Viking Magazine Volume XVI Issue 5

Viking

Volume XVI, Issue 5 May 2023

magazine

STAFF

would like to thank our sponsors...

The Chu Family Vogel Family The Martin Family The Toland Family The Marburg Family The Woodworth Family

The Mostofizadeh Family Mollie Stitt The Gaither Family The Studdert Family The Li Family The Harrison Family

Editors-in-Chief Tyler Frick, Grace Gormley, Josie Vogel Online Editor-in-Chief Tyler Martin

Creative Director Eliza Gaither Photo Editor Jason Hu Business Manager Katie Yen

Managing Editors Sirisha Mitra Beau Revenaugh Aspen Stitt Social Media Managers Trey Collins, Avery Reller

Copy Editor Claire Cho

Staff Writers Caleb Wong, Abigail Karel Ashton Chow, Cameron Toland Yasmin Friedrichowitz, Lily Jeffrey Tyler Harrison, Takumi Weimann Jackson Martin, Ivan Ijzerman Grace Li, Caroline Mostofizadeh Elizabeth Fetter, JJ Stoen Oliver Marburg, Owen Bittinger Adviser Brian Wilson

on the cover:

Designed by Owen Bittinger, this issue’s Viking cover resembles a sports jersey, with the back cover forming the back of the jersey. The numbers 22 and 23 represent this school year, and the cover honors all the Paly athletes who worked so hard during this year.

Viking Magazine Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301 650-329-3837 Email contact: vikingeds@gmail.com Follow us @vikingsportsmag or go to vikingsportsmag.com for current game updates/scores.

Viking, a sports magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Advanced Magazine Journalism class, is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its readership. Viking is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. The staff welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity.

Advertising in Viking The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with Viking, please contact Viking by email at vikingeds@gmail.com Printing Services 2,500 copies of The Viking are printed, five times a year by Folger Graphics in Hayward, Calif.

Logo Font Courtesy of Måns Grebäck

Letter from the EDITORS Hey Vikes!

Congrats on making it to the end of another Paly school year! Our athletes had many incredible performances this year, and the Viking staff again had the privilege of covering them.

As you can see, we have a brand new leadership team! We are all so excited to bring you a new year of Viking content.

In this issue, we return to a longstanding Viking tradition with the Year in Review issue.

We have doled out the classic Viking awards, including Boys Team of the Year, which has been awarded to soccer, on page 30.

On page 28, Girls Team of the Year has been given to the national champions: Dance.

On page 24, Boys Athlete of the Year

was given to record-breaker Ethan Harrington of swimming.

On page 22, Girls Athlete of the Year was awarded to wrestler and member of the cheer team Hailey Oshita.

On page 32, the Alok Subbarao Sportsmanship Award was granted to Katie Dorogusker of softball.

Natalie Neumann and Jorell Clark of Paly basketball were granted Underclassmen of the Year on page 26.

We also cover some Electric Moments of Paly sports this year (page 34), and the recruitment map has made a return on page 12.

The Final Word (page 45) covers how to keep sports friendships supportive instead of toxic, and this year’s sports stats are enumerated on page 14.

In a special edition of Viking Tries, our

Tyler Frick

staff faced off against The Campanile in a wiffle ball game in order to settle a score form 2012. Check that out on page 41.

In an interview with Stacey Kofman, the benefits of taping are outlined on page 44, and you can learn about Ultimate Frisbee on page 38. Finally, make sure to try our suggestions for fun summer activities on page 16!

We hope you all enjoy this first issue from your new editing team, and the last issue of this year!

Congrats to everyone for another awesome year in Paly athletics, and thanks to all our readers for following along with the Viking.

We look forward to producing some more awesome content for you all, and we will see you in the fall!

Grace Gormley

Josie Vogel

STAFF OPINION

Lack of NFL Coaching Diversity Over 56 percent of the players in the National Football League are of African American descent. And yet, of the 30 total head coaches in the NFL, only three were Black, and six were minority during the 2022 season.

This is a major problem that has only heightened in recent years, and the league needs to fix it.

In 2003, the NFL saw the opportunity to implement the “Rooney Rule.” Named after then Pittsburgh Steelers owner (as well as chairman of the league’s diversity committee) Dan Rooney, the Rooney Rule was a policy that required each team with an open head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate, in an effort to diversify the head-coaching scene across the NFL. The year the rule was implemented there were three Black head coaches... the same exact number as in 2022.

Current NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell knew he needed to find anoth-

er solution. So, his answer was to modify the Rooney Rule on March 28, 2022 -- requiring all NFL teams to employ either a female or ethnic minority coach on their staff.

The rule also was put under the spotlight because just under two months prior, former African American Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores -- who had just been fired by the team -- filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL, alleging racial discrimination in hiring processes across the league.

He did this because once he was fired, the New York Giants interviewed him for their head coaching vacancy. Flores called the interview a “sham,” and stated that he believes they only interviewed him to fufill the Rooney Rule requirements, and did not take him seriously as a candidate in any way shape or form.

Flores also stated that he had similar experience in 2019 with the Denver Broncos, prior to the Dolphins hiring him.

Flores was then hired as a defensive assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So after all of the controversy, and rule changing, what happened in the 2023 coaching cycle? Currently, there are exactly three Black head coaches in the NFL in 2023, contuining the flatline trend we’ve seen over the past twenty years.

Talented potential candidates such as Chiefs assistant coach Eric Bienemy, Broncos assistant Ejiro Evero, and aforementioned Steelers assistant Brian Flores were all ignored.

The NFL has tried to implement changes to make head-coaching diversity look similar to their player diversity, but every strategy carried out has been a massive flop. Whether it’s reluctant owners, or a lack of opportunity for candidates, this is a long overdue issue that the NFL absolutely has to figure out.

-Viking

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 3

IN TH IS I SSU E : pg 6

Zooms

pg 10

Intro Package

pg 12

Recruitment Map

pg 14

A Year in Numbers

pg 16

Bay Area Athletic Summer To-Do List

4 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

Paly Ultimate Hype Playlist

pg 18

Viking Awards

pg 22

Electric Moments

pg 34

Uncovering Ultimate

pg 38

Viking Tries: Wiffle Ball

pg 41

Guide to Taping

pg 44

Final Word

pg 45 @vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 5

Photo by Amani Elfadil

Bringing it home

Paly track and field raced against Gunn at a double dual meet and beat them 81-41. Pictured: Sophmore Dylan Taylor trails closely against a Gunn competitor.

Cheering for the win

The Paly varsity girls swim team placed third at the CCS Finals. Pictured (left to right): Llew Ladomirak (‘25), Lucy Zhao (‘25), and Katie Spitzer (‘25) racing in the 200y freestyle relay.

Photo by Caleb Wong

SENIOR

◀

◀ THROWBACK Design by LILY JEFFREY and ABIGAIL KAREL

As the senior class prepares to graduate, Viking athletes who participated in the same sport since they were young are recognized for their dedication and commitment to their sports.

Finley Craig Track and Field

Sam Papp Baseball

“Track is meaningful to me through the community that you get to be involved in as well as the feeling of improving and accomplishment.”

“I’ve been playing for 13 years, since I was five.”

Photos courtesy of Celeste Bates and Sam Papp

Theresa Hart Dance

◀

◀◀◀

Photos courtesy of Macolm Slaney and Finley Craig

“Dancing is a huge part of who I am because it has shaped so many of my values like being on a team or working as a team.”

Photos courtesy of Theresa Hart

Photos courtesy of Karen Hickey and Anjali Akkaraju

how well do you know

NATALIE KAR EL?

By LILY JEFFREY and ABIGAIL KAREL 10%

20%

40%

Lea Santini Cheer Coach

Anjali Akkaraju Friend

Q: Favorite stunt

Ball-X Basket X

Falling X

Basket X

Favorite cheer 2 Q: A: Green Pride

Take it to the Limit X

Band DanceX

Green Pride ✓

Boba Guys X

Sushi House X

Poke House X

Favorite class 4 Q: A: Early Child Dev.

Early Child Dev. ✓

Early Child Dev. ✓

Early Child Dev. ✓

Hidden talent 5 Q: A: Tumbling

Can also base X

Tumbling ✓

Always late X

Post-game/comp meal 6 Q: A: Gummy Nerd Clusters

CPK X

Chick-fil-A X

Gummy Nerd Clusters ✓

Favorite cheer season 7 Q: A: STUNT

Competition X

Competition X

Competition X

Biggest flex 8 Q: A: Piper (dog)

Tumbling X

Tumbling X

Piper ✓

Q: Funniest teammate

Emma [Yang] X

Keely [Washington] X

Alexa [Saray] X

Favorite hobby 10 Q: A: Hanging out w/ friends

Knitting X

Getting boba X

Shopping X

Natalie Karel

1 A: Toss up or full down

Favorite place in T/C 3 Q: A: Douce France

9 A: Hailey [Oshita]

Eunchae Hong Teammate

12 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

“I’m excited for the environment of collegiate running. I look forward to putting more time and energy into the sport I love.” - Kelvin Moresi, Macalester College, Running

“I’m very excited to be able to play at the next level. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember and I’m finally going to be living it.” - Russ Filter, Santa Clara University, Baseball

“I’m excited about the team, making new friends, and continuing to improve and become a faster rower in a competitive but fun environment.” - Riley Amos, Smith College, Rowing

“Competing at new courses and on a whole new level. I can’t wait to be surrounded by a group of dedicated women who not only want to improve themselves but improve the team.” - Elizabeth Fetter, United Sates Military Academy at West Point, Running

“I’m excited to be in a competitive environment where I live with the team and keep improving.” - Charlie Miller, Occidental College, Soccer

“I am most excited about racing for 5 miles rather than 3 miles in cross country, and 10ks rather than the mile in track because for me, doubling the distance means double the fun.” - Alex Gao, University of Chicago, Running

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to compete next year with the best of the best at the collegiate level.” - Sam Papp, University of California, Davis, Baseball

“I’m excited to meet everyone and play on a team that’s been super successful over the years!” - Kaella Peters, Whitman College, Basketball

“I’m looking forward to training with a group of such high-caliber athletes.”

