“I thought we were going to be better but we began to lose hope. Then after we won a few games the team really pulled together,” junior Nate Sell said.

The team was saddened by the final loss but hope for a better season next year.

“I had fun and would definitely do it again.” Junior Ryan Conner said. “I love my teammates. They are some of the coolest people, and some of my best friends.”

            “This is going to be exciting; the idea of going and winning state is awesome,” Lawson said.

The players who won for Corona’s boys were seniors Alex Lawson and Thaminda Edirisooriya, juniors Kevin McMahon and Divya Rayudu and freshmen Alex Jing. The players who won for Corona girls were senior Rachel McKay, juniors Hannah Pfotenhauer, Tien Tran and Joyce Wen, and sophomore Sarah Rutkowski. The win will send the Corona to the second round of the tournament.

            “I’m really happy that we won, even thought we sweeped them, it was tougher than it looked; were hoping we can use this as momentum to lead us to a state title,” Pfotenhauer said.

            The boys team plays Salpointe on Tuesday, May 1and the girls team plays Mountain View on Tuesday as well on May 1at Corona del Sol with the boys playing at 12 p.m. and girls playing at 3 p.m.

“ I think its going to be great having all those guys coming down for a great cause.” Assistant Principal Jim Bell said.

Although it’s been a few years since many of the participants have played basketball, music teacher Greg Hebert is positive in his skills.

“I am super hyped.  I’m ready to throw down like I did back in the good old ‘80s! ” Hebert said.

However, their teaching careers inferences with their free time, they haven’t had that much time to practice.

“ I don’t know how good we’ll be because we haven’t practiced yet, but I know we’ll be competitive,” Bell said.

The first team Corona team will play is Compadre and the winner of this game will face the winner of Desert Vista vs. McClintock. On the other side of the district, the winner Mountain Pointe vs. Marcos and Tempe Police vs. Tempe High will face off. It is a single elimination tournament. It is 20-minute continuous halves and overtime will be played with two-minute stop clocks.

In addition to Bell and Hebert, the Corona team features special education teacher Tanner Vesley, science teacher Katie Chance, teacher assistant Chico Rodriguez, baseball coach Kyle Fouts, Spanish teacher Brandon Romney, Special Education teacher Dan Salas, driver’s education teacher Fran Bader, mathteacher Andy Strom, English teacher Robert Corwin, P.E. teacher and basketball coach Sammy Duane and baseball coach Gavin Rodriguez.

“Its great; I really don’t pay attention to it you know, we worked hard for it,” starting sophomore guard Casey Benson said.

The JV team went 16–2 and the freshman team finished 10–8.

Girls Basketball- The varsity team had a mediocre type of a season, finishing 13–10 and missing the playoffs.

“I wasn’t happy about the way the season end, but I had a lot of fun this season and that why I play,” starting sophomore guard Vicky Sanford said.

The team was ranked No. 23 in the state. The JV team and freshman team both had a 3-10 record.

Boys Soccer- The varsity boy’s soccer team finished the season going 7-5 and did not make the playoffs.

“Upset that we didn’t make the playoffs but the season was a whole lot of fun,” starting sophomore defender Eric Castellano said.

The JV team went 6–2–1.

Girls Soccer- The varsity girls team had season of lows and highs, overcoming a four – game losing streak in the middle of the season, recovering with a five-game wining streak ending the season 7–5. They did not make the playoffs, however the JV team went also 7–5. Wrestling- The varsity wrestling team was dominant all season, losing only in The Clash, a tournament held in Minnesota (2–4). The wrestlers headed into the state tournament 10–0. They won/lost at state with a score of  (when it happens I’ll put it in).

“We worked hard all season,” senior Jason Landrum said. “We’re glad about the season we have and hope to win it all.”

JV went 0–10, while the freshman team finished 10–1.

