De Anza athletes will attempt to keep the 2001-2002 Bud Ottmar Award at De Anza after an excellent 2000-2001 performance. The award is presented to the Coast Conference school that has the best all-sport performances during the school year, with every sport earning points toward the award.

The race to determine the No. 1 athletic school in the Coast Conference begins this quarter. Fall athletics have played a significant role in keeping the award at De Anza in the past.

The Men’s soccer team finished last year with a 16-2-4 record, and claimed the Coast Conference championship. The No. 2 seeded Dons came short in state playoffs, suffering defeat at the hands of Evergreen.

The Dons will do battle at West Valley on Tuesday and will contest Evergreen on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at De Anza. “It’s exciting, exciting play,” says Singh. Singh says Evergreen has a very exciting new program and that the game will be close. “West Valley usually brings people out … they are kind of like the local darby … the support of De Anza is fantastic,” said Singh. The game against Evergreen will be a battle between two of last year’s top teams, sure to be a great game.

Nine returning players, including sophomore captains Jacob Kovacs, Tomi Mateoc and Cesar Sanchez will lead the team. The Dons season started rough, going 3-2-1 in their first six games, but Singh says the first few games were against good opponents and that the team should gel as the season moves along.

The De Anza Lady Dons’ volleyball team is hoping to equal or better last year’s 9-3 record that brought home a 2nd-place finish to Cabrillo in the Coast Conference. Cabrillo, having dropped their program, leaves the Lady Dons as a perennial league contender. Coach Dawnis Guevera is at reign of the team, for the third

year, her first year as a full-time Physical Edu-cation/Health instructor at De Anza. Co-captains Luna Duarte and Cheryl O’Riley will lead the team on the court. “It’s pretty exciting stuff. The games are fun and fast-paced, you also support your fellow students and the programs that reflect De Anza,” says Guevera.

Mark this date on your calendar: Wednesday, Nov. 14. The Lady Dons will be taking on Chabot in the last home and division game of the season. It takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the main gym and will possibly determine the Lady Dons’ playoff route.

Coach Tammy Hopkins will lead the inaugural Women’s water polo efforts this year. The team will face its first challenge on Oct. 3 against Chabot. Their first home game will be on Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m.

The Dons football team, headed by Coach Mike Mitchell, is seeking a strong future. Second year coach Mitchell and his new coaching staff have high hopes for the 2001 season. Catch the Dons football team on Friday Oct. 5 against Marin at 1 p.m. at De Anza. “Cross-town” rival West Valley hopes to overtake De Anza on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m.

The Lady Dons soccer team is aiming toward a repeat of last year’s Coast Conference title. Their 15-2-2 record earned them the No. 3 seed in state playoffs, but they were knocked out in the third round of the playoffs in a physical 2-1 loss dealt to them by No. 2 seed Ohlone. The Lady Dons open division play Tuesday, against Mission at 4 p.m. at De Anza. Thursday, Oct. 4, Foothill travels to De Anza for an “inter-district” battle, 4 p.m.

The dedicated Men’s and Women’s cross-country teams have bright futures ahead. The Women’s team placed sixth and the Men’s team placed ninth in the Coast Conference last year. Coach Jim Linthicum is striding for a better performance this year.

Sports have been a fixture at De Anza since its inception. De Anza’s athletes stride for success and are hoping and looking for continued success. For more information on sports, call Athletic Director Charlie Elder at 408-864-8714. See you on the fields, poolside and on the courts.