- Hillary Studdert, Stanford University, Running

“I’m really excited to play with a coach and teammates who are Hispanic since I never had that in past basketball teams.” - Itzel Torres, Simpson University, Basketball

“I am so excited to be a part of the team at W&M and compete against some of the best gymnasts in the country on a regular basis.” - Jared Noyman, William and Mary College, Gymnastics

“I am excited to play competitive golf for another four years against players at my skill in the North East and experience the courses in that region. Can’t wait to meet my coach and teammates.” - Julian Galindo, Middlebury College, Golf

“I’m excited to train with and compete against some of the best swimmers in the country because it will push me to improve even further.” - Ethan Harington, Stanford University, Swimming

“I entered Paly with zero cheerleading experience and after 4 years I am leaving ready to be a D1 athlete! I am so grateful for my coach and teammates.” Natalie Karel, Tulane University, Cheer

“I’m beyond excited and blessed to be a part of this amazing team and row on the beautiful Mission Bay.” - Emilie Yang, University of California, San Diego, Rowing

photos courtesy of KAREN HICKEY, CELESTE BATES and CINDY KRIEGER

“I’m most excited ... because of the community aspect of college athletics. Living together, a college team becomes your family away from home and I can’t wait to develop life-long bonds there.” - Arthur Balva, Princeton University, Swimming

by YASMIN FRIEDRICHOWITZ

Mapping it out: Where Paly Athletes are Headed

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 13

“I am excited to play with some really high quality players from all around the world and raise the level of my game. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in college” - Hunter Aronson, Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, Soccer

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to swim at the next level and excited to test myself against some of the best swimmers in the world.” - Henry Gibbs, Georgia Institue of Technology, Swimming

“After I tore my ACL I thought I’d never play ... again. So I’m really excited for Conn because I am able to continue playing the sport I love while pursuing my major, which is the balance I was looking for.” - Kellyn Scheel, Connecticut College, Field Hockey

“I am very excited to get to play more games per week as well as gain a closer bond with the Emerson Team.” - Sal Meehan, Emerson University, Baseball

“I’d say I’m most excited for the opportunity to be challenged to play at the next level. I know I’ll have to continue to improve in order to be successful so I can’t wait to see how that goes.” - Asher Friedman, Oberlin College, Lacrosse

“I’m hyped to run at the next level in the heart of NYC and extremely excited for the coach’s vision for the future at NYU.” - Lincoln Tutor, New York University, Running

by OWEN BITTINGER and JJ STOEN

BY THE

Numbers Paly athletes accomplished some incredible feats this year. Let’s see the stats from these three seasons so far.

13 Paly Paly Boys Boys Scored Scored

Girls Girls Swim Swim & & Dive Dive Winstreak Winstreak

Girls 4x8 Record

1 8:49.21 National

New Boys 3200 Record

3520

4

9:18.22

CCS Champion Teams

pts pts

10

Title

Teams placed Top 3 in SCVAL

14 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

2870

pts pts

Paly Girls Scored

Paly Won

223 6

Games/Meets

3:04.61

27

New New SCVAL SCVAL 400 400 Boys Boys Freestyle Freestyle Relay Relay Record Record

17 Teams in CCS

4

Teams Teams in in States States

Paly Sports Teams

2677

2

Swimming SCVAL Records Broken

141

Games/Meets Lost

National Contests Attended

pts

Scored By Paly Basketball

5

League Champion Teams

2329

pts pts

Scored Against Paly Basketball

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 15

S

pörtÿ pörtÿ

ümmër

A guide to the Bay Area©s best athletic activities for fun in the sun!

b u ck e t l is t

-surfing

Linda Mar, Pacifica Privates, Santa Cruz

"I love surfing because it's super relaxing to be out in the ocean with my friends just having a good time. My favorite sport around here is called The Hook in Santa Cruz at the end of 41st Street."

-Declan Packer (‘24)

The Hook, Santa Cruz

Stinson Beach

-Hike It!

“I love hiking because I love getting exercise outdoors and being in nature. It’s also a great way to hangout with friends!”

-Paloma Raffle (‘23)

Purisma Hike, Half Moon Bay Foothills

Russian Ridge, Santa Cruz

-PickleBall Tourney

“Pickleball is a great time, we meet a lot of good people and stay gritty on the court.”

-Chase Kacher (‘24)

Rinconada Tennis Courts Weisshaar Park Courts Burgess Tennis Courts

16 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

-Workout Class

“My mom is a yoga instructor, so I grew up with alternative ways of working out. It is super fun for me to exercise my body in new and different ways. My favorite spots are SoulCycle and Yoga Source.”

-Paige Henry (‘23)

SoulCycle Yoga Source

Barry’s Bootcamp Rumble

-Take A Dip!

“I grew up swimming during the summer, and it is such a nice way to get a workout in or even just relax and cool down from hot summer days. I usually go to a friend’s pool or swimming clubs like the University Club.”

-Mckenna Rausch (‘23)

Greenmeadow Pool Rinconada Pool Eagle Park Pool

-Spikeball Match

“Spikeball is a great way to get some sun and hang out with friends. It’s awesome because we can just bring it to any park and just play.”

-Charlie Dong (‘26)

Eleanor Pardee Park Johnson Park

Heritage Park Peers Park

-Day at the beach “During the summer, my friends and I are always at the beach. The ocean is the best way to cool down and it’s super easy to play beach sports like volleyball or just relax in the sun. We usually go to Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz on super sunny days.”

-Katherine Zaner (‘26)

Keller Beach, Richmond Ocean Beach, San Francisco Crab Cove, Alameda Muir Beach, Marin County

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 17

Photos courtesy of Celeste Bates, Karen Hickey, and Victoria Senderzon

P A LY S P O R T S

by CLAIRE CHO and OLIVER MARBURG

design by CLAIRE CHO

ULTIMATE HYPE PLAYLIST We asked every Paly varsity sports team what their hype song is.

Here is the resulting Paly Sports Ultimate Hype Playlist!

SCAN HERE

IN THE SPOTIFY APP

SOFTBALL

The Best of Both Worlds HANNAH MONTANA

BASEBALL

A - Team

TRAVIS SCOTT

CROSS COUNTRY Run This Town

JAY-Z, RIHANNA, KANYE WEST

GIRLS WRESTLING

GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY

It’s Every Night Sis

Afraid To Feel

RICEGUM, ALISSA VIOLET

“Pregame music gets me hyped and in a good mindset to play my best.”

-Rachel North (‘23)

LF SYSTEM

GIRLS SOCCER Rich Flex

DRAKE, 21 SAVAGE

BOYS LACROSSE

BOYS WRESTLING

Sweet Caroline

300 Violin Orchestra

NEIL DIAMOND

JORGE QUINTERO

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 19

Where Have You Been

“Music gets me locked in before a game.”

-Amani Elfadil (‘23)

Dreams and Nightmares

BOYS SWIM

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BOYS BASKETBALL

Made You Look

Childs Play

TRACK

RIHANNA

Forever

DRAKE, KANYE WEST, EMINEM, LIL WAYNE

MEGHAN TRAINOR

TENNIS

CHEER

Gimme More

BRITNEY SPEARS

One Take LIL TJAY

20 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

FOOTBALL

MEEK MILL

DRAKE

GIRLS WATER POLO Personal HRVY

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Shots

Hot

LMFAO

“It hypes [the team] up and gets us excited, and also sets the mood for the game.”

-Divya Mathur (‘23)

BOYS WATER POLO More Than A Woman BEE GEES

YOUNG THUG

GIRLS LACROSSE Doses and Mimosas CHERUB

BOYS SOCCER Shorty Party

CARTEL DE SANTA

GIRLS SWIM On The Floor

PITBULL, JENNIFER LOPEZ

DANCE

Press

CARDI B

“[Music] sets the mood, sets the tone, gets us game ready” -Alec Profit (‘23) @vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 21

Viking’s

UPPER CLASSMAN

HAILEY OSHITA

by YASMIN FRIEDRICHOWITZ and GRACE LI

of the year

Wrestling captain Hailey Oshita showed incredible improvement as an athlete over the years and was a kind presence on her team, displaying sportsmanship and strong leadership. This multi-sport athlete will leave an indelible impact that continues to inspire athletes at Paly for years to come.

S

enior Hailey Oshita has matches. She had a lot of growth spent her four years as over the three years and went a Paly athlete focused from being pinned in eight on constantly improv- seconds to placing in CCS. ing her own skills and creating a “I was scared, but I wantpositive environment for herself ed no regrets and just as well as her teammates. Oshita went out and gave it my grew up playing many different all,” Oshita said, “My first sports, but ultimately decided year back, I had three upto commit to wrestling when she sets, and I placed second at began her high school career. the tournament. I had never During her freshman year, Oshi- placed at a tournament before ta joined the Paly wrestling team. -- I went in and basically doubled With her background in Tae- my record at one tournament kwondo, she found that wrestling than I did in two years.” was in her wheelhouse due to all As one of the team captains the similarities between the two of Paly’s wrestling team, Oshisports. It was a challenge at first, ta leads by example. She works but as she started to improve her hard during the season and technique and athleticism, she guides the team to stay motivatfelt the sport was very rewarding ed and focused on training. She and had a lot to offer her. describes how the Oshita’s improveathletes encourage ment throughout each other to strive her four years has for more and set “I was scared, been incredible. bigger goals for After only winthemselves unbut I wanted no rening one out der her leadgrets and just went of 12 matches ership. her freshman Oshita’s out and gave it my year, she degoal for her all ,” cided to work senior year even harder her was to quali- Hailey Oshita sophomore year fy for states, but in order to meet her unfortunately she new goals and imwas up against one prove in the sport. of the best during the “I went to a lot of the offseason blood rounds of qualifiers. She practices and I put in a lot of work went in with determination and in, [both] on and off the mat,” Os- grit against a familiar competitor: hita said. “I did a lot of cardio this was the girl she had previconditioning over my sopho- ously gone zero to three with. more year and I feel like it really Oshita put up a tough fight but paid off.” came just short of beating her Going into junior year, Oshita opponent. hoped to convert her hard work Regardless of state qualifiers, into into success during her this year, Oshita ended up plac-

22 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

photo courtesy of KAREN HICKEY

ing in the CCS Championships.

