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SPORTS & FITNESS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 18, 2024

HUDDLE UP

With HARVEY HYDE


SIZZLING SUMMER VEGGIES

 As the weather warms, we look forward to 
backyard barbecues with delicious grilled foods. 
Although the thought may make you think of meat 
and fish, don’t overlook the vegetables. Grilled 
vegetables are particularly tasty. The roasting 
brings out their flavors and natural oils in a way 
that isn’t easily achieved by steaming, frying or 
baking.

 Grilling vegetables is also a great way to make 
sure you’re getting enough of them in your diet. 
It’s easy to cook more than you need and use them 
throughout the week. They enhance fresh dinner 
salads. Pasta dishes take on a new twist when a few 
roasted veggies are thrown in. You can even use 
them to make a quick pizza with some French bread 
and tomato sauce.

Here are some grilling tips:

 Choose vegetables that cook at the same rate if 
you’re going to make a veggie medley. Bell peppers, 
mushrooms, zucchini, onions and eggplant are 
great together especially when drizzled with a little 
olive oil and finely chopped garlic. Cook them on 
a large cookie sheet lined with foil for even cooking 
and quick clean up.

 For potatoes, its simple to cube or slice and top 
them with garlic powder. Wrap in a packet of foil and put to the side of the direct heat. Turn once, 
after about 15 minutes and within a half hour you’ll have some flavorful crispy potato chunks. You 
can also make simple smashed potatoes that are a great finger good. Just microwave small potatoes 
until tender and smash them flat with a plate. Transfer to a cooking sheet, turn over once browned 
and then top with your favorite plant based parmesan cheese. Grill until crisp.

 Even sweet potatoes come out great when placed on the grill before your other foods or 
given a few minutes in the microwave before grilling. Wrap in foil and leave them until a fork slides 
into them easily.

 Corn on the cob is easiest. Just throw it on the top rack of the grill with the husk on. Within 
15 minutes it will be tender and sweet. If you want to add seasonings, before cooking remove husks, 
rinse the cobs and then sprinkle with lemon pepper, chili or some other blend of herbs. Wrap in foil 
and toss on the top rack, turning a few times for even cooking.

If you haven’t tried a giant portobello mushroom burger yet, give it a shot. It’s meaty, low calorie 
and can be served up with all the same condiments that you typically use on a burger. No fat. No 
cholesterol.

 Maybe Brussel sprouts aren’t your favorite but give them a try this way. Pick the smallest 
ones to make sure they’re going to be tender. Medium sized ones can be cut in half. Toss with a 
little olive oil, your favorite seasonings and grill on a large cookie sheet, turning them often. 

 There’s also cauliflower. Create a cauliflower "steak" by slicing the cauliflower horizontally 
into thick slabs. Marinate the steaks in your favorite sauce or dressing for added flavor. Grill the 
cauliflower steaks over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or until tender and caramelized.

 Don’t forget the green onions. Just cut both ends off and soak in your favorite dressing or 
marinade. They’ll grill fast so place them on the grill last, when everything else is almost done, so 
they don’t end up overcooked and burnt.

 A key reminder when grilling any food is to minimize charring. Burning foods and eating 
the charred coating is dangerous because it produces harmful compounds such as HCAs, PAHs, 
and acrylamide. 

 The good news is that vegetables contain lower levels of proteins and fats, which are primarily 
responsible for producing these compounds. Additionally, cooking temperatures for grilling 
vegetables are lower than those needed for meats. Because there is no dripping of fat causing flames 
and flareups there isn’t any harmful smoke. Smoke and soot contain the carcinogenic compounds. 
Vegetables take less time to cook on the grill too so shorter cooking times minimizes the formation 
of harmful compounds. They are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which have been shown 
to help counteract the effects of harmful compounds. These compounds can help neutralize free 
radicals and reduce inflammation 
in the body, potentially mitigating 
the negative impact of charring. 
Cooking vegetables using a 
variety of methods as shown 
above (in foil, roasted on a sheet, 
lightly grilled, etc.) help prevent 
direct contact with the flames 
and reduce the risk of charring.

 All these wonderful 
vegetables add color and life to 
your picnic table. Incorporating a 
variety of them into your grilling 
menu can provide a range of 
nutrients and health benefits 
while adding delicious flavor to 
your meals.


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 

professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.com. 
Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness Visit 
her Facebook page at: michelesfitness.

UCLA SPRING SCOUTING SCRIMMAGE

It was a beautiful day in Pasadena, April 27, 2:00pm. The Spring 
scrimmage under new Head Coach DeShawn Foster for UCLA was 
underway. Led by a former outstanding running back for UCLA 
who probably bleeds Blue and Gold. After coaching running backs 
for Chip Kelly, he had just accepted a position with the Las Vegas 
Raiders, when he discovered that Chip was bailing. 

UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarman was on the spot to erase 
some of the shortcomings of Kelly in public relations and effort 
in recruiting. To hire someone who knew the tradition and Bruin 
spirit, who would commit to public appearances, and put big effort into recruiting. Winning was 
not at the level UCLA had achieved in the past, and alumni were looking for a change as well. There 
was a lot of interest in the job from many good coaches, but they were not Bruins at heart. He was 
looking for the Bruin /UCLA spirit.

It is thought that hiring DeShawn Foster brought back the energy and excitement of the name 
“Bruin.” It would bring back people (players, coaches ,students, alumni) and would return support 
to the program. Foster ticks all the boxes on paper. It is yet to be seen if wins and losses as they enter 
the BIG10 will prove this a great hire. 

On to the scrimmage --- In the Rose Bowl, watching warm-ups and drills on the best turf in 
America where so many dream of playing. A great traditional venue. Good or bad, will those Big 
TEN schools be fired up to play in UCLA’s stadium?. YES! I know I was as a player in high school, 
and as a coach at PCC. The place is special. 

