In every sport or activity this past school year, there was a senior showing off what they are made of, making the most of their last year in high school activities. They took programs at Southwest farther than ever before. With hard work and dedication, the 2014 seniors can take those programs just as far, if not farther.
Girls swimming won State. Debate got 2nd in State for four speaker and 3rd in State for two speaker. Football had a 5-4 record.
Gardner-Edgerton got defeated. Washington was conquered. Blue Valley North got wiped out. All by none other than the football team here.
“We lost 20-some seniors last year so we have some shoes to fill,” junior and varsity football manager Katie Seitz said. “I don’t think we’ll be as good as last year because we have such a small team, but we have many talented players to make up for it.”
On the other hand, volleyball, debate, girls soccer and boys basketball have bright-looking futures, according to students.
“There shouldn’t be any drop-off this year,” senior varsity basketball player Mark McCafferty said. “If we make it to state, anything can happen from there.”
The senior class of 2014 is much different from the class of 2013. According to some student athletes, seniors need to “step up their game.”
“Being a freshman last year, I thought the seniors were intimidating and serious,”
sophomore and varsity cross country runner Abby Ragsdale said. “This year’s senior class is sillier and they don’t take charge as much as last year.”
The change is even larger for the boys basketball program.
“I’m the only senior this year,” McCafferty said. “We will be lacking leadership and varsity experience. Hopefully after a few weeks we can make up for what’s missing.”
Girls soccer will be lacking in leadership also, after losing four starting seniors.
“I think we will have to make up for lack of leadership,” senior and varsity soccer player Nikki Lynch said. “We have always had senior captains step up and send out texts to get us ready for games.”
No matter what, there will be students in the stands of the football stadium and in the bleachers of the gym wearing their Southwest spirit and cheering on their favorite players. Nothing can stop the Southwest Superfans.
Spectators always like to believe that the best will happen.
According to Ragsdale, their optimism is what keeps the athletes going so they don’t let down their biggest fans. Even without last year’s seniors, people are hopeful.
“I think our team will be very successful this year,” Junior and varsity volleyball player Ana McMullen said. “If we put in a lot of hard work, I believe we can qualify for state.”
Senior and varsity debater Emma Stewart has similar expectations.
“I am really confident about our team’s success this year,” Stewart said. “We have a ton of talent and have worked really hard so I know we will do really well.”
Despite the lack of leadership and all around athleticism that the last senior class had, students still have an optimistic outlook for the future. All that’s needed are some spirit-filled superfans.
“We have been a strong team the last three years,” Lynch said. “I think we can carry on that tradition this year.”