“I didn’t think that competing, or even placing in CCS was possible my freshman year,” Oshita said.

Although wrestling is a very physically demanding and time consuming sport, it also takes a lot of mental strength to persevere through all the difficulty.

“I think the hardest part is definitely the mental aspect because it’s your mind that can and will hold you back,” Oshita said. “It is not fully a team sport. At the end of the day it’s just you and another person on the mat.”

Being the only one out there, everything during a match comes down to your hard work and dedication during practice.

Oshita had her fair share of prematch nerves, but she knows that she can’t be afraid to give it her all.

“You kind of have to get past

HONORABLE MENTION:

ITZEL TORRES

photo courtesy of KAREN HICKEY

t h e fear of making a mistake or embarrassment if you want to be successful,” Oshita said.

But Oshita isn’t a one-sport athlete.

She also is a member of the cheer team at Paly. Having experience in another sport allowed to have a different perspective on being part of a team, and she learned a lot about leadership.

With friends on the Paly cheerleading team, Oshita tried out junior year and immediately felt the change of dynamic.

Similarly to wrestling, the environment was very supportive, but being on an all girls team felt very different to her.

“I had a ton of fun with the cheer team,” Oshita said, “I think it’s really interesting, and I love watching [my team] do the cheers, stunts and stuff.”

With wrestling being more of an individual sport, Oshita drew inspiration from her time on the cheer team to help change the wrestling team dynamic to feel more inclusive of everyone.

“I really look up to the current cheer captains and their

way of leadership,” Oshita said, “I learned a lot of leadership skills from them, and I think that that helped me to be a better leader in wrestling.”

As the years progressed, the wrestling team became a tightknit community that Oshita highly valued. Although there is a lot of competitive energy in the air, there is also an overwhelming amount of support coming from Oshita and her teammates.

“I was so proud of Philip Santiago and Josh Willde this season, so proud to see the people that I kind of grew up with achieve such great things,” Oshita said, “That was definitely one of my favorite parts of this season.”

The Paly athletics community has given a lot to the students over the years, and Oshita is no exception. She’s grown as a person and has learned so much through both wrestling and cheerleading/stunt.

“I would not be anywhere as strong mentally and physically,” Oshita said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the opportunities that have been given by both wrestling and cheer.”

But beyond what Oshita has gained from Paly athletics, it is what she has given to the program that makes her worthy of the title of Athlete of the Year.

Oshita’s perseverance and support for her teammates both on wrestling and cheer has left an indelible mark that will inspire athletes for years to come.

I

Going to Simpson University as a D-2 basketball player, Itzel Torres has demonstrated time and again that she is an impeccable athlete. Stepping up to try a new sport this year, Torres has cemented her powerful legacy at Paly.

tzel Torres (‘23) is a multi-sport athlete and has been playing sports since she was a toddler. At 5, she started softball because her mom signed her up, but she continued it because she enjoyed it. She started playing competitive basketball years later in the start of middle school.

“I grew up watching my dad and uncles play, and I figured I had the height for it so why not try it!” Torres said.

Torres has also started playing soccer, which makes balancing softball, basketball, and now, soccer commitments; more challenging.

“But I enjoy being busy so overall it’s fun, but it’s annoying not having that much time to play basketball,” Torres said.

Throughout her four years of high school, she was able to pinpoint her strengths and weaknesses. The most substantial improvement she has made was mental health.

“I don’t beat myself up a lot anymore after making mistakes, and I think this helped me the most in other areas of my game,” Torres said.

Last semester, she committed to Simpson University as a recruit for basketball. The school is D-2 for girls basketball and Torres will continue her career as a forward.

“My goal this season in basketball was to get an offer to play in college,” Torres said.

As a forward, she has to be good in shooting, passing, and making a play.

“My biggest strength is either passing or playing defense for basketball, and my weakness is scoring,” Torres said.

In terms of softball, she wanted to play for fun and plays second base and catcher. Playing two positions, she is working towards improving her skills.

“I still want to get better at all areas of my game,” Torres said.

Playing three sports, Torres has been working hard to hone her abilities in each. As she continues her basketball career as a Simpson Hawk, she will put in the effort to bring her best assets to the team.

“The biggest thing I took away was that the work you do during practice or during games wont ever pay off. I don’t think I would be playing in college or a good team player to my teammates if I didn’t work to be better on my own,” Torres said. @vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 23

Viking’s

UPPER

by BEAU REVENAUGH and CALEB WONG photos by CALEB WONG

CLASSMAN of the year ETHAN HARRINGTON

Swim team captain Ethan Harrington is the swimming phenom of the class of 2023, with numerous freestyle Paly records and a CCS record under his belt.

W

hen people think of swimming at Paly, usually one name comes to mind for most, as there has been no one as dominant as captain Ethan Harrington within these last couple of years.

He’s broken numerous records at Paly.

He’s captured multiple CCS Championships.

He’s even a individual state champion. The resume he’s built with the numerous accolades and honors here at Paly making him strongly deserving of being Viking’s male upperclassman athlete of the year. Harrington’s name is riddled all over the Paly freestyle swimming records, currently having the fastest 50 yard, 100 yard, and being a part of the fastest 200 yard and 400 yard medley relays. The only freestyle record he couldn’t obtain was the 200 yard freestyle record held by

former Viking and Stanford recruit, Alex Liang. Harrington even holds two CCS records, breaking his own 50 yard freestyle record this past CCS championship, as he swam a 19.57 in the final, with everyone coming a second after him.

This led to him becoming a two time CCS champion, but that wasn’t the only CCS record he broke that meet, as he swam a 43.24 in the 100 yard freestyle. He ended up winning all of his races that meet, winning by a huge gap. He looks to protect his championship in the upcoming State Championship, as he won last year swimming a 19.85 in the 50 yard freestyle and a 43.60

“It’s great to see my name all over the record book, but it’s even a greater honor to be a state champion.”

- Ethan Harrington

24 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

in the 100 yard freestyle.

“It’s a great honor to be able to hold all of those records,” Harrington said.

“It’s great to see my names all over the record book, but it’s even a greater honor to be a state champion.” Since the 2022 State Championship meet, Harrington has improved on his times, becoming even faster, posting times of 19.45 in the 50 yard freestyle and 42.92 in the 100 yard freestyle, being some of the fastest times across the country.

However, Harrington believes he has many areas he can still polish, believing he’s not the best version of himself yet. “I think I need to improve on my overall strength and my underwater turns when approaching the second wall,” Harrington said. Harrington does not only help Paly in the pool, but also from the sidelines, as he encourages his team through the lens of a captain. “Being a captain is fun,” Harrington said. “It’s like the team I’ve been on for four years and now it’s my

Photo courtesy of Cindy Krieger

HONORABLE MENTION:

ASHER

FRIEDMAN

turn to lead it. I help keep the team spirit friendly, as I’m a friendly guy, as I cheer for everyone, wishing for the best for them when they swim.” However, with all of the things Harrington has accomplished, is not done without all of his hard work and dedication to the sport he has. “I did three morning practices a week, beginning at 4:40 in the morning, having nine practices in total,” he said. “I think I do 19 hours of swimming a week, all year round, so I dedicate a lot of time to swimming.” According to Swimcloud, Harrington is

ranked third in the state of California, and the 38th best swimmer in the country for the class of 2023. He plans on continuing his swimming career at the next level, as he plans to stay home as he’s committed to swim at Stanford University next year. “I chose Stanford because it has a very good swim program and very good academics,” he said. “So it’s the best of both worlds.

I’m very excited to be swimming there next year.”

Friedman is a key leader and star on two different paly sports teams, bringing his lovable personality to every game during his four years as a Paly athlete.

Senior Asher Friedman is the honorable mention for upperclassman of the year.

He plays soccer and lacrosse, and is also committed to play lacrosse at Oberlin.

Friedman starred on the soccer team this year as a center mid. Against Los Altos in the final game of the regular season, Friedman scored a goal in the final minute to put Paly ahead 2-1, helping them secure the league title.

“I had an opportunity to score a game winner against Santa Clara,” he said. “Sadly I missed, but my coach told me that good things were to come in the future. Against Los Altos when I scored, it really meant a lot to me because we won as a team and we fought hard the entire game.”

Despite a heartbreaking loss in the CCS playoffs, Friedman helped the team achieve a strong record of 11-

5-3. Additionally, Friedman is starring on the lacrosse team as a captain, averaging 2.3 goals per game and leading the team in assists, with an average of two per game.

Friedman is the leader of the offense on the team.

“I do not like being that guy that has to tell people what to do; I much prefer to lead by example,” Friedman said.

“Being a leader, you have to show up and give a hundred percent which challenges me to be a better player and person.”

Friedman’s leadership and skill on both the lacrosse and soccer teams are what earned him this honor. He encourages his teammates to work hard, and comes to practice every day with a smile. In each game, he gives his all for his teammates no matter what the score is.

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 25

Photos courtesy of Karen Hickey

Viking’s

by ELIZABETH FETTER

CLASSMAN UNDER of the year NATALIE NEUMANN Although only a sophomore, Natalie Neumann is a starter on the girls basketball team, where her hard work and dedication has helped the team to a league victory.

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y the end of her freshman year, cruits one teammate or another to shoot current sophomore Natalie Neu- with her. Usually it’s her fellow sophomann had established herself as a more Katheriner Garr. true renaissance athlete: she had already “We work on some shooting and replayed a half-dozen water polo games, bounding for each other,” Garr said. won a league championship for girls “Some other people do it [too], but we basketball, and out-sprinted her compet- usually say the longest; the coach [even] itors in the anchor leg of the track and kicks us out sometimes.” field 4x100 meter relay.

Garr has played with Neumann since Starting sophomore year, however, fourth grade, on AAU club teams, Neumann decided to focus on only one through Jordan (now Greene) athletics, sport in order to dedicate herself fully to and now at Paly. Across all she has been it. able to witness Neumann’s fierce, un“When I do sports, I’m sort of an over- yielding commitment. achiever: I spend a lot of time outside of “If she’s dedicated to something, she’s practice putting in work but I [can’t] do going to spend a lot of time doing it and that for every single sport,” Neumann working on it,” Garr said. “If she wants said. “So sophomore year I just ended something, she’s going to do as much as up doing basketball.” she can to get it.”

