Of the eight winter sports four qualified to compete in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section’s (CIF) competitions. Qualifying for a spot in CIF gives athletes a chance to become their CIF division champions and then play for state champions. This year’s qualifying sports include girls and boys basketball, girls water polo, and the wrestling teams; these athletes continued their season and reflected on the experience.
Boys Basketball
Boys basketball finished off their season with an overall record of 17-12 and a 7-3 record in the Valle Vista League. This league consists of five teams that all winter sports take a chance in competing to become league champs. They finished in third securing their spot in CIF and competing in division 4A.
“It feels very accomplished to make CIF, it’s nice to see all our hard work this team has put in all season is being applied to something,” said senior Adrian Vasquez.
Moving on to playoffs they first played away at Palmdale Aerospace Academy on Feb. 12 where they lost with a score of 63-69, ending their season.
Senior Mathew Jimenez expressed that although the team faced challenges trying to establish team chemistry throughout the season, he is proud of how they ended because they finally have been able to come together and play as a team.
Girls Basketball
Through a season of 23 games, girls basketball finished their season with a record of 13-16 and a 5-5 record in the Valle Vista League. Securing their spot in third place with a win against Charter Oak on Feb. 5, they moved on to playoffs competing in division 4A. They opened their CIF appearance with a score of 37-35 against Rancho Verde.
Senior Cassandra Fortuna shared that as a first year varsity member, making CIF was rewarding.
“Having only been on varsity for one year, it’s so exciting and rewarding to see the team win… With having tough losses in the beginning of the season and some league games, our coaches and this team have put in so much work this season and now we are seeing pay off,” said Fortuna.
Continuing at CIF the girls beat Riverside Prep with a winning score of 39-31 before facing La Mirada on Feb. 19 where they scored 31-46, ending their season.
Girls Water Polo
For girls, water polo qualified for playoffs as league champions with a record of 19-10 and 4-0 in their league and made history as the first group of their team to make CIF.
In competing for a chance to win division champions in division 5, they faced off against Godinez Fundamental with a winning score of 18-12 on Feb. 4. Continuing in the playoffs, they claimed victory at El Modena High School on Feb. 7, their winning score was 7-5. On Feb, 12. 2024 they played against Hemet High School which ended their time competing at CIF with a score of 6-9.
Senior Madison Vasquez, a four year varsity player, expressed that she felt honored to have seen the team go far.
“It felt really good to make CIF because all our hard work really paid off by just making it to CIF. This year I just felt super accomplished, especially winning league champs as the first girls water polo team in West Covina High School,” said Vasquez.
Wrestling
In contrast to the other winter sports, boys and girls wrestling individuals have made CIF the past three years and maintained this streak by having multiple individual wrestlers qualifying for CIF at individuals
“It feels great to make CIF three years in a row, now it’s all about taking it to state,” said Frankie Brickie.
Out of the 17 qualifiers, there were 12 from the boys program and 5 from the girls program. These wrestlers took part in individuals on Feb. 14, where they faced off against different schools in order to continue their own runs at CIF.
Boys wrestling ended their run at CIF with no individuals advancing further however girl wrestlers Melissa Acosta and sophomore Julie Cimarusti qualified for masters with Acosta claiming fifth place and Cimarusti earning second in individuals. Their next matches in the CIF masters are on Feb. 22.
“I’m super excited to be in CIF… I’m looking forward to how I’m going to do better. With my coach’s support and always pushing me I just always want to make sure there’s no excuses,” said junior Melissa Acosta.
