Category: Sports

Isabella Rios

On Friday, September 5th, Poly’s Boys Water Polo team took their sixth loss against El Segundo. Not only did they take their sixth loss, but this has also been a familiar feeling for them, as they have lost all the games so far this season. Out of these losses, many of them have been painful, including a 16-5 loss to Buchanan on August 29th. 

Despite the handful of losses being all the team can currently grasp on to, Head Coach Ishmael Pluton and Assistant Coach “Coach Jeff” remain positive and have faith in their players. When questioned about the boys’ morale, both coaches were firm in their belief that the boys all have positive attitudes when it comes towards supporting each other and giving the game their all. 

Pluton, known as Coach Ish said, “In spite of what is happening as far as results and our record, spirits are high enough because we are seeing progress and we’re seeing improvement in our playing. But our record, if we were just to focus on that, team morale wise we’d probably be pretty bummed but I like to think that we all have a pretty good outlook on the progress and the development that each of the boys are making in their play style and we’re seeing improvement that we’re hoping will be reflected on the scoreboards.”

Assistant Coach Jeff seconded Coach Ish stating “Yea! Their morale is good… we’re still looking for our first win.”

Though the boys are still hoping for their first win, practice is not where they are lacking. When watching the team at practice, it is easy to see they are very committed and focused on their drills and the older players still goof off together and chat in between. On their way to a JV match Loyola High School’s team came through the natatorium mid practice, but the team continued to stay zeroed in on their drills. They move almost nonstop, swimming end to end the majority of practice, then shifting into practicing passing and scoring against each other. 

Sophomores Aiden Greenwood and Rene Ortega both preferred not to answer how they think the teams morale is as of right now, but sophomore Carlo Menes, attacker, says that the boys morale is “happy” and “spiritful” but they still are in a funk because they are a more “new” team with the departure of last year’s seniors.  

Greenwood said the greatest struggle is needing to counterattack more because they are fast but they don’t always use their strength of speed to the best of their ability. Menez said the biggest challenge is “team bonding and communication” and team “chemistry could be a little better.”

Coach Ish on the other hand said, “The biggest challenge right now is kind of our spacing on offense because we’re trying to run a movement based offense. We’re trying to do that and effectively get into the correct position and we’re just struggling a bit with that for spacing. And then, on defense we just need just a couple of guys to step up and hustle a little bit more and I think then we’ll be a lot… lot better.”

Coach Jeff admits that they do have a “small issue with players missing practice” due to being sick, having an appointment, or something outside of water polo, but hopes by the time CIF rolls around they won’t have any absent players from practice. Clearly, many perspectives on what the greatest issues are differ from each other. 

Despite Coach Ish saying that communication is getting better and better everyday, Greenwood acknowledges that in order to contribute to his team more, he needs to “improve his communication during games.”

“We kind of try to brush it (mistakes) off, we try… but, if it gets repetitive, we can get frustrated with each other,” Ortega said, “During a game – if we’re not winning… we start to get stressed out and we can do or say things that we shouldn’t.” So perhaps communication isn’t as good as it could be, but at the best of times it’s not terrible either. 

When speaking with many players, none of them feel that they need any more support or that the coaches are lacking certain characteristics that the boys need. In fact, some say that the coaches are giving their all, so what is stopping the team from success?

A combination of having smaller players in comparison to other schools, defense needing to hustle more, not being conscious enough of spacing in the pool, not always having all players being active communicators in game, and not utilizing their strength of being fast are all factors that are keeping the team from more success. That being said, it’s progressive that the coaches and team are aware of the problems that are negatively affecting the team as a whole so that throughout the rest of the season they can look forward to making the necessary corrections. At this point, it solely is on the shoulders of the players, and how bad they want it will reflect through the numbers. With an abundance of effort and dedication, the boys water polo team has more probability of turning their season around.

