Malibu’s Pietrzyk, Rapoport conclude seasons in fine...
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B14 The Malibu Times June 12, 2014 Malibu’s Pietrzyk, Rapoport conclude seasons in fine fashion Junior track long distance standout wins CIF title; senior tennis star ends high school career By Dick Dornan Special to The Malibu Times M alibu High closed the books on another outstanding sports year as two of its finest athletes concluded their respective seasons. Junior Caroline Pietrzyk won her second consecutive CIF track title in the Division IV 3,200-meter while senior Gabriel Rapoport wrapped up his sterling career advancing to the round of 16 in the CIF Southern Section Individual tennis championships. Pietrzyk shines in State Championships Pietrzyk recently finished 10th in the 3,200 race at the 2014 CIF State Track and Field Championships after having won the CIF championship a few weeks ago. A year ago, Pietrzyk took 13th at the State Championships. Competing against some of the best runners in the country at Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., last Saturday evening, she improved to 10th overall with a time of 10:30.76. Pietrzyk has now won three CIF championships in two sports; two in track and one in cross country, which she achieved last November. Her first CIF track title came in 2013 when she became just the third female athlete in Malibu track and field program history to win a CIF Southern Section title and the first to do so since 2000. Now she has won in back-to- back years. The journey to reach the State Championships was a challenging one. First, she won the CIF title on May 24 at Cerritos College with a time of 10:38.81 to defend her title. “Last year I didn’t really know what a CIF champion was, especially in track since it’s not that big of a deal as it is in cross country,” Pietrzyk said. “They don’t make it a big deal but when I came home I realized that I beat every- one in my division. “It’s awesome to have so many other great athletes at my school who have done the same thing this year. All the swimming boys were so happy to be CIF champions and I am too.” Then it was on to the CIF Masters Meet on May 30 where the 3,200 field consisted of the top 12 runners in the entire Southern Section, regardless of division. Pietrzyk claimed seventh with a time of 10:30.52. “I was really nervous. Last time I ran a 10:38 and it wasn’t what I wanted to run at all,” she said. “I was so ner- vous I was going to have a bad race like that again but I did have confidence in myself. I felt I could run with this pack and I can keep going.” Pietrzyk turned on the jets in the final straightaway, overtaking competi- tors to finish strong. “The last lap I heard my coach yell- ing, ‘You got to go, you got to go.’ I told myself that I have to go now,” Pietrzyk said. “I was really happy. The last straightaway was tough because I’m not a sprinter. But I saw the clock at the finish line and I knew I had made it.” The supreme effort earned Pietrzyk a return trip to the State Championships for a second straight year. “It’s an honor to go back and run against people who are so fast and are such great competitors,” she said. A top-10 finish was the crowning achievement. Rapoport competes in top 16 Rapoport, a two-time win- ner and four-time finalist in the Tri- Valley League singles championships, advanced to the round of 16 in the CIF Individual tennis championships for the first time in his career. “It’s great. It’s perfect for my senior year,” said Rapoport, who will play at Penn University next year. “It was something that I was always shooting for and I’m glad I did it.” On a beautiful day at the Cate School in Carpinteria, Rapoport defeat- ed Templeton’s Chaz Darrow 6-1, 6-0 and Derek Lakoweske of Arroyo Grande 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the round of 32. Playing against the best tennis players in Southern California, he had been previously knocked out each year in the second round. His effortless play and outstand- ing placement of shots combined with a strong forehand and a deft backhand enabled Rapoport to advance, earn a bye and play a week later with the top 16 players in the Southern Section. “I think I played well. In years past I played kids who went pretty far in the main draw. I played solid. That’s all I can ask for,” he said. “It’s awesome because I play in these types of tournaments all the time. All the top guys in high school want to play so it’s been great.” It was a fitting conclusion for a fine young man. ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Trumann Gettings, Malibu Middle School 12-year-old experiences big league moment in MLL Championship game By Dick Dornan Special to The Malibu Times W ith one mighty swing of the bat, Trumann Gettings put the Reds on his back and car- ried them to victory. What better moment to shine than in the championship game of the Malibu Little League’s Majors Division? Gettings’ home run symbolized the Reds’ rise to the top. From under- dogs to champions. A team with just four wins during the regular season captured the title with three consecu- tive wins — a perfect record — in the postseason. Gettings, 12, also earned the vic- tory on the mound, throwing 3 strong innings. “He really blossomed into a domi- nating player this year,” Reds co-man- ager Geoff Stern said. Gettings spoke about his home run immediately after the game and described the moment in a way only fellow baseball players might under- stand. “If you haven’t hit a home run, you don’t know. But if you have, you don’t feel it,” Gettings said. “I just tried and I focused and hit it. When you hit a home run, you don’t real- ize it. You just forget everything and are just happy. It’s just amazing. You can’t describe it. It is pure joy and hap- piness.” There were two home runs hit in MLL the entire year, both by Gettings. He