As the school year kicks off this fall with the Cross Country team, the girl ́s team has proven that they have remained strong for another year. Despite a change in their new head coach, Ms.Dela Rosa, and moving up to Division 4, this has not altered their performance. Their strong work ethic and great chemistry preserves and their times are a confirmation of that.
Additionally, the girl's team welcomes new faces this year and new captains, Claire Hsu and Maritza Pinedo, whose leadership has guided the team to success. They have completed their first PSAL meet this season receiving 4th place, and have continued to surpass their limits with the invitationals such as Artichoke. Also, earlier in the season, the team was presented with the opportunity to race with KIPP Navigate and take them under their wing. KIPP Navigate began a new Cross Country team this school year and sought to learn the ropes about this sport, and the team taught them about the rules and strategies that they can utilize in their next meet.
Also, the Cross Country team has modified their workouts, utilizing the new equipment, to enhance their performance. They have certain days dedicated to core workouts and progressive runs to aid with increasing their speed. While on other days, they maintain their past workout of stacking miles and hill workouts to gain stamina.
A New Legacy
By Andre Pham and Viviana Moreno
This spring, KSJC marked the start of new traditions and new records as track and field was introduced to our selection of spring sports. During the season, students and coaches stepped up as a team to learn and adapt to this new sport, truly exemplifying the spirit of the Wolfpack. This track season saw history being made as the founding team of track and field established itself as a force to be reckoned with.
Although being a new team, the Wolfpack certainly did not disappoint this season. The KSJC track and field team immediately set itself as a leader and gold standard for track teams in the PSAL. The girl's team commenced the season strong attaining first place at the first-ever PSAL track and field meet, setting itself as the team to beat. Meanwhile, the boy’s team followed closely behind, achieving an impressive second place at the first PSAL meet and finally grabbing first place at the second PSAL meet. Coach Monagle and Coach Reed were both extremely proud to be part of the team and to see the growth that team had made. With track and field being so new to KSJC, each and every athlete put themselves out of their comfort zone without knowing with certainty how well the sport would do. Coach Monagle had to say that he was immensely impressed and excited by seeing how committed and spirited KSJC’s track team was, which only made him look forward to coaching again.
Ultimately, the track and field saw a promising start as athletes reached boundaries never seen before by KSJC. The team only has more to look forward to for next season as the founding team leaves behind a legacy for many seasons to come.
The Girls Lead the Way
By Derek Garcia Winter sports, a great way to not only rally the school, but to ease stress and take minds off of the worry of school. Whether you're spectating the sport, or out on the field itself, the thrill and rush of adrenaline is a great way to come together and unite as one, and this is exactly what the Girls Soccer team did.
Many of the girls on the team this year were new to soccer, but regardless, they worked hard, and managed to score many victories against teams who had more experience than them. Mr. Arambula, head coach, even believes that potential of the team was “far exceeded.” While the team had its fair share of ups and downs, they continuously worked hard to gain another victory for KSJC. They saw the positive side of things even through their loses, and managed to end the season on one of the highest notes possible, being one of the top three teams in the league.
The only real challenge, Mr. Arambula mentioned, was incorporating the new players and building their connection with the returning players. With, they grew closer not only as friends, but on the field as well, which allowed them to work better as a team. The girls have even created a tradition of giving shoutouts after every game; not just for those who scored goals and such, but shoutouts to everyone, recognizing the effort they put in. Overall, the girls soccer team had an amazing season on and off the field, but one of the high points of the season that many of the girls can agree on was winning the battle of the den, which they not only viewed as a victory on the field, but as an experience which they really enjoyed in general. The battle of the den brought not only the team together, but the school as well. In the end, girls preserved and fought hard until the last game, finishing on bright note, uniting the school, and creating a legacy of success.
The Heart of Fall Season
By Derek Garcia
In the fall, KSJC is rallied under one team, under one sport, under the volleyball season. Fellow students and classmates would show up to the home games, filling up the gym and cheering for the team. Both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams had their ups and downs this year, and many players stepped up their game, demonstrating not only their skills on the court, but their ability to unite the team and to work together. And while a good fight and a good season was put up by the girls, in the end, neither team qualified for CCS.
