Even the relay teams almost tied with first place wins, with the depth of the Whales' team giving them enough second, third and fourth place wins to secure the team victory. Swimmers from both teams performed well to earn multiple first place finishes, as well as compete on winning relay teams.
Two Whales swimmers stopped the clock to capture four first place finishes, with Nicholas Perry, 12, and Courtney Seams, 8, swimming to some great finishes. Perry captured gold in the 50 Free, 50 Fly, 100 IM, and a leg of the 200 Medley Relay, while Seams swam to first place in the 25 Free, 25 Fly, 25 Back and a leg of the 100 Medley Relay events.
In addition, some excellent swims by the Whales included David Acorn, 18, in the 50 Free, 50 Back, and member of the 200 Free Relay team; Joey Repac, 8, in the 25 Back and 25 Fly; Rachelle Vogt, 17, in the 100 IM and 50 Back, and Nick Johnston, 10, in the 50 Free and 25 Fly events.
The Piranhas saw some great swims by Iris Chang, 11, in the 100 IM and 50 Back; Emily Hickey, 5, in the 25 Breast and 25 Back; Sarah Takashashi, 5, in the 25 Fly and leg of the 100 Free Relay, and Winky Wong, 10, in the 25 Fly, 100 IM, and 200 Free Relay team.
Jax Pederson, 6, captured first place in four events, winning the 25 Free, 25 Fly, 25 Back, and swimming a leg of the 100 Medley Relay team.
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