By Wilson ’24
Harvard-Westlake prides itself on having one of the most extensive extra-curricular programs. One of these programs that I’m involved with is the soccer team. The purpose of this blog post is to be able to explain first hand the schedule, the commitment level, information on sports in general at HW, why joining the soccer program is a great idea, and a new addition to the coaching staff, so that you can be better informed.
Due to COVID-19, the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) sports schedule has been shifted, and many sports aren’t happening in their normal seasons. Soccer was initially a winter sport, but this year it has been shifted to be a spring sport, which definitely forces some people into a tough spot.
While the fall season is usually used to train for the season, it has switched to the winter season. Soccer is now starting up again in late January. I’m extremely excited for it to come back, and it couldn’t come any sooner.
Soccer as a sport provides so many benefits in life, especially in times like these. It benefits your health, mind, body, and happiness as a person. It allows you to break from the monotonous schedule we all follow today, and get outside and be in nature. It allows for team bonding and socializing (in a normal setting), and teamwork, trust, and good communication skills are built. Soccer provides a plethora of incredible life lessons that carry on, and benefit you in the long run.
The Soccer Program at HW is divided into 2 levels at the upper school: Junior Varsity, and Varsity. The Soccer Program also has 7th and 8th Grade teams at the middle school. Middle school sports require a much lower commitment level and have a much larger spectrum of talent. Kids who have been playing club are mixed with kids who want to learn or are starting out. I myself don’t have a lot of personal experience with soccer at the upper school campus because of the fact that my ninth grade year, which is the first year of upper school sports, was put on hold. But like most teams, Varsity is the highest level of play, and JV is the second.
Just a little bit of information on general sports for ninth graders. As a ninth grader who plays a sport, we take the shuttle that HW provides, which takes us from the middle school to the upper school. All athletes during the training season and regular season of their sport block ninth period of their schedule. This period is used to travel from the middle school to the upper school by shuttle the school provides. I may unfortunately miss out on the chance to take the shuttle because by the time we get back to in person school, the soccer season might be over, and 10th grade will start. By that time, I will already be at the upper school, but nonetheless I’m still excited.
Finally, Some exciting news for the Boys Soccer Program, we have a new program head! Coach Mike Erush will be taking over as the head of the Boys Soccer Program this year. He has loads of experience as a coach, and he actually also coaches at my soccer club, LA Breakers. According to an email sent to all members of the Boys Soccer Program, Coach Erush “comes to Harvard-Westlake from Cal State University Los Angeles, where he is the assistant coach of the men’s soccer program. Erush is a member of the LA Golden Eagles coaching staff which was named the 2019 California Collegiate Athletic Association, Coaching Staff of the Year, following their run to the 2019 NCAA Division II National Championship game.” I’m just one of the many players who are excited to have him lead us in the upcoming season.
