Student athletes follow superstitions to victory
Devika Bedi
May 12, 2017
Filed under Showcase, Sports, Student Life
Student athletes across the nation have certain superstitions or pre-game rituals that they believe will help them succeed in their sports — no matter what the sport may be. “Before every game, I write my number with my foot in the deck circle. But, before I get into the batter’s box, I fix the...
Elite basketball club joins Oak Park players in off-season
Yael Kaufman
May 12, 2017
Filed under Sports
Three of Oak Park’s varsity basketball players are currently members of Earl Watson Elite, a club basketball organization ranked No. 7 in the nation and has teams in Los Angeles and New York. Juniors Riley Battin, Zeke Richards and Wes Slajchert all play for the club. Battin and Slajchert have playe...
Cheer coach to leave program, pursue teaching
Amanda Lurey
May 12, 2017
Filed under Sports
Paige Ramer, coach for Oak Park’s cheer and stunt teams, will be leaving the program after the current season, in order to pursue a career as a special education teacher. A new cheer coach, John Lopez, has been hired for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year. “For me, growing up, education wasn...
Life of lacrosse coach combines Star Trek, sport
Matthew Neville
March 31, 2017
Filed under Sports
The shuffling of feet and the clanking of lacrosse sticks echo across Medea Creek Middle School as Oak Park’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team begins their practice. The shuffling of feet instantly turns to stomps, the sound of sprinting, as a voice shouts “pick it up!” The voice belongs to head coac...
Junior sails smoothly into spotlight
Samantha Dickman
March 31, 2017
Filed under Sports, Student Life
Junior Julia Rychlik has sailed competitively for nearly a decade — introduced to the waters by her father in 2008. She currently sails with the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey. “My dad brought me into the sport; he started when he was in college,” Rychlik said. Rychlik said she like...
Athletes held back to get ahead
Matt Neville
March 31, 2017
Filed under Sports
In order to be as or more developed compared to their peers, some student athletes may repeat one year of schooling — often giving them an edge in physical and mental strength. “Sometimes the reason [for being held back] is athletically motivated,” Athletic Director Ann Pettit said. “So that...
Max Manyak spotlight
Yael Kaufman
February 24, 2017
Filed under Sports
Sophomore Max Manyak is turning heads all across Southern California leading into this 2017 lacrosse season. Manyak plays lacrosse among the best in Los Angeles, having played for the LA Mavericks Elite A and national teams, as well as the West Coast Starz local and national teams. Manyak announced...
Seniors’ last season
Kristyn Zhang, staff writer
February 24, 2017
Filed under Sports
The Oak Park boys’ varsity volleyball team has been CIF champions for three years in a row. The majority of the team’s players — 12 of 15— are seniors, approaching their final season at Oak Park High School, and they’ve some goals to accomplish: team bonding, team focus and, of course, a...
Boys’ soccer and academy
Daniel Nuban
February 24, 2017
Filed under Sports
Elite soccer competition requires social and financial sacrifices. For those who play men’s youth soccer, there are several levels of competition: youth games, high school soccer and club soccer. Club soccer, at the highest level out of those three, is not quite the highest level in the country:...
Rugged Royals Lacrosse Club in Under Armour commercial
Sravya Gadepalli, staff writer
February 24, 2017
Filed under Sports
Three Oak Park lacrosse athletes selected for Under Armour commercial According to sportswear company Under Armour’s 2016 global marketing campaign, “it’s what you do in the dark that puts you in the light.” Three Oak Park girls’ lacrosse athletes recently earned that spotlight — in an...
OPHS, OVHS receive $20,000 basketball donation
Sravya Gadepalli
January 31, 2017
Filed under Sports
The Philip Hohnstein Foundation donated $20,000 to the boys’ basketball program at Oak Park High School. The boys’ basketball program, which this year comprises almost 40 players, received this donation from program alumni, who wish to remain anonymous. Donations of this amount are very rare and...
Varsity girl’s soccer team sees new players on the rise
Daniel Nuban
January 31, 2017
Filed under Sports
A group of freshmen has needed to adapt quickly in order to succeed on the varsity girls’ soccer team. Out of 20 players, the team currently contains six freshmen: Ashley Pernin, Reese Wallace, Abby Dermott, Malia Cohen, Lauren Battin, Sophia Druian and Julianne Dunn. These younger athletes play...
Overbooked
Serene Raslan, Yael Kaufman, Wayne Xiao, and Michelle Deyski
The United incident re-ignites conversations about race Four passengers chosen at random on a United Airlines flight were asked to exit the plane due to an overbooked fli...
May 12, 2017 • No Comments
Editorial: ’13 Reasons Why’ interpretations may vary
Editor's note: "13 Reasons Why," in which Hannah Baker records 13 accusatory tapes for the people who incite her suicide, has gained great popularity — and notoriety —...
May 12, 2017 • No Comments
Failure to pass Measure A will affect class sizes, teachers, budget
The Oak Park Unified School District vote to renew the “Measure A” parcel tax did not pass, according to the election results released Thursday, May 11. Out of 2,9...
May 12, 2017 • No Comments
Music festival showcases middle, high school talent
Students from Oak Park High School and Medea Creek Middle School came together to participate in the second annual Oak Park Unified School District Music Festival at MC...
May 12, 2017 • No Comments