Nine wrestlers attended the state competition: freshman Matt Churchill, 113; sophomore Glenn Farina, 126; sophomore Zack Walton, 132; freshman Daniel Cartagena, 138; sophomore Ethan Tursini, 145; senior Jason Landrum, 152; senior Justin Butler, 160; senior Jay Tucker, 182; senior Steven Rodriquez, 285.

Dedication is the basis of every accomplishment and the varsity wrestling team has produced nothing less throughout the season.

“We increased our practices to twice a day to increase the intensity of our workouts, worked match strategy and worked on eliminating mistakes from poor technique,” varsity wrestling coach Jim Martinez said.

The extra practices were tough, but worth it.

“Practices were very intense and to the point,” Tursini said. “We had practice before and after school. Two practices allowed me to push to my mental and physical limits and beyond. The hard work definitely is worth it. Countless times I’ve found myself in a close match in the first and second period. Then the third period comes, and because of all the things coach has me doing in the room, I’ve found myself not tired at all while the other guy is.”

The team took first place at the Southwest Showdown on Dec. 2 and 3, first place at the Moon Valley Invitational on Dec. 16 and 17, and fifth place at the Flowing Wells Invitational on Jan. 13 and 14.

The top four wrestlers that competed at Sectionals, which is the last major competition before state, were Landrum, Tursini, Walton and Cartagena.

Prior to the competition, Martinez predicted that Corona’s toughest competition at state would be Sunnyside, Cibola, Chandler, Mountain View, Desert Vista, Horizon and Mesa.

“These are some of the best teams in the state this year,” Martinez said.

In the final score, a few of these teams did place above the Aztecs.

Though the team has done well this season, expectations travel far past the state competition.

“No one is ever satisfied, even when they accomplish their goals. When one goal is achieved, a new one is set,” Martinez said about where the winners will go from here. “The goal is to keep getting better with some of the same wrestlers and new ones taking over for seniors who graduate.”

The team aspect of wrestling also has a great impact on individuals.

“(My favorite part of the season has been) hanging out with my friends and coaches,” Rodriquez said. “They’re a great bunch of guys.”

The state competition took place in Prescott. Wrestlers competed in their individual weight classes.

Second place went to Walton and Rodriquez, Tucker took third, Cartagena walked away with fourth, Tursini took fifth and Farina and Butler both came home with sixth place.

“It feels good,” Walton said. “It’s been a long time coming. I know I deserve it because I worked really hard.”

The team has perseverance and has a desire to keep pushing and win.

“We may not be the biggest or strongest, but we never quit and that’s when we win,” Tursini said. Preparation and dedication describe the attitudes of the wrestlers and their hard work.

“We do our due diligence to make sure we know who our toughest competition is,” Martinez said. “But it is really about making sure that they are prepared to take advantage of any opportunity they can.”

Martinez views the overall season as a success for Corona’s varsity wrestling team.

“Finishing sixth is an accomplishment to be proud of,” Martinez said. “I’m even more proud that we could place seven of the nine wrestlers we took to state. Their effort, their belief in themselves, and the way they represented Corona del Sol makes me proud of them as wrestlers, and as fine young men. I view this season to be a tremendous success when we reflect on the championships we won at the Southwest Showdown, Moon Valley and Division 1, Section 2 tournament.”

Baseball is ready to start off strong. The team is young with only five seniors, and the coaches rely on them for leadership both on and off the field. Assistant coach George Sanchez said that it is a very talented group. He also believes that this year’s team will have better ethics than last year’s team.

“Last years team lacked cohesion,” Sanchez said. “It was a group of individuals who never bought into the coaching philosophies that we try to instill. We strive not only to improve baseball skills but also to lead by example and make our players better people. We feel that this group is much better in that aspect. We are excited every day to go to practice this year. We are really enjoying this group of kids.”

Sanchez believes if the team can be selfless and play well together, then they will make it far in the state tournament.

