The five returning coaches and two new coaches have their work
cut out for them as the season starts.
Returners
Glen Webb spent most of his free minutes this summer trying to save the freshman football team, which was originally one of the many teams the school board elected to cut but later was reinstated. About 50 kids are trying out for the varsity team. There are about 25 kids currently trying out for the freshmen team and about 35 for the JV squad.
Dean Raymond has seen the continued interest in the track and field and cross country teams at Live Oak in recent years. It was a long time in the making, but the new Live Oak track is ready for use for practice for the upcoming cross country season although the team will still train at other courses like the one at Anderson Dam.
Laura Coleman is beginning her eighth year of coaching Live Oak volleyball and has seen some incredible athletes and team. There are about 18 girls in tryouts this week. The team has a morning conditioning and an afternoon practice from 5-7 p.m. Members will be going on a bonding trip next week to a ropes course in Sacramento and then camping in the evening.
Brian Traverso will be returning this year to try to guide the girls water polo team to another playoff appearence. This summer Traverso and boys JV coach Justin Brink held informal practices and turnaments for a mixed group of girls and boys. Traverso will be finishing up his Masters Degree in International Relations from the Monterey Institute of International Study in December.
Mack Haines is closing in on his 20th year of coaching at Live Oak and is by far the coach with the longest standing. This summer was the first time in a long time Haines has not coached summer water polo because he took a much needed vacation to Australia.
Rookies
Christine Musselmann – girl field hockey
Note
Ignacio Herrera will take over the girls tennis program this year. Kaizo Sato, an incoming teacher was originally supposed to be the coach, but couldn’t because of a conflict in the schedule.
Notes
Water polo practice for boys and girls begins Aug. 18 at the Live Oak pool. The girls practice 8-10 a.m. and the boys go from 10- noon. When school starts the girls team practices 3-5 p.m., while the boys team practices from 5-7 p.m.
Live Oak field hockey, which is the only fall sport to compete in the Blossom Valley Athletic League also begins practice on Aug. 18 at the Live Oak field hockey fields.
