Some schools dominate a single sport, while others excel across the board, leaving a lasting mark on the competitive landscape.

Other schools struggle to secure victories, earning reputations instead for their losing streaks.

Van Nuys doesn’t fit neatly into either category, standing as a competitive yet accessible opponent for many schools.

Much like the Chiefs versus the Raiders or the Dodgers against the Giants, Van Nuys grapples with identifying their true rival. 

“It’s hard to say, but maybe San Fernando or Kennedy,” suggested girls tennis captain senior Loc Handke about choosing the perfect rival. “They’re about our level so it’s always tough whenever we play them.” 

With teams often matched, pinpointing a definitive rival in the league becomes challenging.

“As a school I would like to say Kennedy,” football wide receiver senior Nicholas Phuong said.

Clashes with Kennedy are unforgettable, cementing the Wolves and Golden Cougars as natural rivals.

“I would say that our biggest rival would either be Kennedy or Reseda,” girls volleyball outside hitter and defensive specialist senior Joanie Idisro said.

Reseda emerges as a contender for rivalry, a status driven by more personal motivations.

“I know that Kennedy is also our rival for other sports, but for Reseda I think it’s a more personal  thing,” Isidro said. “We used to have affiliations with the coach there so we just kinda like to play our best against him and show out.”

Facing a former coach’s new team can spark animosity, fueling a rivalry that drives players to showcase their progress. Personal matters play a huge part in rivalry.

The girls volleyball team played the team of a former coach who used to coach for them. Seeing the coach with the rival team ignited hostile feelings and resulted in the girls trying their absolute best.

“A couple of times we’ve gotten in a couple fights with Kennedy,” Phuong said.

On-field tensions flare, with physical sports often sparking foul play and heated exchanges.

Sharing a division fuels competitive fires, pushing players to assert dominance in every encounter. 

In football, school rivals assert dominance by intimidating the other team, unable to stay composed or stay focused on scoring and getting their job done.

Kennedy’s competitive spirit and athletic prowess intensify the tension, making every match a high-stakes affair. 

The fierce home-and-away matchups between Van Nuys and Kennedy have fostered a long-standing rivalry rooted in mutual respect.

“They’re a strong foe, they have good players,” boys water polo wing and sprinter junior Wyatt Lee said.

Athletes at Van Nuys see Kennedy as the “final boss”, marking their matchups as highlights of the sports calendar.

“Due to their athleticism and history, I would consider Kennedy the hardest game we’ll face during the season,” said football middle linebacker junior Abraham Ceja.

Across all sports, Kennedy stands as a formidable adversary challenging Van Nuys athletes to elevate their game. 

Triumphing over Kennedy is a celebrated achievement, marking a significant milestone for Van Nuys athletes and coaches.

“It makes it more intense and knowing that that’s our rival helps us strive to play perfect and drives us to want to win and execute our job,” Ceja said.

The teams at Van Nuys High School make it important to win games, especially against the Kennedy Golden Cougars.

Each clash with the Cougars is unpredictable, a testament to the fierce rivalry. This year, the Wolves are poised to seize their chance to prove their mettle against Kennedy.

 “It’s a lot of a mindset thing, when us as a team come together, we can do anything,” said Ceja.