Andrew Hayek, ‘29 enjoyed a multitude of sports as a child. But, at age four, soccer became a staple of Hayek’s life. Hayek started off playing club soccer at Kickers soccer club and is currently playing for ISC. The center back feels ready for his time at the high school level.

Hayek has already begun a list of accomplishments he would like to achieve during his time at City High. First of all, making varsity as a freshman. Next up, beating West High.

“Beating West is obviously a big deal,” Hayek said.

Hayek has been around the cross-town rivalry for years, and he is ready to be a part of the action. The freshman is full of a competitive spirit that he attributes to growing up with two older siblings. Watching his siblings play when he was younger, Hayek said that he always “wanted to try the sports they were playing, too.”

Born and raised in Iowa City, Hayek was surrounded by The University of Iowa Athletics. This influenced his early start to soccer, and his fondness for the game.

“Living here increased my love for it (soccer). I grew up going to football games, soccer games, baseball games, and it encouraged me to play a sport.”

When in need of inspiration, Hayek looks to pro soccer player Lamine Yamal. The soccer star went pro at age 16, and this feat is one that Hayek admires.

“He’s the best in the world. It just shows how good a young player can be,” Hayek said.

Now, Hayek is approaching the same age that his role model was when he went pro. Hayek’s goals are not quite as lofty, but he is excited to contribute to the City High soccer team and program.

“I want to play well for my school.” Hayek said. Soccer is not Hayek’s only goal, though. He aspires to dedicate himself to his education during his time at City High.

“It’s important to me to get good grades freshman year,” Hayek said.

As for the future, Hayek says he would “possibly” play in college, but would like to see how his first high school soccer season goes before making any future plans.

Audrey Howe, ‘29 has been playing sports for as long as she can remember. Howe plays volleyball, basketball, and runs track. Over the years, Howe developed a passion for volleyball that trumped the other sports she participated in. Howe says that passion was due to the fact that most of her family played volleyball in the past, so she was surrounded by the sport throughout her childhood. Howe’s older sister, Lila (‘25) was the starting libero for the Little Hawks last season. Audrey plans to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

Growing up in Iowa City, and after attending Longfellow Elementary, Hoover, and South East, she is finally entering her first year at City High. Earlier this year she placed13th placed at AAU Nationals. Howe has many goals she’d like to accomplish during her time as a Little Hawk, and she believes that begins this year.

“I am a Libero on my team, so I want a certain dig number. I think that’ll be a good accomplishment to make. I’m not on varsity this year, but I definitely want to be able to get up there in the coming years,” Audrey said.

As a freshman, Audrey is already looking ahead to her collegiate career.

“I definitely want to see how high school plays out in the next few years because I am obviously only a freshman. But I definitely think reaching that D1 level would be a good goal to reach. It would kind of feel like it would be for nothing if I didn’t want to try and play at that higher level.”

Reaching that level will take a lot of work, but Howe is dedicated to devoting many hours to perfecting her game.

“I practice volleyball every single day, but for basketball and track, those will get more consistent as the seasons come along.”

When asked who her biggest inspiration is, Howe answered without hesitation: her dad.

“My dad is very influential in my life, and a really big motivator for me. If I’m nervous for a game, he’ll give me a breathing exercise or something like that to calm myself down.”

With her dad and family supporting her, Howe says she is “super excited” for her time at City High. She is looking forward to “meeting new people through the program,” and working toward accomplishing her goals. for a game, he’ll give me a breathing exercise or something like that to calm myself down.”

With her dad and family supporting her, Howe says she is “super excited” for her time at City High. She is looking forward to “meeting new people through the program,” and working toward accomplishing her goals.

Maddie Fraga, ‘29 is the definition of a multi-sport athlete. Participating in dance, track, and basketball, Fraga is looking to be a large part of many sports programs within City High. Fraga has been running track for three years, playing basketball for six years, and dancing for 13. Fraga is no stranger to rigorous practices, routines, and high pressure situations.

“Dance competitions can be, like a week to a weekend, and you need to stretch a month prior, even more than you usually would. You definitely need to get your body ready.” Fraga said.

Although dance takes up a lot of her time, Fraga says that track is her favorite.

“I like my teammates, and there’s a lot of different events you can run and participate in.” Fraga said. The freshman does not like to be confined to one sport, much less one event.

Fraga attended Longfellow and Hoover Elementary, and then moved on to South East, where she began her track career. Throughout her childhood, Fraga’s love for sports grew, and this love was encouraged by her father, Ben.

“He was the one who encouraged me to get into track. In middle school, he convinced me to go out. He taught me different tactics on how to get better. I also talk to him before my meets. He pumps me up.” The thing that hypes up Fraga the most, though, is her pump up playlist that she listens to religiously.

“My playlist gets me excited and hyped up.” Fraga said.

Listening to her playlist all the way, Fraga plans to take City High sports by storm

Beginning with her freshman season, Fraga already has goals she’d like to accomplisih. “I want to make it to state.” This feat is one that Fraga’s siter, Ellie ‘27 has accomplished during her past two seasons running track for the Little Hawks. Fraga strives to follow in her footsteps, and her sister believes she is more than capable of doing so.

“Maddie is one of the most dedicated people I know. Whatever she puts her mind to, she will do. Freshman year track is often a difficult jump for 8th graders mainly because of the increase in work required. I know Maddie will make the jump easily because she will step up to whatever is asked of her. I know she iwll have asuccessful season based solel on ow much she cares and I’m excited to see what she does,” Ellie said.

Gabe Ralston has spent most of his life playing sports. Gabe can always be found around a baseball diamond or a football field. Baseball was his first love, which he started playing around age 4. However once he began playing football in second grade, there was no turning back.

“I love the community and the family environment that is around a football team,” said Ralston .

Where most feel nervous or scared, on the football field is where Gabe Ralston thrives. The physicality and the quickness of the game is right where he belongs. Gabe finds peace within the madness of such a brutal game.

“I love the physicality of the game and the toughness that it takes to perform at a high level,” said Ralston.

Ralston grew up in Iowa City, and attended both Lincoln and Penn elementary before entering his first year at City High. Through this journey Gabe has met some of his best friends and closest teammates whom he is looking forward to playing with for the next 4 years.

According to senior Rito Perez ‘25, “Gave shows up every day and works hard to make everyone better whenever he can. You can tell he really loves football an cares about the team.”

Gabe is looking forward to this football season and has high expectations for himself and the team. Being a younger member of a very experienced team, Gabe is eager to learn what he can from older Little Hawks, such as Perez, and hopes to grow both as a player and as an athlete.

When asked of his goals to play sports at the next level, Ralston certainly has high ones.

“I would love to play football in college, I think it would be an awesome experience and lots of fun.”