Photo Credit: Hector Garcia Molina
Stanford – Rugby
How did Prep prepare you to play at the collegiate level?
In many ways, Prep molded me into the athlete that I am today. Whether in soccer scrimmages, tennis practices, or team work outs, I learned personal discipline and a hard work ethic while also developing my fitness and dexterity. All of the sports teams that I had the privilege of being on at Prep taught me valuable lessons about leadership and how to support and challenge both myself and my teammates. Every time I step on the rugby pitch, I apply these lessons.
How do you juggle your classes and your practice/game schedule?
It can be difficult to juggle classes and sports commitments, and I rely on careful time management to make sure that I stay on top of things. At Prep, I learned strategies for managing my time and how to balance academics, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Although rugby takes up a lot of my time, I have always found that sports and exercise are a valuable way to release stress and increase focus.
What is your favorite memory from your Prep athletic career?
During my junior year, I was lucky enough to be on the boys soccer team that won the 2014 State Championship. After Griffin Sides scored the game winning goal in the quadruple overtime, the fans stormed the field. In that moment, I felt incredibly proud to be a member of a team that had worked so hard and succeeded in accomplishing so much.
What advice would you give to current Prep athletes who want to play in college?
My advice would be to make the most out of your high school experience both athletic and otherwise. Prep has excellent coaches, players, and teachers that have so much to offer you, especially if you are receptive. Look to your captains and older players for advice and as examples to emulate. Work hard and stay open-minded. Although I played soccer, tennis, and even a little baseball (shout out to Bixby), I ended up playing rugby in college. While my previous sports definitely provided good cross-training, the skills and character traits I developed were of far greater use. Prep helped me to become more tenacious, optimistic, supportive, coachable, and tactical. Do whatever you can to improve as an athlete, student, and person. This will make you grow on and off the field.
What would you say were your greatest athletic and academic accomplishments during your time at Prep? At college?
During my sophomore year at Prep, I tore my MCL in an early game in the soccer season. I thought that my season was over, and I remember feeling so crushed and discouraged when the doctor gave me the diagnosis. My friend Max Thurston, a junior at the time, had also been injured earlier in the season, and his optimism and encouragement helped me to remain positive. Together we went through physical therapy, strength training, and the grueling road to recovery. My greatest athletic accomplishment was being able to miraculously return in time to play in the State tournament. My greatest academic achievement was getting accepted to Stanford. I could not have done it without the support of Prep’s awesome faculty. I developed a love of learning from my excellent teachers who somehow made often challenging material exciting and digestible. I also am so grateful for the college counselors (love ya Story!) who tirelessly edited and reviewed the numerous iterations of my many application essays as well as guiding my college search.
At college, my greatest athletic accomplishment has been my personal and team success with Stanford Men’s Rugby. Despite having never played a contact sport in my life, my phenomenal coaches and teammates have literally taught me the sport. While my first passes and tackles were hideous to say the least, I slowly improved as a player until I moved off the bench and onto the starting squad. My freshman year the team even made it to the national 7s tournament, and I hope that we will again find success in this coming season. I have even been lucky enough to make the travel team that went to Australia two summers ago, where we competed in exhibition matches against the Albury Steamers and Eastern Suburbs in Sydney. In terms of academic success, I am glad to say that this past spring I declared as a Mechanical Engineer and am excited to continue to enrich and apply my education. This past summer I worked on campus with the Stanford Solar Car Project, helping to design and manufacture a completely solar-powered electric vehicle. I am extremely indebted to Santa Fe Prep for the plethora of opportunities that it afforded me and its lasting positive impact.