The Cupertino Courier

Monta Vista's Todd Bergstrom (right) was one of six high school athletes to receive scholarships from the San Jose Sports Authority recently. Bergstrom is pictured with (l-r) Megan Horton, another Monta Vista athlete who was a scholarship nominee, former 49ers star Ronnie Lott and Monta Vista Athletic Director Jerra Rowland.

Bergstrom a Youth Excel winner

Horton, two Pioneers among the nominees

By Dick Sparrer

Todd Bergstrom didn't get off to a very fast start on his first day as a high school athlete.

Bergstrom, who was born with a blood disorder that left him behind other children his age, was trying out for the water polo team as a freshman at Monta Vista. In a five-mile conditioning run, he finished 10 minutes behind the last runner.

Bergstrom didn't quit, though. He stuck with it and made the Monta Vista team. Three years later, he moved up to the varsity level and was a starter for the Matadors for two straight seasons.

Now, in the middle of his senior year, Bergstrom has been honored for his inspirational effort. The Monta Vista aquatics star was selected as one of six students to win an Amateur Athletic Union Youth Excel Scholarship.

Bergstrom's blood disorder affected his immune system. He wasn't around other children until he started kindergarten, and he had difficulty adjusting to other children once he started to attend school.

He decided to give athletics a try once he reached high school and, after a slow start, worked hard to become a solid varsity water polo player and swimmer.

The scholarship program, hosted by the San Jose Sports Authority and underwritten by NEC Electronics Inc., was held at the Silicon Valley Capital Club in January. Former 49ers star Ronnie Lott, former Stanford and Raiders standout Jim Plunkett and San Jose Lasers sensation Jennifer Azzi were the program co-chairs and presented the awards.

Kim-Anh Nguyen of Santa Teresa was awarded the top scholarship of $1,500, and Paul Ugenti of Leland was given a $1,000 scholarship. Awards of $500 went to Bergstrom, Adrienne Muñoz of Gilroy, Cathy Phan of Silver Creek and Francis Shehadeh of Santa Clara.

Scholarship nominees for 1998 included Megan Horton of Monta Vista; Bobby Adams and David Steinwedel of Cupertino; Chris Basso and Ryan Piper of Del Mar; Patrick Ang, Domingo Garcia, David Miller, Shaun Miller, Angelique So and Thomas Thygesen of Fremont; Jay Baksa, Janna Graham and Jasmine Green of Gilroy; Jonathan Alexander, Karen Neidlinger, Bobby Palacios, Armando Ramos and Andres Valdovinos of Lincoln; Michelle De La Cruz and Carmen Moreno of Overfelt; Colleen Wrenn of Palo Alto; Megan Mills of Piedmont Hills; Adriane Ascenso, Catia Mendonca, Jennifer Men-donca and Gorett Rosa of San Jose Academy; Jerald Leap of Santa Clara; Jason Smith of Santa Teresa; Anne Chiotti of St. Francis; Sarah-Mae Nelson of Valley Christian; and Carl Haferd of Westmont.

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