As Northwood students begin to settle in comfortably to their new class schedules, clubs and extracurricular activities, the fall sports season is back in full force. Games for most athletics are already underway, with a full list of events to buy tickets for, and a growing prominence of jerseys in the hallways. A few student athletes spoke with The Omniscient about how they feel about their personal athletic performance and this year’s outlook for their teams.
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We talked first with Andrew Kimbrel and Emma Serrano, both seniors on cross-country.
How long have you been playing on a team?
Kimbrel: Since freshman year, and all years since. I also did one year in 8th grade at Pollard.
Serrano: The past 2 years in things other than cross-country.
What meets has your team participated in so far?
Kimbrel: We have just competed in the county race and that’s it.
Serrano: I did the Chatham County Conference meet in 2020 and 2021, and then I participated in regular seasonal conference track meets.
Which meet are you anticipating the most?
Kimbrel: The State [Championship] Meet. We’ve gotten to states every year I’ve been on the team, and this year we are hoping to win states.
Serrano: Regionals. It is my first big meet.
What are your celebration traditions after winning a game?
Kimbrel: Typically as a team we would go get food. We went to get wings during track…for me, I just have a lazy day and don’t do anything the next day.
Serrano: The team, we like to go out to dinner after our meets, and then by myself, maybe I’ll just get ice cream with my family.
Why should Northwood be excited for this season of cross country?
Kimbrel: We’re going to win the 3A state championship.
Serrano: Because we have a lot of good new runners, and we are working hard every day to represent Northwood well.
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Next, we spoke with Nicole Hamilton, a senior on the cheerleading team.
How long have you been playing on a team?
Hamilton: The past 4 years.
What games has your team cheered at so far?
Hamilton: We’ve done all of the varsity and JV football games.
What are you anticipating the most this season?
Hamilton: I’m excited for competition, but I’m also excited for the upcoming (football) games…There is one every Thursday from now until the end of October.
What are your celebration traditions after winning a game?
Hamilton: If we win, we go to Waffle House afterwards, and we also have, like, a chant we do at the end of games.
Why should Northwood be excited for this season of cheer?
Hamilton: Because we do some really cool stuff, we pull some really cool tricks, and it’s just a really fun sport to watch.
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Next was softball player and junior Zoe Hatzidakis.
How long have you been playing softball competitively, both at Northwood and before?
Hatzidakis: I have been playing softball for 8 years. 7 1/2 of those years [were] playing travel ball (competitively). I made varsity all 3 years so far at Northwood.
What games have you played so far?
Hatzidakis: We haven’t played any games this year at Northwood but I have been playing in tournaments in Wilmington, Raleigh and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Which game are you anticipating the most?
Hatzidakis: I am anticipating the Cedar Ridge and maybe the Orange game because we have played them before, and those games have been the most competitive.
What are your celebration traditions after a win, both with your team and by yourself?
Hatzidakis: As a team sometimes we would all go out to dinner after a game but there really aren’t any major celebration traditions. But by myself I try to just reflect on my game, whether it be a win or loss. But pregame rituals and superstitions are a big thing to me.
Why should Northwood be excited for this season of softball?
Hatzidakis: Northwood should be excited for this season because we will have higher competition because we moved up conferences. Also, I believe that we will have a good/decent team this year.
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Senior Katherine Reyes offered her thoughts on girls’ soccer coming up in the spring;
How long have you been playing soccer competitively, both at Northwood and before?
Reyes: This will be my 5th year playing soccer and 4th playing here at Northwood. I began in eighth grade and made the NW team my freshman year.
What games have you played so far?
Reyes: We currently have not played or started our season but we have begun our preseason which consists of working out and staying in shape before tryouts.
Which game are you anticipating the most?
Reyes: When our season will begin, I am most excited for the Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill games because they are our rivals, and I know that we can defeat them.
What are your celebration traditions after a win, both with your team and by yourself?
Reyes: We usually treat ourselves with treats or food for away games and home games as well. Personally, I like to treat myself to junk food after a winning game or scoring a goal.
Why should Northwood be excited for this season of soccer?
Reyes: Northwood should be excited for this season of soccer because this year we are going to be “All In” and fight like we have never fought on the field. The new group of kids this year is determined and filled with grit.
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Finally, we spoke with senior Evelyn Lippers from the girls’ tennis team.
How long have you been playing tennis competitively, both at Northwood and before?
Lippers: I have been playing tennis competitively all four years I’ve been at Northwood. I was number two on the team as a freshman and number one since then. I have been playing competitively for around nine years in total.
What games have you played so far?
Lippers: We have played against a few non-conference schools (Apex, Carrboro, Seaforth, and Wakefield). We have won all of the conference matches we have played thus far against Cedar Ridge, Walter M. Williams, and Person.
Which game are you anticipating the most?
Lippers: I am most excited to play Jordan-Matthews because they will be here our Senior Night!
What are your celebration traditions after a win, both with your team and by yourself?
Lippers: Our team usually celebrates a win by going out to eat if we’re at an away match. I don’t really do anything to celebrate by myself. I’m always just grateful for the win and move on to the next match.
Why should Northwood be excited for this season of tennis?
Lippers: Northwood should be excited for this season of tennis because we are in a new conference playing new teams. We are already 3-0 and have a great chance of sending players to regionals!
Photo courtesy of Caroline Murrell. Pictured Northwood Women’s Cross Country Team
