![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
Throughout the month of February, Phoenix athletes get the opportunity to compete in the region and state finals for their respective sports. “Districts means a lot to me and it’s something I look forward to every year,” junior Nishi Potluri said. “It’s really cool to be with a bunch of the best swimmers in our district.”
Athletes from multiple sports had the opportunity to qualify for regionals throughout the regular season and qualify for states during regionals. For strictly team sports like basketball, certain athletes made first and second team from the Dulles district as their recognition of effort over the season.
Freshman Ali Takach
Q: What sport do you play, and how did your teammates do during states?
A: I’m on the swim team. The team did really well at states. The boys did really well [and] ranked top five, and the girls also did well. This is my first year [as a high school swimmer] but I’m also a competitive swimmer.
Q: How did you do individually?
A: Good. I dropped a lot of time and I made regional cuts. I also got district champ in the [two hundred freestyle].
Q: What was the experience like competing?
A: It was [fun]. I was trying to make a cut time for regionals and my entire team was there supporting me, along with the coaches.
Q: What goes into the prep of preparing for regionals and states? What was the hardest part?
A: It’s a lot of training, in and out of the water. Making sure you’re focused at practice and not slacking off, and eating healthy and being in the right mindset. [For me, eating healthy was the hardest part.] It’s a lot of protein and carbs.
Junior Lilia Jones
Q: What sport do you play? How did you do at districts?
A: I do track. I got first place in the fifty-five and the four-by-two.
Q: What was your experience like?
A: It was really fun. I got to hang out with my friends and we all got to run together. [We also] all beat our personal records and did our best.
Q: Was this your first time at districts?
A: I’ve made districts for the past two years. It was more of an experience for the younger people because I got to help them [throughout it].
Q: Was it any different?
A: It’s definitely different every year. Schools get moved in and out of our district, but it’s the same races and experiences.
Q: What goes into the preparation for it?
A: Definitely months of training, hand off practice. We have premeets before every meet so we get to do our individual workouts and techniques [so we] can be sharp for the meet.
Q: What was the hardest part of the preparation for it?
A: Working out a lot and getting to know the people that you’re running with. You have to be comfortable with them, you run together and you do stuff outside of school together. You have to be close so you can do your best.
Junior Neel Chethan
Q: What sport do you play? How did you do at districts?
A: I swim and placed well at districts, [1st place in 100 Freestyle and 1st in 100 Backstroke,] and states, [4th in 100 Freestyle.]
Q: What was your experience like?
A: It was like any other meet, loud and fast.
Q: Was this your first time at districts?
A: No, this was my third time going to districts and states and it was really similar to last year.
Q: What goes into the preparation for it?
A: For prep, I swim around 7500 yards on average per day.
Q: What was the hardest part of the preparation for it?
A: It is just waking up at 4 a.m. every morning and staying motivated.
Q: What was your favorite memory from the experience?
A: It was when our state team had dinner all together.
