By Abigail Merenda – Sports Editor

Junior Samantha Matist is a captain for the 2025-2026 Law gymnastics team. 

Matist wants to make sure everyone feels welcomed on the team. 

“My role as a captain is to not only have leadership on the team but to help my coaches and teammates if they need help on anything,” Matist said. “I also make sure that everyone feels included and to lead by example when it comes to practice and especially cheering on every teammate.” 

Matist wants to improve individually and as a team as the season progresses. 

“My goals for this season for myself is to gain back all my skills since my injuries and progress more,” Matist said. “While I want every girl on my team to keep improving on the scores from beginning to end.” 

Matist is excited to bond with her teammates off the mat as well.

“I’m most excited for bonding with my team,” Marist said. “Before meets and pasta parties so we can all get really close and support each other when we are competing.”

Head Coach Mr. Simon said Matist is a natural leader.

“Sam Matist is a natural leader both in the gym and in school,” Simon said. “She not only helped to choose the items for our team merchandise list she also designed the logo. Sam will be counted on to lead our team throughout the season.”

Sophomore Rainey Haramis said Matist has been an inspiration to her.

“Sam has been an inspiration to me,” Haramis said. “By not giving up when she performed a difficult skill and failed. She has also has given me words of encouragement when I failed. Sam is great at including everyone for teamwork and making sure everyone is included, so Sam is a role model to me by lifting others up and shows great sportsmanship.”