Everything you need to know about Campolindo’s fall sports this season.
Leaves are falling, days are getting colder, and Campolindo’s first batch of sports has started for the fall season. Many students are in high spirits as Campolindo has its first set of games, showing up to support our school. There’s a wide variety of options for sports this fall: girls’ golf, football, girls’ flag football, girls’ tennis, cross country, water polo, and girls’ volleyball.
Cross Country
It’s hard to miss the Campolindo cross country team with their state posters scattered around the school or the numerous banners hung in the gym. With fair reasoning, as they have a reputation for being one of the top cross country teams in the state. With a distinguishable uniform, the team repeatedly sprints to victory, highlighting their success and dominance.
An average week for the athletes is six days of training with one rest day on Sundays. Teammates are stating that the best way to prepare for meets is with tough practices. Although some workouts are tiring, hill reps and long track laps are prominent in the success of the teammates in races at Hidden Valley or Mid-Season Mania. Sophomore Caden Ehrhorn states, “It’s really just about getting through those hard workouts where we’re running like four, five, six, or seven miles on the track and we just need to push through that and get in the right mindset for those races”.
The team’s reachable goals are to win all divisions after DAL and to make it to state for the varsity teams. These goals have been accomplished before, and will hopefully happen again.
The team has a strong bond, which helps them get through those tough races. Whether it’s the teammates screaming at you during a race, Chocolate Milk Mondays after a hard workout, or dressing up for orienteering, many feel closer to one another.
Girls’ Golf
With a flushing start to the season, Campolindo girls’ golf has a strong reputation. The girls are working hard to stay on top this year as they progress through the season. Last year, the girls had a few difficult matches, ending with a score of 4-5, but this year, expectations are higher as they are starting with a score of 4-2.
One thing not a lot of people might know is the power of a strong mindset in the game of golf. Junior Alena Wang started playing in 2020 and has played for three years at Campolindo. Wang mentions a recommended strategy to have a good outcome is “focusing on the short game and not letting the bad hole define you”. Some people let the bad matches get to their head, “defining” their skill, but it’s best to remember that even the best golfers have bad games.
The girls are striving to compete in NCS and DAL this year with high levels of competition against Miramonte and Acalanes. Team bonding and supporting one another are good ways for the girls to keep spirits high through these tough games. By remembering the importance of mindset for golf, the girls will surely dominate this season.
Football
Kicking off the season to a strong start, the Campolindo football team dominates with a current score of 5-0. The team is on track to have an eventful set of games following last year’s disappointing season. The Cougars had a record of 7-6, finishing the league with 2-2. Lots of work has been put into place, and a positive outcome is expected. Drills after drills, the Campolindo football team has been practicing since summer break, and is determined to dominate. So far, winning these games has been easy for Campo, but what’s most important is how the rest of the season will play out.
Freshman Jack Elliot believes the best way for the team to succeed is by “a lot of observing and listening to the coaches”. Elliot thinks the cougars will continue to improve through the advice of his peers. However, coaches aren’t the only ones giving advice. Senior Robert Roy Terry is a linebacker for the varsity Campolindo team, and advises the freshmen to “try to show up to every optional thing you can and try to establish yourself as a leader”.
Many Campolindo football players are most excited for our game against our rival team, Acalanes. Last year was a struggle for the team, losing both matches against the Dons. Through the help of each other, their coaches, and a good game strategy, the team is predicted to have a touchdown-worthy season and will attain their legacy against the Dons.
Girls Flag Football
With a fairly new addition to Campolindo sports, the girls’ flag football team is in its third year. Starting, the program was fairly small, but with new teammates comes more success. The team has grown, with last year’s addition of a JV team, now standing at 50 members. The team works hard and is expected to go far with the help of intense training, good strategy, and, most importantly, a strong team bond.
Communication has been stated as one of the most important strategies for success during matches. Junior Lane Massa stated, “We really have to talk with one another because during plays, when you’re on offense and defense, you really need to be communicating about what the other team is doing”. She believes communication is the best form of team sport.
