Aug. 1, 2008 - The Austin Chronicle

Well, $1,500 ain’t bad for 21 seconds of work.That’s how long it took Eric Gerber to knock outMike Barreras at last Saturday’s King of Kombat 4cage-fighting event.Before the bout, Barrerasseemed by far the more fearsomefighter. Backstage at the CrockettCenter, Gerber had come over tochat – you know, just a couple ofpals about to beat the crap out ofeach other. Barreras said “hey” –there’s not a lot of tricked-up enmityin mixed-martial-arts fighting – butthat was it. The four-time Division IIwrestler from Albuquerque, N.M.,wasn’t about to get friendly with aguy whose ass he was looking tokick. “We’re both trying to be thealpha male,” he said, retreating intomenacing reticence.For his part, Gerber seemed somystically dreamy that you had toworry for his safety. While theother fighters on the cardwere psyching themselvesup by throwing violentpunches at the air, theLeander High School gradwas talking about findinghis center, about balancinghimself, about being both themarble and the sculptor (not thesort of thing you should be trying athome). “I don’t want to inflict painon anyone,” he explained, “but if Idon’t fight, I don’t feel whole. Iknow that sounds lame, but it reallyjust comes down to being the kindof man I want to be, and this is aresponsible way to achieve that.”In other words, whether you’redelivering or receiving one, a spinningback fist to the temple can bewonderfully therapeutic. Not thatthe Barreras-Gerber fight came tothat. Before I even found my seat,it was over. If Barreras didn’t knowsportsBY MARK FAGANBY THOMAS HACKETT playingthroughPlease writeMr. Hackett atplayingthrough@austinchronicle.com.Eric Gerberwhat hit him, Gerber was equallysurprised. “I was expecting a war,”he said. Instead, he didn’t break asweat, bringing a stunned Barrerasalmost instantly to his knees.Gerber wasn’t complaining, though.“Hitting someone like that, it’sstrangely satisfying. It just validateseverything you’re doing with yourlife. You feel like you’ve hit a homerun at life.”The interesting thing is, evenguys taking the hits and losingfights seem to share Gerber’s sentiments.Well, perhaps not Barreras.But Rocky Long was almost incoherentwith pride despite taking arelentless beating from JohnnyBedford two fights later.“You’re a fucking warrior,Rocky!” Bedford and hisboys were telling Longafter the decision. “You’rea tough motherfucker!”Long had to agree. “Noshame, no shame!” heexulted, his white trunks nowpink with blotches of blood – hisblood. “The whole time, I was like:‘Man! That son of a bitch hit meagain!’ But I hung in there. Hewasn’t going to knock me out.”I think Long and Gerber are onto something here. In a culturethat leaves men fewer and fewerways to affirm their manhoodbeyond driving ridiculously largetrucks and sporting increasinglybaroque hairdos, maybe we justneed to get our clocks cleanedevery now and again.You might even make a cool$1,500 in the bargain.THOMAS HACKETTlistingsTHE MAIN EVENTTEXAS GRIDIRON KICKOFF This yearlyluncheon is held in honor of Texas’ favoritesport, football. UT football announcerCraig Way hosts the event and will revealthe Preseason All-CenTex Team and sharehis thoughts on the upcoming high schoolfootball schedule. ESPN commentatorRon Franklin will moderate the keynotepresentation, featuring head coach MackBrown, offensive coordinator Greg Davis,and new defensive coordinator WillMuschamp. Fri., Aug. 1. Hyatt Regency,208 Barton Springs Rd. $50 ($450 tableof 10). www.austintexas.org/tgk.THE HOME TEAMSSUPER SERIES NATIONALS This tourney,hosted by Round Rock BaseballTournaments, will have four age divisions,a max of 65 players per age, and 12 playersper team. The championship gameswill be held at the Dell Diamond, and thekids will have a chance to participate inskills competitions, catch a Round