This Week in Athletics
February 16, 2024
Winter CIF Playoff Recap and Spring Season Kickoff at Cate School
As the winter sports season concludes on the Mesa at Cate School, our teams battled fiercely in the CIF playoffs, leaving an unforgettable mark of resilience and determination. From thrilling victories to disappointing exits, each squad demonstrated the true spirit of Cate athletics, embodying grit and pride in every match.
Cate Boys Varsity Soccer’s Playoff Journey: A Thrilling Win Followed by a Disappointing Exit
George Marin ’26
In the first CIF playoff game on Feb. 7, the Cate Rams triumphed against Royal in a nail-biting encounter. Despite the wet conditions, Cate took an early lead, faced challenges, and eventually secured a 5-3 victory in an overtime penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Quincy Thorne ’26’s crucial saves played a key role. However, their journey took a turn on Feb. 9 when they faced the Northwood Timberwolves. Hindered by a delayed kickoff and limited warm-up time, Cate was down 1-0 early. They rallied back with a goal from George Marin ’26, but Northwood clinched a 2-1 victory, marking the end of Cate’s quest for a CIF SS title in the second round of the playoffs.
Cate Girls Water Polo Displays Resilience in First Playoff Appearance in Seven Years
Lucy Guilbert-Neal
On February 7, the Cate girls water polo team faced a formidable challenge in the first round of the CIF playoffs against El Modena High School, the top-ranked team in CIF Div. 6. Although the first period showcased Caroline Keohane’s breakaway counter goal, the momentum shifted as El Modena executed a solid defensive strategy. Despite goals from Kate McCoy, Lucy Guilbert Neal, Carmen Lack, and another from Keohane, Cate trailed 7-2 at halftime. The game concluded with a 16-5 victory for El Modena. Despite the loss, the Cate Girls demonstrated resilience and pride in their first playoff appearance in seven years, with a promising future as they return a large percentage of their team for the next season. The Cate community expressed gratitude to the seniors and unwavering support throughout the season.
Cate Boys Basketball Ends Season with Defeat Despite Grit and Effort
Tyler Martinez ’24
The Cate boys’ basketball team concluded their season with a challenging 73-44 loss to Calvary Chapel in the first round of CIF DIV 3A playoffs. Throughout the season, the team displayed unwavering determination despite being undersized, with notable efforts from the fantastic seniors Tyler Martinez, Shawn Cordeiro, Julian Lee, and Kristian Scurtis. Calvary Chapel’s athleticism and size posed a significant challenge, and despite the team’s efforts to mount comebacks, a tough second quarter proved insurmountable. Foul trouble and missed opportunities, including nine free throws and ten layups in the first half, hindered Cate’s rhythm. The coach expressed gratitude for the incredible support received throughout the season.
Josie Frazer ’24
Cate Girls Soccer Displays Resilience Despite Playoff Loss to Campbell Hall
In a hard-fought playoff battle on the road against top-ranked Campbell Hall, Cate Girls Soccer faced a formidable opponent with speed and exceptional ball control on their challenging turf field. Despite struggles with completing passes, standout performances were noted from players like Claire Bianchi and Precious Adjei, who posed significant challenges to the opponent’s goal. Stella Rogers showcased remarkable defensive prowess, limiting Campbell Hall’s star player, while Mel Davidson and Josie Frazer led the team in tackles. The match’s highlight was goalkeeper Jeeyou Jung’s outstanding performance with an impressive 16 saves. Despite the 4-0 loss, the seniors, including Shannon Murray, Caroline Batchelder, Jasmine Palekar, and Oona Summerford-Ng, displayed resilience, leadership, and contributed significantly to the team’s effort. The match marked the end of a memorable season, celebrating the camaraderie and character of the team.
The first Spring Season home opener games:
Josh Butler ’24
Cate Baseball Faces Tough Opener, Shows Promise
On Thursday, February 15, Cate Baseball’s season opener against Thacher ended in a 12-1 loss. Quinn Pullen showcased impressive pitching with nine strikeouts in just over three innings. Chase Meyer, Josh Butler, and the team demonstrated resilience. Offensively, limited to 1 hit, Butler plated the sole run. The score doesn’t reflect our strong start; facing a skilled Thacher squad, our young team showcased promise. Next match: Saturday, February 17th, at 1:45 pm in Ojai.
Kakeru Hirofuji ’27
Cate Boys Tennis Faces Tough Battles, Shows Resilience in Early Season Matches
In their challenging home opener against Newbury Park, the Cate boys tennis team experienced a 12-6 defeat, highlighting the absence of key players Harry Su ’25 and Alex Gallegos ’26. Despite this setback, singles standouts like Ethan Bloom ’24, Nate Newlove ’25, and newcomer Kakeru Hirofuji ’27 showcased commendable performances. Despite an 11-7 defeat against Dos Pueblos on February 15th, Kakeru Hirofuji’s outstanding three-point performance earned him the title of Player of the Day in only his second high school match. Ethan Bloom ’24 contributed with a two-point win in singles, and the doubles team of Nate Newlove ’25 and Felipe Blanco ’24 displayed teamwork, securing two more points. The team remains resilient and optimistic, learning from experiences and looking forward to improvement as they navigate the season.
Now, with winter sports memories etched in the school’s athletic history, we eagerly embrace the beginning of the spring season. The Boys Baseball team, despite a challenging opener against Thacher, showed promise for the upcoming games. Simultaneously, the Boys Tennis team, faced with tough early battles, displayed resilience and commendable performances. As we bid farewell to winter and welcome spring, the anticipation of growth, challenges, and triumphs resonates across the Cate School campus.
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