This year on the basketball team she The basketball coach, Scott Peters, was a starting varsity player, shot 34% agrees, noting how constant Neumann’s from the three-point-line, one of the best effort is. averages on the team, and helped take “Her actions speak Paly to the Open Division in Leagues for louder than words,” a third straight year.

Peters said. “She’s Basketball had always been special always early. She to Neumann. She started playing at “If [you] have all five is always one of a local YMCA at the age of five and first ones players like Natalie – that the has continued ever since in a varin, one of the ied scope: from club and school last ones to work as hard as Natalie teams to practicing, shooting, leave. It’s – you know your team is and playing on her own. every day, going to do well.”

Across these different forms of just a ‘drip, the game however, the reason for drip, drip’ of -Coach Scott Peters her love and joy for the sport has hard work.” never changed.

This daily “hard “Basketball is an outlet I [can] go to work” doesn’t just when I don’t want to think about anymake Neumann a thing else,” Neumann said. “When I play better athlete and better player. It helps basketball –– just me outside practicing make the whole team better.

–– it help[s] me clear my mind. That made “If someone’s [working hard], then evme really love the game and like putting eryone else is doing that too,” Garr said. in the work.”

“Other people started shooting after And “put in the work” she does. On [practice] because she was. People are top of the three hour practices that hap- trying to get better because they’re nopened every day after school for the Paly ticing everyone else wants to get better team, Neumann often spends up to an too.” hour after practice shooting and practicPeters seconds this sentiment. ing rebounds. Most days, Neumann re“On our basketball team we’ve always 26 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

tried to have a lot of threats and not try to be centered around one person,” Peters said.

“If [you] have all five players like Natalie –– that work as hard as Natalie –– you know your team is going to do well.”

This year, the girls basketball team is graduating a solid set of seniors, creating opportunity for “threats” like Neumann to step into roles of leadership. Although she is looking forward to having a stronger presence on the team, she worries about potential added pressures as well as the looming decision about whether or not to play at the collegiate level, and hopes to maintain her love for the game despite these factors.

“As I’ve gotten older, there has been more of a commitment to basketball, especially being on varsity and [trying] to get minutes…or thinking about playing at the next level; there [are] a lot of little things that can make it more stressful,” Neumann said. “I’ve always struggled with anxiety and sometimes I can get in my head.”

However, to combat this pressure Neumann goes back to the basics, back to her five-year old self shooting hoops at the YMCA or on her driveway with her brother just for the fun of it. She tries to remember why she started: for the escape and clear-headedness the sport provides. “[Sometimes] I wake up early in the morning or practice outside late at night with my headphones.” Neumann said. “I love the game but practicing on my own has always been one of my favorite parts [and] even as it becomes more stressful, I just want to keep reminding myself that this is something I love to do.”

Viking’s

by ASHTON CHOW

UNDER CLASSMAN of the year

JORELL CLARK

As a sophomore, Jorell Clark is a starter on the strong boys basketball team, where his determination and dedication helped lead the team into a strong season.

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he Paly boys varsity basketball team had an extraordinary season this year. They finished the season with a record of 19-7.

Their league record was 9-3, and they finished second place overall.

One underclassman played a giant role in catapulting them towards the top of the league.

Sophomore Jorell Clark was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 12.7 points per game and leading the team in minutes played with an average of 26 minutes per game. His steady scoring ability in every context h e l p e d Paly control games all year long.

“He was one of the few guys on our team who we could give the ball to and just let him score,” senior captain and teammate Mert Yanar said. “His ability to create his own shot and rise above the defense allowed us to get a bucket when we needed.”

He also made a major impact on the defensive end of the court, leading the team in blocks and being the third leading rebounder.

“On the defensive end, his length and athleticism allowed him to clean up any mistakes, with his reach being able to jump passing lanes or block

shots,” Yanar said.

He was awarded first team all SCVAL league because of his all around elite talent.

Clark’s most memorable game this season was against cross-town rival Gunn.

“The second Gunn game was most memorable, because of the incredible atmosphere at the game, and knowing how much it means to everyone,” Clark said. “Our fans [were] something special, and then being able to score 20 in the second half – with that being a catalyst to our comeback – was definitely a great moment and one that I’ll cherish for a while.”

Clark started playing basketball in 6th grade, and eventually fell in love with the sport. His favorite part of basketball is being a team member.

“I love the team aspect of [basketball], as you become so close to your teammates by the end of the season,” Clark said. “It’s a really unique bond that couldn’t be formed any other way, as [teammates are] the people you see everyday during practice, and the people you put in hours of work with.”

Basketball – similar to many sports – requires a connected energy and effort between teammates in order for the team to succeed. Clark loves knowing his teammates have his back in every way possible.

“It’s a rewarding feeling, knowing that the people you’re playing with will put their body on the line for you every game, and you know you’d do the same for them,” Clark said. “And unlike some other sports, there aren’t many people on the team which makes these bonds with your teammates even stronger.”

There were many highs and lows during

“We could give the ball to [Clark] and just let him score.”

-Mert Yanar (‘23)

the season.

“I’d say that this season there were definitely moments and plays I wish to have back,” Clark said. “However, at the end of the day we learned from the experiences, and although it was disappointing to take second in league, and come up short in playoffs, it’s even more motivation for next year. But at the same time there were some great moments from this season including our 15 point comeback win against Gunn, and our late comeback win against Wilcox in the playoffs.”

Clark was the hero that night as well, scoring the winning bucket to help give the Vikings the victory.

“In our playoff game against Wilcox, [we were] down two, [and Jorell] grabbed my miss and put it up for an ‘and 1’, which won us the game,” Yanar said.

His teammates also appreciate his positive attitude and kindness as a friend and an athlete.

“It’s great being his teammate,” Yanar said. “He’s someone that always is positive on the floor, and a great listener.

Come game time, he locks in, and we could always depend on him to get us going offensively and defensively. He’s someone that anyone would want to have on their team.”

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 27

Viking’s

TEAM OF THE YEAR

by TYLER MARTIN and TAKUMI WEIMANN

PALY

DANCE

As the National Champions, the Paly Dance team inarguably had one of the most successful seasons in program history. process of the season.

“We basically just work on half-time [performances] up until they end, which is basketball season,” Hart said.

One of the most memorable of Photo courtesy of Rachel Ho these school-based performances was the halftime performance at the homehe crowd cheers wildly as the coming football game. Junior dancer Rachel Ho recalls the Paly dance team takes the game. field during halftime of the “I think [a] memfootball game, where they [In Dance] you orable moment deliver high-level dances with outwas our homestanding chemistry and choreoghave exactly 2-3 coming halfraphy. As the dancers strike their minutes to show time, which final pose, the crowd roars in apwas so amazplause, appreciating the thrilling what you have” ing and it was performance. Many Paly students great to see evhave seen the dance team give eryone at school amazing performances during halfhave such a suptime of football and basketball games. portive response,” But what many fail to recognize is what she said. the Paly dance team does outside of Despite the main focus during this time these performances, and the incredible accomplishments achieved throughout being these performances, there are still competitions that need intensive prepatheir intense season.

The dance season is different from the ration.

“While we are doing [halftime dances,] typical high school sports season, as it spans the majority of the school year. The we learn our competition dances in Auseason kicks off in August with the team gust and work on those throughout the mainly focusing on performances at whole year,” Hart said.

What makes dance different from the sporting events or school rallies. Senior captain Theresa Hart further explains the game-based aspect of other sports is

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-Theresa Hart

28 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

that it is focused on performance. This type of sport requires a strong amount of concentration and mental toughness that does not always appear in other sports. “[In dance] you have exactly 2-3 minutes to show what you have and if you mess up, you don’t have time to change that, it has already been done,” Hart said.

Another thing that makes dance stand out from other sports is the heavy reliance on team chemistry and bonding.

Not only do you have to memorize the dance and execute it perfectly, but you also have to be completely in sync with the other dancers. This is only possible through strong chemistry and environment.

“Performing with the team is always super fun and I think that while we had a lot of competitive success, there was a really great balance of creating a positive and supportive team atmosphere which made the time fly by,” Ho said.

The team builds their chemistry through rigorous and intensive practice sessions throughout the week. The dancers improve their individual skills all while developing a team connection. Consistently practicing for extensive hours has been the key to success for the team.

“We have practice four to five times a week for two hours after school,” Ho said.

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Slaney

Photo courtesy of Theresa Hart “We sometimes have practices from tines. two to four hours on weekends as “We prepared [for Nawell.” tionals] by running through While the lengthy practices can every single count of each seem like a lot for the average dance making sure everyone onlooker, they offer a way for the knew exactly what to do and dancers to connect with each other. we took our past competi“There [is] a really great balance of tion feedback and applied creating a positive and supportive it,” Hart said. team atmosphere which made the This vigorous preparation time fly by,” Ho said. proved effective, as the Paly After the basketball or “half-time” dance team would go on to season ends, the team shifts its fo- win first place in the Small cus to preparing for local compe- Hip Hop category, along titions. This portion of the season with a fourth-place finish in includes five regional Character. competitions where “I think [Nationals] they compete against was probably the “[Nationals] other schools from best the team the area. was probably the has danced The team proved together this best the team has strong throughentire year,” out the regionHart said. danced together al competitions, Overall, the this entire year” allowing them to Paly Dance qualify for Nationals, team had an inthe most prestigious credible season, event where teams from from electrifying across the country comhalftime perforpete for the award of best in the mances, to regional compenation. titions, to winning Nationals.

In preparation for such a massive The team hopes to continue event, Paly dance put in hours every its recent success heading day at practice, perfecting their rou- into next season.

-Theresa Hart

HONORABLE MENTION GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY After an incredible season capped off with a trip to states, the Paly Girls Cross Country team proved they could succeed among tough competition.

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nother Paly team that had a particularly memorable year was the girls cross country team. The team surpassed expectations set for them this year with finishes near the top at nearly all of the team meets during the season, despite tough competition.

The team’s successful season was capped off with a fourth-place finish at states, which took place in Fresno.

Paly runners Elizabeth Fetter ('23), Hillary Studdert ('23), and Kinga Czajkowska ('25) all placed in the top seven at states.

