By CLAIRE LAW
STAFF WRITER
Girls’ Soccer
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYSarah Parra (12)
What do you like most about soccer?
“The thing I like most about soccer is [the fact] that it lets me forget about the stress I have.. I love the lifelong friendships that it has [also] given me and how much our team connects with each other.”
Why did you decide to be team captain?
“I [did not] decide to be captain, I was voted to be one by [my teammates] and the coach. I always try my hardest to lead by example and encourage the girls to do their best. Being a captain is more than doing a good job and expecting the rest of the team to follow your lead. [As] a captain it is your responsibility to make sure [you are] doing well as a team and make sure each individual, including yourself is doing the best they can for the [team’s] overall benefit.”
Who is your favorite Disney character?
“My favorite Disney character is Winnie The Pooh.”
Pasta or pizza?
“Why not both pizza and pasta?”
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYMia Ayala (12)
Why do you like soccer?
“I like soccer because it’s been in my family forever [and I have] played since I was [four] years old. [Soccer] a fun sport where we have to work together as a team to win.”
What is the most important quality a captain should have?
“I believe that a captain has to be confident and be able to push themselves so their team can do their best.”
What is your go-to comfort food?
“My go to food is [any kind] of fruit because [it is healthy] and gives [you] a lot of energy.”
What is one superpower you wish you had? Why?
“I wish I could fly because I would have a beautiful view of everything and also be able to get [to] places quicker with no one in [my] way.”
Boys’ Soccer
Mark Magdaleno (12)
What are some responsibilities of being captain?
“My responsibilities as captain are making sure all my teammates are behaving themselves because I [do not] want any of them to get banned from playing. I also show up to practice very early so I can get the equipment out of the shed and ready to go. Being captain also means leading the warmups and making sure every player is giving it their all during training.”
How has being the boys’ soccer captain changed you?
“Ever since [I became] captain, [I have] mentally grown as a player as well as a person. I feel like my voice [as a leader] [improved immensely] and so did my confidence. [It has] also made me more responsible because I have to handle all my captain duties, and allows me to invest more time in the program.”
Do you prefer cats or dogs? Why?
“[I am] an animal person but [I have] never owned a cat before. Growing up, [I have] only [owned] dogs. I like how [they are] more protective towards things like their owners and homes.”
What’s your favorite song and why?
“My favorite song is ‘Die For You’ by The Weeknd because [in my opinion] it has beautiful lyrics and it is very enjoyable to listen to. The beat and hook are [also] beautifully produced and composed, and Abel’s voice touches my soul.”
Jose Gonzalez (11)
Why did you decide to join this sport?
“I decided to join [the] soccer team because my father played it [too] and he got me into the sport when I was a kid. I tried other sports as well, but soccer was the best one for me and I just fell [in love] with it.”
How do you balance soccer with schoolwork and other activities?
“The key for me is time management. I make sure to stay on track with everything and [do not] waste any of my time before finishing school work.”
What is your favorite movie and why?
“My favorite movie is ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ because it is very inspiring [as] it shows that you should never give up and that you can achieve anything you want as long as you put your mind to it.”
What is your spirit animal and why?
“My spirit animal is a jaguar because they [possess] many traits that I love such as courage, power, loyalty [and] strength.”
Girls’ Basketball
Kendra Ukita (12)
What is the most rewarding part of being captain?
“The most rewarding part of being a captain is seeing all the hard work that I have put into the sport pays off.”
How do you balance basketball with schoolwork and other activities?
“I have learned to have good time management and organization skills through balancing both basketball and my schoolwork.”
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?
“Spam musubis because they remind me of the family trips I took to Hawaii.”
Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm and why?
“Disneyland, because I have a lot of fun memories with my friends from there.”
Boys’ Basketball
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYTyler Kam (12)
Why did you decide to join basketball?
“I decided to join because it was one of my favorite hobbies growing up.”
How do you balance soccer with schoolwork and other activities?
“I try to plan out my day and make schedules to help balance my day out.”
Who is your biggest inspiration?
“My biggest inspiration is Kobe Bryant because he has such a great work ethic.”
What is your favorite food?
“My favorite food is spaghetti.”
Girls’ Water Polo
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYElizabeth Chong (12)
What is your favorite part about being captain?
“I am very honored to be captain again because it gives me [more] pressure to be the best that I am. I feel more connected to the coach and team as a captain, but we do not have any differences between different levels of authority [among the girls].”
What is one word to describe the team?
“One word to describe our team is family, because I have never been this close [to a team in my water polo career. We [do not only] help each [become] stronger and smarter, [but we also] benefit from each other’s [company].”
What is your favorite food?
“My favorite food is avocado toast; it is just the best.”
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYHannah Mizutani (10)
Why do you like water polo?
“I like water polo because of the teamwork and challenges of playing and pushing yourself.”
When did you start playing water polo?
“I started playing water polo [my] freshman year.”
Who is your favorite Disney character?
“Vanellope from Wreck it Ralph.”
Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm and why?
“Knott’s [Berry Farm], because the rides are better and it is not as crowded.”
Girls’ Wrestling
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYSarah Limon (12)
Why do you like wrestling?
“I like wrestling because it allows me to challenge myself both mentally and physically, [as well as] becoming closer with my team.”
What is the most important quality a captain should have?
“The most important quality a captain should have is to always be encouraging your [teammates] to do their best no matter who they are.”
What is your go-to comfort food?
“My go-to comfort food is honestly my [mom’s] breakfast burritos; [it] does not matter what time it is, I will always be willing to eat one of her burritos.”
What is one superpower you wish you had? Why?
“If I could have one superpower [I would] want the ability to teleport, but only if I can take people with me. That way I can get to places much faster and be able to do all the things [I have] been wanting to do.”
Boys’ Wrestling
PHOTO BY PAW PRINTS WEEKLYSebastian Hernandez (12)
What is an important trait to have when being captain?
“An important trait to have [when] being a captain is leadership and humor because when you and your team are challenged, you have to make sure to push your teammates to limits they wouldn’t cross by themselves [while] still making sure that you surpass your own limits as well.”
How has being in wrestling changed you?
“ I started wrestling 3 years ago. Before high school, I never played any sports [whatsoever]. I was [also overweight] in middle school, [so] I decided to join the wrestling team in my sophomore year and it changed my perspective on being a warrior.. [Consequently] wrestling has been a huge part of my life and [has] taught me to [overcome] many challenges I face in my daily life.”
Who is your biggest inspiration?
“My biggest inspiration of course is Arnold Schwarzenegger. I admire his work ethic and his passion for bodybuilding, which I [also] happen to have a passion for. [I also believe that] he and I are similar in some ways.”
What is something that you cannot live without?
“Something I cannot live without is working hard [at everything I do]. I was out for two days last week [because] I hurt my left shoulder and when I was at home relaxing, I felt depressed and sad because [I have] accustomed my body and mentality to work non stop everyday. I [also] feel the most miserable when I take days off.”
Some captains were unable to comment.
