VOLLEYBALL
Relying on depth of returning talent
Top graduated players: Ally Strickland (outside), Alayna Hall (libero), Olivia Hedrick (middle)
Top returning players: Seniors Reese Price, Makayla Whitecotton, Olivia Jet, Elliot Baker, Sydney Elizondo, Kara Gentry; juniors Alexis Ratcliff, Jade Brattain, Naomi Martinez-Bolanos, Caroline Bowling, Ella Patton, Laikyn Dowell
Newcomers: Freshman Makailah Lolla-Martinez, Marley Dewey
Keys to success: Our two biggest goals are to be the most aggressive serving team and capitalize on defensive plays. When we serve aggressively, it becomes easier for us to play defense and capitalize, therefore going on long stretches of service runs. Serving is one of our strong suits.
Coach Chris Board
GOLF
Looking forward to challenges
Top loss: Ciara Wilke
Top returners: Seniors Serenity Wright, Karleigh Brown; sophomores Claire Dennison, Elizabeth Nunan
Newcomers: Freshmen Samayyah Hamilton, Naomi Sermershein
Keys to success: Claire is the cornerstone of our squad. It will be important for the other ladies to develop their work ethic and continue to improve as the season progresses. The ultimate key is for the girls to stick to the process and improvement will result. Early season results have been promising. The Lady Athenians are working hard at improving and are very coachable. The county is loaded with talent this season. The girls are looking forward to the challenge.
Coach Tom Perkins
CROSS COUNTRY
Chasing new goals
Graduating runners: Katherine Novak (county champ, all conference, regional qualifier), Caroline Novak, Caroline Melevage, Remy Swinford
Key returners (girls): Senior Melanie Dowd; Soren Olofson; junior – Isabel Gerdes
Key returners (boys): Seniors Josh Inskeep (county champ and all conference) and Alex Sanchez; juniors Aiden French, Jackson Hill
Newcomers (girls): Junior Alea Seward; freshmen Brooklyn Wilkins, Ella Steward
Newcomers (boys): Freshmen Elliot Azamar, Nathan Tucker
Keys to success: Josh Inskeep has had a great career, with plenty left in front of him. The goal is the state finals, and he has the ability and drive to make it happen. This program has had a long history of competing for county and conference titles. We came up short of those goals last year, but I’m excited about the potential of both of these teams this season. The boys return our top four runners and welcome a pair of freshmen into the mix. The girls have new faces that are ready to keep this team in the hunt for those championships.
Coach Jared McMurry
FOOTBALL
Focused on the 3 Cs
Top players lost: Daniel Surface, Tucker Pastore, Cohen McClamroch, Mason McCarty, Dylan Wolcott
Top returning players: Seniors Landon Gerold, Jacob Lee, Konner Ellsbury, Ryder Cummings, Maddox Ronco; juniors Braden Schlote, Hector Huesca
New player: Junior Johnovan Smith (WR).
Keys for success: We have been focusing on three areas this season: Character (who we are), Competence (how we prepare) and Connection (how we play together). If we focus on our character, prepare each and every day the right way, and play together I believe it will be a successful season. From a specific football perspective, we want to run the football and stop the run on defense. We must be better in those areas this season.”
Coach Brad Clark
TENNIS
Athenians primed to keep winning
Top graduated players: Rowan Gambrel, Nolan Watt, Ian Hurt
Top returning players: Seniors Henry Bannon, Jayden Jimenez, Andrew McCoy; juniors Carter McDorman, Silas Hartlette, Kent Calvert; sophomores Jordan Archer, Sebastion Kochert
New players: Freshmen Alan Campos, Jackson Miles, Austin Campbell
Keys for success: We will need our seniors to set the tone. They are spread out throughout the varsity and JV lineups, so they are in a good position to be the pacesetters for the team.
We will need our young boys to step up. We had three spots to fill on varsity, but I am confident that the sophomores and juniors filling those roles will adapt quickly and be ready to compete out of the gate.
Coach Craig Brainard
GIRLS SOCCER
New coach ready to go
Graduated players: Nine seniors who all played solid roles all over the field
Returning players: Seniors Ally Johnson, Scarlett Martinez, Laura Viveros; junior Alea Seward; sophomores Inga Freeze and Lexi Cox
New players: 10 freshmen
Keys for success: Our biggest key to success will be staying positive and playing our game. Not getting all worked up when something bad happens. If we get down a goal or something not to hang our heads and instead push harder. We have so much talent I think we just need some time to bring it out and show it off. We have some great leaders, and very talented underclassman.
Coach Brandon Rash
BOYS SOCCER
Athenians have high expectations
Top graduated players: Miguel Sanchez, Matt Miller, Colten Custer
Top returning players: Seniors Armando Munoz, Eduardo Cesar, David Munoz, Dio Freeze; juniors Dario Huesca, Noe Torres; sophomores Dylan Figeroa, Julio Sanchez, Adrian Munoz, Kaito Koyanagi
New players: Yezer Balderrama (from Spain) and 11 freshmen
Keys for success: Communication, positioning, finishing
Coach Roger Azar
