Starting a high school sport for the first time can be both exciting and intimidating, especially as a freshman. Seniors at BSM are kicking off their final sports seasons, showing they are leaders whether they’re out on the field, the wrestling mat, or on the tennis court. Their leadership is something they’ve worked hard to earn since freshman year. These seniors’ personal stories, the challenges they’ve faced, and their reasons for believing that every student should consider joining a sport at BSM may inspire you.
By his junior year, JJ Lichtenberger was ready to kick off his last season of boys wrestling. Wrestling wasn’t always in the cards for Lichtenberger; growing up, he always played hockey or other sports. That all changed his freshman year when he decided that hockey wasn’t for him and wanted to push himself to try something new. Ever since his first wrestling match, Lichtiberger knew this sport was for him. “I was sick of being lazy, so I was just like, I’m gonna join wrestling because I don’t really want to play hockey,” Lichtenberger said.
For many seniors, the final season of high school sports is more than just a chance to compete; it’s a time to reflect on the friendships and the growth that came along the way. Senior athletes often step into leadership roles, taking on responsibility for their team and guiding younger players in the same way past players once guided them. Current senior Jack Foley remembers his very first cross-country practice, when his nerves suddenly calmed down simply because of a senior’s leadership. “I remember trying to keep up with him the whole practice and prove myself. I thought I had failed, but at the end of practice, he came up and high-fived me,” Foley said.
For senior Gigi McMahon, high school sports have really shown her the value of community. She first joined the BSM girls’ tennis team during her freshman year and was quickly drawn in by the friendships and the sense of community that the team offered. Tennis has become more meaningful to her than ever, and after her freshman year, she has so many great memories with her team. She has built strong bonds during every practice, and supporting one another throughout the season is what truly creates a strong community here at BSM. “It was a really inclusive environment. I think it’s brought me into many good groups of friends. I’ve also met a lot of people through it, and I would consider it my community,” McMahon said.