Boys' Water Polo

The boys’ varsity team is set to dominate the De Anza division this year with a group of strong and skilled players. The two new coaches, Scott Foster and Brian Rieben, bring experience and energy to the season. “So far they have been really great and I believe they’ll help us get pretty far this season,” junior Benjamin Hendricks said. Along with the new coaches, the team has lost only one player and has a strong starting six.

Rigorous conditioning helps players prepare for games against top rivals such as Los Gatos High School, Los Altos High School and Palo Alto High School. “Los Altos has a junior national member, as well as a strong background of players,” Hendricks said. “Paly still has one strong player who could possibly be very strong, depending on how he can lead his team.”

Other teams in the De Anza League have lost numerous starters in their lineups and that gives the Titan squad an advantage over them. The opposing teams, weakened by their losses, may find it harder to face the well-trained and experienced Gunn team. “We are one of the few teams in the league to have lost very few starters,” Hendricks said. “Additionally, we now have the best pool in the league. I’m really excited for this year.” The team is preparing for their first home game against Los Altos on Sept. 29.

Girls' Water Polo

Last year the girls’ varsity water polo team went 8-11 under coach Aileen Delaney. With a new coach at the helm and a batch of well-trained and eager girls looking to dominate the De Anza division, this season will bring a whole new year of competitive and exciting games for the fall as the girls power their way to Central Coast Section.

Coach Mark Hernandez, who coached boys’ water polo for eight years will be instructing the girls’ team this year. “They’ve had the same coach for eight years so they’re used to things being done a certain way, and I do things very differently,” Hernandez said. This new signing, however, will not be a huge change to the girls according to senior Alex Lincoln. “Many of us are familiar with his coaching style from the swim season and his positive attitude, and approach to coaching will really help the team this year,” Lincoln wrote in an e-mail. “I, personally, am very pleased that he is part of the team this year.”

Girls’ water polo will be facing some challenges during the course of their games. Hernandez believes this group of girls shows the makings of an excellent team that could only get better and better. “They work hard, learn well and compete intensely,” Hernandez said. “They are my favorite girls in the world.”

Football

Last year, the boys’ varsity football team went 2-8, but this year they are looking for more success in the El Camino League. New head coach Bob Sykes and an almost entirely new coaching staff hope to bring about some new changes. “I’m looking forward to bringing some excitement to Gunn football,” Sykes said. “We need a lot of student support. We are trying to change the atmosphere of the whole program. We need the kids to believe in themselves.”

Sykes has a good feeling about the upcoming season. “I’m positive about what we are doing,” Sykes said. “There is a lot of desire from the kids and I see a lot of athletic ability.” The football players’ desire to win will help them become a dominating team, and according to Sykes, they have some advantages as well. They are fast on both offense and defense and that combined with the will to win should help the squad win more games this season.

According to Sykes, school support will also push this team to even greater heights. “These kids are playing for all the teachers and students, so the more support they get, the better,” Sykes said.

Volleyball

With new varsity head coach Kevin Hwang from Archbishop Mitty High School, the volleyball team is starting the season with fresh changes and renewed determination. The squad finished an annual retreat that took place just before the start of the school year with the goal of helping the players and coaches connect.

According to Hwang, his main goal is to create an environment that allows his players to learn, compete and grow as both volleyball players and individuals. Huang said the team has many players with club experience that adds to their talent, but he believes that experience is not the team’s greatest strength. “I think the strength of this team is that they are a team,” Hwang said. “All of the players work hard and are doing their best to learn.”

The team is preparing for their first home game against Los Altos on Sept. 29.

Girls' Tennis

The girls’ varsity tennis team plans on smashing their way to success in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL) El Camino division. The team’s goal is to pull themselves up to the De Anza division that they competed in last year and to keep their team spirit pumped throughout the whole season.

According to junior Roxanne Rahnama, the squad’s strengths lie in their strong support and unity. “We get along really well and support each other at practices and games,” Rahnama said. She believes they are working hard to focus on conditioning and learning strategies, which will enforce their skills.

Their first game was against Palo Alto High, and although Gunn did not win, the team believes they were strong and solid in their performance. The Titans are looking forward to their next game on Sept. 8 against Los Gatos High School, where they will play a team in their own division.

Cross Country

In the past, the cross-country team has proved to be one of the strongest in the Central Coast Section. This season their goal is to match their previous successes and to qualify for and place well in the state meets.

According to head coach Ernie Lee, rising athletes and newcomers such as junior Erin Robinson and sophomore Loubna Faiez have made a strong and immediate impact on the varsity team. The team offered optional training over the summer that helped them jump right into the season when school started.

Lee said the squad has had a strong start and their only setback is the lack of freshmen that have come out to practice. After finishing a strong alumni meet on Sept. 10, the team is preparing for Stevenson Relays on Sept. 12.