The new school year is bringing more than students back to Moreno Valley classrooms. Athletic fields, gymnasiums and swimming pools are also coming alive as fall sports competition gets underway at Moreno Valley Unified School District high schools.
The district's official athletics calendar shows August competition involving Moreno Valley High School, Canyon Springs High School, Valley View High School and Vista del Lago High School. Girls flag football, girls volleyball and boys water polo were among the sports beginning competition during the opening weeks of August.
Moreno Valley High's varsity girls flag football team, for example, participated in the Hillcrest Flag Football Tournament on August 8 before hosting Temecula Valley on August 10. Canyon Springs opened August competition with girls volleyball at Colton and girls flag football games against Yucaipa and Norte Vista.
Valley View's schedule has been equally active. Its boys varsity water polo team hosted Aquinas on August 10, while girls flag football competed against Los Osos and Victor Valley. Valley View's girls volleyball program also welcomed Grand Terrace for matches on August 12.
Vista del Lago athletes were busy as well. The varsity girls volleyball team participated in the A.B. Miller Tournament on August 8, followed by matches involving Rubidoux and Indian Springs. Girls flag football also appeared on the school's early-season schedule.
The opening weeks are only the beginning. The district calendar shows additional August competition in football, cross country, girls golf, girls tennis, volleyball, water polo and flag football as Moreno Valley's fall athletic season gains momentum.
High school athletics can become an important part of the educational experience. Practices and competition require students to balance academics with demanding schedules while developing teamwork, discipline, responsibility and perseverance. At the same time, games provide families, classmates and alumni with opportunities to gather and support their neighborhood schools.
This season also continues the growing presence of girls flag football in local high school athletics. With multiple Moreno Valley schools already competing during August, the sport is adding another opportunity for female student-athletes to represent their campuses.
For families interested in attending upcoming competitions, MVUSD maintains athletic calendars for each of its four comprehensive high schools, allowing residents to follow schedules throughout the season.
As another academic year begins, Moreno Valley's student-athletes are already demonstrating that some of the most memorable lessons of high school happen beyond the classroom. Every practice, match and game offers another opportunity to represent a school, strengthen a team and build the kind of determination that can remain with students long after the final whistle.