Water Polo JOs Summary

Last hurrah JOs for Connor - 18s.
Benny playing 14s.
Stanford, CA

Left Avery at home cuz she's working (lifeguard at La Costa) for the summer.

Connor - 18s
Came in ranked 21, championship level. Finished 18th, platinum (top) division.
Day 1, 2nd game. vs. Vanguard Red (basically the Mater Dei team from OC)
Seeded #4 in the tournament.
Playing them tough, up a couple in the first half.  Then Vanguard starts coming back. We up 9-6, then 9-7, then 9-8 and then a 5m on us, they tie it 9-9. Can't buy a goal on our side.
Less than a minute left, we all timeout, setup a play, teams event.
We draw a 5m !!! Graham takes it, scores!  We WIN. Huge upset. Vanguard stunned.

Day 2, first game, now we're playing #5 in the country - Lamorinda, at Avery Aquatic Center.  So very cool, great way to finish out career getting to play there.
Hanging in there, down by a couple most of first half, then tied 5-5 at half. Lamo is a bit stunned.
With about 3 mins left in 4th, Murphy scores!! Tied up 7-7.  That's how it ends.
Shootout.  Lamo is missing a few, and we made 1 more then them.
Dustin is up - HELICOPTER!! Are you kidding me. Blocked.
Then Bennett goalie saves our bacon yet again - block - for the win!!
Upset #5 in the tournament.

Could not sustain the level after those 2 emotional wins. Lost next 2 that day at Avery Stadium.
Day 3 lose to Big Valley and beat ORWP.  One more on the last day to finish out.

Day 4 - one last game, for 17th. Super early, 7am game, very slow start, being nostalgic. We are down by 3 or 4 early, then come back, not quite tied. Lost 8-9.

Not as emotional as I thought it would be. Dad held it together. A few tears here and there, team pics, goodbyes, and we're off. Back up to hotel to quickly grab Ben and on to his last game for the tourney.

CHS Senior Assassins

Before we get going, this is only a (badly named) game that the seniors at Carlsbad High School play during the school year.  They choose partners, pay $20 each, and get each other "out" during the year by squirting water on their targets.
Each team of 2 is assigned another team of 2, and the team is out if both players get "wet" (out). If the team "B" is eliminated, then the attackers "A" that got that team out are now targeting the team "C" that team "B" was targeting.  So A now targets C.

Some basic rules

• If you wear a "floatie" (like small children wear on their arms to keep them afloat in a swimming pool) then you are "safe" - can't get out. Floatie is typically not inflated, just has to be somewhere on the body (usually arm or leg)
• You are always safe at home (inside the garage or house) and at school (inside the gates, not including the parking lot).  You are also safe at work, school functions, school sports including practices, and places of warship.
• The organizers periodically declare "purge" days where floaties are not valid. On these days, your targets can get you out anywhere outside a safe zone.

Connor partnered with Bennett Kienast.

Avery partnered with Michaela Kasper.

Below are some funny stories and happenings throughout the season.

