Girls Tennis “The community of the team is very fun — I try to keep it very energetic. We (the tennis team) know each other so well, and being able to hit with each other and having fun playing out there (is great).” —Mia Saad, 11   Girls Volleyball “The upperclassmen are really...

In February, the California Interscholastic Federation approved girls flag football as a state-sanctioned high school sport. While Gunn cannot institute it as an official, school-sport for the 2023-24 school year due to league budget concerns, Gunn’s current club team and athletic directors across...

Last fall, former Forum Editor Carly Liao joined the tennis team. Then, during the winter season, In-Depth Editor Becca Wu fought her way through wrestling practice. Most recently, former Lifestyle Editor Michael Zhang documented his experience on the track and field team. Now, I’m diving into...

Over her five years of practicing taekwondo, freshman Hannah Jung has maintained a pregame ritual to keep her centered before competitions. She first checks the quality and condition of the mat before relaxing her body and mind, and then she reminds herself to perform to the best of her abilities, regardless...

Junior Julia Maecker’s pregame routine, used throughout her 10 years as an athlete, helps her focus before swim meets. The night before, she eats carbohydrate-heavy foods — such as fruits and vegetables — and takes a soothing bath with salts. She then finishes by massaging her body with a massage...

Sophomore Giovanni Rischmoller has played badminton since freshman year. At the beginning of this year’s season, he created a pregame routine to keep himself focused and calm during badminton matches. Before a match, Rischmoller takes three breaths with his eyes closed to clear his mind, then checks...

Since the age of 7, water polo has been a pillar of junior Nina Albers’ life. Over the past 10 years, she has experienced the ups and downs that come with putting her all into a sport: Sweet victories strengthen her love for playing, and tough losses feel like rock bottom. Wins and losses aside, however,...

Sophomore Kanaan Kuartei discovered basketball when he was 8 years old, and he has been playing it ever since. Although Kuartei didn’t start out enjoying basketball, the sport grew on him over the years. “(Even though) my dad picked (basketball) for me, I did learn to like it,” he said. “I...

The rise of fitness-centered social media, the sheer number of local gyms and the popularity of school athletics have all contributed to the growth of fitness culture among Palo Alto teens. Some students workout together after school, turning their fitness ventures into social gatherings, while others...

Baseball Junior Amrit Joshi described the strong bonds the baseball team has formed over the course of the season. “There’s a lot of camaraderie and we enjoy being around each other,” he said. “We have a kind of a brotherhood and bond that I don’t think can be met in any other way other...