The team overall had a successful sea-

son, placing highly in nearly all of the meets throughout the season.

They had a dominant performance in the city championships against Gunn, with Paly runners sweeping the podium in positions one through five. The girls also placed in the top three in each of the three SCVAL meets throughout the year.

Despite the individual aspect of cross country, the team has an exceptionally tight bond which contributed to their success as a whole.

The conclusion to a memorable and successful season indicates a bright future for the girls cross country this upcoming fall.

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 29

Viking’s

TEAM OF THE YEAR

BOYS

by IVAN IJZERMAN and TYLER HARRISON

SOCCER

For the first time in seven years, the Paly boys soccer team became league champions, going from a one win season in 2021 to a strong force in the CCS division. by said. “This caused every single junior on the team to really look themselves in the Team celebrates after scoring against Gunn mirror and ask themselves what Photo courtesy of Karen Hickey they wanted out of our senior season, and it lit a spark through all of us that would burn through the entire f you were to tell anyone two years ago that the Paly boys soccer team offseason and carry into next winter.”

This spark led to them ending the 2021were to win the league, nobody 2022 season with a record of nine wins, would believe it. After an underwhelming 2020-2021 season riddled five ties, and five losses, pulling together the best season Paly with the effects of COVID-19 had had in years. The and a disappointing record, end of the 2021-22 only one win in 11 games, season was the the Paly boys soccer team catalyst for what was completely unsure was to come of what the future of the the following program had in store. season.

At the end of the This year, season, they tothe boys talled nine wins, five got off to ties, and five losses, a hot start, pulling together the winning four best season Paly had of their first had in years. The end of five games, letthe 2021-22 season was ting in, on average, the catalyst for what was to less than one goal a come the following season. game.

“After our loss at Wilcox [in the Later in the season, however, they hit 2022-21 season], we felt completely and utterly defeated,” senior goalie Isaac Kir- a block, losing to Aragon and tying with

I

[The season ending game] lit a spark through all of us that would burn through the entire offseason and carry into next winter.

- Isaac Kirby (’23)

30 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

ROSTER

Zach Cooper (C) Jonas Pao (C) Isaac Kirby (G) Charlie Merkel (G) Hunter Aronson Dani Bondowlowski Alec Bonnard Dinu Deshpande Stephane Finot Rhys Foote Asher Friedman Redmond Haynes Richie Ogawa Alec Profit Dominic Profit Josh Ramos Matteo Saffer Nick Saffer Ethan Sayag Nadav Sternheim Rusty Millard (Coach)

Los Altos and Mountain View.

There was a bit of unease within the team.

“After our scoreless tie with Los Altos, we were feeling pretty good since we managed to tie the two best teams in the league at that point in the season,” Kirby said. “However, we knew we had to start winning games if we wanted to be league title contenders.”

However, the team did notbreak down after not producing the results that they wanted.

Instead, the Paly boys persisted, quickly flipping t h e script, having two shutout victories against Homestead and Wilcox.

The Vikings would go on to win five of their next eight regular season games, granting them a spot in the highest playoff division in the Central Coast Section (CCS). They would eventually end their season in a hard fought 1-0 loss to the first seeded team, The Alisal High School Trojans, in CCS open division playoffs.

“I felt very personal about it, since it’s the last year for most of my teammates I wanted to go out with a bang,” Ogawa said, “This really allowed me to commit and push everyday.”

While their season may have not ended how they had hoped, reaching the open division was far beyond their expectations at the start of the year, and would have been unheard of just two seasons ago.

In addition to winning the league, nine of the players were nominated for the SCVAL all-league awards. Senior Dinu Deshpande won co-league MVP, with seniors Zachary Cooper and Jonas Pao both won co-defensive MVP. Hunter Aaronson (‘23), Nadav Sternheim (‘23) and Richie Ogawa(‘24) won allleague 1st team awards, and Joshua Ramos (‘23) and Isaac Kirby (‘23) won all-league 2nd Team.

After an impressive season, the boys soccer team blew their expectations out of the water, achieving more than they could have ever imagined. The progress the team has made over the past few years has been tremendous, and with a plethora of young players, it is very possible their quality and form will hold for years to come.

We knew we had to start winning games if we wanted to be league title contenders” - Isaac Kirby (’23)

Boys soccer team after winning Palo Alto Cup. Photo courtesy of Karen Hickey

Jason Auzenne lifts the CCS trophy Photo courtesy of Tyler Wong

HONORABLE MENTION

FOOTBALL After a rocky 1-6 start the Paly football team rallied to win their first CCS title since 2010

The Palo Alto football team faced lots of adversity this year, having to build their team around a new core of starters under first year head coach David Degeronimo.

Positions such as quarterback, running back and receiver were all held by juniors who had spent their last year on JV. “I think the new coaching system helped,” Senior captain Va’inga Mahe said. “[The coaching staff] had experience winning in big games like the state championship game.

The new juniors and the talent they had were fitting replacements from last year’s team, which was pretty decent.”

The team won the di-

vision five CCS championship this year, which was an incredible accomplishment for the Paly football program.

The season would come to an end with a 30-20 loss to CCS division four champions Santa Teresa in round one of the division six state championship.

Despite their early exits, many players were recognised for their achievements including Jack Newman, Ikinasio Tupuo, Rocky Leitch Jeremiah Madrigal, Lincoln Tutor, Declan Packer, Va’inga Mahe, Kai Bussey, Jason Auezenne, and Jeremiah Stallworth who were placed on SCVAL all league teams.

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 31

Viking’s

ALOK SUBBARAO KATIE DOROGUSKER

Sportsmanship Award

Text by ASPEN STITT and TREY COLLINS

Katie Dorogusker demonstrated excellent commitment to the team throughout her Paly softball career, and has worked her way up from timid freshman to team captain.

K

atie Dorogusker is an exemplary teammate and friend on as well as off the softball field. She has been a committed player on the team since she joined freshman year and has continued her commitment throughout her career. Despite being in the wake of adversity, she has worked her way up to captain. Dorogusker has been awarded the Alok Subbrarao award this year due to her infamous ability to promote a positive environment for her team to uplift each other up, make mistakes, and grow as players and as people.

Many of Dorogusker’s teamm a t e s h a v e d e -

when she was just six years old with a couple of her friends, and to this day she still plays with them.

Dorogusker played up until middle school where she took a break from the sport, but Dorogusker couldn’t quite escape her itch for softball. She started playing again her Photo courtesy of Karen Hickey freshman year at Paly and never ant it is to create a space where looked back. all the players feel comfortable to At first it make mistakes and strive towards was hard becoming one team rather than coming individual players.”

Her teammates remained a focal back t o point of her experience.

“Without the constant warmth scribed Softball her as a after so I received from my teammates I “c o m m i t long but don’t think I would have the con- Katie Dorogusker ted”, “kind”, she soon fidence to lead our team today,” (‘23) “ u n d e r found it was Dorogusker said.

Dorogusker became a co-capstanding” and where she was “c o m p a s s i o n meant to be. tain of the softball team this year ate” teammate.

Softball soon be- along with Cameron Toland and Dorogusker’s warm came the heart of Delaney Ball. Co-captain Toland presence on the team is cherished some of Dorogusker’s fondest speaks on Dorogusker’s influence during warm-ups, team chants, memories with some of her favor- on the team this year.

“Delaney and I, to be honest, and simply whenever she helps ite people. cheer on a teammate. Dorogusk“When I first started playing at are both very competitive and er is a friendly face to opposing Paly as a freshman, I had really find ourselves getting angry at players as well and loves talking to great upperclassmen that helped our teammates and other players and making friends with the other me get reacquainted with the sometimes when they make erteam. game” she said. “They definitely rors,” Toland said. “Katie has the Dorogusker started softball opened my eyes to how import- exact opposite response; she lets

“You can’t help your teamates put their best foot forward if you don’t”

32 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

her teammates make mistakes and is always there helping them improve their technique with whatever it may be. And she always does it with a smile on her face.”

Dorogusker’s positive attitude helped to ground the team and keep the game fun and light.

“I think without Katie, our team would be in a totally different position,” Toland said. “Katie balances us out and has a totally positive outlook on everything. Dorogusker’s years being a part of the Paly softball team created many positive memories.

“My favorite memories were on our way to the away games our team would get together and talk about our goals as individuals and as a team, then we would get all hyped, and it was just the moments like that where everybody is smiling. [It] made all our struggles worth it. Being a part of a family like that was something that doesn’t come often.”

Dorogusker’s contributions to the Paly softball program have been indeniably valuable to the team culture and overall mood on the field. Dorogusker’s impact on younger players will, without a doubt, inspire leadership of her standard for years to come.

Photo courtesy of Karen Hickey

Photo courtesy of Karen Hickey

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Debrienza

BEHIND THE NAME

Alok Subbarao started off as an inexperienced freshman, but over his four years, he commited himself to the Track and Field program, rising to be a strong leader and role model in the community, leaving an indelible impact on many athletes for years to come.

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he Alok Subbarao sportsmanship award, named after Paly runner Alok Subbarao (‘08), celebrates an athlete who by his actions, demonstrates what it means to be a true viking athlete. Subbarao joined the Paly cross country team freshman year having never participated before.

Subbarao started from the bottom and worked his way up. At first he was one of the slowest runners, however Subbarao continued to work throughout his four years on the team, finishing his Paly running career as team captain with an impressive mile time of 4:59.

“Alok is the poster child for any young

runner who doesn’t think they are fast enough,” Sam Jones, former track and field track co-captain (with Subbarao).

Throughout his career he worked his way up to improve his mile time by over two minutes and one second, a feat most high school runners dream of accomplishing.

Not only did Subbarao work day and night honing his craft for running, but he also changed the way the Paly cross country team bonded as a team.

Subbarao always brought his game face and inspired everyone to push themselves to surpass their limits.“Subbarao set a goal for each season, and I would think it wasn’t realistic,” Coach

Jeff Billing said. “He inspired me to work hard[er].” Coach Jeff Billing said.

Symbolizing hard work, being a team player and having good sportsmanship, the Alok Subarrao sportsmanship award is given to an athlete who embodies Subbarao’s good attitude and ideals of pushing the whole team to the limit.

