One Last Run

As the last ball is thrown and the final finish line is crossed, this year’s spring sports season comes to an end at JA.

This past season has been filled with friendship, notable achievements and warm memories. For some students, being a part of a team means more than just participating in the sport.

“My first season on the track team has been a really great experience,” senior Brynn Sorice said. “I love getting to be outside every day and spend that time with my friends. It’s a great community and I love being surrounded by my favorite people while moving my body and getting exercise.”

Being a part of the JA athletic community is a great way for student athletes to gain new experiences and broaden their horizons. Some students note that this may be one of the best parts of being in a sport.

“My favorite moments from the season have just been going to practice,” Sorice said. “We laughed so much and just getting to spend that time with my friends is one of my favorite things.”

Many students exhibit personal growth throughout the course of their high school athletic career. Junior Tate Stadler is a part of the lacrosse team and has been through many ups and downs this season on the path to future success.

“This season has been interesting. We haven’t won many games, but I’ve improved a lot as a player,” Stadler said. “In the beginning of the season, I was a lot more timid. I didn’t score at all, but toward the end of the season, I’m more aggressive and I’ve started scoring.”

While some students have focused on the past season and how they have changed, others are concentrating on getting ready for next year. Junior Sarah Otterstetter competes on the girls’ golf team and has already started working toward improvement.

“I didn’t have a lot of time to practice over the summer, so I think I’m going to make more time to practice this summer so I can be better,” Otterstetter said. “Golf is not really something that some people can just be naturally good at because it’s so mechanical. But I know a lot of people who started, and as long as you put in the effort, it can improve really fast.”

Putting in the time and effort it takes to be a student athlete is only half the battle. For junior Ben Peterson, breaking the school record for strikeouts on the JA boys’ baseball team has come through setting goals and striving to achieve them.

“I didn’t know I broke the school record until after the game,” Peterson said. “That night felt pretty good. I wasn’t expecting to break a strikeout record, but my goal was to tie it.”

While some goals are individual, others involve the entire team. Coming together as one unit creates an atmosphere of support that boosts student athletes to the next level.

“I want to go to finals in the soccer playoffs,” junior Lily Glasmann said. “Some of the friends I’ve made are seniors and they’re going to graduate, and the season has gone by so fast. To me, this would mean that we were able to work together to really achieve this big milestone.”