PV has a large amount of students that participate in athletics during their high school years; however many of them don’t continue their athletic career after high school. Some athletes continue playing at the collegiate level after their senior year, but for others it can be an emotional goodbye.
Four senior athletes have signed to play a sport at the division one level next year, and many more have signed to continue their athletics at colleges of lower divisions. What people often forget is the amount of athletes who leave their athletic career in high school.
Kyle McDermott will play his last season of baseball this summer before he heads off to college. He has been playing baseball since he was three years old and is going to miss the memories. He shared, “I’m going to miss the fun times I have with my team and all the memories we have made.”
While there are some athletes that participate in sports to keep them busy, others participate because they have a passion for the sport and their team. Senior Creighton Clausen has been playing basketball for 11 years and will be ending his career after high school. He said, “the thing I will miss the most is spending time with my teammates and coaches because they really are my second family and I have loved every minute of it.”
Even though high school athletics come to an end, there are always opportunities to stay involved at college. Students can continue playing at the division I, II or III level depending on the college, or they can choose a less competitive route. Most colleges offer students intramural sports as well as club sports where students are able to choose the intensity of competition.
Athletics aren’t the only clubs offered at colleges and universities; there are plenty of ways to be involved in organizations that don’t revolve around sports. There are academic clubs, greek life and jobs around the campus and surrounding community that students can apply for. College is a great place to experience new things and find a new passion.
