OCVarsity Voice: Sometimes the job is fun and great games

People always tell me that I’m lucky to have my job.

I get paid to watch sports. Aside from the occasional tight deadline, there isn’t anything I would trade this job for.

This beats having a 9 to 5. Sometimes it is a 10-to-10 or 12-to-12 day, but I still wouldn’t give it up.

Since I have been at The Register, I have had the privilege to cover just about any and every assignment, on the high school, college and professional level.

What makes covering high schools so special is the passion the athletes have for their sports. Here are three assignments that stand out above the others I have covered.

2007 CIF-SS Division I Boys Volleyball Finals (Esperanza vs. Mira Costa):The Aztecs held off the top-seeded Mustangs thanks to the defensive efforts of senior libero Tom Hastings. Hastings came up with two incredible digs to keep alive two rallies that eventually led a Brad Hemmerling kill to clinch the title.

The Aztec students realized what Hastings meant to the title and lifted him up and carried him around the Cerritos College gym.

2007 CIF-SS Southern Division final (Cypress vs. Pacifica): The Centurions looked lost and a step slow in the first half and trailed, 24-7, at halftime. I thought the game was over. The second half was unbelievable. Ryan Saumur had the game of his life and the best game I have ever seen in a high school football. He scored four touchdowns, including an 85-yard fumble return to give Cypress a 36-30 lead. Throw in the goal-line stand at the end of the game and you have an unreal night.

2007 CIF State Wrestling Championships (Jason Lara gets his revenge):Earlier in the season, Lara faced Nikko Triggas and lost to him at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Lara earned a second shot at Triggas in the finals on the raised platform in Bakersfield. Lara dominated Triggas to win, 11-5. Everything he had worked for had finally paid off and he had the title and the tears of joy to show for it.

That’s my top three assignments in my five years here.

I didn’t know these events would end like this, but I’m glad they did.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com