Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

By NICOLETTE SMITH 

Senior athletes at Washingtonville High School will eventually have to shoot their final goal, score their last touchdown, or throw up their last serve as a Wizard. All senior athletes must eventually say goodbye to their blue and gold uniforms and hello to their futures, but what exactly does their future hold?  What comes next for these all-star athletes once high school ends? The fact of the matter is that some will continue their athletic careers in college, but for others, Washingtonville is where it ends. 

NICOLETTE SMITH FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY
Miguel Dela Cruz, a senior at WHS, has been a part of the Wizard's football program since youth and has played through D2, D3, JV.  He is proud to be able to say that he is now the captain of the varsity team.  Miguel is an athlete deciding to leave his helmet and pads in Washingtonville when he moves on to college.  Dela Cruz confesses, “Unfortunately, I am not continuing my athletic career in college.  There comes a time where you need to focus on your academic future and my future doesn’t include football.” 

Even though Miguel’s football career ends in Washingtonville, the memories he has made with his teammates are irreplaceable. Dela Cruz added, “Most of the varsity team has been playing together since youth football, so it was nice to grow up with each other.  I always loved going to a stay away camp with the guys because it always brings us closer as a team.” 

On the other hand, athletes like Dylan Turcott, will continue their athletic journey in college. Dylan has been involved in the Washingtonville soccer program since recreational soccer, and continued to play through modified, JV, and now varsity as a captain.  Turcott expressed, “I hope to continue my soccer career at any division 3 school that offers my major.  As of right now, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is at the top of my list, and I am hoping that I will be able to play soccer there after being in contact with their coach.” 

Although Turcott will no longer be a part of Wizard's soccer after this year, he feels he has made memories and developed relationships with his fellow teammates that will last a lifetime.  Dylan voiced, “I have played with the same people for almost six years and over that time, strong friendships have been created, brother-like for some.”  Dylan is unable to “imagine playing soccer with anyone else.  Playing in college means playing with new people and that will obviously create new relationships, but one can never replace the people I have played high school soccer with.” 

Senior athletes must make the conscious choice to either end their athletic careers after high school, or continue to thrive in college.  However, no matter what these athletes choose, they will always hold the memories and relationships made at Washingtonville High School close to their hearts.  Once a Wizard, Always a Wizard.  

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