Wednesday, March 25, 2015

GV Students Get First Hand Experience

Tony Moskal, Teacher, Analyst Fox Sports Prep Zone:
As a teacher I’ve always felt it was my job to expose my students to things they were interested in and give them the chance to learn about those things.  As a broadcaster and a teacher I have the best of both worlds.  I get to work with young people in a field I have a passion for and work with kids who share that same passion.  On March 6th and 7th I took five of my students with me to the CIF Basketball Championship games at Azusa Pacific University where they had the chance to see how the entire production works.  From my own preparation to my announcing partner, to the guys in the van running cable, setting up monitors, cameras, head sets and whatever else needed to get done, these kids had a first-hand account of the entire production.  During the games they were assisting the crew by either pulling cable for the camera guys, helping in the van by running graphics, helping me with stats, or observing what producer, replay person were doing and learning.  Here are their first-hand accounts from the weekend.
Nash Soliman
My dream has always been to find myself a career in the sports media field. On March 6th 2015, I got the opportunity to get a notion for what it could be like. I took a trip down to Azusa Pacific for the CIF championship boys basketball games, from there I shadowed Fox Sports Prepzone and got a chance to listen and learn from Play-by-play announcers and Color analysts. I also got to walk through the production van. I got the full experience of what it’s like to broadcast a game. It was an amazing experience. I got the chance to help out with stats for the play-by-play announcer. He at some points relied on me for those stats during his broadcast, hearing him use my information on air made me that much more excited to pursue this career. I learned what it takes to produce and broadcast a game as Fox Sports Prepzone was on air.  

Nick Herrera

On Saturday March 6th  I had the opportunity to go with Mr. Moskal and experience what it is like to see how a whole sports broadcasting production is set up and ran. Mr. Moskal is our sports broadcasting teacher and he broadcasts games for Fox Sports Prep Zone.  From the broadcasters preparing before the game, to the camera crew filming, and to the production crew in the van I got to see first-hand how everything comes together. I also had the opportunity to help around with the crew in various areas.  Even though it wasn’t the most glamorous job someone had to pull the cable for the camera guys and wind it up.  It was cool sitting in the van and being asked to run some of the graphics for the event.   Nik the producer asked me to update the score after each basket as well as start and stop the game clock when the referee signaled.   I also saw how the producer calls which cameras to choose. Overall I had a great experience and if I ever had another opportunity to do it again I would.  


AJ Sabedra

Friday March, 6th at Azusa Pacific College I had the pleasure of getting a first person look at what it takes to work in the Fox Sports industry. My day consisted of watching guys in the truck get ready hours before the game to make sure the graphics, stats and camera angles are all in place. For the broadcasters it was a week long process for preparation. The Broadcasters are responsible for contacting the coaches for each team and asking them for their stats, record, key players and any other interesting information that some people might not know and find interesting. According to Fox Sports Analyst and our broadcasting teacher Tony Moskal that can be one of the easiest as well as most difficult tasks,  “Some coaches are great and get back to you with whatever you need as soon as possible.  Then there are those who think you’re trying to steal their deepest darkest secrets and won’t give you anything which then makes it difficult to give out correct or any information regarding their player.”

This first person experience is definitely important to a person like me who wants to get in the sports broadcasting industry.  It opened my eyes on what it takes to properly get prepared for a game, what it looks like first hand, and how everyone involved in the preparation of a game does their job.


Brian Bedell
On March 6th I was lucky enough to go with my teacher Tony Moskal to get an inside look at Fox Sports Prep Zone.  While there I was able to see what happens on and off the camera and how many people it takes to run one game. I spent most of my time in the truck running graphics and watching how much hard work is put into one game. It was a great learning opportunity for me because I want to go into that industry and spend my time in a truck running graphics and controlling what is on the TV. I learned how difficult it is and how much hard work it takes to be successful in this field. I liked spending my time there and I learned a lot about the industry and what I have to do to get into it.


Basheer Qatan
            Although I never thought I would want to be in the sports broadcast industry, this experience opened my eyes to something new.   While at the games I felt like I was presented with the chance to feel like was part of the crew.  The guys  in the truck made it a very special time by showing us what everyone did, what each person was responsible for, how they communicate with each other from the camera guys to the announcers.  They showed us how to run the graphics, how to switch cameras, how to do replays.  I never knew there was so much involved in putting on a telecast or webcast but this opened my eyes. After watching how everyone did their job and being a big sports fan I think it may eventually be an environment I wouldn’t mind being around for long periods of time.





AJ helping run cable.

Nick and Basheer running graphics

Brian, Nash and AJ outside the Prep Zone van

Nick and Basheer outside the Prep Zone van

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Harris "PUTS" in Her Best Effort

In track and field some of the field events are not glamorized as much as the track events like the 100 meter dash but for senior Nikaela Harris and the Golden Valley track team shot put is just as important as any other event. Harris is definitely one of the best, if not the best shot putter to not only come through Golden Valley High School but the entire Santa Clarita Valley.  Just recently she added to her list of accomplishments by winning the the Fresno State Indoor Championship in shot put this year with a mark of 41’2”.  This past weekend she took home another first place medal but tossing the metal ball 41’3” at the Nike Invitational held at Redondo Union High School. Last season as a junior she won the Foothill league  and looks to repeat that performance again this year.

