By Christopher Lung

Staff Writer

Last year, sophomore Daniel Medina accomplished a major achievement by making it onto the JV baseball team as a freshman. He continues to display his talent on the varsity team this year and hopes to improve throughout the season.

“He works extremely hard and fits in really well with everyone else.” stated Coach Mo Hernandez.

Medina starts at third base and switches over to shortstop or second base when needed. This season, he will focus on refining his form and his technique. Medina has a positive outlook for the season with the goals that he has set for himself, with team chemistry being his top priority.

“I hope we grow as a team and work well together on and off the field,” said Medina, “and become Mission Valley League champions.”

Senior Amanda Morales has played softball throughout her four years here at Gabrielino and hopes to make this last season a memorable one.

“[Morales] has the skill and experience to lead on the field as a pitcher,” stated Head Coach AJ King.

Despite spraining her ankle before preseason, Morales is optimistic about the upcoming season.

As a pitcher, Morales carries an important role within the team. She hopes to leave a lasting impact before she graduates along with many of her senior teammates. Her goal this season is to bring more recognition to the softball team by becoming league champions, but she understands that it will require stronger camaraderie within the team.

“We’ll get our momentum once league comes around, but we must grow more connected as a team,” stated Morales.

Talent. Potential. Passion.

These are the words that Coach Ryan Kammerman repeatedly uses to describe sophomore Skyler Hudson. As a freshman, Hudson started out as a JV in the track team, but was promoted to the varsity team during the year. He later qualified to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs in the same year.

“My goal for this season is to break my [personal records] and strive to do the best,” said Hudson.

Hudson competes in the 800-meter and 4×400 meter relay as his main events as well was the mile. As one of the few sophomores in the varsity track and field team, he already has clearly defined himself as a standout athlete.

“[Hudson] is one of the athletes who has potential to go to CIF,” stated Kammerman.

Although Joy Hano is only a sophomore, she has already demonstrated leadership abilities in track and field. Less than a year ago, she was a freshman who made it onto the varsity team and qualified to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs.

Hano competes in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles in addition to running in the 4×100 meter relay. Even though she already broke her personal records for both her events this year, she looks forward to progressing more throughout the rest of the season.

“[Hano] excelled and showed potential for hurdles last year as a freshman,” stated Ryan Kammerman, coach of the track and field team.

Regarding this season, Hano stated, “I hope that we get as many people to CIF as possible because we have a lot of good [athletes].”