PACA’s Football, Basketball and Cheer Athletes getting back into shape

Coach Ze begins practice with some encouragement and inspirational words. [by Dr. Cristina Meier]

by Felipe Wilcken

The 2025-2026 PACA’s athletics program began their first semester of sports with a new rule that will change the team dynamics for who will be eligible to participate on the two levels of teams available to secondary students.

The three main sports of the first semester, soccer, basketball and cheerleading were the first to feel this change. 

PACA football (a.k.a. soccer) is coached by Zé Adriano and Fabio Oliveira. The PACA football team was the most affected by the new rule that will no longer allow ninth graders to participate in middle school sports (which was once known as JV). Another effect of this change is that the team has more players unlike the past few years. As a result, the coaches have more options to form the team.

Rafael Oliveira is a ninth grade student who plays CDM on the team and is looking forward to the challenge. 

 “I expect a good season,” said Oliveira. “We have very determined players, so I believe we have a lot to achieve.” 

As a PACA player, getting the result is nice, but what really matters to the team is unity. 

“The best thing is being able to be in a community that builds you up,” said Oliveira.

According to medical experts and Jama Network, high school is a perfect time to begin participating in organized sports.  For students hesitating, they should keep this in mind, especially as PACA looks to grow their teams to include new talent and foster potential among its new athletes.

The Middle School basketball team practices their dribbling and shooting at the beginning of afternoon practice. [by Cristina Meier]

The coaches for the basketball teams are Mr. Brian Zuercher and Coach Matheus Ratke. Basketball is a five team sport that is dynamic enough to allow all players to rotate on the court at all times. 

PACA basketball has been very strong these past few years, according to ninth grade basketball player, Benjamin Portella. 

Aline Dobashi is also a ninth grade student and she is a winger on the Varsity Girls Basketball team this year.  After playing on the JV team last year, she has several expectations for this season as a Varsity player. 

“I believe both teams (boys and girls) can get at least 3rd,” said Dobashi, “and the girls can get a medal in SPHSL.“ 

According to Dobashi, in spite of the team being small, they have a strong bond and unity. 

Just like soccer, students are encouraged to start playing basketball right now for its health benefits in their lives in general.

Cheerleading at PACA has remained a Varsity sport for quite a few years.  There have not been any middle school participants due to lack of coaches available.  This year, the coaching for high school has fallen down to one coach for its all girls sport. The cheerleading coach is Mrs. Vanessa Flurry. There are 12 girls on the team after the tryouts at the end of last school year. 

Every year, the cheer coaches choose the core of their team at the end of the year to prepare for the upcoming school year.  Even with the loss of one coach at the end of last year, this year is no different. Cheer practice began as scheduled. 

Sophia Vergara, is a ninth grader and a new flyer for the cheer team. Although she has not participated in cheer throughout her middle school years, she is ready to face the challenge of high school competition.

 “I hope we come in first place,” said Vergara. “We are working hard and we will give it our all.” 

As an eighth grade student, she participated in the tryouts at the end of last year, and managed to secure a position on the team.  She found herself fitting into the team as soon as the new school year started.

 ‘’As a rookie I could not have been more welcomed,” said Vergara. 

According to Vergaga, their expectations are high, team unity is amazing and there is a lot to cheer for this year.

The Varsity Cheerleaders listen to some final instructions from Coach Vanessa Flurry before beginning their daily exercise and practice routines. [ by Cristina Meier]

All athletes are expected to keep the standards listed in the “Code of Conduct” as written out by the PACA athletic department.  The athletes at PACA are reminded of this when their coaches explain that every student should try to honor the word “Christian” in the school’s name “Pan American Christian Academy.” 

This kind of unity helps all the coaches stay focused on the same goals as they get their athletes back into shape for the new season of games and tournaments.