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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Many young athletes battle body dysmorphia, driven by a variety of social and athletic pressures. From dance's strict emphasis on perfect alignment to the double-edged use of "weight classes" in sports like wrestling, body image issues manifest themselves in across a variety of athletic disciplines.

Body dysmorphia pervades athletics

by Eva Cheng and Katerina Matta March 8, 2024

Trigger warning for discussion of body image and dysmorphia.  “Did you eat a watermelon today?”  An anonymous dancer recalled hearing the insensitive comment from a teacher at her studio,...

An Athletics banner hangs on math teacher Jeanette Fernandez's bulletin board. Fernandez has gone to A's games for the past thirty years.

Oakland Athletics uproot for income

by Gabe Sachse, Assistant News Editor March 1, 2024

When Oakland Athletics pitcher Trevor May went live on Twitch to announce his retirement, fans expected him to go quietly. As a pitcher with a career earned-run average of 4.24, few noticed his send-off...

Junior varsity boys basketball head coach Nick Nguyen ('15) addresses his players during half time. “I was confident in my ability to be able to coach Harker’s JV team,” Nguyen said. “Elsewhere, I would have been more hesitant and I think I would have had less of an impact than I could have here, which is what drew me to take the job."

Bouncing back: Former Harker basketball athlete returns to coach

by Emma Milner and Tiffany Zhu February 23, 2024

The junior varsity basketball team trails behind their opponents as the clock winds down in the final quarter. But the Eagles pick up the pace in the remaining minutes, ultimately winning the game by a...

Varsity boys soccer co-captain Jack Yang (12) checks on a potentially injured player from the opposing team in a show of sportsmanship. Jack has played on the varsity team since his freshman year, becoming captain in his junior season.

Behind the score, subtle moments soar

by Brandon Zau February 10, 2024

Within every athlete and sport comes loud moments. The astonishing feat that immediately puts respect on someone’s name. The achievement that is echoed over and over because of its lasting impression....

Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes faces off against the 49ers' Brock Purdy. The two teams will play in Super Bowl 58 on Sunday.

Students and staff share Super Bowl LVIII predictions

by Eva Cheng, Claire Yu, and Tiffany Zhu February 9, 2024

Excitement rings high as the days count down to the game that will crown the champion of the NFL. Fans gear up with friends to watch the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers battle for the NFL...

Elbow sleeves, special socks, Rice Krispie treats and more comprise some of Harker's student-athletes' sports superstitions. "It’s very important to the game, even though it’s just a Rice Krispie," girls varsity libero Norah Mehanna (11) said.

Superstitions snag success for Harker athletes

by Minal Jalil and Katerina Matta February 9, 2024

Bouncing the ball three times before each serve. Drinking from the same water bottle every match. Wearing the same kneepads to each game, no matter how ripped and faded they become. Many athletes routinely...

Selina Chen (9) represents her club team while Finley Ho (9) dons a Harker jersey. Both split their time between the varsity girls basketball team and their club teams.

Battling for balance, student-athletes take on club and high school sports

by Katerina Matta and Claire Yu February 8, 2024

Imagine shaking off the rust from two long years spent in the pandemic for your first high school volleyball season. Then picture winning the Central Coast Section title. Next, you return to club training...

Head Athletic Trainer Wes Howard attaches the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) machine to Emily Mitnick (11) to treat her injured hamstring. Student athletes frequent the trainer's room before practices and games.

Tech tackles injuries

by Eva Cheng and Katerina Matta February 8, 2024

“R.I.C.E.” Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. This famous acronym described the only options available to injured athletes before sports medicine became as widespread as it is today. As the industry gained...

Despite its accolades, warning signs about the Pac-12’s future emerged in June 2022, when powerhouse football schools UCLA and USC announced their imminent departure for the Big Ten. Following various failed attempts to negotiate with networks and bring the conference back together, each school bar two finalized plans to join other conferences in the 2024-2025 season.

And then there were two: Pac-12 dissolution ripples through fans, athletes

by Katerina Matta, Co-Sports Editor February 2, 2024

A bruin, a sun devil and a husky walk into a room. What do they have in common? They each represent a mascot from the Pac-12 Conference, which announced its dissolution earlier this year. Comprised...

Climate change worsens conditions athletes face in outdoor sports like soccer and skiing. The increase in temperature results in unfavorable air quality for soccer players and the melting snow for skiers.

Athletes run down the clock against climate change

by Tiffany Zhu and Claire Zhao January 11, 2024

Temperatures fluctuate, rising and falling by unprecedented degrees. Wildfire smoke fills the air. Sports practices are canceled. These realities may seem apocalyptic, but it remains true that outdoor...

As Formula One's fanbase grows with publicity of drivers both on and off the track, unity binds this diverse global community together. “My favorite part about F1 is the high-speed cars and the competitiveness of the sport,” Shivraj said. “I watch most parts of the races, and I like the overtakes the best. They make it more popular, so more people are talking about it this year.”

Revving up unity

by Tiffany Zhu, Co-Assistant Sports Editor December 10, 2023

It’s the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas. The stands buzz with excitement, hosting fans ranging from Harker students to celebrities like Rihanna and Justin Bieber. Together, they witness...

As paparazzi photographed them together repeatedly on private outings and Swift began attending Chiefs games, the quasi-couple captured the focus of football fans and Swifties alike. 

Kelce-Swift romance tackles media

by Katerina Matta and Aishani Singh December 3, 2023

Sparks flew one night in Arrowhead Stadium as Taylor Swift wowed attendees at her famed Eras Tour. Current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and two-time Super Bowl champion himself, was no exception...

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