Honoring Spring Sports Senior Athletes

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, senior athletes have been left without the ability to create memories or be recognized for their last high school sport season; on April 20, The Florida High School Athletic Association decided to cancel all spring sports after Governor Ron Desantis’ decision to close schools for the remainder of the academic year was announced.

“I’m gonna miss going to practice everyday and seeing smiling and supportive faces. The team is my favorite part because even when we’re running and everyone hates it we’re still laughing and having a good time. They make the sport what it is because it wouldn’t be fun if I couldn’t play with such a close team,” said softball player Maya Harell (‘20).

Not the way anyone could’ve imagined our athletic year coming to a close. Proud of all of our spring athletes & coaches and especially grateful to all of our seniors & 8th graders for their hard work and dedication to our program. Be safe and stay healthy! @holynamestpa https://t.co/QSgCtI794C

— Kevin Vargas (@HolyNamesAD) April 21, 2020

Achona Online wants to congratulate every member of this year’s spring sports, especially the seniors of the lacrosse, crew, softball, and track and field teams. These seniors have put countless hours into their practices and games. Being a student athlete is an incredible commitment that takes time, devotion, and diligence.

“Being on the track team has meant so much to me. Some of my favorite memories have come from hanging out with my teammates and being at practices. The thing I will miss most next year is being with my second family everyday,” said runner Emma Eaton (‘20).

The Academy has been working to find creative ways to recognize all of the hard work and dedication of the class of 2020, and celebrations are currently being planned. The week of May 4 is going to be Celebration Week, during which the school will honor the class of 2020 and their accomplishments. Additionally, Athletic Director Kevin Vargas is currently finalizing plans to recognize athletic honors. Vargas shared that in the coming weeks, senior student athletes will be celebrated via tributes on the school’s social media platforms. The details are still being finalized, but each spring sport will be celebrated online.

“This is a tough time for so many of us for a multitude of reasons. My heart breaks for all of our spring athletes; especially our seniors. Ultimately the safety and well-being of all of our students and our AHN community as a whole is our number one priority, but it doesn’t take away from the sting of not being together for the completion of the academic and athletic year. This too shall pass, and I look forward to when we can all gather together again as one community,” said Kevin Vargas.

The seniors of each spring sport are listed below, and we encourage all members of the Academy community to recognize their accomplishments. Achona Online wishes to congratulate and celebrate all of these amazing athletes:

Lacrosse
Lauren Jones
Olivia Perez
Amelia Traviesa
Kylee Weathers

Crew
Victoria Hifko
Kara Kivenas
Clare Mooney

Softball
Maddie Boos
Maya Harell
Samantha Miller

Track and Field
Rachel Brown
Gabby Butler
Katelyn Chau
Emma Eaton
Alexa Fredericks
Megan Hughes
Tress Jacobs
Maddie Kurtz
Lauren Lamoutte
Kara Petitt
Dorothy Pickard
Amanda Rogas
Sarah Gonzalez