The champions




STEVE AMES/The Acorn  THE CHAMPIONS--Colina Middle School's coed volleyball 2002 Teen Center League championship team gathers around the Cougar mascot sculpture on campus. Front row, from left to right: Coach Shane Frank; Stephanie Thorn, Michelle Larson, Leah Elliott and Sherry Wang. Back row: R.J. Storm-Larsen, Sean Crain, Adrian Guthals, Joey Zuziak and Ryan Delson.

STEVE AMES/The Acorn THE CHAMPIONS–Colina Middle School’s coed volleyball 2002 Teen Center League championship team gathers around the Cougar mascot sculpture on campus. Front row, from left to right: Coach Shane Frank; Stephanie Thorn, Michelle Larson, Leah Elliott and Sherry Wang. Back row: R.J. Storm-Larsen, Sean Crain, Adrian Guthals, Joey Zuziak and Ryan Delson.


Before graduating last Thursday, the Colina Middle School Cougar eighth-grade volleyball team coached by Shane Frank celebrated the 2002 Teen Center League championship.


Colina beat Redwood Middle School in the finals and finished with a 7-1 record, avenging an earlier loss during the season.


In the first game of the championship match, the Cougars beat Redwood. But the Vikings came back for a victory in the second game, forcing Colina to win the third game to take the title.


In addition to Redwood, opponents included teams from Los Cerritos Middle School, Sequoia Middle School, Ascension Lutheran School and Hillcrest Christian. Games were played on Thursdays.


Frank said the purpose of the students playing coed volleyball is to have them:


––Get kids excited about playing volleyball at a higher level.


––Learn life skills, teamwork and dedication.


––Experience a different school unity. Boys and girls can play together and respect each other’s abilities.


The coach said he’s especially appreciative of the T.O. Teen Center staff. It’s "incredible in providing staffing and a place to play where the emphasis is placed on sportsmanship and fair play," Frank said.


Regarding next season, he said, "We lose the whole team, but seventh-graders are coming up."


–– Steve Ames


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