With summer vacation over for many students and teachers, a new school year has dawned, and with it notions of success for fall varsity sports teams at Grossmont High School and Helix Charter High School. When it comes to the Foothillers, a number of teams are already seeing action. In girls’ volleyball action, Grossmont under head coach Jacob Haar moves up from Division IV to Division III for the 2025 season. A season ago, Grossmont went 16-13 and won its first-round CIF matchup. According to Haar, some key players this season look to be senior Alexis Holman (OH/RS), sophomore Imani Hayes (OH), and junior Ciarrah Coliente (DS/Libero). “We are excited for the challenge of this 2025 season,” Haar said. “We are building a great program that believes in each other and trusts each other. We have a new team as we lost seven seniors this past season, but we have big goals and expectations for our new team.” On the girls’ golf links, the team with head coach Jim Earley at the helm enters the season with high expectations. According to Earley, the team (8-8 last season, second place in league action) is led by returning standout Anabella van Cotthem. A three-time League Golfer of the Year, van Cotthem is coming off of a banner 2024 season in whch she captured a conference championship and qualified for the CIF SoCal Regional Championship. She returns as of one of the most accomplished young golfers in San Diego County and a consistent leader at the top of the lineup. “Our focus this season is on becoming a solid, well-rounded team,” Earley said. “We have great individual talent, but the real key will be everyone stepping up and contributing together. If we can do that, we’ll be tough to beat.” In flag football action under head coach Tony Lawrence, Grossmont finished at 8-1 and as league champions a season ago. The Foothillers ended up sixth in the SDCIF, losing in the semifinal open division. According to Lawrence, key returners include returning league MVP senior Gabi Thomas (slot receiver/safety), league first-team senior quarterback Marissa Farace, league first-team junior slot receiver Saraya Roope, league first-team junior corner wide receiver Ari Simpson, and newcomer sophomore running back Mariyah Gibbs. “We have a veteran squad who has been deep into the CIF playoffs the last two years,” Lawrence said. “We lost some quality players to graduation, but return a strong core. Our expectations are to compete for a CIF title. I told the girls that if they win the championship, I will get a tattoo (small) on the back of my shoulder to commemorate it.” In football play, Grossmont went 5-7 last season and lost in the Division IV semifinals for head coach Anthony Lawrence. According to Lawrence, key players to focus on this fall include senior linebacker/running back Jay Smith, senior linebacker Drew Sasena, senior defensive back Gage Weichelt, senior defensive back Colton Burke, senior defensive end Ryder Robinson, senior lineman Max Tufugafale, senior offensive lineman JP Portlock, junior quarterback Tyler Holmes, and senior wide receiver Randy Ballard. “I expect us to play hard and compete in every game,” Lawrence remarked. “We want to continue to get better throughout the season and make a push in the playoffs, no matter the division.” Foothiller cheerleaders ready to cheer on GHS teams The Grossmont High School cheerleading program under head coach Jill Clark expects another banner year after going undefeated a season ago in competitions. At its first regional competition of the season, the team won its division. They also won grand champs, the highest score in the entire competition. Their success led to a paid bid for Nationals. Grossmont won the Division III CIF title along with the Jamz High School Nationals. “This was our fourth year attending Jamz,” Clark stated. “Winning was the cherry on top for our seniors who were a part of creating our dynasty and getting their first national win at their very last competition of their senior year.” “With 11 seniors graduating, we had a pretty big movement from junior varsity athletes moving to varsity this season,” Clark said. “We have a young team this year. Two incoming freshmen, Shae Carillo and Valentina Riviera, making varsity cheer as first-year cheerleaders, have big shoes to fill. Their work ethic and height are making them pretty valuable backsports and future leaders of this program. They listen, they learn, and they do the work!” The team is led by eight returning varsity seniors – Frankie Ficolara, Karlie Sovay, Nayeli Girjalva, Natalie Gustaveson, Kennedy Moe, and three four-year varsity members in Izzy Correa, Savanna Hernandez, and Braelyn Campbell. “Last season was the perfect season,” Clark added. “We know it’s going to be hard to repeat but we have big goals, dedicated athletes, and a lot of talent We are excited for this year.” At Helix Charter High School, the boys’ water polo team led by head coach Spencer Bailey looks to garner some more wins this season. Helix went 14-13 (2-4 in league action) a season ago, losing in Division I semifinals to Vista. According to Bailey, some key members this season include junior guard Walter Mundt, sophomore perimeter player Kai Mortier, and sophomore goalie Noah Berray. “As a top four finishing team in Division I a year ago who lost zero starters, there is an expectation for this team to produce at a high level,” Bailey said. “The passion, determination, and discipline that persist in this group promote a learning environment that allows them to flourish. Prioritizing trust, accountability, and a commitment to each other, these inspiring student-athletes are more than capable of exceeding expectations.” On the girls’ golf links, Helix went 7-4 in play last season. Head Coach Cole Holland said key members this season should be freshman Olivia Benham, sophomore Lily Duich, and seniors Danika Buttron, Mariana Dumlao, Hannah Zamora, and Vanessa Griego. “The girls have been working really hard this year,” Holland said. “I expect a good year with a lot of growth and am looking forward to it.” In girls’ tennis play, Helix looks to improve upon last season’s 9-8 record for head coach Dan Potter. Potter looks to the likes of his top two singles players, senior Ella Short and sophomore Bella Lawson, respectively to lead the way. “We graduated a lot of girls last year, so this will be a bit of a transition for us, as we have a young varsity squad,” Potter remarked. “That said, I expect our girls to compete for the league championship and continue to represent Helix well both on the court and off.” On the girls’ flag football gridiron, Helix under head coach Dwayne Brown debuts its program. Brown said he is looking at a pair of versatile players, junior varsity freshman Londynn Brown and varsity junior Kaiya Merlo. “Both are truly jacks of all trades,” Dwayne Brown commented. As Brown sees it, “We won’t be defined by one game, one moment, or one mistake. We’ll be determined by how we respond. Our success isn’t just on the scoreboard. It’s in the standard we set for every player or team that comes after us.” Editor’s note: All fall varsity head coaches at Grossmont High School and Helix Charter High School were asked to provide information for this article.