We are proud of our Senior Athletes and their dedication to Arvada High School. There are 12 winter athletes who will be graduating this year and they are about to become our newest Alumni. Our three senior Wrestlers are Elijah Allen, Xavier Guzman and J’ Lon Stokes-White. In Boys Basketball there are 6 athletes who will be moving on. They are Devon Darnell, Aneus Olsen, Juan Orta, Stephon Peralta, Antonio Valenzuela and Isaiah Vigil. Our three seniors in Girls Basketball are Sapphire Gordon, Leslie Samayoa and Emilie Wehr. Although we are sad to see them go, we are proud of how our athletes have represented Arvada High School throughout their high school career.
Seniors are a very valuable source of inspiration to our incoming freshmen. When asked these two questions, here are their responses. What is your most memorable moment in Basketball or Wrestling? And what advice would you give incoming freshmen?
Beginning with our Wrestlers, I have Elijah Allen’s responses. He is proudest of when he won his first high school match. His advice is to participate in as many sports as you can because you only have four years.
Xavier Guzman remembers when he pinned the #2 ranked wrestler in his weight class at our Regional Tournament. He feels strongest that freshmen keep their grades up and don’t have any F’s.
J’Lon Stokes-White is proudest of when he qualified for State this year. His advice for freshmen is that they take care of any grades that might be slipping as soon as possible.
Our Boys Basketball team has many memorable moments throughout their four years.
Aneus Olsen is extremely proud of his 30+ point game against Fort Morgan. His advice is to work hard and listen to your coaches.
Juan Orta fondly remembers when the entire team finally came together and played as a team against Prospect Ridge. He thinks the freshmen should be ready to work hard and listen to their coaches.
Stephon Peralta likes to remember when he scored his first two points to start off his senior season. He thinks freshmen shouldn’t mess up on grades and attendance their freshman year. It is too hard to make all of that up.
Antonio Valenzuela felt a change in the boys basketball program when he met Head Coach Vernon Whittington for the first time. He thinks the freshmen should feel very lucky to have the best coaches ever and to pay attention to them.
Isaiah Vigil and Devon Darnell were also members of the Boys Basketball team, but were unable to comment.
Girls Basketball has three very proud seniors. Sapphire Gordon feels that going into double over-time against Denver North and winning was her favorite memory. Her advice to freshmen is that school is the most important thing, so keep your grades up!
Leslie Samayoa was proudest of when they played Englewood for the second time because they truly played as a team. She believes that freshmen should leave everything on the court and play with confidence.
Emilie Wehr likes to remember when they played Englewood and their bench stepped up to play when three of the starters fouled out and they still battled to the end. Her advice is to learn to balance school with practice and games.
Again, we are extremely proud of our graduating seniors. We wish them the best of luck with whatever they have planned for their future. You have represented Arvada High School with dignity and class. We hope you achieve amazing things in the future.