The girls’ varsity soccer team celebrated their senior night with a 3-1 win against Holy Cross High School on Sept. 25 The seniors who were celebrated are Katie Bucher (12), Tenley Graves (12), Ariana Harms (12), Macy Hargis (12), Natalie Hinegardner (12), Cam Markus (12), Kaylee Mills (12), Isa Neufarth (12), and Reese Wilkens (12). The three goals that were scored were by Ariana Harms (12), Hope Darnell (10), and Franny Smith (12).
“Scoring was so much fun, it was just the best feeling ever, and I felt so happy,” Franny Smith said.
M
ost of these seniors have been on varsity for four years, so they have looked up to the seniors on each of their teams, so it was their turn.
“It was kind of scary to walk out and have all eyes on me, and it was kind of an eye-opening moment because I didn’t realize I was a senior until I was walking out. But it was also bittersweet,” Kaylee Mills said.
Senior night in general was a huge success for everyone; the seniors were well-appreciated, and it was overall a great night.
“I thought it was so much fun. It was like a great night. I felt celebrated and empowered by all my teammates, coaches, and fans,” Smith said.
Winning on senior night is always a great way to end a celebration for not only the seniors but all the players.
“I thought that the night went well, it’s always fun to win on senior night, and having three different people score was also enjoyable,” Mills said.
The sad thing about senior night is that these seniors have to leave the people who they have grown up with in a program they have given everything to.
“I will mi
ss my teammates a lot. All the girls I’ve played with for so long, I will miss the program, the benefits of playing with all of your friends, and playing in front of an ozone, in all of your peers,” Smith said.
A few of these seniors are going to different places to play soccer at the next level, and they are pretty excited about it.
“I’m excited to play in college in Tennessee, and I’m looking forward to playing with new people, and branching out and getting out of this small town,” Mills said.
Some of the seniors are going farther away, but still playing in college.
“I’m looking forward to playing college at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina, and I’m looking forward to learning more, meeting new players, meeting new teammates, and creating more legacy,” Smith said.
All of the seniors have left behind an amazing legacy and have all individually made an impact on not only the varsity team, but the entire Highlands soccer program.
The boys’ varsity soccer team celebrated their senior night with a 4-1 win against Villa Madonna High School on September 25th. The seniors being celebrated were Dylan Spears (12), Nick Wilson (12), and Wyatt Zepf (12). The four goals were scored by Luis McVicker (11), David Hagadorn (11), Hudson Hargis (10), and Thomas Haggard (11).
Even though Hudson isn’t a senior, it was his first game back, so scoring was a really big deal for him.
“I felt great after scoring. It was my first game back in about 11 months, so it was actually a really good feeling. Having that goal and getting to play that night, and it just felt awesome. It was unreal,” Hargis said.
The boys’ senior night was fun and a great way to celebrate the three amazing seniors on the team.
“Senior night went pretty good. We won 4 to 1, and I feel like everyone played, did their part in the game, and I liked how everyone came out and supported us as well,” Zepf said.
Watching senior night all those years, and it finally being the next student’s turn, it’s bittersweet.
“It’s like a special moment. I’ve watched all the previous seniors walk out, and it was pretty cool,” Zepf said.
Senior night is not only sad for the seniors, but also for the other players who have played with the seniors.
“I’m sad to see all of the seniors go, but at the end of the day, they really helped us contribute this season and we’ll continue to do so,” Hargis said.
The hardest part about senior night and having amazing seniors is the connections that they have built along the way with their teammates.
“I will miss all the relationships that I made with all my teammates. I’m gonna miss all of them the most,” Zepf said.
Even though this group
of seniors may be small, the impact they have left on the program will not be forgotten.
