Triumphant Trio: Olivia Saenz, Pedro Mendez, and Michaela Brown Leave Lasting Legacy at Redwood High

By: Ryan Harris, Erik Rico

For the last four years, Redwood athletics have had some of the best programs in the valley.  From the court, to the field, and even in the pool, we have seen Redwood athletes thrive and have success at the next level. This year was no different, with Redwood winning almost every League championship and Wrestling winning D2 Valley Championships. There have been athletes standing out throughout all their highschool years. Olivia Saenz ‘23, Pedro Mendez ‘23, and Michaela Brown ‘23 all stood out to their coaches in many different ways.

Olivia Saenz has been a four varsity member for Girls soccer. Saenz believes she has worked very hard for the opportunity to be on varsity her freshman year. Saenz is a goalkeeper for the Rangers and the winning player of the year. 

Her most memorable moment for her freshman year was, “When I proved myself that I won my spot on the team.” Saenz says. 

Saenz thinks her spirit and her hard working mentality is the reason that made her standout to the coaches, “I’ve been working really hard for what I do,” Saenz says.

Saenz will miss her entire team when she goes off to college but she will especially miss Dakota Espinoza ‘23 and Alysaa Hernandez ‘24 who played as defenders this season.

“We basically trust each other and count on each other on almost everything.” Saenz says.

An outstanding wrestler is Pedro Mendez, a four year varsity member on the wrestling team. He says he will miss fellow wrestlers Eli Gonzales ‘23 and David Ramiez ‘23. 

His most exciting moment he experienced in his four years of wrestling was this season when he qualified for the CIF State Championship.

“I was a four year member because I worked very hard and I loved the sport.” Mendez says.

Another player who put her hard work and dedication into her 4 years at Redwood is Softball player Michaela Brown ‘23. Brown is a Pitcher who is committed to Harding University to continue her academic and athletic career onto the next level. 

Brown says her favorite moment of her 4 years in the program was, “Beating Monache and claiming the EYL title.”

Brown says her character made her stand out from the others, and her support for her teammates never waivers, even if they make an error or a mistake in the field. She knows she will miss her teammates Morgan Bradford ‘23 and Alina Hernandez ‘23, mainly because they have been by her side for all 4 years of her varsity career.

Brown also gives credit to the Softball coaching staff, saying that, “Steve and Jeff have helped me the most.” Brown also has a go to pitch on the mound, saying that her changeup (an offspeed pitch that is meant to look like a fastball but is usually 5-10 miles per hour slower that a regular fastball) is her favorite pitch.

Tags: Erik Rico, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, ryan harris