Sports

The Monta Vista Matadors were in for a surprise when they arrived at Saratoga on Oct. 21 to find junior Mika Padmanabhan dressed in uniform. The Falcons had released their secret weapon.

The addition of Padmanabhan was all it took to push the team over the edge to victory. They lost 3-4 earlier this season to the Matadors, but with the addition of the talented junior they were able to turn the tables and come out on top 5-2.

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.

With the exception of dances and rallies, the walls of the gym are usually bare. On Oct. 29, however, it underwent a transformation as the juniors of the varsity volleyball team tacked up Mystery Inc. and Scooby Doo posters for the senior game.

This year’s golf team is winding down as the members play their last matches for the season. As a pioneer team for the school, the players have enjoyed a solid, if not an undefeated season.

When Tim Lugo took over as head football coach at the beginning of the school year, his goal for the team was to make CCS playoffs. At the time, many felt that this ambition would be impossible, as the Falcons were entering the tough De Anza Division, a league studded with powerhouse teams such as Los Gatos and Palo Alto. However, depending on the outcomes of the next two games, Lugo's wish could possibly come true.

The whistle blows as another short corner is called against Saratoga. Due to a foul inside the goal circle, the Archbishop Mitty players get a free shot while only four Saratoga defenders and the goalie can try to stop it. Senior goalie Stephanie Douglass extends her leg and blocks Mitty’s shot as the defense scrambles to clear the ball out. The field hockey team found themselves in this position many times against Mitty under the lights on Oct. 22.

An almost non existent passing game and costly turnovers lead the Falcons to be plundered by the Palo Alto Vikings 28-14 on Oct. 17, in front of a wild Palo Alto crowd. Though the Falcons had 170 yards rushing on the ground, they only had 23 yards through the air.

They are one step closer to success.

Three of the top seven runners on the boys’ cross country team raced at the 5K Clovis Invitational in Fresno on Oct. 11. This was their only chance to become familiar with the state meet course before the actual race on Nov. 29.

Senior co-captain Alan Menezes led the group, placing 139th overall out of over 1,300 racers. Among the 11 CCS teams that attended, Menezes placed 12th with a time of 16:24, boding well for CCS finals when the top 10 runners go to the state championships. Senior co-captain

They are one step closer to success. Three of the top seven runners on the boys’ cross country team raced at the 5K Clovis Invitational in Fresno on Oct. 11. This was their only chance to become familiar with the state meet course before the actual race on Nov. 29.

Hundreds of students crowded around the quad cheered as seniors Matt Leung and Nikki Chang opened the senior quad day show by balancing elegantly on only their two hands. Sweat gleamed off of their arms as they performed solos featuring their own superhuman routines.