I am starting to feel like the world/America has been transported back to a time where xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and racism were the norm. Ideally, sports are supposed to be a sanctuary where people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and ethnicities can come together to compete in their sport. But with the increased amount of racism […]
KRISTINA SEWELL
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Armed for victory: Pioneer Valley High School teacher Riccardo Magni competes at Armlifting World Championships in Russia
There is nothing Riccardo Magni does half-heartedly. From teaching to training, Magni aims to compete and succeed, which is why he has the honor of being one of three Americans to compete in the Armlifting World Championships on May 12 through 14, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Magni, a science teacher at Pioneer Valley High School, […]
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Toke and train? The Benchwarmer considers the debate around cannabis in performance athletics
It’s 4/20, so let’s talk about weed and sports. Bet that got your attention! About 10 years ago, the mention of weed and athletics in the same sentence would have sent people into an indignant panic. But as decriminalization and legalization is increasing across the United States, cannabis is becoming more widely used by performance […]
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The Benchwarmer: Speak up about sexual assault in sports
Admittedly as a teacher and a coach, I have very little sympathy, tolerance, or understanding for any individual who chooses to harm a child through sexual means of molestation or rape. I have friends who endured this for portions of their young lives, and the impact throughout the rest of their lives is obvious. Sexual […]
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Leading the way: The Pioneer Valley High School girls’ soccer team may be out, but they’re not down
On Feb. 16, the Pioneer Valley High School girls’ soccer team (14-7-2) lost their second CIF playoff match against Santa Ynez High School 1-2. In spite of this, the Lady Panthers walked off the field that night with their heads held high, because when they look back, they won’t remember the sting of that game. […]
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Alyssa Martinez
Don’t let the fact that Alyssa Martinez is just 10 years old fool you—she takes her softball playing seriously. “Well, I started playing when I was 5 or 6. I had tried soccer and it really wasn’t my thing,” Martinez said. “My parents saw a poster and decided to sign me up.” Martinez currently plays […]
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The Benchwarmer: Gridiron gripes
After five damn minutes of staring at my computer screen waiting for writing inspiration, I’ve decided February is a sucky month for writing sports columns, partly because my interest in sports is relegated to baseball and football. Alas, football has ended and baseball season is on its way. Shockingly, I’ve run out of one specific […]
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Malina Bourbon
Malina Bourbon off the wrestling mat is a polite, responsible, and respectful young lady. But once she hits the mat, Bourbon becomes a fierce competitor whose legacy at Pioneer Valley High School (PVHS) speaks for itself. In her senior year and fourth season as a varsity-level wrestler, Bourbon is currently sporting a 26-7 record and […]
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The Benchwarmer: Shame on body shaming
I don’t know how else to say it so I’ll just be direct: QUIT F***ING BODY SHAMING FEMALE ATHLETES! For those of you who don’t know, body shaming is defined as “the action or practice of criticizing/humiliating someone for their body shape or size.” Readers have probably figured out I am a female columnist, former […]
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Taking a knee: The Benchwarmer weighs in on Kaepernick’s protest
It would seem that scandalous events are now part and parcel of every football season of the last few years. But this season’s current scandal has reached an all-time low, and it’s making people (at least myself) question how we go about protesting issues within our country. During week six of the NFL season, the […]
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Draft drama: The Benchwarmer loves football but would rather skip the draft
The NFL draft annoys me, I find it quite dumb. Phew, I finally said it. Before I continue, let me preface this by saying my future brother-in-law is a HUGE football fan, albeit a Cowboys fan but we won’t bother with that today. He loves football, he has played football, and he has coached a […]
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The Benchwarmer: An argument for equal pay
When I hear other women say, “We have come a long way with women’s rights, we should be grateful,” I don’t quite know whether I want to cheer with them or strangle them. When you put it in perspective, damn straight we have made it a long way with being able to join the workforce, […]