As the 2024 school year moves closer to summer break, the senior athletes of various spring sports at Fair Grove wrap up their final season of their high school career.
At Fair Grove High School, there are multiple spring sports where different seniors motivate the team throughout the season. Seniors can play a vital role in the success of their season. Younger teammates tend to look up to the athletes with more experience.
Lindsey Martin, a science teacher at Fair Grove Middle School, has run the high school track team for eight seasons.
When asked about her track seniors, Martin said, “Their leadership and their understanding of the expectations for the program is what I value most. I will miss how this group makes me cry with laughter. They always brighten my day. I will also miss how they lead by example in their work ethic and seriousness when it matters most.”
Over the years of countless hours of training, these senior athletes have learned skills and lessons that they can apply past their high school years. Track and field senior, Luke Buescher (12) stated, “If I could give advice to a teammate, it would be that success is all about learning that discipline is more important than motivation, continuing to get back up after a failure and doing the extra things outside of practice.”
Along with the dedication and hardwork that the seniors put towards their team, comes their leadership role as the upperclassmen. Tara Whetzell, the Fair Grove High School Softball coach, explained, “This group of seniors especially have been very patient and uplifting to our underclassmen. With that being said, they have created an environment that allows our underclassmen to be themselves and really come together as a team.”
All the memories and experiences that the seniors have gained will continue with them past high school. Hailey Merillat (12), a senior on the girls soccer team, stated, “My favorite memory in soccer was junior year, when Alyssa Snitker (12), Evyn Jones (12), Karla Sabata, and I all went to the field and practiced shooting blindfolded before the season even started.”
Additionally, Faith Klindworth (12), a senior of the softball team, stated “This sport has always meant a lot to me but being able to play in high school has given me some of my best friends and most memorable moments.”
As the year wraps up, the spring sport senior athletes take this chance to experience their sport for the last time in high school.
