Guy Quanrud

America’s past time is full of spine-tingling moments. On May 25, 1935 the Great Bambino (Babe Ruth) clubbed his final home run, number 714, a milestone so exceeding his contemporaries that few of his generation could conceive of it ever being matched let alone surpassed. Of course it was, when Hammering Hank (Henry Aaron), of a race not even allowed to compete in Ruth’s era, knocked number 715 into the record books on April 8, 1974. He went on to finish with 755 and keep the crown until San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds passed him with a punishing shot on August 7, 2007.

America’s past time is full of spine-tingling moments. On May 25, 1935 the Great Bambino (Babe Ruth) clubbed his final home run, number 714, a milestone so exceeding his contemporaries that few of his generation could conceive of it ever being matched let alone surpassed. Of course it was, when Hammering Hank (Henry Aaron), of a race not even allowed to compete in Ruth’s era, knocked number 715 into the record books on April 8, 1974. He went on to finish with 755 and keep the crown until San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds passed him with a punishing shot on August 7, 2007.

For the first time in over 20 years, three wrestlers from Saratoga qualified for state championships. This past weekend, junior Alan Yen at 189 lbs and seniors Nathan Nguyen at 121 lbs and Jasper Loren at 154 lbs. competed at the California State Championship in Bakersfield, two weeks after CCS championships. For Nguyen, the state championships was not an unfamiliar place. He is now a three-time CCS placer as well as three-time state qualifier, with improvements each time. This year he achieved an honorable mention, placing in the top 16 people at State Championships.

This could be the season for the varsity baseball team. For the first time in several years, the group is made up predominately of seniors, who hope to turn the program around and end their high school careers with a winning season.

Despite retiring from her position as an assistant principal of guidance of last year, Gail Wasserman has continued to pursue her career by starting a college consulting business. Wasserman hopes to guide students through the college process, trying to make it easier for the students.

Some time in this month, the ASB will launch its first website. Created by senior ASB officers Felix Chu, Corey Rateu, T.T. Tu and Ketaki Shriram, the website hopes to be student friendly, providing users with as much current information as it can. “I think that the website is pushing us forward and getting us closer to the school,” said Tu. “The website is an accomplishment for the ASB and it’s a big leap.”

Senior Jasper Loren steps onto the mat, an intimidating figure and one of the most dominant forces in the league. Within a couple moments he reads his opponent, finds an opening and brings him down with a “whack.” Just a split-second later he pins his foe and is announced the winner. For the captain of the wrestling team, winning sometimes seems too easy. “I have a love for the sport and I know I had to be top notch,” said Loren. “I guess it’s my determination that drives me to perform so well.”

Marriage hysteria has beset Saratoga High, with two teachers announcing engagements. During winter break, economics teacher Todd Dwyer tied the knot with his long time girlfriend Lupita Chavez. In the science department, chemistry teacher Kathy Chang accepted a proposal from her boyfriend.

The Catch has long been the symbol of San Francisco 49ers’ football. The impossible throw from Joe Montana to Dwight Clark began the team’s glorious span of five Super Bowls. As for the Raiders, their “commitment to excellence” was more than just a slogan. In 2002, the Raiders, led by quarterback Rich Gannon, were the league’s most potent offense and stormed all the way to Super Bowl XXVII.

This year the wrestling team is taking a different approach to their practices. By popular vote, the team has changed its practice time and adopted an early morning training routine. They lift weights in the morning so that afternoon practices are shorter, allowing the wrestlers to go home earlier. In addition, with this new policy, the afternoon practice can focus on wrestling technique. “When we lifted before we wrestled, the boys’ muscles were tired,” said head wrestling coach and history teacher Kirk Abe. “Now they have time to rest during the day.”

For English teacher Bill Peck, it seems as if all roads lead back to Saratoga. A former student who graduated from here in 1971, Peck now serves as an English teacher and coach of the school’s mock trial team in addition to being involved in the school’s drama department.

The Falcons headed into the final league playoffs confidently and in first place. But nothing, not even a 11-1 season and comfortable first-round bye could prepare the boys’ water polo team for the biggest shock of the season.

According to CNN, pirates are still real. No, I don’t mean the weak and pathetic Internet pirates. Off the coast of Somalia, pirates have seized a Ukrainian cargo ship. Inside the ship is a treasure of weapons: Soviet-made T-72 tanks, tank artillery shells, grenade launchers and small arms—and they’re demanding a 20 million dollar ransom in return for the crew.

The boys’ water polo team is like a family in more ways than one. Their 12-1 league record is a testament to not only powerful and effective teamwork but also the team’s brotherly bonds. Team members junior Kevin and sophomore Tim Rollinson are brothers both in and out of the pool, while team captains seniors Arian Mahini and Nick Mortazavi have played together so long they could be considered brothers.

Of all the players on the boys’ varsity water polo team, senior Justin Winningham is the tallest. His height of 6’5” dwarfs those of his fellow teammates and also provides him with an advantage as goalie: his massive wingspan. His long arms cover up most of the goal and frustrate opposing players in their shot selection, boosting the team’s defensive presence.

Laressa Ridge has taught math for the past three years, but now she has moved across campus and is working in a new world: psychology. Prior to this year, she has taught algebra, geometry, sequential geometry, and algebra II honors. But behind the fractions and geometry proofs lay her hidden love of psychology. For several years, she took night school classes, improving on her minor in psychology and getting a masters degree in child/adolescent parenting from San Jose State University.

The boys’ water polo team got off to a rough start, losing all five games at the season-opening Schmidt Tournament. Counters and costly turnovers resulted in too many goals, preventing the Falcons from keeping up with their opponents. Seniors Michael Huang and Nick Mortazavi were the stars of the tournament, with Huang scoring four goals and Mortazavi knocking in five.

Boys’ water polo has had a new coach every year for the past four years, and this year is no exception. Swim coach Christian Bonner is filling the position, so the team will have to adjust, once again, to new strategies.

The last day the three Hinshaw brothers could swim together on the same Saratoga High School team ended in a surprise shocker with the Falcons roaring past Valley Christian and snagging second place overall in the CCS Championship. Not only did the boys place first among public schools, but they also placed second in CCS for the first time since 1969.

With senior year drawing to a close, the school is preparing a series of special events to bid the graduating students farewell. Aside from the graduation ceremony and party, seniors also get to purchase the Senior Video and take a day off from school at the beach.

For many years, the Saratoga and Palo Alto boy’s varsity swimming teams have maintained in a small but competitive rivalry. In CCS last year, the Falcons placed second to Palo Alto among public schools. This year’s dual meet showed signs that Saratoga may come out on top of Palo Alto at CCS.

Life without senior pitcher Myles Hornberger has gone started well for the baseball team. Still winless since Hornberger’s injury March 13, the boys continue to struggle.