From the end of the bench

Local Lifeguards Light up the Beach

By: Bobby Puppione

80 lifeguards from seven different lifeguard regions gathered on Pleasanton's Shadow Cliffs Regional Lake top compete in 13 different events in the Lifeguard Games. The East Bay Regional Park District team competed against other teams from places such as Sonoma County and the Redwood Coast.

In the most exciting event of the day, the team of Kris Kubasta, Stan Stadelman, Justin Simmons, and Dan Harcos of the East Bay Parks teams won in a competitive battle in the 4-man relay. The race, where you run back in forth and pass a baton, is a grueling and tough battle because you have to run in the hot sand. The East Bay team came into the race as the number one seed, destined to bring home glory in the most prestigious event of the day. Kubasta started off the race strong in the lead ahead of the others. When it came time for the second pass, Kubasta and Stadelman dropped the baton and cost their team precious seconds.

On another exchange in the race, the East Bay team lost a few more seconds, threatened to lose their coveted relay crown. Then, as Justin Simmons received the baton, the East Bay team received new hope. He not only caught up to the first place team, he surpassed them and placed his team into the driver's seat. And then anchor, Dan Harcos, had no problem finishing up the race for the East Bay Regional Parks team, giving them a new event record and a first place crown in the event.

Another bright spot on the day for the East Bay Parks team was Lucia Schmit. Schmit finished the 400-meter "surf swim" ahead of the pack to take home the win in the tiring race. Danielle Giles also placed well on the day, taking home third place in the "rescue race" event.

Although these guys are unable to go to Australia or Hawaii to compete in the best Lifeguard games, they sure know how to play hard and fight for the pride of their Lifeguard team.

For more on the event, visit www.sfgate.com.

From the end of the bench is a weekly column featuring  a star athlete in the East Bay.  Bobby Puppione is a  sports  writer for the Castro Valley Forum and EastBaySports.com.  You can contact him at pup@soccer.com or at bamapup@expn.com.