The Cross-Country season ended on a high note. 

It was a year where the team saw the continued growth of the program. The number of participants keeps growing past 50 runners and more students are seeing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and running. Many students of all backgrounds joined the team, from seasoned runners, to soccer and basketball players wanting conditioning, to students who had never run before in their life. Yet, everyone came out and worked hard and improved their running skills and endurance. By the end of the season, everyone was running at least 5 miles up and down hills and racing at the Crystal Springs Cross Country course. 

Coaches were pleased to see how runners were improving their times in races and also encouraging their teammates. While Cross-Country is considered by many an individual sport, it remains one of the most supportive and tight-knit teams on campus. Students supported each other in practices and races (we even saw many of our runners literally pushing teammates up hills), and also in their academics. Runners were seen tutoring each other and helping with academics while on training runs, before, and after practice. The team also had a college workshop practice, where all the Seniors spent an entire practice working on their college applications and getting one-on-one feedback on their personal statements from many Woodside teachers. The team is just as committed to helping each other with their academics as they are with their athletics. 

At PAL Championships, the team continued their growth and have started to challenge the longtime league stalwarts. All runners improved their times at Crystal Springs at PALs. The Boys Varsity team all ran under 19 minutes and improved their times, but just missed out qualifying as a team to CCS. Freshman Alex Kastelein did qualify as an individual. 

The Girls Varsity squad (consisting of Kayley James, Emma Wilde, Taylor Matel, Isabel Espinoza, Isabelle Couch, Isabella Schrammel, and Kara Herson) finished 5th at PALs and qualified for CCS as a team for the second straight year. Senior Kayley James also garnered All-League recognition. 

At CCS Championships, also at Crystal Springs Cross-Country Course, the runners received a lot of support from their teammates who came out to watch. They all ran well, improving their times and performances from PALs. The team is losing a few Seniors whose leadership and contributions will be greatly missed, yet it is still a young team and looks poised for further success in the years ahead.

For more Cross Country photos, click here.

PAL Tournament

The Woodside varsity boys water polo team faced sound competition in their rematch with Mills in the first PAL Tournament game at Menlo-Atherton High School with a score of Woodside 6, Mills 9.  The Wildcats countered defensively with persistence against the Vikings' offense, and drove plays offensively with Woodside sophomore Giorgio Fatica at 2 goals, followed by senior Leo Franco-Munoz, senior Oliver Mancebo, sophomore Levi Vigdorchik, and senior Brian Wheaton each with 1 goal.  Senior Eric Helseth had 6 goalie saves in the game.  

The boys won game 2 in the PAL Tournament in a rematch with Carlmont with a score of Woodside 18, Carlmont 11. The Wildcats showed consistent teamwork and drive throughout the game against the Scots', with 6 goals scored for Woodside by sophomore Giorgio Fatica, 5 goals made by junior Max Untrecht, 3 goals delivered by senior Ben Loewen, and 1 goal each contributed by senior Leo Franco-Munoz, senior Oliver Mancebo, junior Ryan Toulouse, and senior Brian Wheaton. Senior Eric Helseth had a season high of 13 goalie saves in the game, with junior Stefan Buhr adding 1 save in the fourth period.

The team won the 3rd and final game in the PAL Tournament to finish 5th overall in the tournament. The Wildcats showed strong defense and offensive teamwork drives against the Burlingame Panther team resulting in a score of Woodside 11, Burlingame 8, with 5 goals led by Woodside senior Oliver Mancebo, followed by 3 goals delivered by sophomore Giorgio Fatica, and one goal each contributed by senior Leo Franco-Munoz, senior Benjamin Loewen, and junior Max Untrecht.  Senior Eric Helseth had 10 goalie saves in the game, with 2 saves coming from five-meter shots, followed by junior Stefan Buhr adding 1 save in the fourth period.

CCS Playoffs

The Woodside varsity boys water polo team finished the water polo season facing strong competition in their match with Los Gatos in the first round of CCS Division I Championship games at Monta Vista High School on Tuesday with a score of Woodside 8, Los Gatos 12.

In their first CCS showing since 2010, the Wildcats played hard from start to finish against the Los Gatos Cats, with Woodside junior Max Untrecht leading the Wildcats scoring with 4 goals, followed by sophomore Giorgio Fatica at 2 goals, and senior Leo Franco-Munoz and senior Oliver Mancebo delivering 1 goal apiece. Senior Eric Helseth had a season personal best with 17 goalie saves in the game.

Click here to see more boys water polo photos.

Click here to see more volleyball photos.

Athlete: Kelly MacDonald, freshman
Sport: Water Polo
Coach: Ms. McNinch and Megan Bordy

Athlete: Alex Kastelien, freshman
Sport: Cross-Country, Long Distance
Coach: Mr. Aguilera and Ms. Muelman

 Week of October 23

Athlete: Nina Pagano, sophomore
Sport: Volleyball
Coach: Joe and Haley Sheets

Athlete: Adrian Johnson, Sophomore

Sport: Football

Coach: Lee and Andrews

 Week of October 9

Athlete: Max Untrecht, junior

Sport: Water Polo

Coach: Peter Davis

Athlete: Sophia Longo, freshman

Sport: Tennis

Coach: Stan Cartwright

Click here to read more.