By SIMONE YU AND ALEX CASTRO
STAFF WRITERS
Tennis
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANMelanie Wu (12)
How has the team dynamic changed since your freshman year?
“As the years have passed, [I realized] that [I hold a lot more responsibility, so I try to] set a good example for the girls so they can always play to their full potential.”
How has this sport impacted your life?
“Tennis has taught me so much about the importance of teamwork and strategizing, which has reflected on my mindset off the court.”
How long have you been playing this sport?
“I have been playing tennis for eight years.”
If you could meet any professional tennis player, who would it be and why?
“Serena Williams! She has overcome so many hardships, and still manages to come back on top.”
You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
“I would kick my sister out [of the house] so the elephant can have her room.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANCherise Ching (12)
Why did you decide to join this sport?
“I joined tennis because I enjoyed playing with my older sister.”
What have you learned leading your team as captain?
“I learned how close our tennis team was, and how all our efforts contributed to the team as a whole.”
Describe your team in one word.
“Amazing; each [player] is amazing, [both individually and] as a team.”
If you could pick any superpower, what would you choose?
“I would choose the ability to fly, so I can fly wherever I want.”
Would you rather only be able to jump everywhere or only be able to walk on your hands?
“I’d rather be able to jump everywhere, because my head hurts when I try to do a handstand.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANSarina Liang (12)
What do you think is the most important factor of leading a team?
“I think the most important factor of leading a team is to [lead by example] and always work hard during practice and games.”
What is your most memorable achievement in tennis?
“My most memorable achievement was when my doubles partner, Cherise, and I got second place in league together. We worked extremely hard to earn it.”
Is there anything you say or do that helps motivate the team?
“We always cheer as loudly as we can for the team.”
If you could only eat one food and one drink for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
“I would eat burgers. For the drink, it would be water. I chose these items so I will not die, and I also love burgers.”
If you were an animal, what would you be, and why?
“I would be a cow because they are so cute.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANArianna Audelo (10)
How do you balance your sport with schoolwork and other extracurriculars?
“I balance my school work and extracurriculars by taking advantage of any free time I have, and asking my teachers for help when I do not understand the material. I stay very dedicated to tennis and choir, which are my only extracurricular activities.”
What are you looking forward to this season as captain?
“I am looking forward to [bonding with my team and] watching all the players compete [and handle all the pressure] against others.”
Who do you look up to or is your biggest inspiration?
“My grandpa, who I call Abuelito, is my biggest inspiration and number one supporter. He is always there for me and giving me advice and tips, [which I greatly appreciate].”
Do you like pineapple on pizza?
“I am not too crazy about it, but I’m not against it!”
Cheeto fingers or a popcorn kernel in the back of your throat for the rest of your life?
“I would rather have the popcorn kernel in the back of my throat.”
Volleyball
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEEBrianna Gonzales (12)
What are your goals as captain of volleyball this season?
“My goals as captain are to encourage my teammates to do better and to always keep [a positive energy]- setting an example for others.”
How has this sport impacted your life?
“Volleyball has taught me [important communication skills and] that sometimes working with a group is better than working by yourself.”
Describe your team in one word
“LOUD. We are very loud and energetic.”
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
“A flying squirrel! Or a sugar glider. They are so cute!”
What is your go-to comfort food?
“Pizza and ice cream, yum.”
Cross Country
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEEDaniela de la Torre (12)
What is the most important factor of being captain?
“The most important factor is being ready to bring our team as a whole. We [do so] by pushing and working with each other.”
Are there any obstacles you came across on during your years in cross country?
“Mainly injuries; [It is very exerting to run on rocks, grass and up hills.] [There are also] mental obstacles, [which are] voices inside my head saying ‘I can’t do this, it’s way too hard,’ but my team always backs me up.”
What is a personal goal you hope to achieve this season/year?
“I hope my team and I go to CIF.”
Would you rather be 10 feet tall or 10 inches tall?
“Ten feet tall; so I can see everything [from afar].
Is water wet?
“No; something that gets wet is [dry in the beginning.] Water cannot be wet!”
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEEDavid Barrios (12)
What do you like most about cross-country?
“I really like that cross-country requires and builds a lot of mental strength, and is also very rewarding. After a very long run, like 10 miles, I always feel amazing.”
Why did you decide to get into this sport?
“I joined cross-country during my freshman year because my brother did it, and I always want to top [him].”
Is there anything you say or do that helps motivate your team?
“Something I do that motivates my team is shouting small bursts of encouragement to my team when running, which always boosts their attitude.”
Would you rather win $10 million or find your soulmate? Why?
“I’d rather find my soulmate, for sure. Money is artificial to me, and finding a soulmate is awesome.”
