By Gillian Rees – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law High School’s athletic teams are helping freshmen adjust to their new high school life, helping them make friends and being a part of the Law community. 

Freshmen that have joined sports teams this year and in past years have made lots of friends and have adjusted to high school very smoothly because of it. 

“Joining soccer and track my freshman year really gave me a built in friend group,” junior indoor track captain Andriana Bruno said. “Sports are a great addition to school that makes it a lot more enjoyable.” 

 A lot of students join sports at the start of the year to make friends and connections to have throughout high school and for a lot of student athletes, doing sports is the most enjoyable thing about their high school life.

Law is seen as a community, being a part of the community can make freshmen feel like they fit in and aren’t just thrown into everything. 

“Joining sports gives me something to do everyday after school – it makes me feel more a part of the JLHS community,” freshmen girls soccer player Elly Van Waveren said.  

Sports teams are also viewed as a family in some ways. Being a part of a family like that can really make the freshmen feel more comfortable and as if they have people they can rely on. 

“Being on a team is definitely like a family because you spend a lot of time together during the season and you support each other on and off the field,” assistant Jonathan Law girls soccer coach and spanish teacher Mr. Rodriguez said.  

Coaches welcome new freshmen every year. Coaching freshmen can also be difficult sometimes because they are still figuring out high school and having to really learn to manage their time. 

“Due to the fact that middle school doesn’t have sports, high school sports gives freshmen a chance to practice everyday and learn to maintain a busy schedule,” Jonathan Law girls basketball coach and history teacher Mr. Young said. 

Making bonds with upperclassmen can really help freshmen feel more comfortable in high school and it gives them an outlet in case they need help with anything. 

“Joining sports has definitely helped me adjust to high school – you get to meet people and make upperclassmen friends,” freshman boys cross country runner Jake Ackley said. “You get to fit in more and you’re not just thrown into high school.” 

There is a lot of athletic talent seen in this year’s freshmen, so the outlook is good for Law’s sports teams this year.

“I think we are off to a good start all the teams are looking good in their standings right now,” Jonathan Law athletic director Mr. Sarullo said. “I think when the fall season is all said and done, it will have been a great season for all of our sports teams.”