Seniors are sadly wrapping up the end of their OVS sports careers, from which they have gained so much from. These sports have brought the seniors a stronger bond with their classmates and they have learned and improved so much throughout their years here.
Whether the students had already had an experience in their sport or were trying it out for the first time at OVS, they learned new skills and endured the hardship of learning and trying new things.
Spanish teacher Gretchen Wachter, girl’s basketball and cross country coach, believes that the seniors leaving their sports will play a huge role on the teams but has hope that they have inspired lower-class men to improve.
“I think that they are going to leave a big hole because in both cross country and basketball, there’s a big group of seniors that lead the way and dominate the teams,” she said. “And the nice thing is that underclassmen have a good thing like a good model to follow but we will miss them.”
ELI ROSTON
Eli Roston recognized his passion for running at the end of last year’s cross-country season. This year, Eli was capable of winning first place in two of the three third Omega League races. He was named Omega League MVP. Eli plans on continuing his running career in college and plans on running more marathons out of the country in many different places after he completed his first one two weeks ago.
This fall, he is planning on attending the Orange Coast Community College which has a highly competitive running program, and plans on transferring to either UCSB or UCSD two years later and joining their running program as well.
“I am definitely continuing running in college,” said Eli passionately.
Eli recently participated in the challenge of competing in a marathon. The run was tough, as two weeks before the run he rolled his ankle and was unable to prepare for it. He suffered through extreme pain during the marathon but pushed through and ran it in four hours and forty minutes.
“I was happy that I finished it but at the same time, I was also just in too much pain to even think,” he said.
ANNIE HEINEMANN
Senior starting volleyball player Annie Heinemann has been playing volleyball since fifth grade. It has played a large role in her life, from being expected to commit to the struggle of intense practices to many tournaments she had to travel for during club volleyball.
When Annie came to OVS last year, she was skeptical of joining the team because she knew that volleyball would be a completely different experience than what she was accustomed to. She joined thinking that it would be the perfect way to make friends.
“When I came as a new student last year, joining the volleyball team was the perfect opportunity to get closer to my new classmates,” she said. “It was a nice transition from playing club volleyball competitively to playing it for fun.”
Annie is finally ready to bring her volleyball career to an end after years of playing.
“I have been playing for a long time but once I graduate I think I am ready to let go of playing volleyball,” Annie said.
DONAHI SORIANO
Senior starting basketball player Donhai Soriano has been playing basketball since sixth grade. She frequently practiced with her dad and it began growing on her. Finishing the season on a game-winning three-pointer was a full-circle moment as she began and ended her basketball career at OVS.
Donahi believes that basketball was able to bring her closer to her classmates throughout high school.
“I feel like I played on a lot of teams and I played on a lot with different people. I’d have to say out of my three years of playing here at Upper, this year’s team has been the best I’ve been on,” she said.
Donahi isn’t planning on playing basketball in college but she does plan on keeping it as a hobby she participates in occasionally.
“I’ll play or practice at some courts and get some friends in on it,” she said. “I’ll definitely continue playing for fun.”