The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle

The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle

The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle

Seniors distraught following cancellation of football games

From+left+to+right%3A+The+seniors+on+the+team%2C+David+Hastings+%28%E2%80%9822%29%2C+Bradyn+Wishek+%28%E2%80%9822%29%2C+Hank+Sun+%28%E2%80%9822%29%2C+and+Jimmie+McCloud+%28%E2%80%9822%29
Taylor Crawford
From left to right: The seniors on the team, David Hastings (‘22), Bradyn Wishek (‘22), Hank Sun (‘22), and Jimmie McCloud (‘22)

The student body was left distraught after Webb’s senior night football game was cancelled following three positive COVID tests in connection to the football team.

Players on the team were heartbroken because the positive cases forced them to forfeit their last two league games. Webb’s October 23rd game against Trinity Classical Academy was cancelled after two of the players on the team tested positive. The football team was also required to forfeit their senior night game on Friday, October 29th, after a third player tested positive in connection with the previous cases.

The administration, with guidance from the health center, made the tough decision to cancel the team’s final games to ensure the safety of the football team and their opponents.

Bryan Oglesby (‘23) practices his defensive press technique against Isaac Naren (‘23) during pre-practice team drills. (Taylor Crawford)

“The football team is tested frequently, every day, especially before competition, and on a routine screening a test came back positive,” said Stephanie Baron, director of the health center. “They were sent for a PCR, but because we knew it was going to take a while, as a precaution, the Saturday game was canceled.”

Despite the confirmation of the positive case on Monday, the Health Center was still optimistic that the Friday Night Lights game could continue, assuming no more tests came back positive. Unfortunately, a third case was confirmed the day before the big game.

The faculty field scoreboard remains dormant, officially marking the end of the football season. (Taylor Crawford)

“Everything was good on that Wednesday and practice proceeded, “Ms. Baron said. “We did the same round of testing on Thursday and unfortunately, we had another positive antigen case.”
Students reacted in a relatively positive way considering that the difficult decision was for the community’s well-being.

“I was so sad when I heard the news because I was looking forward to going to my second night lights game,” Valeria Gonzalez (‘23) said. “I felt so bad for the seniors that didn’t get their senior night, too.”

“I was very sad to hear that my friends’ football game was cancelled because I wanted to go watch my senior friends play their last football game and watch them score mad tuddies,” Sam Zeiden (‘23) said.
The senior players on the football team are Jimmie McCloud (‘22), David Hastings (‘22), Bradyn Wishek (‘22), and Hank Sun (‘22).

A member of the Webb football team since his sophomore year, Jimmie plays wide receiver, cornerback, and kicker. His favorite position to play is cornerback because he started that position in his junior year. Jimmie expresses his gratitude for football as the sport has taught him how to be a team player during school and other sports.

“I advise underclassmen to stay with the image that you have of yourself in football right now,” Jimmie said. “I didn’t know how to play football sophomore year, but I trained hard and that’s what has made me the player I am today.”

A player on the football team all three of his years at Webb, David has cherished his time spent with the team he has matured with since sophomore year. Hastings has played receiver and defensive back and prefers to play receiver because he’s had more experience with the position.

“This sport has helped me grow in a variety of ways,” David said. “I’ve learned more about and grown my athletic ability, character, and perseverance, and have applied it in all aspects of my life.”

Bradyn played on the WSC varsity football team for his entire four years at Webb. He prefers the defensive side of the game, splitting his time between defensive end and middle linebacker.

“I was excited to perform in front of my peers since it was one of only three home games we had scheduled, and actually, one of only two since the game before our senior night was canceled as well,” Bradyn said. “At the same time, I can look back on this season with fond memories of the bonds I created with my teammates, the lessons I learned from my coaches, and the leadership that my fellow Captains and I gave.”

Hank has also spent all four of his fall seasons at Webb playing on the WSC football team. He has played on the offensive and defensive lines throughout his career and does not prefer any specific position.

“I was sad it ended, and it felt unfair after four years of play,” Hank said.

From left to right: Bradyn Wishek (‘22), Jimmie McCloud (‘22), David Hastings (‘22) and Hank Sun (‘22) look back on faculty field as they leave it for the last time as football players. (Bryan Oglesby)

The players, coaches, and spectators of the popular sport were all disappointed to hear the news of the cancelled games. But the student body and fans of the sport can acknowledge that this was a hard decision that the board had to make to guarantee the safety of not only the football staff and players, but of the entire student body and the faculty.

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About the Contributors
David Hastings, Editor of Sports
Captain of the Webb football team, David Hastings (‘22) leads with distinction and serves as a suitable Editor of Sports. However, his interests stretch far beyond one activity; music also constitutes an integral part of his identity. David has rocked out instruments since he was young, initially playing the drums but later transitioning to the guitar; he now plays for his band “Orange Juice.” David also likes to hang out with friends in the Claremont Village or binge Netflix shows with a bucket of fudge brownie ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s on his lap. Unfortunately, he missed out on many social interactions because of the pandemic and looks forward to re-establishing broken social connectivity by learning and reporting individuals’ stories for the Webb Canyon Chronicle. Apart from contributing to the WCC as an athlete, musician, and editor, David strives to make every community member’s voice heard. Favorite song: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve
Taylor Crawford, Chief Editor of Culture & Lifestyle
Fitting for the Chief Editor of Culture & Lifestyle, Taylor Crawford (‘23)’s many interests help her create a vibrant presence in her section. As a resident of Glendora, Taylor enjoys playing soccer, shopping, and occasionally reading. She is a member of the VWS varsity soccer team as well as the soccer club Legends FC. She spent her summer in northern California with her church, spending lots of time hanging out with her family and friends cultivating meaningful relationships. Last year, Taylor wrote multiple articles, but she was most proud of iWebb, which is the Webb version of iCarly. Taylor also has leadership roles on campus, as she is a new member of the day student prefect group. Her commitment takes root in seminary, which she partakes in every day before school.  During her free time, she watches her favorite shows, Criminal Minds, Knight and Day, and listens to her favorite artist Justin Bieber. This year, Taylor hopes to leave her legacy in journalism by making more entertaining videos and articles.  Favorite Song: “Valerie” by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse 
Bryan Oglesby, Chief Editor of Sports
Bryan Oglesby (‘23) has made himself known in the world of Webb athletics by being both the captain of the varsity football team and track & field team. His love for sports is intertwined with his love for the Webb Canyon Chronicle, as he takes on a new role this year as the Chief Editor of Sports. Being an athlete has given Bryan many talents such as being able to jump over his leg, do handstands, and do front flips, all in that order. Along with football, Bryan’s favorite hobbies are singing, playing a variety of sports with his family, helping the community, and cooking. Bryan loves cooking his favorite meal, beef Wellington, for himself and his friends at social gatherings or just for fun when he’s hungry. Outside the WCC, Bryan is an avid leader in the community by being a head peer advisor and his role in the Empowering Student Voices Initiative. Bryan also prides himself on being a scholar. His favorite class is LA Literary Culture with Mr. Calvert because it puts LA into a different light and has given him a new perspective on the city he grew up in. Going into his senior year, Bryan hopes to write meaningful articles that will benefit the community as well as staying connected to his family during his last year of high school. He hopes to end his final year at the WCC with a bang.   Favorite song: “Ultralight Beam” by Kanye 

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