36 SEPTEMBER 2025 By Mark Hays As the 2025 golf season tees off, Arcadia programs are swinging into matches and competition with hopes of strong performances, State contention, and growth – both on and off the green.  Arcadia High’s boys’ team, led by coaches Eric Sage and John Dadam, takes a stat-driven approach, having players review each round to identify mistakes and make improvements. Examining the round after it happens to find any errors makes huge improvements going forward. With nine matches and two major tournaments – the Dobson Classic and Arizona High School Preview – Arcadia fields a strong roster led by seniors Hank Hubbard and Jackson Malatesta and juniors Cooper Fitzgerald and Beck Sage.  The lady Titans are looking forward to a season of fresh starts. With no seniors, Coach Heidi Ferguson is building skills, sportsmanship, and enjoyment of the game. “Golf is a lifelong sport. It’s empowering for these young women to build confidence on the course and beyond,” Ferguson said. “Our goal is to develop each player’s individual skills while fostering a love for the game, teamwork, and an understanding of tournament play.” The team practices at the remodeled Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, gaining access to top facilities with support from pro Leo Simonetta. “What I love about being on the team at Arcadia is the relationships I build with my teammates,” Captain Tessa Roth said. “With golf, I’ve learned to cooperate with others, be a good teammate, and have a lot of fun in the process.” “To see my girls improve and develop a genuine love for golf and each other is the most rewarding part of coaching,” Ferguson said.  Head Coach Jon Shores will lead a competitive squad through nine dual 9-hole matches and five 36-hole tournaments, often facing 10 to 20 teams per event. Rivalries with Chandler Hamilton and Notre Dame Prep fuel the intensity. “I try to let the players decide who plays so we have qualifiers for every event. It puts the pressure on them to perform when they need to,” Shores said. “If they aren’t growing as young men and leaders, I am not doing my job as a coach.” Junior Asher Nelson said he’s hoping to “keep the team competitive, fun, and hold everyone accountable to get better.” “I’m most looking forward to competing and becoming better on the course and off of it,” senior Adone Panattoni added.  Veritas Prep enters the seasons with renewed energy under Head Coach Pat Donaher, who returned after stepping away in 2023 to finish his degree and grow his business. “I approach the game of golf from a fundamental-focused and fun approach,” Donaher said. “I want to instill a culture of excellence but also keep it fun.” The middle school teams will play this fall, with 10 players each on the competitive and developmental squads. Donaher’s priority is to evolve young talent into the high school program. Veritas’ high school team made it to its first State tournament appearance in over five years last season, with two individual qualifiers. Donaher said he hopes to qualify as many players as possible next spring when the school’s high school squad steps out on the course.  With 10 matches and three invitationals, Head Coach Tui Selvaratnam is optimistic: “We have all our starters last year returning. Hopes for the team are to play well at every match, invite, and finally win State,” Selvaratnam said. Facing rivals like Casteel, Pinnacle, and Liberty, she emphasizes letting golfers “play their game” while fostering unity in a sport that’s often individual. High school golfers are looking forward to tee time Arcadia High golfers Jackson Malatesta, Hank Hubbard, Coach John Dadam, Oliver Smith, Beck Sage, Cooper Fitzgerald and Coach Eric Sage. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL Xavier golf team: Coach Tui Selvaratnam, Aida Vagas, Emily Moussa, Maya Bleyl, Natalia Lamadrid, Alexis Lamadrid, Carrie Doss, Aanvi Goel, Sophia Pe Benito-Brooks, Ellie von Kolen, Isabella Piazza and Assistant Coach Jane Ladensack. PHOTO COURTESY OF XAVIER PREP By Michael P. Murphy The scores for the Junior International Cup in Long Beach earlier this summer were brutal – for the other teams. The 17U Team USA flag football squad rolled over the competition in the playoffs like a hot knife through butter. In the playoffs, they beat Korea 52-0 and Azteca 42-36 before humbling Canada 38-19. When the dust cleared, Brophy Prep junior Ryder Noche was wearing a well-earned gold medal for his outstanding play as wide receiver and defensive back. “The camaraderie was there almost instantly,” Ryder said. “The energy was high, probably the best flag football team I had ever been a