Sign on the line

KK making it official

It has always been a big deal in terms of high school sports for football players to have a big day in which they pick there school and then sign away. Many schools put on a big event for "Signing Day". Well it is exciting because it has spread at most high schools to all athletes signing there national letters of intent. I personally did not have anything like this but where Mikayla goes to school they do a great job. Sadly I had to work and was not able to make it to the actual signing at school- but I could not be more proud!!!!

I got amazing pictures sent to me and was so proud! Even my parents were representing. At the time it was not a secret where KK would be going for college but it was a great time to celebrate that the decision had been made. I was happy to hear that there was about 100 students, the entire football team, multiple teachers she has had over the years, the football coaches and her water polo coaches, and her club coaches all in attendance to watch her sign. They had all made a huge effort to be there for her in such a major moment in her life.  And to celebrate the accomplishment!

Way to go KK. I am becoming a Lion Fan!

Here is the article that ran in the local paper along with some pictures!

Redlands East Valley's Vessey taking her act to Loyola Marymount

REDLANDS - Redlands East Valley's High School's Mikayla Vessey is a throwback star.

In the vein of the all-singing, all-dancing Broadway chorus girls of the late 1920s, Vessey does a little bit of everything, and always puts on a captivating show.

Proud parents (guess they here also becoming Lion fans)

Only her stages are the pool and the track.

She's both strong and fast. She runs like lightning and is even faster when she competes for the REV swim team.

But if there's one sport the 5-foot-1 phenom excels at, it's water polo.

And now Vessey, a senior standout for the Wildcats' girls squad, can officially say she's ready to take her act to the next level - and concentrate on only one sport.

Vessey just put pen to paper at REV on Tuesday, singing her National Letter of Intent to play collegiate polo just down the road at Los Angeles' Loyola Marymount University.

According to her high school coach, Troy Delmonico, the Lions will be getting a someone who has proven to be the model teammate.

"She's the heart and soul of this team. It's always nice to have a tireless worker," Delmonico said. "The thing that stands out about her is how hard she works. Every day. She's the first one in and the last one out. She's everything you could ask for."

Appropriately, the four-year varsity player suits up at utility.

What other position would befit a girl who does everything well?

And, as is also appropriate for someone characterized by variety, she took all kinds of factors into consideration when choosing where she'd end up.

The size of the school, its location, the strength of the squad, the caliber of its coaching staff, its religious denomination - they all came into play.

"It's close to home, it's a Catholic school, it's a smaller school, it has a beautiful campus," Vessey said. "It was just the setting I wanted. It was the right fit."

In the end, her decision came down to Loyola Marymount and Indiana.

KK with her club & HS coaches

Her mother, Ann, said that Mikayla was calling the shots, but she had to admit that she was relieved her daughter would be staying in the area.

"I'm happy. It's always nice to be able to get to all her games," Ann said. "I'm glad she's going to be here." 

She will join two other new All-CIF recruits - Kiana Etrata (Villa Park) and Eleanor Lee (Foothill) - on coach Kyle Witt's Lions squad.

But first, Vessey has some unfinished business to attend to - as in a CIF-Southern Section title.

It's possible, if not probable, that REV could win a championship this season, after advancing to the Division 5 semifinals the last two seasons, and returning both Vessey and junior Alexis Hollinrake - a goalkeeper ranked as one of the best in her age group in America - along with a handful of other strong players.

Vessey isn't ready to make any predictions, however.

She's thankful for the girls she has around her, and wants to enjoy the time she has left with the program.

"I have a great team. Everybody has been supporting me," Vessey said. "I'm just hoping for the best. We'll do the best we can."

REV Football coaches

KK with the football Team

Make it official she is a Lion

As those of you that read my blog are very aware I bleed Red and Black.  I have strong ties to San Diego State and am a very proud of Alumni.  I check goaztecs.com multiple times a day and am very aware of how all the teams are doing.. Well moving forward I will be checking out lmulions.com to see what is happening at KK's school.

Well I just checked out there athletic website and this is what I found on there home screen!!

Main screen on LMULIONS!!

Here is the article:

LOS ANGELES - Head Coach Kyle announced on Wednesday (Nov. 21) the signing of a trio of All-CIF performers to join the LMU women's water polo program in the Fall of 2013. Kiana Etrata (Villa Park HS), Elanor Lee (Foothill HS) and Mikayla Vessey (Redlands East Valley HS) all earned All-CIF honors as they prepare for their senior seasons.

