Boys’ soccer
Last year, the boys’ soccer team placed 5th in the metro league season and lost in the metro quarterfinals. This year captain Cooper Haley returns with state aspirations and confidence for the team’s future. “I think the environment we have here is much more diverse than other teams in the league and we are much more inclusive and have a much wider base of players here,” Haley said. As a senior, Haley hopes to make this a memorable season for himself and the whole team. He wants “the legacy of success. I guess I want to win state and I want to be remembered.”
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a unique Garfield sport because both the girl’s and boy’s teams are conglomerates of players from numerous schools. Garfield and Franklin make up the majority, but members come from schools across South Seattle. In a conversation with team captain Axel Johnson, he described the resulting dynamic. “You can be a full Quaker or a full Bulldog and have a lot of school spirit, but when you’re on our team, you’re playing for the whole of South Seattle. You can have school spirit, but it’s team spirit too,” Johnson explained. Sophomore Amelia Vitek on the girls team added that “It really lets you branch out and make friends and connections in other places while still representing your own school… new people are always welcome and our girls are really supportive to new players.” The unique makeup of both teams has made them close and inclusive communities, dedicated to their sport. Johnson also spoke to some of his goals for Garfield lacrosse. “In the future, I want Garfield to have its own team, but that is quite a ways down the line. The legacy I want to leave now is the one that my team captain left me last year: leaving the team in a good space and in a good position to be successful the next year.”
Tennis
Tennis is looking to cause a racket this spring season. While many clubs have disappeared this year without freshmen to carry on their legacy, the same isn’t true for tennis. With new coach Kate Busby joining the team, this season is shaping up to be the start of a new era for Garfield. “I want to meet new people and have a successful season,” says Willa Nestigen, a freshman and part of the future for Garfield Tennis. While hopes run high at the beginning of the season, what’ll happen once the ball hit the net is, as always, anyone’s guess
Baseball
Garfield baseball has high hopes for the upcoming season. Co-captain of varsity baseball Saul Johnson said, “In terms of what we want to achieve as a team, we want to make a deep playoff run and a run to state. In my years on varsity, we haven’t had a lot of success in playoffs. We do really well in the regular season, but we have choked in the playoffs. We need to step up when it counts.” On top of a successful season, Johnson also had goals for the name of baseball at Garfield. “We want school spirit to be a big part of it. I would encourage people to come out and support our team, and more of that comes when we’re actually winning.” Johnson explained. After a few days of tryouts, the baseball teams have been set. “We have a very unique blend of different personalities and people, which separates us. We have a lot of talent on the field but we are also starting to build a sense of identity off the field too. If we can put it all together we’re gonna have a lot of success. Johnson said.
Softball
Garfield softball is gearing up for the 2024 season, hoping to go far. “We’re trying to bring home the gold this year. We’re not accepting second place. I’m hoping to grow the name of softball at Garfield. I know we had a name in 2019, but 2019 was a long time ago,” co-captain Michelle Arimura explained. On top of going to state this year, Arimura is also prioritizing the fun and community aspects of the sport. The team is largely underclassmen and Arimura herself is only a junior, leaving the group with time to grow and play together. “I want everyone to grow, and to learn, learn through the game of softball, and to make new friends,” Arimura said.
Track
Track is set apart from other team sports because of its individual nature; team spirit looks different when around 200 kids are practicing and competing in different events. Pole vaulter and upperclassman Wren McIntosh shared some goals for the team. “Obviously, you want the gold, whatever you’re doing. I think a lot of people have personal goals and if everyone works toward and achieves their personal goals then the team will overall do well. It is still a team sport,” McIntosh said. The girls team in particular has recently done very well at state, placing 2nd and 3rd the past two years. With that has come a lot of pride and spirit going into the 2024 season.
