In an era where most athletes dedicate themselves to specializing in one sport, senior Charlotte Philkill has taken a different approach—excelling in multiple disciplines that test endurance, strength and mental resilience. Whether she’s racing on a mountain bike, leading her team in the pool or practicing martial arts, Philkill’s commitment to pushing herself to the limit is undeniable. With impressive achievements in mountain biking, water polo, swimming and taekwondo, she has made a name for herself as one of Redwood’s most versatile athletes.

“I feel like [all the sports I do] contribute to each other. I wouldn’t be able to commit to just one because I get bored. I like doing all of them,” Philkill said.

Philkill’s athletic journey began at a young age, influenced by her family and a natural curiosity to try new sports. She picked up mountain biking early on but didn’t start competing until her freshman year of high school. By her sophomore year, she joined the Bear Mountain Biking National Team and the Redwood Mountain Biking Team, her first experiences with competitive racing.

“My dad was a mountain biker, so he was the one that got me into it,” Philkill said. “I began to travel a lot for competitive races, got good coaches and experienced great races.”

Prior to riding a mountain bike, Philkill was introduced to taekwondo, instantly finding a passion for the sport at just five years old, and eventually becoming a third-degree black belt.

“I started taekwondo at a very young age, but I just kept going back and I really liked it. I worked my way up to receive a first-degree black belt at 11 to now a third-degree black belt,” Philkill said.

Like many children in Marin, she started swimming at a young age, competing with Tidalwaves Swim Club. That experience eventually led her to try water polo — though not in the way she expected. Originally, she hoped to play volleyball, but after not making Redwood’s team, she turned to water polo as a way to stay active. Already a strong swimmer, she quickly adapted to the sport and made the varsity team by sophomore year.

“A few of my friends recommended water polo to me as a freshman, so I tried out, never touching a ball before, and made the team. I found it really fun to do, so sophomore year, I took a leap and decided to try out for varsity, not expecting that I would make it, but I did,” Philkill said.

Senior Annabelle Kilgore has played water polo and swam with Philkill since they were freshmen. She spoke to Philkill’s hard work and cheerfulness in water polo.

“As an individual, [Philkill] rarely ever missed a practice, worked hard in every drill and relentlessly pushed herself to ask questions and understand plays,” Kilgore said. “She didn’t just bring skills to our team, but every single time she walked onto the pool deck, whether it was for swimming or water polo, she had a smile on her face and a positive attitude.”

While mountain biking, taekwondo, swimming and water polo might seem vastly different, Philkill sees strong connections between them.

“A lot of mountain biking when you’re training is low zone: keeping your heart rate down and going at a faster pace. I feel like that’s really applicable because that’s what you want to do when you are swimming,” Philkill said.

Her experience in mountain biking has helped her develop controlled breathing and pacing, which translates well into swimming. Meanwhile, the explosive power needed for mountain biking sprints and taekwondo matches has enhanced her ability to perform under pressure in water polo.

Philkill found a deep camaraderie in team sports like water polo and the Redwood mountain biking team. In water polo, she values the problem-solving aspects and the trust between teammates, especially in high-pressure moments.

“Figuring stuff out as a team, even without the coaches and lifting each other up and believing in each other creates that team spirit that I enjoy,” Philkill said. “When we’re in the water and we have a hard game, we have to rely on each other [which] makes a really special bond.”

In mountain biking, the team offers a more relaxed and adventurous environment, allowing Philkill to push herself while also having fun exploring new trails.

“It’s a highlight of my week,” Philkill said. “What I like about it is that it isn’t the same route every single time I go out and ride. There’s always something new or funny that’s happening.”

As she looks ahead, Philkill plans to continue mountain biking at the collegiate level. Depending on where she attends, she’s also open to joining a club water polo team. Reflecting on her athletic journey, she believes one of the most valuable lessons she has learned is the importance of pushing past mental barriers—an ability that has shaped her success across all her sports.

“Everyone has fears that we create in our heads. Instead of letting them stop you, acknowledge them and push past them. Apply yourself—don’t let fear hold you back from trying. And if you fail, do it again,” Philkill said.

Reminiscing about her senior year, Philkill feels proud of the progress she’s made—not just in terms of results, but in personal growth and resilience.

“The results weren’t always exactly what I wanted, but competing in so many different sports was a huge learning curve,” Philkill said. “I learned so much from everything I did and there were moments that made all the hard work worth it.” 

With her unwavering determination and love for competition, Philkill leaves a legacy of hard work, versatility and fearless ambition, making her a true inspiration for future Redwood athletes.

“She could single-handedly lift our team spirit,” Kilgore said. “I’m lucky to have had her as a friend and teammate for water polo and swimming these past four years. She is truly one of the most joyful and determined people that I know.”