Reigning champions won most of San Quentin’s latest chess, pinochle, horseshoes, Ironman, handball, pingpong and tennis tournaments.
Vincent “Osiris” Mackey successfully defended his chess title. He said he has been the chess champion for three years straight. “I’ve been waiting for somebody to come along who can consistently beat me more than I beat them,” said Mackey.
He learned how to play chess by watching his bunkie play. Mackey credits his success to adoptability – seeing his opponents’ style and adopting a strategy to defeat it.
Mackey said he loves chess because “it’s a pure game. Cards have a luck factor involved because it depends on the cards you get. Chess is mind against mind; no luck involved.”
He added, “It takes my mind off the horror of being in prison. It keeps my mind sharp. It keeps me thinking strategically. Wars are waged in part on how chess pieces move,” he added.
San Quentin has “many good chess players who don’t play in tournaments. I wish they would,” commented Mackey.
Isaiah Daniels teamed up with Elias Solis and won the horseshoe competition. Daniels has won the horseshoe doubles for three years running, even with different partners.
“I’ve won every double and all but one single contest. I love horseshoes, but don’t feel I have the competitions I need or want,” said Daniels. “It feels good being a champion.”
The Ironman Tournament was modified to include additional challenges, but was still won by defending champion Dean Soriano. He pushed a weighted wheelbarrow up a hill, did 20 pull-ups, 50 push-ups, 50 squats, carried a punching bag around baseball bases, pushed the wheelbarrow again and ran a lap in seven minutes,8 seconds. Darrell Flowers came in second with a time of 7:40.
Osborn Walton won pingpong again, retaining his title.
Pinochle champions Jeffrick Brown and Johnson successfully defended their title. Tyrone Allen and Lamore Jones came in second.
Terrance Banks and B. Chattman won handball doubles and the championship; former champs Michael Thompson and Bozzie Burton came in second.
Mcdowell and Wiley won the dominos title; Paneda and Sanchez took second.
The second annual Don De Nevi Memorial Day Tennis Tournament was full of upsets.
Paul Oliver upset previous tournament winner Rick Hunt, 12-8, 9-12, 12-9, securing his position in the round of eight.
Oliver defeated Tim Thompson and Al Lee, placing himself in the championship round. Paul Alleyne defeated Clay Long in straight sets, 12-6, 12-6.
Nighiep Ke Lam dusted off his tennis gear and eliminated Rico Winfrey in straight sets, 12-8, 12-3.
Ke Lam faced past champion Alleyne in his quarterfinal match, coming back after losing the first set. Ke Lam battled with groundstrokes, overpowering Alleyne, 4-10, 10-3, 10-8.
Oliver and Ke Lam faced one another in the finals. Ke Lam won the first set 10-8; however Oliver stuck to his game plan. Oliver used big serves and net play to pressure Lam. Oliver went on to win the next two sets and take the championship, 10-6, 10-4.
Several Inside Tennis Team members expressed gratitude to coach Don DeNevi for his support of the net program.
The tournaments were held on Memorial Day weekend.
–Michael Panella contributed to this story
Archives for June 2014
Delivering Messages About Fatherhood
June has interesting celebrations: National Candy Month, Potty Training Awareness Month and National Safety Month, according to the World Almanac.
June is also Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. Pentecost Sunday is on June 8, Flag Day is on June 14 and the first day of summer begins on June 21. Ramadan will most likely begin on June 28.
Father’s Day is always the third Sunday of June.
Asked on the Line conducted brief informal interviews with men on the mainline, asking; “Are you a father? How many children do you have? Did you grow up with a dad or father figure? If not, who were your male role models? Send a message to your dad or father figure.”
JulianGlenn Padgett said he has no children, adding his biological father did not raise him. However, there were two men in his life who he looked up to: Jim Lee and John Speth.
“Jim Lee was a single father,” said Padgett. “He always made time for his sons Jim, Jeff and James. He treated me like family. He even taught me how to water-ski. Thank you, Jim.”
“John Speth of Fair Oaks, California, was a good family man,” said Padgett. “He took care of his family. He was someone I would want to emulate when it came to taking care of family. He really made an impression on me. He was a good provider, listener and husband. He was a good partner to his wife. He was there for his children. Thank you John for showing me what my father never did.”
Jesus Flores has two daughters. “The oldest is shy and quiet. The youngest is bold and loud. They are both complete opposites. They’ve graduated from high school and are married now. I am very proud of them,” said Flores.
“I grew up with a dad,” said Flores. “He was in the Army. So, he was very strict but, he always wanted what was best for all of his kids. He was a hard worker. I love you dad. Thank you for being there for all of us.”
Aaron Brock has one child. His most memorable moment was when his child was seven years old. It was during a visit in Lancaster. If he could send his child a message it would be: “I am sorry,” he said.
Brock’s father is deceased. But, what he admired most about his dad was “being there,” he said.
Brian Asey has a son and a daughter.
His most memorable moments with his children are when they were very young, when his son was 6 and his daughter was 5. “We used to play together. Each one would hang on to one of my legs as I walked. It was funny.”