began the season by crushing one out on opening day. He ended the sea- son with a shot over the left centerfield fence to cap off the Reds amazing run through the playoffs. When he crossed home plate, Gettings had experienced what many young athletes dream of: hitting a dra- matic home run. “I watched the Little League World Series on TV last year and there was a tall kid who struck out every time but he also had a three-run home run and a grand slam,” Gettings said. “I’ve always wanted to do that but not strike out.” Gettings is the true definition of a gentle giant. Call him the Paul Bunyan of Malibu Little League baseball or a young Mark McGwire. Gettings has the size and strength to be head and shoulders above his peers, but it’s his infectious, kind personality and upbeat attitude that brings out the kid in all of us. He stands at 5-foot-10, 140 pounds, while most of his peers range in size from 5’4” to 5’7” and weigh 120 pounds soaking wet. As big and tall as he is, Gettings remains the con- summate team player. “The one game that stands out the most was a game he struggled at the plate. He struck out looking in two at- bats. I pulled him aside and told him, ‘All these boys are looking at you to be a leader. If all you do is look to walk and not drive the ball we will never hit as a team,’” Stern said. “He said yes and started being a solid run pro- ducer. The team also started to swing the bats.” When he isn’t playing baseball, you can find Gettings competing in basket- ball, soccer and lacrosse. His height will catch your attention. But it’s the big smile and cheeriness that captures one’s fascination. “The best part about Trumann is that his smile is as big as he is,” Stern said. “He has been a leader and great teammate all year and a pleasure to coach.” Photos by Dick Dornan / TMT Left: Caroline Pietrzyk won a second straight CIF title in track and finished 10th in the state. Right: Gabriel Rapoport advanced to the round of 16 for the first time in CIF Tennis Individuals. Sports Dick Dornan / TMT Boys in blue The Dodgers AA team picks up its trophies during the season’s closing ceremony. Best buddies Photo courtesy Bobbi Woodman Pirates coach Jeff Nalin (left) and son Eden with Dodgers coach Paul Woodman and son Shelby at Saturday’s All Star game. Photo courtesy Bobbi Woodman Track stars Photo courtesy Lisa Hall Our Lady of Malibu’s 2014 girls and boys novice track team (third- and fourth-grade) receive award certificates and medals at the annual OLM sports awards ceremony on June 4. The OLM novice girls team won the team Valley Catholic Sports League championship for the third year in a row. OLM Athlete of the Year Photo courtesy Lisa Hall Our Lady of Malibu eighth-grader Francesca Gettings receives the Athlete of the Year trophy from Coach John Meyers. B1-4,7,8,14 6-12-14.indd 14 6/10/14 7:37 PM
Transcript of Malibu’s Pietrzyk, Rapoport conclude seasons in fine...
B14 The Malibu Times June 12, 2014
Malibu’s Pietrzyk, Rapoport conclude seasons in fine fashionJunior track long distance standout wins CIF title; senior tennis star ends high school careerBy Dick DornanSpecial to The Malibu Times
Malibu High closed the books on another outstanding sports year
as two of its finest athletes concluded their respective seasons.
Junior Caroline Pietrzyk won her second consecutive CIF track title in the Division IV 3,200-meter while senior Gabriel Rapoport wrapped up his sterling career advancing to the round of 16 in the CIF Southern Section Individual tennis championships.
Pietrzyk shines in State Championships
Pietrzyk recently finished 10th in the 3,200 race at the 2014 CIF State Track and Field Championships after having won the CIF championship a few weeks ago.
A year ago, Pietrzyk took 13th at the State Championships. Competing against some of the best runners in the country at Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., last Saturday evening, she improved to 10th overall with a time of 10:30.76.
Pietrzyk has now won three CIF championships in two sports; two in track and one in cross country, which she achieved last November.
Her first CIF track title came in 2013 when she became just the third female athlete in Malibu track and field program history to win a CIF Southern Section title and the first to do so since 2000. Now she has won in back-to-back years.
The journey to reach the State Championships was a challenging one. First, she won the CIF title on May
24 at Cerritos College with a time of 10:38.81 to defend her title.
“Last year I didn’t really know what a CIF champion was, especially in track since it’s not that big of a deal as it is in cross country,” Pietrzyk said. “They don’t make it a big deal but when I came home I realized that I beat every-one in my division.
“It’s awesome to have so many other great athletes at my school who have done the same thing this year. All
the swimming boys were so happy to be CIF champions and I am too.”
Then it was on to the CIF Masters Meet on May 30 where the 3,200 field consisted of the top 12 runners in the entire Southern Section, regardless of division. Pietrzyk claimed seventh with a time of 10:30.52.
“I was really nervous. Last time I ran a 10:38 and it wasn’t what I wanted to run at all,” she said. “I was so ner-vous I was going to have a bad race like
that again but I did have confidence in myself. I felt I could run with this pack and I can keep going.”
Pietrzyk turned on the jets in the final straightaway, overtaking competi-tors to finish strong.
“The last lap I heard my coach yell-ing, ‘You got to go, you got to go.’ I told myself that I have to go now,” Pietrzyk said. “I was really happy. The last straightaway was tough because I’m not a sprinter. But I saw the clock at the
finish line and I knew I had made it.”The supreme effort earned Pietrzyk
a return trip to the State Championships for a second straight year.
