Written By: Delaney Cordes, Staff Writer
SPOTLIGHT: Athletes reaching new heights and breaking records in the 2023 Fall Season.
As the 2023 fall sports season comes to a close, athletes are wrapping up League Finals and CIF. But in those matches, games, and races, there have been a few students who have stood above the rest in their talent and aptitude. Throughout the years, there have been athletes who are talented enough to break previous school records, and this year is no different. As a matter of fact, during this season, there have been three athletes that broke records set by previous students in the past. This year’s star players are Rafael (Rafa) Martinez, Owen Weems, and Jace Deledonne.
The current water polo captain, center player, and senior at Poly is Rafa Martinez. Having only “started playing [his] freshman year,” number nine on the varsity team has come a long way. He described surpassing the record as a “very surreal and crazy feeling,” and that “the record seemed like something so crazy to break.” The previous scoring record for Poly Water Polo was set by Eric Qualls, with 162 goals in 2002. Martinez now holds the win of 168 goals in the highest division. The water polo team’s head coach, Coach Grisham, explained how he believes that “Rafael is a well-deserved athlete,” as well as how “he is a great leader for the[ir] team.”
The boy’s water polo team had a great season, making CIF all the way to the quarterfinals. They did sadly lose a few games, but overall had a season record of 26 games won out of 32 total games, making them one of our best-scoring teams at Poly!
Running and water polo don’t have much in common, but this year they do: they both broke impressive records. For cross country, there were actually two records broken during the 2023 fall season. Having broken the fastest 5K (3 miles) record as well as the sophomore record, Jace Deledonne is up on top with a 14:58.1 time, having only run cross country for two years. Following right behind him is Team Captain Owen Weems (11), who actually broke the record he set last season, resulting in him running a 15:11.6 for a 5K (3 miles) race. According to Coach Orr, Poly Cross Country’s Head Coach, “They trained for it [and] kn[e]w they were ready.” They both used their wins as ways to push them to be better athletes and the confidence in their runs and continuation in XC. As the season comes to a close, the cross-country team is headed towards CIF. Being 44th in the state and about to start CIF gives Jace, Owen, and other athletes that chance to excel above the rest.
Poly High School’s Principal, Mr. Hansen was very excited to hear the records that were broken this year. He believes that the records “are meant to be broken…as an effort [and] a goal for students.” The Bears of Distinction Wall can also “stride them to be on that wall” and break the previous records set. Poly does a lot when students reach new heights in sports. Instagram and advertisements are posted weekly to daily for athletes of the week, updates on games for various sports, and many more. Congratulations to Rafa Martinez, Owen Weems, and Jace Deledonne for the hard work and effort put in this year and for breaking the previous Poly sports record!