Asey’s father passed away. But, he still remembers when he was a boy, “my dad would take me to work with him,” he said. Asey also had a stepfather. “I remember that my stepdad instilled in us to not tell on each other. No snitching. If I told on my brother, he would punish my brother, but then he would punish me for telling on my brother,” said Asey.
Adriel Ortiz Ramirez has no children. However, he said he grew up with his father. “I remember going on a lot of family trips with him,” said Ramirez. “Thanks dad for all of the advice that you gave me over the years.”
Aaron “The Jeddii” Taylor has no biological children. “I have two nieces, two nephews and a godson. Those are my kids. To all my children: Knowledge and wisdom are in storehouses. The key to open a storehouse is a question. Never fear asking a question,” said Taylor.
Taylor did not grow up with his biological father. “My grandfather, L.B. Turner, was my No. 1 one role model. He was not my biological grandfather, but he was everything I could possibly want in a father figure.” Steve Wade Sr., Myles Delaney – Taylor’s uncles – William Fant Jr. and George Jernigan played significant roles as father figures, as well.
Timothy Thompson has no children. He said his football coach served as a father figure. “What I admired most about him was that he never got upset when I made a mistake. He was always patient with the kids. You were a good man, coach. You had a positive impact on my life,” said Thompson.
Valeray Richardson has a daughter and a stepdaughter. Richardson is proud of his daughter Raenisha “because of her lifestyle. She studied nursing, finished school and got married. She is very respectful and did not get into trouble. She reminds me a lot of me because we are both Gemini. She’s a little me,” said Richardson. “My daughter Monique is into sports. She got a scholarship to attend Smith University. I am proud of her. Her catch phrase is, ‘calm yourself.’ I love her very much.”
Richardson’s father passed away, but his memories of him are very much alive. “I admired his humor and the way he showed loved for all of us. Dad, you’re my hero,” he said.
Joey Mason has no children. He said he did not grow up with a father or father figure. “I had two stepdads. One was an alcoholic and the other was a redneck,” he said.
Mason said believes he would be a good father, if he decides to have children. “I would be the opposite of everything my stepdads were to me, no drugs and no violence. I would be involved in my kids’ life. They would know that I got their back. I will always help them. I will do as much as possible to expose him to positive things and show them support, kindness and love,” said Mason.
Richard Morris has a son. He said he’s proud of his son because “he finished his education and is a physical therapist. He also has a good work ethic.”
Morris grew up with a father. “He was married to my mother for over 40 years. He was a very hard worker. Dad, I am sorry for the mistakes that I made. I wish I could have been a better son.”
Manuel Sanchez Murillo has two children, a son and a daughter. Even though he has been imprisoned for almost 28 years, he said his kids are not resentful of him not raising them. “They had the support of their grandparents, their mother and a stepfather. I am very proud of them. They finished school and I don’t think they are ashamed of me.”
Murillo did grow up with his father. “What I admired most about my dad was his honesty,” said Murillo. “He did what he could to take care of us. He passed away, but he is still my role model. I admire him very much to this day.”
Ed Ballenger has two sons. “I have not seen them in over 20 years,” said Ballenger. “But through my niece, I know that they are OK and both are working.”
Ballenger’s father raised him. “He was there for me. For one thing, he provided well for his family. He was a balanced individual. He gave good advice. I love you dad.” Ballenger’s father passed away at age 90.
Father’s Day Appreciation From the Inside
Si volviera a nacer quisiera que Santiago Gómez fuera mi padre de nuevo otra vez para seguir su ejemplo. Aunque ya no lo tengo conmigo, estoy orgulloso de que él fue mi papá. En donde quiera que Dios lo tenga, por siempre gracias padre por la crianza que me diste, Vicente Gómez.
Maximino Sánchez, te mando estas felicitaciones por ser el día del padre. Me siento muy orgulloso de usted y si Dios me diera la oportunidad de volver a nacer quisiera que usted fuera mi padre otra vez. Gracias por la crianza que me dio. Dios me lo bendiga en este día tan especial, su hijo Jesús Sánchez.
Ignacio Pureco, de tu hijo, Gustavo Pureco, que mucho te extraña, espero que te la pases bien el día de los padres.
Salvador Lozano, que en este día del padre te la pases bien en compañía de la familia. Tu hijo que te quiere y extraña mucho, Arturo Lozano.
Manuel, le deseo un feliz día de los padres y que siempre reine la felicidad en ti. Tu hijo que te quiere, Eduardo González.
Marciano Ortega, gracias por todo tu esfuerzo y trabajo. Gracias por corregirme cuando lo he necesitado. Feliz día de los padres, tu hijo José Ortega.
Jefe, gracias por haberme dado la vida y ser el mejor padre del mundo. Perdóneme por haberle fallado. Espero algún día volver a recuperar su confianza. Lo quiero de a madre. Feliz día del Padre, su hijo Fortunato López.
Happy father’s day. Thank you for all your sacrifices you made for me. Love you dad, your son Binh Vo.
Dad, thanks for been there for me. I wish you the best on this father’s day. With much love your son, Vi Cham.
Father’s Day is not limited to the biological sense of the meaning behind the term “father.” On this day, I celebrate my great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, and mother…who all stepped into the role of my father when my father wasn’t able to, Michael Nelson.
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