On the neighboring field, softball also has high expectations. Varsity coach Jeep Ray has confidence that junior McKenna Isenbergh, and seniors Nicole Schwalbe, Abby Spiel, Nicole Giannonatti, Lani Redmond and Paige Vallejos will carry the team this year.

“This year’s team will be healthier, better conditioned and better players than last year’s team,” Ray said.

The biggest competition for softball this year will be Red Mountain, Perry and Basha.

Both girls and boys tennis is starting up and has a promising future ahead of them.

“We’re expecting a lot from this season,” senior boys tennis player Alex Lawson said. “We have a couple of seniors who are really looking to make this a great year. Even though we lost a few key players last year, our guys have been working hard to make up for that and I think we’re going to have a great regular season record.”

Lawson expects that a great season record will give the team the top seed going into the state tournament.

Girls tennis is also ready to get their season going.

“This season I think will be really good,” sophomore girls tennis player Sarah Rutkowski said. “Our coach has steeped up our expectations so I think we will have a really good season.”

Rutkowski expects that Desert Vista will be their biggest rival.

The track and field team is ready to start its season and head coach Tim Kelly couldn’t agree more.

“We expect to win with class,” Kelly said. “We expect athletes to become better people and athletes for the upcoming season.”

Kelly believes various individuals on his team are ready to take their skills to the next level. As opposed to last year’s track season, this year’s team will be more experienced and there will be changes in the lineup at the varsity level.

Finally, boys volleyball has equally high predictions for a successful season.

The team’s biggest competitors will be Gilbert and Highland with seniors Jake Nuneviller, Charlie Hualde, Alex Davis and Scott Burdick leading the Aztecs.

“This should be a very strong season for our team,” varsity coach Brynne Evans said. “We are going to be a senior-heavy team.  We only graduated two seniors last year, so we have many returning players. This year, the seniors are very strong leaders and will be very focused on finishing at the top.”

All the spring sports teams are ready to play and, more importantly, to win. With all of the positive energy surrounding the season by coaches and players, it’s expected to be an exciting spring for Corona.

The starters came into the game with high-energy and their games faces on. Starters remained the same they have all season: sophomore Casey Benson, junior Brian Siefker, and seniors Calaen Robinson, Avery Moss and Andrus Peat. Robinson signed with Arizona State earlier in the academic year, competing on the same court tonight that he will in the fall as a Sun Devil.

Moss successfully retrieved the jump ball and Corona scored the first basket of the game: a 3-pointer by Benson. Moss got the rebound on Brophy’s side, scores two, giving the Aztecs a 5-0 lead within the first minute of the game.

Moss grabbed virtually every rebound from the Broncos. Within the first half of the game junior Braden Tennyson, senior Elijah Hempstead and freshman Cassius Peat came off the bench. The score was 34-25 Corona at the half.

The first play afer halftime, Robinson brought up the ball, dribbling around his back and making the layup, putting the score at 36-25. With only two minutes left in the third quarter and a few turnovers by the Aztecs, Corona held a 9-point lead. Andrus Peat‘s layup put Corona up by 11, followed by another successful layup by Robinson. Only 18 points overall were scored in the third quarter, putting the score at 44-33 Aztecs.

Corona came into the fourth quarter with high intensity, securing the score at 50 to 38 halfway through. Senior Jessie McCain came off the bench for a few minutes of play, before being replaced by Cassius Peat when the game became an 11-point match.

The team fouls were even at eight, Aztecs leading 56-42. Brophy came back with two successful shots, making it a 9-point game. The Broncos took a timeout, leaving them with only one more in the 2:55 more minutes of play.  Benson took his time with the ball trying to run out the clock, was then fouled, successfully making both shots, putting the score at 61-47.  The Broncos were quick on their feet offensively, trying to get points on the board. After almost constant fouls on the Aztecs, the Broncos switch out four of their five players on the court.