• Ben is VERY into this game. He is the big kids' consultant, protector, security sweeper, etc. Tries to help on purge day mornings when they're leaving the house by doing a security sweep outside. Typically has homemade light saber (PVC pipe + pool noodle) in one hand and a flash light and/or nerf gun in the other.
• Connor "almost" got out one morning leaving the house early for polo weights. Ben didn't have time to sweep outside, called out for Connor to wait, but he was in too much of a hurry. His attacker (Jordy) was waiting for him across the street and started running to Connor at his car. Connor sprinted back into the house, luckily the front door was still open from Ben going out there. Jordy squirted at him, and said he got him. Connor did have some drops on him, but claims he was already inside the door boundary when they got him. It WAS wet inside the house, so think he was right. The "committee" determined that he was NOT out. After all that went down, we heard from neighbor Tom that he saw two kids laying down behind a car by the mailbox across from our house. He was leaving for the gym and wondered what they were doing, but just passed them by. Ben and Dan thought they saw an unknown car across the street in the morning, but checked out there a little bit. Turns out the boys were just on the other side of the car.
• Lillian Koch (CHSTV, not attacking our kids) was seen literally laying under a car, waiting for her target, who came out to the car and got squirted from underneath. Cagey.
• Avery was driving home one purge day and called Ben to start scouting around the house. Ben was looking around, and in the foyer, was surprised to find someone right outside the front door, hiding behind the post. He went to get Jamie to look, who comes down, looks out the window, and says "Oh hi Lillian".  Busted. They left.
• Purge day standard protocol became to pull the car halfway into the garage so the kids could get in the car while still in safe zone (garage). Then they only have to deal with getting from their car parked at school through the gate onto campus.
• We were shopping at Home Depot for Christmas trees and the kids saw a target that was on the "hit list" (determined by the committee, a player that has not had a kill in a long time that can be targeted by anyone).  Poor guy was dead. Shopping for trees with his brother and Grandpa. Avery went to the car and got a water bottle and walked up casually and poured some on him. Ben was the videographer (you have to submit to instagram a picture or video with proof of the kill)
• Avery's partner Michaela lives over by CHS. Her brother's buddy comes by every morning to walk to school. He typically waits for Caden outside by the side of the house.  One morning he came over and found some senior attackers waiting in "his spot" by the trash cans. Tells Caden, who tells Michaela. Busted. Safe for today.
• Connor was eliminated around Feb/March when going from school to his car. He said he was kind of trapped. Frixos got him - Avery says that's lame.  Bennett was already out, so their team was eliminated.
• Avery's target (Andrew) was wearing red flannel pajamas on a day when the committee declared anything pink to be safe. Avery got him wet, but after lots of controversy, they declared that his PJs were close enough - he was safe.
• Senior spaghetti night at school. Avery "goes to the bathroom" with Kira's keys and sneaks out to get in her car. Raquel is targeting Avery and Michaela and just stood by M the rest of the night. They and many other players were at the school gate waiting for someone to leave. Peyton pretended to be after Tara (but Isaiah really was), but then Miley hugs Peyton really strongly, tells Tara to run!  As she's getting in the car, John comes to get the door for her, Isaiah comes sprinting over (he's after Tara) and blows through the door, knocking John to the ground. He ends up chasing Tara around the parking lot, did NOT end up getting her out that night. Meanwhile other kids are having to tend to John, he likely has a concussion from the Isaiah crushing.
• (Down to 6 teams) Peyton thought she was going to stay safe by crawling in a duffle bag and having friends wheel her out from campus. They were on to her, poured water all over the bag, soaking Peyton inside, she's out. Her partner Brooklynn was already out, so their team was eliminated.
• (Down to 5 teams) Michaela is out, so Avery is solo on their team. ASB banquet at Carlsbad senior center and there are a few players that are there. It is a well known event, so other players know about it and are likely going to be waiting outside.  Towards the end of the banquet, rumors are that the girl(s) targeting Avery are waiting outside. (Inside the banquet building is safe.) Jamie has YaYa Suburu for the time being and is a good getaway car since no kids recognize it. Jamie pulls up to a side of the building, we coordinate over the phone, Christine is outside keeping watch, and after pictures we GO. Avery leaves the banquet room through a back door, sprints outside and dives into the car waiting with the back door open. (ends up diving onto the seat where her picture frame award is, breaking the glass on the frame and scraping her leg).  Oh well, she's safe.
• With only a couple weeks left before school is out, the "committee" finally agrees to just call it over, and let the kids enjoy their last couple weeks. Think there were 5 teams left. Split it all evenly to the teams, and up to the teams to do whatever with the money (most I think split it to both players regardless of their status). Each player ended up with around $300 or so.  GREAT JOB AVERY - COMPLETION

Other funny kills and fails

• John Mayberry was eliminated outside his own house, and they used the hose at his house.
• Mia Spano was eliminated by Nash Johnson right after he asked her to homecoming.
• Raquel was trying to get someone out at their church and apparently got the Priest wet instead.

Ben at Legoland

Kind of a birthday celebration, Ben has been talking about going to LL for a while now.  We know a number of Avery and Connor's friends that worked there this summer, so Ben has a renewed interest (some of them allow a friend to use their card for free admission)

So Dan and Ben went to Legoland on Sunday (Sep 03, 2017). Mostly focused on the water park, which Dan had not been to.

Got there at 930am (sweep drop off right at the front from Jamie), rush to the next level, where they make you wait at a chain link blockade until 10am, when the "rest of the park" opens.  Rushed to the water park and scored a couple lounge chairs under huge shade umbrella.

Kind of crappy weather, overcast, but still muggy hot, so was nice to be in the water.

Talked Ben into riding the water "log ride" roller coaster, that only goes up, around 180° and down to get extremely wet.  Proud of him for going, I could tell he did not want to do it - famously described as "dicey".  Sucked it up for Daddy.

Fireman trucks - dominated our group with just Ben and Dad.  Back to water park, and to the lazy river. Joked that we are probably setting record for # of laps around the river.

Other activities:

• wave pool
• drive your own boats
• mini town
• blast pods above water spinning around center
• back to lazy river
• driving cars
• Apple Fries (Ben's choice)
• trading lego characters with various workers (they are required to trade with you, regardless of the relative values of each side of the trade)

Left at 715pm - LONG DAY.

