More Than Mere Trophy Marks Firefighters’ Win

This city’s upstart soccer team took home the gold medal from the annual state Firefighters Summer Olympics Friday, but the most talked about trophy was one firefighter’s red, swollen bite mark.

The bite on the fireman’s left thigh, which he received during a soccer melee Thursday, underscored the fierce rivalries among the approximately 1,800 California firefighters who competed in events throughout Orange County this week.

Santa Ana soccer coach Bob Eggleston summed up the mood, which reached a fever pitch during Friday’s soccer game at Santa Ana’s Centennial Regional Park, when he said: “We’re enemies on the field, and we’re friends off the field.” Santa Ana beat Contra Costa, 1-0, to win the gold.

The games are meant to promote friendship among the state’s firefighters, and provide a showcase for the physical prowess normally reserved for dousing fires and saving lives. But the same drive that propels firefighters to face walls of flame is brought to the games, which have a reputation for their serious and competitive nature.

“The rivalry began 24 years ago, between Los Angeles County and San Francisco,” said Tom Stewart, a games organizer. “They played a challenge softball match each year for bragging rights. Then other fire departments joined in, and other events were added.”

The summer Olympics now boasts 25 events and draws an average of 2,000 participants. A winter Olympics, held in Mammoth, includes skiing events and draws a more modest average of 400 participants, Stewart said.

This year’s summer games, which began Monday, included surfing, baseball, triathlon and volleyball competitions. Events were held at various locations: surfing in Huntington Beach, mountain biking in San Dimas and power lifting at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

The Santa Ana Firemen’s Benevolent Assn., the local firefighters labor organization, sponsored the games. Base command, where many of the firefighters stayed, was at the Hyatt Regency.

The two oldest participants, Jason Kukenge and Albert Lambrechts, both 74, competed in the old-timers softball division. The two youngest, Andrew Cleveland and Tim Lauder, are both 20.

There were nine women entered in this year’s games, competing in events such as bench press, roller-hockey and mountain biking.

Stewart said there are not enough women to begin a separate Olympics, but if enough enter one sport they may form their own division. Many, however, enjoy competing against men.

“Most of the gals that are out there competing are as tough as nails,” he said.

Santa Ana had not entered the soccer competition for at least eight years, so their first-year team took the tournament by surprise. Team captain Stephen Horner said the players practiced for as much as three hours a week every week for eight months.

“It was tedious practice and drills” that brought victory, said a jubilant Horner, who was doused with both sparkling apple cider and a fire hose. “We started with the basics, like passing.”

Most of those sitting under the hot sun on a soccer field Friday said the leg bite was probably the roughest incident of the tournament, but it did inspire a T-shirt worn by Santa Ana firefighters and family members Friday: “If you can’t beat ‘em, bite ‘em.”

Mic Bernal, coach of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said he might bite a guy’s leg too if, as he alleges, he was trapped between them in a vice-grip.

But when it’s over, no hard feelings, he said.

“We’re here to have fun,” Bernal said. “That’s what this is all about; and it still is.”