FRESHMEN Cael

Kongshaug

By Kaitlyn Brown

Growing up in a football family, Cael Kongshaug ‘27 has found passion in the environment and life lessons provided by the sport, and he’s ready to see where City High’s prestigious football program leads him.

“I’m very comfortable in the varsity environment. We have a great coaching staff, which helps a lot,” Kongshaug said about the Little Hawk Football setting, sharing experiences and how the program has helped him already. “I’m looking forward to getting reps and improving as much as I can [this season]. Because of injury, I’m the second string, so I get to play JV. I’m happy to get JV reps.”

Starting in first grade flag football, Kongshaug has “always been around football.” Getting reps has been built into who he is, whether it was playing catch with his dad in the backyard or joining seven versus seven leagues. Kongshaug spent some time down in Las Vegas, and as he would put it, his team “got destroyed, but had fun.” When asked to comment on his favorite football memories, he often goes back to memories from last spring.

“This past spring was a lot of fun. I’m a freshman but I got to play in the 18U division,” Kongshaug said. “Playing against hard competition and good players like Julian Sayin was an [incredible] experience.”

Football takes up a lot of time, but Kongshaug always “trusts the process.” Hoping to reach the Division 1 collegiate level, he makes sure that he is always working hard and committing enough time to getting better.

“After practice every night, the coaches release practice film on Hudl, and I can just spend 30 minutes watching that,” Kongshaug said of his routine both on days he has to practice, and on Fridays under the lights. “Before a game, I drive to the gas station and buy myself a coffee, and maybe a little meal. I warm up, and then after that, I put my earbuds in and start listening to music and getting into the right mindset.”

A classic rock and country enthusiast, Kongshaug takes after his dad in many things. His “biggest motivator” and “inspiration,” Kongshaug is grateful for the support he has received from his dad.

“My dad always played football,” Kongshaug recalled. “He supports me so much, and he’s always there for me in so many ways. We can always ‘talk football’.”

With a powerful football program behind him, on top of the support from his dad and so many around him, Cael Kongshaug has a bright future. The Grant Wood Elementary alum is always working to get better, and will continue to play a strong role in City High Football.

Hattie Galloway

By Amelie Donovan

With 36 blocks, 34 kills, and 16 aces in the middle of volleyball season, freshman Hattie Galloway is definitely a key player in the success of the City High volleyball team. At only 14 years old, Galloway has made it as a starter and has played in every game so far.

“Volleyball season started off amazingly. I had a really good first game, which I was definitely nervous about. I started off with a lot of blocks, which is important to my position, so overall, it has been good,” Galloway said.

While being a younger athlete in a tough environment, Galloway still manages to battle the anxiety some may struggle with on that Varsity court.

“It was definitely nerve wracking at first, and now there’s still a little bit of those nerves, but it makes it more fun because then, once you kind of push through that and start playing, it feels like a really big accomplishment. I really like the competitiveness of the varsity environment. I think it’s just really fun,” Galloway said.

Starting basketball in third grade and volleyball in fifth grade, Galloway has loved both sports for quite some time and is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the court, with her energy, fierce mentality, and high stats. Galloway thinks of herself as a “very competitive person,” when asked how she finds passion in her sports.

“It’s nice to be able to work with other people to make myself better and to make us a better team, to be able to win stuff because I’ve really enjoyed that part of sports,” Galloway said.

While only being in the middle of the season, Galloway is looking forward to more team meals and playing harder and competitive teams.

Galloway is a multi-sport athlete and she plans to play basketball during the winter season. Specifically for basketball, Galloway has had one significant person to really inspire her throughout her athletic career.

“My dad has probably been my biggest athletic inspiration, because he played college basketball and he really likes it as a sport, so it was kind of always something I wanted to do. I know part of the reason I just play these two is because these are the two that I’m the best at, and then I’ve worked the most at, but honestly, it’s just really fun,” Galloway said. “I feel like bonding with your teammates is different than any other relationships you get in your life, so I really enjoyed that part.”

Galloway’s main goals for the rest of her athletic career are to go to state for a sport, get better, and hopefully go to college to play D1 basketball along the line.

“I’m really excited to see what the rest of my City High athletic career looks like in the next few years!”