Do you like pineapple on pizza?
“No, definitely not!”
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEEJonathan Pfeiffer (11)
If you could teach any lesson to the new members what would it be?
“[To] make sure to hydrate, [stretch] and stay focused.”
Do you have any pregame superstitions?
“I wear the same underwear at every, race and like to pray before [any] big event.”
If you could pass any law what would it do?
“It would be to shorten school time.”
How do you prepare for games?
“[I prepare for meets by] running every single day, staying focused and keeping my goals in mind.”
What is your favorite memory at Wilson?
“The Los Altos vs Wilson football game; it was fun and full of spirit, even if we lost.”
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEELily Lin (12)
What are your goals for this season?
“I want to beat my personal record and make it to CIF preliminaries as a team.”
What does your ideal weekend sound like?
“Chilling at home on the couch, watching Youtube.”
If you could meet anyone, who would you want to meet and why?
“Amelia Earhart, [because I want] to know how she got her confidence.”
What are your hobbies?
“I [love to] run, watch Youtube and bake.”
Is there something you would like to say to the people just entering sports or Wilson?
“Have fun, relax and do something you truly enjoy.”
Football
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANNicolas Quiroz (12)
How has this sport impacted your life?
“[Football improved] the the way I work out my leadership and communication skills as a person.”
If you could any animal what you you be?
“A wildcat, [because] Wilson is the best, and it represents my leadership and patriotism [for the school].”
“What adjectives do you think best describe you?
“The best adjectives would be fierce, social and outgoing”
You have just been given superpowers, what are they?
“It would be invincibility because I would not die.”
You are on vacation on a tropical island what 3 items do you bring?
“My phone, survival stuff and ten other people.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANNicholas Aguayo (12)
If you could travel to any time when would it?
“Back to the first semester of sophomore year because [that was when] I slacked off big-time.”
If you could change to any other sport what would it be and why?
“Basketball because I also love playing basketball.”
What are your plans after high school
“I am going to go to college on a football scholarship. I [have] received some [offers] but don’t know where I am going yet.”
Have you accomplished the goals you set in this sport?
“I have a long season ahead of me but plan to get them done this year.”
What is your favorite part of this sport?
“The competition aspect, working with my team to go and compete against other teams.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANNicholas Barrera (12)
What drove you to pick this sport.
“I have always enjoyed watching and playing football, and wanted to bring my talent to Wilson”
Did you intend to be captain?
“Of course, I always put in the extra effort to show that I was worthy of being a captain”
Did this sport change you as a person, and if so how?
“ Yes; [football has nurtured my] leadership attributes.”
Have you accomplished the goals you set in this sport?
“Not yet: [our team] has yet to make it to CIFs.”
If you could only eat one food or drink for the rest of your life what would it be and why
“Subway, because it is just great”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CHANJames Chavez (12)
What is your favorite part of football?
“[My favorite part of football is] that we get along as a team and in order to win you have to work together.”
How has the team changed since you first joined it?
“[Back then,] people tended not to care about the sport and what we did.”
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
“It would be to fly because I am afraid of heights.”
Who or what is your inspiration?
“My parents; they came from nothing and taught me to be grateful.”
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
“I would want to meet Martin Luther King Jr. because of how much of an impact he had and what he [advocated for].”
Boys’ Water polo
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEEJonathan Han (12)
How has the team changed since you first joined ?
“We have had a different coach every year. Also, each year brings a new group of energetic freshmen.”
If you could move to any planet which would it be
“Jupiter, because it is the biggest [planet].”
Are there any times you have doubted joining Water Polo?
“When I first started [Water Polo], I went to a clinic and they said I was below average. [I doubted myself, but] I realized that just meant I had to get better.”
How has being the captain improved the way you interact with the team?
“It has taught me to be more patient and encouraging.”
If you could have any pet what would it be?
“[I would choose] a monkey, because it could be trained to bring me food and drinks on the couch whenever I [do not] want to get up.”
PHOTO BY CANDICE LEERyan Lien (11)
What drives you to become better?
“I push myself because I want to prove to these athletes that I might be small, but I can still play the game. My teammates push me too, [as we] hype each other up and have a fun time, which makes everything worth the effort.“
What would your dream job be?
“My dream job is to be a physical therapist or something in the medical field.”
What is your favorite food
“I will honestly eat anything but cheese, because I love food and cannot choose just one.”
Who is your role model?
“All my role models are alumni who played water polo, especially Jonathan Heredia, because of his huge influence on me as a player and a friend.”
Would you rather live in a virtual world where all your wishes are granted or in the real world
“[I would choose] the real world. In the real world, I can make my dreams come true and anything can happen.”