The girls softball team got the chance to give their farewell to their four-year returning seniors at the Tiger field. May 7 was a day filled with mixed emotions and bittersweet goodbyes.
Maliyah Salas (12) said, “My favorite memory from playing softball my all four years is the bond I created with some of the girls, it will make me miss them a lot after I leave.”
The bonds created through sports are uncomparable but so are the experiences you gain from the sports.
Mikayla Arista (12) said, “Representing this program as a varsity player for all four years has allowed me to grow alongside my teammates, create memories, and be part of something bigger than myself. I’m grateful for every lesson, challenge, and friendship this program has given me.”
Being chosen to be on varsity from freshman to senior year is most definitely a privilege in which Arista has learned to appreciate over time.
Salas has also been a returning varsity player ever since freshman year and she said, “While being on the team all four years it has made me realize how much you really see the field. I played my last two years on the field but when I first started playing I sat the bench so when I finally started playing it made it a lot more fun.”
Watching the game from an outside perspective can extend your knowledge of the game just as much as actually playing can, if not more.
Taetum Cardenas (12) shared her thoughts on being a varsity player since freshman year and she said, “I’m proud to have been on varsity since sophomore year and to represent my school with such a fun sport.”
Being a varsity player for any sport as a freshman is a huge accomplishment and having the ability to love a sport enough to dedicate time and motivation into it is a big deal.
Continuously having the motivation can get difficult but having support helps as Arista said, “The person who has had the biggest impact on my journey has been my dad. He has dedicated countless hours to helping me practice, and pushing me to improve.”
Support is important especially when dedicating all of your time to a sport that is hard to get a reward out of.
Salas said, “The person who made the biggest impact on my journey is my mom. She has motivated and pushed me to always be better and do my best in school ball no matter how little or much I was being played.”
Constantly putting in work can be a challenge on a students mental health when trying to balance both sports and school but it is a challenge that is able to be overcome as these three seniors have repeatedly proven.
