Varsity awaits for many hard-working NPHS freshmen
From soccer balls to pom-poms, Newbury Park sports grow and improve their teams every year, adding new talent and passion to each game. The paths of student-athletes often start back in middle school with training and preparation for their transition into their freshman year.
One of these players, Reese Sullivan, a member of the varsity girls’ soccer team, has been playing soccer since she was 4-years-old, and feels that playing in middle school was a critical step in her journey. “It was very fun. It was a change from when I was younger, and it was less competitive than it is now, but it was very fun, and I loved it,” Sullivan said.
Jack Shepp competes in football and has been playing since he was a 6th grader. This year, he was able to help lead his team to victory in the CIF-SS Finals. Shepp began training at an early age, working for his spot on the roster and the future. “Middle school is around when I began to take football more seriously and began to actually train for it, but it did make school a little harder with less time for studying and things like homework,” Shepp said.
Shepp’s time with NPHS football has brought him closer to his school and its population. “My favourite part is the community, especially the one at [NPHS football], is the coaching staff and the other kids on the team are amazing. We are constantly doing volunteer work, or helping each other get better throughout the year.” Shepp said.
On the girls’ basketball team, London Leftler has risen to be a star player in her practically lifelong career. Leftler feels that the social aspect is one of the best parts of playing on such a supportive team. “Socially, being on a varsity team means you meet a lot of different people and you can get a better relationship with upperclassmen and others that also play the sport. I have loved getting to know all of these girls and know they have my back not only on the court but on campus as well,” Leflter said.
Despite being in a very competitive environment, the positive atmosphere helps players like Leftler to continue to enjoy the sport. “It is great to be surrounded by so many athletes that work so hard and coaches who care about us and are always helping us get better,” Leftler said.
These athletes work hard to live up to the expectations of representing the highschool, and they feel they have risen to the occasion with their dedication, talent and passion. Without the experience they gained on middle school sports teams, they argue that their smooth transitions to higher-level sports at NPHS would not have been possible. Sullivan expands on the incredibly supportive community that varsity teams foster for their players. “Being able to play with other people, or play against people that I’ve played before, and be on a team with them, and play with older people, it’s very fun,” Sullivan said.