Like any other athlete that excels in a specific sport or sporting event Nikaela’s ambition to become great shot put started at a young age.

When Nikaela was nine years old she did youth track, but  only running events.  One day she  decided to wander over to shot put. “I started when my brother was doing it. In youth track he was practicing and I went over to where he was and tried it. The coach was shocked and said I need to stop doing the running and start throwing.”  Nikaela never realized that she could be good at shot-put always thinking it was her brother Diontre’s sport.  Diontre who graduated from Golden Valley in 2013 and still holds the school record for shot put at 55 feet would always give Nikaela advice and help her get better. From working out in the weight room to helping her out with her form. Diontre was big help in Nikaela’s success.

John Quam who coached Nikaela for three years saw her potential when she first came to Golden Valley. They would go to throw clinics at Shafter High School in Bakersfield where even Nikaela impressed the Arizona State throws coach. "She was always somewhat scared of the weight room, because she thought she was going to turn into a muscle bound person", says Coach Quam. Nikaela was always the younger thrower and has grown into her throws now. "She has learned that hard work is essential to becoming a great thrower. She also possess an attitude of hating to lose" says Coach Quam. Nikaela says coach Quam has helped so much and been very motivational.
 
Every track meet there is pressure for Nikaela to win so her team can earn points. Even though the event is worth just a few points it has the possibility of making a difference in the always tough Foothill League between the track team winning or losing. There are seven throwers in the group and Nikaela is the leader. Nikaela gives help to the other girls like her brother did with her. This Gives her  a big sister type role which she takes seriously.  “Being an example for the other girls is important because someone was there for me and I think I need to be there for them,” said the senior.  It’s wise for the younger throwers to listen to her because she is a defending league champion and advanced to the Masters Meet during her junior year making her the first junior from Golden Valley to make it that far.  

With a long list of accomplishments and a host of medals hanging around her neck Harris has one more goal that she fell short of last year and that’s the State Championship Meet. “I fell just short of advancing last year so I’m bound and determined to make it this year.  I don’t want anything to get in my way.”  With an air of confidence and experience from last year to build on watch for Harris to not only make it to the State Meet but to hang another medal around her neck before the day is over.

                                                                           Nikaela after winning the Fresno State Indoor Championship

Playoff Bound?

Over the past couple of years the Golden Valley boy’s golf program has had minimal success.  In 2014 they had their best year ever.  Sophomore Jonathan Kang won the league MVP and player of the year.  Jonathan was also the first individual in school history to make the CIF individual playoffs.  Jonathan advanced farther than every other Foothill League qualifier falling 6 strokes short of making the State Championship.  Kang led the team to a second place finish in the 4th league match of the year at Valencia Country Club defeating West Ranch and Valencia for the first time in program history.   The Boys Golf program missed the CIF playoffs by three strokes.   This year their chances to make it to playoffs seem to be a lot better since they have their top three players  returning.  Those returners consist of Jonathan Kang, Ray Asuncion, and Kameron Hobbs.  These three golfers will be counted on to lead a very young team to heights never before achieved.
            Being a first year player in a program and being asked to contribute is difficult for anyone.  For Sophomore Ray Asuncion his freshman year was just that. “I played to the best of my ability but I know I need to improve my iron game” Being part of a team to barely miss out on the playoffs has sat with Ray the entire off season.  “I was devastated that we missed by such a small amount motivates me to work harder for this season.” 
            Winning a championship for any individual or team is a difficult thing however people in the sports world say that defending that championship is the toughest.  Junior Jonathan Kang is hoping to do just that as he heads into this season as the defending league MVP.  After asking him how last season was for him he explained to me how he was proud of him and his team for making it so far but personally devastated that they didn’t make it playoffs. He says that he personally needs to work and improve. Jonathan states that team chemistry is at an all-time high forming a bond between him and his teammates.
After having the best finish in program history Head Coach Tony Moskal feels this may be the year 

the Grizzlies break through.  “We have our top three returning golfers in Kang, Asunscion and Hobbs

 so I think they’re ready to go out and compete.”  With a solid nucleus of three players the team is in 

good shape.  Needing to find three more is a task Moskal thinks they’ve accomplished.  “Senior Brian

 Bedell quit baseball to come out for the golf team and he’s going to play our #4 spot.  He’s got a 

solid game and he is going to contribute.”  The other two spots are up for grabs as Moskal says, “I’ve

 got three other guys for two spots.” In the always tough Foothill League the Grizzlies are getting 

ready to compete and improve on their finish from last year.  They’re off to a pretty good start this 

season with four qualifying scores and a school record score of 183 on nine holes at the Encino Golf

 Course.  “It was a day where everything came together,” Moskal said of the record score.  “We’ve 

never had one player shoot under par in any round and for us to have three shoot under par shows that

 this group has the ability to put up some low scores,” continued Moskal.  With a solid group of 

returners and some JV players ready to step into varsity sport the future looks bright the 2015 

Grizzlies.

