If the 2021 fall sports season at The Overlake School was a season to remember, the 2022 season was one for the history books. Through smoke and smog, the women’s volleyball, men’s golf, and cross-country programs were greatly successful, putting up undefeated and record breaking seasons left and right.
Varsity Men’s Golf:
Head Coach: Justin Prohn
Fall All–Conference Honors: ESC All League will not be announced until after the spring tournament.
Led by none other than senior captains Zubin Sannakayla and Ethan Haight, The Overlake Men’s Golf team had a fantastic season. Finishing 5-2 in their regular conference matches, the Owls started the season strong with a huge 156-163 win over Seattle Academy. The crew continued to cruise on through the season, remaining consistent despite the cancellation and rescheduling of several matches due to the unhealthy air quality caused by the smoke. The program even produced Overlake’s first ever “Frosh of the Fall.” Zach Huang (’26), had an outstanding season to open his high school career. A catalyst in many of the team’s wins, Zach consistently shot under par, and even medaled against Eastside Preparatory School.
Cross Country:
Head Coach: Colton Umberger
Fall All–Conference Honors: Keith Hunter, Aleksy Umbers, Jack Kehoe, Mateo Whatley, Sameeksha Dangi, Talia Wilson, Sarah Guralnick, and Avani Bansal.
No strangers to the smoke and smog either, the Overlake Cross Country team experienced their share of cancelations and rescheduling, but nonetheless, made history. Not only did the boys’ team – led by Keith Hunter (‘24), Mateo Whatley (’23), Aleksy Umbers (‘24), and Jack Kehoe (’24) – qualify for the WIAA State Meet in Pasco, Washington, but for the first time in Overlake history, the girls’ team qualified too. The girls’ team dominated their state-qualifying course on Whidbey Island, capturing 5 of the top 11 finishing spots, clinching the District Title.
Surpassing their record-breaking season last year, the Overlake boys’ cross-country team finished a commendable 5th place in the state – posting the best finish in school history for the boys’ program. The teams’ own Keith Hunter (’24) finished an outstanding 7th place out of 154 runners. And if that was enough history made for the program, at the WIAA State Meet, the girls’ team ran their best race of the year, finishing 2nd in the whole state, earning a podium finish for the first time in school history.
Women’s Volleyball:
Head Coach: Mindy McGrath
Fall All–Conference Honors: First Team – Ryma Patil (L); Second Team – Sydney Martin (OH), Clara Sun (S)
Even after losing four well-acclaimed seniors, the Overlake Owls varsity volleyball team made a name for themselves this season. As most teams proved to be this fall season, the Owls had their own share of hardships throughout their play. Despite tangling with lineup changes and altering plays to accommodate for the bouts of sickness that seemed to sweep through the season, the team battled through and through. Finishing with an 8-6 league record, the Owls were certainly a force to be reckoned with on their home court, backed by the fantastic support of the Overlake community, dropping only one home game in a thrilling five setter to Cedar Park Christian.
Though the regular league season had its ups and downs for our volleyball Owls, they managed to make history, nonetheless. In addition to their extensive Emerald Sound Conference schedule, the owls made their way down to Yakima to compete in the Sundome Festival Tournament amongst the best 1B, 2B, and 1A schools in the state where they went 5-1, winning the tournament Silver Bracket.
In the ESC Tournament, the Owls defeated University Prep, Sultan, and Granite Falls, before falling just short of state berth in a 5-set heartbreaker of a game against South Whidbey. Though it wasn’t the outcome the team had hoped for, the Overlake Owls varsity volleyball team had an unforgettable season in its own.
Fall Wrap-Up:
Every year, the Overlake School’s athletic department only seems to increase in popularity. In this past fall season for example, the volleyball program had an astounding 44 girls across the Upper School eager to participate. This appreciation for sports that has been cultivated, can be attributed to nothing else but the community at Overlake. The success found to be had across the different sports this season, from on the fields to the courts, was only propelled by the support of the Owl community – the desire and passion to win and excel in an athletic environment is felt not only by the players, but by their fans and supporters.
This past fall season was something for the record books; I can’t wait to see what the winter season has in store for us at The Overlake School.
Leave a Reply