On the scrimmage day, drills were organized, disciplined and players were dressed sharp, looking 
like a football team. Coaches were all dressed the same with the Head Coach differentiated in a 
different color hat. 

On Offense, I. was hoping it would be a full blown scrimmage or game with down and distance 
and game situations. It wasn't, it was another ‘thud” without field movements. I think it would have 
been beneficial for the new staff to have situational practice in Press Box, time usage, with Punt 
and PAT teams, kick-offs etc. You learn to play and coach by doing it! Getting it all together. This 
is learning time for coaches as well as players. New coach learning curve? 

Quarterbacks: Ethan Garbers, is not a super star, but they can win with him if they have great 
surrounding players, and he plays in a system that suits his skills. --run the football, play action 
pass. He’s not a running QB to fear, but plays hard. Did not show a lot of depth at QB, but the back 
up has some running ability.

Running backs: Hard to tell without full speed plays, but I am assuming they are above average, and 
that UCLA has recruited well. 

Tight End: did not utilize this except for motion? 

Offensive Line: This wasn’t really tested with different looks and stunts. They will be well coached, 
but need numbers and help. (especially in the BIG!0 where games are won in the trenches.) They 
lost two OL in the Portal on the last day of the Portal. That’s a numbers problem.

Defensive Line: They played hard but it was difficult to evaluate power and quickness. They need 
more size and depth. This is a young team. 

Linebackers: Again, same thing. They did not have to cover the entire field. They played hard, but 
I could not really evaluate skills in different situations – goal line, long yardage, short yardage, 
game-like situations. 

Secondary: I thought they did a good job! Not getting great pass rush, but covered pretty well. Got 
to fill some holes, but could be a strength of defense. 

In summary, sorry I can’t give you more on this report. It’s hard to evaluate this Spring “Game,” 
when it’s not really a game. I can’t agree with cancelling the last day of Spring Practice, I think they 
need as many snaps as they can get. Their opener is in Hawaii. Hope they don’t take it for granted. I 
had a tough time winning there at UNLV and I also coached at the University of Hawaii. They love 
their football. It’s not an easy place to play. Especially in the smaller stadium on campus. Easy to be 
fooled. Well, Fall practice and two-a -days are coming. There is time.

Follow me at @coachharveyhyde.. and my wwebsite harveyhyde.com 


ARCADIA HIGH BADMINTON PERFECT IN ROUTE TO THIRD 
CIF TITLE IN FOUR YEARS -Coach Stiles Goes Out on Top- 

 

ARCADIA – For the third time in four years, the Arcadia High School Badminton team has won a 
CIF Championship. The Apaches beat Walnut High School 12-9 in the Open Division (the highest 
competitive level) final to take home the coveted title and complete a historic undefeated season 
with a perfect 22-0 record.

High school badminton is uniquely the only high school sport that is truly coed, where boys and 
girls compete against each other in the “mixed doubles” pairings. Even more unique to the Arcadia 
High School team and its quick ascent to success, is the fact that the team was formed just nine 
years ago in 2016 thanks to head Coach Mike Stiles. 

“Our first public meeting to gauge interest in forming a badminton team took place on October 27, 
2015. It was standing room only. I texted Ryan Press (Athletic Director at the time) with a photo 
of the packed room and said something to the effect that “this is a train you won’t be able to stop.” 
We were approved by the District as a sport before December 1,” Stiles recalled. 

Coach Stiles will be going out on top of his game, as he is retiring at the end of this season. 

“I’m so appreciative of Coach Stiles and the opportunity he brought to so many of our student-
athletes,” Arcadia Unified Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall said. 

“The level of success is unreal, but the platform he provided for hundreds of students to showcase 
their incredible athletic ability is his well-earned legacy.” 

After its debut season, Arcadia High School joined the Almont League in 2017 where the Apaches 
won the league championship each year. Since the end of 2017, Arcadia High School has won a 
remarkable 116 straight regular season matches. In total, the Apaches' overall record over the past 
nine seasons is 144-16. Three of those 16 losses are when Arcadia lost in the CIF Open Division 
Championship match, meaning the Apaches have three runner-up finishes to go along with its 
three championships. 

Stiles knew the San Gabriel Valley was a hotbed for badminton, and he also knew a thing or two 
about the sport himself. He won a championship as a player at Palm Springs High School in 1985. 
He went on to place runner-up in the CIF Individual playoffs in boys doubles to conclude his 
high school career in 1987. He also attended Claremont McKenna where he competed in the 1989 
Collegiate Individual Championships. 

“As much as I would like to, I cannot take credit for our program’s success. Derrick Ng has been an 
indispensable part of the program from the beginning. James Wang joined the coaching staff in 
late 2017 and Leo Wong joined in late 2019. Their efforts have been instrumental in our success,” 
Stiles said. 

The CIF champs will now host the individual CIF championships in which several Apaches will 
be participating and hoping to take home additional accolades. 


While known as a very distinguished academic and visual and 
performing arts high school, Arcadia High School excels in 
athletics as well. All seven of its Spring sports, led by badminton, 
won at least a share of its league championship this year. 

The Stiles Family: Son Jackson (left), Mike (middle), Wife Vicky (right)

“I told the administration in 2016 that I would coach for three 
or four years to get the program established. I never could have 
imagined I’d be walking away nine years later with seven league 
titles and three CIF championships. The winning has been nice, 
but it’s not what I will miss the most. It’s the opportunity to impact the lives of our exceptional 
student-athletes that kept me going this long. That is undeniably what I will miss the most,” Stiles 
said.


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