Mr. Monalge, head varsity of the girls varsity team, had much to say about the season. Mr. Monagle has played volleyball for 12 years, which for him was a way of making his own name for himself, of breaking out of the shadows which he stood in, and creating his own legacy. Mr. Monagle has stuck with the sport since his freshman year, and since then has coached volleyball for five years, three of them at KSJC, and has coached as the head of varsity for two. With this expertise he had much constructive criticism for the year. The team was filled with many young players, and players that developed tremendously over the season. The varsity started the season with a couple of sophomores and even a freshman, and over the course of the season and through many hard and challenging practices, the girls endured, strengthened their skills, and by the end of the season, more sophomores and freshman were on varsity level, leaving coaches with high hopes for next year.
Next year, the team will start off with many girls who not only have experience playing, but who have varsity level skills that will allow them all to come together, to stay united, and to overcome any and all challenges throw at them. Next year, the coaches will be able to focus on furthering skills, rather than having to reteach basics, giving them a better chance at reaching CCS. Although Mr. Monagle believed that the girls struggled to consistently meet their full potential and even just plainly meet that potential, in his own words, “we ended the season on the strongest note possible. We sent a very clear message to one of our rivals.” The future is bright for the girls of KSJC’s volleyball team.
KSJC Basketball Leaps Forward to take on CCS
By Xiaotong Huang
Storming through the season with an almost undefeatable winning streak, the Girls Varsity Basketball team improved and finished 3rd in their league all in a matter of a couple of points and seconds including one double overtime game and two other games decided by a total of 5 points. The girls have been dominating the courts with a total win of 16 games and only four losses. With Coach Christine Dela Rosa and Coach Chrizia Dela Rosa leading the pack through practices and games, the team has their eyes on the ball as they dribble their way to CCS. They will face Kehillah Jewish School in the first round. The boys' basketball team has also drawn the smae opponent in the first round.
While basketball might look like any ordinary sport, it has brought together a team of strong, determined girls. At KIPP, there is always homework, there are always clubs, and there are always projects. Basketball, to anyone but these girls and their coaches, looks like another responsibility to add to the list. However, basketball actually serves as a sharpening tool to strengthen their skills or a stress release for some of these girls. Through basketball, the girls were able to learn more about themselves and build on their overall character.
Take Ikepreet Bhela for example. As a senior varsity player, she’s played for two other years: freshman and sophomore year. To her, joining the team was a choice and her decision left her grateful and proud.
“This is probably the year I have pushed myself the most. I have high expectations for myself and when I joined this year, I was out of shape and didn’t remember anything from the last time I had played, which was sophomore year. Coming back this year, I have learned to really push myself and to not be afraid to make mistakes. I always make so many mistakes in basketball, but I always try to learn from them and get back into a focused mindset to play my hardest the next time and I think it’s safe to say my coaches have noticed that about me as well. I have taken that focused mindset and determination and applied it to my academic work as well. I don’t think I’d be as strong-willed and confident in myself if I hadn’t joined, because I was always pushed to reach my fullest potential. I can’t put into words how happy I am to have gotten close with these girls and the coaches.” -Ikepreet Bhela Varsity Basketball, Class of 2018
As anyone can see, basketball positively impacted her life in such an immense and powerful way. Basketball also provided the team structure and support that the girls needed to find themselves successful and independent by the end of their senior year. It was a catalyst to realizing their own potential and it motivated them to apply their strengths and to improve on their weakness to their benefit - both on the court and in life.
Finally, a shout-out to the girls for a powerful and well-played season: Ikepreet Bhela, Sarah Aranillo, Amanda Miguel, Shelley Ly, Thythy Tran, Thuyvi Nguyen, Sitlaly Contreras, Sierra Estifanos, and Sola Taimani. You deserve it.
Girls and Boys' Cross Country Qualify for CCS!
