As the Myers Park Spring Sports conclude their triumphant seasons, the seniors enjoy celebratory recognition nights complete with flowers, pictures, and monumental walks across the field, court, or track.
All sports are dictated by times, standings, and scores. Yet, it’s the moments spent alongside one’s team during practice, through sweat, grit, and struggle, that are often overlooked in the face of these numbers. The moments when relationships deepen and when teammates pick each other up after a hard practice prove to be far more memorable, as seen through the reflections provided by the following senior athletes.
While the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team heads into the conference finals, Avery Colwell reflects, “Being on the lacrosse team has given me the opportunity to form close relationships with my teammates and has taught me a lot about accountability and teamwork.”
Teamwork seems to be a common theme among these athletes as they look back on values and lessons they will transfer to their new post-high school lives.
Individual Conference Champion and member of the Conference Championship team for Men’s Varsity Tennis, Jason Ratledge, also speaks on teamwork, “Being on the team means being able to make a usually individual sport a group thing and winning and working on our goals together.”
For all of these athletes, consistency is key. Showing up everyday together not only strengthens the individual, but the team as well.
Ben Jarrett, a member of the Men’s Varsity Lacrosse team, speaks on consistency as he prepares for senior night, “Being on the lacrosse team has taught me how to persevere and stay consistent with a commitment, which has brought me closer to teammates and formed relationships that I’ll have for life.”
Community, family, and team: each of these concepts are mentioned by the following athletes, highlighting the connections developed within their sport.
Paige Maykowski, a member of the Women’s Varsity Softball team, discusses her experience before the conference tournament, “Being on the MPHS softball team has meant a lot to me because it has given me some of my best friends, the best coaches and some of the most amazing memories from high school.”
Another senior, Haley Cannady, from the Outdoor Track and Field team reflects on community after a memorable senior night, “To me, the MPHS track team has meant a place of community where everyone supports and pushes each other to be their best self whether on the track or off the track.”
Charlotte Simas, a senior on the Women’s Varsity Soccer team, recognizes her team after a win and a milestone achievement of 50 goals scored for Myers Park, “Being on the MPHS Soccer team has meant the world to me because it has brought me the best of friends that I am blessed to call my family. The moments shared and the love we have for each other makes the sacrifice more than worth it.”
Additionally, the Men’s Varsity Baseball team heads into the 4A Conference Tournament strong. After celebrating their last game at the Sink and a memorable senior night, Ike Schmidly notes, “The baseball team has helped me create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Lastly, Eli Schmidly remembers his time spent playing for the Men’s Varsity Golf team. After the team took home the Championship trophy from the Conference Tournament, Eli won Player of the Year!
He adds, “I would say MP Golf has meant a lot to me because we get to be on a team which is fun because golf is an individual sport. It’s fun to be able to travel together and play together.”
The consistent threads of community, teamwork, and family are woven into each senior’s reflection of their time spent playing in Myers Park green. So whether it’s sports, clubs, or other extracurriculars, build that team atmosphere, build others up, and build a community that will serve as a source of inspiration for years to come.