This Week in Athletics

September 13, 2024

Welcome to “This Week in Athletics,” where we recap the exciting action involving our Cate Rams across various sports. The past weeks have been filled with thrilling performances, and our athletes continue to show determination and skill across the board. Here’s a breakdown of the latest highlights.

Football Kicks Off with Dominant Win The Cate football team opened their season in spectacular fashion, defeating Valley Christian Academy 40-21 on August 31. Senior quarterback Quinn Pullen ‘25 led the charge, contributing both on the ground and through the air with two rushing touchdowns and a passing score. Joba Samson ‘25 was a force with three rushing touchdowns, while the Rams’ defense stifled the Lions, forcing five turnovers. Standout defensive performances came from Davey Rissel ‘25, Barron Crayton ‘26, and Nico Huiner ‘25, all recovering fumbles, while Johnny Foster ‘25 and Oliver Charvel ‘26 intercepted key passes. With younger players getting valuable game experience, Cate is poised for a strong season.

Girls’ Tennis: Thrilling Victories Cate Girls’ Tennis had an electrifying start to the season. The defending CIF D3 champs began with a dramatic win against Dos Pueblos High School in a tie-breaker match, where freshman Jade Wang’s performance helped secure a 9-9 tie that was decided 106-102 in points. The team followed this up with a decisive 8-1 victory over Santa Ynez. Doubles pair Reyna Takahashi ‘26 and Ivy Huang ‘27 mounted a stunning comeback to win 9-7, while Cate dominated the singles matches with standout performances from Huang, Jade Wang, and Claire Bianchi ‘26. The team remains unbeaten heading into league play next week.

Girls’ Volleyball: Early Season Success Cate Girls’ Varsity Volleyball picked up a pair of victories, starting with a 3-0 win over Hueneme High School on August 16. Junior Coco Kliman led with eight kills and eight digs, while Junior Evangeline Little contributed four aces and five kills. The team continued their strong play on August 23, defeating Fillmore 3-1. Despite dropping a close second set, Cate responded with commanding wins in the third and fourth sets to close out the match. The Rams’ strong serving and overall teamwork were crucial in securing both victories.

Boys’ Water Polo Makes a Splash Cate Boys’ Water Polo faced off against Santa Barbara High School on August 30, battling hard but ultimately falling 8-5. Junior Jae Wykoff scored two goals and anchored the defense, while sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Sheshunoff recorded 11 saves. The team bounced back in their next match against Channel Islands High School on September 12, cruising to a dominant 20-2 victory. Freshman Emmanuel Brine led the scoring with four goals, while several other players contributed to a well-rounded team effort. The Rams’ defense, led by Sheshunoff and Kaden Greene, helped secure the win with stellar goalkeeping.

Cross Country: Strong Performances in League Opener The Cate Cross Country teams had a strong showing in the TCAA league opener on September 12. Sophomore Sophie Blank made an impressive debut, finishing 10th overall in the Varsity girls’ race, with senior Stella Rodgers close behind. On the boys’ side, junior Jordan Ryan led the Varsity race, placing 19th overall, while four sophomore runners performed well in the Frosh/Soph category, all finishing in the top 20. The team will now focus on training for the upcoming meet on October 12.

This week has been packed with impressive performances from Cate’s student-athletes. From commanding victories to hard-fought matches, the Rams continue to prove their dedication and talent across all sports. With several key games and events on the horizon, the future looks bright for Cate athletics. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the coming weeks!