Every year Wilcox High School produces a tremendous amount of talented athletes. These athletes range from all ages, but are most often upperclassmen. However, this year is a different story. The Wilcox class of 2029 is insanely more athletic than previous years. This includes multiple freshmen starters on Varsity, which is extremely rare.
Typically freshmen fill supporting roles on the JV Squad, so they can develop and learn the game. Instead, however, the class of 2029 is making immediate impacts on Wilcox Sports. Many Coaches around the school have noted how the energy these freshmen bring have made sports much more competitive. “They raise the energy in the game by double,” Ms. Luhan says. This is not only in one area but both boys and girls sports have shown this insane amount of coverage.
Two of these freshmen phenoms are on the Wilcox Girl’s varsity volleyball team. Rivera Amarillas and Aanika Verma are two starters on this year’s team. Rivera plays Oppo while Aanika plays Middle. Coach Lujan has a lot to say about these stellar athletes.”They both have a lot of experience at the Club level,” she says Both these players are starters, meaning that 1/3 of the varsity volleyball starting lineup are freshmen. They are making a pivotal impact on the team through their extensive role as players.
Ms. Lujan adds to this by saying that, “she pulls up freshmen all the time to Varsity.” She does this because volleyball has an interesting skill gap where age doesn’t really matter as much as size, speed, and technique. This allows her to bring up freshmen for stronger development on varsity, this year being especially special this year because they are starters.
Another example of a freshman star is on the Varsity Football team. Freshman wide receiver, Miles Chenney, has scored two touchdowns this season for the team. Coach Rosa states that, “he was chosen for his strong ball handling skills and prior experience.” Miles will be the first freshman on Varsity since now D1 star at UC Davis, Brayden Rosa, who was a part of Two CCS Winning Teams, One Norcal Title, and One Time PAL Bay Champ, while also being 2nd team all state. Looking at this trend, Miles has a bright future ahead of him.
Coach Rosa says he usually uses all three levels of football to develop players. However, Miles is ready enough where he can compete with seniors in high school right away. Rosa says that the upperclassmen players are responding well to the new kid on the block, encouraging him and teaching him along the way.
These young athletes are truly making a difference in our athletic community at Wilcox. The next generation of athletes will keep our athletic dominance in the area for a while. Not only are they themselves making an impact, but them being so good as freshmen is pushing their teammates to be better too. The Wilcox Football team looks to repeat its CCS Title from last year while the Wilcox Volleyball team is in a hunt for this year’s playoffs. With these “Freaky Freshmen” at hand any win will be possible.
