For many athletes, summer is a key opportunity to train and improve before the upcoming school season. However, athletes’ commitment to their craft can often impact their life outside of their sport during the summer, and many have to make tough decisions that can heavily impact their social and academic lives.

“The path that I’m taking right now is the most sure pathway to go play as a professional soccer player,” said Simon Diagana, a Berkeley High School senior who switched into Independent Study to play for the San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer Academy team.

As regular seasons wrap up, Berkeley High School spring sports teams prepare for postseason tournaments.  The BHS boys’ baseball team finished 2nd place in their league with a record of 18 wins and seven losses.

Almost every sport at Berkeley High School has a girls and boys team, with the exception of football. However, this could change soon. On February 3, 2023, the State of California approved girls flag football as a new California Interscholastic Federation sport.

​​On April 19, the Oakland A’s announced an agreement to purchase land in Las Vegas to build a new ballpark after over 50 years in Oakland. This move comes after decades of tense negotiations between the A’s and the city, with the two sides failing to make progress on a stadium at Oakland’s Howard Terminal.

Estelle Handa “I think when it comes to being a ‘model minority’, that shows up more in academics,” said Estelle Handa, a junior and tennis player at Berkeley High School.

Professional athletes are some of the most followed people on social media, garnering the attention of hundreds of millions of followers, many of whom are young children who dream about being just like them when they grow up.

“Before I found out you could get full-rides from sports and that I would be successful in football, I was just planning on going to community college because I didn’t feel like it was worth being in that much debt,” said Berkeley High School senior and Stanford football commit Jackson Harris.

Berkeley High School senior Matteo Small competes for the mile and the 800 meter events in track. He also runs cross country, and feels that the sports have the ability to give him a “mind reset”.

“It’s just hard trying to keep going and keep trying to play your sport when you’re really thirsty and hungry,” said Iman Shaikh, a senior and member of the Berkeley High School affiliated rugby team.

Oliver Shrieve, junior and Berkeley High School boys volleyball captain, started playing volleyball at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School when he was 11 years old.

The Berkeley High School swim team soaked in the sun on Friday, 14 April, 2023 as they huddled beside the San Leandro High School outdoor pool. John Mcdonald, one of the team’s head coaches, stood with the athletes as he gave some supportive final words: if any team member were to swim with enough effort

On April 13, the Berkeley High School track and field team took on Castro Valley and San Leandro, for their final home meet of the season. BHS showcased their speed and skill on the track, placing first in many of the events.  Leading up to a race, athletes have to make sure they are mentally

On Wednesday, April 12, Berkeley High School boys baseball had an away game against Castro Valley High School. Players had high hopes for this game, and were confident that they could take home the win after beating them last year.

For some sports, success is rooted in talent and physique, while for others it is diligence and time. Simply put, there are some sports where it is nearly impossible to be good if you do not start engaging with them at a young age.

The sheet of drizzling, gray clouds, and the sharp, cold wind disappeared behind the Berkeley High School wrestling team as they entered the Donahue Gym on February 11.

Girls Soccer On their February 9 Senior Night, Berkeley High School’s girls soccer started out strong with a starting lineup packed by their 10 seniors.