CIF (California Interscholastic Confederation), which oversees high school sports statewide, added flag football as an official high school sport in 2023 in an effort to encourage more girls to take to the field according to the Associated Press’s article “California makes flag football a girl’s high school sport.” Following the addition, the school followed suit by creating its first flag football team.
“I wanted to be a part of something that gives girls an opportunity to compete, build confidence, and grow as a team. Flag football is an emerging sport, and I felt passionate about helping our school be part of that movement,” said Head Coach Rebecca Hernandez.
According to the team’s official Instagram account @wchsflagfootball, initial tryouts took place on June 11. Other posts published to the account emphasized that those involved would become a permanent part of the school’s athletic history.
“Did you know that CIF has voted girls’ flag football an official high school sport in California?! Be a part of West Covina High School History and play with the first year of girls’ flag football,” read a @wchsflagfootball post caption.
The team’s final roster was released to the same account June 26 and revealed that 36 players out of over 50 who tried out made the team, the majority of them upperclassmen. The team faced adversity when an unspecified number of players quit due to time conflicts before the season commenced.
“Lots of girls quit due to having other commitments with other sports. As an athlete that plays both flag football and soccer, I will admit it is hard to balance both…This resulted in some girls pick one or the other,” said senior Samantha Sandoval.
Although this affected the team’s momentum, they reconfigured themselves effectively by focusing on the ability of they’re remaining players. By the time they faced Covina High School in a scrimmage match at home on Friday, Aug. 9, they claimed victory.
“We adjusted our practice plan and game strategy, and shifted positions to make the most of the players we have. The girls have shown great adaptability and determination to keep pushing forward,” said Hernandez.
The team then had their first whole-team match last Friday against San Dimas on Thyberg Field from 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ending with a defeat of 24-13, the girls rebounded from their loss with the assurance from Hernandez and the crowd that they had made school history. Immediately following a ceremonial show of sportsmanship in which they lined up and congratulated San Dimas on a game well played, they ran to take their first post-game team picture.
“We are taking it as a learning experience and keeping our heads high. There were some little mistakes that we did but as a team, we are brushing it off and getting ready for our next game,” said Sandoval.
The team’s next official game is set to be at home against Los Altos High School on Aug. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