part of. We were a bunch of guys with the same goal in mind. That’s why we mixed so well and the scores were high.” How does a varsity football player end up playing flag football for the Junior International Team? “One of my youth coaches heard about the program and suggested that I try out for Team USA,” Ryder said. “After that was successful, he helped me sign up. From there, I went to the US Sports Performance Center in Charlotte and made the team.” That was 2023, when Ryder was named NFL Flag 14U Player of the Year and honored in Las Vegas at the NFL honors show. For that, he was outfitted in Hugo Boss and walked the red carpet with the pros. “It was inspiring,” Ryder said. “Being around all those athletes and the advice they were giving. I never thought I would be able to talk to guys like Mike Vick and other big names everyone knows.” He played again last year for Team USA in Charlotte, NC, then earlier this summer in Long Beach. Next year, the Junior International Cup will be held in Panama, but that will pose a problem. “I’ll be too old,” he said, laughing. “I’ll have to try out for the men’s team. I might, depending on how this season and college recruitment go. It’s something to think about.” To say that Ryder Noche is a rising star might be an understatement. His high school football stats over the past two years bear that out – an athlete who has the self-discipline and made the sacrifices necessary to perform at the highest level. Ryder scored 17 touchdowns for the Brophy freshman team, where he excelled in rushing and kick returning. He was called up to the varsity team for the playoffs that year and never left, playing varsity in his sophomore year, when he made All Central Region second team kick returner and earned an honorable mention at defensive back. He remains focused on turning his time into something important, such as eliminating junk food, working out, and being with the team. He even considers himself to be a “big nap guy” because it leaves him well rested and more energetic. But there’s an added element to Ryder’s discipline that Brophy varsity football Coach Jason Jewell sees: a good grade point average. “I think it says a lot about a kid and how they live their life based on their GPA,” he said. “If they get a good point in school, I know I can rely on them.” “Someone I definitely look up to is my mom,” Ryder said. “She’s the reason I want to be not just a better athlete, but a better human being. I model my personality after her.” And with impressive accolades backing him, the coming varsity football season promises to be a good one for Ryder Noche. “I hope so,” said Coach Jewell. “We’re counting on him!” Brophy junior impresses with Team USA gold medal honor Ryder Noche

37 SEPTEMBER 2025 By Rachael Bouley Student athletes have a new sport on offer this fall, thanks to the rising popularity of sand court competition across Arizona – a solid increase from 18 to 45 participating schools, according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). The organization officially sanctioned boys’ beach volleyball in April, and the Brophy Broncos are looking ahead to the first official games. The program comes after the indoor volleyball team reached the AIA 6A Conference quarterfinals earlier this year, under the leadership of Head Coach Tony Oldani and Assistant Coach Joaquin Santa Cruz, who is taking over the inaugural beach volleyball coaching duties. “We are excited to have Coach Santa Cruz launch this new program,” Athletic Director Josh Garcia said. “He brings an experienced coaching background that has benefited our volleyball program and will continue with the newest program.” Santa Cruz was a two-time all-conference selection as a libero during his time with Ottawa University from 2018 to 2020. He is the all-time career dig leader with 723 and ranked No. 2 nationwide in 2020 with 3.5 per set. His coaching experience includes playoff runs with Desert Vista and Sandra Day O’Connor, winning the State Championship in 2022. He’s the current head coach of the Boys U15 National Team for the 2025 Arizona Region High Performance program. With strong leadership and motivation to succeed, the Broncos are gearing up for a big season on the sand. “I am looking forward to building a competitive and supportive team from the ground up and am committed to creating a program that not only develops skilled volleyball players but also fosters leadership, teamwork, and character,” Santa Cruz said. “I am proud to be part of this new chapter at Brophy and can’t wait to see the growth and success ahead.” The coaching staff hosted several open sand sessions at the start of