How can an athlete’s perspective change over four years? From the first day of freshman year to walking the stage at graduation, how much can student-athletes accomplish? Some kids start playing their sport at just three years old and work their entire childhood to achieve that dream or goal of being the best, or even just good. Some AL seniors feel at peace but also sad about playing their sport one last time in high school.
Senior volleyball player Lydia Dix says this year she feels more like a confident leader on the court.
“I feel in my senior year I’ve taken on the role as a leader, helping my teammates, and being a role model for underclassmen,” said Dix. “As a senior, I also feel I’m fundamentally better and being more confident on the court. It’s definitely changed a lot from when I started playing in 1st grade.”
Senior football player Eteine Higgins says as a senior taken on the role of helping freshmen and making connections.
“As a senior, I’ve stepped up by being there and making sure freshmen know what to do at all times and stepping up as a big brother figure for them,” said Higgins. “Talking to them and focusing on making connections with them. For people wanting to join sports; just stick with it, the first time you play you aren’t gonna be on varsity you need to work for it.”
Senior cross country runner Cooper Haddix says for people wanting to join sports; just go for it, everyone messes up so just gonna be like everyone there. Although Haddix doesn’t plan on running cross country in college, he enjoyed his time while at AL.
“In college, I plan on mainly focusing on track, but for people wanting to join any sport just go for it; everyone is new to it and there’s no point in constantly worrying what everyone else is doing when they’re probably just worrying, too,” said Haddix.
Senior football player Aiden Sandbothe says that the journey to being a senior in sports is persevering and putting in the work from day one.
“Just stay committed, stay on top of your school work, and just push through when it gets hard. Making sure that you’re showing up each year and putting in the work to get to that position by your senior year is super important.”
