Joe Stapp remembered in AYSO tournament
Joe Stapp (Photo: AYSO)
Local teams play in honor of dedicated volunteer
On Saturday, Oct. 1, Mammoth AYSO hosted the Inaugural Joe Stapp Memorial Soccer Tournament for the U12 division under blue fall skies at Shady Rest Park. In the U12 Girls division, “Pink Lightning” coached by Juan Villalpando took the Girls title, defeating the “Green Grenade Skittles” coached by John Simeon 2-1. Members of “Pink Lightning” received medals from Joe’s wife, Shana Stapp. Honored were: Haley Moss (MVP), Melissa Cook, Maria Galvan, Sydney Genchi, Alyra Grice, Karly Roman, Morgan Sanders, Audrey Sandvigen, Kimberly Villalpando and Caitlyn Young. Evelyn Navarro from the “Green Grande Skittles” received the coveted Sportsmanship Award.
In the U12 Boys division, “Yellow Lightning” coached by Thomas Clark defeated the “Red Flames” coached by John Farber 2-1 in an extremely close match, the winning goal coming in the final minutes of the game. Mrs. Stapp also presented medals to “Yellow Lightning” team members Jose Martinez (MVP), Jorge Fierra, Aldo Galvan, Daniel Garcia, Alexis Hernandez, Kekoa Kailiawa, Hayden Mannetter, Sam Omondi, Jonathon Ruelas Soto, Matthew Strazdins, Thomas TeSlaa and Luis Vaca Rodriguez. Francisco (Javier) Tapia from the “Red Flames” was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.
Both teams will represent Mammoth AYSO in an interregional tournament called “Cookies Best” on Oct. 22 in Carson City, Nev.
AYSO volunteer Joe Stapp passed away from a battle with cancer this past summer. His passion for soccer lives on through his wife Shana, also a volunteer, and his two daughters Claire and Sierra. Mammoth AYSO is proud to honor Joe with this annual Tournament. More results and tourney info can be found online at www.MammothAYSO.com. –Press Release
