Athletics

When Teamwork was Quarantined

BY MIKE HUGHES ‘79, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

The global pandemic inflicted many negative consequences on high school athletics in the first half of the 2020-21 school year. Students stuck in their houses often did not exercise which resulted in more depression, anxiety, lack of fitness and reduced blood flow to the heart and brain. Some students in Oregon lost potential scholarship opportunities by not being able to showcase their talent to college coaches. But perhaps the greatest casualties during the half-year off from athletics were the reduction of comradery, fellowship and friendship among players. Teamwork was quarantined.

Students in high school sports often speak fondly about the friendships they make on their teams. At Jesuit High School, we often advise incoming freshmen to go out for a fall sport in mid-August so that when they walk down the halls on the first day of school in September, they will already have close friends. Our women’s lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and basketball teams speak of the sisterhood they share with their teammates. Football chapel services often involve sermons from the seniors about the “band of brothers” they have in their unit. Cross country and track athletes quickly learn to run as a pack, for they are pulled along to faster times than they could ever run on their own. All athletes realize that they train harder when they are competing for a team than just for themselves. Teamwork is one of the secrets of our success at Jesuit. Or, put more succinctly by Michael Jordan, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

For much of this past year, our lives drastically changed. Trapped in our homes, alienated from our classmates and teammates, we suffered a great deal. On the positive side, our family relationships hopefully flourished. Zoom calls and online classes provided some form of community experience. But the sadness, restlessness, and emptiness many of our student-athletes felt was due to a lack of connection – comradery and fellowship lost over the course of many months of missing sports.

The women’s lacrosse team played several of the top teams in the state during culmination week and finished the tournament as champions. Trinity teaches us that God at God’s core – what theologians call God’s ontology – is a divine friendship. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit is a right relationship. Since we are created in God’s image, then fundamentally, we are created for loving friendships.

As a Catholic school, Jesuit offers students a theological explanation for their feelings of loneliness. Our Christian tradition clearly teaches us that at a fundamental level, we are made to live in right relationship. The theology of the Holy In late winter and spring of 2021, Jesuit’s student-athletes were allowed back onto the fields and into the gyms. A glow returned to the faces of our athletes. Yes, it was the glow of rosy cheeks that results from healthy exercise. Yes, it was radiant smiles that come from playing a sport one loves. But perhaps the greatest light was the glow of love and fellowship. Having that comradery back restored the spirits of many student-athletes, evident in all aspects of their lives at Jesuit. Student-athletes thrived in their sports, in their academics, and in the greater community, supported by the companionship of their teammates. Teamwork climbed out of the quarantine shadow. And as Christian tradition teaches, that joy of friendship, comradery and right relationship became a light that overcame the darkness of the COVID pandemic.

Top Senior Student-Athletes Sign Intent Letters

Congratulations to Jesuit’s top senior athletes who signed national letters of intent during last May's signing ceremony. These student-athletes committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level next year. The ceremony also included coaches, parents, friends and teammates who gathered to honor and celebrate their achievements.

Seniors who committed to college athletics:

