Our Wildwood, Summer 2017, Volume 41

to San Gabriel Mission to take on the No. 1 seed of the tournament. The team came up short in the 2-1 loss but gave the highest ranked team a run for their money. More than 153 athletes participated in grades 5-12 this spring, fielding teams in soccer, boys indoor volleyball, track and field, tennis, girls beach volleyball, golf, and swim. With the addition of 5th grade basketball for boys and girls, an athlete can now put on a Wildwood jersey in soccer, basketball, and volleyball all the way through 12th grade. VOLLEYBALL The middle school boys volleyball program is in its third year, and it keeps getting stronger. Wildwood fielded two full teams this year, and the athletes made great strides as they improved their skills and understanding of the game. The upper school boys team competed for the first time at the varsity level in the established Coastal League. With only freshmen and sophomores on the team, they showed true grit, defeating the eventual league champions (Vistamar) to show great promise. GOLF The middle school golf team was small and mighty. Two Wildwood golfers competed in league finals at the The Lakes at El Segundo golf course, wrapping up a season full of pars and birdies. TRACK AND FIELD The middle school track and field team had an epic year. On the girls side, they came in second out of 11 schools at league finals, with several athletes recording personal bests. And on the upper school team, Sophia S., Kamal M., Miana S., Adele C., Henry W., Matthew Z., Toochi B., and Asha F. all advanced to the CIF semifinals in track and field. Asha F. went on to advance to the CIF finals in the long jump, competing with some of the best athletes in the state. SWIM TEAM Wildwood’s upper school swim team had a historic year, finishing the season by coming in second at league finals. Our swimmers brought home numerous individual medals, as well.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Our upper school girls beach volleyball team ended the season with a great victory over Pacifica Christian. In just its third season, our beach program continues to develop and improve. TENNIS The tennis team enjoyed both team and individual success throughout the season. In team play, they defeated Archer and Willows, and at the all-around individual finals, 7th grader Ginger F. won the entire tournament. BASKETBALL The athletics department introduced its first 5th grade girls basketball team. They played in five games, winning all but one. We look forward to them playing at the middle school level next year. It was also the inaugural season for the 5th grade boys basketball team. Thirteen boys joined the team, which was coached by Pat Colley (who is also the varsity coach) and seniors Adam S. and Max S. They showed marked improvement in their first competitive season. VOLLEYBALL Twenty-one girls joined the elementary volleyball team (almost half the 5th grade class). Coaches Darren Pasco, Reo Sorrentino, and 11th grader Kayla G. were excited to work with this energetic crew. On the boys side, 10 students came out for the team, coached by Reo Sorrentino, who is the assistant athletic director and a professional beach volleyball player. The boys learned the fundamentals of the game and had fun competition against other schools. They now have a basic understanding of volleyball and are ready to step it up at the middle school level. SOCCER It was another great season for the coed soccer team as 26 kids laced up their cleats. Herach Danlyan (upper school math teacher with more than 15 years of club soccer coaching experience) led the team, along with senior Emma S. and 11th graders Jessica S., Jezebel R., and Cindy O. The players learned about healthy competition and how to be a good teammate. Many a goal was scored and several games won.

SPRING SPORTS

ELEMENTARY SPORTS