By: Sydney Brammer
Since the start of online school, the plan for when high school sports’ seasons are supposed to start has been up in the air. Because no one knows exactly when things are supposed to start back up, student-athletes have been doing everything they can to stay in shape so they’re ready when their season does start.
Fall and Winter sports’ seasons are still to be determined as to the start of tryouts, however it looks to be they will pushed back to now be considered a Spring sport. How do athletes feel about this? What have they been doing to stay in shape at home? Here are some of the Varsity athletes’ opinions from every Fall and Winter sports’ team.
Fall Sports Student-Athletes:
According to CIF, the plan for the start of Fall seasons is sometime in December.
Madison Allan ’22 who plays wing on the Varsity girls water polo team was expecting the closure of school, yet still felt “empty and confused” hearing the official news. She has been very limited as to how she can practice water polo at home because she doesn’t have equipment or a pool, but that didn’t stop her. She still works on staying in shape by spinning on her spin bike, doing dumbbell workouts, and ab workouts. Allan misses her team and her sports. Her goal for when she returns is to keep improving to be the best player she can be.
Beau Gendron ’22 who plays guard on the boys Varsity water polo team was relieved about the postponement because at least he still gets a season at all. To stay in shape, Gendron built his own goal which he practices shooting in almost everyday. The biggest challenge for him during this time is “staying positive” about school and the Corona Virus.
Edgar Jaurrieta ’21, defensive back and/or corner back for the Varsity football team wasn’t surprised about the cancellation of school, but he wants to return back to school to be able to “bond with my teammates like we always do… it’s not the same online.” To stay in shape, Juarrieta has been training in a gym and running frequently so he’s ready when his season starts. His goal for when he returns is to work with his team and win a title to “prove to everyone that we’re not going to let a pandemic hold us back from doing that.” Being a senior, Juarrieta was “hurt a little bit” that his last season of high school football won’t be the same, however, he says, “you have to learn as a athlete to be able to overcome hard times and perform your best.” Jaurrieta’s words of encouragement to all students at Redwood:
“It’s hard right now, but it could be worse. We are all going through it and we’re not alone. It’s not easy going through these hard times, so as students we should try and find the bright sides of all these events.”
Edgar Juarrieta ’21, ASB President and Varsity football player
Sydney Weddle ’21, a defensive player for the Varsity volleyball team was happy she’s still at least getting a season, however, she has a feeling it won’t happen because of Covid. To stay in shape, Weddle has been doing small workouts focused on lower-body, and runs throughout the week. To train, she has been meeting up with her teammates to practice every week. Her goal for when she returns is to “work as hard as I can to make it an amazing season.” Being a senior, Weddle was very upset that she wouldn’t be getting the dream senior year she hoped for, but she hopes we return next semester so we all get to have at least half of a semi-normal year.
Presley Acosta ’22 who plays for the Varsity girls golf team has been able to practice frequently since most golf courses are currently open. Her biggest challenge has been staying motivated since she has too much free time and the heat and poor air quality has also been a factor in the struggle of getting herself out on the course. Acosta’s goal for when she returns is to “shoot better rounds” and “to work on my putting and try to eliminate more 3 putts.” She wants to work on growing her friendships with her teammates and help motivate each other to improve.
Victoria Nino ’21, one of the captains of the Varsity girls cross country team was “speechless and upset” about the cancellation of school, but saw it as an advantage to train harder. To stay in shape, she runs about 40-45 miles a week and works on muscle groups for strength and stability. She trains mainly by herself, mornings and nights six days a week. Occasionally, she trains with her teammates. Nino says, “Online school gives me the opportunity for extra training and self-care”, however, she wishes she got her season on time. Nino’s goal for when she returns is to break her 5K PR, hitting in the 17 minute time slot. Being a senior, Nino was upset that she won’t be able to run in most invitationals as previous years.
