Obama Runs The City

By Noah Levitt, Isaiah Trumbull (Sophomores)

Spring sports wrapped up this week, with every team finding success on their own courts, fields, and lanes. Both the baseball and the girls track team won the City League, the softball and volleyball teams went to the City League Finals, and the tennis and track teams sent athletes to states. Read more to find out about individual team’s seasons!

The Obama Boys Tennis Team suffered from a lack of players but had a great season. A lack of players meant that the team couldn’t compete in the Team Championships, but they triumphed over District 8 rivals Carrick, Brashear, and Perry, in multiple matches and sent sophomore Isaiah Trumbull to states. Isaiah defeated fellow Obama player Balaji Alagar 6-0 6-4 in the district finals to advance.

The Eagles baseball team had a great season winning the district 8 City League Championship and qualifying for the 4A state playoff tournament for the first time in school history. Like all great seasons, the Obama baseball team had their bumps in the road but managed to triumph and get the job done. Offensively, Brandon McClain-Banks (Junior), Barry Frierson (Senior) and Clark Ehman (Freshman) led the team in highest batting average. Defensively the Eagles were lock-down, with 14 errors on the season while pitchers Barry Frieson (Senior), Chad Helwhich (Sophomore), and Noah Levitt (Sophomore) held it down on the bump. The season is not over, with round one of state playoffs taking place on Thursday May 26th at Somerset. 

The Lady Eagles’ softball season came to an unfortunate ending after suffering a 6th inning walk-off hit by Allderdice in the District 8 Championship. Nevertheless, the Lady Eagles had an outstanding season going 9-4 and qualifying for the WPIAL 4A state playoffs. Already looking ahead to next season, Junior Malorie Branson is worried about what the future holds for the team on the mound, “We will need a pitcher. Losing Jenna [Hollerich] could cause a huge problem.” On a more positive note Branson spoke about their success, “We had a great season with lots of positive outcomes.” The Lady Eagles came off of a great season, but look to fill several key role playing positions especially on the mound.

The Boys volleyball team had a season of ups and downs. After a 6-2 regular season record, the team faced off against Brashear in City League semi-finals. After winning that game, they went on to lose to Allderdice in the finals. After being asked about his outlook on the season, Sophomore Elliott Mcinnes replied, “It went pretty well, 90% of our team was first year players. Making it to the championship with 90% first year players… If that isn’t promising, I don’t know what is!” Although they lost in the championship game, Elliott Mcinnes looks forward to what next season holds, “Next year we’re coming back stronger… We are going to win the City Championship.”

Both the boys and the girls track team had a success of a season to say the least! The girls team won the 2022 PPS District 8 City Track & Field Championship, ending Allderdice’s nine season unbeaten run. Seniors Leslie Manson, Aaliyah Snowden, and Hannah Redwood, juniors Kimaya Williams, Nyasia Benton, sophomore Jazmine Harriett, and freshman Makala Starks all qualified for states which will take place on May 27th and 28th at Shippensburg University. Freshman Sunni Love also qualified as an alternate. Among the notable performances was Leslie Manson’s City League record 37 ft 10.25-inch triple jump. Previous rules would have meant that Ms. Manson would be the only athlete to go on to states, but this year rules leave it up to coaches to decide whether winners in individual events will advance.

Obama Academy had a dominant 2021-2022 athletic year. With City and District Champions and state qualifying teams, the Eagles left their mark on sports all across Pennsylvania. As a relatively new school, this level of achievement is unprecedented. Things are only going up from here. Obama teams hope to continue this success in following years.