The fall 2023 sports season came to an end, which is also a wrap for the senior boys and girls who played a sport during the fall in high school. Seniors are now off to new things after high school, but the lessons and memories they had on their teams will stay with them forever. Although not all seniors are going to continue their sport in college, they still will carry close all the fun times they had while being a part of their high school’s team.
The football team had a lot of exciting memories that they have created throughout the years as a team. Jack Cozzi, who played running back and linebacker, said that something he will always remember was the time they beat Aurora Christian in his freshman year. Andrew Walker, who played quarterback, says that the brotherhood and bond between everyone was his favorite aspect of the sport. Dominic Savini, who played linebacker, said that something he learned from being a part of the team was to respect your teammates. Nolan Pomeroy, who played wide receiver and linebacker, enjoyed listening to “Chief Keef” on the bus on the way to games and his favorite road trip snack is a Wendy’s 4 for 4. John Spiczak, who played wide receiver and safety, said that his favorite aspect from being a part of the team was the teamwork and brotherhood. Jack Wright, who played running back and safety, said that his go-to song to listen to on the bus is “Dive In” by Jeleel. Dominick Nemec, who played defensive tackle right guard, said that he has played football for eight years overall and that his personal favorite part of playing in high school was the close bond he created with all the boys on the team. Nicholas Shannon, who played center, has played all four years of his high school career and he said that the lesson he will remember the most and use in his life would be to respect other people and to push himself “beyond the mind.”
Lucille Foy was the only senior on the cheer team this year. She has been cheering for four years and is the cheer team flyer. Her favorite aspect of the sport was the bond they created and getting to earn from all of the other cheerleaders. While on bus rides, she loves to listen to music that will hype her up before she has to be freezing for two and a half hours outside. When asked what she would remember the most from being on the team, she said, “My junior year. I grew so close with all of my teammates, and I will never forget that.” Lucille’s advice for underclassmen in cheer or joining would be to “listen to your coach!!!”
Evan Wagh has been a part of the cross-country team for four seasons. He is the only senior on the team for the 2023 season. Evan’s favorite aspect of the sport was that he didn’t have to think, he could just turn off his brain and run. To hype himself up, he would listen to metal before games; it was usually between System of a Down or Slipknot. A lesson he has learned from his time on the sport was “to just keep going”. His advice to underclassmen is to just run and not think too much about it.
The boys’ soccer team also created many great memories and bonding experiences. Joshua Pottorff, who played center back and striker, said that something he will always remember from being on the team would be when he scored a hat-trick against Harvest Christian in his last home game. Anthony Tabares, who played striker, said his favorite post-game refuel food is eating at Portillo’s. It reminds him of the time when the entire soccer team ate at Portillo’s before a game, and he also remembered that day how good their chocolate milkshakes were. Brendan Mangan, who played center back, said his favorite thing to listen to on bus rides is Metallica and that his favorite road trip snack is a movie salad, which consists of popcorn, chocolate, M&Ms, etc. Jeremiah Roldan, who played forward, said his favorite memory from being on the team was all the times he would yell at his good friend Robert Sommer, ’26, despite him doing his best. Lastly, Joshua Schelonka, who played defense and midfield, said that a lesson that he will always remember is to never give up.
The golf team is small but close and has been able to create a great relationship over the years. Edwin Ouimet has played four seasons on the school’s golf team. His favorite aspect of the sport is the challenge and self-reliance. Patrick Johnson has been a part of the golf team for two seasons. A lesson that he has learned from being a part of the golf team is to play a little bit more reserved and not always go for the extreme shot. Something that he will always remember from being on the team was the time he went fishing on the Highlands golf course. Evan Sperling has played for the school’s golf team for four seasons. A memory that he holds close from being on the team was the time he told Nick Lambardo, ’25, that he had a feeling he was going to chip his next shot in, and when he went out to make his shot he made it in. When asked what advice he would give to underclassmen, he said, “To act like a leader on and off the course and help your teammates.” Andrew Ramos had his first season this year and he said that what he learned the most from being a part of the team was to have fun and don’t be afraid to try new things.
The girls’ volleyball team had a great season this year creating so many great memories. Taryn Lemezis, who played libero, said that something she will always remember is the bus rides with the music blasting after winning. Her go-to music to listen to is rap or throwbacks from her childhood. Caitlyn Madsen, who played outside hitter, when asked about the lesson she learned from her time being on the team, she responded saying, “Give every minute all you have because it goes by quick and you might as well make the most out of it.” Her advice to underclassmen is to never give up and always try your best because you never know what you can accomplish when you work together. Lauren Menendez, who played outside hitter, said that her favorite aspect of the team was getting a sense of community and being able to interact with people that she wouldn’t have had a chance to talk to. Her go-to road trip snacks are Trollis and Pirate’s Booty. Morgan Lutzow, who played defensive specialist, said that a memory that she will hold the most was all the friendships she made with all her teammates. Her go-to music to listen to on bus rides was anything by The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott, or SZA. Emma Pedres, who played right side and defensive specialist, said that her favorite memory on the team was the last game of the season of her senior year. Natalia Resendiz, who played middle hitter, said that her favorite memory from being on the team was when the whole team would jam out to music before and after games. Her go-to artist to listen to on the bus was SZA and Bruno Mars.
