For many students, the first year of high school is about adjusting and getting used to new routines. This can be different for those who try out for a sport and get onto the team, let alone the varsity roster. Competing at a high level can be intimidating but eye-opening, no matter the sport.
Emma Gambhir (9) recently earned a spot on varsity for girls water polo. Gambhir described her tryout experience as nontraditional. “We didn’t really have an official tryout; everyone was going to make the team,” she explained. “We did have tests to see who would make JV or varsity.” Describing her reaction to hearing her name called for a varsity spot, she shared, “I was pretty excited because I wasn’t really expecting that I would be on varsity.”
Though she has only played water polo for a club, Gambhir is eager to keep growing. “I want to get better throughout the games,” she said. With this goal in mind, the support of her teammates has helped make the transition smoother. She added, “I think everyone’s really friendly. We’re kind of all friends already.” Gambhir credits her teammates and team captains for stepping in and helping her when she needed guidance.
Joanna Min (10) also experienced being a freshman on varsity. Last year, Min earned a spot on the varsity girls volleyball team. She said, “Varsity is a lot more mentally demanding than I realized.”
At first, her experience was intimidating. “When I first got on the team, I was really nervous, especially because I was younger than everyone else,” she explained. Like Gambhir, the support of her teammates helped her settle in. “The upperclassmen were actually really nice and helped me get more comfortable,” she said. Being on varsity as a freshman pushed her to grow. “I learned to be more confident in myself and my abilities. Even though I was a freshman, I realized I could still contribute to the team.”
Caption: Dean Philipe (9) gave it his all at a varsity cross country meet (Photo Credit: Coach Julian Alfonso).
Now as a sophomore with a year on varsity, Min looks back on her experience with appreciation. “It was definitely stressful, but it made me a better player in the end and taught me a lot about myself,” she stated.
Not every athlete’s path looks the same—Jayden Ong (12) didn’t start on the varsity badminton team. Instead, he worked his way up through persistence. “I wasn’t on varsity my freshman year,” Ong said. “I think that actually helped me build my skills at a slower pace.” That gradual growth gave him a different perspective on varsity sports. “When you’re on varsity, competition is more intense; the expectations are higher,” he explained. “It’s not just about talent, but the work you’re willing to put in.”
As a senior, Ong recognizes how far he has come as a player and leader. “I’ve seen what it’s like to be the nervous freshman, and now I get to be the person who helps them feel comfortable,” he stated. He values what the underclassmen bring to the team, adding, “Freshmen bring in new energy and help keep things competitive.”
As a head coach in multiple sports, Coach Lindsay said that when selecting the varsity roster, “[It’s] 99% skill-based and 1% other.” The deciding factor would be performance. “Some freshmen have been our best tennis players,” he said, noting that standout underclassmen can shine through. Yet, jumping into varsity isn’t easy. “Things may move faster than they’re used to,” he said.
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