The cross country season is already off to a busy start. The races that already took place were the Dana Hills Invitational at Dana Hills High School on Saturday, September 6th, the Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on the same weekend for varsity qualifiers, and the Woodbridge Invitational at the OC Great Park in Irvine on Saturday, September 20th. Now the energy is shifting to the upcoming races, where Long Beach Polytechnic High School runners are ready to show their talent and dedication. First up is the Moore League opener at El Dorado Park on Wednesday, September 24th at 5pm followed by the Dos Pueblos Invitational in Goleta on Saturday, October 11th. The competition continues at Moore League #2 at Discovery Well Park in Signal Hill, and then Mt. SAC Invitational at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday, October 25th. These races are huge for our Jackrabbits, and it’s the perfect chance for friends, families, and the entire Poly community to come out, wear green and gold, and cheer the team on with pride and spirit!

In an interview with the cross-country coach, I got to learn more about his perspective and goals for the season. When I asked his name, he introduced himself as Coach Eric. He explained that he has been coaching cross country for eight years and finds the job both challenging and rewarding. When asked about this year’s team, Coach Eric said “I feel good about the team this year. They’re showing a lot of improvement, and for cross country and running, it’s really about how you can show improvement through continuing to train hard, putting in the work, and seeing the results of that.” He also shared that his main goal is for all runners whether they are top competitors or beginners to see personal growth and improvement, noting that success is measured by personal records. While the team hopes to win some races, he emphasized that results often depend on the competition. For Coach Eric, both individual and team victories are goals, but the biggest focus is steady progress throughout the season.

Poly’s girls’ flag football teams are all doing so well for the halfway mark of their season.  Varsity coach Robert Shock said, “This season, we are working on building chemistry within the team. We are asking young players to step up into bigger roles this season. We are also dealing with a few injuries that have hampered the progress of our program.” The varsity team record stands 8-0, and our girls remain undefeated.

Now, with our JV girls, their record stands at  8-0 And our girls also remain undefeated. They are doing so well, Coach Sabrian said, “I am proud of the girls because they play as a team, they have a strong sisterhood, and they are very coachable. I love the fact that they have played strongly from the beginning of the season up until now; they are still keeping their foot on that gas pedal.”

Now, to our newest team in the girls’ flag football program, our frosh/soph, they have recorded  1-1 so far. They’ve been playing very well for a frosh /soph team. Coach Danny said, “I feel right now the girls have gained a lot of knowledge from summer to now. I feel they have improved their game skills to a new level.” They really have, from day one to now; all the girls from each level have improved on their game.

Moving on to our lady jackrabbit star player, Makalya Lumpkin. She’s a junior at Poly in the MEDS pathway. Lumpkin plays girls’ flag football as a quarterback for JV and basketball as a point guard. She’s recently moved up to play with the varsity girls’ flag football. When she grows up, Lumpkin said, “I don’t want to become a professional flag football player because  I want to go to school and become a physical therapist.” Lumpkin has big dreams. And I know she will achieve them. Lumpkin has been playing flag football since her freshman year at Poly and basketball since 7th grade. She has good memories from both sports, but she said, “One of  my favorites would be the number of friends I make with just one sport.” Lumpkin doesn’t just think of them as friends but as sisters.  Most people are inspired to play sports by someone or something they see. Lumpkin said, “I was inspired to play flag football by my dad and brothers since playing football is all they did, so I would be out there catching the ball.” A quote Lumpkin said, “When you have a challenge in life, just know you will overcome it. God gave you that challenge because he knows you will overcome it.” I hope Lumpkin takes that quote with her as she continues to grow up and accomplish good things in her life.

On February 27th, LA Galaxy had an opener at 2p.m. against the New York City FC at their home stadium in Carson, The Dignity Health Sport Park. Before they started, Players and everyone in the stadium gave their respects and silence to the devastating issue that is happening in Ukraine at the moment.

As the game started 5 min in, #10 Douglas Costa almost made a half field goal but was blocked by Sean Johnson the goalkeeper for NYCFC. Costa again made another shot, but was blocked once again and fans were disappointed when they thought he was going to make that shot. Galaxy had opportunities to make goals but lucky for NYCFC the shots were saved.

