Devin Mitchell: News Associate

Audrey Kim’s swimming career began long before high school. She started swimming at age six, when she was living in Los Angeles, and when she moved to South Pasadena in fifth grade, she joined the Sea Tigers program.

“I did that every year ‘till my freshman year. It was good,” said Kim.
She competed in Junior Olympics in 2004 and 2005 and when she reached high school, she quickly made a name for herself (not only on the swimming and water polo teams.) Breaking the school record in the 200-meter freestyle relay in her sophomore year was the highlight of her aquatic career, said Kim.

When asked what the differences between swimming and water polo were, she said, “In water polo you have to know how to swim, but it’s a more team-oriented sport. Swimming is more individual.”

At the CIF prelims this year, Kim and the other members of her 4×50 relay team maintained their previous best time, which she said was impressive considering the often close nature and razor thin time differences of swimming. Kim also pointed to senior Stephanie Ah-Quah’s qualification for Masters as a sign of a successful trip to CIF.

Kim is going to the University of California San Diego next year, and while she doesn’t think she will swim on the college team there, she hopes to swim on a club team.

Kim will be graduating next week and while her absence will leave an enormous void on the team, she is confident that the other members of her relay team will continue to flourish.

“[Junior] Anna-Lena Hathaway [is] hoping to break the school record in her event,” said Kim.

“It was fun to train with all the swimmers around, having fun and cracking jokes. This year [in particular] was good. We did really well.”

Harry Yadav: Staff Writer

Four years ago, Justin Oleesky and Gene Park, then freshman, tried out for the golf team with very different expectations. Justin, who already had an exceptional game that he had been developing from the age of five, was counting not on only making varsity, but serving as one of the key players. Gene, on the other hand, had picked up a club for the first time earlier that year, and was just hoping he could make the squad.

“Yeah, he was pretty bad back then,” recalled Justin, laughing.
This year they graduate after co-captaining the varsity team through a tough year that ended in a playoff loss to San Marino. Next year, the two good friends are headed off to Arizona State, where they will both chase their dream to play collegiate golf.

The transition is pretty incredible, even to them. “We have both put in countless hours of practice and hard work,” said Gene, “but we couldn’t imagine playing at ASU four years ago.”

Once they get on the course, Justin and Gene are opposites of each other. During matches, Justin chirps away the entire round, whereas Gene solemnly distances himself from his competitors. Justin has been known to blow easy putts by rushing; while Gene is the definition of a deliberate golfer.

“Gene always takes his time putting, that’s for sure,” said Golf Coach Richard Goto.

But once they turn in their scorecards, Gene and Justin are reflections of each other. They both have a corny sense of humor and love to feel sorry for themselves whenever something goes wrong.
“It makes sense that they are rooming together next year,” added senior Mike Watkins, who has been their teammate for four years.
Although they will be pursuing their dream at ASU, it will be tough for both seniors to leave high school behind.

Gene spoke for both when he admitted, “Memories of going to class and playing golf with teammates are unforgettable.”

Sabrina Ketel: Feature Associate

In life, there are people you meet who strike you right off the bat as just plain nice. Before they even know who you are, they’ve got their arm around your shoulders and everything is smiles and rainbows and laughter. Another minute in and suddenly you’re their new best friend. Ariana Sañudo is not this person.

But whatever Sañudo may lack in first impressions, she more than makes up for at seconds. A self-professed future cat lady and the affectionate owner of a car named Alastor, Sañudo is someone you want on your team.

Although those who don’t know her have been known to characterize Sañudo as “intimidating,” their assumptions are—for the most part—unfounded. Sure, she is a force to be reckoned with, but as Sañudo puts it, “If I’m not talking to you, it’s probably because I’m actually intimidated by you.” The second she opens her mouth and launches into a hilarious story about how she was nearly blinded when a charging cafeteria lady stabbed her eye with a fork—accidentally—any initial fears over her dominating presence evaporate into thin air. Sañudo somehow manages to be both effortlessly funny and charmingly self-deprecating—and yet still hold her own in any discussion.

