Justin looks back

Justin started every 8th grade baseball game this season. Hope he still has an arm.

I still remember the first time the man named Mr. Bryan Cheung walked into our third grade classroom. We all just simply stared at him. Not in awe, kind of more on the freaked-out side because his face looked too interesting...Just kidding.

He started talking about how we could participate in a sports program at St. Mary’s. “Oh,” I thought. “Cool.” Little did anyone know that the Bryan Cheung Era would be more than just “cool.”

As the youngest class to participate in sports since the Bryan Cheung Era began, we will truly miss playing in team sports at St. Mary’s School, and we are more than thankful for the opportunities Bryan provided for everyone.

You know, back then, St. Mary’s was only known for its skillful basketball teams. Baseball teams were sometimes assembled, but the opposing schools were too competitive. Bryan Cheung changed that. Today, St. Mary’s Athletics is excelling in volleyball, soccer, and even baseball! Well, we’re working on baseball…

Students might often hate Bryan for “forcing” them to play a sport. They are very, very wrong. TRUST ME. I am telling you right now on this blog entry: Go out there. Play. Have some fun. “Just Do It.” –Nike

In all seriousness though, many just don’t realize how much playing a team sport may benefit their lives. You don’t ever want to look back and think, “Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.”

           

Through the years, while playing sports, we have not only had unbelievably fun times. We built memories which will be cherished forever… and ever… ever… yeah. Although many of our boys sports teams have not been to a single championship game, the times we had are simply unforgettable.

As a team, we learned how to play our hearts out, fight through adversity together, and to be patient with one another. Despite all the comments and observations Bryan made about our team chemistry, to me, we WERE the definition of “teamwork.”

Last but not least, the people I would really like to thank most are the coaches. Yes, I’m talking about you- Henry, Justin, Thanh, Aaron, Matt, Clarissa, Freddy, Calvin, Chris, Dion, Gavin, Mr. Mayfield, Brandon, David (aka Freddy lol), and James (sorry if I missed any of you guys). Man, you guys were pretty chill. Thanks for tolerating the times when we were so immature/uncooperative, and thank you for forgiving those who constantly abuse each other. I’m surprised that simple things like lack of behavior or fundamentals did not upset any coaches. You people were extremely patient.

Not only were they patient, they were all very dedicated, and made it so easy for us players to learn or pick up new skills. If it weren’t for them coaches, today, I would be shooting a free throw like Shawn Marion (thanks Brandon!), or swinging a bat like Matt Kemp (thanks Dion!). But no, that didn’t happen. Today, I shoot like Stephen Curry and have the pure swing of Nick Noonan… in my dreams.

Unfortunately, their devotion was still not enough for our teams to advance anywhere, due to some ups and downs during the season. I know, I won only one CYO game this entire school year, but I leave St. Mary’s Athletics with no regrets, as it was such an incredible experience through the past six years.

THANK YOU SO MUCH BRYAN CHEUNG! You have joined my list of role models and idols along with Michael Bublé and the Great, Godly, and Divine Number Seven of the Houston Rockets, whom you try to compare yourself to.

That’s basically it. I love you. God bless all. #shiftteam we out here.

 -Justin Guo, Class of 2013