#9 Kevin Cobral took the ball and made a shot but was blocked and fans were shocked because during the first two games when Galaxy played against New England and DC United, Cobral carried his team with a good amount of goals during those two games, so fans were counting on him to make that shot for the team. The game was still going as both of the teams were still at zero goals.

Tobey Groome a senior student  at Polytechnic High said, “Going into it, I was a bit nervous because NYCFC is a good team and you never know what to expect for the first game at the season especially because NYCFC won last year so I was expecting a draw or a loss to be honest.”  But in the last minute no one had it coming when #14 Javier Hernandez known as “Chicharito” made an astonishing goal that made the whole stadium go crazy and jumpy. Groome said, “I was super happy they got the win especially as the winning goal came so late in the game.”

Fans were yelling, throwing their drinks and booing at NYCFC because they had lost. Workers were throwing LA Galaxy T-shirts to fans that stood up and were trying their best to get the shirts. Overall the game was the best and crowded with so many people, and not to mention their food prices were higher than the tickets itself. 

As Boys Track and Field season looms, Poly is hoping to continue their dominance in Moore League. Poly has won the last several Moore League titles, coming out on top each year since before Distance Running Coach Cameron Ford’s, 27, time as a runner at Poly.

Part of this success is due to Poly’s successful cross country team. The boy’s cross country team has won Moore League for the past 14 years in a row. Ford said, “Cross Country, Track all of it distance-wise is just year-round running. Each sport feeds into the other. The best way to support is to just run year-round anyways. It definitely helps and you see the benefits on both ends.”

When asked how Poly has achieved this, one of the team captains Jaedon Rufo, a PACE senior, said, “I have to credit the coaches. They do a really good job at balancing our work-outs and keeping us in check. I think the coaches and team camaraderie have led us to victory.”

Cameron Rhone, a BEACH junior, agreed but also said, “We build our athletes up and focus on the team more than just individual runners.”

Assistant Coach Eric Riehl, 29, also added that “a lot of it has to do with the long term vision we have for runners, that it’s not just about one single year, it’s about developing a runner from the first year they are in the program all the way through their senior year.”

The track team is hoping to push for a CIF victory this season. Rufo believes there is a good possibility the team could win this year if they continue to refine their running and continue to get faster.

The team has been active already this season, with Jaelen Knox, a BEACH senior, taking third in the 100m at the Redondo Nike Festival. Knox said, “It felt good. It for sure gave me a huge confidence booster knowing that I can still compete at that level. Also, knowing that the work that I’ve been putting in since COVID and my injury has been working/paid off.”

With the season just around the corner, the team will be looking to keep the Moore League title where it belongs, in the halls of Long Beach Poly.

Kennadi Justine Reed is an 11th grader at Poly High School who has been running track for 10 years and has devoted 3 of those years to Poly’s varsity track team. She has run varsity since her freshman year which says a lot about her effort and performance on the track.  Reed plans to attend a D1 university by scholarship, “preferably University of Southern California or Louisiana State University,” to fulfill her dream of being in the Olympics.

Reed’s goal at the beginning of the year was to become #1 hurdler in California and to break Long Beach Poly’s 300mh record. On Saturday March 19, 2022, she accomplished that goal and she plans to keep the #1 spot for the rest of the season.

“As an athlete, she is amazing,” said track coach Detra King. “She comes to practice everyday and works hard. Whatever task you give her, she excels. Overall she is just a very determined and hard worker. This year her goal is to go to state and win. Where she is right now, most likely she can actually be the California state champion in the 300 hurdles. She is currently number 2 in the state and we plan on changing that. As a person, she is a leader. She leads by example. She works hard so all of her teammates work just as hard as she does because she leads by example.” 

Teammate Kenneth Cox said, “Kennadi Reed is an amazing and fast track runner and I love how dedicated and motivated she is to the sport. She also has an amazing personality and is always laughing and in good spirits.”

Reed has been doing a phenomenal job in the 300mh and her times in the 300mh have been dropping tremendously. She also mentioned that she wants to drop her 400 meter time and to continue to drop her 300mh time. Along with big dreams of being successful, Reed also looks forward to “having a great and fun time” with some of her senior friends that will be graduating this year.