Make no mistake, Sañudo is not one to be taken lightly. When asked what she has strong opinions about, she replied “Everything.” As close friend Iris Jeong says, “she knows what she likes and doesn’t like”—and isn’t afraid to say it. Even when discussing the most mundane of topics, Sañudo’s passion for what she’s saying is palpable. Whether talking about beards (she can’t resist them), her secret desire to be Korean (she wants eight Hapa children), or Harry Potter (let’s not even go there), Sañudo’s exaggerated gestures and expressive voice never fail to leave her audience convinced.
But no matter how much Sañudo tells you about herself, no matter how much you’ve discussed her profound love for mountain men, you always get the feeling that there is so much more. Beneath the “intimidating” exterior, past even the cat-and-beard-loving interior, you get the feeling that no matter how deeply one delves she will continue to manage to surprise you.

Sañudo heads off to Boston College next year, and though she worries about making friends with people who may find her “intimidating,” so long as there are plenty of bearded men roaming the campus, she has nothing to worry about.

Carlton Lew: Staff Writer

John Wooden is the greatest college basketball coach of all time. Hands down. During his 29 years as a head coach, Wooden won an unprecedented 10 NCAA Championships at UCLA in a span of 12 years, including a streak of seven in a row. He also won 88 straight games over four seasons, a record that still stands today. But what he did off the court pails in comparison to what he did on the court.
Wooden was so much more than a basketball coach. He was a mentor to his players and his fans. Although he himself was a great basketball player, his greatness lay in his ability to instill his personal philosophy of greatness into his players. He never worried about the game. Instead, he would tell his players to use basketball as a vehicle to build character. He believed in using basketball to overcome challenges. He understood the great parallels between the hardwood and the world.

Even those who never met the “Wizard of Westwood” used his famous quotes to achieve their goals. “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” the coach told his players. He never studied film about the opponent, believing that if he prepared the team correctly, they were unbeatable.

John Wooden was one of the greatest sports figures of all time. Unlike coaches today, whose main drive is for fame and fortune, Wooden genuinely cared about his players and the program. After a long and successful life, the “Wizard of Westwood” left the world better than he found it nearly a 100 years ago and his words of wisdom will be felt long after he is gone.

Anne Kitchens: Staff Writer

The residents of South Pasadena have been waiting far too long for a quick and easy way to access the simple delicacies of life—cereal and grilled cheese sandwiches. Finally, our prayers have been answered with the upcoming launch of Mix n’ Munch: Cereal and Grilled Cheese Café. This may seem like an unusual pairing, but the perfectly executed dishes work together to prove the skeptics wrong.

Born and raised in South Pasadena, owners Kimberly and Bryan Lee, along with Heather and Abraham Apraku, know exactly how to appeal to the varying taste buds of our eclectic community.

The family has been busy promoting their upcoming business by utilizing South Pas’ most cherished traditions such as the Family Fun Fair in order to boost their business’ awareness. Being hip new entrepreneurs, the managers of Mix n’ Munch have created a Facebook page dedicated to informing the public of their foods and sharing progress with the Facebook community. Photos have been posted displaying the step-by-step process that preludes the anticipated grand opening, which is scheduled for mid-summer.

Mix n’ Munch has already been featured in blogs and newspapers such as L.A. Eater and Pasadena Star News.

The café will feature dishes as simple as grilled cheese sandwiches and basic cereal choices, while still offering multiple variations to keep their customers intrigued. They have decided to spice things up by adding options of several different cheeses, breads, and topping—such as bacon and caramelized onions—to please even the most picky critics.

The only deciding factor between success and failure is being able to maintain a constant flow of customers, because there is no doubt that this new restaurant will host plenty of excited customers when it opens

Cole Rainey: News Editor

Yes, it’s anime. Yes, when the characters cry, giant sparkling tears well in their enlarged eyes. Yes, the music (at times) derives from some odd hybrids of 90’s synth and Japanese shoka.

