UPDATE: A look at Poly’s dive team, tennis team, and senior vs. staff basketball game.
By Martin Perina, Staff Writer
Poly diving recently kicked off its season in last week’s meet at Riverside City College (RCC) on March 26. The team consists of two divers, Sarah Parshall (11) and Brenden Brown (12). Last year Parshall was unable to compete in California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) due to an injury, but Brown was able to secure second place. This season both Parshall and Brown are hoping to qualify for CIF in next week’s meet and secure a win. “Considering our performance last year I think we can do very well this year,” Parshall stated.
Both divers practice by learning their dives on a trampoline with a harness system. The harness lifts a diver up and allows him or her to perform the maneuvers in a safe environment before taking it to the water. Unfortunately, Poly does not have its own trainers and training facilities, so Parshall and Brown have to practice in a club. For competition, they will dive on a springboard, both the three meter and the one meter height.
Poly boys’ tennis team is now eight matches into its season. They are currently 3-5 and 0-1 in league, losing their first league match to North High School with a final score of 7-11. The start of this season has been particularly rough as 2015 tennis captains, Carlos Tejada and Andrew Jacobs, both of whom were both number one in doubles, graduated in 2015. “Before the season started we knew we were going to have to pull our weight,” Colin Hendry (11) expressed. Other players who left the team, primarily for academic reasons, include Du-o Lee (12), Timothy Chen (12), Cole Benner (11), and Matthew Saenz (11). But the team does not despair, five freshmen are eager to improve their skills have joined the team this year. Boys’ tennis hopes to win league and qualify for CIF this season, but the team is also excited for what next year holds in store for them. “I’m really looking forward to what we can do next year, seeing that we only have one senior this year,” Hendry stated.
Poly’s annual senior vs. staff basketball game took place on March 11 with the staff walking away with the win. In the weeks leading up to the game, members of the staff team repeatedly stated that their win was inevitable and that the seniors were in for a heavy loss. The game was played in Poly’s gym with many student spectators showing up to support. The seniors took an early lead in the first half by effectively driving into the key and scoring. Their commanding grasp on the game soon slipped however as the second half started. The seniors stopped driving and only shot three pointers, giving the staff a chance to win. The game of course is played for fun with no real prize awarded to the winner, and both staff and students thoroughly enjoy the experience. “The game was fun and interesting,” Scott Bynum (12) explained. The senior vs. staff basketball game will continue to be a tradition and liven the hearts and spirits at Poly High School.