Meet Adam Arther, a talented left-handed pitcher who has recently committed to Kansas State University. Arther, a two-year captain and four-year varsity player, has filled the crucial role of Poly’s ace for quite some time, tallying 200 plus strikeouts over his high school career, an impressive milestone that marks a stellar legacy. Now, the opportunity to showcase his skills on the competitive stage of Big 12 Baseball fills him with anticipation and fuels his drive to excel. With a supportive team and a loving family, he knows that he’ll never be alone in his pursuit of greatness. They will be his backbone, cheering him on through triumphs and consoling him through challenges. As he embarks on this new chapter, the Wildcats can look forward to a promising left-handed pitcher who will undoubtedly leave his mark on the college baseball scene. With Arther’s determination and unwavering passion for the game, the future looks bright for this talented Southpaw.

The throwing sports of track and field — discus, javelin and shot put — all combine power, technique and science. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Jonah Goldstein will continue competing in all three as he joins the school’s Division III track and field team. At Poly, he displayed his track and field prowess, placing seventh in the discus throw and eighth in the pole vault at the CIF-Southern Section Division IV boys track and field finals. His academic excellence also earned him the award of AP Scholar with Distinction. On the east coast, he plans to major in aerospace engineering. With T-minus three months until his college career takes off, we wish Jonah nothing but the best; it is safe to say that MIT struck gold with Goldstein.

Senior James Gomez’s outstanding performance on the pitch this season has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on both teammates and opponents. With his incisive dribbling, he consistently proved to be a formidable force on the Poly varsity boys soccer team, leaving defenders in his wake. His exceptional leadership abilities were instrumental in guiding the Panthers to victory on numerous occasions. Alongside his impressive skills, Gomez showcased his impressive goal-scoring ability, netting an impressive 20 plus goals this season, a rare feat in Poly history. He will continue playing soccer at Claremont McKenna, a Division III score. The combination of his athletic prowess and academic dedication makes him an invaluable asset to the Claremont team.

During her time at Poly, current senior Bekah Hong has consistently dominated on the volleyball court. Her presence as a libero has extended beyond just serves and spikes, having been felt through her hard work and leadership of her teammates. Hong will continue her promising volleyball career at Emory University, where she will further hone her skills on their decorated Division III volleyball team. Additionally, Hong will have the pleasure of reuniting with her sister, who plays for Emory’s volleyball team. According to Bekah, “What excites me most about playing at Emory is that I’ll be playing with my sister again. We would have been able to play volleyball together at Poly, but due to COVID, this was not possible.” While it saddens us to see Hong go, we are overjoyed at her opportunity to fulfill her volleyball aspirations alongside her once-distant sister. We wish her the best and cannot wait to see what the Hong duo will accomplish.

This fall, Paige Lim will continue her athletic success at the University of Chicago, where she will play Division III basketball. As a four-year member of the Poly girls varsity basketball team, Lim has played a huge role in the team’s success these past years. In her senior season with Poly, Lim’s leadership played a key role in the team achieving a 7-5 league record, which secured them a spot in CIF. Lim’s on-court abilities also helped the team achieve a win against Santa Puebla in the first round of CIF. While her contribution to the team has been nothing short of outstanding, her hard work and dedication to her craft have rewarded her with many individual accomplishments, the most recent of which was the accumulation of 1000 career points during her time at Poly. As she continues her athletic and academic growth in Chicago, Lim leaves behind an outstanding legacy both on the court and in the classroom. 

As sad as we are to see senior Oliver Molz leave the Panther family, we are excited to see what he will do playing Division III soccer at Wesleyan University. Molz played for the Poly boys varsity soccer team for four years, utilizing his elite skill to dominate as a forward. He contributed heavily to the team with his kind spirit, competitive drive and serious passion for the sport. Molz’s ambition allowed him to overcome difficulties, such as numerous injuries, and helped him keep a strong composure as he scored a plethora of key goals for the Panthers. In addition to playing soccer, Molz will pursue a major in economics at Wesleyan. Farewell to our shining soccer star as he kicks off on a new adventure.

Tonanxochitl Ortega will bring her athletic talents to Claremont McKenna College, where she will play Division III water polo next year. Ortega was a major key to the success of Poly’s girls water polo team, leading her teammates to the 2022-2023 Division V championship. As the team’s primary set defender, Ortega was often responsible for guarding the opposition’s best attackers. Using her combination of pool awareness and deadly shooting accuracy, Ortega was a constant threat offensively as well. While her undeniable talent will surely contribute to her continued athletic success, her teammates believe that her leadership qualities are what will distinguish her as she enters the next phase of her athletic life. Teammate junior Natalie Vincent commented, “She truly cares for her teammates in a way I’ve never seen anyone else do. Claremont McKenna is incredibly lucky to have her.” Claremont McKenna is incredibly lucky to have her.” .

Senior Emily Wen, a talented volleyball setter, will showcase her talents playing Division I volleyball at Georgetown University. As the news of her commitment spreads, teammates and coaches express their excitement for what lies ahead. Teammate senior Rebekah Hong said, “[Wen] is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Her ability to anticipate plays and make split-second decisions sets her apart. She possesses an innate talent for setting the perfect ball, enabling her teammates to shine.” Her unwavering passion and relentless work ethic serve as an inspiration to her teammates and aspiring athletes within Poly’s volleyball program. As Wen leaves the Poly community for Georgetown University, we know that she will continue to maximize her athletic potential within the McDonough Gymnasium and beyond.