Archive: All OCVarsity Voice columns

May 31: Dude, don't waste your summer at the beach
It's a great time for athletic growth, says Jason Eichelberger, but it takes a good plan.

May 30: Finish-line fever causes some not-so-great flashbacks
Fryer moments and Fullerton parking lot make Damian Calhoun's end-of-year list.

May 29: Fast-forwarding to fall reveals some surprises
Barkley, Marinovich, Oprah all show up on Dan Albano's not-so-trusty crystal ball.

May 28: Experts gather to vote for athletes of the year
One choice should win in a landslide, but a tough debate is expected before the other is determined.

May 27: HS career over, Gerrit Cole's future still bright as ever
The Orange Lutheran pitcher was a sensation right up to the team's elimination by Norco.

May 23: When the heat was on, the CIF made a big mistake
The sweltering conditions at the CIF Divisionals were dangerous, Jason Eichelberger writes.

May 22: Daydreamin' about life in Lane 8, the stands and the dugout
Instead of covering games, Dan Albano would like a day to try on different roles.

May 21: Departing coaches taught lessons to players and more
Mater Dei and Santa Margarita lose class acts in soccer.

May 20: It's time to believe in 'anything can happen'
The upsets should give underdogs a lot of hope in these playoffs, Carlos Arias writes.

May 19: Don't save aces that might never be played
Baseball coaches should worry more about today than tomorrow.

May 16: They know what to say about O.C. track scene
Dave Hurlburt, Gary Brooks do more than just announce names of the winners, Jason Eichelberger writes.

May 15: Thanks for voting. Now, what were you thinking?
Damian Calhoun is bewildered by the voting patterns in our reader poll. 

May 14: CIF-SS opts for the right thing, not the 'rule thing'
It refuses to let three athletes be the victims of a misunderstanding, Jonathan Kay writes.

May 13: Good time to check in with Lombardi, Lincoln and Yogi
Some words of wisdom might be a help to those starting playoff runs, Carlos Arias writes.

May 12: Mother's impact made all the difference
One writer reveals how his mother's support set him up for success in sports and much more.

May 9: Parents' pressure not what athletes need
It's important to keep teens' pursuits in perspective.

May 8: This change could chair, er, cheer up coaches
Baseball playoffs need to adopt best-of-three format, writes Damian Calhoun.

May 7: Some golf lessons aren't for teenage phenoms
The game isn't as easy as some young stars make it look, Jonathan Kay writes.

May 6: Softball teams don't have to worry about 300-foot monsters
From 'Rocky' to 'Rudy' to 'Cloverfield,' Carlos Arias weaves his way to the postseason.

May 5: It's not all glitz, but it's not bad
Take an inside look at high school sportswriter Miguel Melendez's life.

May 2: They're his top 5, even if they run hot and cold
The best games of the year had special moments, and some rough weather, for Jason Eichelberger.

May 1: From Cole to poll, it's nothin' but good stuff
Damian Calhoun points out what's good, including his own analysis, in the county this week.

April 30: Survival tips for coaches entering new territory
End of association rule could lead to burnout victims, but some adjustments might help, writes Dan Albano.

April 29: The Ultimate Softball Fighting Championships are not a joke
OK, so maybe Carlos Arias is having a little bit of fun with his version of the playoffs.

April 28: Good time to ask, what's going on in the world
Seeing how fans reacted to a scary moment at a game was unsettling, writes Jonathan Kay.

April 25: A day in the life of a track and field reporter
The O.C. Championships were a physical and mental test on the track, but also in the press box, Jason Eichelberger writes.

April 24: Newcomer finds more (yelling) and less (spitting) at O.C. games
The sights and sounds have both entertained and surprised Jonathan Kay.

April 23: Controversy not the only thing happening
Damian Calhoun checks out some of the good things on the high school scene.

April 22: Hey, (fill in the blank) fans, the umpires hate your team
The conspiracy theories have driven Carlos Arias to write about the paranoia he encounters at games.

April 21: Sports shouldn't factor into school choices
  Parents should keep athletics in perspective when considering high schools, says Todd Harmonson.

April 18:  Athletes must learn how to handle losing
Showing sportsmanship in defeat reveals a lot about an athlete, says Jason Eichelberger.

April 17: Most indicators point North
Damian Calhoun gives key reasons why the South is likely to win the all-star football game.

April 16: O.C. swimming loses a good one with Coach Perry
Kevin Perry turned around Fullerton's F.A.S.T, and was a great man to boot, says Dan Albano.

April 15: OCVarsity Voice: Out-of-control softball season keeps crashing into poll
Trying to identify the top county teams grows frustrating with each day's batch of upsets, says Carlos Arias.

April 14: Easy to rediscover love at the local high school
Going to a game can be a reminder of how much there is to enjoy about sports and athletes, says Brian Patterson.

April 11: It doesn't get better than Babcock vs. Hasay in Arcadia Invitational
Jason Eichelberger expects another memorable meeting between the two distance stars Saturday.

April 10 - Is it Week Zero yet?
Damian Calhoun shares the names he's looking forward to seeing in the fall football season.

April 9 - Public vs. Private fight might lead to more time together
The CIF-SS might dump the association rule, which could ease tensions for a while, says Dan Abano.

April 8 - Softball czar demands a state tournament
It's time to settle the competition on the field, says Carlos Arias.

April 7 - Coach makes him cross The Line
Diamond Bar High swim team's coach inspires Brian Patterson with his good Luk stories.

April 4 - Want to be a journalist? Grab a pen and write this down
Those first steps into journalism are important and usually difficult to take, says Adam Maya.

April 3 - OCVarsity Voice: Sometimes the job is fun and great games.
Damian Calhoun recalls the best three games he's covered in the past five years.

April 2 - Psst! Don't rush into signing that letter
By being patient, athletes can avoid being stuck with a school after a coach suddenly departs, says Todd Harmonson.

April 1 - Find out what schools we really hate
Adam Maya reveals the real agenda of our reporters.

March 31 - Best high school sports series must survive
'Friday Night Lights' is an MVP in an age of role players on TV, says Todd Harmonson.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com