Sports

Saratoga Sports Boosters introduced a new fundraising event this year, called the Football Tailgate. It was held on Oct. 3 on the evening of the Homecoming game.

The social started at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for one meal and game ticket, and $60 for an entire package. This covered a reserved parking space, dinner for two, and two tickets to the game. An option for three guests was also available for $75. Dinner included a full meal: tri-tip sandwiches or veggie wraps, a drink, cole slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, and apple pie.

After losing the first two games of their season, the Falcons managed to recoup their struggling offense and crush the Westmont Warriors 27-13 in their Sept. 26 home opening game.

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. <--!break-->

If the Wawona Peachtree Classic in Fresno is any indication, the girls’ varsity tennis team may just beat their long-time rival the Monta Vista Matadors this year. Despite several close matches, the Falcons have been unable to defeat the Matadors since ending their 72-match win streak three years ago.

“I think this year we match up very well with Monta Vista and we have the opportunity to take the upper hand in this rivalry,” said Uyehara. “If everybody steps up to the plate and plays up to their best abilities, I think we will have no problem.”

Fans attending the first football game tonight will be surprised to hear an new voice sounding over the speakers.
English teacher Erick Rector is the new announcer for JV and varsity football and basketball games, taking the place of math teacher Mike Navrides.

“This year I was given the opportunity to announce and I decided to give it a shot,” said Rector.

Four boys’ varsity Division III teams make the big meet, the one that really counts. The CIF state championships.

Saratoga is currently ranked fifth. Move up one spot and they’ll be in.

New trainer Elizabeth Gilmore wants to do more than tape ankles and ice sore limbs; she wants improve Saratoga’s athletic program and help aspiring athletes stay healthy enough to play in collegiate sports.

Gilmore, who is employed by the company Moor Physical Therapy, was hired last month in response to a call from athletic director Peter Jordan, who notified the company that Saratoga High was in need of a trainer.

For the first time in school history, a girls' golf team is teeing off.

A growing number of requests to the school last year resulted in the team being formed. Eight students said they’d play, two more than the minimum player requirement for high school golf, and the team became official.

The swim caps have been dawned and the nets have been placed, as the girls’ varsity water polo team starts its season this month. All of the players are prepared for a challenging and rewarding season, but there is one problem.

Alison Norris, senior co-captain along with senior Kaylee Pettingill, is one of the key players on this team and will have to play through the season with an arm injury.

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.