But the cinematic genius that is Hayao Miyazaki is not characterized by these stereotypical, (though somewhat archetypal) aspects. His work has traversed borders and continents, and his message has transcended cultures, showing the world Miyazaki’s unique artistic vision.

The worlds that Miyazaki creates are so compelling because they reflect that which is true of our own world. They reveal a childishness and a joy too often forgotten. Miyazaki’s characters perfectly capture the wonder of childhood, and unlike their anime counterparts, do not speak to the Japanese culture alone. They speak to the heart of humanity, or at least the greedy and fleeting heart of a child. And that fleeting love still rests in all of us, which makes Miyazaki’s precious works seem like jewels in a sea of giant anime tears.

Miyazaki first began his career as an illustrator drawing and writing for Japanese manga magazines such as Animage, featuring stories such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in 1982. After working as a storyboard editor, he finally wrote and directed his first film, The Castle of Cagliostro in 1979, and later a movie version of Nausicaä. It was with that release that Miyazaki began to garner international acclaim, and co-founded Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio that has in most recent years collaborated with Disney. As his career developed, he continued to take complete creative leadership of his films–writing, directing, drawing, and overseeing every frame of his films.

Since then, Miyazaki has gathered a large cult following. His films My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, and Princess Mononoke have become some of the highest grossing films in Japan, and won many awards both in America and at home. One of his most recent films, Spirited Away, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002.

Miyazaki once said, “Is someone different at age 18 or 60? I believe one stays the same.” This is at the heart of his filmmaking. May he continue to spirit us away.

Brendan Perry: Staff Writer

A ground ball to the right side, a flip to the pitcher covering the bag, and that’s it: Armando Galarraga has thrown the first perfect game in Tigers history. But wait, first base umpire, Jim Joyce, called the runner safe.

Joyce missed the call. When looking at the video replay it is blatantly obvious that Indians shortstop, Jason Donald, was out at first base. After seeing the replay, Joyce admitted that he blew the call, and says he wishes he could change it.

This incident has sparked discussion on whether or not the call should be reversed, giving Galarraga a perfect game, and if major league baseball should implement full use of video replay.

Fortunately for baseball, Commissioner Bud Selig decided not to overturn the call and showed no intention of furthering the use of instant replay in baseball. If Selig were to give Gallaraga the perfect game, he would have to take into consideration all of the other umping blunders throughout history, most notably Don Denkinger’s botched call in the 1985 World Series that cost St. Louis a championship. It’s unfortunate for Galargara that he was robbed of a perfect game, but he still threw a shutout and got the win. His perfect game is not worth expanding the use of instant replay or changing an umpire’s on-field decisions.

Umpires make mistakes; that is a part of baseball, a great part of baseball. Their errors get managers and teams fired up, and it keeps fans interested in the game. If instant replay had to be used for every close call in baseball, we would be watching every play twice, slowing down an already slow game. Baseball doesn’t need instant replay to make it perfect.

Jim Wood: Staff Writer

Two weeks ago, Floyd Landis officially admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during the 2006 Tour de France, ending 4 years of speculation and controversy and cementing his reputation as a complete scumbag. In a recent interview, Landis not only admitted to using steroids, but claimed other top cyclists including former teammate Lance Armstrong used these drugs as well. Whether or not you believe that Lance used performance-enhancing drugs, Floyd Landis’ testimony shouldn’t be taken seriously because Landis is quite possibly the biggest scumbag ever to ride a bicycle.