By Nicole Huang
As the KSJC Cross Country team runs toward the end of the season, the team qualifies for CCS. Both male and female teams maintained strong performances throughout with the guidance and support from Coach McCormack and Coach Christine Dela Rosa. With all the strenuous and unending practices, the hard work paid off when the team competed at the races. The Cross Country team attended three PSALs over the months and had successfully finished with the Girls Varsity keeping the streak of 2nd place and with the boys continuing to improve their ranks. For each meet, everyone successfully finished with new records and improvements.
Besides running and trying to improve their individual times, the team has formed a tight family bond where they support and cheer each other on. Each runner would set processed goals that they would want to achieve and the team would hold each other accountable and no one gets left behind. During meets, the team would stand on the sidelines to cheer and encourage their teammates to do their best. There are a lot of new Freshmen and Sophomores, who are all filled with potential, participating in Cross Country this year and they contributed in building a positive and strong environment for the team. Cross Country is not just a sport to many of them. Kaylan Ngo, senior on the Cross Country team, responded, “Cross Country was where I made a lot of friends, and most of them are underclassmen. Before I didn’t know anyone, but through running together we got close. We help each other in running and in class. Overall, it’s a great experience for me.” With the finish line in sight, the team continues to do their best and work hard to break new records. On Thursday, October 26th the PSAL championships was the last meet for junior varsity. However, this is not the end of Cross Country because the varsity team will be qualifying for CCS on November 11.
Girls Soccer Championship Recap
By Xiaotong Huang
On February 15, 2017, KSJC’s very own Girls Soccer Team won their 1st championship ever! The Girls Soccer Team played against Summit Prep in the PSAL Championship Game and crushed them 5 - 1.
Here’s a recap of the game. The game started with Anita Lara taking over and making a goal from the top corner of the box putting KSJC in the lead with 1-0. With Alexis Aguilar in net and Jackie Nieves and Bianka Olazaba in defense, KSJC team secured the lead into the halftime. In the second half of the game, Anita Lara, who is light on her feet, smoothly dodged past the 3 defenders and scored a second goal for the team. Before you know it, Anita scored a third goal! Jennifer Rafael and Jennifer Ibarra both scored a point each contributing to the victorious win of 5 total points for the Wolfpack team!
Shout out to all the girls on the team who all worked hard and played hard this season: Alexis Aguilar, Andrea Altamirano, Kaylana Becerra, Silvia Bonilla, Maria Castillo, Mileidi Castillo, Adriana Cruz Hernandez, Valeria Del Real, Jessica Flores Saldivar, Jennifer Granados, Jennifer Ibarra, Anita Lara, Magali Lopez, Sahira Madera, Diana Moreno, Bianka Olazaba-Flores, Jennifer Ortega, Alejandra Perez, Jennifer Rafael, Paola Ramirez, Giovanna Rodriguez-Lozano, and Evelyn Santos.
Last words comes from Mr. Arambula, the head coach of the girls soccer team, who is tremendously proud of the girls. When asked about how he felt about the girls winning this championship, he said, “This is my first year being the head coach for the girls soccer team and I am very pleased with the results. Knowing that we all came from different backgrounds and the environment we came from, I just wanted to encourage them and wanted them to have fun. The girls always reached the championships, but this is the first time they won the championships, so I was very happy and thrilled for them. And as for next year, I hope for the girls to continue to defend the championships and grow as a team while building a stronger culture!”
Martin Casorla Becomes First KSJC Athlete to Sign NLI, Will Play Soccer for CSU East Bay in the Fall
By Ryan McCormack
On Friday, KSJC held its first ever Collegiate Signing Event for a student-athlete in program history. Martin Casorla signed his Letter of Intent to play soccer for California State University East Bay, a NCAA Division 2 program that plays in the California Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) conference. The event was held in the quad at during lunch, and many students came by to watch Martin announce which school he would be playing at.
The event started with a celebration of education based athletics from Principal Tom Ryan. Athletic Director and Head Soccer Coach Ryan McCormack spoke to Martin’s achievements on and off the field. Yours in Soccer Federation Representative Alberto Vega then spoke about Martin’s recruitment process and the merits of the CSUEB Men’s Soccer Program. According to Vega, the CCAA is one of the top, if not the top, league in the country in Division 2, with several players from the conference having been drafted by Major League Soccer, the US professional soccer league. Finally, Martin took to the microphone, expressed gratitude for his family, coaches, teammates, and the Yours in Soccer Foundation, and revealed the CSUEB hat to the delight of the crowd. With that, he became the first student-athlete ever recruited to play at the NCAA level.
