This year, Barlow did exceptionally well in all the fall sports, including water polo, soccer, football, cross country, and volleyball. Every athlete’s hard work on these teams paid off. Fourteen athletes from these sports were awarded First Team in the Mount Hood Conference. To be awarded this, each athlete must have good statistics, perform well, and have good character. All these things help make an athlete great and help them stand out from the rest of the team.
For Women’s and Men’s Soccer, Katya Tercek, Braelyn Robertson, Olivia West, Matty Callison, and Hudson Akines all earned spots on the Mount Hood Conference’s First Team for soccer. Drew Miller and Eli Shamoon got this award for football. Addi Knight, Cadence Austin, Alexa Bell, and Natalie Bell were also awarded for women’s volleyball. For Men’s and Women’s water polo, Levi and Makayla Riegelmann were also named First Team athletes.
Katya Tercek is an incredible soccer player who played a significant role in the 2024 Barlow’s Varsity Women’s Soccer Team. Tercek is a senior this year and has made many memories at Barlow. Tercek told us, “My favorite memory from the season was celebrating with my team after I scored in the last few minutes of our game in the first round of playoffs. We ended up winning 2-1.” After graduating high school, Tercek plans to attend a 4-year university. There, she wants to continue playing soccer. Tercek has dramatically impacted her soccer team and deserved her first place in the Mount Hood Conference.
Drew Miller is a fantastic athlete who contributed significantly to Barlow’s 2024 football team. Miller is a sophomore and made varsity football and Mount Hood Conference First Team. Throughout the season, Miller made many memories and explained that he enjoyed getting to know his teammates. Miller told us, “My favorite memory this season was our team camp at Eastern Oregon University; we had a great time and got to know each other and our new coaches.” Miller plans on continuing his football career and says, “I love football, and I want to continue to play at the next level.” Due to his hard work and dedication, Miller significantly impacted his team, winning himself the First Team athlete award.
Alexa Bell was such an essential part of Barlow’s 2024 volleyball team. Bell is a senior this year and has made so many memories throughout her time at Barlow. Out of all her years doing volleyball, one stood out to her. She told us, “My favorite memory was getting to play my last year and having the opportunity to play with my sister [Natalie Bell].” In the future, Bell plans to continue her career as an athlete. She told us, “My plan is to attend Biola University, where I will continue my athletic career. As a former team captain, I will continue to lead in any way I can that will improve my new teammates at Biola!” Bell has worked incredibly hard this season and positively impacted her team, and she deserves the award of First Team athlete.
Makayla Riegelmann has been an essential part of the Women’s water polo team at Barlow for years. Riegelmann is a junior and has led her team to victory as team captain. She has been doing water polo for the school and a club team. She has made many memories, but two have stuck out the most. Riegelmann told us that she enjoyed winning against a team they were 1 and 1 in; this secured their spot for 5th in the state. She also told us, “Getting to be on the same team as my older brother, Levi, one last time as a practice scrimmage before he graduates and goes to college.” Riegelmann told us in the future, “I’m not sure if I want to play water polo after high school. If I decide to continue, I would like to go D1, overseas, or coach, but it’s still up in the air. I would love to be player of the conference and player of the state next year.”
Levi Riegelmann is a senior this year at Barlow and has been an essential member of the Barlow men’s water polo team. Riegelmann has been playing water polo for most of his life and has played for the school and club. Last year Riegelmann helped the 2023 team win first place in state by scoring the winning goal; this year, he helped lead the 2024 team to third place in state. Riegelmann has made several good memories over the season, but he told us his favorite was “getting to bond with the team and place third in the state.” In the future, Riegelmann plans to continue his water polo career in college.
Congratulations to all the fall sports teams!