Now, there have been plenty of bicycle riding jerks, but Landis definitely tops the list for several reasons. For starters, Landis initially claimed that his testosterone levels were abnormally high because he had drunk too much whiskey the night before. Medical tests showed that the excess testosterone was synthetically produced and thus could not have been caused by drinking. In light of these tests, Landis backtracked and said that “The whiskey idea was not mine.” He then claimed that the testosterone in his body was natural and “The levels [of testosterone] that I’ve had during the Tour and all my career are natural… I’m more man than any other man has ever been.” After essentially claiming that he was superhuman, further tests showed that the testosterone produced had come from an external source. Not surprisingly, a panel of judges found him guilty, stripping him of his Tour de France title and banning him for 2 years. Not content to deny his findings in court, Landis then wrote a biography entitled “Positively False: The Real Story of How I Won the Tour”, where he accused the doping agencies of being corrupt. He appealed to the Court of Arbitration of Sport, claiming that the doping agencies were guilty of fraud, forgery, and cover ups. Although there were some sloppy lab procedures, the court found that the lab had done nothing wrong and that Landis was still guilty.

Floyd Landis’s confession isn’t an attempt to come clean, but rather an attempt to drag other cyclists under the bus. The confession shows that Landis has hit rock bottom and run out of ideas, and it is his desperate attempt to bring others down to his level. After all, this is the man who wrote an autobiography that now belongs in the fiction section. He’s spent four years deceiving the same fans who donated over $1 million to pay for his court cases. And yet now he expects us to trust his word over that of internationally respected cyclists? Not likely, scumbag.

Luka Douridas: Staff Writer

5 out of 5 stars

Hearing about an new Indian restaurant in South Pasadena would probably spark one’s interest. For most of us in this city, we usually have to trek a couple of miles to say, Pasadena, to get our fix of naan and curry, so even a so-so Indian joint nearby would be satisfactory. Thankfully, with Radhika, we get what we hope for—and then some.
Radhika, located right by the tracks on Mission and Meridian, is a reincarnation of the recently closed Radhika’s Cuisine of India, which took its home in the nearby Pasadena. The name wasn’t the only aspect of the restaurant that was abridged—the space is much smaller as well. Do not fear, however—the quality of the restaurant has so far proven to be top-notch.

First, the atmosphere. Despite having limited space, this dining spot managed to dress itself up warmly and authentically—the bright turquoise walls and sleek furniture add a fun, inviting look to the eatery, while behind your mealtime conversation lingers a backing track of upbeat Indian music.

Of course, the taste of the food is always the most important part of your dining experience—because after all, it’s what you are paying for. In brief, the choice and quality of chow here is nothing short of spectacular. One particular dish that stands out is one of the appetizers: four tender pieces of chicken in a tasty, orange, spice-saturated sauce—it’s heaven on Earth.

Radhika may be small, but its flavor is bold. Take world-class dishes, add them to a friendly atmosphere in a convenient location, and you get a joint worth going to again and again. Who knows? Maybe those Pasadenians will start coming here to get their curry.

Max White: Staff Writer

Despite being the most popular sporting event worldwide, the Cup lags behind in U.S. viewership.

260 million viewers worldwide tuned in to watch the final of Germany’s 2006 FIFA World Cup, making it the most popular sporting event on the planet. And yet the United States, which made up around 20 percent of the combined population of the 32 World Cup qualifying countries, contributed only 17 million (or 6.5 percent) of these fans. In other words, way more Americans should be watching the World Cup.

One would think that a country where 40 percent of the population watches the Super Bowl could generate more interest in an event that occurs only once every four years. But the unfortunate truth is that the United States, for the most part, does not like to watch soccer. Considering that the MLS is a joke by European standards, the U.S. national team is consistently mediocre (at least on the men’s side), and that soccer isn’t as fast-paced as sports like basketball and football, this is understandable.

But 2010 should be the year that this all begins to change, as South Africa’s FIFA World Cup will be the most exciting yet for Americans. For perhaps the first time the United States is poised to advance far into the tournament, and is the clear favorite to finish second in its pool. After snagging a second-place finish in last year’s Confederation Cup and beating Australia, Asia’s top qualifier, 3-1 last weekend, the U.S. team is gaining the confidence that it needs to launch a successful World Cup campaign. This year’s official World Cup ball, which is more unpredictable than in years past, will lead to more goals and make games considerably more interesting.

It really is time for Americans to join the rest of the world and watch a couple of World Cup matches; they might be pleasantly surprised.