Athletes continually facing criticism over self-expression
College athletes often face criticism due to concerns about expression, as they gain significant revenue and attention from the recently allowed NIL deals, and for universities while receiving limited compensation and facing strict rules regarding NIL endorsements and outside income. Recently, college basketball players Jared Mccain and Caleb Williams have been criticized for painting their nails, and they additionally signed with nail polish companies to update their NIL catalog. After these signings, they were bombarded with negative comments, surrounding and questioning the player's sexuality.
European soccer’s top teams fight for league titles
As we begin to prepare for summer, Europe’s biggest soccer leagues are preparing to crown their newest champions. Europe’s, and subsequently the world’s top five leagues, are in England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. They range from having 34 to 38 games per season with a point system of zero points for a loss, one point for a tie and three points for a win.
Boys’ tennis find success amidst challenging season
The Samo boys’ tennis team started off the season strong with a big win against Venice when the Vikings defeated the Gondoliers 16-2 on Feb. 29. They played their final match on Monday, April 22 against Culver City, ending the season on a high note with a win of 11-7. Although the team performed well on both ends of the season, they faced challenges in consistently holding their form steady. The Samo boys’ tennis team finished the season with a record of 5-9.
Track optimistic after record breaking Pre-season
During the 2022-2023 track season, Samo’s track stars set records, advancing individuals and relay teams into CIF. Last season, the 4x200 team of Lucas Milk (’24), Dylan Hanvey (’23), Spencer Hotch (’24), and Gus Reyman (’23) broke the school record twice for a final time of 1:29.03. The Samo team appeared in multiple prestigious track meets including The Arcadia , the Redondo, and the Mt. SAC Invitationals where the team proved themselves against other highly ranked runners.
Girls’ beach volleyball makes waves in the 2024 season
After only two years as an official Samo sport, Samo girls’ beach volleyball team is gearing up for their third season in CIF. In their 2023 season, the team placed fourth in the Bay League after a tough loss against Mira Costa, Beverly Hills and Palos Verdes, but a successful win against Redondo. The girls began practicing on the sand immediately following the end of the indoor volleyball season under the guidance of Coach Liane Sato.
sports culture: why it’s deeper than just a game
It can be agreed upon that sports have turned into a sort of religion in the United States. For many, there is much more behind sports than just playing and watching the game itself. The fan bases and traditions behind each sports team and players make a significant difference in sports culture.
March Madness: UConn and South Carolina reign supreme
The 2024 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have concluded, marking the end of another chapter in the story: March Madness. A surge of excitement in women's basketball has increased popularity, while the men's tournament saw more predictable results.
Samo alumni Greg Morena gives winter sports athletes NIL course to learn crucial money management skills
Samo Theatre performed The Phantom of the Opera to sold-out audiences for two weekends, from February 23 to March 3, setting the stage with luxurious costumes, digital backgrounds and operatic singing.
Girls’ lacrosse looking to regroup with a new roster
Samo’s girls’ lacrosse team is officially in season. The team began with a game against Notre Dame High School, resulting in a loss by 9 points as the scores totaled 5-16. Additionally, they competed against Saugus High School on Feb. 20, ultimately leading to a tie of 14-14.
Boys’ volleyball off to a promising start under new coach
Samo Varsity Boys Volleyball begins off their season with a strong start, looking to go forward, win CIF and build valuable experiences with their new head coach Pete Barraza.
Color guard continues to compete in spring season
Color guard is a performing art that incorporates contemporary and jazz fundamentals along with anything that implements color and story into performances. For this, they use equipment varieties such as flags, rifles and sabers.
Boys’ tennis aims for CIF this season
The Samo Boys’ Tennis team finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 1-5-1 and a league record of 0-4-1. After an unfortunate run last season, the team is determined to turn it around and prove themselves this spring. Coach Shaun Simone explains that pre-season has been full of hard work and constant effort to ensure a great season ahead.
A deep dive into the 2024 Girls’ Water Polo season
Samo's Varsity Girls' Water Polo closed out their season on Jan. 31 with a game against Culver City. Winning 8-1, the score reflected the effort the team has put into practice throughout the semester.
