LJ w polo/swim: Atwell goes for it

La Jolla coach Tom Atwell continues his cycling

for cancer awareness in the sixth hour (6:47 p.m.)

of a planned 24-hour solo venture on the track

at LJHS Thurs. evening, May 30.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Tom Atwell, La Jolla's long-time water polo and swim coach, was at it again Thurs., May 30, biking non-stop with beyond-human endurance around the Edwards Stadium track beginning at 1 p.m. The purpose was to raise funds for cancer awareness, one of Atwell's pet projects and a beneficiary of the AP History teacher's efforts the last several years.

"I couldn't do it," said more than one coach attending the Viking Spring football game on the field, as Atwell's literally spun circles around them. "He has an incredible level of endurance."

Kevin Hurt, La Jolla's punting and kicking coach, remembered when Atwell did an endurance run for a similar cause. "He was here during the day, then went overnight" to continue the effort, Hurt recalled.

The well-known water polo coach said Friday morning, when eyed still out on the track, but taking a timed break with his wife, Utahna, under a kiosk set up on the infield with snacks and a whole host of bikes to keep the line running, "Until 1 p.m." when asked how long he was going. That would make it a 24-hour vigil for cancer.

Atwell had surgery on one toe and foot last fall, from which he displayed a big wrap on his leg during practices and games as the girls water polo team competed last winter. That probably explains his switch from foot to bike for the fund-raiser.

Atwell (left) had company part of the time

as he was joined by another rider

during the 6 p.m. hour Thursday evening.