A Christmas Poll of Hollister Sports Favorites
AMANDA BOYD (SAN BENITO CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK STAR):
What do you want most for Christmas?: “Some new Ugg boots. I want tall ones! Black … yeah, black ones.”
What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten?: “Probably the quilt my best friend (Courtney) made me. It’s homemade, with ‘Baler colors. It’s super cute!”
Where did you do your Christmas shopping?: “Of course Macy’s. You can find everything there. My favorite store is Abercrombie and Fitch. Oooh, and MAC makeup. It’s cheap makeup, but it’s good! They have really good gift deals all the time.”
What’s the most unusual thing you do for Christmas?: “My whole family goes up to my aunt’s house in Morgan Hill. We have a big softball game. It’s really competitive. We keep the same teams every year and we see who has the most titles. We play a whole seven innings, timeouts and everything.”
Any New Year’s resolutions yet?: “I don’t know. To try to get along with my parents. Be a little bit better about that.”
TOD THATCHER (SAN BENITO ATHLETIC DIRECTOR):
What do you want most for Christmas?: “It’s nice to be off work and relaxed. I already have the best gift in the world–a newborn (Ava). I’m holding her right now. I’ve been blessed.”
Where did you do your Christmas shopping?: “We were over at the Capitola Mall yesterday–the Limited Too for the girls and the toy store for the boys. We were hittin’ ’em all.”
What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten?: “I was pretty fortunate. My parents gave me a brand new bike when I was six or seven. I was fired up. I was a little boy getting his first big-boy bike. It was pretty neat.”
Any New Year’s resolutions yet?: “(Laughs) Like everyone else–get back in shape. Spend a little more time working out. To get healthier–I definitely need that.”
VINNIE SARDAM (SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PLAYER):
What do you want most for Christmas?: “I’d have to say a snug top for my truck. I like to snowboard and that way everything wouldn’t be flying around. It would be nice and look good, too.”
Where did you do your Christmas shopping?: “Going online’s easy. Everything’s there. You don’t have to wait in line. I’m not one for waiting in line with all those people.”
What are your hopes for 2006?: “Probably to get a faster ’40’ speed. I hope I can find somewhere to play football in college. That’d be nice.”
KELSEY JEFFRIES (HOLLISTER BOXER):
What do you want most for Christmas?: “I want to prepare myself for more training. I wish for rest. With the world title coming up in Cancun, I want this belt for Christmas. I want to be in the right frame of mind, to be mentally and physically ready. And world peace, of course.”
What’s your favorite part of the Christmas season?: “I like the lights, the pretty lights. People get more involved. They help others, help kids. Christmas draws people together, touches their heart. It gets people more in the loving spirit.”
What’s the most unusual thing you do for Christmas:? “Running. Getting up in the morning and going for a long run is pretty odd, don’t you think? Thanksgiving, too.”
Any New Year’s resolutions?: “I want a busy year. I have a few big-money fights scheduled and I hope they pan out.”
KYLE SHARP (FORMER SAN BENITO BASKETBALL STAR/CURRENT MONTANA GRIZZLY):
What’s your favorite part of the Christmas season?: “I’d have to say the food. My mom’s ham! It’s almost Thanksgiving-like food.”
What do you want most for Christmas?: “One of those new iPods. A video iPod. That way I can hang out on trips and watch my iPod all day.”
Any New Year’s resolutions yet?: “To cut back on the sweets. They kind of hurt me sometimes.”
ROSE VANDENBERG (FORMER SAN BENITO SOCCER STAR/CURRENT UCLA BRUIN):
What do you want most for Christmas?: “That’s a hard one. I’m just really enjoying being home with my family, my boyfriend and my friends. But … a new car (laughs). My car’s barely running.”
What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten?: “Probably a new bike or something to play with outdoors. Or an oversize Barbie car, the one you drive around in.”
Any New Year’s resolutions?: “Not yet. I’ve probably got to think about that. For me it’s probably sports-related–a goal for next year.”
What are your hopes for 2006?: “If I can wish for anything? I’d wish for playing time. The chance to make a big impact.”
KARSON KLAUER (SAN BENITO FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL PLAYER):
What’s your favorite part of the Christmas season?: “Just being with family. It’s good to see people you haven’t seen for a couple of months.”
What do you want most for Christmas?: “I’d probably say an iPod. I know I’m not getting one, but that’s what I want the most. I’m probably getting some cleats for baseball.”
What gift did you most enjoy over the years?: “Jeez. Probably a bat when I was six or seven.”
Any New Year’s resolutions yet?: “I haven’t thought about it. (Long pause) I’ve got nothing right now.”
