Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - OakleyPress_05.02.08 - Index

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May 2, 2008
HOMES | DINING | HEALTH | RECREATION | CLASSIFIEDS
Heartbreak never felt so good
Photo by Gretchen Clare
Brentwood’s Gene Clare, 55, set his sights
on the Boston Marathon, the oldest and
most prestigious marathon in the world,
a year ago. He realized that dream on
April 21, Patriots Day, when he completed
the grueling 26.22-mile course.
In 1996, at the age of 43, former Liberty
High School principal Gene Clare suffered a
heart attack that changed his life. Now, more
than a decade later, Clare’s heartache has
given way to heartbreak – as in the Boston
Marathon’s Heartbreak Hill.
Clare, now the school district’s director
of community education, was diagnosed
with a pre-diabetic condition three years
ago, and at that time his doctor gave him two
choices: add diabetes medication to the medication
he’d been taking since his heart attack,
or, start dieting and exercising regularly.
It was then that Clare, who had been out
of the routine of regular exercise for nearly 30
years after enjoying success as a high school
and collegiate track athlete, decided to dust
off his running shoes and lace ’em up. Clare
began jogging around Brentwood, and soon
he was feeling strong enough to begin competing
in local 5- and 10-kilometer races.
After two years treading through East
County, the 55-year-old set his sights on a
historic road trip. “We each in our lives have
our own personal victory, and the thing
about the marathon is that you aren’t really
running against anybody; you’re running
against yourself. So there’s a personal victory
in that,” said Clare, who qualifi ed for
this year’s Boston Marathon in December,
running the California International Marathon
in Sacramento – his fi rst marathon – in
a time of 3 hours, 44 minutes.
The Boston Marathon is the oldest and
most prestigious marathon in the world, and
Clare was overwhelmed and awed by the
experience of participating in its 112th running.
More than 25,000 runners began the
26.22-mile course and only 21,000 fi nished.
Clare said the event featured a considerable
amount of “cheering on the old guy,” as
all but 7,000 of the race’s participants were
under the age of 40, putting Clare in the distinct
minority and providing perspective on
just what an awesome accomplishment it
would be to cross the fi nish line.
“It’s a very hilly, very challenging course.
And they have Heartbreak Hill – when
you’ve gotten to about 20 miles – which is
actually a series of four hills. The whole time
I was exhilarated just being there and being
able to do this,” said Clare. “I had a heart attack
at 43 and now at 55 conquered Heartbreak
Hill and made it to the top. I think the
message there is that as long as the spirit is
strong, people can accomplish their dreams.
Just set your goal and keep after it.”
Upon returning to Brentwood, Clare
made a point to thank the entire community
for all its support and kind words of encour-
Deer Valley dominates depleted Antioch
by Avi Burk
Staff Writer
The Deer Valley baseball team avenged
its loss at Antioch earlier this season with a
convincing 11-3 win over the Panthers on its
home fi eld on Tuesday afternoon, thanks in
large part to a solid outing by starting pitcher
Joshua Eagle and spectacular run production
from the bottom of the batting order.
“We swung the bat pretty good,” said
Deer Valley head coach Dennis Luquet. “At
the beginning of the game we didn’t really
have anything, but then all of a sudden we got
it going and got some clutch hits – that was
nice to see.”
Antioch took a 3-2 lead on a mammoth
blast off the bat of junior fi rst baseman Corey
Foreman that sailed over the right fi eld wall,
but the lead was short lived.
The Wolverines erased the Antioch lead
before recording their fi rst out in the home
half of the fourth inning, then broke the game
open when Daniel Morton and Justin Meier
put together back-to-back singles to plate an
additional three runs.
Junior Nicky Pasquale was forced to work
by Avi Burk
Staff Writer
through jam after jam in an effort to spare the
Panthers’ depleted bullpen. The right hander,
who struggled with his location throughout
the game, lasted four innings and gave up six
runs.
Pasquale’s relief, Caleb Lusty, didn’t fare
any better, allowing fi ve more runs to plate in
just two innings of work. He was also victimized
by Morton, who smashed a two-RBI
see Good page 8B
single to left fi eld in the fi fth inning, collecting
his third and fourth RBIs of the game.
Leading the Wolverine offense was Morton,
who went 2-for-3 at the plate with four
RBIs and a run scored. First baseman Dante
Redhead and third baseman Chris Carvajal
also went 2-for-3 for Deer Valley.
see Deer Valley page 8B
Photo by Avi Burk
Antioch pinch runner James Turner sends up a cloud of dust while trying unsuccessfully
to score on a wild pitch in the fourth inning of his team’s 11-3 loss to
Deer Valley on Tuesday. Wolverine hurler Joshua Eagle applies the tag.
THIS WEEK
Waiting in
the wings
Encore performances of “The
Aristocats” and “Guys and
Dolls” take the stage this
weekend.
Page 17B
Ribbon cut,
abs flexed
Celebs, rockers, Marines – not
to mention the public – gathered
for an opening nothing
short of grand.
Page 11B
Landmarks
of our lives
The arrivals, departures and
accomplishments of those dear
to us are chronicled in our
Milestones section.
Page 29B
Experts pan
sunbed tan
Students headed for the prom
who need a quick bronzing run
the risk of getting burned.
Page 15B
Classifieds
Looking to buy or sell something?
Looking for a job? Look
no further than this section.
Page 21B