To be a female varsity athlete at Cardinal Gibbons High School is to be something greater than a part of a team. It’s about sisterhood, commitment, leadership, and toughness. Being a school that’s known statewide and across the country for its athletic teams, Gibbons pushes athletes, especially girls, to be their best selves on the field and off.

For cheerleader Lyla Opitz, it all hit her one night at a football game at Gibbons when she was in middle school.

“When I attended a football game for Middle School Night at Gibbons, I was captivated by the talent and energy of the cheerleaders. Rather than focusing on the game, I found myself drawn to every stunt, cheer, and tumbling pass they performed. It was at that moment that I realized I wanted to be part of that team,” she explained.

Gibbons athletics was in the sights of women’s lacrosse player Chloe Tupis, also from an early stage.

“The Women’s Lacrosse program has always been very dominant and a very highly sought-after program,” she said. “Going into my freshman year, I really pushed to make varsity so I could be a part of something as special as this program.”

Sydney Komelasky, a women’s lacrosse team athlete as well, had the same idea.

“I wanted to become an athlete here because I knew I could be pushed past my limitations and develop as a better player and person,” she said. “I wanted to play and compete among some of the top girls in the state.”

Overcoming Challenges

Every athlete faces difficulties along the way. But together, you gain strength from enduring the hardships and rising above them. In Optiz’s case, her biggest challenge was overcoming a mental block in a stunt.

“I was frustrated and stressed for weeks, trying to figure out if I would ever regain the confidence that I had,” she recalls. “But I came to trust myself, stayed consistent in my reps, and believed in the process.”
Tupis also battled with the same problems.

“I used to not be as confident in myself, and it led to a poor performance,” she said. “I overcame this habit by getting extra practice and proving that I can play on the field.”

These athletes give great examples of overcoming and facing adversity to ultimately find confidence and develop.

Proud Moments

Every one of the athletes at Gibbons has a moment when they are proudest and will treasure for a lifetime. For Optiz, it was the day she was placed on the varsity cheer team.

“Seeing my name on the list was a moment when I felt proud and seen,” she said. Another favorite memory was her first competition with the team. “Walking off the mat, proud of my performance and surrounded by people who believed in me, marked one of my proudest moments as a female athlete.”

Tupis and Komelasky’s favorite memory was when they won the state lacrosse championship.

“I felt incredibly proud to be a female athlete here. It was a testament to all the hard work our team put into the season, and it captured our true sisterhood,” Sydney said.

Tupis added, “The feeling was unbeatable, and I just felt super grateful for the team that I am on.”

Representing Gibbons

Most of the students in Gibbons would say that attending the school means that you carry a great responsibility, especially in sports. Athletic life at Gibbons is not just about competing and winning; it’s about living the Gibbons mission of “to form men and women of faith, service, and leadership.”

For Optiz, it is implementing the school’s values.

“Representing Gibbons as a female athlete means being part of something greater than myself. It’s about carrying on the example of leadership and integrity both on and off the mat,” she said. “As a female athlete, I have the opportunity to make an impact on those wishing to cheer in the future, demonstrate the value of hard work, and contribute to such an amazing school. It’s an honor that I can stand alongside some of the kindest and most talented athletes.”

Tupis and Komelasky both take pride in being female athletes at Gibbons.

“I try my best to represent Gibbons on the field. I am respectful to refs, teammates, coaches, opponents, and fans,” Tupis said. “Being a Gibbons athlete means something to me, and I think is something a great many athletes want.”

“Being a female Gibbons representative means being my best self each time I am on the field,” Komelasky added. “I would love to be a good example and show people how to live a Christ-filled life and be a competitive player.”

Team Culture

The culture of such teams is based on teamwork and encouragement. Optiz says her cheer team is not just a group of athletes, but a family.

“I consider the Cardinal Gibbons cheer team to be my second family. Each of my teammates feels like a sister, and I would do anything to support them. The bond we share goes beyond practices, games, and competitions,” she said. “We celebrate each other’s successes, lift one another up during hard times, and grow together as athletes and individuals.”

“Despite all being very different, we are super close friends, which reflects positively on our success on the field. We make each other better every day and push each other beyond our limits. Without these girls, Gibbons would not be the same,” Tupis said.

The Ultimate Impact of Female Athletes at Gibbons

The experiences that have been described by these players show that being a part of a team at Gibbons is not all about athletic talent; it is about becoming a leader, persevering through difficulties, and making a statement.

The commitment shown by these players demonstrates that these women are a testament to the work ethic of a woman athlete at Cardinal Gibbons. Through what they do and what they achieve, they not only embody Gibbons athletics but also the future generation of female athletes to be.