![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“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 it's played such a major role in who I've 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 I'm [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)
![“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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't 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)
![“[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)
![“I'm 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 there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's 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)
Spring Sports Update
Boys varsity swimmers start off their events with a dive in their meet against King’s Academy. Swimming is one of eight varsity spring sports.
Upper School Varsity athletes are swinging, putting, and setting their way through spring sports which are now midway through season. This season will highlight Varsity Track & Field, Varsity Swimming, Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Softball, Varsity Baseball, Varsity Boys’ Tennis, Varsity Boys’ Golf, and Varsity Boys’ Volleyball. Practices, scrimmages, and league games are in full swing, so make sure to come out to support the Eagles!
Swimming
The Varsity swim team dove into a rigorous season with the start of practice at Singh Aquatic Center on Feb. 3.
The team practices under Head Coach Ronni Gautschi and Asst. Coach Alisha Garcia.
“I think we really want our boys to make CCS,” Gautschi said. “I think every meet we’ve had multiple improvements and that’s huge for me.”
Some swimmers this season are water polo players hoping to stay in shape and increase their skills. Sophomore Yasemin Narin, who also plays water polo in the fall, wants to “becom[e] faster in the water” and “improve [her] sprint times” this season.
The team will compete in a home meet against Sacred Heart Prep on Wednesday, April 23, at 4 p.m.
Softball
Under the guidance of Head Coach Raul Rios, practice for Varsity Girls Softball officially started February 3rd at the Blackford Campus Baseball Diamond.
The team lost a significant number of members with the graduation of the Class of 2013 and are looking at a senior-less season.
Captains for the team include Vivian Isenberg (11), Sarah Bean (11), and Alisa Wakita (10).
“Our first win of the season was Wednesday over Andrew Hill, and I think that it really will get our momentum going as we start getting into league play,” Tong Wu (10) said.
The team has an overall score of 1-6 and is at 0-1 in league.
Their next home game, which takes place after spring break, is against Mercy Burlingame on Tuesday, April 15, at 4 p.m.
Boys Volleyball
Currently at 9-2 overall and at 3-1 in league, the Varsity boys’ volleyball team is progressing swiftly through its season.
The boys are led by Head Coach Dan Molin, the Upper School Athletic Director, and Asst. Coach Mike Aitken. Andrew Zhu (12) is the team captain for this season.
“I’m really looking forward to having a strong team that will make and do really good in CCS,” Shikhar Dixit (11) said. “I hope to improve as a player and become closer to my fellow volleyball family.”
Varsity Boys’ Volleyball plays Pescadero High School this Thursday, April 4, at 4 p.m. in the Blackford gym.
Boys Tennis
The Varsity Boys Tennis team has been practicing daily at Blackford under the leadership of Head Coach John Fruterro and Asst. Coach Hanna Pajujen.
“We’re doing pretty well as a team, considering last year we were stronger in terms of doubles and singles,” John Dobrota (11) said. “It’s pretty nice and we’ve won quite some matches.”
Late February marked the beginning of practice for the team, which hosts Kevin Xue (12) as the only senior.
The team faces Pinewood in a math after spring break on Tuesday, April 15, in an away game at 4 p.m.
Boys Golf
Competing in tournaments to invitationals and at golf courses to country clubs, the Varsity Boys’ Golf team has so far had an active spring season.
“The highlight of the season so far would probably be when we shot even par at Poplar Creek,” Dakota McNealy(10) said. “We really want to win league and try to go to states.”
The team is coached by Ie-Chen Cheng, and as of publication has no seniors. Srish Dwivedi and Nikhil Reddy, both juniors, are captains.
The boys’ golf team will play in the Champions Invitational Golf Tournament today and tomorrow at Terra Lago Golf Club.
Track & Field
Students participating in Varsity Track & Field practice at Blackford under Head Coach Brent Woodcock and Asst. Coaches Scott Chisam and Mike Bassoni.
Students participating in Varsity Track & Field practice at Blackford under Head Coach Brent Woodcock and Asst. Coaches Scott Chisam and Mike Bassoni.
The team captain is Claudia Tischler (12). 42 boys and 14 girls are on this year’s team, a larger roster than that of any other spring sport.
“Our numbers have improved, and the attendance/commitment has improved,” Chisam said. “School records have already been broken or tied, with several more in danger of falling.”
The qualifying meet for the CCS Championships will be the WBAL League Championships in May, where Chisam hopes to send 12 students.
The track team will compete at St. Francis High School at the St. Francis Invitational on Saturday, Mar. 15 at 8 a.m.
Lacrosse
The Varsity girls’ lacrosse team, practicing under coach and chemistry teacher Andrew Irvine, is currently well into their spring season. The girls began daily practice on Feb. 4 at the Blackford campus, moving to Davis Field after the winter soccer season finished.
With about 35-40 people signed up to play, the team has split into JV and Varsity for the first time in the program’s history.
“We have a great class of freshman so having our first JV team has been awesome,” Elizabeth Edwards (10) said. “It’s been great to see the team improve.”
The lacrosse girls are at 1-7 overall, so far having scored one 14-11 win against Santa Catalina.
The team plays Woodside today on Davis Field at 4 p.m.
Baseball
After launching into the season with a series of scrimmages, the Varsity Baseball team is currently well into league play.
Varsity Baseball plays under Head Coach Mike Delfino, and is led by the sole senior and captain Varun Kamat.
The team began practice at Blackford on Feb. 3. Currently 0-8 overall and 0-4 in league, the boys face Livermore Valley Prep at a home game tomorrow at 4 p.m.
Juhi Gupta is the Multimedia Editor for Harker Aquila. She is a junior and has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her position...
Kavya Ramakrishnan (12) is the managing editor of the Winged Post. This is her fourth year on staff, having previously held the positions of reporter and...
Kacey Fang (12) is the Managing Editor for The Winged Post. She has been part of the journalism program since freshman year and served as Features Editor...