AS SNOW MELTS AWAY, SPRING SPORTS COME OUT TO PLAY

By EMILY NAGLE

On February 2nd, also known Groundhog’s Day, Chuck the groundhog predicted an early spring this year.  Much to the dismay of teachers across the district, students have been infected with the dreaded disease known as spring fever.  As it continues to spread at an alarming rate, athletes are gearing up and getting ready to rumble.  

All athletes experience that “first and final” feeling.  This season, some Wizards will pick up a sport for the first time; for others, it will be their last.  Seniors, Ally Beck and Erin Wilson, are two scholar athletes at Washingtonville High School eager to begin their final season while having positive outlooks and extreme optimism. 

EMILY NAGLE FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Many people are unaware of the proven fact that the off-season makes or breaks an athlete.  Some might even say, “The grind doesn't stop.”  Indeed, it doesn’t stop as practice makes perfect, and there is always room for improvement.  Beck, a year round softball player expressed, “I played in travel tournaments almost every weekend over the summer, and to assure that I wouldn’t rust over the winter, I practiced a few times a week with my travel team, along with at home drills.”

Senior, Erin Wilson, currently holds the Washingtonville High School hammer throw record.  She voiced, “I am actually working towards beating my own record in my final season, as I have been lifting more and have been working on my speed.  It truly would be an amazing feeling.”

Although this is their final season as Wizards, Beck and Wilson will both be continuing their athletic careers in college.  Earlier this year, both athletes committed to colleges:  Ally Beck will be attending the University of Hartford, and Erin Wilson will be attending Monmouth University in the fall of 2018.  

Perseverance led these athletes to have future careers in the highest level of competition for college sports.  This goes to show that simple hard work and dedication will make dreams become realities.  Good luck to all Wizard athletes in the upcoming season!