Throughout these few developing years, SJHHS has mostly shown athletic promise in popular sports that attract a plethora of players and fans that give the support needed to grow and succeed, such as football and basketball. Time and a surge of new generations of Stallions have changed the game–in fact, many games–for things are different now.

The previously-overlooked spring sports have taken charge and re-asserted their importance in the school through never-before-achieved league titles, and a graduating senior class full of committed athletes.

Girls lacrosse has made several advances in the season, including their first league title, first appearance in the LA/OC Playoffs, and first college-bound athlete. Captain Hannah Minsky (12)  has been part of the program for three years and said,“Our ultimate goal was to win league and we did it! Every second we didn’t want to have a Friday practice or didn’t want to work extra hard, I think we kept in mind that goals don’t come on a silver platter and needed to be worked toward.”

SJHHS has also made several leaps into the pool of success for the baseball and surf teams.   The baseball team made their first appearance in CIF in two years on Thursday May 19 against Foothill, the number one seed, resulting in a hard 4-3 loss for the Stallions.  The surf team is also still maintaining their 4-year title as Inland Scholastic Surf Champions, the school’s first and longest streak.

Gabriella McCormic (11), one of the top female surfers on the team, said about the team, “The bond we have all created is like none other; we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we work off those aspects to find success and victories.”

Some spring athletes have emerged as the first set of female athletes playing in college for their sport, including Journey Fishbeck (12) for lacrosse, Kelly Settineri (12) for softball, Cambria Greer (12) for water polo, and Katie Camarena (12) for Track and Field.

Fishbeck has added to the lacrosse team’s recent success and pride by committing to Butler University in Indianapolis to play Division 1 lacrosse, and the expectations she has created for herself through her leadership and immense skill can apply a slight pressure.  Fishbeck says, “My biggest thing is not trying not to feel the pressure of what’s coming next for me in college in order to make sure everyone [the team] is having a good time and thriving in a positive environment.”

Settineri has committed to Newberry College, a Division 2 school, for softball and said, “I’m super excited for college! I’ve worked really hard for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to work even harder for the next few years.”

Cambria Greer is committed for water polo, a winter sport, at The University of Toronto, Canada.  However, she utilized her skills and put them to the test on the lacrosse field last year, making her a winter and spring season athlete. Greer says, “This year I wanted to go out with a bang,” adding that, ”I just wanted to let all my teammates know that you can do anything you set your mind to if you just work hard and get through it.”

Camarena, excited for Track at UC Santa Barbara, says about her opportunity, “I knew I wanted to compete at the Division 1 level and to get an offer from Santa Barbara was really exciting.  They are a really good team, and I’m hoping I can come in and make a contribution as a Freshman.”

With the recent success of the spring sports and athletes as the school year comes to a close, SJHHS has much to look forward to going into athletics next year.