Inside the Sunset Rewind Street Team Experience with Sam Pearsall, Matthew Beekman, and Ryker Budde

Meet the Street Team (0:00)

Sam Pearsall, a junior at Corona del Mar, handles photography for Sunset Rewind.

Matthew Beekman, a senior at Newport Harbor, conducts sideline interviews.

Ryker Budde, also a senior at Newport Harbor, joins Matthew as a sideline interviewer.

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How the Street Team Has Helped Them Grow (1:20)

Sam shares how the experience has allowed her to explore her creativity and showcase her work.
Ryker explains how joining the team pushed him out of his comfort zone and opened the door to something he could see himself pursuing in the future.
Matthew reflects on how it’s helped improve his communication skills, especially his ability to think quickly and improvise during interviews.

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Sam’s Photography Strategy (2:30)

Sam talks about staying ready with her camera and focusing on the action—especially players in possession of the ball. She loves capturing dynamic, in-the-moment shots.

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Expectations vs. Reality (3:10)

Ryker notes that he’s learned to come up with interview questions on the fly and that it’s becoming more natural with time.
Matthew shares that sideline interviews have helped him gain new perspectives on sports, especially as players break down plays and strategies during interviews.

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Favorite Moments So Far (4:20)

Sam highlights the Battle of the Bay lacrosse game, noting the unmatched rivalry and energy.

Ryker recalls the Newport Harbor baseball opener, when Lucas Perez hit a walk-off double—and Ryker had the chance to interview him postgame.

Matthew remembers the first round of the basketball playoffs, when Gavin Guy hit a buzzer beater and he and Ryker got to interview the players afterward.

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Interactions with Coaches (5:50)

Ryker shares a fun story about a positive exchange with a Newport Harbor coach, who was enthusiastic about the interviews. The players even gathered around during the segment, adding to the energy.

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Advice for Future Street Team Members (6:20)

Sam encourages students to try something new, especially if it’s outside their comfort zone.
Matthew emphasizes that you won’t know if it’s for you until you try—and it’s a great way to gain exposure to different aspects of sports media.
Ryker suggests giving it a shot: it’s a valuable experience that helps build your resume, and if you enjoy it, you can keep going.

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Looking Ahead (7:40)

Sam plans to continue improving her photography and stick with it.
Matthew is looking forward to playoff season and hopes to connect with a wider audience.
Ryker is excited for playoff baseball and hopes to interview several players, especially since he’s close with the team.

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Final Takeaways (8:40)

All three students express gratitude for being part of the Street Team and highly recommend the experience to others.

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Special Thanks

A big thank you to Sam Pearsall, Matthew Beekman, and Ryker Budde for joining us and for all the incredible work you’ve done with Sunset Rewind. Keep it up!