![“[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)
It wasn’t just a sport: wrestling was a family
One athlete’s reaction to elimination of wrestling program
An illustrated box containing a medal, a team photo and standard wrestling gear. For the first time, the upper school will not have a wrestling team for its 2020 winter season.
December 21, 2019
Kobe Howard (‘19) lay face down on the wrestling mat, his arm trapped behind his back by his opponent’s knee. I hovered above my seat, praying that he wouldn’t give up. “Throw him off your back,” I shouted. I knew how vulnerable Kobe felt. I remembered breaking my ankle in the middle of a match and pushing through to a victory, but no one knew how close I had been to giving up that day. “Grab his arm and throw him off your back,” I shouted. This time, Kobe arched his back upwards and rolled his opponent off his back. I sat down, feeling as if a weight had lifted off me as well.
Wrestling is often misconstrued as an individual sport. However, we all have a hand in each other’s improvement. Whether it’s giving our all at practice or cheering on teammates during their matches, team sports such as wrestling are built upon reciprocity—the idea that if one teammate benefits, all the others do as well. The hours of conditioning, the shared feelings of disappointment at a loss, the mutual moments of pure bliss at a win – these are what unite a team and inspire us to keep trying.
For five of my middle and high school years, I had a family in my teammates and coaches, and an opportunity to develop my leadership, strength and character every day. Then last spring, I found out that the Harker wrestling program would be cut this school year. The reasons – not enough team members and the cutting of the middle school program a couple years prior. I was shocked. I had been to every wrestling senior night since seventh grade, and it hit me that I would never wrestle for Harker again, let alone have a senior night of my own.
Most importantly, I realized that future athletes at Harker would never be able to experience the formative memories I have made as a Harker wrestler. While I can understand Harker’s choice to discontinue resources to a small program, I’m disappointed that the school hasn’t looked more into alternative ways to support team members in following their passions. Despite the program being cut, I know that I will always have the family I gained along the way, but new student-wrestlers will never have the chance.
