![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and its played such a major role in who Ive become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something Im [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala (21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“Im not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
Did you know: Davis Howard (11) becomes fourth wrestler to make league finals in Harker history
Davis Howard (11) stays alert as he attempts to find a way to attack the opponent. Davis placed 5th in his weight class at the Jim Root tournament at Prospect.
February 25, 2016
On Feb. 13, the day of the league tournament, Davis Howard (11) became the fourth wrestler to make the league finals in Harker history entering in second place.
After making history and getting this far in league, he described the importance of his techniques and teammates.
While waiting between matches at tournaments, Davis enjoys conversing with his team about wrestling and the matchups for the upcoming competition. He describes this time as one of the best moments he has with his teammates.
“Dolan’s first win of the season [was one of the best moments I’ve had with my team],” said. “We were all sitting on the sideline, cheering him on. Once he finally won, we all stood up and screamed.
“I started wrestling in sixth grade because I didn’t like basketball, and I couldn’t do basketball, so I looked for other sports at Harker, and I saw there was wrestling,” he said.
Davis takes wrestling seriously and made sure that his team does so as well. Team captain Anthony Contreras (10) described Davis as a father who looks after the team.
“He makes sure that we’re at practice on time,” he said. “He makes sure that we do everything correctly and that we don’t fool around.”
For Davis, the mental aspect of wrestling was the most challenging task to overcome.
“I know it’s bad, but I always doubt myself before my matches,” he said. “I always think of the worst possible outcome.”
In spite of this, Davis has continued to improve and he hopes to expand on his ability to attack the opponent.
“In wrestling I’d like to improve on my standing,” he said. “In wrestling there are three positions: top, bottom, standing, and I think I need to work on my offense.”
After competing in several dual meets and tournaments, Davis participated in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League for wrestling.
During the offseason, Davis plans to keep wrestling in order to improve his mental toughness and modify his technique.
“I fine-tune whatever I learn in season offseason,” he said. “I hope that will help me become more confident in what I do.”
