September 1, 2006

Sports

New coach, new beginnings for lady Rams water polo

Former standout Courtney Livak to head Willow Glen water polo forces

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

There’s a new coach trolling the girls’ water polo waters at Willow Glen High.

Former Ram standout, a specialist at 2-meters, Courtney Livak was hired this summer to fill a void left in the head coaching position after last season.

Administrators jumped at the opportunity to hire a familiar face that spread Ram tradition all the way to the University of Indiana, where she accepted a scholarship to play water polo following graduation in 2002.

Livak’s playing career was cut short, however, soon after she arrived in Bloomington. During a practice in her freshman year, Livak suffered a torn labrum in her shoulder. “I had to get my ligaments tightened and I never fully recovered,” she said.

But she didn’t quit. Livak took the opportunity to learn more about the game and assumed an informal coaching position with the team in Indiana. “It was hard, but it was a good opportunity to sit back, watch my team and help them in other ways. It was kind of a benefit to see the game [out of the water].”

Now living at home, Livak’s experience appears to have been for a reason.

“Family friends told us that the coaching position was open, so I went in and applied,” said Livak. “The athletic director was my sixth grade PE teacher. They were excited I was there.”

Livak’s homecoming stirred memories of her senior year, when she and her sister led the Rams deep into the CCS playoffs, further than any group before it had. “We turned that team around and made it to fourth in the CCS,” she said. “We had a pretty strong program.”

The new task at hand is whipping Willow Glen into shape, despite starting two weeks late, as a result of the late coaching hire. “Right now I just want to teach them basic fundamentals,” said Livak. “I am trying to build from square one, even though a lot of the players are more advanced than that.”

Livak warned that 2006 could be a year of rebuilding. “We have a good group of girls out there right now,” she said “The girls that we have are really excited.”

Seniors Kate Wagoner and Jamie Furtado will become Livak’s main sources of scoring.

Wagoner returns in her final year, hoping to improve on the second team all-league performance she mustered last year as just a junior. She is the team’s only returning all-league performer.

Furtado, meanwhile brings sound fundamentals, according to Livak. “[Jamie] will be a good leader on the team,” she said.

Livak said she also expects strong play from senior goalie Tracey Davis.

“First and foremost, I hope the girls just develop a love for the game this season,” said Livak. “I want them to have fun and play and build fundamentals—to get in and play a good game of water polo, and learn to love it like I do.”

Livak said that water polo is an exciting sport and a fun game to play. “It tests you in every way possible,” she finished. “Anything you can do, water polo has got it. It’s also a fun community be apart of. They just have their own culture.”

United Way, Bubba Gump Shrimp to raise money

Run Forrest Run set for Sept. 17

The United Way of Silicon Valley and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company have scheduled a 5K walk/run on Sept. 17 to raise funds for United Way Silicon Valley. Those who sign up for the benefit will also receive free admission to Great America for the day.

The 5K will take place at Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and “Forrest Gump” will start the race at 8 a.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $20 for children. Besides the free admission, entrants will receive a T-shirt, lunch and two tickets to Bonfante Gardens.

“Forrest Gump” will launch the race promptly at 8 a.m. and participants will weave through the amusement park past characters and thrill rides, including the new Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay. Walkers who prefer a shorter course will be able to exit the course after 1K.

Grand prize this year is a trip to the Monterey Run Forrest Run event on Oct. 29 and includes hotel, dinner for two at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The 5K fun run is held every year to benefit United Way Silicon Valley. This year proceeds will support United Way ’s Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to low-income families of up to $150 per child to be used for tuition at any United Way partner agency’s summer day camp. This summer more than 740 kids were able to attend day camp thanks to United Way and the companies and individuals who donated to the fund.

To register for the race or for more information, visit www.uwsv.org and click on “Run Forrest Run 5K” on the left side. For more information about United Way ’s programs and initiatives, visit www.uwsv.org and click on “community impact” at the top.