With the holiday season here, the attention turns to winter varsity sports and putting the fall sports in the rearview mirror.

Even with the fall season winding down, there have been a number of highlights for various teams at Helix Charter High.

The Lady Highlander golf team under head coach Frank Theroux consisted of mostly young and inexperienced players, resulting in a competitive challenge for their matches.

“In spite of their win/loss record, player improvement and maintaining a positive outlook are indications that the program will continue to improve,” Theroux commented.

According to Theroux, the team was led by sophomores Marianna Dumlao, Vanessa Griego, Hannah Zamora, Danika Buttron, Alice Betterton, and Gabrielle Reese.

* In girls’ tennis play, Helix finished with an overall record of 15-4 and co-champions of the Grossmont Hills league (tied with Steele Canyon) for head coach Dan Potter.

According to Potter, standouts included sophomore Ella Short, seniors Jade Findley, Brenda Arevalo, Ariel Lirtsman, and junior Selina Bilbrey.

“This has been an outstanding season for Helix girls’ tennis,” Potter commented. “We had tremendous success on the court but it is the continuing growth of our program that has been so gratifying. Helix now has more than 60 girls competing in our tennis program, making it easily one of the largest high school girls tennis programs in the county.”

* In field hockey action, the Lady Highlanders were able to pull out their 10^el straight league championship. Under head coach Rhona St. Clair-Moore, Helix shared the league crown with Santana.

“This has been a rough rebuilding year and the Lady Highlanders were able to come together and have a strong showing for leagues,” St. Clair-Moore remarked.

According to St. Clair-Moore, players that made a difference in the team’s season were senior Yesica Tula Alonso, and juniors Karoline Dominguez and Morgyn Miller.

“We are looking forward to a strong season next year,” St. Clair-Moore added.

* In girls’ volleyball play, Helix under head coach Zoe Varela-Beltz finished its season strong in the Division II CIF quarterfinals.

“We have been led by our senior captains this year,” Varela-Beltz stated. “Temukisa Sagiao, right side hitter, led our team in kills and digs. Bella Barrios, setter, led our team in aces and assists. Giuliana Guarnotta, outside hitter, led our team in serve receive passing. Niloofar Jorbozeh, middle blocker, played multiple positions and led the team with the second most blocks. Other leaders were Kyra Miles, junior middle blocker was the block leader. Our team dominated all season and beat some very strong competition. We did not finish where we expected to at the end but fought hard every game.”

* In cross country action, the boys’ team finished in second place in the Grossmont Hills League. They were led by sophomore Tyus Joseph.

The girls’ team showed a lot of promise this year. They were led by freshman Kate Weaver. Weaver, the Grossmont Conference champion, placed sixth at CIF and has qualified for the State CIF Championship Meet in Fresno on Nov. 25.

* In the pool, the boys’ water polo team for head coach John Dorfi won the Grossmont Hills League and were seeded fourth in the CIF Open Division Playoffs.

They were led by seniors Asher Eaton, Tobin Gloyer, Coen Riggins, and Xylen Rotsart.

“The team exceeded expectations this year by winning league with an undefeated 8-0 record and coming into CIF as the number five seed in the open division,” Dorfi said. “They have put in the hard work and it paid off for them this season.”

* On the gridiron, Helix finished (9-2, fourth seed in the Open Division playoffs) second in the Grossmont Hills League under head coach Damaja Jones.

They were seeded fourth in the CIF Open Division where they lost in double OT to Lincoln in the semifinals.

The team was led by Grossmont HIlls League Player of the Year, Kevin Allen, quarterback Rylen Jessee, two-way standout Jackson Daniels, lineman Anthony Gash and center Ryan Mason.

“Even though we didn’t finish the way we wanted I believe our season was a success,” Jones remarked. “Both games we lost were in 2OT and our kids fought to the very end. I’m proud of what they accomplished. But overall I had an outstanding group of young people who I’m proud to be called their coach.”

Editor’s note: All fall varsity head coaches were asked to provide information for this article.