Senior Jahlani Tavai exudes talent in multiple sports

By Sierra Williams
Sports Editor

While most athletes exhibit their athletic talents in a single sport, senior Jahlani Tavai plays varsity football and junior varsity volleyball for Mira Costa as well as rugby for the Los Angeles Rugby Club.

Tavai plays tight end and defensive end for Costa. As a freshman, he played on the freshman team and was a backup player for varsity. Since he was undersized for a defensive lineman, Tavai had to prove that he was able to play defense.

“I decided to play offense, which worked out well because I grew,” Tavai said.

Tavai is a football team co-captain, along with senior Brandon Mills. According to Mills, Tavai is a strong leader and hard worker.

“Tavai is captain of our team because he keeps fighting and proves that he deserves to lead our team,” Mills said.

Last year, Tavai joined the junior varsity volleyball team as a middle blocker with little experience in the sport.

Although volleyball is important to Tavai, rugby is the family’s passion. Last season, the Griffins, an all-star rugby team in California, asked him to play for them as a wing. They later elected him to be an All-American, allowing him to compete at the international level.

“I didn’t think I would go far because I thought I was an average player,” Tavai said. “After the Griffins picked me up, I thought I was pretty good.”

An official rugby program will be introduced to Costa this year as a winter sport. According to Tavai, rugby helps in improving his football skills.

“Rugby makes me faster, helps me run the ball better and improves my cuts,” Tavai said. “The sports are pretty similar.”

Tavai is interested in many Division I schools and wants to play football or rugby professionally.

“I hope I get an athletic scholarship,” Tavai said. “I am excited for the rugby program to come to Costa, and I hope people will come out and try it.”