With five sports offering teams this fall, the season has become Westridge’s most action-packed yet, especially given the recent success of these teams, from golf’s dynasty of championships to flag football’s recent establishment as a CIF-recognized varsity sport. Repeating a trend of recent years, this fall season started off Westridge’s year of athletics with a bang, yet again resulting in an individual championship.
Here’s a wrap-up from this year’s fall sports season.
Flag Football: Westridge Varsity Flag Football Makes History With First Ever Appearance in CIF
For the first time in Westridge history, the Tigers’ varsity flag football team qualified for CIF postseason competition; it was also the first time CIF offered flag football playoffs. After strong performances in both league and non-league play in the regular season, the Tigers surpassed Sierra Vista High School in Round 1 by beating them 27–18. In Round 2, the Tigers fell short against Chaffey High School, losing 31–12.
Regardless, the varsity team of around 20 athletes, mostly in grades 9 and 10, made history this season. In league play, the Tigers went 3–3, beating Rio Hondo Preparatory School twice, and the eventual league champion La Cañada High School once. San Marino High School, the other team in the Tigers’ league, narrowly edged them out twice (13–6 and 14–13 respectively), including in a last-minute heartbreaker in the second faceoff, as the San Marino Titans took the lead with less than 20 seconds on the clock. The Tigers finished third place in their league, which does not merit automatic CIF postseason qualification; they were able to advance though because of their overall winning record, which sat at 9–5 before CIF competition.
As the flag football program continues to develop, there is no ceiling for the Tigers’ success. The team will lose only two seniors this year, and with two-time offensive MVP Layla R. ’27, known for her incredible speed, consistently sprinting past defenders to score touchdowns, as well as a strong offensive and defensive core, the Tigers will have no problems in the future.
Cross country: Cross Country Finishes in a Historic 2nd Place at the Mt. Sac Cross Country Invitational
In a team that has historically struggled to place high in Prep League competition, this year placing 5th in the league (and last among teams that had enough runners to qualify for team scoring), the Tigers have finally got some reward for their hard work, placing second in their division at the Mt. Sac Cross Country Invitational. At that invite, Ximena A. ’25, who has undoubtedly been the Tigers’ strongest runner in the last three seasons, finished 12th overall, while MG N. ’25, Spyglass staff writer Lilah R. ’25, and Ximena’s sister, Valeria A. ’28, also finished in the Top 40, placing 22nd, 31st, and 36th respectively.
As Ximena, Lilah, and MG are all seniors preparing to depart Westridge, performances like Valeria’s and Spyglass staff writer Jessica S. ’27’s are crucial to the team’s future success. Jessica dominated Prep League Junior Varsity competition this season, finishing 3rd overall in league finals (out of 37 runners) and 1st overall at the Prep League Cluster on September 17.
Volleyball: Varsity Volleyball Wins the Webb Invitational Tournament, Misses Out on CIF for the First Time in Over a Decade
For the first time in recent memory, Westridge’s varsity volleyball team has failed to qualify for CIF postseason competition, finishing a lackluster 6th place in the Prep League—the lowest result for the Tigers since 2011, when they went 1–11, in the then league of 7 teams. Losing the dynamic offensive duo of Jade Ilas ’24 and Emery Fishbach ’24, who now plays for Dickinson University’s NCAA Division III team, struck the Tigers hard, mellowing the pure star power of their attack.
Just like last year though, Jordan B. ’25 and Isabel D. ’26 continued to rise up for the Tigers, helping the Tigers win the Webb Invitational Tournament. As the Tigers season came to a close early, their overall record stood at a final 13–15, with notable wins against Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Flintridge Preparatory School, and Brentwood School.
With a strong cohort of underclassmen, led by Bennett T. ’28 and Eva H.-S. ’28, the Tigers could very well take this disappointing season and turn the next into one of vengeance, taking down more Prep League teams and naturally earning a place in CIF playoffs again.
Tennis: Jennifer L. ’25 Wins 2nd Prep League Singles Championship in 2 Years
After another season defined by struggles against other Prep League teams, beating only Providence High School and Mayfield Senior School, Jennifer L. ’25 leaves behind a bright spot on a dull season and an astounding personal legacy. Last year, the Westridge senior won her first league singles championship, and just last month, she captured her second title, coming back from a 0–3 deficit to win the match, with an ending score of 7–5. “Jennifer is the first and only Tiger to win an Individual Prep League Championship in tennis and now she’s done it twice,” Director of Athletics Melanie Horn said. Jennifer will compete in further CIF competition on November 25.
At Prep League Finals, juniors Emerson F. and Audrey L. also made their presence known, working their way to the semifinals as the 8th seed. Next year, Westridge tennis will find itself without Jennifer and other key senior players like Cindy C. ’25 and Lindsay B. ’25. In their absence, juniors like Emerson and Audrey will rise up, continuing the strong play they showed in the League Finals.
Golf: Claudia Z. ’25 Dominates Once Again, But Westridge Falls Short of a 6-Peat Championship
A dynasty may have fallen, but not one we learn about in freshman year history; instead, it’s Westridge’s golf team. Last year, the Tigers captured a historic 5th Prep League Golf Championship in a row, continuing to plaster Westridge’s golf program all over the walls of Hoffman Gymnasium. But this year, the Tigers will not be hoisting a banner after falling short of that hopeful 6th championship in a row. However, even after losing to Chadwick School in Palos Verdes twice (250–212 and 241–220 respectively), the Tigers still played like a championship team in their other match-ups, easily sailing past league rivals like Mayfield Senior School, Providence High School, and The Buckley School. Continuing to be a star in every match she played, Claudia Z. ’25, who won the CIF Northern Regional Championship in Division II last year, placed second in this year’s Prep League individual final.
Varsity golf still found their way to make history though, finishing 3rd in the CIF-SS Division 4 Team Championships—the highest finish for Westridge golf in school history. Naturally, Claudia led the way, shooting a team-low score of 73. As the dominant senior graduates and leaves the team behind, the Tigers must fill in the large hole she leaves to continue this pattern of success.
