Soccer – Ethan Herzog
The East varsity soccer team has been firing on all cylinders this season. Coming into the second round of the playoffs, the team sports a 19-2 overall record, with only a single loss in conference.
Leading the team in both goals and assists, senior Ethan Herzog has been electric on the pitch, a deciding factor in the team’s success.
A leader on and off the field, Ethan is always looking to elevate his teammates.
“As one of the team’s leaders, you have to have that winning mentality,” Herzog said. “I try to encourage growth and development for every player to help our team win.”
— Jordan Huang
Volleyball – Kiryn Paine-Heise
Sports are often one of the best ways to build community. Creating this sense of camaraderie is especially important to senior volleyball captain and outside hitter Kiryn Paine-Heise.
Collaboration and communication are especially important in volleyball, as one mistake can cost the team a point. However, when Paine-Heise first joined the team her freshman year, she didn’t know many of the other players.
“With each touch you have to rely 100 percent on your teammates because you cannot play the sport at all on your own,” Paine-Heise said.
That community and team dynamic has been important to the team’s success, going 7-5 in conference play this season and finishing with an overall record of 12-12.
— Max Winzelberg
Cross Country – Marin Lissy
Cross country ended strong this year. East’s girls’ team is ranked No. 1 in the region and won the conference championship.
“I’m super proud of everyone’s performances, and we’ve had lots of personal records,” senior Marin Lissy said.
Lissy overcame an injury last season, but she still ended the season with 21:09 in the 5k, and 13:19 in the two miles.
“The dynamic this year has been really fun,” Lissy said. “It’s nice being a senior, having the leadership aspect, and having experience on the team is very unique.”
— Linda Li
Field Hockey – Morgan Kern
After losing several key seniors from their playoff run last year, the field hockey team needed leadership more than ever from their rising seniors.
Senior Morgan Kern has stepped into a crucial leadership role this season.
“Me and my fellow captains all had to step up to still be able to compete at a high level as a team this season,” Kern said.
While Kern has made her impact felt as a leader, her impact on the field has also been impressive. Kern has posted a total of 10 goals and two assists throughout the season so far.
“Our season started off a little rough… but we’ve gotten so much better since the start of the year,” Kern said. “The bond we all have is why we have been able to stay together.”
— Ben Parry
Golf – Sophia Oh
If you have a sibling, you know your love for them has been tested in many ways. For senior golf player Sophia Oh, her love is tested on the golf team playing with her sister, Sydney Oh.
“Whenever I tell her to do something she always does the exact opposite,” Oh joked.
The Oh sisters have found success on the links this season, both making the individual regional golf tournament.
However, whether competing in tournaments or not one thing is clear: the Oh sisters will be and have been crucial to the golf team’s continued success.
— Max Winzelberg
Tennis – Mya Tan
This year’s girls’ tennis season ended strong with East’s 12-0 conference record and 18-2 overall.
After last year’s team finished as the 4A East Region Champions and second in the state, senior and co-captain Mya Tan is helping to continue the team’s success.
Tan is a leader on and off the field by encouraging her teammates and their connections. In singles tennis, this is necessary as getting out of your head is half the battle.
“You have to have a very strong mindset because you’re out there alone. So if you mess up, it’s all on you.”
— Ananya Cox
Football – Ben Parry
For senior Ben Parry, being on the football field allows him to let loose and escape all the pressures of an East education.
“When you step on that field and put your pads on, it’s just pure adrenaline and instincts for 48 minutes,” he said.
Parry wasn’t even sure he would play football for East, as he had to be convinced by Coach Larry Stroud to join the team this year.
Stroud is certainly glad he succeeded, as Parry has thrown 414 passing yards and three touchdowns this season while also playing tight end and linebacker.
— Max Winzelberg
