While senior nights have been a tradition for many years, this year went a little differently for soccer captain Hannah Wakulsky (12).
On April 25, the girls varsity soccer team played against DeWitt. During the game, Wakulsky and an opposing player both went for a loose ball.
“I flicked [the ball] with the outside of my foot,” Wakulsky said. “The opposing player came through with all her momentum and I heard three pops and felt my knee hyperextend.”
She did not know what had happened yet but she knew her season was over.
“[Wakulsky] is really tough so when we saw her crying, I think we all kind of knew,” assistant coach Elise Millard said. “Even though the trainer was like, ‘no, I think it’s fine.’ I think we all knew that it wasn’t.”
The following morning, Wakulsky found out she had completely torn her ACL and both menisci.
After the injury, her team was devastated and many tears were shed. However, Wakulsky’s positivity radiated to her team, keeping their hopes up.
“I was really sad about it, but then I saw how positively she was reacting and that really helped me feel better about it.” Teammate, Emma Kreft (12) said.
On the field Wakulsky is an aggressive defensive midfielder who controls the field and is known for her skill at winning the high balls on the field.
“I think we definitely have missed her on the field,” Millard said. “She brings a sense of calmness and she’s trustworthy so the team relies on her a lot.”
Wakulsky has felt support from many of her teammates and friends and their support has helped her stay positive through her recovery.
“I’ve definitely had a lot of support from friends, family and teachers,” Wakulsky said. “Everyone made sure to check in on me and [make sure] my mental health was always the first priority.”
Tennis:
Senior night was a special night for Willa Cornillie (12). As a sophomore during COVID, Cornillie used tennis as an outlet and escape from everything happening around her. “It’s definitely been like a huge part of me getting back to normal with COVID-19,” Cornillie said. “I was probably playing like 15 hours most weeks, even out of season because we only had school for three hours a day, and I needed something to do.”
Over the years, tennis provided Cornillie with new friends and lots of opportunities to grow. She thought senior night was a sweet way to end her season and thanks the sport she loves dearly. “I met pretty much all of the people who are my closest friends currently, that sophomore year season.” Cornillie said. “I thought it was really sweet how they gave us flowers and it felt like a good end.”
Baseball:
Hitting a no-hitter in baseball is a rare achievement, but not impossible. A no-hitter is when the pitcher prevents the opposing team from hitting the ball the entire game.
During his senior season and second year on varsity, Nolan Hambleton (12) was the second person in the high school’s history to pitch a no- hitter in his game against Cedar Springs.
“I knew I had it going throughout the whole game.” Hambleton said, “The last pitch I was so relieved and excited about it.”
And for Hambleton, senior night was a special way to celebrate the successful season and accomplishments from the year.
Senior night was celebrated by announcing the senior’s names, plans after high school and their favorite memories from the season.
“I’m going to miss my teammates and just hanging out with them in the clubhouse,” Hambleton said.
Softball:
Ever since her freshman year, senior night has largely looked the same to Naomi Sowa (12). Traditionally, the underclassmen have gotten a gift for the seniors and all the seniors are announced and walkout with their families. This year, she noticed they went above and beyond to give the seniors a more special experience. “They [put] posters everywhere, you walk out in a tunnel of players and sit on the third baseline,” Sowa said. “You get flowers and gifts and it’s just really emotional and happy.”
Joining the team freshman year, she recalled being timid and shy. But throughout the past four years, she’s grown as a person.
“I love seeing how much I have changed myself and how I’ve influenced the girls around me,” Sowa said. “I have so much love for every single person on that team.”
Boys Lacrosse:
With a big win for boys lacrosse senior night, it was definitely one to remember. The team played Bay City Western and won 11-3. The seniors were recognized for their time on varsity and the celebration made them excited to play.
“I walked next to my mom, sister and dad,” Charlie Moeder (12) said, “We walked through this big blue balloon tunnel, and it was very fun.”
The game itself provided most players with the opportunity to play and was a good end to their time on the team. “A lot of people got to play, especially kids that maybe don’t play as often,” Beckett Henderson (12) said. “It was a nice last game and we played pretty well.”
Girls Lacrosse:
Madi Stave (12) has played on varsity for four years, and this year’s senior night was a sad, but good end to her time on the team. The hardest part for Stave was leaving behind the people she has played with for nine years. “I’m gonna miss them a lot,” Stave said. “They are like family.”
Emma Waldo (12) who was part of the group who’d played together for nine years also agrees that the thing she will miss the most is her team and the connections they have made together.
“I feel like we’re all able to bond with each other nicely,” Waldo said. “My best friends came from that team and I just love it so much and am going to miss them.”
Stave and Waldo both agree the senior night was good for commemorating their time on the team. For senior night, the parents of the senior players joined together to create a unique, personalized night. Before their games, seniors would walk with their families under a balloon arch and their plans for after high school were announced along with fun facts about them. After, the event was wrapped up with food and personalized drinks.
“It felt really special to have a night for us,” Waldo said. “There was so much work being put into it by parents and I loved it.”