Dan's Epic Fun and Sun Labor Day Weekend

Epic lineup for Dan this weekend.  Sep 01 - 04, 2017

Friday

• South Ponto beach at lunch. Sunny, beautiful warm water, clear, fun sized waves. 
• Back to South Ponto beach in the mid afternoon (after Rodney cleared whole company to take off, get an early start to the long weekend.
• Concert - Fitz and the Tantrums and One Republic.  Sleep Train amphitheater.

Saturday

• Long session at the Oceanside condo complex where Julie Swail and family stay each summer.
• Volleyball match: University of Texas (Lexi Sun) @ USD.  Avery, Ben, Dan

Sunday

• All day at Legoland with Ben. Mostly water park, but did the full park.  Dan's first time at water park. Big fan of the lazy river.  930am to 730pm

Monday

• 6 games of beach volleyball at Don Bobertz house. 
• Back to Ocean Beach to see Julie, Greg, and the kids. Kind of gray and crappy weather, kids went in the ocean, rest of us in the jacuzzi / pool.

Connor Civil War Reenactment

Connor went to another reenactment this Labor Day weekend.  Battles on Sat and Sun (Sep 2 & 3, 2017).  Central Park in Huntington Beach - we have seen him do that one in the past.

Purchased his rifle. "63 Springfield" (1863) by way of the captain of his division, who purchased somewhere else.  Saved up money, and combined that with birthday money to buy the rifle for $450. Bayonet attached.

Connor was on "picket" duty (watch / patrol) around their camp on Saturday night. His shift was 12 midnight to 2am.  He and a buddy encountered a homeless man. Their protocol is to shoot a cap (cap only, no gun powder) from their rifle to signal others.  Within 30 seconds they had about 11 of them surrounding the "suspect", each with a rifle (no bullets of course), with bayonet.  If I was the homeless guy, I would get the hell out of there.  He thought the same. They ended up talking to the police about it, who were already there dealing with other homeless.

Successful event.

Connor, Zack Chacone, Bennett Keineast (first timer).
(Gus is now gone at college (Fordham in New York), sad to miss him at these events)

Palm Desert Robe

Thanksgiving 2016, condo on Yucca court.
Jamie and the kids go down to the jacuzzi.  All but Connor have their robes.

Ben is all geared up.
Summarized by Jamie:

Nothing says desert like robe, crocks, and a turkey baster

His "desert uni" - wears swim trunks all day, so he's ready at any time to head to the pool.
From PJs when he wakes up, straight into trunks for the day.

Connor is a Catch

Taylor: Keiryn and I decided if things don't work out for us with finding husbands, then we can just have Connor as our go-to, even though he's kind of like a brother.

Christy: at least I'll like my in-laws.

Connor HS Volleyball Tryouts - International Incident

Connor attends first day of tryouts, thinks it went pretty OK. The morning of day 2, they (head coach Andy Tomkinson) post a list of who they want to come to practice today, people not on the list are cut. Connor not on the list.

Connor texts Dad to tell him. Bummed out.
Dad is very surprised, but sits on it for a few hours. Gets to thinking, "seriously, didn't even make it past day 1?  Something not sitting right.".  Dad texts Tom Bloomquist - he's kind of an outside guy to the program, but knows those guys (Dad doesn't know Andy well enough to text him directly).  Tom - just wondering what you think?  What would you do?  Text Andy or let it go?  Tom is pretty surprised, but not sure what to do either.

Come to find out later, ...

About 30 mins after Dad text Tom, Jamie gets a phone call from a frantic Andy. "I made a mistake. I accidentally left Connor off the list. That's an error - we totally want him to play. Please have him come to practice today."

So, the full story: Tom text Tobin Knudsen who moved his family to France and is living over there for a couple years. Tobin can't believe it and text Andy immediately from France. "What have you done? [What?] You left Hanan off the list?"

Andy not sure, he's at the beach coaching beach VB PE for school. Apparently doesn't have a copy of the list. Text Feaster (water polo coach) who is on campus and can give him a boots on the ground viewpoint. "Please physically walk over to the gym and read me every name on the list".  He does. DAMNIT. No Connor.

Turns out Connor was misfiled on the sign up roster. Was classified as a Freshman and they were going through Sophomores for the JV team. Missed him.

It's all good, but this scenario continues to come up throughout the coaches. Especially now that we've gotten to know them all pretty well.  Andy tells Dan - "next time, please just text me directly"

Dan - "I just didn't want to be THAT DAD that texts the minute his kid got cut"

Great Quote - Try Something New

If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than you are now.

