As winter sports wrap up and league games officially end, The Wolf interviewed some senior winter sport athletes: CJ Goodwin (boys’ basketball), Jaylyn Arosemena (girls’ basketball), Taylor Babicky (dance) and Hunter Smith (cheerleading).
How has the season been so far?
Goodwin: “It has had its ups and downs, like usual.”
Arosemena: “Pretty good. We’re doing well with what we have to work with—super young team & injuries.”
Smith: “Awesome, we have been undefeated.”
What are your predictions for state?
Goodwin: “We’re gonna win… again.”
Babicky: “It’s difficult to say because we have only competed once, but I have a really good feeling about this year. We still don’t know everyone who we are competing against in our categories, but I think we have a good shot at bringing home a first place trophy and a new school record.”
Smith: “It will be a fight, but we are willing to sacrifice for the win.”
What’s different about this season compared to last year?
Arosemena: “We lost 6 seniors from last year — 4 of whom were starters.”
Babicky: “The most different thing about this year is probably the team chemistry. We seem to be more in the headspace and more confident about our routines.”
Smith: “As a senior this season, it feels more personal than any of the prior years.”
Do you have a favorite memory from high school athletics?
Arosemena: “Getting into the semifinals at Chiles Center due to a win against Sheldon.”
Babicky: “My favorite memory still has to be my sophomore year fall season and state season because it was our first real competition season. None of the other teams were really expecting anything from Tualatin Dance, and when we won, we kind of became the underdogs everyone wanted to see win.
Smith: “My favorite memory is winning nationals last season. All the memories from that trip were something to remember.”
Do you think any records will be broken? Which ones and by whom?
Babicky: “I’m hoping we make history again this year by taking home one or maybe two 1st place trophies for Jazz and Hip Hop.”
Smith: “We are at nine state totals and are hoping for a tenth.”