Reed said that the toughest aspect of being a student athlete is just balancing school work and track. She also mentioned that it can be very overwhelming with completing all the school work by the deadline while also trying to get the right amount of sleep.

Away from the track, on the weekend Reed continues to stay in shape by waking up at 8 A.M. to workout in her backyard and as a healthy breakfast, a protein shake with lots of vegetables and fruits. Occasionally getting to go to parties and hang out with friends gives her the opportunity to still have fun away from track. 

When asked what advice she would give to current Poly athletes, Reed said, “Stay humble, focus on yourself and you will succeed and go far in life.”

Long Beach Poly, the “Home of Scholars and Champions,” opened their boys soccer season against Lakewood High School with a whopping score of 5-0 on Monday Night

The Jackrabbits defended Burcham Field in their Moore League season opener Monday night against the Lancers with intentions to start the season off strong, and Poly wasted no time doing so.

Junior winger Kevin Herejon  scored within the first 45 seconds of the match off the through ball from junior center-back Roque Alvarez,  who also wore the captain’s armband for Monday night’s game. Alvarez also shares the center-back position with senior tank Christian Mendoza, who is currently out on a minor injury, Poly is hoping to see Mendoza back on the pitch for Wednesday nights rivalry match against Wilson High School.

Shortly after the goal, junior right-back Victor Kagurabadza served a throw-in to superstar senior, David “Guerro” Huerta, where he dribbled the ball into the 18-yard box and drew a foul for a Poly penalty kick.

Ultimately, Huerta converted from the penalty spot to extend Poly’s lead to 2-0.

Senior striker, Luke Brown, concluded the game with an amazing performance, scoring a hat trick with help from last year’s Moore League MVP and senior, Omar Juarez, alongside assists from senior wing-back Jesus Villagomez, and junior winger Anner Aguilar.

“I think it’s a huge statement against a very talented Lakewood team,” said Brown. “Despite being outplayed during some parts in the second half  we managed to stick through it and keep a clean sheet against a very talented team and personally, scoring a hat trick is a huge motivation because we have a very tuff schedule ahead of us and I think being able to put goals past very good teams like Lakewood will help motivate myself and my teammates to keep scoring and keeping clean sheets.”

Goalkeeper Amir Diaz Espinoza also had an exceptional game keeping the shoutout with a total of 7 saves throughout the match with help of the defense as well to close the game out.

The Jackrabbits quest for three-peat Moore League title retainment continues with two games next week against El Rancho and Warren High School.

This year will be the first year that Long Beach Poly has ever had a rugby team, thanks to the head coach of Poly’s football team, Stephen Barbee, who is the on-campus sponsor for the Rugby Club. Coach Barbee has been an important pillar in starting this club along with Poly alumni Tina Taunanu’u who will be the manager of the rugby team. Another important role which is head coach will be filled by coach Gavin Lauvao Lutali who is a Belmont Shore Rugby Club coach and former professional rugby player. The student president of this club is Gianna Diaz and vice-president is Ikenasio Mikaele.

Although rugby sign-ups started Wednesday, November 10, they are still open. Since rugby is a spring sport you still have time to register. Rugby is open to everyone, with or without any experience. Be prepared because it is a contact sport but there is a place for everyone.

“Rugby is a family sport,” said Taunanu’u. You are not only a part of a team but you are also a part of a family when it comes to rugby. In the rugby world, rugby is considered a “gentleman’s sport” due to the code of ethics, sportsmanship, and player to player respect.

Although rugby has been around for quite some time and is well-known world wide it is just now emerging in the United States. With multiple youth organizations having launched in the U.S., many high schools now have rugby teams. There are approximately 700 universities in the United States that offer rugby, many of these schools offer scholarships.

Rugby originated in England, it dates back to the 1700’s and was originally known as “Rugby football’’. Oxford and Cambridge were the first universities to incorporate rugby into their athletic programs. Today hundreds of universities all over the world offer rugby. Rugby is an Olympic sport and like soccer, rugby has a World Cup that is played every four years.