sports traditions (click below to see four amazing teams at SJHHS)

During the San Juan Hills Girls Lacrosse game, Captains Caitlyn Enright (12), Olivia Jarvis (12), and Sydney Beatty (12) stand together after the Stallions won against Newport Harbor 16-3. Enright and Jarvis wear their bright green and pink headbands during every game, a tradition that has been passed down from the previous years before them. (Victoria Hernandez)

Girls Varsity Lacrosse

In the world of lacrosse, these pink and green headbands represent more than their respective colors. The pink headband is worn by a junior each game, but once the owner becomes a senior they are given the green band. In addition, it sets them apart as they are always captains of the team.

It is a heartwarming moment when the green headband leaves a graduating student to be passed down to an upcoming senior. What appears to be a basic object to most represents the time dedication a player has put into lacrosse.
Natalie Barry (10) and Lily Zollinger (9) pose with the infamous pink horse. The stallion is used to “punish” JV members of the tennis program following a lost match. (Reese Whitehead)

Girls Junior Varsity Tennis

For girl’s tennis, winning means a feeling of satisfaction, moving up in the rankings, and…avoiding the pink horse. This brightly colored stallion accompanies losing tennis players on a lap around the court, a tradition practiced by the JV team at SJHHS.

Coach Infante’s classroom houses the beloved and equally dreaded horse which she has named “Estella.”
Stallions go up against Pacifica Christian which results in Pacifica Christian winning. Gael Galeana (12) gets ready to spike the ball back to the other team. (Cadence Henss)

Boys Varsity Volleyball

Fans only recognize the fact that boys volleyball stands at the top of the South Coast League with a 10-1 lead. However, there is an uplifting atmosphere and special relationships within the sport that allowed the team to get there.

Davin Altheide has played since his freshman year and now serves as a varsity captain.

“Junior year there was a player on the team, His name is Austin Williams, who graduated.Every time he was eating something, he would yell shark bite really loudly and then take a really big bite of food. So that was always really funny and something we remember when we all go out,” said Altheide.

This tradition is a product of the volleyball team’s customary trips to restaurants together before playing home games.
During the final two minutes of the boys varsity soccer game on January 10, Jake Tanner (12) scores giving his team the 1-0 win over the Capistrano Valley Cougars. As soon as Tanner scored, his teammates ran over to him to celebrate his goal and the team’s victory. (Audrey Tillotson)

Boys Varsity Soccer

Sports teams grow to be more than just a group of kids. Andy Malak has played soccer since he was four years old and appreciates the feeling of being around other avid players.

“We kind of just blast music and vibe together,” said Malak. Pregame time in soccer consists of laughing, listening to their favorite playlists, and sharing a passion for the game.

“I only just joined and I already feel like it's been a family,” said Malak.

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