The yoda guy (Master Chi-Fu) in Kung Fu Panda 3.

Trailer on YouTube here.

HS Boys Water Polo 2015 - Pre-Season Rankings

Getting started with the 2015 season.  Connor on JV with all the same crew, Feaster keeping them together for the future.  Lost to Tustin HS in their first match of the season last night.  7-6


http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/01/prep-boys-water-polo-rankings/

1 / Cathedral Catholic

2 / Bishop’s

3 / Grossmont

4 / Coronado

5 / Carlsbad

6 / La Jolla

7 / Vista

8 / Westview

9 / University City

10 / Torrey Pines

Local players to watch
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/01/prep-boys-water-polo-players-watch/

HS Girls Volleyball 2015 - Pre-Season Rankings

Getting started with 2015 season. Avery on varsity.  Starting MB for now.  Won their first match WED, against Buena Vista, 3-0.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/02/prep-girls-volleyball-team-rankings/

Rk. School (’14 record)

1 / Torrey Pines (28-7)

2 / Francis Parker (29-8)

3 / Bishop’s (32-7)

4 / Canyon Crest (29-8)

5 / La Costa Canyon (22-8)

6 / Scripps Ranch (25-10)

7 / Del Norte (29-8)

8 / Ramona (31-7)

9 / Cathedral Catholic (18-15)

10 / La Jolla (25-12)

Others to watch: La Jolla Country Day (16-17), Westview (19-11), West Hills (21-9), Point Loma (24-9), Santa Fe Christian (13-15), Pacific Ridge (27-9), Olympian (24-10), San Dieguito (22-13), Otay Ranch (25-10), Granite Hills (18-8), Calvin Christian (20-15), Montgomery (22-8), Imperial (22-7), Calexico (18-15).

Local players to watch
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/02/prep-girls-volleyball-players-to-watch-list/

Funny Day for the Kids

Chic-Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day today.  Dan went with IK buddies, rocking the costume kit from their web site... free meal.

Jamie and the kids did the same, later in the day.  Same kit, free meals for all 4.

Got home, and Jamie DROVE THE PRIUS ONTO THE FRONT YARD GRASS.  Car wash.  Avery, Ben thought it was absolutely hilarious.

Totally ghetto, ... but kind of makes sense in the gnarly drought we're in here in California.

Boys Water Polo Update - 2 weeks to JOs

Kind of a weird summer of polo.  James (coach of Carlsbad Water Polo club program) setup a trip to Croatia for whoever could go ($2000 + flights).  Get on a "cruise ship" and go up and down the Croatian coast, stopping each day to play water polo against the locals.  So a handful of each age (18, 16) jumped in (Nathan, Jake, Bennett from Connor's possie) leaving a slim crew behind to practice for JOs.

Ben playing in his first big-boy season (prior to this it was splash ball).  12U White 1.  They are playing pretty well, won the last 2 tournaments (against marginal competition).  He's not playing a ton, so when White 2 is also playing at the same pool, he plays in those too.
This past weekend, he played 6 GAMES in the single day!!  Super stud, and EXHAUSTED, still paying the price, being kind of a jerk to Mom during the day.

Both boys have been doing beach workouts - 3x a week, then night practice.  C games during the week, up in OC and down in Coronado, all in an effort to get game experience before JOs.  Fun Run was last week - boys do various exercises and competitions (including carrying 40 lb sand bag) running in the soft sand from Carlsbad beach tower 32 to Army/Navy and back in the soft sand.

JOs in 2 weeks, in the OC.
Team hotel up there, should be fun.

Quotable Quotes

Connor was challenging Daddy in ping pong, saying that since he recently took him down, it'll happen again.
Ben: Ooh, shots fired!

On Connor's new phone, he was going to setup 4 fingerprints (scanner) and Mom 1 finger.
Ben:  what's Dad, a pork chop?  (Chopped liver)

When writing these down, Ben realizes that they're pretty much all from him.
Ben: you need to find a new quote source

Connor says he's the tallest kid in the family.
Ben:  I'm the third tallest, PARTICIPATION TROPHY! 

Ben: I run a strict boat
(tight ship)

Ben: Gun seat!!
(shot gun) when calling front seat in the car

Night before Ben's 13th birthday, putting him to bed.
Ben:  last night as a pre-teen
Ben:  starting tomorrow, I can watch PG-13 movies (as if he hasn't already been)

Julian called Ben on Facetime.  Ben was giving Julian a tour of his room.
Julian: What is that?
Ben: Turkey baster. 
Julian:  Why do you have that?
Ben:  we got a jacuzzi for Christmas!

