The winter sports season is underway at Mishawaka High School, and seniors are now in their last go around. For seniors like Dylan Hall, Delaney Basker, Gabi Reinoehl, and Payton Johnson, senior year can be bittersweet. For them it’s their last chance to make their mark as a Mishawaka athlete.
“What I enjoy about being a Mishawaka athlete is representing the best high school around, and yourself in the highest fashion,” said senior basketball player Hall, “playing for the best coaches and players, is also something I enjoy.”
Being a Mishawaka athlete means you represent yourself, your team, and the current and former Mishawaka students.
“The atmosphere at sporting events are like no other, there’s no better feeling than cheering with the best student section,” said senior cheerleader Reinoehl, “being a Mishawaka athlete, is much more than just a school or team, it’s a family.”
Basker said, “the support from the community, and being able to play with the teammates I’ve been with since third grade makes it special being a Mishawaka athlete.”
“Being a Mishawaka athlete means a lot to me, it’s great being able to compete with my brothers.” Said Senior basketball player Johnson.
Johnson also has had a different perspective, as he transferred from Riley last year. “I am very happy I transferred to Mishawaka, I have met some amazing friends here, and they’re like family now.”
Senior year is a unique year for athletes.
“Senior year is different, because it’s our last year, and it seems to be going by faster than usual, which is upsetting,” said Reinoehl, “The other seniors and I are just trying to soak everything in and not taking everything for granted, also we are trying to be leaders and making this the best year we can.”
“Being a senior we have huge responsibilities on and off the court, we are the leaders of the team,” said Basker. “The younger girls on the team are looking up to us, so we have to make sure we lead by example, on and off.”
Johnson said, “being a senior you have to set an example for the underclassmen.” “We have to set the standard, and just be a leader.”
These athletes have participated in their sports for the majority of their life, so they have good memories, and also things they wish they could go change?
“I wouldn’t change anything, other than taking in the moment and not taken it for granted,” said Reinoehl, “the greatest feeling is right before the game and the student section going crazy, that’s a moment I wish I could take and bottle up forever.”
“I wish I took things a little more seriously, but other than that I don’t have any regrets,” said Johnson, “seeing my dad play, and talking and bonding over basketball just made me love it.”
“The only regret I have is not going hard in every drill, game, practice, etc. those are types of moments you never get back,” said Hall. “I love just hanging out with my teammates and then coming out before the game, I love that feeling.”
“I fell in love with basketball at a young age, and I can’t imagine life without it, but I wish I realized how fast it went, because I would’ve enjoyed the long days a lot more,” said Basker, “I love double headers, they bring a lot of excitement and the environment is awesome.”
Seniors have gained wisdom over the last few years, and look to pass that along.
“Don’t take anything for granted, enjoy every moment and make as many memories as you can,” said Reinoehl, “High School ends, but once a cavemen always a cavemen.”
“The only advice I would give is soak everything in, and go hard all the time,” said Hall, “people don’t lie when they say it flies by.”
“Throughout all the hard practices, and difficulties stick together,” said Basker, “You only get this once so make the most of it.”