Martin was joined by his mother, Carmen, and his brothers, Omar and Alan, at the event. The KSJC Athletics Department would like to wish Martin the best of luck as he takes this next step in his athletic and academic career. Photos from the event can be seen below.
New Alternate Athletics Logo
By Ryan McCormack
The Athletics Department is excited to announce the unveiling of our new alternate logos. It is our hope that these will complete our collection and help us represent the new direction of the department in the community. Please feel free to share with friends and family!
Cross Country Makes it to CCS
By Elizabeth Ngo
KSJC’s Cross Country Teams, both male and female, finished their second and first ever Central Coast Section meet and they couldn’t have been more happy with their achievement. As the underdogs, KSJC’s past runners were in last place for both male and female races the previous year. The coaches, Ryan McCormack and Dustin Hansen, were not expecting too much from the runners this year, but it all changed once the team realized how much they were improving. Instead of thinking about just improving their own times, the team had to start thinking about each other as a whole. In order for the whole team to run in CCS, they had to average out higher than other groups to secure a spot. So, the team began to think of strategies to encourage each other. For example, the runners with similar paces would run together to keep each other accountable. As the date of CCS became closer and closer, there was more and more pressure to push harder and run faster. In the end, their hard work paid off. Both teams went from 10th place to 5th place, which secured their spot into the CCS meet. It was an incredibly proud moment for the team. They were just so satisfied to even be going to the CCS meet, never mind getting first place. Once they arrived at the meet, the team noticed the amount of intimidatingly fast runners. The meet was at the Crystal Springs Cross Country Course, a course that KSJC’s runners were quite familiar with. This was a course that the team have raced in many times before so it gave them a little bit of an advantage. Despite the competition, the team was not nervous and strived to do their best. As for the results, in the girls’ varsity, a huge congratulations to Diana Moreno who was placed in 9th place, with Lesly Guzman in 15th place, and Lizeth Galindo in 21st place out of 50 runners. In the boys’ varsity, congrats to Sami Khan for 25th place, Sebastian Gomez for 28th place, and Andre Pham for 29th place out of 67 runners. The girls’ varsity team were placed 5th out of 8 teams and the boys’ varsity team were placed 5th out of 9 teams. Both were incredible amazing scores that the team were not expecting, but with hard work and dedication, they well-earned their achievements.
Spring Sports Update
By Michelle Perez
KSJC’s baseball and softball team have begun their sixth year playing. Neither the baseball team nor the softball team have won a championship title but that has not stopped them from trying. The softball team was led by Sunny, a former KSJC student, and Gabriel. The baseball team was led by our very own teachers, Mr. Page and Mr. Hansen.
This year's softball team consists of only one returning senior, Ayareli Alvarez. The juniors on the team include past players such as Sheila C, Nancy Quintero, Bianka Olazaba, Maralynn Katz, and Lizeth Galindo. Lastly, the sophomores on the team include the captain, Citlalli Hernandez, as well as Kaylana Becerra and Andrea Navarro.
The baseball team includes our returning seniors: Daniel Osias and Jonathan Santiago. As well as the juniors Jose Urdiano, Alex Zermino, Shaun Robles, Edwin Vasquez, Scott Nguyen, Hilario Romero, Wilbert Pena, Joseph Nunez, and Fermin Rodriguez. There are no sophomores on the team but as for our freshman, there is only one, Vincent Back. The captain, Daniel Osias, has said he hold great hopes for this season. He hopes to get better as an individual player and become the best he can be for his team so they can end with a good season. Sadly since the season ended, the boys weren’t able to win the CCS title but they sure did have a great run.
