Raising the flag (Lance H./Staff)

From the stars and stripes behind Jesse Owens at Berlin to La Albecliestse commemorating a World Cup win in the streets of Buenos Aries, one reason flags are raised is to signify triumph. On November 14, Columbus Academy’s girls golf team added to that history of honor by solidifying its own success.

The girls tennis team received a ceremony that honored its winning effort a month after claiming a Second Division II State Championship. The festivities began a bit late since ninth-grader, Eva L., was finishing her AMC Math Competition questions–putting the “student” in student-athlete.

Athletic Director, Mr. Singleton, invited the coach and players onstage before introducing them and the accolades they achieved during their golf careers: Coach Maggie Freytag was D2 Central District and CBL Coach of the Year; Eva L. earned 1st Team All-State, D2 State Co-Runner-Up, 1st Team All-District, and 1st Team All-CBL; Caroline Z. earned 2nd Team All-State, 2nd Team All-District, and 1st Team All CBL; Angela H. achieved 2nd Team All-District and 1st Team All-CBL; Sydney F. won 2nd team All-CBL and 3rd team All-District; Ella T. was 3rd team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Conference. Rosemary J. was Honorable Mention, All-District and All-CBL. Eva broke the school record of the lowest score with a 65, edging out ’23 alum Stephen Ma’s 66.

Following these tributes, the girls led the upper school to the Academy Hall’s flagpole on a morning with sun beaming upon the crisp autumn air.

As the standard rose into the blue ether, the team lifted itself up toward the sky and shook hands with paradise. Congratulations once again to these state champions! I had so much fun writing for the team and wish everyone the best of luck next season.

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”- Edmund Hilary