As the winter season ends, so do the athletic careers of many seniors. Four years of high school culminating in one last game, meet, match, or competition. Seniors have to process leaving both their sport and team behind.
“It’s definitely going to be hard,” Alex Gong (12), a member of the boys swim and dive team, said. “Next year, when I know that the team is [moving] on without me and Sammy [Ryniec (12)], it’s just going to be a sad feeling because it [has] been a part of our lives for so long.”
Seniors have taken on leadership roles that help shape the team. Gong is co-captain of the diving team along with Ryniec. Captains, along with other seniors, have offered helping hands to their teammates. The seniors on the boys basketball team have also been a great support to their team.
“Simeon Friedman (12) is like a mentor, and Jake Dillon (12) helped fix my shooting form,” Nolan Brettner (11), a member of the boy’s basketball team, said in an email interview.
This is also the case for the cheer team. Three of this year’s seniors have been on the varsity team for all four years of high school. This year’s cheer team has two freshmen on varsity, and the seniors are there to help.
“Being nervous before competitions and [then] talking to [the seniors] always helps because they have so much experience,” Brielle Davis (9), a member of the cheer team, said.
Both seniors and their teammates have to process the sorrows of the seniors’ last season.
“I didn’t think I’d be so sad, and I didn’t think I’d be that close with [the seniors], because I’m a freshman and they are seniors,” Davis said. “I’m definitely going to be sad when they leave because I’ve built relationships [with them].”
The seniors have built many bonds while competing at VHHS. They carry on traditions, assist new teammates and improve team culture. This is clear for the boy’s basketball team.
“[The seniors] bring the energy day in and day out and boost the team’s morale along with the coaching staff,” Brettner said.
Team bonding can also help build connections between teammates and create great memories.
“I really enjoy all the pasta parties we have… and [at one of these parties] we made gingerbread houses,” Mia Bellini (12), a member of the gymnastics team, said.
Bellini has been doing gymnastics since she was two years old, and has been in high school gymnastics all throughout her four years at VHHS.
“I’m definitely sad about [leaving the team],” Bellini said. “It’s just like a new chapter in my life. I’ve never really been without gymnastics because I’ve been doing it for so long.”