“It’s an honor to go back and run against people who are so fast and are such great competitors,” she said.
A top-10 finish was the crowning achievement.
Rapoport competes in top 16Rapopor t, a two-time win-
ner and four-time finalist in the Tri-Valley League singles championships, advanced to the round of 16 in the CIF Individual tennis championships for the first time in his career.
“It’s great. It’s perfect for my senior year,” said Rapoport, who will play at Penn University next year. “It was something that I was always shooting for and I’m glad I did it.”
On a beautiful day at the Cate School in Carpinteria, Rapoport defeat-ed Templeton’s Chaz Darrow 6-1, 6-0 and Derek Lakoweske of Arroyo Grande 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the round of 32. Playing against the best tennis players in Southern California, he had been previously knocked out each year in the second round.
His effortless play and outstand-ing placement of shots combined with a strong forehand and a deft backhand enabled Rapoport to advance, earn a bye and play a week later with the top 16 players in the Southern Section.
“I think I played well. In years past I played kids who went pretty far in the main draw. I played solid. That’s all I can ask for,” he said. “It’s awesome because I play in these types of tournaments all the time. All the top guys in high school want to play so it’s been great.”
It was a fitting conclusion for a fine young man.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEKTrumann Gettings, Malibu Middle School
12-year-old experiences big league moment in MLL Championship gameBy Dick DornanSpecial to The Malibu Times
With one mighty swing of the bat, Trumann Gettings put the Reds on his back and car-
ried them to victory. What better moment to shine
than in the championship game of the Malibu Little League’s Majors Division?
Gettings’ home run symbolized the Reds’ rise to the top. From under-dogs to champions. A team with just four wins during the regular season captured the title with three consecu-tive wins — a perfect record — in the postseason.
Gettings, 12, also earned the vic-tory on the mound, throwing 3 strong innings.
“He really blossomed into a domi-nating player this year,” Reds co-man-ager Geoff Stern said.
Gettings spoke about his home run immediately after the game and described the moment in a way only fellow baseball players might under-stand.
“If you haven’t hit a home run, you don’t know. But if you have, you don’t feel it,” Gettings said. “I just tried and I focused and hit it. When you hit a home run, you don’t real-ize it. You just forget everything and are just happy. It’s just amazing. You can’t describe it. It is pure joy and hap-piness.”
There were two home runs hit in MLL the entire year, both by Gettings. He began the season by crushing one out on opening day. He ended the sea-son with a shot over the left centerfield fence to cap off the Reds amazing run
through the playoffs.When he crossed home plate,
Gettings had experienced what many young athletes dream of: hitting a dra-matic home run.
“I watched the Little League World Series on TV last year and there was a tall kid who struck out every time but he also had a three-run home run and a grand slam,” Gettings said. “I’ve always wanted to do that but not strike out.”
Gettings is the true definition of a gentle giant. Call him the Paul Bunyan of Malibu Little League baseball or a young Mark McGwire. Gettings has the size and strength to be head and shoulders above his peers, but it’s his infectious, kind personality and upbeat attitude that brings out the kid in all of us.
He stands at 5-foot-10, 140 pounds, while most of his peers range in size from 5’4” to 5’7” and weigh 120 pounds soaking wet. As big and tall as he is, Gettings remains the con-summate team player.
“The one game that stands out the most was a game he struggled at the plate. He struck out looking in two at-bats. I pulled him aside and told him, ‘All these boys are looking at you to be a leader. If all you do is look to walk and not drive the ball we will never hit as a team,’” Stern said. “He said yes and started being a solid run pro-ducer. The team also started to swing the bats.”
When he isn’t playing baseball, you can find Gettings competing in basket-ball, soccer and lacrosse. His height will catch your attention. But it’s the big smile and cheeriness that captures one’s fascination.
“The best part about Trumann is that his smile is as big as he is,” Stern said. “He has been a leader and great teammate all year and a pleasure to coach.”
Photos by Dick Dornan / TMTLeft: Caroline Pietrzyk won a second straight CIF title in track and finished 10th in the state. Right: Gabriel Rapoport advanced to the round of 16 for the first time in CIF Tennis Individuals.
S p o r t s
Dick Dornan / TMT
Boys in blue The Dodgers AA team picks up its trophies during the season’s closing ceremony.
Best buddies
Photo courtesy Bobbi WoodmanPirates coach Jeff Nalin (left) and son Eden with Dodgers coach Paul Woodman and son Shelby at Saturday’s All Star game.
Phot
o co
urte
sy B
obbi
Woo
dman
Track stars
Photo courtesy Lisa HallOur Lady of Malibu’s 2014 girls and boys novice track team (third- and fourth-grade) receive award certificates and medals at the annual OLM sports awards ceremony on June 4. The OLM novice girls team won the team Valley Catholic Sports League championship for the third year in a row.
OLM Athlete of the Year
Photo courtesy Lisa HallOur Lady of Malibu eighth-grader Francesca Gettings receives the Athlete of the Year trophy from Coach John Meyers.
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