PAGE 7 The Hatchet March 22, 2011
SPORTS Hatchet athlete of the month Nadine Morishita
nadine@whshatchet.com
Photo by Samantha Steadman Junior Austin Miller launches himself over the bar for the pole vault event. The track and field meet was held on March 16 at the Logan track.
Pole vaulters fly to great heights Samantha Steadman
samantha@whshatchet.com Pole vaulting is a sport which involves vaulters, to put it bluntly “flying” to heights of approximately 12 feet. Paul vaulting is actually considered one of the most dangerous sports at Washington, having athletes falling repeatedly from a height of about 12 feet.
“It’s scary…every time I vault I’m scared for my life,” sophomore Kelsey Landon said. Although with its dangers, the sport provides an experience that no other can match. “It feels like you are flying…it’s an adrenaline rush,” junior Austin Miller said. Miller can only describe his body as “weightless” in those few
seconds when he is in the air. Junior Liam Sheridan views the sport as something that can bring about a sense of achievement. “It’s really fun…you’re so happy just to see yourself over the bar. It is a huge accomplishment,” Sheridan said. The pole vaulting team has 10 athletes, which is considered small when compared to the number of
athletes in other track and field sports. To distinguish their group, they have named themselves the “Hipster Track”. Many of them have been setting personal records and narrowing close to school records. One of the closest ones this year is sophomore Kyle O Hollaren who reached 13 feet, falling short of the record at 13 feet and four point two five inches.
Junior Royce Chambers has been a devoted golfer for the past four years and is a hard working contributor to the golf team. Chambers began golfing because he wanted to spend his time doing something productive. He soon took an interest in golf and decided to join the WHS golf team as a freshman. The team practices at the Fremont range as well as the Sunol golf course Mondays through Thursdays. Chambers also practices on the weekends alone to improve on his skills. Golf may seem easy but it takes a lot of hard work, concentration, and devotion to master the sport. “People underestimate this sport, but it takes a lot of balls to play golf ” Chambers said. The team consists of eleven players, six of which compete at the matches. “Not everyone plays, but the whole team is there for support” Chambers said. Chambers’ personal record has been a two shot even par this season. He performs his hardest at matches and hopes pursue golf after high school as a hobby.
Boys volleyball team adapts to a new coach
team, there is support behind Pricer’s ability. kenneth@whshatchet.com “ I think he should do a good job...he’s up to the challenge,” The boys varsity volleyball sophomore Brennan Moore team lost their former coach, said. Jeremiah Pricer, to a shoulder Samuel puts more emphasis injury. His brother and alumnus on defense in his playing style, of Washington High School, something that was slightly Samuel Pricer, has moved up different from the former from coaching the JV team to coach. Seniors, Mameet Singh, replace him. Samuel’s goal is to Matthew Huynh and Apoorva have the team make it to North Coast Section (NCS) this season. Shah agree that they’ve been playing at a W i t h “slower” pace, Pricer being but with an most of He knows how to coach, increase in the players’ but I don’t think he has focus on the former JV enough experience to court. coach, the coach at a varsity level The boys team was glad Senior John Im started their to welcome pre season him into with a record his recent of 1-1-0 defeating Las Lomas position. In addition to Pricer’s High School at the Davis warm welcome, comes along Tournament on March 12, and doubts on whether or not he can losing to Sir Francis Drake High succeed at this higher level of School on March 12. The team coaching. will continue to adapt to their “He knows how to coach, new coach while preparing for but I don’t think he has enough their first league game, which experience to coach at a varsity will be held at Mission San Jose level,” Senior John Im said. As for another portion of the High School on March 24.
Kenneth Chang
“
Photo by Lauren Hishinuma Sophomore Dajai Jennings sprints toward the finish line. The track team competed against Kennedy High School and James Logan High School at the Logan track on March 16.
Where track team finds themselves Monica Anbazhagan
monica@whshatchet.com Washington’s track and field team lost to James Logan High School on March 16. WHS only faces JLHS once in the regular season, but has another chance during MVAL. “Some people didn’t do as well as they could have, but all in all, I believe everyone did outstanding,” junior Gene Horecka said. In comparison to the Skyline Invitational on March 5, the boys placed first out of 18 schools, and the girls sixth out of 18. Senior Jesse Chestnut and Horecka placed sixth
and fourth, respectively in the 400 meter race. Chestnut also placed second in the invite for the 1600 meter race and senior Noel Garcia placed third in the 100 meter race. Track runners choose the events they want to do early in the season and may train for different events if they choose to. Through experience, the runners develop personal techniques to maximize their running performance. When running a 400 meter race, Senior Trevor Koga pushes off and focuses on maintaining a constant speed within the first 200 meters. He starts to pump his arms more in the next 80 meters and finishes off
by sprinting the last 120 meters Seniors Koga and Shaan Gill agree that their success depends a lot of their coaches. The coaches ensure that each player’s form is good and pushes the team to excel during practice and races. “The coaches also help you develop skills and help you decide what events you want to run by watching you and offering suggestions,” Gill said. The boys will be training for their next meet against Newark Memorial High School on March 30, and on the side believe they have a chance for the state championships.
“