Competing hard is not the only thing that comes with joining the flag football team. Having fun is an important factor for the team. The saying, “you get out what you put in,” is evident as the girls have a better season if they put in more effort and have more fun.
The girls struggled last year, ending the season with a record of 7-13, but are determined to make a comeback this year. Using new strategies and working harder, the girls are excited to see what the future may hold for them.
Girls Tennis
Girls’ tennis is starting with a smashing beginning as they progress through the season. Through strategy, teamwork, and dedication, the girls are expected to go far. Following last year’s record of 20-4, many are excited to see what will unfold as this season continues. Currently, the girls are 2nd in the league with an overall record of 12-5, proving to be on a similar track as previous years. Many competitors on the varsity team are hoping to participate in DAL, the top competition standing for Diablo Athletics League, at the end of the season.
Starting the season, competitors participated in the Logan Tournament at Logan High School. The girls’ tennis team went against various teams in hopes of getting last year’s title of first place, but was sadly beaten by arch-rivals, Miramonte. Miramonte is the girls’ tennis team’s top competitor, but they will continue to work hard to win against them.
Junior Finley Cattell is a member of the varsity tennis team. Cattell mentions a strategy she will be using is “starting off strong. Tennis, you need to win two out of the three sets, and if you don’t win the first two sets, you have to go into a tiebreaker, which is the most stressful and excruciating experience.” Other pieces of advice besides working hard were to have fun. Many times, some athletes will focus on winning or matches, but taking the time to appreciate the community is a good way to have fun.
Water Polo
Both Campolindo girls and boys’ water polo teams are off to a good start. The sport has a high ranking within the Campolindo community, and with that comes a high standard. Many members from previous years at Campolindo have gone on to play at high levels through college or club. The team is dedicated to being one of the best, with scores as evidence.
Jumping into the girls’ team first, they’re kicking off strong with a win-loss rate of 9-4. The girls are continuously working hard to maintain a good ranking, with a current placement of 2nd in the league. Throughout the summer, the girls partook in various exercises to prepare themselves for the season.
Vigorous training techniques have helped the team strengthen not only in muscle but also in team bonding. The community continues to remain close through dress-up days and travel trips for faraway matches. Miramonte is both the boys’ and girls’ water polo teams’ arch-rival, and some are determined to attain a victory against the Matadors.
Switching over, the boys’ water polo team is starting with high expectations for the season, currently standing with a record of 6-3 and 3rd in the league. Following last year’s results of 18-10 and 1st in the league, the boys are attempting to have another successful year. They recently had a match in SoCal against numerous different teams, including JSerra Catholic, one of the top water polo schools, which they sadly lost to by one point, but otherwise had good matches.
Senior Connor McLemore says that with a lot of hard work and determination, they can dominate this year. McLemore stated, “We ended up getting third place in NCS last year, but this year, I think that we can definitely win it”. The boys also participated in summer training, improving their water polo IQ through strategic game plans and watching films of different games. The boys are hopeful and dedicated to making this season a memorable one.
Girls Volleyball
Serving up the competitions so far, the girls’ volleyball team is repeatedly showing dominance with a long winning streak. The girls worked hard over the summer during Cougar Camp and open gym to hopefully have a successful season, so far proving to be evident as they have a streak of 17-5 and are placing 1st in the league. Following last year’s performance of 29-10, many are excited to see how this season plays out.
The girls’ relationship is unmatched from the dress-up days, team dinners, and travel games. Through tiring workouts and difficult matches, the girls are working towards competing in NCS and hopefully, CIF at the end of the season. These competitions are relatively hard to qualify for, but their winning streak in the league is a positive point in the right direction.
In order to perform well in these competitions, a good mindset can help competitors perform to the best of their ability. One strategy freshman Gabriella Jaramillo is using to have a great game is “good energy so I can have a good, happy game”. Staying happy and having a good attitude is just as important as a good technique.