Bella Anderson – Idaho State, Soccer Quinn Barrett – Chapman University, Soccer Jack Bennett – Columbia University, Cross Country and Track & Field Colt Bordonaro – Babson College, Lacrosse Mike Brittingham – St. Joseph’s University, Track & Field Alison Buchholz - Washington and Lee University, Volleyball Roy Bunn – Academy of Arts University, Basketball Nick Burkett – College of Idaho, Baseball Alex Casias – University of Dallas / Maverick Battalion for Army ROTC, Track & Field Eliza Daigle – Whitman College, Lacrosse Maddy Dowdall - Chapman University, Volleyball Molly Grant – University of Notre Dame, Cross Country and Track & Field Paige Grant – University of Notre Dame, Cross Country and Track & Field Peyton Griffin – Cal State East Bay, Volleyball Amanda Henry – Trinity University, Volleyball Katya Kurkoski – Whitman College, Golf Olivia Juarez – University of Washington, Soccer Maddy Koleno – University of Arizona, Soccer Sydney Landauer – Pomona Pitzer, Lacrosse James Lang – Carroll College, Basketball Noah Lyman – Columbia University, Baseball Owen Mackin – Creighton University, Golf Brody Marconi – Oregon State University, Golf Mason Masterson – Linfield College, Baseball Madison Mayhew – Hardin-Simmons University, Softball Emma Matous – UCLA, Swimming Darius Mims – Southern Oregon University, Football Sean Murphy – University of Puget Sound, Baseball Tori Nguyen – Trinity University, Swimming & Diving Marco Nosack – University of Denver, Swimming Emily O’Connor – Colorado School of Mines, Soccer Charlie Pickard – Oregon, Football (preferred walk-on) Sydney Rankin – Colorado College, Cross Country and Track & Field Liam Ruttledge – University of Puget Sound, Basketball Stanley Schoppe – George Fox University, Football and Baseball Ryan Schumacher – University of Notre Dame, Cross Country and Track & Field Reece Sullivan – Colorado Mesa University, Lacrosse Aries Valenzuela – George Fox University, Swimming Joe Vranizan – Georgetown, Lacrosse Sydney Watson – St. Peter’s University, Soccer

Two Students Named Players of the Year

In its 36th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, Gatorade recognized two Jesuit High School student-athletes as Players of the Year in their chosen sport – Chloe Foerster ’22 received the 2020-21 Oregon Gatorade Women's Crosscountry Player of the Year and Aidan Azavedo ’21 received the 2020-21 Gatorade Oregon Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

CHLOE FOERSTER ’22

Chloe's exceptional athletic ability was evident early on with her fourth place finish at the Class 6A state meet as only a sophomore. At the Nike Cross Virtual Championship last season, Foerster finished fifth in the United States with a time of 17:04.1, making her Oregon’s top finisher in the showcase. She continued to top Oregon’s leaderboard as she led Jesuit’s team to a national third place finish.

In the 2021 spring track season, Foerster broke four school records and officially became the fastest high school junior in Oregon history with a 4:20.42 finish for 1500 meters.

“I’ve been coaching 39 years and Chloe is the most talented and committed female athlete that I’ve ever been associated with,” says Jesuit’s cross-country coach Tom Rothenberger. “Since she made the decision to forgo soccer and commit herself to running, she has created a culture on our team that is truly amazing.” Foerster saw cross-country as an opportunity to grow as a runner and join a motivational and supportive group of athletes.

“I enjoy the team the most. They are what makes me want to come to practice even on days when I am sore and tired. Those girls are some of my best friends, and it makes cross-country so special for me,” says Foerster.

In addition to competing on Jesuit’s cross-country team, Foerster volunteers and participates in Mock Trial, Green Team, Jesuit Ambassadors, Social Justice Union, and SAFER, all while maintaining a highly impressive 4.10 GPA at Jesuit.

AIDAN AZAVEDO ’21

Aidan led the Crusaders to a 9-1-1 record during this past pandemic-abbreviated soccer season. Aidan scored three goals and passed for nine assists. The 2021 Metro League Player of the Year, he is a three-time All-State selection and a four-year starter who helped lead Jesuit to the 2018 Class 5A state championship.

A member of the Jesuit High School Diversity Club, Aidan has volunteered locally as part of a fundraising campaign to benefit cancer research. He has also donated his time to the Providence Children’s Health Center and as a camp counselor.

“Speaking as an opposing coach, Aidan’s ability to break down a defense with a pass or cross at any moment was always top of mind,” said Monty Hawkins, head coach of Sherwood High. “What makes him special on the field is his inventiveness and creativity under pressure in tight situations, especially in the final third.”

Aidan has maintained a 3.40 GPA in the classroom. He is taking a post-graduate year at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado this fall.