Sports

Although many people watch and enjoy sports, there are also those who view the fan hysteria as pointless, who believe that sports serve no other purpose than to offer cheap entertainment.

But for junior Jon Olsen, sports mean a lot.

The school is renowned for its academic achievement: consistently ranked among the top public schools in the nation, students strive to reach new intellectual heights. However, a tour of campus may convey an additional tradition, that of athletic excellence.

Three meets into the season, the boys’ varsity swimming team has been performing well and holds a 2-1 record so far this season with wins against Gunn and Homestead and a loss against Palo Alto.

The girls’ basketball team won its second consecutive El Camino League title this year, tallying an undefeated 12-0 league record and an record of 21-5. The girls’ season ended Feb. 25 when they lost 45-22 during a second-round CCS matchup at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Last year, the boys’ and girls’ track teams enjoyed strings of victories against opposing schools in the West Valley League. This year, the track teams have been moved up to a higher degree of competition in the De Anza League.

With the experience of this year’s returning players, the team hopes to achieve more wins and to overcome old rivals.

On March 14, the boys’ volleyball team played its first league game at Santa Clara High School and unlike last year, they started their season with a bang, winning their game in three sets.

The Falcons lost to Los Altos 12-1 on March 9 in their second league match-up of the season. The Falcons were shut down by Los Altos pitcher Luke Wiechec, who has been recruited to play at Fresno State next year. Senior pitcher Will Dennis struggled and gave up six runs to a potent Eagles lineup while suffering the loss.

For the first time since 2005, the varsity boys’ basketball team won the El Camino league, finishing 9-3 and tying for first place with Santa Clara.

Runners gasp for air sprint as fast as they can toward the finish. Sophomore Drew Bryan is among those using their last bit of energy to finish the two-mile race, but when he finishes, he feels the sense of pride and accomplishment.