"Our goal for this recruiting class was to bring in players that would have an immediate impact in our program," said Witt. "All three have the potential to do that. They continue our success in the classroom as they all come in with very high GPAs and all three are also on highly competitive high school and club water polo teams that play in big tournaments. They are expected to perform in those championship environments and that will really help them as they move into college water polo."

Etrata is a 5-4 driver and two-meter defender and will join the Lions from Villa Park High School while also playing for the SET Water Polo Club. Lee is a 5-6 driver and two-meter defender that plays for Foothill High School and the SoCal Water Polo Club. Vessey is a 5-2 driver from Redlands East Valley HS and the Xtreme Water Polo Club.

"We only graduate two student-athletes at the completion of the 2013 season; but they are big losses for us. Jessica Morelos and Morgan Bonk are both two-year starters and four-year letterwinners for our program and have a wealth of championship experience," said Witt. "Thus, we will ask a lot of this incoming trio of players to help fill those losses."

Etrata is a two-time first-team All-League selection that was named All-CIF this past season.

"Kiana has a ton of big game and championship experience. She played in two age divisions last summer and both of her teams thrived with Kiana playing several different roles," said Witt. "Kiana's strengths are her high water polo IQ, her competitive drive and her work ethic. Kiana will have a great career at LMU and we are excited to have her in our program."

While playing for Foothill, Lee was named third-team All-CIF as a sophomore and also brings a wealth of championship experience in the pool.

"Eleanor plays for one of the best high school programs in the country and will be a three year starter for head coach Jeff Colton," said Witt. "She also plays with SoCal WPC under Andrew Rowe that is constantly in the semi-finals and finals of all the major USAWP tournaments. Eleanor is an incredibly smart defender that has been able to limit some of the top offensive players at their positions due to her fundamental skill level and her desire to outwork people in the pool. Eleanor is used to being a productive member of highly competitive teams and we feel as though she could make a big impact during her first year as a Lion."

Vessey has been familiar to All-CIF honors, earning them all three of her previous seasons at Redlands East. She also has been a three-time first-team All-League selection, earning MVP honors a year ago as a junior.

"Mikayla is quietly one of the better players in the region," said Witt. "She has scored over 350 goals through 3 years of competition but scoring isn't even her strength. Her strength is her relentless attacking style that produces countless steals and kick outs for her teams. We have a rich tradition with talented attackers and Mikayla has all the qualities that make for a successful college attacker."

The Lions will begin their season in mid-January with the LMU Opening Weekend Tournament on Jan. 19.

Proud of you Nik!!

I have seen many of Nik's games.. Actually do not think I have missed really any home games over the past four years. I am proud to call him one of my best friends! As well as a fellow Aztec and soon to be Aztec Alumni.  Saturday his team also has the chance to call themselves Mountain West Champions.  You better believe I will be cheering away!!  Plus I cant wait to do a comparison on what his MWC ring looks like compared to the ones Brooke and I have! Go get those Cowboys Nik!!!

Here is a great article that ran in the San Diego Union Tribune this week about Nik having started 45 games!!

Aztecs' runner Walter Kazee follows his blockers. #68 is Nik Embernate — Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre

 

Offensive linemen rarely get credit or make headlines, and unfortunately, no one keeps stats for how many blocks a guy makes over the course of a season.

 

But aside from highlight tape of pancake moves against opposing defenders, Aztecs’ senior offensive guard Nik Embernate will leave SDSU with the distinction of being the most hardy starter in this year’s senior class.

 

The big 6-foot-4, 300-pound right guard has amassed 44 career starts in his four years at SDSU.

The only missed start in his career came against Colorado State last year, when Embernate was held out of action after suffering a concussion the week before.

 

Sitting out that game ended Embernate’s string of 29 consecutive starts – a number that dated back to his freshman year.

Player/Position	Year	Career Starts	Consecutive Starts
Nik Embernate, OG	SR	44	15
Leon McFadden, CB	SR	43	37
Alec Johnson, C	SR	40	37
Nat Berhe, S	JR	26	25
Jake Fely, LB	SO	24	24

A look at some of the most durable Aztecs currently active

 

The lineman clearly remembers his surprise at being pressed into action during his rookie season in 2009.