The girls of the team have come a long way since their last season having a small and short record. So far this years season have been looking brighter with their record of 5 wins and 2 losses. This year the girls hopes are that they become the first team to go to CCS. Last year they failed to accomplish that but they sure are dedicated this year. Their plan this year is to, along with going to CCS, is winning it.
As for our boys baseball team, they have also led a good start to their season coming from a 7 win and 9 loss record to their record this year of 6 wins and 11 losses. At the start of the season, they struggled with having rhythm so when they played they would “get discouraged and basically no one tried as hard.” They had their struggles but by the end of the season, “no one got mad at another player for making a mistake. Instead, they taught them the proper way to do things.” Although this year’s hope was to, as well as the girl, lead a good record to get into CCS, they still ended off strong and gained many memories they’ll hold for a lifetime.
For Ayareli, she has been playing on this team since freshman year and has grown close bonds with every girl. This being the last year for Ayareli, she is greatly going to miss everyone. Sheila has said what she would miss most is “going out to eat after we finished a game.” Their favorite part of the season was “getting close to [her] teammates.”
The boys have come a long way and hold great memories between themselves. Daniel has said what he’ll miss most about this season is “cheering the team up when [they] were doing bad.” As well as missing “everyone on the team because they were the ones [that] made the game fun.” He hopes for the boys to have a great run next year and continue to perceive that championship title they have been longing for.
Although the season has ended, we still hold great hopes for our girls and boys next season. Stay tuned for the result of the journey that our girls and boys have begun. We will continue to support, as always, and hope that you will as well. Go Wolfpack!
New Athletic Branding
The Athletics Department is excited to announce the new athletic logos for the KIPP San Jose Collegiate Wolfpack! Feel free to share the multiple options with friends and family to support the teams. Before next year, the Athletics department will also unveil the brand new KSJC Wolfpack Athletics Website to update you on the daily happenings of the teams here at KSJC. Follow KSJC Athletics now on Twitter using @KSJC_Athletics. Go Wolfpack!
KSJC Girls Basketball Update
Top: Ms. Forte leads the Alumni Team in the 2015 Girls Basketball Alumni Game.
Bottom: Ms. Dela Rosa and Ms. Parker take a team photo with the current team at Don & Martha Price Christmas Tournament.
By Michelle Perez
KSJC continues with their eighth year of basketball for the girls. Last years results consisted of an undefeated record and this year their hopes are quite similar. So far, they have a 6 and 0 league record and hope to end the year with a spot in the championships again and a championship banner to hang next to our boys soccer team.
The chances of this happening are very high and considering the girl's amount of practice and effort, it's very much possible. Ms. De La Rosa, head coach of the girls, has said that ¨The girls have worked really hard, and I know it won’t be easy, but I definitely think we are capable of winning the championship.¨ The wisely chosen captains of the team are both seniors, Tiffany Le and Gladys Gomez. They each plan to graduate on time and go to college, but for now, their attention and hopes are focused on the team. Their hopes for the team have always been the same, ¨to do the best we can and try our hardest to make it to league and CCS¨ (Gomez).
This years team consists of 5 seniors, Tiffany Le, Gladys Gomez, Natasha Martinez, Shanu Bhela and Minna Trinh. Including juniors, Belinda Garcia, Joanna Garcia, Emily H. and sophomores, Amanda Miguel, Sarah Aranillo, Alexionne Santa-Iglesia, Brianna Q., Kaylana Bercarra and Ikepreet Bhela. And lastly, freshman, Sierra E. and Violet N. Many of these girls already know each other after being on the team for so many years and have obviously become close enough to be like a family. It will be tough for the seniors, it being their last year after being on the team since their freshman year, but you can well be assured that they will not leave without a bang. Last year the girls managed to make it to the championships and be head of their league. So far, their record of 6 wins and 0 loses shows that they plan to accomplish this again this year. The hardest teams our girls have encountered have been Mountain View and Saint Lawrence. Our captains clearly recognize that Mountain View has a really good post that ¨needs to be guarded the whole time.¨ Our girls were surprised when they saw that Saint Lawrence has grown because now ¨they can work as a team.¨ Gladys has gone on to say that although the girls are doing good right now, they need to work on ¨being disciplined on the court.¨ They're half way through the season so far, but they still have a long way to go. The girls, as in every other season, have been focused and determined to give their all to win league.
