OA track, baseball, and volleyball dominate in league

Photo collage by Tyler Nguyen and Mikaela Woo

Oxford’s spring athletes had sensational performances from the gym volleyball nets to the batter’s box. With impressive records coming from (insert sports best-kept records at the end), here is a full recap of OA spring sports and a preview into possible CIF playoff competition.

Track

The track team has dedicated this season to team chemistry and personal achievements, with many ideas for bonding and hosting practices regularly. Even with less senior participants, the team has still managed to become a close group.

“We are one of the bigger sports, and there are so many athletes,” said senior Helen Tran, the varsity throwing team captain. “We started off the season with a bonding practice where we just got to know each other, and I think it’s clear we’ve shown more of an effort to bond.”

At the 605 League Prelims meet, the team secured many notable varsity placements. Tran placed third in varsity discus prelims, senior Sam Ho achieved first place in discus and second place in shot put, senior Hien Nguyen brought home third place in the 200 meter and first place in long jump, and Sophomore Samantha Schramm placed third in shot put. With many PRs throughout the season on top of good placements, the team is satisfied with their season performance.

“In regards to specific events, I think we’ve been doing pretty well,” said Tran. “People might be sad over not reaching their PRs, but I’d say overall the effort is there and I’m proud of everyone.”

Baseball

Coming off of a league championship last season, the baseball team has been working hard to get back in the game and continue their impressive CIF streak. Currently holding a 6-1 league record, the boys stand second in the 605 league and hope to beat Cerritos for the number one spot. Pitcher and first baseman Carter Senglaub has high hopes for his senior year season and notes how the fiery energy from the rest of the team puts them in a great spot for this year’s championship.

“We’ve been way more together than we have in previous years, which is mostly thanks to the freshmen bringing a ton of energy to every game. We’re a lot more experienced as a team, I think we have a shot to make something happen this year and I’m excited to see where we go,” said Senglaub.

Boys Volleyball

Boys volleyball has been working hard all season long and strives to make their CIF run last as long as possible. Although the team this year has had to make some serious adjustments after losing dominant seniors last year, they made it a team goal to bounce back and play harder than before. Falling just short of their season goal to beat Cerritos, the boys continue to work hard for the rest of the CIF season and will start training for next year. Senior varsity setter, Darwin Ho, reflects on the positive environment OA volleyball has given him. Although this is his last season with the Patriots, he sees the potential in all of the current players and knows they will continue their work for future seasons.

“Although I won’t be here next year I have high amounts of hope and belief that this team will continue to improve,” Ho said. “The team this year has had its ups and downs but I would say there is always room for improvement. We have our moments when we have played our best and played our worst. In the end when it comes to our goals we put in our best effort and that is what counts.”

Across the board, track and field, boys’ baseball, and boys’ volleyball had opportunities to bond and improve as a team.

Donate to The Gamut

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Oxford Academy. Your contribution will allow us to cover our website hosting for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for your support!

About the Contributors

Tyler Nguyen, Staff Photographer

Active zucchini bread hater and morning showerer, Tyler Nguyen is a sophomore writer on staff, excited to write and tackle journalism competitions. Despite his self-diagnosed declaration of being “obnoxiously loud,” Tyler is an understanding, open-minded, and overall chill guy with a lottery-winning smile. Coincidentally, he compares himself to a lottery wheel, and whether it’s because he’s adventurous or indecisive, we’ll never know. With future aspirations of going into physical therapy, he currently plays tennis and commits to the gym. On campus, you might see him with a camera taking photos for the Gamut and pursuing his passion for photography. Outside of campus, you’ll find him volunteering with his signature Tyler Smile™. Whether you’re looking for an easygoing guy to strike up a conversation with or a dude with a dog named Bella, Tyler’s got your back.

Mikaela Woo, Sports Editor

Mikaela Woo is a sophomore staff writer who, after a little push from her English teacher, decided to pursue her passion for writing, joining the Gamut back in 2022. She hopes to inform readers through her research and reporting, focusing on topics in A&E and Sports, which align with her deep love for softball, music, and pop culture. Possessing a bold, friendly, and dynamic personality, Mikaela is open to pretty much everyone and not shy about what she likes. She has mixed music tastes, ranging from pop girly-girl vibes to heartbreak country songs, and she often listens to artists such as Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Zach Bryan, and Cody Johnson. Beyond music, readers won't be able to catch her without her phone, Diet Coke, and makeup, notably her mascara. Mikaela also enjoys the vibrant and endearingly campy nostalgia of classic 2000s teen-girl movies and shows like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and Gilmore Girls. In the face of a challenge, she remains persistent and resilient, always being able to handle them just in time. Mikaela’s authenticity shines through, especially in her work, so make sure to tune in! It's Mikaela’s era this year, her version.