Where are the girls?
The Middle College flag football tournament cerebrates their victory in the small school flag football team.
She attended practice two times a week, two hours each time. She dedicated time and effort to the sport, all leading up to the big day. On the day of the game, everyone got to play at least once, everyone but her. She didn’t join as a cheerleader, she joined as a player.
Middle College is one example of sports not working in a coed environment. If you were to look at the pictures of every pep rally and all our games, you would find maybe two. Not to mention that when a girl does make the team, she is never seen on the field. My school is only one example of co-ed teams not working, but there have been many others.
More often than not, the boys don’t want to pass the ball. They want to be the star of the games. They also play as though the girls can’t keep up. In fact, a lot of their female teammates feel lucky if they even get to touch the ball once during a game or get a free throw.
When asking girls what they thought of the ratio, they had a lot of things to say.
Freshman Ines Gonzales said, “I feel intimidated by the amount of boys who join. I would join if there were more girls.”
This tells me that girls like sports; they are up to play as long as it is with other girls. They don’t get nearly enough playtime as boys do, even though they’ve put the same amount, if not more, hard work than them. We all know that by the end of the game, the girl would only enter the field once the entire game. Separating the two would put a stop to this.
Freshman Michell Martinez, who played volleyball, soccer, and basketball in middle school said she would not be joining sports in high school.
Martinez said, “I think that the boys would judge me if I were to join because I would be the only one.”
Many girls have expressed similar fears as try-out days come closer, losing faith in making the team. They feel as though they’d be left out during practices and not be put in on the day of the game. Not being put in at the actual game would mean all the hard work they put in during practices would go to waste. This wouldn’t be the case if there was an all-girls tournament. Girls would finally have their own time to shine, especially after being in the shadow of boys for so long.
Sophomore Yarethsi Leal, who has experienced both an all-girls and coed team said she had a much better experience with the all-girls team.
“I remember being mad after every game because I had only touched the ball a few times,” she said.
Since Leal played at an all-girls team in middle school she was very shocked to find that MCHS did not offer that same experience. She had a lot of fun playing her favorite sport with all her friends after a hard day at school. Sports are a fun way to bond with your friends and be active. Unfortunately, the majority of girls at MCHS do not get to have that for themselves.
Because of these premises, coed teams are doomed from the start; girls are often left out and bored. This is why MCHS teams should be separate just like every other high school. This would allow everyone to have a fair and equal opportunity to compete in the small school tournament.
“I look forward to the day I can actually participate in sports at Middle College,” said Leal.

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Aaliyah Candela • Feb 12, 2020 at 9:45 am
I have played on an all boys soccer team and being the only girl it was imitating but I had to take my place on the team, even if I was the only girl I had to show the coaches that I could play as good as the boys and especially for me it was hard to get play time in games because I had to show I was good as all the other boys just to get 5 minutes of playing and if I did it would be at the end of the game. Once I was being put in more, there were more girls being added to the team.
Anonymous • Dec 13, 2019 at 2:34 pm
I get what the article says but there won’t be a difference unless either a) more girls try out or b) there’s an all girls team. We’re not like regular schools so we don’t have many options as girls, but if you really want to do something you’ll do it despite being judged about it because it’ll be something you’re passionate about. When you really do want to do something you’ll do it regardless of others. You can’t just let judgement influence your actions all your life because then there will be no joy.
Alexandra Quinones • Dec 13, 2019 at 11:36 am
To the readers and author of this article,
Having been the only girl on one of the sports teams my freshman year, I’m conflicted about the “solution” this article has come up with. The truth is, sports, even in this small school, are a time commitment and not everyone decides to put in that effort or can because of other responsibilities. Nevertheless, I think if the girls really wanted to be on the team they would try out and join without caring about what the boys on the team say/do and without caring if there are other girls or not. If all the girls were intimidated to join because of that last reason, they should’ve thought to themselves, “I’ll be the first. If I join that’ll encourage another girl and so on.” However, thats not what happened. We also need to think about who the girls would compete against if they formed a team and how they would practice.
Mary Serrato • Dec 13, 2019 at 11:12 am
the school district should fund a girl football team
Chachi Martin • Dec 13, 2019 at 11:06 am
There is a junior female at MCHS who has tried for over a year to create an all girls volleyball team. She was consistent with Mr. Voight and even recruited a decent amount of females that would like to participate. To my understanding, Mr. Voight has done nothing with this idea. What I´m trying to say is that females at our school have tried to join and even make a team.
Also, if a student really wanted to join a team, they wouldn´t care about who else joins the team. Mr. Ramos puts in the players that he thinks are best for certain plays. Last year, many girls were on the team and they even scored touchdowns. Itś not that girls aren´t being put into the plays, it´s about the effort that they put in.
