Four spring athletes share their hopes for the new season, and challenges their teams may face on the road to the postseason.

   As winter sports come to a close, spring sports teams prepare for another season on the field. With tryouts already underway, returning and aspiring varsity athletes get a feel for what this season will bring, and what needs work before the regular season begins. 

   Last season was momentous for many spring athletic programs. The girls soccer team fought all the way to the regional semifinals, and the track team brought many renowned athletes to the regional and state meets. “It was a little disappointing to lose in the regional semifinals, but I am really proud of everything we did last year, and overall we had a good season,” said varsity center-mid, senior Hayley Eck.  

   The new season means a change in lineups for all teams, and a chance for new athletes to prove themselves on the varsity level. “Our team lost a lot of seniors,” said three year varsity baseball player, senior Trent Weidman. “We lost our best pitcher, our catcher, and a lot of key seniors that were great leaders. This hurts our team, but forces younger players to step up and be leaders.” 

   Aside from a change in lineups, both the girls track and varsity lacrosse teams are introducing new coaches to their program with hopes of bringing a new dynamic to the field. “One of the biggest changes [this season is] the coaches,” said three year varsity lacrosse player and Division One commit, junior Mason Whitmore, “I think the new coaches will make us better since [they bring] more experience.”

   Tryouts began Feb 24, and lasted for three days as coaches evaluated prospective athletes. “The first week of the season is a good indicator of who will be on the invitational meet team because only about a third of the runners compete in Saturday meets,” said three year varsity track member, junior Kate Olia. Olia believes that tryouts are the best way for athletes to prepare for the varsity season.   

   Once the regular season begins, athletes will have to work through barriers that face them at the beginning of each season. “It will take some time to get where we left off because of all the seniors we lost,” said Weidman. “To get back to the level that we once were at, we need to step it up in practice.”

   Senior athletes hope to make the most out of their last season with their teams, and look to leave a lasting mark on their respective programs as they leave highschool behind. “ I am so excited for this season,” said Eck. “Most of us have played together for years, and I am really excited to have one last season all together.” 

   With the first scrimmages being played, teams are getting ready for the start of the season, and are hopeful for games to come. “I’m looking forward to my teammates. I’m excited to get close with the underclassmen and become more of a leader,” said Whitmore.