With one-and-half minutes left in the fourth quarter, Hempstead comes in for Andrus Peat. Junior Adam Gleave and senior Matthew Lemke come off the bench, and seniors Austin Millyard and Tyler Bolton shortly after. The score was 67-49 with less than a minute left and the Corona student section began to wave their hands in their blackout attire chanting “Nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey, good-bye.”

Junior Alex Van Ryswyk came off the bench and was immediately fouled, making both free throws. The Aztecs won 69-54.

Corona will play Desert Vista, seeded No. 5, at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. The theme is a yellow-out.

“They play hard but we got the best of them,” sophomore Russ Davis said.

The varsity boys basketball team have had a excellent season and looking forward to the playoffs. They have the number 1 seed in their sights, with a win Friday against McClintock.

The girls basketball teams on the other hand haven’t done so well, all the teams got beat by Dobson, and varsity and freshmen lost to Marcos.

The girls team will not be making the playoffs but they finished the season strong winning against McClintock.

“ The game is all about having fun, its not all about winning or losing,” sophomore Vicky Sanford said.

“We played a good game and we worked hard for that win,” sophomore Hannah Rowe said.

The team, however did not make the playoffs but ended their seasons 7 – 5 (varsity) and 7 – 5 (Jv).

With boys varsity basketball they had Mountain Pointe come to their house and beat the Pride soundly, 71 – 64.

“ I like playing against Mountain Pointe, it’s always fun playing them,” senior Calaen Robinson said.

The team has two more games and will soon be in the playoffs, hoping to make the nationally ranked season end well (ranked first at Arizona,34^th in the nation)going 20 – 1 and still having three more games left.

“It’s great, but I want that ring man,” Robinson said.

Concussions are provoking headaches and dizziness and causing long-term health risks and in rare cases, death, for young athletes throughout the country. Students are starting young, competing at a high level and not taking nearly enough recovery time to properly heal from injuries. TIME Magazine reports that from 2005 to 2008, 41 percent of athletes who suffered concussions in 100 high schools across the country returned to play too soon, disregarding guidelines set out by the American Academy of Neurology.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines a concussion on it’s website as “type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.”

At Corona, Certified Athletic Trainer Scott Mason, partnered with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, AXON sports and the AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) to put programs and tests in place, creating an efficient system for athletes to perform at optimal level by taking proper recovery time and being aware of the risk and symptoms prior to a concussion on the field or court.

One of the first steps taken has been done so by the AIA. The educational course, entitled Brainbook, was developed in coordination with the B.R.A.I.N.S Clinic of the Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. It is now mandated by the AIA Executive Board to educate student athletes about concussions, and students must present proof of completing the program and passing the test at the end before they are even allowed to try-out for a sport.

Javier Cardenas, a neurologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital and director of the B.R.A.I.N.S. program, explains why creating a program like this was so important and how it was developed.

“The education that’s available currently through the CDC for the coaches is great education. It’s also available for the parents. But there is nothing directed at the athletes. What the states require is you handing a piece of paper to your parent and saying ‘you acknowledge you know the danger of concussion’ and then you sign off and you’re done. As a student, that’s not education,” Cardenas said. “About a year and a half ago, the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the Arizona Cardinals came to my institution because I run a program called B.R.A.I.N.S. They said, ‘Will you go educate all the schools about concussions? We’ll buy you a van and you can go throughout the state.’ But that wasn’t very practical.”

Instead, Cardenas worked with Arizona State University to create the online class that has come to be known as Brainbook.

“It’s interactive, it has a Facebook-like interface, even though there is no social networking, it’s multi-media, we included professional physicians and role models from the Arizona Cardinals and from the (Phoenix) Mercury. And lastly, there are some athlete peers talking about concussions,” he said.

Since the start of the program in August, 80,000 tests have been completed. Cardenas is recognizing great success and receiving positive feed back, as middle schools are beginning to use the tool for health education. Cardenas also says that they are trying to take the program nationally, tailoring it for each area.