RockExpress game, enjoy some fireworks, andmuch more. Through Aug. 2. Old Settler’sPark and the Dell Diamond, 3300 E. PalmValley Blvd. www.sportscapitaloftexas.com.w TEXAS ROLLERGIRLS 2008CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT The Hell Marysand Hotrod Honeys face off in the mainevent, while the Hustlers and Honky TonkHeartbreakers compete in the consolationbout. For more, see the Chronicle’sSports blog, austinchronicle.com/sports.Sun., Aug. 3, 6:30pm (doors). PlaylandSkate Center, 8822 McCann. $15 ($12,advance; free, kids 12 & under).www.txrollergirls.com.RECREATION & FITNESSw BASTROP RODEO Now in its 61styear, this parade, carnival, and rodeo startedas a celebration for GIs returning fromWorld War II. See the website for a fullschedule of events. Most of the festival’sevents are free, including the horseshoeand Texas Hold ’Em tournaments, thecarnival, and the barrel racing demo. Therodeo is $30 for all three nights. Thu.-Sat.,July 31-Aug. 2. Bastrop, 512/303-0558.www.bastrophomecomingrodeo.org.w BLAZER DAZE: A QUEST FOR THEBEST PLAYER Laser tag enthusiasts, it’syour time to shine. This tourney consistsof 44 contestants battling it out over 10games. Cash prizes for first ($500), second($200), and third place ($100).Proceeds benefit Big Brothers/Big Sistersof Central Texas, Girlstart, and theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.Final event: Thu., July 31, 6:20 & 7pm.Blazer Tag Adventure Center, 1701 W. BenWhite, 462-0202. www.blazertag.com.FIRST SATURDAY AT HARVEY PENICKGOLF COURSE “Try before you buy” newand used golf equipment. There will alsobe putting and closest-to-the-pin contests,and free 30-minute golf lessons. Sat.,Aug. 2, 8am. Harvey Penick Golf Campus,5501 Ed Bluestein Blvd., 926-1100.NATIONAL KARAOKE LEAGUE has twodivisions in Austin. This week, it’s thefinals for the North Austin Division: Thu.,July 31, 7:30pm. Merkaba Lounge andGrill, 14106 N. I-35 Ste. A.www.nationalkaraokeleague.com.REFEREES NEEDED The Austin BasketballOfficials Association is looking forqualified men and women to serve asrefs (and role models) for area middleand high school games. Training startsSept. 15. www.basketballofficials.com.JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP Thisevent is open to kids ages 7-17, andthey’ll need to bring their own clubs andbag and wear soft spikes or smooth-soledshoes. Mon., Aug. 4, 7:30am. Forest CreekGolf Course, 99 Twin Ridge Pkwy., RoundRock. www.roundrockrecreation.com.SALLY AND MACK BROWN SERVE UPHOPE AT CARITAS UT football headcoach Mack Brown and his wife, Sally,will serve hot meals to the hungry thisTuesday, and then be honored by Caritasat the Harvey Penick Award Dinner onSept. 22 for all of their service to ourcommunity. Tue., Aug. 5, 11am-12:30pm.Caritas Community Kitchen, 611 Neches.www.caritasofaustin.org.SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL FINALSTry your skills at this Wii blockbuster, andsee if you’ll get one of the last wild-cardslots and play in the finals. Bring yourskills, or prepare to be stomped like aKoopa. Part of Teen Fest 2008. Sat., Aug.2, 1pm. Carver Library, 1161 Angelina,974-1010. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/library.SHELLEY HIAMRUNS, WALKS, & RIDESNIKE+ HUMAN RACE Austin has beenchosen as one of 25 cities internationally(and one of four in the U.S.) to host thisspecial race. This worldwide event takesplace Aug. 31 with Lance Armstrongcompeting here in the ATX and a free concertfrom Ben Harper following the 10Krace. They are hosting several trainingevents leading up to race day including:Nike Club Run TX: SIX: Thu., July 31 &Aug. 7, 7pm. SIX Lounge, 117 W. Fourth.Nike Club Run TX: Starbucks:Sat., Aug. 2, 8am. Starbucks, 24th &Nueces. Race day: Sun., Aug. 31. Moredetails to come. www.nikeplus.comFor more on the Chronicle’scrazyass