Three things are guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and Quartz Hill boys dominating in Spring sports. From the thunderous roar of crowds and sweat-drenched players, dominance has emerged, coinciding with victory in our Quartz Hill High School sports department. Whether it is the track, diamond, or court, our school has grown accustomed to the “just win” mentality during the spring. Volleyball, tennis, track and field, and baseball have ruled the Golden League banners for years and are on track to achieve another year of excellence. Quartz Hill’s journey for excellence has become an expedition of challenges, triumphs, and the quest for perfection across all boards.
As of March 15th, our boys have remained undefeated in volleyball, tennis, track, and baseball. The long heritage of dominance in these four regions stretches back to our school’s emergence in the Golden League. With Tennis having one of the most extended stretches of dominance in school history, volleyball and track starting the emergence of a dynasty, and baseball continuing to reign, the idea of perfection in the spring has been nothing new to our boys’ sports section.
One of the most successful programs in our school’s history comes from our backyard on the walk to the village. The blue and green courts our school founders played on have dominated the Golden League boys’ Tennis for decades. With players a blend of finesse, power, and mental fortitude, the courts have been the stage for individual brilliance and team supremacy. The royal court became a kingdom that enforced their reign for years. Junior tennis player Nicolas Epling said, “The team and individual aspect of the sport in terms of golden league prosperity has been automatic. We go into each match hungry, expecting nothing in return except for a win.” The culture our school’s history has emerged from motivates every player to continue the school’s reign. Tennis star and top of his class Minh Hoang stated, “Tennis is not like most sports. The stuff you see–the fast serves and groundstrokes– are only 20 percent. You cannot see how fast a player’s heart is pumping or what races in their mind when in the intensity of the point.” Whether the relentless pursuit of another banner in the gym or continuing the school’s sports prosperity, our school stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of excellence.
Alongside Tennis, a new emerging sport has been hungry to set the stage for another dynasty of dominance in the Golden League. Excellence in boys’ volleyball for the past eight years has been heavily attributed to the dynamic rule of the Bonner brothers. All-Star Volleyball player Marcus Bonner, class of 2022, standing above 6’6, passed the torch to his younger brother in his quest for a title for another year. As a sophomore last year, Joe led the team in kills through a grueling playoff series on the road to CIF. As a junior, his dominance has helped lead the team to an undefeated record in the Golden League. Joseph stated, “The court is my canvas, and with each game, I paint a masterpiece of victory.” His contribution to the team, along with a roster filled with talent, has led the league with its towering spikes, impenetrable defense, and unyielding determination. It has left its mark on the court and continues its stretch for perfection as it carries out its streak of perfection.
In the realm of persistence, endurance, and pure determination, only a few athletes do it like our cross-country team. Our team’s success on the track has shown through the past weeks as they have bulldozed their way to an undefeated streak that looks to continue until the end of the season. Their relentless pursuit for excellence has paid off as runners such as James Hayes push for the emergence of cracking a new school record in their journey to another Golden League title. Hayes mentioned, “Outside of team success, motivation to break records and remain undefeated keeps me and the rest of the team motivated. Running is more than just a sport; it eventually develops into a family when you are racing alongside people for four years straight.” Not only has the persistence for perfection motivated players but the brother and sisterhood built by these teams coincide to make one family. The Quartz Hill tradition is built by decades of sports lives through these players that make one.
Though these teams still have weeks left to play, the trails engraved by their peers and athletes before them mark the journey to yet another year of excellence. Their combined drive of persistence and dedication motivates the teams to make their marks each and every year to uphold the Quartz Hill standard. The standard of excellence and perfection. A standard upheld by decades of athletes and coaches that built up what we know as Quartz Hill’s spring domination.
