Football
To gear up for the fall season, Berkeley High School (BHS) alumni and former football player, Coach David Perry, has newly joined the BHS coaching staff and has been prepping the football team since June 12. He has held intense strength and speed conditioning four days a week all summer, aligning closely with Perry’s belief that “with no challenge, there’s no change.”
BHS hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2011, and they are aiming to break that dry spell this season. The team is determined to win, and with what Perry refers to as “the best wide receiver duo ... Jackson Harris and (Benjamin) BJ Thurman,” he is confident that they will.
The offensive side of the ball is in Perry’s toolbox this season, and the team is also “installing a very cool defense that they didn’t run last year,” according to Perry. Putting those assets to use, the football team will head off the season with their first home game against Miramonte High School on Friday, Aug. 26.
“We are going to put on a show,” said Perry.
Field Hockey
After a summer of conditioning, field hockey players are determined to operate this season like a “well-oiled machine,” as senior captain Desi Reicher said. Reicher has already been brainstorming team bonding activities to create a more positive and harmonious atmosphere.
“I want a stronger community base so that communication is high... (and) people... (are) able to voice their issues,” said Reicher. After losing two head coaches, former Assistant Coach Annabel steps up to lead with new Assistant Coaches Avalon and Kayleigh. Amidst this turnover, the players have been hard at work, focusing primarily on basic skills. Reicher noted, “For field hockey, the fundamentals are pretty important. … Coach Annabel really wants us to get the form and how to control the ball down.”
These skills will be crucial while facing difficult opponents such as Marin Catholic High School, San Francisco University High School, and Lick-Wilmerding High School later in the season. Field hockey will start games on Saturday, Aug. 20, at noon for the varsity jamboree; which features five schools in a mini-tournament. Reicher emphasized, “There is just so much potential. … It’s gonna be a good season.”
Cross Country
BHS runners are starting off the cross country season with physical health being a top priority.
Senior runner Sonia Delangle emphasized the importance of proper nutrition.
“I’m actually really into making sure everyone’s properly nourished and eating enough to replenish all the calories we burn,” said Delangle.
Elliott Escalante, another senior on the team, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m always learning to be more patient with my conditioning because it’s easy to overtrain and get injured.”
In the interest of injury prevention, seniors on the team lead weekly “Form Fridays” where runners practice proper running form. The team started pre-season conditioning the week after school got out, where runners participated in base runs followed by speed work. Working from this summer’s foundation of consistency, the team hopes to make it to the State Championships this fall.