As the fall sports season has come to an end, the reality of being a senior is finally starting to hit the students at Arlington. “It’s very sad and I wish it didn’t have to be over, but for the past four years I couldn’t be more thankful for the time I’ve had and the experiences I got to be a part of,” said girls varsity soccer player, Lexi Miller-Wood.

Growing up, many of us find a love for a sport. Whether it’s football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, or anything else you play, our young lives revolve entirely around the sports we play. For some people, practicing and traveling has caused us to miss countless birthday parties, school dances, or holidays. Playing that sport was literally our personality trait. If someone asked a sixth-grade basketball player what their hobby is, most likely they will always say “Basketball.” What’s your favorite thing to do? “Basketball.” What do you do outside of school? “Basketball.” What do you want to be when you grow up? “A Basketball Player.” I’m sure many of us can relate to this as our sports were the most important things in our lives at the time. As a lifelong softball player, I know this is true due to the fact that every time someone asked me these questions, my response was “Softball.” 

When we were young, we always dreamt of how our senior nights would go, but what we didn’t think about was how that night could possibly be our last time playing that sport for the rest of our lives. No matter what that’s like for the seniors at Arlington, we all know that senior season is always a bittersweet one.

Football player Ethan Martin said, “The best part was the atmosphere we had. [Twenty-Four] seniors that have all played together since sixth grade doesn’t happen very often. We were all very close and every practice and game was a blast.” Ethan said that it’s a weird feeling not coming back for another season next year.

Eli Weber said his senior night for tennis was cool. “[Coach] Mendro had kind words to say about the group of us seniors, and we got sweet gift baskets.” The thing he’s going to miss the most is doing secret hand signals with his doubles partner Aaron Nichols (senior).  

“I will probably miss the dynamic that we made as a team this year. The relationships built as a team felt really special,” said Sophia Cushman who just finished her last season as a Cross Country runner. Her favorite part was how they could just return to a normal season after the shortened Covid year.

Volleyball Player Kenzie Caple said she will forever remember the game. “I feel a little bit sad but I’m just happy I got to experience going to state and growing with my teammates.” Going to state was the biggest highlight of her senior season.

Although it’s heartbreaking that students may never return to their sport ever again, it’s prepared and taught them many life lessons that will be a guide forever. As Arlington remembers all the memories from the past four years, senior year is the time that truly shows athletes they’re ready to move on to bigger and better things.