By: Dominick McCormack
Along with the possibility of not playing, athletes have to worry about how they will prepare in such a short time when their season does come. Many Redwood athletes are missing out on their summer leagues and pre-seasons.
Jersey Hays, ’21, 4 year water polo player and swimmer, says that summer league has been the highlight of her high school experience. She is sad about that, although she feels her teammates and herself will be more focused and put in more work on their own time. Hays’s biggest concern is the possibility of lack of commitment to a 10 week season. On the other hand she knows the athletes in the Redwood programs are eager to play and learn each year no matter the circumstances.
A second 4 year and 3 sport athlete at Redwood is Reid Terry, ’21. Terry is worried about how the sports are going to work with the possibility of them overlapping with playoffs. He’s upset at the possibility he won’t get to finish his last seasons of high school sports, nor will he have the same time he’s had in the past years. Reid’s biggest concern is how him and his teammates will compete without having the chemistry they’ve built in past years leading up to the season.
“Its a whole different game, playing without that bond you’ve created with your teammates.”
-Reid Terry, ’21
Christian Roldan,’21, is also a 4 year 3 sport athlete. Roldan is transitioning to 2 sports in order to be the most competitive athlete he can be this year. Roldan is angry at the fact that 2 of his sports will be playing at the same time, and he has to choose between them. He’s concerned the upcoming season will somehow be pushed back more than it already has due to Covid-19 . He says that, “my biggest concern is not having a senior season at all.”
Sydney Somavia, ’21, is a 2 sport athlete at Redwood High School. Somavia is very sad her senior season will be cut short, she’s been looking forward to being a captain and leading her team to their 10th WYL win. Somavia is still able to get some practice time in with her club team, but this isn’t with her school team. She is most concerned about the team not being prepared for the season mentally and physically because of the loss of pre-season games. She says shes “trying to stay positive and hoping that we will get some recognition this year.”
There are many thoughts and feelings about the possible ’21/’22 sports season. Many athletes are sad and upset as they should be, but they are still putting in the work in hopes of playing. Although the season may not be as long as previous years but our athletes are still preparing as best they can.