The Athletics Department requires all team members to fill out their COVID-19 Guidelines and daily screening questionnaires before attending practice in person. Students also make sure to record their temperature and bring their personal masks, hand sanitizers, towels and workout gear to practice.

The Tennis team recently had their first practice and will be meeting once a week until their official pre-season begins at the Louisville tennis court. Players maintained a safe distance from each other by standing on different, separated cones while warming up and playing games.

“It felt great to get back on the Louisville Tennis court because we’ve been inside for so long and just need to get out of the house,” exclaimed Ashley Andonian ‘22.

After the tennis clinics end, their official pre-season will begin on Dec. 14, where practice will occur every day.

The Volleyball team is currently practicing at Balboa Park twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays. As long as the California heat stays moderate, the group reunites while ensuring that the state mandate is followed.

“With COVID-19, we are obviously social distancing during practice as it is mandatory that we stay at least 6 feet apart. During water breaks, we have to sanitize our hands before touching our water bottles as well,” informed Angela Tran ‘22.

The Volleyball team has a scheduled game that will take place on Dec. 19. The members are excited and cannot wait to play again with their first game of the year!

After running throughout the summer during their summer camp, the Cross Country team turned to Microsoft Teams to do strength and conditioning workouts together until practice resumed again towards the end of September. They have recently started their official pre-season, where they will be meeting three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, at alternating locations. The team keeps the required distance between each other before removing their masks on a run. Their first meet is scheduled to occur on Jan. 8.

With anticipation to get back into the water, the Water Polo team has been virtually working out three times a week on Microsoft Teams since the end of August on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Now that Crespi’s pool has finished, they will finally meet off-screen by the end of October.

I asked Ms. Canfield about how COVID-19 will affect their first and ongoing practices, and she said, “We will have to be in our own lanes for swimming… and masks off right before [team members] jump in the pool.”

Although the team is not expected to play against other schools until January, they will start their official pre-season in November to begin practice every day. The Water Polo team is excited to meet new freshmen, so if you are a freshman interested in joining the Water Polo team, feel free to email Ms. Canfield at mcanfield@louisvillehs.org or Coach Klein at kklein@louisvillehs.org!

Although the Fall sports season is starting later than usual, Louisville coaches and team members are beyond grateful to get back into the routine of practices. During this challenging time, our Fall sports are crucial for Louisville students who are stuck on their screens all day and need to take some time off to exercise and socialize safely.

Water you mean you are leaving?

“Water polo has impacted me in my everyday life. I had a great senior night and am so thankful for such a great season” emphasized Sydney Goren ’20.

The buzzer went off and the third quarter started as the girls aggressively fought for the ball. Quickly, Marlborough took the ball to shoot and Coach Klein screamed loudly to Senior, Jayme Schiller to get up and block. With intense emotion and physicality, Schiller made a total of ten blocks, one goal, and four steals throughout the game.

As time ran out and the Royals became tired, the ball went under water. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the ball was moved from player to player. Then with quick suspense, Marlborough scored two goals within the last quarter. The final score was Louisville 9 and Marlborough 2.

“This season I have learned so much about myself and others. Overall it was a great season and I could not have asked for a better senior night” expressed victorious senior, Emi Hayashida.

From the Louisville community we wish the class of 2020 good luck on their journey, and congratulate the water polo team for their deserving win. Although the season was successful, it will not be the same without our four amazing seniors.

This year’s Louisville golf team is comprised of nine girls and is lead by two coaches. I interviewed one of the team captains, Tatum Bowen ’20. Tatum, joined the team during her freshman year because she wanted to be a part of a group that was passionate about golf and wanted to improve her game. Outside of Louisville, she has played for five years. “My favorite thing about golf is that the learning never stops and there are always good life lessons within the game”. On being team captain, Tatum expressed how “It is certainly a bit nerve-racking knowing that I am the team captain this year; however, I am very grateful for this opportunity and I hope to bring confidence to the team this season.”

The next player I spoke to was Stella Rose ’21. Stella joined because she wanted to try a new sport, so she tried golf. Stella has been on the golf team for three years now. Her favorite thing about golf is seeing the results after correction.

“The most challenging aspect about golf is the patience you must have. It is a skill-based sport and one's physical strength does not play a role in the game. Truly focus becomes very difficult when there can be many distractions.”

Next, I spoke to Ava Browne ’22. Ava joined the team because she loves to golf and she says it is fun to compete, especially with the Louisville team. Her family influenced Ava to play golf because her dad used to coach the team and her sister played on the team.

