World Cup soccer: Day 1

By Ed Piper

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a soccer fan or knowledgeable writer about soccer, even though I have covered the La Jolla High girls and boys teams for over a decade. But I do like to stay current, and I began watching Fox's coverage of the men's World Cup yesterday (June 11)--a lot to take in.

Mexico, who I feel somewhat connected to, since I lived in Mexico City for over a year right out of college in my first job after college, put South Africa away in the opener. I can only imagine the fervor, the immense energy, the hopes of average people in Mexico City, in a culture that puts so much emphasis on the sport of soccer.

I'm also aware of the immense hype that Fox and its media ilk pour out for events they have sunk billions of dollars into. "Hype" in my generation meant over-emphasis; hype in the present generation has a positive connotation, building up enthusiasm for a team or school. I mean the former.

In the second game yesterday, I was closely watching the South Koreans as Son, the LAFC player, led them into battle in Guadalajara, 350 miles from Mexico City, the site of the opener, against Czechia. Czechia, averaging 6'3" in height--unusual for soccer--gave them a scare. An interesting note is how lately in media, South Korea is referred to as "Korea", as if the evil empire in North Korea doesn't exist. A political thing, I would guess. Just act like they don't exist.

One other quick thought: I once attended a pro doubleheader of soccer at Estadio Azteca, in the site for Mexico's win. I have the fondest memories. People in the nosebleed seats, where I  bought a ticket, shared snacks and even good food with me as we spent the afternoon on that far upper deck of the stadium. I had such a great experience as a gringo in Mexico. I was in my early 20's (this game was on a return visit to Mexico after I moved back here, as I remember it), I was very engaging, though obviously white and sporting a big beard and longish hair--very different from the Mexican culture. I tried to relate to people honestly, as who I was. I did speak decent Spanish at that time, having lived and studied in the culture. (I also taught Spanish back here in California in short spells as a credentialed teacher.)

LJ FB: 'Don't duck the grind'

Without missing a workout, rising

senior Joseph Crudo lifts hand weights

during Monday's session. Crudo

plays goalie in soccer, infield

in baseball, and running back/

defensive back in football.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

"Don't duck the grind."

La Jolla head coach Tyler Roach told the assembled 20 to 25 athletes at the end of a two-hour strength and conditioning workout in the Viking weight room and on the turf triangle in front of the weight room, "From all my years playing and coaching, I know that if you duck the grind, it will come back and get you."

He implored the faithful--including aspiring freshmen fresh off the campus at Muirlands Middle School--to be diligent about the workouts, show up, and truly benefit from new Defensive Coordinator Stephen Dixon's planned-out, timed barbell and hand weight exercises.

Dixon, for his part, newly-returned after serving as an assistant under Roach from 2019-2021, then heading the football program at Escondido High School for three years, told the boys, "Prepare a taco bowl. Have a pound of ground beef, brown rice, black beans, corn," and other ingredients to the tune of 4,000 calories a day during summer workouts leading up to the fall campaign.

In re-introducing himself to a reporter Thursday, June 4, the former Country Day assistant reminded him, "I was here during the Southern California Regional championship season in 2019," when drop-back passer Jackson Stratton was quarterback, and 2021, when a shortened season under COVID restrictions resulted in Roach's squad going 5-0 in the spring and winning the league title, with no playoffs allowed.

LJ FB: Summer workout - strength and conditioning - 6/8

Photos by Ed Piper

Even with the obstacles put up to impede

the building of nests (see tiny wires affixed

to light shields), a baby osprey peeps out

over the football field (top - 2:00 position).

Perseverance.

New Defensive Coordinator Stephen Dixon barks

out commands during loud-music, high-intensity

strength and conditioning work on the turf

outside the weight room. This followed

targeted weight-lifting earlier in the 7-9 a.m.

workout. Dixon was an LJ assistant in 2019-2021.

Rising sophomore Travis McCarther

holds in position while his partner

lifts hand weights, then they switch.

McCarther graciously came up to a

reporter/photographer and introduced

himself.

Returning QB Ty Tortorice,

a rising sophomore, lifts

a barbell. Team members

worked on form to lift

the weight properly, not

arching their back and so forth.

New DC Stephen Dixon,

also strength and conditioning

coach, reinforces some of

his points about the workout

portion inside the weightroom.

Transfer QB Brody Bukich, a rising

junior, hefts the weight with an

expression on his face. In M-W-F

morning workouts, Vikings do different

things than they do Tu-Th afternoons.

LJ baseball + softball: Rare occurrence

By Ed Piper

Rich Cardenas, father of Andrew (baseball) and Emmy (softball), players from LJHS, remarked at least twice to me this spring, "When I read that article (about both teams winning league titles), I had never seen those two teams mentioned (in that way) in the same article." (The article appeared in the La Jolla Village News, which I write for.)