Lionel Inhphom ’21, one of the captains of the boys Varsity cross country team was surprised his season didn’t get cancelled and is happy it will continue. To stay in shape, Inhphom runs and lifts frequently and also trains with his private coach. His goal for when he returns is to win Valley with his team.
Sophie Degn ’21, one of the captains of the girls Varsity tennis team was disappointed about her season being pushed back, especially being a senior but she hopes she’ll have a good team and have fun. To stay in shape, Degn works out with her mom and plays tennis with her friends.
Winter Sports Student-Athletes:
According to CIF, Winter sports’ seasons are supposed to start sometime in March.
Lynice Luna ’21, a wrestler on the girls Varsity wrestling team was upset about her season being postponed until March because it’s her last year wrestling at Redwood. To stay in shape, she works out frequently and goes on runs. And her goal for when she returns is to place in State.
Eczequiel Juarrieta ’22, a wrestler on the Varsity boys wrestling team has been training with three of his teammates where they wrestle for about two hours Monday-Friday and lift everyday. Juarrieta’s goal for when he returns is to place at the CIF State tournament. Juarrieta’s words of motivation to fellow student-athletes:
“If you’re an athlete, don’t take this time as a vacation. This is an opportunity to advance your skill with no real distractions and be ahead of the competition when we start up again, rather than being left behind.”
Eczequiel Juarrieta ’22, Varsity boys wrestler
Nahir Karimi ’22, a point guard for the boys Varsity basketball team has been training in his backyard everyday for an hour and goes on runs twice a week to stay in shape. He also is training three days a week with his trainer and sometimes plays with two of his teammates. Karimi’s goal for when he returns is to gain chemistry with his team and secure a starting spot to help his team win games, including WYL again. Karimi is “100 percent ready to go back and start playing basketball with my teammates.” Words from Karimi to Redwood students:
“Don’t sleep on Redwood Varsity basketball, we’re coming!”
Nahir Karimi ’22, Varsity boys basketball player
Isabella Valero ’22, a shooting guard for the girls Varsity basketball team has been doing shooting drills and workouts in her home gym with her dad to stay in shape. Valero’s goal for when she returns is to gain a starting spot and work hard to be the best she can be. The biggest challenge for her is staying motivated, “It’s hard to keep the motivation going when you’re not sure if you have a season or not.” She hopes to return to the court soon to play the sport she loves alongside her teammates.
Jocelyn Arellano ’23, a left mid-fielder and/or defensive player for the girls Varsity soccer team has been going on 40-minute runs once a week and doing workouts at least two times a week to stay in shape. Arellano’s goal for when she returns is to be able to score more goals. The biggest challenge for her during this time is staying motivated, “It is really hard to go out by yourself and do things when there is no teammate or coach to push you.” Arellano is eager to go back to school because she misses seeing her friends as well as playing in games and tournaments.
Ernesto Pacheco ’22, an attacking midfielder for the boys Varsity soccer team trains daily by himself to stay in shape and improve. His goal for when he returns is to “score lots of goals, get assists, and win some trophies.”
All of these student-athletes have been doing their best to stay in shape and become the best players they can be so they’re ready for when they return. A common struggle for many of them was staying motivated, but they didn’t let that stop them. This was just one player from each of the Fall and Winter Varsity sports, imagine what the rest of the team is doing.
This proves how dedicated Redwood athletes are and why we are the school of champions.
Sydney Brammer
Sydney Brammer, '22 is currently in her fourth year writing for the Redwood Gigantea. She has a strong passion for featuring the humans of Redwood, and enjoys putting the spotlight on the underdog. She has written for the Visalia Times Delta and Sungazette Sports. You can reach her by email at sydneybr17@gmail.com.
Tags: covid-19, quarantine, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, sports, sydneybrammer, varsitysports
I thought this post was organized phenomenally. I liked how each person was separated and easy to find with a simple, clear introduction at the beginning. I’m going to have to use those quote blocks in my next story!