Sports are Back, Better Than Ever!
Sports and sports fans need not wait any longer. The start of fall and a new school year brings the start of a new sports season. And after almost two years, sports are finally back to what they once were. With the abbreviated and delayed seasons of last year, everyone is thrilled to greet the competition, the school rivalries, and the Friday night lights that sports bring, with open arms. Slow Pitch, Cross Country, Football, Swim, Girls Soccer, and Volleyball are now in full swing, and all delivering some exceptional performances. Athletes and teams have high hopes for this season and a long season ahead of them to deliver.
Players and coaches have been putting in the work during practices and at games to represent Ike in competition. Varsity Football is four games in and already has two wins under their belt, defeating Selah on our home field and East Valley. Looking forward to the rest of the season, the boys “hope to compete at the highest level and beat Davis”, says coach Thorng-Heang. Led by seniors Tieg Gilman, Jorge Garcia, Nahum Garent, Jeff Condardo, and Brody Phillips, these boys have 4 games left in the season, and lots of time to meet these goals. The football season wouldn't be what it is without the student section; With only two more home games, come out and support our teams. Most importantly, the Davis vs. Ike game, October 15th.
Cross Country, known to deliver in performances, competed in their first league meet of the season this past Tuesday, the 21st. Both teams brought home a win, with the girl’s varsity team continuing their 12-year streak of being undefeated in league meets. These two teams have their sights set on state, taking place in early November. “I am so excited to be back to a normal season. Hopefully, with the increase of competition now that we are allowed to compete against teams all across Washington, we will have a good shot at state and maybe even a shot at a state title.” The girl’s varsity team, led by Bela Alverado, Alyssa Chavez, Hannah Hilton, and Kara Mickelson, are currently ranked 4th in the state for 4A teams and have high aspirations to take home that state championship trophy for the first time since 2010. These two teams are going to be ones to keep an eye out for this season.
The Cross Country team is not the one with a high state ranking. Swimmer, Addie Mitchell is currently ranked first in the state in both the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke. This year Addie hopes to “break the 23-year-old school record in the 200 free as well as go to state finals in both the 200 back and free.” The girl’s swim team is full of lots of brand new swimmers this year but nonetheless are still dominating the pool. They have only competed in one dual meet so far, beating both West Valley and Sunny Side. And they will go to their first invitational of the season Saturday, the 25th. We wish these swimmers luck in the pool this year.
Girls Soccer, led by team captains Sara Diehm, Celeste Limon, and Kennedy Leach, have started off the season strong. They have played four of 12 of their league games, beating Sunnyside 2 to 0. This season, these girls are determined “To beat Davis and just overall improve as a team; never give up and fight even if we are down.” After getting defeated by Davis both last year and in 2019 the girl’s soccer team has been working hard to improve. They practiced all summer long, sometimes even twice a day and they are entering the season ready to kick some Davis butt.
One of Eisenhower's biggest crowd-drawing sports, Volleyball, hasn’t had the easiest season so far. “This season has been a roller coaster. We’ve had to come together and push each other to reach our goals. The main goal this year was to bond and now we’re closer than ever. This team has grown so much and I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of them.” says Senior caption, Evelyn Shapiro-Tamez. With more than half the season left, the girls all hope to be able to pull through with a win. And they have a section full of students cheering them on at every home game with signs, themes, and lots of school spirit. So come out and support our girls Volleyball team and show off Ikes school spirit.
Taylor Yockey, the Slow Pitch team Captain said that she and her team were most looking forward to “getting back into some real competition and not having a shortened season”. Which seems to be a wide consensus among all sports. Addie Mitchell and the swim girls agreed, saying “they couldn't wait to get a full season in and to once again be able to compete at invitationals and league meets.” And just like the swim team, the slow pitch girls have a full team of new players. Not knowing what to expect out of this season, they are ready to learn and coordinate what everyone brings to the table. Some seasoned players to be looking out for this include Juniors Olivia Ranken and Katie Suhm as well as Senior Taylor Yockey.
Show your school spirit by coming out and supporting our teams in all your Ike gear. The 2021-2022 fall season is going to be one for the books. Go, Fight, Win Cadets!