This year senior Katie Dorogusker has been voted by Paly students as the recipient of the Alok Subbarao award.

The Alok Subbarao sportsmanship award, named after Paly runner Alok Subbarao (‘08), celebrates an athlete who by his actions, demonstrates what it means to be a true viking athlete. @vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 33

Electricifying Atmospheres

by JASON HU and JACKSON MARTIN

Paly sports has been home to many intense season-highs and heart-wrenching moments this year. From buzzer beaters to breaking records, here are some of our favorite and most memorable games from the 2022-23 season.

Photos by Celeste Bates

On this day, Paly traveled to Gunn, where the two rivals matched up for the second time this year. In their first matchup, Paly defeated Gunn by 10 points, but this game wasn’t as easy for the Vikings. Heading into the fourth quarter, the score was 43-28; Paly trailed by a whopping 15 points, with only eight minutes left in the game. But despite this large deficit, the Vikings used the energy from the overflowing student section to defy the heavy odds against them. The team managed to outscore Gunn 23-4 in the final quarter to give them the astonishing 51-47 win, stunning Gunn fans and players alike.

Scan this code to watch the 4th quarter unfold!

Boys Basketball vs. Gunn January 27, 2023

15 Points is the largest 4th quarter comeback in Paly vs. Gunn basketball history

Arcadia Invitational - Girls Track April 7, 2023 Photos courtesy of Hillary Studdert

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With over 690 schools from 36 states, the Arcadia Invitational is one of the most competitive track meets in the country for high schoolers. In the distance medley relay (DMR), a relay where a four-runner team runs 4000 meters, the Paly girls track and field team got a time of 11:58.8, giving them second place at the invitational behind Jserra High School and breaking the previous DMR record. The Paly team consisted of senior Elizabeth Fetter, sophomore Kinga Czajkowska, senior Hillary Studdert, and freshman Amaya Bharadwaj.

”

It was a great team experience to achieve that sub-12 in the DMR. I didn’t even think it was possible for our team until recently so it was awesome to do it at Arcadia.

- Hillary Studdert (‘23)

Football vs. Mountain View

Photo courtesy of Caleb Wong

October 21, 2022

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It seemed as if the team energy was rejuvenated, and our playoff hopes were more realistic than ever.

”

- Franklin Tutor (‘23)

Paly walked into Mountain View with a chip on their shoulder. Coming off of four straight losses, the football team found themselves needing to win two straight games to clinch a spot in the CCS playoffs. The game initially went back and forth until senior Franklin Tutor got a “pick six” which propelled the Vikings to victory 4835. Paly went on to win the next six games and continue their journey to Division 5 CCS Championship. This game united the team and started their great run to a successful season.

Scan this code to watch a recap of the game

Boys golf vs. monta vista march 30, 2023 On this special occasion, the boys golf took a close win against Monta Vista 196 - 216 at the Baylands golf course.

Sophomore Josh Wang shot a shocking season-high five under par, though only nine holes, leading the Vikings to victory. For those unfamiliar with the golf world, shooting five under par is beyond an exceptional score.

was the record the team finished the year with

I didn’t really try to do too much. Conversations with my teammate Chase during the match really helped me control my emotions and allowed me to forget about my score

- Josh Wang (‘25)

”

Photo by Caleb Wong

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11-1

Girls Basketball vs. Saint Ignatius

February 22, 2023 Photo courtesy of Karen Hickey

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Paly girls basketball advanced to take on Saint Ignatius in the Open Division second round.

Despite a great regular season for the team, the Vikings came into the match as a large underdog.

To make matters worse, Paly’s high scorer, Vienn Sheng, got injured in the pregame warmups. But after a hard-fought battle, the Vikings came out on top, winning 47-33. Not only did this game give them a good seed for Norcals, but it also marked them as the first public school to win two open division games in the last decade.

They beat us last year, so this year we were especially motivated to play against them. We faced some challenges throughout the game but ended up on top

- Kaella Peters (‘23)

36 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

”

Scan this code to watch a recap of the game

girls water polo vs. Los altos

october 6, 2022

Photo by Caleb Wong

“

I definitely remember it as kind of a fun moment of team unity and everybody getting together to celebrate that win because it was a hard one, and we definitely did earn it.

”

- Grace Gormley (‘24)

The Paly girls water polo team faced off against Los Altos at home. Both teams played buzzer to buzzer, and the score was tied even after the first overtime. Despite close calls during the second overtime, the teams’ remained tied up until the last seconds. After catching a pass from Fallon Porter (‘26), Grace Gormley (‘24) walked the ball in with fakes before scoring the game-winning point with 0.3 seconds left. The game brought the team together and remains a memorable moment for the athletes and fans alike.

0.3 Seconds remained at the time of the game winning shot

girls cheer wins ccs january 14, 2023 The Paly cheer team competed at the CCS championship in San Jose. The cheer team had endured long and intense practices all week, including repeated performances of their full routine until it had reached perfection. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they placed first in the tournament and became CCS champions.

“

Photo courtesy of Tyler Wong

”

The team spirit was amazing. Everybody was so excited to have gotten the opportunity to compete at CCS, and that was a moment where everything kind of just came together.

- Abbie Karel (‘25)

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 37

A VIKING GUIDE TO ULTIMATE

UNCOVERING

ULTIMATE Exploring the fast-growing, highly competitive sport of ultimate, and the community it fosters at Paly

by OWEN BITTINGER

U

ltimate, unofficially known as ultimate Frisbee, is a rapidly growing, non-contact team sport played with a disc. Ultimate’s gameplay consists of the usage of advanced offensive and defensive tactics to move the disc into the opposing team’s endzone. Combining elements of soccer, basketball, and football, ultimate generate’s fast-paced gameplay that is exhilarating to both watch and play. While the usage of a disc makes ultimate different from most sports, the aspect that truly sets ultimate apart is its lack of referees.

Instead, every player is able to make calls, which emphasizes sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for opponents.

The spread of ultimate undoubtedly includes Palo Alto. For the last several years, ultimate has been a thriving sub-culture within the Palo Alto sports community and has an extremely active and successful Paly player base.

Senior Owen Kuwayti, has been one of the most successful Paly ultimate players throughout his four-years of highschool.

Kuwayti started his ultimate playing career in middle school with a weekend recreational league, shortly after moving to a middle school team. With his middle school team, Kuwayti went on to win the division three state championship, and became a practice player (a non-rostered team member), for Gunn ultimate.

“At [a middle school] level there are not that many teams and it’s a lot of beginners. But getting to hold a trophy and

feel proud about playing was great,” said Kuwayti.

Kuwayti also ended up becoming a practice player for one of the highly competitive Youth Club Championships teams. Youth Club Championships are a summer tournament hosted by USA Ultimate and are regarded as the pinnacle of youth ultimate. YCC teams are separated by age range, gender, as well as region, and are composed of the best players from each region.

“Playing in YCC was an incredible experience for me, it was cool to get to go with my whole t e a m and play t e a m s f r o m across the country,” said Kuwayti. “All the best club teams are there so it’s really a display of some of the best high school talent there is.”

Kuwayti’s highschool career with Gunn ultimate started with an extremely successful run, but complications caused

by Covid and the departure of the coach

38 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

led the team to fall on hard times.

“We lost our coach in December of 2019, COVID happened, there were no practices, and all of our captains had graduated” Kuwayti said. “It was on me and some of the other underclassmen to recruit a coach, recruit a new players, and host pick-up tournaments.”

Despite the setback Kuwayti, continued to train and improve, playing for the YCC team Happy Cows and falling into the captain role on Gunn ultimate during his junioryear. As captain Kuwayti has helped the team improve, hailing in success and recruiting new members “I worked with the athletic coordinator to help restart middle school teams and for the first time since before COVID we had over 40 team members in total,” Kuwayti said.

For Kuwayti, ultimate has become synonymous with his time in high school, and is something he plans to, and looks forward to playing going forward.

College is where most people begin picking up the sport, so I am really heading into the highpoint of my ultimate career - Owen Kuwayti (‘23)

“If I was a soccer player or something like that, I would probably be playing on a club team or rec league,” Kuwayti said, “With ultimate, college is where most people begin picking up the sport, so I am really heading into the high-point of my ultimate career.”

Similar to Kuwayti, senior Rachel Chang, also starter their ultimate career in 8th grade. After running two seasons of cross country, Chang had lost their passion for running, and was looking for something new.

“I didn’t really enjoy [cross country] and I wanted something that was like less individual more team focused,” said Chang In their freshmen year, Chang went and joined Gunn ultimate, where they continued to play and improve their skills, until March of last year, where they were scouted for the US U20 national team.

Thanks to recommendations from teammates and coaches, Chang was invited to the team, where they would fly to Poland to play ultimate against the best teams around the globe.

Before going to Poland, Chang and her team met up in Chicago where they played and practiced for five days, improving their teamwork and skills before they would play on the world stage.

“We trained for six hours a day for

Photo courtesy of Owen Kuwayti

five days, mostly working on team chemistry because most of us had never played with or against each other before,” said Chang.

The U20 women’s team played 9 games in Poland, totaling 16 hours of play, against Germany, Italy, Austria, New Zealand, France, Czech Republic, and CanKuwayti jumping up to catch a high pass ada. Chang and the team went undefeated, winning the world champion- my teammates better and to seeing what its like to play other countries -- im esships.

“It was surreal and super fun,” said pecially looking forward to playing CoChang. “I was pretty locked into the lombia and Japan because their style game but at some moments when we is so quick and precise and a pretty big scored or were waiting for the point to difference from American playing,” said start i could hear the crowd and they Chang.

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or were crazy, chanting and singing and just looking for a fun and challenging yelling” Chang is set to play again for the US in way to stay active, ultimate frisbee offers the 2023 WDF World Under-24 Ultimate a unique experience that fosters not only physical fitness but also camaraderie, reChampionships in London this Summer.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know spect, and excitement.

HOW TO PLAY

GAMEPLAY & RULES: 1. Find a suitable field matching the dimensions in the diagram above 2. Each point begins with both teams lining up on opposite goal lines. The defense “pulls” the disc to the offense (think football kick-off)

5. The disc can be thrown in any direction. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc has ten seconds to throw it. The defender keeps track of the time 6. Substitutions may be made during an injury timeout or after a point is scored

3. Each time the offense catches a pass in the defense’s endzone, a point is scored. Team’s switch direction and possession with each point.