Martial Arts From the female perspective
Within sports, conversations around sexism are usually limited to pay, physical ability and overall resources and popularity. However, with close-contact sports such as martial arts, sexism becomes much more complex and nuanced. The dynamics between trainees and the overall ultra-masculine culture within such sports create toxic and unwelcoming environments, particularly for women.
Beyond the Sideline: HOW Women are Constantly Overshadowed in Sports
For years, women have been portrayed as lesser athletes than men. They are considered weaker, more vulnerable, more emotional and are often sexualized in the media. It has been proven that women continue to be overshadowed by men in terms of fame, popularity, money, television contracts, and more.
Women are on the rise in the Sports World.
Now more than ever, female athletes provide a stable platform that brings positivity to women.
Boys’ soccer starts strong coming off of semifinal loss
Boys’ Soccer has returned for the 23-24 winter season, and the varsity team is off to a successful start.
Girls’ soccer opens season on an undefeated 7-0 streak
Samo’s Varsity Girls’ Soccer team had its first scrimmage on Nov. 14 agaist Marymount High School, winning 2-0.
Girls’ water polo learns from setbacks
This season of Varsity Girls’ Water Polo began on Thursday, Nov. 30 with their game against Westlake High School.
Samo surf team successfully rides into its first competition
The Samo surf team represents Samo at a handful of surfing competitions every school year. Led by senior captain Alex Meyer (’24), the team is currently participating in the Kick Off Classic, their first tournament of the season.
Cross country star Phoebe Benun makes Samo history
Phoebe Benun (’25), the top runner on the Girls’ Varsity Cross Country team, broke multiple Samo records this season.
What does the future hold for Pac-12 football?
This summer, UCLA and USC announced they would move from the Pacific-12 conference, or the Pac-12, to the Big Ten conference in 2024. This move was the start of the collapse of the Pac-12 conference, which leaves many college football fans upset because many would say the conference is the strongest it has been in years.
Cassie Bibby Commits to USC for Division I soccer
Cassie Bibby (’24), a player on Samo’s Girls’ Varsity soccer team, committed to play Division I soccer at the University of Southern California (USC) on Nov. 8.
HOTLB: Samo students in unanimous support of Texas Rangers
From disgruntled Dodgers fans to supporters of transferred players, it seems like Samo students rooted for the Texas Rangers across the board.
Sexual harassment highlighted in the sports world
On Aug. 28, a sexual harassment case arose in professional womens soccer when sexual harassment allegations were charged after Jenni Hermoso, a player for the Spanish Women’s National Soccer Team and the Mexican club Pachuca, was sexually harassed.
Principles on profit: Should non-professional athletes be paid?
NIL deals, also known as Name, Image, and Likeness Deals, have been taking the sports world by storm.
Samo introduces new sports medicine class and club
Samo has introduced a new sports medicine class and sports medicine club this year, which will give students an opportuni ty to advance in the field, either with a career in mind or just for fun.
Girls’ flag football team is the newest ball to catch
This year, the CIF-Southern Section voted on adding Girls’ Flag Football as a sanctioned sport for the fall 2023-24 sea son. Ramsey Lambert, who was the strength and conditioning coach, is now the head coach of Samo’s new flag football team.
Samo Welcomes New Cheer Coach Lavel Butler
This cheer season brings a new head coach for the team: Lavel Butler.
From novels to kneepads: Meet Pete Barraza
This year, Pete Barraza became the new head coach of Samo’s Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team and the coach of JV Girls’ Volleyball. He is also the AP English Literature teacher and a 10th grade English teacher.
Sexual harrasment highlighted in the sports world
On August 28, a sexual harassment case arose in professional women’s soccer after Jenni Hermoso, a player for the Spanish Women’s National Soccer Team and the Mexican club Pachuca, was sexually harassed.
Samo football kicks-off with a historic start to the season
Despite all of the doubters from last year’s 2-8 campaign and despite losing 14 players to last year’s graduating class, this year’s iteration of Samo varsity football is nothing like past Vikings teams.
Cross country season off to a fast start
The Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country teams have high expectations going into this season. Last year, for the first time in Samo’s history, the girls’ team made it to CIF Finals, advancing to the state meet and finishing 11th in Division I.