Palisadian Oliver Chang Reels in Monster Marlin in Honokohau Bay

When 11-year-old Oliver Chang was asked what he did on his summer vacation the answer he gave to his sixth-grade class at Brentwood School was not just another fish story.

Already known around the Palisades as an ace angler, he shared that he had reeled in a 737.5-pound blue marlin in Honokohau Bay in Maui on August 15. It had taken three experienced deck hands to help him wrestle this once-in-a-lifetime catch onto the boat. Amazingly, the monster marlin was not even his first trophy catch.

Chang’s passion for fishing began following a health emergency. In January 2019, after having been  treated for Kawasaki Disease at Los Angeles Children’s hospital, his grandmother, author Paula Blackman, helped care for him and during his convalescence she read him books about fishing, they played fishing games and she promised to take him on a fishing charter after he recovered. Five months later, they boarded the New Del Mar fishing charter in Marina Del Rey. On a boat full of experienced fishermen, Chang caught the most fish and won the charter’s prize—a free fishing trip. On the subsequent complimentary trip he once again caught the prize-winning trophy, a rare trigger fish, which earned earned him yet another free charter. By this time, the boy was hooked.

Upon returning to school Chang described his “special moment.” Beneath a drawing of a fishing boat, he wrote: “My special moment was fishing. I was fishing with my grandma. We were on a boat in 2019. Fishing is a busy thing. I will always remember this day.”

The sport has since become an integral part of he and his family’s life as both Oliver and his younger brother Cade have become fishing celebrities in Blackman’s hometown of Bonita Springs, Florida, where photos of the boys and their catches adorn the walls of the local bait shop, Master Bait and Tackle.

This summer’s “special moment” was even memorable and it was not the size of the fish, the set of the hook or the three mighty men it took to haul the marlin onto the deck. No, the most memorable moment came afterwards when the boat had docked at the marina. The captain asked Oliver what he wanted to do with his catch. A deck hand suggested donating the fish to a local boy Oliver’s age who was being treated for brain cancer.

“Well, that’s a no brainer,” Oliver replied. “Let’s give the fish to the boy’s family.”

Following his own health scare, Oliver became a seeker of special moments and he already has another one planned. Next summer, when the Chang family returns to Hawaii, he is hoping the boy given the marlin will be recovered enough to join him on his annual Hawaiian fishing excursion.

    Two weekends ago Oliver and his family spent several days fishing on the New Del Mar in the marina to celebrate Cade’s birthday.    

    “Our boys are very into fishing,” mom LeAnne Thrasher-Chang said. “Wherever we go, they hope they can fish! From lakes, to Oceans, even golf course ponds, they ask if they can fish. Oliver discovered fishing at a young age from my mother and grandfather. I’d say around 4 or 5 years old. Cade was in diapers when he first held a pole. Our vacations typically revolve around whether the boys can fish or not. We try to fish in Los Angeles on the New Del Mar, we’ve fished off of the docks, the piers, in the ocean— you name it.”

    The boys’ favorite fishing spots are in Naples, Florida, where their mom’s family lives, and Kona on the big island of Hawaii, where their father Blair’s family lives. All of their school breaks have been spent in Hawaii and Florida visiting family and fishing.    

     “During COVID we spent over a month straight in Florida, living on the beach, where they fished so I still have dreams of scales covering my hands,” LeAnne joked. “The boys have tremendous enthusiasm and passion for it.”

   However, Oliver does not spend all of his free time on the water. He is also the star quarterback on the school football squad, plays for a travel baseball team, Top Level, and regularly attends  pitching, batting and golf lessons. He is at his best and happiest though, with rod in hand.

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The Palisades High girls and boys cross country teams were in fine form Sept. 28  at the Bellarmine/Sacred Heart Invitational in Griffith Park. The varsity girls won the Large Schools race with 52 points, six fewer than runner-up Sant Monica, and were led by sophomore Zoey Morris, who was third individually in 19:34.9 on the three-mile course. Coming in second in 19:22.6 was Granada Hills’ Samantha Pacheco, who ran second to Morris at last year’s City Championships. Dolphins junior Louisa Mammen was fifth in 19:40.6, sophomore Gabriella Gilyard was 10th in 20:47.9, freshman Eleanor Mammen was 15th in 21:07.3, sophomore Kendal Shaver was 19th in 21:20.5, junior Mar Henderson-Maclennan (21:34.6) was 24th and Palisades’ seventh runner was freshman Amelia Halpin (21:35.7).

In the boys’ varsity race, Zach Cohen was third in 15:56.1 and fellow junior Blake Sigworth was two spots behind in 16:04.6 as the Dolphins (66 points) placed second in the team standings behind Loyola (55). Senior Owen Lewicky (16:31.1) was 16th, junior Andrew Razo (16:40.6) was 19th, freshman Theo Mayeda (17:00.8) was 23rd, freshman Sebastian Funk (17:20.7) was 30th, and junior Jackson Taylor  (17:36.5) was 38th. Ridgecrest Burroughs senior Zion Ortiz was the individual winner  in 15:29.8.