August, giving players the chance to practice before tryouts. The initial squad will feature 20 players, including eight seniors. Jude Keane is a seasoned beach player who led the indoor team to the State Championship as a sophomore. “I have been excited about this opportunity since I came to Brophy as a freshman,” Keane said. “It’s going to be good for cross-training.” Brophy will compete in the Desert Valley region this fall alongside Barry Goldwater, Boulder Creek, Deer Valley, Mountain Ridge, Notre Dame Prep, and Sandra Day O’ Connor. The first contest will be against Seton Catholic at Chuparosa Park on September 8, and the first home game will take place against Higley on September 17. Follow along with the team on Instagram @brophyprepbeach Broncos add beach volleyball to roster By Kylie de Best Arcadia High, Veritas Prep, and Xavier Prep are poised to take the court by storm in a season marked by rigorous practices, intense competition, and the energy from players and fans. These schools are anticipating some major wins, all while building their skills and abilities as a team.  The Lady Titans will have 17 matches and two tournaments in the regular season, followed by playoffs. The team mentioned games against Flagstaff, Chaparral, Desert Mountain, and Saguaro as schools they’re ready and excited to face off against. With six varsity returns this year, the team is considered younger in terms of age and experience. Coach Adrian Chang said that the varsity players have done a great job making everyone feel comfortable and welcome, with a long-term goal of building synergy between the younger athletes and finding success for years to come. Practices consist of fundamental skill drills and gameplay to portray the game day conditions as realistically as possible. Coach Chang likes to draw on the players’ problem-solving skills and is a firm believer in training the small details while explaining the “why.” “I am looking forward to building a team with several new teammates and working our way to another playoff run,” junior Emma Lindenmeyer shared. “I am also excited to have a fun and memorable season with my friends.”  Veritas’ volleyball program has three teams this fall, and on most game days, all three will compete. The regular season includes 17 matches against other 1A-3A teams and three tournaments at ASU, in Payson, and in Page. Practices are efficient, running 90 minutes or less. The first half focuses on technique and skill development, and the second half is dedicated to game play, where those skills are practiced. Returning this year is one of the top offensive players in the State, senior captain Mary Hamann, and two other starters from last year, Bella Espinosa and Grace Hamann. The team is looking forward to making progress in their preseason practices on the defensive side, and has a long-term goal of improving every match and putting themselves in a position to make a long playoff run. “This program has meant so much to me over the past years,” Mary said. “I have loved watching it grow along with me. Veritas volleyball will always have a special place in my heart.”  Volleyball games are known to be highly competitive for this 6A division volleyball team, which will play 17 regular-season games and one tournament this season, taking place September 5. This year, the Gators were also awarded the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award, which recognizes collegiate and high school volleyball teams that maintain a year-long GPA – so things are starting on the right foot already. “I can’t wait to compete at a high level and bond with my team, finishing my last year at Xavier strong,” senior Mattea Saunders said. Over the last 20 years, Coach Lamar- Renee Bryant has fostered an environment where players are taught to respect one another both on and off the court. For instance, she encourages players to support each other, share constructive feedback, and avoid negative comments or behaviors, creating a respectful team culture. Being a faith-based institution, Coach Bryant incorporates daily prayers before and after practice or games, using those moments to teach players about gratitude, perseverance, and the importance of ethical behavior in sports and life. “As defending 6A State Champions, my hope for this season is to embrace the pressure of being at the top,” Coach Bryant said. “Pressure is a privilege, and we need to work to get better each and every day to achieve our goals for this season.” Volleyball squads are “set” for success Coach Joaquin Santa Cruz Noah Heimer readies himself to spike the ball. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BROPHY PREP