As the school year comes to an end, senior athletes reflect on their final high school season and look ahead at what is coming next. I had the pleasure of speaking with a few of our spring senior athletes about their experiences, challenges, and memories from their time in sports.
First, I spoke with a few of our varsity baseball players—Dylan Santos, Diego Baker, and JR Hazel. I started by asking them a simple but meaningful question: Looking back, what does being a high school athlete mean to you?
Delaney Wright (Sr.) pitching fast at the batter.
Santos said, “Being a high school athlete means balancing social life, school, athletic responsibilities, and mental stability. It isn’t necessarily a hard thing, but being an athlete in high school makes it easy to put sports before school. Being an athlete means representing yourself, your team, and your school, and being the best for all of those people.” His response was honest and inspiring, touching on the deeper responsibilities that come with the title.
“Being an athlete has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons,” said Baker. Though brief, his words speak volumes about the impact sports can have beyond the field.
Hazel said, “Being a high school athlete means playing for something bigger than yourself. You’re representing a school and everyone in it. There is a sort of community that you are able to build within the team and a culture that can last for years beyond your time at the school.” His perspective highlights the legacy and sense of unity that sports can create.
Together, their answers paint a picture of what it really means to be a high school athlete—not just the physical work, but the values, community, and pride that come with it.
Next, I spoke with Delaney Wright, one of our standout softball players. I asked her, What was
Diego Baker (Sr.) and JR Hazel (Sr.) paying close attention to the game.
your biggest ‘wow, I’ve grown’ moment during your athletic journey?
Wright said, “My biggest ‘wow, I’ve grown’ moment in my athletic career happened during my junior season with Timberline softball. In our game against Middleton, I pitched a shutout and hit two home runs at the plate. That’s when I realized how much I’ve grown and that I can play at a higher level when I’m smiling and having fun.”
Her story is a great reminder that growth comes not just from practice, but from confidence, joy, and believing in yourself along the way.
Following that, I spoke with Mason Pierce, a senior on the cross-country and track teams, who shared a meaningful reflection on what being a high school athlete has meant to him.
“Being an athlete in high school means a lot because of the community it allows me to be a part of. This is as small as the distance crew at track and as large as the whole athletic department. Sports are such an amazing thing in the way that they can bridge relationships through simple conversations and interactions at games or meets. I feel that if I did not do soccer and track, I would not have the same friend structure that I have today, which is something I’m very grateful for,” Pierce said.
His words highlight how sports are about so much more than competition—they create connections. Whether it’s bonding with teammates during practices or sharing moments with athletes from other sports, it’s the little interactions that build a sense of community.
Next, I spoke with Ella Cox, a standout player on the girls varsity lacrosse team. When asked about her biggest “wow, I’ve grown” moment as an athlete, she reflected on the deeper personal growth her athletic experience brought her.
Ella Cox (Sr.) headed towards the goal.
“Looking back, being a high school athlete has taught me powerful lessons in leadership and acceptance—things I wouldn’t trade for anything,” Cox said.
Her response speaks to the way sports challenge you to grow not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. From learning to lead others to embracing the diversity of a team, her journey shows how transformative athletics can be.
Lastly, I talked to Tessa Milks, a senior on our tennis team. I asked her, What’s your favorite memory from playing your sport in high school?
“My favorite memory playing tennis is probably winning my state qualifying match when I had pneumonia or team dinners,” said Milks.
Her answer shows just how much perseverance and heart athletes can have, even in tough moments. It also highlights that sometimes the best memories aren’t just about wins, but the moments of connection shared with teammates.