Palisades’ JV girls won the Large Schools division with a score of 31, paced by freshman Lucy Amos (third overall in 22:35.3), sophomore Violet Cash (fifth in 23:11.0), freshman Hanna Sadzik (sixth in 23:11.4), freshman Ruba Gneid (eighth in 23:21.1) and junior Tallulah Younger (ninth in 23:21.9). The JV boys were sixth with 155 points and the frosh/soph boys won the Large Schools race with 37 points, as Mako Holt was first in 17:08.7, Ethan Funk came in second in 17:11.8 and Justin Funk was third in 17:15.5.   

In the Girls Varsity Small Schools division, Palisades resident Amelia Sarkisian won by almost five full seconds. The Brentwood School sophomore clocked 18:45.6                

When it comes to high school volleyball, one of the fiercest rivalries in California the last several years has been between Marymount and Mission League rival Sierra Canyon, two of the premiere programs in the state and perennial CIF champiosnhip contenders. The teams face off today at 5:30 in Chatsworth for the second of two league meetings and the Sailors are looking to avenge a five-set loss on their home court Sept. 24. Both teams are ranked in the top five in the CIF Southern Section.

Coached by Palisadian Cari Klein and paced by junior starting libero Declan Eastman (a Rice commit), Pepperdine-bound senior hitter Ryan Gilhooly, junior middle blocker Jordan Johnson and sophomore defensive specialist Karys Campos (all four girls play for Sunshine Volleyball Club), the Sailors have won 10 section crowns under Klein since 1998.

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Aware that the playoffs are fast approaching, the Palisades High girls tennis team prepared for that challenge by traveling to Newport Coast on Sept. 27 and 28 to participate in the annual Lightning Classic. Not only did the Dolphins take first place, they broke the tournament record for points, racking up a total of 236 in singles and doubles to beat host Sage Hill (183), Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas (146) and Redlands (128). In singles, freshman Emery June Martin went 3-0 but was unable to play in the final, settling for second place, while Ella Engel took third and fellow junior Anais Israels tied for fifth. Juniors Nicole Nguyen and Anne Kelly took first place in doubles.

    The Dolphins continue to roll through the Western League undefeated and last Friday they traveled east on Sunset Blvd. for an intersectional match against Brentwood and suffered their first loss since a 12-6 defeat at Mira Costa on Sept. 10.

     Engel, Israels, sophomore Maya Goldenson   and freshman Misha Heindel played singles while Kelly, fellow seniors Sashi Goncheva, Reese Trepanier and Dori Jamehdor, junior Alexandra Dahlberg, sophomore Penelope Michal and freshmen Charlie Roberts and Remy Trepanier all played doubles.

     Palisades wraps up the regular season with four league matches against Hamilton, University, Fairfax and Westchester before competing in the four-team City Open Division playoffs, which start Oct. 28. The Dolphins want to regain the title they lost last fall to Granada Hills.   

The 2024 Toyota GR Cup Championship came to an end last weekend with rounds 13 and 14 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Jaxon Bell finished 18th in the first race and third in the second race after qualifying eighth and sixth, respectively. The finale attracted the largest field in GR Cup history—a total of 35 cars.

“I’m very excited to have a strong finish at Indianapolis to cap off a successful year on the racetrack,” said Bell, a 2021 graduate of Palisades High and the oldest son of 10-time Indy 500 particpant Townsend Bell.  “I really enjoyed working with our amazing partners over the course of this season and I’m pleased to have delivered some solid results. I look forward to advancing my development and giving myself every opportunity to come back next season and win a championship.”

Jaxon placed fourth overall in the GR Cup standings with seven podium spots, including a win in Austin and a pole position in Virginia.

Pali High QB Throws for TD, Runs for Another in League Opener

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Despite having an extra week to prepare for last Friday night’s Western League opener at Fairfax, the Palisades High varsity football team was not as sharp as it hoped to be, but following a sluggish start the Dolphins took control with two touchdowns in the second quarter on the way to a 22-14 victory that was certainly decisive, but not dominant. Head coach Dylen Smith described the win as “ugly” and challenged his players to be consistent in practice.

“Be happy with the win, but not the score,’ Smith said. “If the goal is to just win league we’re in trouble.”

Facing a squad it beat by 23 points last season, Palisades was given an early wakeup call when the Lions picked up 38 yards on a pass play on their first play from scrimmage.

On the very next snap, though, Nico Townsley intercepted a pass near the sideline and returned it 10 yards to the Fairfax 44. The Dolphins drove to the Lions’ 10 but turned the ball over on downs. A punt fest ensued.   