Carlsbad HS JV Volleyball

Connor was moved up to JV after the first week of volleyball on Freshman / Novice team.
Not expecting to play much, still pretty raw skills, but getting tons of experience in everyday practice. Generally working on setting, running both 5-1 and 6-2 systems for the 2nd team in practice.

Match results

• Mission Hills.  Lost 1-2.  This is before Connor joined the team, not that that is the reason, just a comment on timing.  :)
• LCC.  Won 2-0.  Connor did not play, but team looked pretty good. 
• Torrey Pines. Won 2-0.  Again did not play, but team looked good.  Nice ball control and hitting.

Sports Update

Avery

Genuine volleyball club team. Coach Becca.
Michaela (OH), Whitley (S), Mia (S), Madie (S), Gaby (OH), Sami (MB), Kelly (MB), Ashley (L, not her friend from high school), Kathleen (L), Helena (OH)
3rd of 3 qualifier tournaments this past weekend, gold division, seeded 4th in the 4 team pool.  3 way tie for 2nd with them all at 1-2.  They got 2nd by game record tie-breaker.  They'll play in division 2 (all the other 2nd place teams) in the GOLD division for the rest of the season tournaments.
Tried out for setter, and coach liked her enough to find me on day 1 of the tryout and say she wants her, probably run a 6-2.  Then they have 3 other setters (including Madie from HS team), and no good middles, so Avery is playing MB (and training at practice as a setter).

Dabbling in beach volleyball on the off days from indoor practice.
Playing at Red's beach in downtown Carlsbad with the crew from Carlsbad HS team, Bob Sommers, etc.

Connor

Trying out for Carlsbad HS Boys' Volleyball team.
Tryouts started yesterday (Monday), and first round of cuts are tomorrow morning (list posted at school) before school.  27 boys there today for freshman/novice team.
Sounds like it's going pretty well.

Example athletics schedule today:

• Weights before aquatics
• Aquatics PE (period 2)
• PE (period 6), volleyball chapter in the class
• Volleyball tryouts 3-5pm.

Ben

Focused on Water Polo these days.  Finished up the first season of tournaments, playing 12U white (2nd squad).  Frustrated with the number of boys (6?) that doggie paddle their way through the games.  Not surprising, since they do the same at practices.

Scored a few goals during the season:  1st one of career from near half pool, turn and score at hole set, and another lob shot over the goalie.

Talk to the Hand

Ben switched it up the other day:

Talk to the booty cuz the hand's off duty.

Ben Polo - first goal of career

Ben was playing water polo splash ball for the last couple seasons. It's just for 10 and under's to get familiar with polo, the ball, swimming, etc.

Now (age 10) he's joined the Carlsbad polo club team and playing on 12U white 2.  Played in firest couple tournaments in January, and started getting bummed that he hasn't scored a goal yet.

Dan took him to tournament in OC at Costa Mesa.  Grandma/pa Hanan were there to watch as well.
B SCORED!  FIRST GOAL OF CAREER!

Other team scored, so we were starting the ball at half pool. Pass back to teammate, and over to Ben at the side of the pool, "3 strokes in from half" as he recalls.  Draws a foul, and (with his free pass) lobs a shot up from near mid-pool and over the goalie to the opposite left/back corner.  YA BABY!

Next tournament (the next weekend), he scored from 2m hole set.

Game Results

Avery - volleyball

Torrey Pines.  17-15 in the 3rd.
Avery scooped ball out of the net to keep rally alive at 16-16.
Varsity and JV watching, cheering. Tunnel after the game.
(Only played them once, at their place, since they're not in our league)

Vista.  Crushed them.
Avery served 19 straight.  Mix of jump floats and spin jumps.
Set the second game.  Served a handful more.

LCC - beat them in 2 at our place (lost to them at their place)
Played great, good team result.
Pat Powers came to watch (recruiting for his club) and was impressed with Avery play.
With that win, Carlsbad and LCC tied for the league title at 11-1


Connor - polo

Broadcasting Links

Connor - CHSTV daily live news

3rd Anchor - interview football team (09/05/14)

3rd Anchor - interview girls volleyball team (09/30/14)

Impromptu Anchor, from outside the gym. (10/02/14)

Water Polo game recap (10/10/14)

Robotics Competition (11/15/14)

First day behind anchor desk (01/30/15)

(moved to OneNote)


Ben - Waverider News

10/09/14

10/01/14

(moved to OneNote)



Dan - NBC Today Show

Overview

Raw Tech Video (Connor produced this)