7. Players must avoid physical contact during play. Contact results in foul

4. When a pass is incomplete, possession changes

8. Players officiate the game. Players are responsible for all foul calls.

@vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 39

Advertise with the Viking ! email vikingads@gmail.com

Viking congratulates all the Athletes of the Class of 2023

Viking Tries:

Wiffle-BALL text by SIRISHA MITRA and CAMERON TOLAND design by CAMERON TOLAND

in may of 2012, Viking fell to the campanile in a friendly game of wiffleball. eleven years later, They face-off in a rematch.

H

ere at Palo Alto High School, we are fortunate to have more than eight successful publications, each with their own unique qualities and successes. However, regardless of sharing the same space and attending the same school, publications always have a sense of competition between each other, arguing who is better at design, stories or magazine layout.

One May afternoon, 11 years ago in 2012, Viking Magazine and The Campanile (or Campy), Paly’s newspaper, found this competition in a game of friendly wiffle ball, for Viking’s “Viking Tries” of that issue.

At Viking, we are the sports publication, and are well known for having a staff full of many athletes, with multiple D1 commits on staff over the years.

The Campanile (or Campy), on the other hand, is known for quick, efficient cycles and thorough news coverage, as they are Paly’s only newspaper.

Viking Magazine faced The Campanile in a this wiffle ball match, assuming Viking (the sports magazine) would easily take down The Campanile, given that the

Viking

Viking possessed a larger number of athletes. To Viking’s great surprise, Campy scraped by with an 8-5 win.

Peter Dennis was Viking’s head columnist who wrote the 2012 edition of the Viking Tries.

“This game was not what we at The Viking had hoped for,” Dennis said. “When we, The Viking, can strum up enough of our talent to take you on in a fair battle, we challenge you to another wiffle ball duel.”

Eleven years later, we at Viking finally did strum up the talent for a wiffle ball rematch against Campy. The two publications met at the lacrosse field during PRIME, with tensions high, as the rivalry had brewed over more than a decade. Fans crowded on the sidelines, and photographers buzzed around the field, and Viking adviser Mr.

“

Wilson presided as umpire.

The teams each met in a team huddle to discuss strategy and to hype each other up. Energy, excitement, and resolve were abundant on both teams as they cheered and took their places on the field.

Hitting a walk-off against Campy will be something I remember for the rest of my life - Caleb wong (‘23)

”

With Viking up to bat first, the game had begun.

Viking took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning after staff writer Caleb Wong started the game with a hard shot deep into the outfield, sending Campy outfielders running after it. After a hit from online Editor-In-Chief Tyler Mar

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1

R 3 4

tin, runners had bases loaded and both Wong and Martin scored on a sacrifice fly from social media manager Trey Collins.

“I think I did a very good job of setting the tone for the game, it was good to get in the lead early cause

“

tor-in-Chief) Dinu Deshpande finally put his team on the board.

“We all had a solid performance and most hitters for both teams did well after some strategizing,” Deshpande said.

Going into the bottom of the third, Viking failed to put any runs on the board for a second consecutive inning, with strong performances from the Campy outfielders.

“I want to shout out [senior] Cayden Gu for being a wall in the outfield and making some great catches that definitely kept the game close on numerous occasions,” Deshpande said.

Despite this, Caleb Wong finally managed to pull it together for Viking in the bottom of the fourth, scoring another run for Viking.

“The game was fun in general, as it’s always fun to compete between publications,” Caleb said.

The initial game was only scheduled to play six innings. But surprisingly, Campanile Editor-in-Chief Dhruv Shetty was able to score another run in the top of the fifth, followed by a quick tying run from Deshpande.

i feel like we all just went for grand shots that were just too easy to get out - Dhruv Shetty (‘24)

you never want to go down early in the game,” said Martin. “I think our team just played better out of the gate and we wanted it more than Campy.”

Coming into the top of the second, Viking held a solid 2-0 lead. Campy struggled through the second inning, failing to put up any runs until the third inning.

However, Viking struggled in the bottom of the second as well, with Campanile pitcher Tyler Wong striking the first three batters out.

After a pitching change, with Viking replacing Paly softball’s starting pitcher Cameron Toland with senior staff writer JJ Stoen, Campanile made a comeback as senior staff writer (and former Edi-

”

Photo by Josie Vogel

“We started with an early deficit, going down 2-0 in the first inning, that’s pretty rough but I think we fought back pretty well,” Shetty said. “Once you understand wiffle ball is more of a sport you have to hit the ball at the ground and just kind of try to outrun your opponents, we started to get the hang of that we played better, but at the start i feel like we all just went for grand shots that were just too easy to get out.”

The game was certainly heated, going into a seventh “extra” inning with a tied score of 3-3. Viking fans littered the sidelines, with many spectators cheering them on, helping the team rack up one more run.

“I think Viking had the slight advantage because there were so many people cheering for them,” said one anonymous viewer.

The Viking staff managed to complete a clean inning, holding Campy to their previous three runs, thanks to strong pitching from Stoen. Viking came up to bat in the bottom of the eighth, finally having a chance to defeat Campy, ending an 11 year long rivalry. With Yasmin Friedrichowitz (‘23) on third base and Caleb Wong up to bat, tensions were high and players on both teams felt the stress of the moment. With a hard hit line drive to left field, Caleb secured the win for Viking as Friedrichowitz crossed the plate.

“I’m glad to have clutched up at the end,” Caleb said. “Hitting a walk-off against Campy will be something I re-

Viking 1 Beau Revenaugh 2 Cameron toland 3 Caleb Wong 4 Tyler martin 5 Trey collins 6 Yasmin Friedrichowitz 7 Tyler Frick 8 Oliver marburg 9 Katie Yen 10 Owen Bittniger 11 JJ Stoen 12 Jackson Martin

Viking’s Pre-Game huddle, led by Coach Trey Collins.

42 | VIKING MAGAZINE | vikingsportsmag.com

Photo by Josie Vogel

1 Alec Bonnard 2 Tyler Wong 3 Dhruv Shetty 4 Justin GU 5 Cayden Gu 6 Eric Feng 7 Dinu Deshpande 8 Holden Lee 9 Gabriella Gulman 10 Elizabeth Gulman 11 Lea Kwan 12 Tiffany He 13 Shamsheer Singh Campanile senior Dinu Deshpande swings at the wiffle ball. member for the rest of my life.”

As Friedrichowitz scored the winning run, the crowd erupted in cheers excited to have seen Viking secure the important game. With a final score of 4-3, Viking emerged victorious, leaving the overall standing of inter-publication wiffle ball games at one win for Viking, one win for Campy.

“I honestly had no idea we had won but

when I was told I was really happy and excited they were like “go Yasmin!”,” said Friedrichowitz. “Also a big shout out to Caleb for hitting the ball so that I could score that run.”

On both teams, participants most importantly had fun playing a fun game of wiffle ball.

In the end, Viking wants to commend our fellow journalists on the Campanile

for a well-fought match. With excellent pitching, attitude, and coordination, Campy certainly gave the Viking staff a run for our money. Perhaps in another 11 years, a tie-breaking game will be held, and the wiffle ball champion score can be settled once and for all.

2012 THROWBACK In May of 2012, Viking faced a surprising 8-5 loss against The Campanile, in a publication face-off of wiffle ball. In a rather snarky editorial by Viking’s former columnist, Peter Dennis (‘12), he takes pain to list all the reasons why Viking was disadvantaged. He mentioned that, with little to no senior participants and a total of six players in general, Viking was lacking in spirit and overall experience.

Another factor he mentioned that must be taken into consideration with this match was the intense wind.

Dennis also makes a point in mentioning that three out of Campanile’s eight runs were made by their new Editor-in-Chief, Charlie Dulik (‘13). All of which seemed to be “wind-aided” in the first place.

Regardless of these drawbacks, one

memorable play from this match was made by Viking’s Features Editor, Austin Poore (‘13) who saved their initially strong 2-0 lead when it was at risk with a Campanile member on third and threatening to score. Poore was able to quickly and cleanly field a liner hit towards him

by Kyle Stewart (‘13) and tag Sam Dodson (‘13) from third and “expertly nab Dod right between the shoulder blades.”

Despite the unfortunate end result, Dennis seemed to have some impeccable foreseeing abilities as he predicted the outcome of the wiffle ball rematch.

“That’s exactly how our rematch will be,” Dennis said. “LEGENDARY. Because we WILL win. Be warned.”

Hopefully we lived up to his expectations.

Check out the 2012 Viking Tries wiffle ball and more stories here! @vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 43 @vikingsportsmag | APRIL 2023 | 43

GUIDE TOTAPING Kinesiology taping was first introduced in the 1970s and has ever since been a great aid for athletes’ muscles and injuries. Here at Paly, athletics are extremely popular and taping has become increasingly utilized. We talked with Paly’s Dr. Stacey Kofman about the benefits of sports taping.

What are the fundamentals of taping?

What is kinesiology taping?

3

1

“Taping helps to support muscle, bones, and joints and the surrounding soft tissue that has been either sprained or strained in the proper position while limiting the range of motion of the joints.”

The invention of kinesiology tape has been an exceptionally successful method to prevent injuries by maintaining a stable position of bones and muscles.

2

What are the most basic types of taping?

“Jammed digits, sprained thumbs, and ankles- these all typically will have some variety of rigid and elastic tape components used depending on the acuteness of the injury, sport, and position. Shoulders typically will get either KT-type of tape or a very rigid tape used on them, depending if it’s for the gleno humeral joint or the AC joint.”

“One must learn the basics of taping and wrapping and know when to utilize each. The other part is when to utilize rigid tape versus elastic tape or KT-type tape. Some tapings and wrappings are very easy to teach and learn, such as buddy taping for jammed digits/fingers but then there are others that are much more technical such as taping for a shoulder that dislocates or a knee that has an MCL sprain.”

4

How is sports taping a part of student-athlete culture at Paly?

“I believe that the student-athletes will ask for taping if they see a benefit for it once they are injured, not many ask for it just for looks, and if the athlete wants to tape just for that reason they need to bring their own tape.”

