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SPORTS
Mountain Views News Saturday June 9, 2012
ARCADIA’S SHINING STAR, ERICA WU
Bound to London for Summer Olympics By Joan Schmidt
In the City of Arcadia, a bright star shines. Her name is Erica Wu. She is fifteen years old and her proud parents are Johan Pao and Sheng
Cheng Wu. Erica is going to the summer Olympics, participating in table tennis.
Our story begins when Erica was seven years old and began to play table tennis for fun. Then when she reached nine, it became a more
serious activity. She has been practicing seven days a week, two hours each day- and that is only the table tennis aspect. She also does
physical training each day. Activities include running, jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups and weights. You certainly would need to build up
strength in your arms to endure the long grueling hours of practice.
I don’t believe the average person has any idea of the longevity of training and practice involved to become an Olympian. Several years
ago, I taught Jean Han and she went to the Junior Nationals in Ice-Skating. Not only did she practice skating every day, but there were also
gymnastics and even ballet! And Triple Olympian Medalist, El Monte’s own Kim Rhode spoke of her endless hours of practice!
Erica’s parents have supported her so much. They have spent tens of thousands of dollars on equipment, travel and summer training
camps in China and Taiwan. About $3000 a month goes to a coach and a live-in partner from China.
Erica has worked with one of her
Chinese partners at the Gao-Jun Tennis
Club in El Monte. It’s a refurbished
warehouse with fluorescent lights and
posters of Chinese table tennis taped to
the walls. Jay Yuan gives Erica tips of her
returns.
The Club that Erica practices at, is run
by Jun Gao. She’s a former Olympian,
who has represented both China and the
United States in the Olympics. What is
surprising is that Gao doesn’t feel that
homegrown American Olympians can
beat international players who have
been training in special school since
early childhood.
That kind of rationale doesn’t faze
Erica, her parents, trainers or any of her
many fans. Erica just wants to play.
“I shout. I smash balls and I have to
fight for every point, and so it’s really
nice to have that kind of a feeling of ‘ I’m trying to beat you, I know you’re trying to beat me,’ let’s see who wins,”
says Erica.
However, there is much more to Erica than table tennis. She excels in academics at Westridge School in
Pasadena. It is only fitting that Mayor Bob Harbicht of Arcadia presented Erica with a Special Certificate in
recognition being an Olympian. Way to go Erica! Arcadia and the entire San Gabriel Valley will be routing for
you. Above, Erica shows off her Resolution from the City of Arcadia. Left, Erica and her parents in Mexico
Mom- Johan Pao and Dad, Cheng Sheng Wu
SIERRA MADRE 2012 SUMMER ADULT CO-ED
SOFTBALL REGISTRATION
Grab your friends and neighbors and sign a team up for our 2012 Summer Adult Softball
League! Games will be played on Sunday from 2:00pm - 10:00pm and Wednesday evenings
from 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Don’t have a team? No worries! Sign yourself up as a free agent and
we’ll place you on a team. All players must be over 18 years of age to play.
The Sierra Madre Adult Co-ed Softball League is divided into an “A” league geared towards
the competitive participants, and a “B” league for recreational competition. The champions
of each league receive t-shirts! Due to the limited field space, registration is limited. Be sure
to sign up early and don’t miss out on the 2012 season! Please note that team sign-ups may
have a free agent added to the roster. For more information contact 626-355-5278.
Season: Late June through August
Cost: $320 per team or $32 per player
Registration: Must be done in person at the Community
Recreation Center, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Games Site: Heasley Field located at Sierra Vista Park
Deadline: Teams and players must register by Monday, June 4, 2012
SANTA ANITA PARK LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
FOR THE THE 2012 BREEDERS' CUP
This is your chance to be part of the action by welcoming thousands of guests
to Santa Anita Park for the world's greatest races! The Breeders' Cup takes place
November 2 and 3, 2012. Please contact Connie Russell to register or get more
information at 626-574-6664 or crussell@santaanita.com.
ARCADIA RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
DEPARTMENT SPORTS CAMP
Sports Camp is held at Dana Middle School and offers three weeks starting August 6 to
August 24. Weeks one and three are for youth entering grades 5-9 and week two is for youth
entering grades 1-4. This camp utilizes the Dana Gym and features a variety of fun sports
activities for youth including swimming, flag football, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball
and other fun group games. Each week there is an excursion and three swim days.
Sports camp is $110 per week. To register in person come by our office located at 375
Campus Drive. You can also go to the city’s website at ci.arcadia.ca.us to register.
For more questions, please contact the Recreation Department at 626.574.5113
Burger Shack Classic Car Show
The 1st Monthy Burger
Shack Classic Car Show
filled the parking lot of
Burger Shack Monrovia
with a lot of classic cars and
people. The Classic Car
show had everything that
would certainly be interesting
for the casual auto enthusiast
and enough historic
cars for the hardcore to
drool over. Special thanks
to everyone who brought
their cars and motorcycles,
and the great music provided
by the Rudy Benavidez
Band aka The Burger Shack
Band. Come join us on the
1st Saturday of each month
for great food, muisc, and
of course classic cars.
Do you have to many books at home? Wondering
what to do with them? Come to The Book Rack and
trade them in for a book you have not read.
We have 1000's used and New books for
your reading pleasure.
204 S. First AveArcadiawebsite: bookrackarcadia.comPhone 626-446-2525
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