“My favorite thing about golf is being able to grow and learn from my mistakes. I also just love the sport itself it is so fun. I also love playing with my team and meeting other people who have a similar interest in golf.”

To her, the most challenging aspect of golf is being able to hit good shots because you never know where your ball will end up or if it will end up in a nice space. Also, you are always nervous about the shot in front of you. Ava is “excited for the matches and hopefully, I will make it into individual finals this year because I was only 4 strokes from the cut off last year!”

“I joined the golf team because I love playing golf and to play with other students is a great opportunity. It's also nice to know I have a support system outside the classroom with my teammates,” said Rosalia Cortese ’23 on of the newest member of the team.

Outside of Louisville, Rosalia has been playing golf since her dad signed her up 9 years ago. She is very excited for this year and loves the special bonds you make in golf.

Lastly, she said, “The most challenging thing for me is to take responsibility for a bad shot, forget about it, and go on to the next shot or hole with a positive attitude”.

Despite the fact that golf has its challenges, she can’t wait to be able to play on a team.

I myself am grateful to be apart of the golf team and I am thankful that I get to play with supportive and kind girls. We have many upcoming matches and the whole team is excited to compete.

"I love Crespi Cheer because of the many wonderful young ladies and young men I have coached and followed through their high school careers. It is always my hope that I might have made a small difference/impact in their lives and leave them with a positive memory of their time in high school," said Head Coach Mrs. Baker.

Before the season begins, the team prepares ahead by attending the UCA Cheer Camp on June 18- 22 every year to gain more skills and knowledge to help improve and prepare the team for the football and basketball seasons. The UCA Camp teaches cheerleading teams across California new routines, cheers, stunts and new methods to help include and get the crowd excited. Cheer camp helps bring each team closer together. When Crespi Cheer returns from camp, the cheerleaders practice throughout the summer to work on and to learn the halftime routines, stunts, and cheers, the captains create. They continue to practice twice a week during the school year until February at Crespi Carmelite High School.

“To be a Crespi Cheerleader, it means to have a lot of spirit and to have a good relationship with your brother school. You have to have real dedication to cheer on Friday nights. One of the main reasons I joined was because coming in as a freshman and not really knowing anyone, the team really helped me form the bonds and friendships with my fellow cheerleaders” said Crespi Cheerleader, Sabina Tolino ‘21.

There are two teams: Varsity, made up of juniors and seniors, and Junior Varsity consists of freshman and sophomores. The captains for varsity are, Zaaki Yacoob ‘20 and Mia Surmeian ‘20 and co-captains are, Jaden Schutt ‘21 and Mady Barnett ‘21. For junior varsity, the captains are Maddie McHatton ‘22, Alyssa Dejdumrongwood ‘22 and Itzel Quinones ‘22. The captains are in charge of teaching cheers and creating the routines and stunt sequences performed all while keeping the team focused and spirited.

Football season begins in August, and to get closer to the Football team, the cheerleaders plan bonding activities to do with them. For example, this year after practice they ate ice cream and did icebreakers in the Crespi Commons. This helps develop friendships between the Crespi boys and Louisville girls.

At the varsity football games, varsity cheer performs their sidelines with Crespi Taiko. The cheerleaders cheer on the football players either on their stools or in front of the crowd and keep the crowd engaged.

One of the main focuses during football season for Crespi Cheer is Homecoming. The cheerleaders accessorize the school with the themed decorations as well as set up for the Homecoming Court. Additionally, they diligently practice their Homecoming routine until it is ready to be performed. On the night of the game the cheerleaders wear flower crowns and this year they were specially made by senior Captain Mia Surmeian ‘20.

Around November while the Football team is in playoffs, the cheer team Captains begin to teach the basketball cheers and halftimes. Basketball season officially begins their league games from January to February unless the football team advances to playoffs.

The parents of the cheerleaders are extremely involved, there is a committee of parents who organize and plan all the events, lead by the Team Mom, Vilma Yacoob. The committee coordinates the tailgates before Friday home games, assists with Homecoming preparation and the annual Christmas Cheer Luncheon. Crespi Cheer is very grateful for their Team Mom because she is responsible for keeping all the cheerleaders and parents informed; from the weekly practices to game schedules and last-minute updates.

If you are interested, attend the practices for Cheer Try-outs after school from 5 pm to 8 pm on March 30 to April 2 at Our Lady of Grace in the Parish Hall. Then come to Try-outs on Saturday, April 4 2020, in the Crespi Gym from 8 am to 12 pm. Spread the word! And of course, Go Celts!