Thirty years ago, on August 24, 1987, with the rigors of conditioning week already put aside, both Manteca and East Union High football teams will be crashing the gridiron in full force as the two city schools start fall practice today. “After spending the whole week concentrating on conditioning, the kids have a really great attitude going to practice,” exclaimed EU coach Jim Brown, who begins his sixth year at the Lancer helm. “We’re ready and set to go.” Brown is eager to improve on last year’s dismal 2-8 campaign.
Meanwhile across town, the defending VOL champion Buffaloes will kick off their two-week sessions with double day practices for the first two days only, according to MHS head coach Bob Lee. “The single practices will be fairly long,” declared Lee, who enters his third year as Manteca’s field general.
In other sports stories
from the Bulletin files:
30 years ago: August 23, 1987 – With just over a week of workouts completed at Winter Gym, new Manteca High volleyball coach Scott Eckerle is already enjoying his transition from the junior varsity ranks. “I’m really enjoying all this,” commented Eckerle, who took over a prosperous MHS program from Lindsay Munoz. “I love being around volleyball and working with the girls.”
One week into pre-season workouts, most volleyball coaches are beginning to teach offensive concepts. East Union High coach Jon Olson, though, doesn’t have to worry about deciding whether his squad can handle a 6-2 or 5-1 set before its September 3 home scrimmage with Tracy High. He has those offenses and others already installed. The defending VOL champions are already using their multiple offenses. “We’ve never been that quick before. This group here is the furthest along I’ve had at this stage.”
20 years ago: August 24, 1997 – East Union High graduate Jessie Hardcastle was one of 100 women nation-wide to win a $1,000 scholarship from Mervyn’s California Women’s Sports Foundation. The three-sport standout and one of EU’s top scholars will be attending Mississippi State where she hopes to play volleyball and compete on the track and field team. Hardcastle, who was selected The Bulletin’s Female Scholar Athlete of the year, was chosen out of nearly 1,000 women who applied.
The East Union High volleyball team got balanced scoring at the net from Leia Lozaldo, Carey Corfiatis and Carrie Hartt in pounding Downey High 15-7, 15-8, 15-11 as the Lancers opened the Officials Tournament at Modesto’s Johansen High on Saturday. It was the opening season match for the defending VOL champion Lancers. Lozada and Corfiatis each had seven kills and two blocks, while Hartt notched eight kills and two blocks.
The 1997-98 prep year officially began Tuesday as Sierra High opened its non-league volleyball schedule. The Timberwolf girls kicked off their season with a 15-13, 15-0, 15-7 home win over Livingston High. Senior Kristen Monroy led Sierra with six kills, three blocks and nine service points, including five aces in two games. Teammate Jennifer Schafer added nine service points.
Rallying from behind, the East Union High soccer team scored twice in the final 11 minutes to edge Modesto High 2-1 in the opening round of the Beyer Tournament in Modesto yesterday. Matt Cooper tied the match up with 11 minutes to play with a shot that deflected off one player and skipped by the Modesto goalie. Six minutes later, Ricky Souza headed in a shot in front of the Modesto goal box off Chad Souza’s corner kick to put the Lancers on top.
Seniors Melissa Rosander, Sara Jacobs and Julie Sturgis swept their singles matches for the Manteca High tennis team Wednesday as the Buffaloes opened their season against Stockton’s Stagg High. In doubles action, junior Tabatha Moyer and sophomore Catrina Posey won their match.
10 years ago: August 29, 2007 – In a game dominated by physical play, it took a little finesse for the East Union High soccer team to pull out a 2-0 victory over visiting Turlock High Tuesday at Dino Cunial Field. Both teams had to play a man down for most of the second half after a player each had been red-carded. Fabio Ugabe and Luis Angel Abarca accounted for the Lancer goals.
The Sierra High golf team kicked off its defense of the Valley Oak League crown with a convincing 225-261 victory over Central Valley High Tuesday at Ceres’ River Oak Golf Course. Timberwolf ace Julie Shutler shot a 5-over-par 36 to pace the field.
Despite playing in Franklin High’s non-air conditioned gym on Tuesday afternoon, Sierra High’s volleyball squad took down the Yellowjackets in four games, 26-24, 25-12, 19-25, 25-19. “It was hot and unbearable in that gym,” said T-wolf coach Tevani Liotard afterward. Mahlynn Liotard and Kayla Morel led the way with 13 assists apiece. Sheila Johnson racked up 17 service points for SHS.
Another day, another record broken. One day after shooting a program best 226 at Manteca Park Golf Course, the East Union High golf team knocked another stroke off its record low round. Krysta Clark led the way with a 2-over-par 39 as EU beat visiting Sonora High 225-275.
