At FDR High School, there are countless opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, particularly sports. To help raise awareness, I interviewed some of our athletes to learn about their experiences, challenges, and wins. Each interview provided insights and advice for anyone considering joining a team, offering a look into the experiences of our student athletes.
John – Varsity Basketball
John has been dedicated to basketball for five years, inspired by his father, a Division 1 walk-on at St. Francis College. “My father’s journey inspired me to pick up basketball and stay committed to it,” John said. He plays as a combo guard, shifting between point guard and shooting guard, though his focus is as point guard.
John is relentless in his practice. “I work on my skills consistently—whether it’s shooting, dribbling, or mobility exercises. I also spend a lot of time in the weight room, building strength because basketball is a physical sport,” he explained. His advice for new players? “Focus on conditioning. It’s tough, but it will push you to see how badly you want to be out there. There’s no shortcut to that kind of physical preparation.”
John’s favorite moment came during their game against Staten Island’s top PSAL team, where they were expected to lose. “It was predicted we’d get blown out. But we won in overtime by three points. That was the best game of my life,” he said.
For beginners, John suggests taking weightlifting in gym class to build strength. “Basketball is physical, so weight training really improves performance.”
Vicki – Tennis
Vicki plays second/sub doubles on FDR’s tennis team, having joined because her friends were already involved. “They encouraged me to try it, and I’m so glad I did,” Vicki said. When asked how she practices outside of her team, she explained, “I usually go to the park and practice against a wall, or I’ll play with my brothers. It’s a simple way to keep improving.”
Vicki’s advice for anyone new to tennis is to make sure they’re having fun. “If you don’t enjoy it, you won’t improve. You have to find joy in the game to stay motivated.” Vicki highlighted that arm strength and eye coordination are key in tennis, which can be hard for beginners, “These are the two hardest parts—without them, you can’t play effectively.”
Vicki’s favorite memory is finally perfecting her serve after months of practice. “It took me a long time to get my serve just right, but when I did, it felt so rewarding,” she shared. If she could play another sport, she would choose squash. “The smaller court and similar techniques to tennis and handball make it sound exciting.”
Joleen – Badminton Manager
Joleen has been a part of the badminton team for three years as manager, inspired by her brother, who played before leaving the school during COVID. “Badminton has been a family thing—my brother played here, and my aunt played when I was younger,” Joleen explained. As a manager, Joleen has a different view on the sport but finds it just as rewarding. “Watching the boys’ team perform this season has been great.”
Joleen also pointed out that gym classes can significantly complement badminton training. “During spring, you can get into badminton with our coach, Mr. Hellman. But during winter, weightlifting or volleyball is a great way to stay in shape.”
When asked about her favorite moment, she said, “It’s seeing everyone come together as a team. Working together makes everything more enjoyable.” The hardest part of badminton? Keeping focus during high-pressure matches. But Joleen found scoring to be one of the easiest aspects. “Scoring feels good—it’s straightforward but incredibly satisfying.”
Solmy – Football, Wrestling, Baseball
Solmy is one of the rare athletes who plays not just one but three sports: football, wrestling, and baseball. “I didn’t want to just be a student; I wanted to do something more, and these three sports gave me that,” he said. He’s been playing football for three years and wrestling and baseball for two. “I joined football first because it seemed fun, but once I tried wrestling and baseball, I was hooked on all three.”
Solmy’s favorite moment in football was when he put on his helmet for the first time. “It sounds small, but putting on that helmet made me feel like I belonged on the field,” he said. Solmy noted that the hardest part of football is trusting your teammates. “You really need to trust them to have your back if you want to win games,” he explained.
For training, Solmy suggests weightlifting and cardio, especially for wrestling. “Wrestling is all about endurance, so cardio is essential,” he said. If he could play any other sport, he would choose volleyball because, “it’s fun and engaging.”
Salman – Tennis
Salman joined the tennis team during his freshman year and has been an important part of it for three years. “Tennis requires a lot of communication, especially when you’re playing doubles. You need to sync up with your partner to win,” he explained. For practice, Salman often heads to the local park to hit balls against the wall. “It’s one of the easiest ways to practice when the team isn’t around.”
Salman’s advice to new players? “Work on your cardio. You’re going to do a lot of running in tennis, so it’s essential to be in good shape,” he said. The hardest part of tennis, according to Salman, is perfecting the backhand swing. He claims, “It takes time to master, but once you do, it changes your game.”
One of Salman’s proudest moments was winning his first singles match. “It was such an amazing feeling to win a singles match—definitely my favorite memory from playing tennis,” he recalled.
Vasyl – Volleyball
Vasyl has been playing volleyball for four years, serving as the team’s middle blocker and as their new Captain for the ’24 – ’25 season. He initially considered joining track, but volleyball’s timing worked out better. “I was torn between track and volleyball, but the volleyball season fit better with my schedule, and I’m glad I chose it,” he said.
Vasyl’s favorite aspect of volleyball is the people. “It’s not just about the sport—the team has great vibes, and everyone works well together,” he shared. One of the toughest parts of volleyball is the physicality. “Running, bouncing, and staying in top shape can be exhausting, especially during school games,” he explained.
Vasyl’s standout memory? “Blocking a 6’3-foot-tall player during our playoff game against Madison in 2023. It was an incredible feeling,” Vasyl said. He suggests gym classes like weightlifting and volleyball for anyone looking to improve their performance. According to Vasyl, “Practice as much as you can, even outside the team, on handball courts—it makes a huge difference.”
When asked if he would consider playing another sport, he mentioned fencing. To end our interview, when asked who would make a better setter between the two of us, he claimed it was me if he didn’t exist.
These interviews with FDR’s athletes give a perspective into the dedication, teamwork, and passion that each student brings to their sport. Whether you’re considering basketball, tennis, volleyball, or even badminton, there’s something for everyone at FDR. Stay tuned for more interviews and insights to FDR’s extracurriculars!