Spring season teams have been training since midwinter. When the NCS journeys of basketball, soccer, and wrestling end, ten new seasons will already be in full swing.
Boys Volleyball
Defending last year’s NCS title, boys’ volleyball is hoping to “3-peat” despite the loss of 6 seniors and the challenge of a young roster. However, age will not be an issue, according to captain Bryan Lee. He believes that the sophomores and juniors on the team will step up due to their previous experience on varsity. Coach David Chen seconds this reliance on sophomores and juniors, explaining that the more experienced players on the team will need to take control of their roles for a successful season. “The nice thing is that the guys have been there before and have showed that they are road tested. It’ll be great to see how far they are willing to take us this year,” Chen said. With tournaments in Norcal, the South Bay, and Las Vegas, the team will be traveling a lot throughout the season, searching out top competitors. Look to Dougherty Valley and Las Lomas to provide the biggest in-league challenges.
Swimming
After a disappointing loss to Miramonte last year in Diablo Football Athletic League (DFAL), varsity boys’ and girls’ swimming is hoping to “stomp the Mats” in their upcoming season. With 8 senior leaders and an impressive line up, this will be the goal for the late April rivalry meet. The boy’s team is also hoping to continue their NCS triumphs with a 9th successive win. Senior Steven Stumph predicts that Campo will have a strong junior varsity team and that certain individuals will step up throughout the season. “If everyone works hard in practice, we will have a great season,” Stumph said.
Diving
Junior Joe Zacharin predicts that sophomore Morgan Matranga will step up because of her great improvement.
Track and Field
It’s looking like a developmental year for track and field, but with the challenge of overcoming holes in the line up comes individuals willing to take advantage and prove themselves. Coach Charles Woolridge laments the loss of crucial athletes, such as hurdler and triple jumper Rhea Jayachandran. Despite the vacancies on the girl’s varsity squad, he believes that certain individuals may be able to broach the void. “Athletes like Ashley Bernardo, Lily Quint, and Maddy Daum could be significant factors for the girl’s varsity squad if they’ve put in the work in the off season.” Woolridge also looks to state championship high and long jump veteran Hadley Swanson and varsity boys returners Brian Pfaff and Ryan Hoffman to carry their respective teams. “We’d like to see our developmental squad [frosh/soph team] continue to be successful by welcoming new athletes into our sport, and, of course, our varsity’s goal is to win the league title, which our girls team has accomplished the last four seasons.”
Girls Lacrosse
After becoming NCS semi-finalists last season, girls’ lacrosse is “hoping to pick up right where they left off, ” according to Coach Jim Magee, by improving goal scoring execution and replacing the loss of their 3 top scorers. Magee believes that senior leadership from captains Claire Faulkner and Marie Marin as well as experience from players, such as seniors Lauren Frucci and Caroline Dooley, will be essential in a successful season. Besides the seniors, he is expecting “big things” from sophomores Bridget Coleman, Mary Hildeburn, and Lauren Burns, and juniors Jacqueline Guelfi and Megan Adachi. For an exciting game, look to Marin Catholic on March 5 and Acalanes on March 12.
Boys Lacrosse
With a solid midfield and defense and 22 seniors, boys’ lacrosse is one of the most experienced teams on campus this year. According to captain Connor Doyle, the program is the biggest it has ever been with 60 to 70 players trying out on February 4 to the 9. Doyle hopes that the team will have better depth this season and that they won’t make as many errors as in previous years. “If we’re going to lose, we’re not going to beat ourselves,” he said.
Boys Tennis
Boys’ tennis also faces a rebuilding year with the loss of 8 seniors and an expected higher level of league play, but Coach Petro Petreas hopes that the team’s “youthful exuberance” and comradery will help them to accomplish their goal of winning DFAL. With half a new team this season, Petreas expects his returning players to step up and take over the empty slots. He predicts sophomore Tilden Oliver, junior Baily Wu, and seniors Elliot Kim and Hans Aasman as players to look for throughout the season. “I’m looking forward to some of the players who have not gotten as much of a chance to really step up and become team leaders,” Petreas said.
Softball
Facing top competition this season in DFAL, softball looks to its strong pitching and 3 4- year starters, Shelley Suhling, Becca Crisp, and Sarah Reynolds to lead the team to victory. Coach Joe Long describes these players as the “backbone of the team” because they are critical defensively and offensively in the line up and essential in team leadership. Long also expects Kristen Ghamghami, a 3-year starting junior, to be an important part of the team due to her astounding improvement every year. The team hopes to upset Alhambra, who has been undefeated for the last 2 years, and defeat their rival, Acalanes. On February 27 the team will kick off their preseason with a scrimmage against Antioch.
Golf
With every player hoping to make 1st team, boys’ golf must battle inconsistency and inexperience to attain their goal. After finishing with an impressive record last year, placing 2nd in DFAL and 6th in the Tournament of Champions, the team hopes to continue its success by making it through to NCS and State. Team captain Sam Firth attributes past victories to the team’s depth. However, the team of 12 is mainly made up of underclassmen, Firth being the only senior. Firth feels that inexperience is somewhat of a problem, but he hopes that 3 year varsity juniors Jim Coon and Matt Klein will step up and fill the slots of graduated seniors. He is very optimistic of the team’s chances this year; inspirationally declaring that the players will learn from mistakes made in previous matches and come out on top this season. “It doesn’t matter if you fail once, you can always make it up on the next shot,” he said.
Baseball
Campo’s baseball powerhouse is the team to beat, having won NCS the last 3 years and ranked 11th nationally for the upcoming season. Coach Max Luckhurst and his team hope to defend their title and become the first team to win NCS 4 years successively. With 6 returning starters, 3 of whom will be 4-year varsity starters, the team is prepared to get the job done, according to Luckhurst. Although several crucial players graduated last year, he is confident that the spots will be filled as players develop throughout the season. With one of the toughest schedules in the country, playing the best teams in the east and South Bay and Sacramento, the baseball team has its work cut out for them, but the pressure is a great motivator, according to Luckhurst. “Hard work and determination is what will get them to achieve their goals, and their goals are sitting right in front of them. Lack of focus is the only thing that can stop them,” he said.