“The one thing that students do not understand till they are told is that if the tape is only strong for the first 10 minutes, then they are better off with a brace, especially for their ankle. Tape loses its elasticity after 10’, so essentially the athlete is better off to brace than tape, as one can tighten up a brace.”

THE FINAL WORD:

Competition Conundrum

by Elizabeth Fetter

In this final word I combined my experiences with interviews to argue that intra-team competition is overwhelmingly postive for all.

A

thletics should b e competitive, but should you compete with your teammates?

Known as ‘intra-team competition,’ competing with teammates can walk a fine line between lifting people up and bringing them down.

Uplifting when it drives each athlete to be better; degrading when it becomes extreme and brings people down. In individual sports where solo performance is the norm, it can make people want their teammates to do poorly because of the fierce competitive desire to beat them. Similarly, in team sports, when two players are competing for one spot on the starting line or for playing time. So how can coaches and athletes encourage healthy competition and mitigate toxic competition?

In this edition of final word, I talked to a pair of soccer players, and compiled their experiences with my own experiences on cross country and track, to find some answers to this question.

Charlie Merkel and Isaac Kirby have

known each other since sixth grade and Merkel and Kirby have attended hunhave been playing soccer together since dreds of practices together and gone they were freshmen. They are both keep- through thousands of repetitions of drills, ers (or goalies), which means they often bringing them even closer together. have separate sessions during practice “We got to the point where we could with only each other to work on goalie just say a word and trade off instantly [in drills. They explicitly go “head to head” drills],” Merkel said. “We always felt good with one another for playing time. about supporting each other.”

This situation would seem to be a Merkel attributes this positive competibreeding ground for toxic competition tion in part to their long history together but instead they feel like playing togeth- but also because of clear communication er makes them better athletes and peo- between them, as well as between the ple. players and their coach. Rusty, the soccer “I like the coach, was explicit with them in advance c o m p e t i - about who would get playing time, extion during plaining the when and the why. This left p r a c t i c e ,” no room for speculation and erased any Kirby said. potential for resentment by following “It definitely logic instead of ambiguous arbitration. pushes me “We’re very clear about who’s starting, to be bet- who’s not starting and how it’s looking,” ter; I find in Merkel said. “For instance, I had vacation club I have during winter break and [Kirby] didn’t. zero com- [He] kept on grinding. So when I came petition be- back, [he] was getting the bulk of [the cause [I’m] the only goalie.” playing time] because [he] was still fresh Merkel agrees that the competition and I had to work back.” helps him improve. He also notes that Kirby, while seconding the importance despite having a fellow goalof commuKirby poses senior year ie with him at his club practic- Photo courtesy of Isaac Kirby nication, es, it isn’t the same as trainnotes most ing with Kirby. important“I do club and have a ly that toxic teammate with me [which] competition is also good,” Merkel said. was negligi“But I haven’t known [the ble because club teammate] as long as they were I’ve known Isaac [Kirby].” both workAlong with being friends ing towards since middle school and the same having classes together, goal: the

“We always felt good about supporting each other.”

- Charlie Merkel (‘23)

Paly boys varsity soccer this year. Kirby (far left) Merkel (far right) pictured in blue.

tality. For me, this made cross country inherently easier than track because it is more team based (where each player’s place converts to a score and the sum of the scores determines the winner).

For example, even though I personally didn’t have the best race my freshman year Photo courtesy of Isaac Kirby CCS, Studdert finished with an team victory.

“Team is all,” Kirby said. “‘Eleven makes excellent time and place. Because this one [the eleven players on the field make lifted up the team and made us better there was no toxic resentment or jealone team in a soccer game].”

I agree with Kirby and Merkel’s per- ousy. Our individual accomplishments spectives. In my experience in individual (or lack thereof, in my case) didn’t really sports, a “team first” mentally has been matter because we had both helped the the primary factor in helping to prevent team to the CCS negative competition. Sounds ironic, victory –– the team right? How can you have a “team-first” accomplishment. mentality in an individual sport? Here’s Similarly, our senior year, sophomore how.

CzajkowsFor the past four years, I have had the Kinga pleasure of being able to train and com- ka, Studdert, and I pete with fellow senior Hillary Studdert. finished fifth, sixth, Since freshman year, Studdert and I have and seventh in the Championbeen competitive. This was almost al- State ways a positive thing. I looked forward ship race. It was a to daily workouts where she and I could good race but not push each other to the max. For races, my best. I had been we both certainly ran faster because the hoping to get a PR (personal record) other one was next to us, matching pace and I had been a little off. Despite this, stride for stride. Studdert feels the same I was thrilled. I had finished my last high school cross country race running literway.

“We are both very different people yet ally between two teammates; we managed to have get along seamlessly,” Merkel as goalie during a game three runners Studdert said. “Having against Gunn this season. in the top two elite athletes on a ten, and finteam together ished fourth can cause a lot in the state. of toxicity and It was one of conflict but it the best state only makes us finishes in better, which I the history of am endlessly Paly women’s grateful for.” cross counAnd, like I try. And none said, it was of us would easiest for this have been competition able to acto be positive complish that when we had a alone. Studteam-first men-

dert agrees, noting that with running especially having a teammate there for the hard moments is special.

“Running can be a really difficult sport mentally,” Studdert said. “Bad days are inevitable and you can’t blend in or hide behind others. I think Elizabeth and I learn from each other and get inspired by each other on these sort of days when the other had an outstanding performance.”

In track, a similar team-oriented mentality exists in relays. In a relay, everyone is working towards the goal of winning for the team. You want your teammate to run as fast as they can, faster than their fastest PR, because it will make the team faster. Studdert notes that these teamfirst times make the sport memorable and special.

“Running can have a really self-centered aspect about it— constantly chasing your best times and places, but a relay completely changes this,” Studdert said.

“With your teammates you are able to run for each other and celebrate a collective victory which is more special.”

This year we are lucky enough to have four fast distance runners (aforementioned Czajkowska, Studdert, and I, along with freshman phenom Amaya Bharadwaj), enough to field the coveted Distance Medley Relay (DMR) which consists of a 1200, 800, 400, 1600. The second weekend of April we raced in Arcadia, in LA, at one of the fastest high school track invitationals in the country. I raced the first leg, the 1200m. I felt okay and it went okay. It wasn’t, however, a spectacular race. But it didn’t have to be; I had done my job of giving our 800 runner, Bharadwaj, good placement going into her leg.

Instead of being bummed about my race, I spent the next nine minutes screaming my lungs out cheering for my teammates, urging them to go faster, faster, faster. The faster they went, the faster the team went. We ended up placing second, breaking the previous school record by over 30 seconds and only one of two teams at the meet to break the 12-minute barrier. Again, like our cross country races, this would not have been possible with only one person; we are each the sum of our individual parts.

“Elizabeth and I learn from each other and get inspired by each other.”

Photo courtesy of Charlie Merkel

- Hillary studdert (‘23)

especially compared to your teammates.

When I was going through the process, I became overly focused on my own running and my own times, losing touch with what the sport meant and what made it fun. I lost sight of the vital team-first element and mentality, instead wanting to run fast just “for the schools,” and “for the times.”

In a similar way, when I was injured, it was easy to let resentment or anger build up. It is hard to sit on the sidelines watching teammates do what you want to be doing but can’t. This anger can also be directed into the sport itself, making athletes lose sight of why they love it.

In my years of running, I have dealt with numerous injuries, some small and some bigger. As terrible as they were, and as terrible as injuries continue to be (I am struggling with one right now), they can provide the opportunity to work on positive, uplifting competition instead of negative attitude, and help you fall in love with the sport all over again by starting from scratch, way at the basics.

My most severe injury happened amid the recruiting process during my junior year track season. It forced me to take a step back from the obsession with times and getting recruited. It was hard that year to be positive about the runners around me, but I do think that I came out of it a more humble, aware, person who is grateful to be able to simply move my

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Slaney

For me, it was easiest for competition to be positive when I had a team-first mentality.

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Slaney

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Slaney

Studdert also highlights the relay as an important race for herself and the team.

“The DMR race at Arcadia was super special,” Studdert said. “I had just raced an individual event, but knew how important it was to come back and give it all for my team, and I couldn’t be prouder of how we all raced for each other.”

In this way, I have found it is easier to have positive intra-team competition and attitudes when everyone is working together as a team. Of course, that means that the inverse is true: when the sport becomes too much about college recruiting, money, or just losing sight of the love for the sport, intrateam competition can become toxic.

Kirby and Merkel second this idea, noting that even in ultra-unified team sports like soccer this can happen when money is a part of it, which often happens professionally.

“If you’re at a higher level and getting paid millions of dollars, of course you’re gonna be competing with the people next to you,” Merkel said.

Both soccer players also note that if they had been trying to get recruited, tensions may have been higher between them. Instead, though they were doing it “just for kicks,” and able to keep the competition between themselves positive and helpful.

These ideas parallel my experiences with running very closely. I have found that the sport became less about the team and more about myself namely during the collegiate recruiting process or when I was injured.

The collegiate recruiting process can often make intra team competition negative or harmful by making the sport more about individual achievement because it focuses on how you look to recruiters,

Studdert and I run on the track senior year.

body, grateful to be able to run.

In the end, I would assert, and I think Kirby and Merkel would second, that intra team competition is overwhelmingly positive. It can push us to be better and further our enjoyment of the sport. It does depend, however, on the mentality of the athlete in the sport. We need to make sure that we love whichever sport it is that we are doing. We should love it for the freedom it brings, the escape it provides, the friendships it forms. While other reasons like victory or success can (and probably should) be part of athletics, it shouldn’t be all of it, and to keep it a healthy experience, it should really be the second priority behind growing as a friend and athlete.

Beyond that, to ensure that intra-team competition remains positive, we should encourage communication, healthy relationships outside of the sport, and a focus on team-first mentality.

Like Kirby said, and my experiences emphasize, “eleven playing as one” is far more powerful than one trying to play as eleven.

Your team is there for you; use them.

I know I have.

Paly women’s cross country team after winning CCS Division I in 2019 (our freshman year).

Studdert is pictured second from left and me fourth from right.