Esperanza Fans Are True to Their School

The new year is here. Time to let the readers have their due.

We now present Letters We Love To Hate (And Love To Get):

Dear Barbie,

This is the second year in a row that I find myself compelled to write to you. Your article in Wednesday’s editions (“Mater Dei Has Too Much Going For It Not To Be On Top,” Nov. 6) has left me wondering why you think that $$money$$ makes a good football team? I mean, look at USC for crying out loud. I am sure you realized when you wrote that article that you were comparing a private school (Mater Dei) whose parents pay thousands in tuition to public schools (like Esperanza and Valencia) who coincidentally happen to border each other in slightly dumpy-to-nice North Orange County neighborhoods.

Actually, I don’t think Esperanza really wants to be No. 1, so if you took it away, it probably wouldn’t bother them. I mean, look at the coach’s picture and tell me if he looks like a No. 1 coach. But gee whiz, your colleagues voted for them anyway. Yes, imagine that, they really voted for two North Orange County teams even though they don’t come from the “rich” area or spend very much for advertising in “The Times.”

But mainly it is your approach in this article . . . that has left me wondering when you are going to come out of the ivory tower and see the real world.

Sincerely,

Jerry Beitel

Yorba Linda

Dear Jerry:

I’m happy you acted on your compulsion to write. But what does USC have to do with anything? And that “tower” in which you say I refuse to come out of? It’s not ivory--it’s “Santa Fe Beige.” What are you trying to do, get me in trouble with my homeowner’s association? Thanks for writing.

I’m sitting here reading Wednesday’s Nov. 6 article “Mater Dei Has Too Much Going For It Not To Be On Top,” and I am appalled. You have to have some kind of nerve to be saying that Mater Dei should be No. 1 in the county. You were probably there lobbying for Mission Viejo to be No. 1 at the end of last year when Esperanza was 14-0.

Let me tell you something else, lady. All I ever hear from your paper is how lucky Esperanza is or how they barely squeaked out a win or when they do lose how they got romped on. If Esperanza loses, there will be a front-page article demoting them to No. 9 and The Times saying how they told everyone that Mater Dei truly is the best.

Michael J. Aed

Anaheim

Dear Mr. Aed:

Did you or Mr. Beitel catch that Mater Dei-Eisenhower game? You know, the one where Mater Dei blew past the nation’s No. 1 - ranked team? The one that came just 24 hours before mighty Esperanza was pushed around by little Los Alamitos?

Let me tell you something else, mister. On this Mater Dei-is-No. 1-matter, I’m absolutely, positively not going to tell you I told you so. Why should I? Both you and I know I’m right.

I was disappointed in Barbie Ludovise’s article in the Sunday sports section titled “The Farther She Runs, the Dimmer Her Past.” (Sept. 22) Instead of a tribute to a wonderful family of athletes and their devotion to cross-country running, the article contained dirt on Mr. Garritson’s private life. I have run with Carrie Garritson, and have been coached by her father.

I found Mr. Garritson compassionate and supportive to all of the runners on the cross-country team, not just his kids. As to whether Carrie “will ever be the world-class runner she was brought up to be . . . or whether she will gradually fade from existence like other young runners who were driven too hard, too soon . . .” Carrie pushes herself. She strives to reach for the best in her. If running with her is any indication, she will be back, trying harder than ever before.

Sonya Lebsack, age 13

Fullerton

Gosh, Sonya, you sure write well for 13. Anyway, I have no doubt that Carrie “will be back, trying harder than ever.” She doesn’t seem to have much of a choice. Thanks for writing. And happy trails.

Open your eyes and wake up! (“Buenafe Takes the Heat and Stays on the Field,” Sept. 29) My family has been an “Argonaut” family for over 32 years as students, athletes, coaches and supporters of all programs. Where does a Rancho Alamitos transplant (Garden Grove Coach Jeff Buenafe) get off calling my father, a very loyal Argonaut student, coach and parent “disloyal and mistrustful?”

I seem to remember a time when Mr. Buenafe was at my house on more than one occasion asking my father for coaching advice, yes COACHING ADVICE. Mr. John Silva has forgotten more than this so-called coach will ever know. Please remember, Mr. Buenafe, that when you took over as head football coach not only was my father there to support you but my entire family.

Renee C. Silva

Class of 1988

Hey, Renee. Let me guess--Jeff Buenafe didn’t make your Christmas card list, did he? I’m sorry if you or your family took offense to Buenafe’s comments. Maybe he didn’t mean them. Better luck in ‘92!