As we welcome the warmth of the spring, with it comes a wave of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming sports season at UHS. Our student-athletes are gearing up to showcase their talents and dedication in a variety of sports. From the crack of the bat on the baseball field to the splash of the pool in boys’ and girls’ swim, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and support.
Senior Ava Bocek, captain of the UHS Varsity Girls’ Track and Field team, is brimming with optimism. She highlights the influx of new student-athletes, expressing confidence in their ability to make their mark both individually and as a relay team. With a steadfast commitment to improvement, Bocek envisions a season filled with personal records and team success. Her leadership, alongside Co-sprints Captain Sophia Li, fosters a sense of unity among the team, ensuring that every member feels supported and valued.
The boys’ track & field team looks to sprint past their competition and find their way into CIF. Led by Head Coach Eric Davies, the boys’ team is ready to set new records and make their mark on the 2024 season. Coming off successful seasons in the past, they use that as motivation to work hard in practice which will guide them to winning.
On the court, SangHyuk Im, captain of the boys’ tennis team, has high expectations. Despite the shift towards younger players, Im exudes faith in his teammates’ abilities to overcome any challenges that come their way. Emphasizing the importance of unity, he adopts a humble approach, striving to be a teammate first and foremost. The boys’ tennis team aims for continued success with a winning streak in CIF and a recent impressive victory against Los Alamitos.
Adding to the excitement, senior Koa Saito, captain of the boys’ lacrosse team, shares his enthusiasm for the upcoming game against Huntington Beach High School. With determination and grit, Saito and his teammates are ready to leave it all on the field, aiming for victory and showcasing the spirit of UHS athletics. They have their eyes set on a CIF Championship; in the past, the team has fallen short, but he has high hopes for the team this year. For boys’ lacrosse, it all comes down to team effort.
After making CIF in 2023 but losing in the first round, the UHS Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team hopes to come back stronger and make the deep CIF push they’ve been training towards for years. Coming off of a strong 12-10 season in 2023, girls lacrosse will look for success but also show great appreciation for the friendships and enjoyment they experience both on and off the field.
Coming into 2024, baseball looks to improve on their 9-11-1 record from last year’s Pacific Coast League games. Although they qualified for a playoff wildcard at the end of the season, the slot ultimately went to Costa Mesa who placed higher in their respective league. Now after returning almost all of their starters and having another offseason to develop, aspirations are as high as ever. Their season opened at their home stadium as they hosted The Palos Verdes Sea Kings. Although the Trojans lost 4-2, they took away many positives after keeping the game close with a Division 1 team and tying them in total hits since they’re currently in Division 6. Players feel confident in their ability to make some noise in the playoffs.
Whether it’s turning double plays or hitting home runs, the UHS Varsity Softball team is looking stronger than ever for the 2024 season. After struggling the past few years, softball has seen a true comeback at University High School, with the team having more players and potential than ever before. In fact, the team just won their first game in two years! Under new Head Coach Juan Meneses, the girls are looking to make their first CIF run in several years, and hopefully bring back a title for UHS.
Coming off of a 14-9 season that saw them place 5th in the Pacific Coast League, boys’ volleyball looks to improve and punch their way into the playoffs. The team is led by a multitude of seniors such as Armia Asgari, Nicholas Park and Connor Mursalo who lead the way for the underclassmen. Their season started with a 2-0 win against Crean Luthern in the Saints’ Gym and three more victories. They still have the majority of their season left until they face the Lightning of Sage Hill on April 17.
Led by Head Coach Sheila Shaikh and Assistant Coaches Noah Pendleton and Alyssa Schrader, girls’ swim dives into their season with a meet on February 28th at their home pool against Woodbridge High School. Their next two matches will also be at their pool against Portola and Northwood and the season ends on April 17 at Irvine. The team looks to have a successful season and a great performance in league.
In the upcoming 2024 season, boys’ swim hopes to improve their record from last year and continue their prowess in the PCL. Under Head Coach Ryan Vande Wydeven, boys’ swim will look to finish at the top of the league, bringing home another title to UHS.
After a strong 2023 season going 9-5 in league play, boys’ golf hopes to capitalize on their strengths from last year and come back even stronger. Led by senior Captain Ayden Agahi, their goal is to make a deep push into CIF this year, while still enjoying every moment they have together on their home course, Strawberry Farms.
UHS is in for a great season across all sports. There is great hope for success this spring and many exciting games for students to enjoy. This is a time especially for the Trojan family to come together and celebrate the dedication, passion and camaraderie that define UHS sports.
