SPORTS

Olasewere twins thrive off competition

Anastasia Thumser ’22

Web Managing Editor he horn goes off for

Tthe 200 meter individual medley race.Water splashes at astronomical levels as the swimmers in the middle lanes dive powerfully. After eight grueling laps, they sprint to the fi nish, neck-and-neck as they strive to touch the wall before the other. When their race is complete, two girls of similar height and appearance hop out of the pool for a congratulatory celebration.

Spectators may think they’re seeing double, but twins Annam and Ayaan Olasewere ’25 are different, yet equally talented swimmers. While they are self-professed competitors, Annam and Ayaan are also each other’s biggest role models.

“In the events where both of us are close to each other in time, we are always competing to see who had the better time, which motivates us to go faster,” Annam said.

With Annam holding two Staples records in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle events, and both girls contributing to the school record-breaking freestyle relays, Annam and Ayaan are assets to the Staples’ girls swim team.

The sisters started swimming ic to the Staples’ girls swim when they were 18 months old, team in practice, dual and but they credit their previous championship meets, but head coach, Chandler Crosby, with coach Mike Anderson is adtheir success in championship amant that they entertain as meets as they became age-group well as inspire their teammates. swimmers. “Coaching “Coach Ayaan and Chandler Annam has was a been a lot rare, one of fun. They of a kind have a lot of coach. energy,” AnHe was derson said. always “They push pushing each other, us to be they like to the very race each best we other, they could be like to tease [...] we each other, always lis- and they’re tened to highly interhim and OLASEWERE RANKINGS Annam active with took what Olasewere ’25 (LEFT) is seeded fi rst all of their he said in the state for the 50 and 100 yard teammates. to heart,” freestyle. Ayaan Olasewere ’25 (RIGHT) They’re Annam is seeded 15th in the 50-yard freestyle not above said. “He and 12th in the 100-yard freestyle. pushing contin- each other’s ued to develop our skills, and head under water.” eventually we started attend- Jessica Qi ’22, captain of ing our fi rst championship the girls’ swim team, believes meets, then winning champi- that Annam and Ayaan’s onship meets and then going energy is infectious and into even higher level meets.” spiring to fellow swimmers. Annam and Ayaan apply “They constantly radiate postheir dedication and work eth- itivity both in and out of the pool, which is awesome to have on the team,” Qi said. “They are two of the most hardworking and funniest people I know, always putting 110% effort into practice and making jokes to brighten up everyone’s moods.” In addition to swimming, Annam and Ayaan are motivated students and musicians. They do fi nd it mildly annoying when others compare them—whether in school or on the pool deck— but they agree that they perform best when they are together. “People often compare us— not maliciously—to see who is better at this or that,” Ayaan said. “But we believe that we each shine at individual things. [...] Point in case, I am an elite breaststroker and freestyler, while Annam shines in freestyle and butterfl y. When we work together in relays, we exceed the expectations that are put on us, because we are each swimming what we swim best.” Despite the potential pressure from competing against a twin sister, Annam and Ayaan wouldn’t have it any other way. “There is no feeling like knowing that you will always have someone to inspire and motivate you,” Ayaan said, “Someone that knows exactly what you are going through.”

SWIM PRACTICE Annam Olasewere ’25 train for state opens in late November at the Staples pool.

SPORTS| 21 Cheerleader or housewife? Traditions prove sexist, outdated

Amanda Rowan ’22

Photostory Editor hen I signed up for

Wcheer in eighth grade, I was so excited to tumble, stunt, learn routines and compete. What I didn’t realize was that being a cheerleader at Staples meant also being an unappreciated 1950’s housewife.

At the beginning of every school year, each cheerleader is assigned to a senior football player. There is a pool party during the summer where all the cheerleaders are introduced to their senior football players. I enjoy this tradition. We all throw each other into the pool, do fun dives and swim around. It is a great bonding experience for the two teams; however, once the school year starts, this relationship becomes one sided.

For each varsity game, the cheerleaders are required by their captains to make encouraging posters for their assigned football players. For the homecoming game, we are asked to decorate our football players locker with balloons, streamers, posters, baked goods, candies and more. In return, the football players do very little to root for, celebrate or honor the cheerleaders. This cheerleader and football player tradition is sexist, outdated and degrading as an athlete. I love cheerleading, but this is not what I signed up for. Most people assume cheerleading is just standing on the sidelines at each football game cheering on the boys. This is not true. Our Staples competition cheer team practices 10 hours a week. From tumbling, stunting, jumping, dancing and conditioning, I leave each practice dripping in sweat. Cheerleading is a sport as defi ned by the Olympics in 2021. When we continue to make posters for the football team we take away the legitimacy of our own sport. It makes it seem as though our only job is to support the football team, but who’s supporting us? If this tradition were to continue, it needs to be equal. In the four years I have been on the team, I have received two proper thank yous for supporting the football team.

Before you get excited, the fi rst thank you was gifted to me by my assigned football player’s mom. She gave me a gift certificate,which I was thankful for, but I would have liked to have been thanked just once from the football player himself.

The second thank you I received was when o u r cheerlead- ing captain asked the senior football players to thank us and buy us something for homecoming.