Ashley McDougall • Dec 13, 2019 at 11:03 am
I was scrolling through the articles and stumbled upon yours. It immediately brought a smile to my face. Thank you for addressing a topic that doesn’t get coverage or at least not as much recognition. I’ve been on the flag football team all four years, basketball for two, and on the soccer team going into my fourth year at this school. After attending practice and putting in a lot of effort to train in preparation for the big day I was slightly embarrassed and really bummed out to be the only player not put in the field. I’ve spoken to other female athletes and encouraged them to join but the reason stays unchanging, they say won’t be seen at the same level and will be judged. Despite my reassurance, I think this game, in particular, will only further deep-set that belief. I really appreciate the experience I’ve had with my teammates however I hope that the school will work towards improving the experience and making it more inclusive for both genders.
Angel Hernandez • Dec 13, 2019 at 11:02 am
I found it ironic how they let Miguel, a person who is not physically in the school, play in the football game, but they didn’t let an actual student who is in the school play.
Brianna Avila • Dec 13, 2019 at 11:02 am
I think there should be more girls in sports and that boy should involve the girls just as much as the other boys. I know that there are some girls that can beat boys in sports so they should be included. I wonder what would happen if there where more girls in these sports.
Tina Vu • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:59 am
Mr. Ramos said, “I was going put her in. But then the ref ended the game too soon. One minute early.” He even told Ashley to get ready. In the past, several girls have been apart of flag football team.
Tony Vu • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:59 am
I mean Ashley
Tony Vu • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:56 am
I agree with what you are talking about for the football game but Mr. Ramos said that “at the end of the day it a game and the goal is trying to win, he even told us that if you don’t know the routes or the play then don’t expect to play.” But I can remember when Ramos called Ahsley up a route and she was very excited but unfortunately it was 2quarter and the game ended.
Ethan Kolenyi • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:55 am
I feel like girls shouldn’t be afraid or intimidated to join the team. If anything, the girls that join will have even more respect. Being a future leader of the team, I want to make sure there is a welcoming and positive environment. The team is rated E for everyone!
Bryan Ariza • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:52 am
I agree with this because I feel like girls should be more involved when joining sports and they could maybe even help out a lot.
Alondra Luis • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:52 am
Maybe it is not about the gender but the ability of the player.:)
Andrew • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:52 am
Amazing article
Andrew • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:51 am
Very good article
Jason Andrei Espiritu • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:51 am
So to speak on this topic, I personally believe that girls shouldn’t be nervous about being judged for joining a sport, if anything they’ll gain more respect because they’re being brave and joining.
Pablo Agustin • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:51 am
Sports are not supported in this school. This school is more focused on academics than sports, and I think it isn’t much concern that girls do not play in sports. There is the dance team, which is basically all girls, and some guys don’t play any games as well.
Joe Ramirez • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:51 am
I feel really bad for her
Christina • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:51 am
But maybe it’s not the gender, but the ability of the player,
catherine • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:50 am
i really liked your article and the message being spread. i think it’s really interesting how you interviewed other students to get their perspectives.
Michell Martinez • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:50 am
I hope more girls would be able to relate to this and join the sport
Brenda Granados • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:49 am
I love this article, you speak for mostly every girl at this school that feel the same way. I personally feel as if this is a big problem at this school that isn’t given enough attention.
I. Ocampo • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:49 am
I can relate to this story on a personal level. Last year I was on the football team and i was one of the only 3 girls on the team. I worked so hard in practice and the fact I never got to play in the tournament made me give up sports overall because of the small ratio of girls.
Alondra Luis • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:49 am
Maybe it is not about the gender but the ability of the player
Adriana Flores • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:49 am
This article was really well written and it spoke about an important topic that isn’t really noticed. A change needs to be made.
Michelle Kerk • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:49 am
This is really good and encouraging. I hope to see a change at MCHS in the future.
Sonia • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:48 am
I really liked it overall and I totally agree with the point it is making!
Cristina Pate • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:46 am
I agree with the interviewees. I feel intimidated by the amount of males on the sports teams. The only “sport” I have done is Wizards for Water because there were more females on the team.
Bryanna Rodriguez • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:46 am
I agree with this article, people think women can’t do as much as men can. Women don’t get as many opportunities as men do. Some women believe all sports were made for men so they don’t try out for sports as much. Good Job!
Susana • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:45 am
I agree with you because girls/ women don’t get the same opportunities as guys. They are too afraid to show how good they are in things and I believe girls need to be heard and noticed more. This time girls won’t be in the guys shadow. Great Job!
elizabeth correa • Dec 13, 2019 at 10:42 am
I agree with this story because although our school isn’t big on sports, it does get us involved. And I dont see a lot of girls in sports anymore therefore lots of girls feel not included in sports. Great story!