No offseason

Quinn Rees, a member of the varsity wrestling, water polo, and swim teams, is a star tri-athlete at AHS

Staff Writer

For many student-athletes, balancing one sport with academics feels like a full-time job. For Quinn Rees (12), it’s just another day in life. A tri-sport athlete since freshman year, Rees has juggled wrestling, water polo, and swim with a fierce sense of determination. “Discipline comes down to time management and balance,” he explained. “But you also have to make time to relax,” he reflected.

That balance wasn’t built overnight. Inspired by his older sister’s experience in high school sports, Rees jumped in early, joining JV wrestling and water polo and earning a varsity spot on the swim team as a freshman. “Seeing all the friends she had made me want to be a part of a team,” he said. That team dynamic became the foundation for both his athletic and personal growth.

His teammate and lifelong friend, Ryan Gerry (12), put it best. “Quinn influences us by pushing himself and showing us what we need to do. He’s one of the best wrestlers, one of the best swimmers, and the best polo player—so everyone really strives to be like him.”

That drive doesn’t go unnoticed. Whether it’s his ability to switch from stoic and focused on the wrestling mat to beaming with joy during swim meets, Rees adapts with his sport. “Swimming is his life,” Gerry added. “He just does wrestling to stay in shape.”

Rees wound up to pass the ball at a water polo game (Photo Credit: Nathan Cubias).

Still, wrestling has left a lasting impact on Rees. “It’s taught me the most,” he admitted. “As much as it’s a physical sport, you have to have the mental ability to get past the conditioning.” Throughout seasons, there were several instances that captured Rees’s grit. “Once, he lost a match fighting for first place. He came back to the mat room, worked hard at practice, and ended up beating the guy he lost to,” said Gerry.

That resilience is exactly why athletes look up to Rees. “He’s the pseudo-captain of the wrestling team,” says teammate Mateo Brillo (12). “He was my partner for two years, and I know he’s always someone I can rely on.”

The crossover in his conditioning across sports is no accident either. “Wrestling’s endurance has made him better and more fit for swimming and water polo,” Brillo explained.

While Rees might not officially wear a captain’s title, his leadership is clear. “Every time before a match, he hypes the younger kids up with a pep talk,” Gerry said. “He hates doing it, but he’s always there.” And he’s not just there physically—he’s present with purpose. “Being an athlete gives me determination,” Rees said. “Determination to do sports, stay focused in school, and keep working.”

That work doesn’t stop after high school. Rees plans to attend Ohlone Community College to swim and study business. His goal? To open his own mechanic shop one day.

Until then, he can be found training, motivating his teammates, or probably looking for his next snack—because if there’s one thing people don’t expect about tri-sport athletes, Rees said, “It’s that you’re always hungry.” And he’s got the appetite—for success, for connection, and for the long haul.