Being that there are five seniors on the team, Tiffany has said that what she'll miss most is ¨being close to the girls on the team¨ and ¨being with them on the court.¨ Their favorite part of the season is when all the girls work together as a team and a family, ¨supporting each other to do their best both on the court and in school.¨ From all the years of being on the same team, these girls have created a strong bond that will be hard to lose. They plan to stay in contact through college and life. This high school team will always connect them and hopefully bring them back for the alumni game in the future.
As well as the girls, the boys are also doing well in their league games where they are currently 5 and 2 and ranked second in their league. It sure is a good year for the basketball department and soccer department, where all teams are at the top of their leagues and have a bright chance of going to finals and hopefully winning. You can be sure we will keep track of our girls progress this year, as they continue on their journey to finals, and keep you posted on their journey to success. Good luck to the girls and Go Wolfpack!
KSJC's Rising Volleyball Team
By Michelle Perez
TheKIPP San Jose Collegiate volleyball team is now playing for their seventh year. Throughout these seven years, the girls have been working hard to attain a volleyball championship title. The teachers who started the team no longer teach at KSJC, so it is being led by Mr. Lockhart this year.
This year’s volleyball team consists mainly of students who have already played on the team before, but also some who are new to it. Our seniors on the team include Ayareli Alvarez, Azsa Santa-Iglesia, Ashley Kinard, Cienna Welch, Brianna Schwenke, and Genesis Aguilar. Those in the junior class include Leslie Hernandez, Sheyla Camarena, Jahaira Gonzalez, and Jenney Tang. The sophomores include Jetzemani Naranjo, Alexionne Santa-Iglesia, Yalid Alvarez, Gaby Melendez, Natalie Barron, Michelle Nguyen, and Itzel Hammer. Lastly, the only freshman on the team is Nicki. The captain, Ayareli, leads the team in a huddle before every game. They chant what they call, the ¨purple black wolfpack¨. There are high hopes for this year’s season, as said by Ayareli, ¨Volleyball is all about working TOGETHER, with combined effort of each individual. Volleyball is LIFE¨.
Even though the girls have yet to win a championship title with last year’s scores being 4 wins and 9 losses, their hopes are that ¨[They] can become stronger players and grow as a team.¨ Practices have been going fairly well for the girls, other than the fact that they wake up super early to practice at six in the morning. It’s been said that practices are not the most effective because there are no drills set up quite yet. Considering that Ms.Do is no longer here to coach, as she did last year, Jetzy says ¨Things [used to be] a little more planned and busy but Lockhart is still learning so we’ll get there¨. Nonetheless, Mr. Lockhart is doing a great job and is ¨working on a stable drill plan¨ to prepare the girls for the toughest games.
When asked what the girls are most excited for, Ashley Kinard said, ¨motivating and being there for each other and also seeing our growth when we play.¨ The girls have said they remember ¨being with the team because we have a lot of great, funny moments, almost like another family¨. Back in September, the girls had been on a winning streak with 3 wins and managed to remain undefeated.
The team went on with the season, with our faith and support, and were close to making playoffs, but unfortunately lost the qualifying match and have now come to their final game taking place on October 29th; Senior Night. “We were so close. It would have been icing on top of the cake of my senior year to make it to playoffs, but we just couldn’t,” senior and Ayareli reflected. This year’s accomplishments have been bitter-sweet for seniors that noticed a dramatic shift in the team’s dynamics and were hoping to obtain a title. But for the girls who will carry on the legacy of the volleyball team, their hopes are high for next year and they’re hungry for competition.
They end the season with over 14 wins and 7 losses. Considering last years scores, the girls have improved tremendously. Congratulations to our girls for making it through another year of volleyball and to our seniors, their last year ever. Everything was left on the court and now awaits our winter sports, girls and boys basketball and soccer. Stay tuned to follow KSJC wolfpack’s journey and our reigning champs, the boys soccer team, holding the title for KSJC’s first championship winners.