Junior Kameron Hobbs warms up before a match.




Sophomore Ray Asuncion hits his approach shot.
Defending League MVP Jon Kang with his hardware.

Champions are Made in the Off Season

Golden Valley High school has been a struggling Football program since day one. Coming into their 11th year as a football program, the Grizzlies are looking to change the image that everyone has about them.  They are working hard to increase their skills for next season by intensifying the off-season training program.
            In Coach Dan Kelly’s first year he realized that the Grizzlies needed more off season work. Coach Kelley came from Arleta High School and Sylmar High where he won three CIF championships as an offensive coordinator.  Coach Kelly understands the old saying “Champions are made in the off season”. In previous seasons the Grizzlies have not truly dedicated themselves to lifting.  Coach Kelly is changing that. Coach Kelley noted “I am here to stay, and I am hoping to change the culture of this program.”

             The Grizzlies have been putting in 10 hours a week in the weight room focusing on three main lifts power clean, bench press and squats; and despite their lack of a field due to winter sports, have been using the blacktop to practice footwork. Coach Kelly said, “I am trying to turn this team into hard working athletes. They are working hard in the weight room and on the blacktop. I am looking for big things from Julian Torres a returning senior, Tai Brown an incoming junior, as well as Shane Tamura the returning senior running back, and a lot of other guys”. The Grizzlies are changing the culture of Golden Valley by putting in the necessary work.  They already have 24 players who have broken the 200 pound barrier for bench, and 31 players break the 300 pound barrier for squat. Sophomore Tai Brown says, “We are looking to improve our game. We are taking it day by day step by step; giving everything we have during every rep”.  Junior Quarterback Victor Corona says “Coach Kelly has been pushing us harder than any coach has ever pushed in my entire 3 years. I have already improved 20 pounds in my bench since he has been here.” Since their first league game in 2006 the Grizzlies are win-less in the Foothill League.  In the past Golden Valley’s off-season program was centered on conditioning. Dan Kelly has changed that by involving weight room activities, blacktop activities, and a little conditioning here and there. The Grizzlies are going to be back on the field next week hopes to intensify their training even more. With a new program, a new focus, and more intensity, the Grizzlies are hoping that all of their hard work will pay off come this fall season.




Tuesday, March 3, 2015

From Average Joe to G.I. Joe


The teen years are probably the most difficult time in a persons’ life. There are teens that make both positive and negative decisions that will make them who they are in life. Some kids decide to make decisions that will affect their life in a negative way. Some kids decide to use these years wisely and make decisions that will affect their life in a positive way. Golden Valley High school senior, Tyler Schumann is one teenager that has decided to focus on the positives and his future.
            At 17 Schumann in his junior year on decided to make what was according to him, “The biggest decision of my life.”  Tyler decided to enlist in the military. Two months after committing to the military, On June 16th, 2014 Tyler left home and boarded a plane to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After staying at Fort Jackson for five days, Tyler began his basic combat training. Staying at Fort Jackson Tyler says, “It was a life changing experience.” He was a squad leader and was promoted to Private 2nd Class in the span of 2 months and completed Basic Combat Training and graduated from BCT on August 28th, 2014.  The experience of basic training was a difficult one.  Being away from home for the first time is a challenge for anyone, however for a 17 year old boy being in the Army and away from home can be a huge culture shock. Tyler who was born in Southern California was now in South Carolina surrounded by people from across the whole world and his thoughts were, “Eye opening to life outside of Southern California different social classes, backgrounds.”, and even as far as China.
After coming home from Basic Training, Tyler came back to Golden Valley for his senior year. Coming back to school his peers and teachers have seen a huge improvement in Tyler’s attitudes and character. Tyler’s Sports broadcasting teacher at Golden Valley High school, Tony Moskal said, “Tyler has really matured as a person and is more focused and a lot more caring.” When I asked Tyler his reason for joining the military he told me, “To improve myself and serve my country at the same time.” Most high school kids don’t really think this way but Tyler is a special person.  “Once I returned and re-connected with my friends I realized that there was a difference in mentality.  It seemed that I had more common sense than they did and they continued to do immature things that I felt were not the smartest things to do.”  Now that he’s back in high school with those same peers Tyler hopes that his maturity rubs off on some of his friends.  “When I talk to my friends about their decisions I try to help them and explain that what they’re doing isn’t really smart and the real world is going to laugh at them.”  Being an example in high school is tough because kids take things for granted.  “It’s funny because when it rains at school I see kids panicking and running for cover because they’re a bit wet.  When I was participating in a field training exercise it rained for 3 days straight. I had to sleep in a hole filled with water and mud for that time.”  These are the major differences that Tyler has encountered has he has come back to his high school.
            Tyler now is focused on finishing high school, and getting prepared to depart to Fort Leonard Wood MI, for Advanced Individual Training anytime between June through August. After he plans to attend Airborne School and further his military career. Hopefully more people will take after Tyler and further themselves for the betterment of their country and other people.  Golden Valley High School is fortunate to have people like Tyler in their student body.
Written by: Andrew Flores