The air cools and leaves show their first sign of changing colors as the fall sports season begins. Student athletes pack their bags early in the morning, readying themselves for a long day of academics and athletics.
A new season signals a fresh start:new players, new coaches and new strategies. But it also brings a feeling of nostalgia, particularly for senior athletes stepping into their last season.
According to senior Jackson Magee, his last season with boys varsity soccer comes with many mixed feelings.
“It’s sad, but at the same time, I’m enjoying it. I love my team and playing soccer, and I know I will continue playing for as long as I can,” Magee said. “So it’s the end, but at the same time it’s not because I know we’ve got a really good team this year.”
Many senior captains hope to lead their team as far as possible this season, whether that means playoffs, state championships or even nationals.
Senior Annika Epstein said the girls varsity volleyball team will have to work hard this year to keep a winning record.
“I want to see us build a good team culture and redefine what Brookline volleyball is. Last year we made it to the first round of playoffs, and I think a general goal would be making it further than last year. But I just want to win as many games as possible,” Epstein said.
Senior Sophia Naumov said the girls varsity swim and dive team is looking strong this year and might have a chance at placing at States.
“I just want to see people actually putting in maximum effort during practice,” Naumov said. “I want people to be in a positive environment where they can work their hardest and really just get better instead of slacking off, so we can really make it further than last year.”
While seniors are determined to steer their teams in the right direction, there is also an overlying feeling of sentimentality shared between them, for both the team and the sport itself.
According to senior Amara Ukomadu, a big reason that leaving the girls varsity soccer team will be so hard is the fact that she will be leaving so many great people behind. But she also walks away from the team with some important skills.
“Many of my closest friends from high school have been from the team. Playing soccer has also taught me so much beyond the sport. I‘ve learned to balance playing a sport and doing my work,” Ukomadu said.
One of the most important things swimming has shown her is how to build a tough mentality for herself, Naumov said.
“It’s a very mental sport since you can only think to yourself when you’re in the pool. It has really taught me how to not get into my own thoughts and sort them, both in and out of the pool,” Naumov said.
Leaving a team at the end of the year can be an emotional time for many seniors, as they often have so much to say to their teammates and coaches. Magee said the most important thing for him to express is how grateful he is for the time he spent on the team.
“I’ve experienced a great season, a not so great season and I’m not sure what’s going to happen this season. But I think that those ups and downs have really shaped me as a person and I’m extremely grateful to everyone for staying together through everything,” Magee said. “I wouldn’t be who I am right now without my coaches and my teammates.”