“We are seeing a shift, and the intent of Brainbook is to create a culture shift, so that people are not afraid to report, that they are looking out for themselves and their peers, and they take the correct measures to sit out so they don’t suffer the injury or a second injury,” Cardenas said. “I link it to dehydration. When I was a high school athlete, if you ran off the field to get water, you were a sissy. You didn’t need it. But you know, people died. But that culture has shifted in the sports world. So that’s what I hope will happen.”

After team players have completed the Brainbook program, they are recommended to take the baseline concussion test at school, administered by Mason. Having a certified athletic trainer on-site is crucial to assist injured athletes, though TIME reports that only 42 percent of high schools in America have certified athletic trainers, like Mason. The baseline test is not mandatory, but proves to be off to a successful start, with about 300-400 tests conducted thus far on campus. The test has been mostly given to contact sports although it is the ultimate goal for all athletes to be tested.

The test is simple, and can provide excellent information in the event of an injury.

“We are looking at the scores of this baseline data, when an injury does occur, and then we’re comparing both to see the significance of the injury, to see if they have returned to where they were before the concussion,” Mason said.

For junior varsity OL/DL Aaron Simons, the baseline test helped him get back on the field. Having taken it prior to his massive collision in practice, the test was available for him to retake making sure that his transition off the bench would be a safe one.

“I was told that I got absolutely mollywhopped by this kid Josh Riedel,” Simons said. “I got hit in the head and l don’t remember much of it until about halfway to the hospital when my mom was like ‘You all right bud?’ and I was like ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Then she told me I got a concussion.”

Although suffering from brutal dizziness and headaches, Simons pleaded to be allowed back on the field, and bitterly understood why he wasn’t allowed to suit up again until he was fully recovered.

“That was a big discussion my mom and the doctors had, that I want to get back on the field as fast as possible. The doctors wanted a whole week of symptoms being gone from my body. They were gone in about a week, so I sat out two weeks,” Simons said. “I love the sport, I like playing, and it was a big game, it was DV, so I wanted to play. It’s a violent sport, it’s going to happen where people get hit, but don’t hit with your head. That’s a rule.”

Corona insists a safe return to his or her respective sport is the school’s primary goal, so as not to add to the whopping 16 percent of athletes nationally who suffered concussions and returned to the field the same day, as reported by TIME.

Many have noticed the NFL changing up the technology of their helmets to better support the head and protect the brain. Turns out the pros aren’t the only one’s suiting up a little safer.

Every year, Corona’s football program adds about 20 to 30 Schutt DNA helmets, one of the most advanced helmets on the market right now within the school’s price range. Since obtaining new coach Tom Joseph, Corona has also invested in helmets that are custom fit to the player, doing away with the “one size fits all” type protection.

“Helmets are good for 10 years and we have them tested each year by Sunvalco to make sure there are no cracks or defects,” football coach Tim Kelly said.

Girls soccer is also taking steps to reduce risk in the high-speed contact sport.

Head girls soccer coach Matt Smith said, “My wife has suffered over 25 concussions so its kind of a personal vendetta for me,” explaining why taking these precautions mean a lot to him, while protecting the long-term health of this players.

“We have purchased FULL90 headgear for each of our girls and require them to wear them for all training and games, both on the varsity and JV levels,” Smith said. “There are lots of people who argue about the effectiveness of the headgear, but we have seen less than two concussions per season over the last two years in the program, which is about 40 athletes each year.”

The steps Corona is taking to reduce concussion and brain injury risk is proving its effectiveness on campus with every practice and game, as athletes are performing at a safer level than ever before.

“It’s better to miss one game than the whole season,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states on their website.

Simons concludes with the idea the athletes need to be patient in a difficult, sometimes long-term process of recovery.

“I was angry (I couldn’t play), but I understood why,” Simons said. “You don’t mess around when stuff comes to your brain.”