Although I appreciated the gifts, I believe the gesture was forced and far too late. I am done asking for my work to be recognized. I shouldn’t have to ask for something in return.

If this tradition is important to the football players, then they would reciprocate the favor without being asked.

I understand this might be a tradition, but traditions change and in 2009, Superintendent Elliot Landon banned cheerleaders from baking for their assigned football players. This was outdated then, and it’s still outdated now.

Each time I bring up the misogyny and blatant sex- ism with the foot- ball play- ers and cheerleaders, it’s passed off as just “something we’ve always done.” Unless both teams are willing to alter this tradition so that there is equal support, it shouldn’t continue. I am more than a football player’s poster maker and baker. I am an athlete, and I deserve to be treated like one.

player tradition is sexist, outdated and degrading as an athlete. I love cheerleading, but this is not what I signed up for. Most people assume cheerleading is just standing on the sidelines at each football game cheering on the boys. This is not true. Our Staples competition cheer team practices 10 hours a week. From tumbling, stunting, jumping, dancing and conditioning, I leave each practice dripping in sweat. Cheerleading is a sport as defi ned by the Olympics in 2021. When we continue to make posters for the football team we take away the legitimacy of our own sport. It makes it seem as though our only job is to support the football team, but who’s supporting us? If this tradition were to continue, it needs to be equal. In the four years I have been mom. She gave me a gift certificate,which I was thankful for, but I would have liked to have been thanked just once from the football player himself.

The second thank you I received was when o u r cheerlead- ing captain asked the senior football players to thank us and buy us something for homecoming.

Although I appreciated the gifts, I believe the gesture was forced and far too late. I am done asking for my work to be recognized. I shouldn’t have to ask for something in return.

If this tradition is important to the football players, then they would reciprocate the favor without being asked. outdated then, and it’s still outdated now.

Each time I bring up the misogyny and blatant sex- ism with the foot- ball play- ers and cheerleaders, it’s passed off as just “something we’ve always done.” Unless both teams are willing to alter this tradition so that there is equal support, it shouldn’t continue. I am more than a football player’s poster maker and baker. I am an athlete, and I deserve to be treated like one.

Photo by Emma Porzio ’23

SUPPORTING THE TEAM

Cheerleaders decorate the football players lockers for the Homecoming game on Oct. 22. Photos by Rachel Greenberg ’22 Photos by Rachel Greenberg ’22 Graphic by Elle Vail ’23

CHEER PRACTICES The Staples cheer team practices for winter competition.

22| SPORTS Winter sports look to thrash competition

Eli Shorrock ’22

Sta Writer As the winter season approaches, winter sports teams prepare for success.

The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are looking forward to a great season. Although both teams lost key players like Lucas Basich ’21, Sean Clarke ’21, Alva Nordin ’21 and Nicole Holmes ’21, they are determined to compete for the FCIAC and CIAC championships. The boys’ team this year is loaded with upperclassmen talent including boys’ captains Derek Sale ’22 and starting center 6’7” Chris Zajac ’23. Players are chomping at the bit to get in and be able to prove themselves. “I want to be trusted with the basketball in my hands and do anything coach asks me to do,” Charlie Honig ’23 said. Girls’ Captain Jen Westphal ’22 also emphasized the importance of young players stepping up to fi ll in bigger roles this season. “We lost our starting five players, so this year will definitely be an adjustment,” Westphal said. The girls’ and boys’ basketball teams were both ranked third in the FCIAC in the 2020-2021 season, and they are hoping to continue their legacies.

WINTER SEASON PREPARATION The wrestling team prepares for the upcoming season after facing COVID-19 regulations in the 2020-21 season. PRACTICES Jack Murphy ’22 (LEFT) and captain Sydelle Bernstein ’22 (RIGHT) both practice in the offseason.

TEAM BONDING The ski teams use team bonding activites to become a closer-knit unit.

Like the girls’ basketball team, the girls’ ski team Like the girls’ basketball team, the girls’ ski team is also a young group looking to make an impact. is also a young group looking to make an impact. “It’s very much it’s own family,” Elise Eisenberg“It’s very much it’s own family,” Elise Eisenberger ’24 said. “The upperclassmen are very inclusive not only on the course but outside of skiing as well.” The team is led by captains Emmy Marcus ’22, Kate Smith ’22 and Teagan Church ’22. “Being on the team since freshman year, I’m super sad this is my last year but I’m excited to see our success in the upcoming season,” Smith said. After fi nishing third last year in the state competition the girls have their focus set on one goal, fi rst place.

Photo contributed by Devon Saunders ’22 Photo by Lily Caplan ’22

Photo by Kiswa Khan ’23

After losing out on the CIAC season last year due to COVID-19, the boys’ wrestling team is hungrier than ever to get back on the mat. Despite not competing last season, this group is anything but inexperienced. All of the captains are well accomplished including Nick Augeri ’22, who won the FCIAC title and the class LL championship during his sophomore year. Even with all this previous success, the team is expecting even better results this season. “We are looking to have one of the best seasons in Staples history,” Noah Fraas ’22 said.

Photo by Lily Caplan ’22