Palisades began its fourth drive at its own 40 and needed two plays to reach the Lions’ 43 and set up the game’s first score, a 43-yard strike from quarterback Jack Thomas to receiver LeHenry Solomon, who caught the ball in stride in the end zone. Jack Malloy’s extra point kick made it 7-0 on the first play of the second quarter.      

After forcing a quick three-and-out, Palisades got the ball back at midfield and needed nine plays to double its lead. Tailback Harrison Carter took a hand-off and dragged three defenders across the goal line from four yards out. Malloy’s kick made it 14-0 at the 6:21 mark of the second quarter. Fairfax responded with its best possession of the half, converting two fourth downs while marching from its 20 to the Palisades 10. On third down, linebacker Jake Treibatch picked off a pass at the goal line and returned it 20 yards to fire up the Dolphins’ sideline and their fans. Palisades gained one first down before punting, then the Lions needed five plays to reach the Dolphins’ 30 before time ran out.

Palisades got the ball first after intermission however two penalties backed the Dolphins up and they were forced to punt. Fairfax drove to Palisades’ 18 before four straight incompletions turned the ball back over to the visitors. Thomas was unable to complete his next three throws and Malloy punted for the fifth time. Aided by a 32-yard gain on a fake punt, the Lions marched from their 38 to the Palisades 5 and from there tailback Isaac Andrews ran off tackle to get the home team on the scoreboard with 22 ticks left in the third quarter. The two-point try failed but the Dolphins’ lead had suddenly been trimmed to 14-6.

Thomas scooted 27 yards to pick up a crucial first down, then threw back-to-back passes to sure-handed tight end Augie Evans to give the Dolphins a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Thomas’ sneak  capped the 75-yard game-winning drive and when the point-after snap was mishandled, Malloy improvised and alertly tossed the ball high into the end zone, where Evans outmuscled two defenders for the jump ball to successfully complete the two-point play and put Palisades back up by two scores, 22-6, with 8:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.    

Fairfax went 80 yards in 14 plays and scored on quarterback Donovan Shirley’s one-yard sneak and subsequent two-point toss to Andrews with 1:28 left, but it was too little  too late as a pair of kneel downs by Thomas ran out the clock.

Palisades (5-1) hosts Westchester (6-0) at Stadium by the Sea on Friday (JV at 4, varsity at 7:30). The Comets blanked Uni 48-0 last week.

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Should the Palisades High girls volleyball team capture its 31st City championship this fall it will do so in part because of the wisdom and guidance of a player who helped the Dolphins win their last two section titles—four-year varsity lettermen Kaia Kanan—who is assisting head coach Carlos Gray as a proud alum  who wants to give something back to the program that enabled her to play at the Division I college level.

Gray is over the moon having her on the bench just as he was having her quarterback the offense as the starting setter for three seasons.

“It’s meant the world to me,” he said. “Kaia’s an incredible person, coach and player. She understands the system because she played in it and she’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached, hands down.”        

After leading the Dolphins to the  Open Division crown and earning City Player of the Year honors in 2020, Kanan spent two seasons at Cal State Northridge, appearing in     

15 matches as a freshman in 2022 and 19 matches as a sophomore last fall when she contributed 265 assists (4.08 per set), 17 aces and 61 digs for the Matadors in the highly competitive Big West Conference.

“I had an injury during the second month of the season last year and had trouble with my spine—three bulging discs. So I was going to the chiropractor and getting acupuncture just to keep me playing.”

Sure, she misses being in uniform, but she is a natural when it comes to coaching. She began coaching while playing club for Actyve (based in Santa Monica) and likes going back to her roots where she can put her 11 years of knowledge to good use while finishing up her degree.

Kanan commutes to CSUN from the Palisades (she lives with her parents Christine and James) and she also works as a greeter at Duke’s in Malibu where her older brother Kobe is a manager and bartender.

“My schedule’ s kind of hectic,” she admitted. “I have clases from 8 a.m. to 12:45, but coming here to Pali after is very rewarding for me. The hardest thing is having to sit and watch. When I was playing I had so much control. It’s so much more stressful now that I can’t be in their head but I can motivate them and pass on what I learned. The sport is draining physically and mentally in Division I. In high school you play teams you know you’ll beat. In college there are no gimmes. I started out third string. You’re constantly fighting for a spot. Often it came down to who practiced better. You can never get too comfortable.”

Kanan wants to work in pro sports one day, ideally the NFL. She was the only freshman on varsity when Palisades won City in 2018 and now  she wants the present Dolphins to  experience the same thing.

“We’ve got a lot of talent and it’s fun working with these girls,” the 20-year-old said. “I coached some of them when they were 12 or 13. I’m still undecided whether I’ll help with the boys team in the spring.”