take on sports, go toaustinchronicle.com/sports.MOONLIGHT MARGARITA RUN will benefitAustin’s Trail at Lady Bird Lake. Stickaround for the afterparty featuring food anddrinks from Maudie’s TexMex. Thu., Aug. 7,8pm. American Legion Hall, 2201 VeteransDr., 733-3989. mmr@townlaketrail.org,www.moonlightmargaritarun.com.CITY RUNNING TOURS For those lookingto learn more about Austin and get someexercise at the same time, this might dothe trick. Choose the type of run, the mileage,and when you’d like to do it, and they’llhandle the rest. Advance purchase required.www.cityrunningtours.com/austin/index.html.JACK’S GENERIC TRIATHLON is shortenough for novice triathletes to enjoy, yetchallenging enough to interest veterantriathletes. Following the (sold-out) eventwill be a free cookout with beer, icecream, and tons of free gear from theTexas Ski Ranch. Sun., Aug. 3, 8am. TexasSki Ranch, 6700 N. I-35, New Braunfels,512/472-5646. www.jacksgenerictri.com.BENEFIT WALK FOR ANTHONY Pflug ervilleHigh football player Anthony Sepadadied tragically in a motorcycle accident inApril. The walk benefits the scholarshipfund created in memory of Sepada, withall the money raised going to the collegefund of a deserving PHS athlete. Sat., Aug.2, 9am. Pflugerville Lake, 4600 PflugervillePkwy. at Weiss Lane, 512/565-9678. $10($25 for groups of three or more).www.runtex.com/web/2-2146.asp.SUBMISSION INFORMATION:The Austin Chronicle is published everyThursday. Info is due the Monday of the week priorto the issue date. The deadline for the Aug. 15issue is Monday, Aug. 4. Include name of event,date, time, location, price, phone number(s), adescription, and any available photos or artwork.Include SASE for return of materials.Send submissions to the attention of theappropriate writer (see roster below). Mail to theChronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin, 78765, fax458-6910, or e-mail:Mark Fagan (Sports):gameplans@austinchronicle.com.Questions? Contact Wayne Alan Brenner, Listingseditor, at brenner@austinchronicle.com.BY NICK BARBARO soccer watchAnd so we bid farewell to the inaugural edition of the U-23 Austin Aztex– done in in the Premier Development League Southern Conference final bydefending national champion Laredo Heat, but more specifically by twountimely ejections. The Aztex beat Bradenton, 2-1, in Friday’s semifinal, buttwo yellow cards to key defender Beto Papandrea ruled him out of the nextnight’s conference final. They could surely have used him then, because byhalftime, the Aztex were up 1-0, on a Jaime Watson penalty kick, but wereagain down a man, due to A.J. Godbolt’s two yellow cards in a five-minutespan of an ill-tempered game. Laredo got two goals in the first six minutesafter halftime, and that was pretty much it: 3-1 final. Still, a great first season,on and off the field. When next we see them, the Aztex will be fielding afull pro team in the 2009 USL First Division, in addition to the U-23 squad:23 home games in all, instead of this season’s eight. I can hardly wait.Soccer at the Olympics kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 6. I don’t know justwhat NBC will be broadcasting, but here’s the schedule for the U.S.: TheU.S. Women play Norway (6:45am, Aug. 6), Japan (4am, Aug. 9), and NewZealand (6:45am, Aug. 12); the U.S. Men play Japan (4am, Aug. 7),Holland (6:45am, Aug. 10), and Nigeria (4am, Aug. 13).Meanwhile, talk in the pro game centers around the transfer market,with just a few weeks to go until the European seasons start. “Austin’steam” in the English Premier League, Aztex affiliate Stoke City, hasmade three fairly major signings: Reading striker Dave Kitson, Nigerianmidfielder Seyi Olofinjana, and Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o m AUGUST 1, 2008 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E 63