 

It’s pretty unusual for linemen to start as freshmen because of how big and physical the guys in the trenches are. For instance, SDSU coach Rocky Long noted earlier this season that defensive lineman Dan Kottman (6-foot-1, 245-pounds) was getting some playing time because of his quickness, but that it was difficult for him to get by the bigger offensive linemen because he has yet to develop the strength and power it takes to succeed on the line of scrimmage at the college level.

 

Thus, Embernate never expected to start in his first year.

 

“I thought I was going to come in and redshirt like everybody else, and just go from there,” he said.

 

But four games into the season, the coaches called his number.

 

“It was against New Mexico State. I was not playing before that. They had a guy ahead of me, and they decided to throw me in,” Embernate said. “It was kind of surreal. I was still a little nervous and stuff.

 

Strength and power differential aside, he held his own well enough to earn the start for the rest of the season and earn the team’s Outstanding Freshman Award.

 

“I was the same height and about the same weight as I am now,” Embernate said. “Probably almost 290 pounds. But it was a little bit more sloppy weight. I wasn’t as strong as I am now.

 

“Now, I’ve cut down most of the fat.”

 

That’s what four offseasons-worth of strength and conditioning (he enrolled early at SDSU, in time for the 2009 spring semester) and fall camps will do for you.

 

He locked down that starting right guard spot in his first game against New Mexico in 2009, and hasn’t look back since.

 

This season, he and starting center Alec Johnson – who’s third on the team with 40 career starts – have been the anchors on a retooled offensive line that Rocky Long said has developed faster than he expected.

 

It helps to have mainstays such as Johnson and Embernate in the trenches to build consistency from year to year.

 

“But even when the young guys came in (this year) we all just kind of jelled off the bat,” Embernate said. “We fed off the energy from last year and built on the success.”

 

It’s been a long four years for Embernate, who has seen the team go from a 4-8 team that finished seventh in the Mountain West his freshman year, to a team that’s 8-3 and contending for the league championship.

 

“This is where I’ve imagined us every year since I’ve been here,” Embernate said. “But we’ve got to finish it out.”

 

Wyoming awaits in Laramie this weekend – start No. 45 for the Aztecs’ durable right guard who’s dying to go out with a championship trophy.

Fall Football

Many of my Saturday's in the fall are spent consumed with football.. I have to say this comes from my families love (some would say obsession) with the game. As a kid if we weren't at the pool we were watching anyone who was on TV. We also watched a lot of University of Utah since my Uncle Sean (Dad's good friend) coached there for 23 years. However when I left for college I would say my family found a new team to route for every Saturday. The San Diego State Aztec's!! 

Three season's ago my parents became season ticket holders. Prior to that they would come to a few games. I would say it also helped when Brooke started dating Nik (starting right guard for the last 4 years). By having him on the team it has given us all a vested interest in the team. It has been a lot of fun over the last few years.  We have even managed to go to some away games.  Mom and I went to Missouri Nik's Sophomore year. That same year the entire family attended the Poinsettia Bowl that Aztec's played in.  Last season Dad, Brooke and our dear friend Chuck (RIP) went to Michigan- Brooke also traveled to New Orleans for the bowl game.  This season Dad, Mom, Brooke and me all went to Seattle for the season opener.

But home games are always a treat.  I mean for starters you cant beat beautiful San Diego! It's always fun when my parents come down to San Diego and spend some time. Especially now since Brooke, Sean and me all live within 25 miles of each other in San Diego. My parents have had different family friends come along with them. It is always a good time at the Aztec games.

A few weekends ago the entire family was down for a tailgate! We even managed to get a picture.  From the looks of it I bet you have no idea which team we were supporting!

The entire family representing the Aztecs!

This Saturday I will be glued to my TV just like all the other away game Saturday. I will be dressed in my Aztec gear and cheering away as if I am in the stands. Two weeks ago in a tight game against Reno I started yelling at the TV (we were about to tie it up).  Poor Brennan had to remind me that it was 11pm.  So my goal for this weekend's night game no yelling!  Sorry Brennan :) In case you were wondering the Aztec's tied the game and pushed it in to OT.  Where they then went on to win by deciding to go for two!! Was an awesome game!

Don't worry the Vessey's & Brennan have a few more home games left for Nik's Senior season and a bowl game.  The Vessey's are planning to go bowling as well.. Only time will tell where we are headed!!

Go Aztecs!