All Berkeley High School cross country teams had a successful 2023 season, earning first place in the West Alameda County Conference (WACC) league. According to BHS senior Mason Mullen, “We’re just the fastest we’ve ever been.” In California, it is notoriously difficult to make it to the state cross-country championships because California is one of the most competitive states for running. Both cross-country teams will attend North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 18, and a handful of selected runners will participate in the state championships the next Saturday, Nov. 25.
The girls volleyball team finished second out of seven in the WACC league standings. They made it to NCS playoffs, but lost in the first round to California High School. Elle Walker, a senior and co-captain on the team attributed much of their success this season to the coaching staff, in addition to the relationships the players had on and off the court, “Our relationships grew stronger, which helped us in the game and in our communication to each other … Our bond as a team is what really got us to where we were able to be this season.”
The BHS football team finished in first place in their league and made it to the NCS playoffs. They lost their first playoff game to El Cerrito High School on Friday Nov. 10. Coach David Perry said that “developing a strong standard within the football program, how we conduct ourselves on and off the field, a great coaching staff, changes on defense” all contributed to their success this season.
The girls’ flag football team had an exciting first-ever season as a sport at BHS. They not only learned about the sport together, but also secured first place in the WACC league. According to senior Margaret Sandiego, the confidence and patience the coaches brought to the team led them to the successes they had. Sandiego said, “I’ve played on various different sporting teams and I’ve never had coaches who put in so much of their extra and personal time and devoting it to the team.” They made it to the unofficial playoffs (NCS playoffs will officially start next year), and lost in the semifinals.