The spring was quite remarkable: an Eastern League title for the Viking softballers (8-0), and one for the baseball team (7-6). Gary Frank's baseballers went to the edge of the cliff against Lincoln, losing two straight games, before winning the title-decider May 15 after a three-run bomb by the Hornets' Dom Mendoza, a sophomore, in the bottom of the seventh. Nerve-wracking. I can still feel it now.

What's more remarkable, and fun from the Viking side, is that Rich's kids both experienced league championships during their years performing for La Jolla High. Emmy, a pitcher/home run hitter during her years on campus, helped win a league title during her sophomore year, 2021. (The previous season was mostly wiped out by the COVID pandemic, costing her games in which she could have furthered her then-home run record.)

Andrew (alternately known as "Drew", "Andrew", even "Andy"--Rich says he himself doesn't mind), of course, was a crucial part of the Vikings' pennant effort this spring. During La Jolla's nail-biter to win it May 15, the younnger Cardenas sibling hurled 6 2/3 innings of gutsy ball in an argument-filled (by Lincoln's coach) contest.

LJ FB: Summer workout 6/4

Photos by Ed Piper

Head coach Tyler Roach works out receiver

Preston Armstead, a rising sophomore,

at running back.

Joseph Crudo does the same.

Transfer Brody Bukich, from Mt. Carmel,

goes through his paces at quarterback.

Rising sophomore Ty Tortorice (gray hoodie)

works out at QB next to Bukich. They did a

simultaneous short-and-long drill, throwing

to receivers.

LJ softball: Ella, Ellie, Aviv named First Team All-Central League

Shortstop Ella Pearl (30, center left) poses with her

underclass teammates while the seniors get recognition

on Senior Day May 14. On Pearl's right is

another all-league selection, Ellie Thomson

(far left). (Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

A trio of Vikings have been named to First Team All-Central League honors, in addition to Player of the Year Jacey Taylor. (See previous entry.) Shortstop/pitcher Ella Pearl, catcher Aviv Laska, and third baseman Ellie Thomson all received the honors, all being underclassmen--Laska a junior, Pearl a sophomore, and Thomson, holding down the hot corner, a freshman.

La Jolla coach Anthony Sarain was proud to share the news of his individual players' recognition, as the 2026 team went 8-0 through the Central League schedule, reached the finals of the Division 5 playoffs, and played into the semifinals of the Southern California Regionals, the last which they have never participated in before.

Catcher Aviv Laska, with shin

guards on, works out at third

base before the Senior Game

May 14.

In addition, two more members of the Viking starting lineup, both seniors, centerfielder Savannah Putnam and second baseman Maddie Ehlert, received Second Team honors.

Pearl, the sophomore, batted .500 at the plate and provided prime leadership of the infield in her position at shortstop. Unfortunately, though successful, Ella had to spend a lot of games as a pitcher, along with Taylor, since La Jolla had no players who specifically are pitchers.

Pearl's gem in the pitcher's circle came in the Division 5 semifinals at La Jolla High May 27, when she put the brakes on an aggressive, optimistic Orange Glen squad coming off an upset win on the same field the day before, when Viking pitchers walked or hit 22 batters to succumb in that contest. Ella, wearing earrings and a double-braided ponytail under a visor, gave up one run and only permitted four hits in a shortened 11-1 win to qualify for a trip to the finals three days later.

Savannah Putnam (far right) stands with fellow

graduating seniors and Emmy Cardenas (in blue

jeans), the former LJHS home run record-holder,

on Senior Day May 14.

Aviv (pronounced "ah-VEEV"), waited a long time for deserved recognition at her favorite position behind the plate. A solid, steady presence in the battery, she provided stability as Sarain cycled through pitchers in trying to find the right combination. Struggling through a 3-11 stretch prior to Central League play, the Vikings suddenly were winning--to the tune of a 12-game win streak into the playoffs. The head coach repeated, "It's all about the walks. We have to limit how many walks we give up."

Finally, Ellie Thomson was an unexpected star as a freshman third-sacker. Her glovework on grounders is flawless, her throws to first base are on target, and with her experience in travel ball, she knows when to make a throw and when to hold onto the ball--not always an easy decision. Sarain batted her in the sixth slot in the lineup, which worked well for her.

On the Second Team, Savannah played four years and was reliable in centerfielder. She batted leadoff, often using her speed to beat out bunts that immediately put the opposition on notice.

Ehlert, another senior, was steady at second base, giving the Vikings an infield unit that held down the defense. Often arriving just before game time during college courses she was concurrently enrolled in, "Maddie E" (the other Maddie is "Maddie Q", Maddie Quach), got ready in a hurry and had a good year offensively, as well.

Maddie Ehlert, rushing to

the field after her concurrent

college class, warms up

before the Senior Game

May 14.

LJ softball: Photos 6/2

Photos by Ed Piper

LJ assistant coach Matt Pearl (red shirt)

puts down a signal for the next pitch,

seated next to head coach Anthony Sarain.

Viking players put their hands together

and let out a cheer before opening pitch.