The WCHS athletics program is chock-full of athletes who are constantly setting records and achieving new and exciting goals. That is no different for WCHS senior Riya Menon who on March 31, announced her commitment to Duke University, making history as the first WCHS athlete to become a Division 1 hater.
Throughout high school, Menon has worked tirelessly on her eye rolls and side-eyes, sighs and sarcastic remarks. She has woken up early and gone to bed late to ensure that every last rep is performed and each technique is perfected. Her hating journey first began when she was 305 days old at the uttering of her first word: “no.”
“I have been hating almost since birth,” Menon said. “Ever since I was a little kid, I remember having this innate perception of other people and their ‘unique’ attributes. As a hater, my task is to focus on the smallest and most inconsequential details about others and spread awareness. Of course, it is much harder to do during competitions than it is in my day-to-day life. That is why I practice every day and treat my body and brain like a temple.”
Menon has been working one-on-one with a hating coach since she started freshman year at WCHS and was quickly recognized as D1 talent by the middle of the hating season. Her coach (and WCHS math teacher) Beth Meyers devises workout and nutrition plans to ensure maximum hatred and helps prepare Menon for all of her competitions.
“Hating is just like any other sport: you have to train and practice hard so that you can perform well at competitions,” Meyers said. “Training includes proper nutrition and care, perfecting the basics of hating as well as practicing the more advanced techniques. It is imperative that athletes practice hating every day, or else their skills get rusty. Luckily, it is something that can be done during the day, whether that be in classes, discussions or simply talking with classmates.”
Although WCHS does not have a competitive hating team, Menon has competed through a club organization outside of school. She was first scouted during her freshman season and has since fielded multiple college offers over the years before deciding on Duke. Although it is rare for freshmen to be recognized for their talent in hating, Menon stood out in a sea of hating prodigies.
“This sport is perfect for Riya—or maybe Riya is perfect for this sport,” Meyers said. “She has natural instincts that allow her to pick up any new skills or tricks I throw her way, and she is an incredibly hard worker. I have had the privilege of watching her grow as a hater over the past four years and I am so excited to see what she achieves in the next four.”
Football, baseball, and basketball are sports of the past; but hating is the sport of the future. With more viewers tuning in every year to watch the college-level and professional haters, it is clear that there is a bright future ahead for hating prodigies.
“My plan is to go professional,” Menon said. “Hating in college will provide me with an incredible foundation and work ethic to continue my pursuits at the professional level, and I am so excited to continue this incredible journey.”
