Our Wildwood, Volume 47

FEATURE Wolves on the Prowl

Now that school sports are back in action across Southern California, it’s clear that their efforts have more than paid off. From winning league championships to setting new school records, the 2021-2022 fall and winter sports season was filled with impressive moments, feats made all the more incredible given the challenges students have faced throughout the pandemic.

QUEENS OF THE COURT After a dominating season against area schools, the 7th grade girls volleyball team won the Pacific Basin League Championship, defeating Windward in a nail-biter deciding match to take home the trophy. As 7th graders, this was the first opportunity for any of the team members to participate in middle school sports and compete against other schools. “This group of girls supported one another from day one of practice and came together at the end of the season, showing that hard work and internal grit pay off,” said coach Reo Sorrentino. “To reach this level, they had to learn both volleyball skills and teamwork—and they excelled at both.” In the upper school, the varsity girls volleyball team had an impressive season. With a relatively young squad, they qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs and traveled to the San Gabriel Valley to compete in the round of 32, representing Southern California’s finest.

A SLAM DUNK SEASON In addition to volleyball, middle school female athletes also showed their dominance on a different court: basketball. After winning all but one game during the regular season, they were a force to be reckoned with during playoffs, surprising no one by winning the Pacific Basin League Championship. “The dedication, strength, and unity shown through this team was the essence of a championship team,” said Sarah Schemerhorn, who coached the team. “Each one of our Wolves persevered through physical games, worked hard at practice, and showed true sportsmanship to one another on and off the court.” Billy DuMone, athletics director for Wildwood, credits their success to one word: teamwork. “There’s a real sense of camaraderie among this team,” Billy said. “The girls were so supportive of each other on every play, and when you’re on the court, that can be the tipping point that wins games.” On the boys’ side, the varsity basketball team ended the year winning five of their last seven games and qualifying for the CIF playoffs, placing Wildwood among the most competitive and established secondary athletics programs in California. “Coming off of a basketball season with no games due to the pandemic, we are incredibly proud of making the CIF playoffs as it symbolizes four years of dedication and collaboration individually and as a team,” said team member Jason R. ‘22.

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