Some students pursue unique activities beyond the typical high school sports we all know. Whether recreational or competitive, these sports allow students to stay active and express their creativity.
Equestrian Vaulting and Aerial Silks
Sophomore Mackenzie Morales participates in two unique sports: vaulting, where she practices acrobatics on horses, and aerial silks, where she performs routines hanging on silks suspended in the air.
“My vaulting teammates and I are like a family,” she said. Morales’ team includes four other vaulters who practice together but compete individually. The sport requires a significant time commitment, with three-hour practices three days per week. “I enjoy the challenges, the ability to set goals, and the satisfaction of achieving them,” Morales said.
Morales discovered her love for aerial silks at six years old while watching other girls practice during her gymnastics lessons. After participating in gymnastics for a year, her parents enrolled her in classes at the same gym. Due to COVID, the gym had to pause its in-house showcases, and Morales now trains at a different facility. “It’s like a gallery walk where people can stroll through while we’re performing,” she explained.
Morales sometimes feels like she’s literally hanging by a thread, but she pushes through her fear. “It’s a little bit scary, especially when I’m performing a trick for the first time, but for the most part, it’s fun,” she said.
Fencing
Senior Ian Alvarez has been fencing for over a decade. “I grew up watching a lot of movies with the main character having a sword, so fencing became very attractive to me,” he said. Although he has moved between different clubs, he maintains strong connections with his former teammates. “You tend to keep a lot of the relationships that you make, and get close to people that you would never bond with otherwise,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez competes in épée fencing, in which players score when their sword touches anywhere on their opponent. Each of his teammates competes individually, but their scores are combined to determine which team reaches the winning total first. “My favorite part is the feeling when your group of teammates, wherever they may be from, are cheering you on,” he said.
Horse Shows
Sophomore Emmy Downey started horse riding at a young age and now competes in horse shows with her horse, Valencia. The shows consist of three categories: dressage, which measures the horse’s ability to complete difficult maneuvers, stadium jumping, and cross-country riding. Each show lasts three days, and judges evaluate the participants. “I like having people watch and grade my riding so I can see where I am [skill-wise],” she said. “It’s also nice to feel like I’m working toward something while riding.”
Downey has developed a tight bond with Valencia and appreciates knowing she can count on him. “Horses are such intelligent and empathetic animals. They really understand what they’re doing, so it feels like I can work with them to achieve something,” she added.
Figure Skating
Sophomore Juno Litz discovered her love for figure skating in sixth grade, after hating it as a child. She quit gymnastics to focus on skating and now practices twice a week at Winter Lodge in Palo Alto. “I feel very free on the ice, and I love performing jumps,” she said. When she’s not in the Bay Area, she enjoys exploring frozen lakes.
Litz and her teammates perform at shows throughout the season. Making progress and mastering skills requires significant time and effort. “Each element takes a long time to perfect. It’s also different to do something alone versus performing in front of an audience,” she said.
Ballet
Sophomore Sofia Overby has been practicing ballet for fourteen years. She began at two years old, inspired by the TV show Angelina Ballerina.
“I like being part of a team. It’s nice to have people that relate to the same thing,” she said. She is currently determined to master being on pointe and improve her flexibility. Her daily practices are focused on perfecting routines for spring and winter shows.
Ballet takes up a majority of her time. “I don’t have time to go to social events, but I’m still able to get all my homework and work done,” she said. Overby enjoys being on stage and performing, where she can express her love for ballet. “It’s a very beautiful art form where you can tell a story through movement and music,” she said.
Rugby
Junior Nina Tangilanu started rugby in her freshman year after her friends encouraged her to join. “I like the contact [in rugby] because you can let your anger out,” she said. Her team practices twice a week but also trains on their own three additional times per week. She plays the hooker position, which entails throwing the ball inbounds, supporting teammates, and trying to gain possession of the ball. Though there are many specific rules that players must learn and follow, Tangilanu recommends that others give rugby a try.
Mountain Biking
Junior Darwin Arevalo started mountain biking over a year ago after being inspired by his job at a bike shop. He now rides every other week at trails in Belmont or in the scenic hills of Santa Cruz, where he enjoys the adrenaline rush. While he bikes for fun, he occasionally competes in races that his manager informs him of. “I’m proud that I haven’t been crashing,” Arevalo said. “In freshman year, I broke my arm biking, but now I’ve been consistent and avoided injuries.” Arevalo prefers biking with his friends from the bike shop, as he has developed a strong connection with them.
“For people first starting out, get into it with the expectation of spending money because the equipment can be expensive,” he said.
