Cross-Training Is Old Hat for Chaminade Star

Bo Jackson might be the best two-sport specialist, but Amy Cook of Chaminade High in West Hills does him one better. She stars in three sports in the same season.

Since September, Cook has started as a midfielder for the Conejo Valley Sidewalkers, a soccer club for girls 18 and under, and has played on the Chaminade girls’ tennis team, which has already clinched the Mission League title. She plays on the Eagles’ No. 1 doubles team, which has lost once all season. Cook has gained the most attention, however, as the kicker on the Eagles’ football team.

Girls in high school football are no longer rare in the Southland. Last year, Rachel Gagliano was a kicker for Van Nuys Monroe, and this season, Cook is joined by kicker Alisa Hanchett of Santa Fe. Even in the coaching ranks, females are making their presence felt. Cara Prentiss is serving as defensive coordinator at Twin Pines High in Banning.

Playing three sports in one season, Cook, an 18-year old senior, has had to do some juggling.

“It’s tough playing all of these sports,” the 5-foot-7, 120-pound Cook said. “You want to do good in all three, but it’s frustrating when you can’t spend enough time practicing to get better.”

A common weekly schedule for Cook includes football practice on Monday and Wednesday; a tennis match followed by night soccer practice on Tuesday and Thursday; a football game on Friday and soccer games on Saturday and Sunday.

With a soccer background, Cook began playing football two years ago, after transferring from Agoura High. She said she was just “goofing off” during the summer before her sophomore year when she decided to go out for the junior varsity football team.

“That first year wasn’t that great because no one really knew me,” said Cook, who scored 26 points during her sophomore football season. “I also played volleyball, so I split time between the two sports.”

Cook’s first adjustment in her football career was putting on the uniform.

“It was embarrassing,” she said. “It was so different kicking with a whole bunch of stuff on.”

Mononucleosis caused her to miss her junior season in football, but Cook has come back to be a bright spot for Chaminade, which is 1-5-1 this season. After converting five of six extra-point kicks, she is within six points of tying the state scoring record for girls, 11.

“She is a pretty extraordinary young lady,” Chaminade football Coach Rich Lawson said. “She has been real solid for us and is one of only a few good points for the team all year.”

Cook, who has yet to try a field goal, said that her football teammates have made her better this season. It is their support that helped her overcome an early season thigh injury and drooping spirits caused by a missed potential game-winning extra point attempt in the team’s season-opening tie against Konawaena in Hawaii.

“The guys have really supported me in every way,” Cook said. “I was accepted a lot better this year because everyone knows me now.”

Said Lawson: “She has the personality to handle all the joking from the players and coaches. We’ve all accepted her and the players look out for her. She is kind of like having your sister playing with you, but she can hold her own.”

Even though she hasn’t heard from many colleges, Cook hopes to continue in tennis and soccer after high school.

And before she gives up her football career, Cook would like to score a touchdown. Chaminade has a play designed for her to do so.

“They have a fake where I run out for a pass,” Cook said. “But I don’t think that we’ll ever run it.”

Heated words were exchanged after Santa Ana Mater Dei’s 3-0 victory over Los Angeles Loyola at Santa Ana Stadium last Thursday.

In the middle of the confrontation was running back Derek Sparks, who caused an uproar in the Angelus League last month when he transferred from Montclair Prep in Van Nuys to Mater Dei. Reportedly, Sparks, who gained 54 yards in 22 carries against the Cubs, was turned down twice for admission at Loyola before enrolling at Mater Dei.

Also involved was Loyola Coach Steve Grady, who said Friday: “We went farther than we should (have). The frustration wasn’t from losing. We were responding to the taunting of Sparks and his uncle.”

While the teams shook hands after the game, Sparks and his uncle, Eric Sparks, did a victory dance in front of Grady, who shouted: “What school are you going to be at next week? We’ll send some blockers down so you can gain some yards next time.”

Grady also shouted at several Mater Dei officials, including Bob Ickes, baseball coach; Father John Weling, president; Lyle Porter, principal, and Pat Murphy, assistant principal.

Said Grady: “You’ve lost your school. That’s what comes from putting athletics first. He (pointing at Sparks) owns your school.”

Said Murphy Monday: “The whole incident is very unfortunate as far as high school athletics is concerned. A rivalry should end with one winning team and one losing team walking away with its pride intact. But that didn’t happen, and we are all very sad about it.

“We’re dealing with (Sparks’ conduct) in house. We’ll meet (today) and make a final decision then.”

Prep Notes

The Los Angeles Washington girls’ basketball team will be the first City team to participate in the Christ the King tournament in New York City, Dec. 27-30. The tournament is one of the country’s most prestigious for girls.

Times staff writer Chris Foster contributed to this story.

TIMES’ TOP TEAMS

Southern Section

No. School, League / Division: Record 1. Fontana, Citrus Belt / Div. I: 7-0-0 2. El Toro, South Coast / Div. II: 7-0-0 3. Bishop Amat, Angelus / Div. I: 6-1-0 4. Eisenhower, Citrus Belt / Div. I: 7-0-0 5. Paramount, San Gab. Valley / Div. II: 7-0-0 6. Capistrano Valley, So. Coast / Div. II: 6-1-0 7. Westlake, Marmonte / Div. II: 7-0-0 8. Canyon Springs, Ivy / Div. IV: 7-0-0 9. Loyola, Angelus / Div. I: 6-1-0 10. CC Canyon, Golden / Div. I: 6-1-0 11. Tustin, Sea View / Div. VI: 7-0-0 12. Hawthorne, Bay / Div. III: 6-1-0 13. Edison, Sunset / Div. I: 6-1-0 14. Esperanza, Empire / Div. III: 7-0-0 15. Serra, Camino Real / Div. VII: 5-0-0

City

No. School, League / Division: Record 1. Dorsey, Pacific / 4-A: 6-0-0 2. Carson, Pacific / 4-A: 5-1-0 3. Granada Hills, West Valley / 4-A: 5-1-0 4. Banning, Pacific / 4-A: 3-3-0 5. Wilson, Northeastern / 3-A: 6-0-0 6. Garfield, Eastern / 3-A: 5-0-0 7. Fairfax, Metro / 4-A: 5-0-0 8. Locke, Central / 3-A: 5-1-0 9. Sylmar, Valley East / 3-A: 5-0-0 10. El Camino Real, West Valley / 4-A: 4-1-0