A Spring to Remember

One day, sooner rather than later, Covid would pass, restrictions would lift, normalcy would return, and Collegiate’s athletic teams would suit up for full-fledged interscholastic competition.

 

They finally did this spring, of course, but the long interlude defined first by Zoom meetings, then stringent protocols, limited practice sessions, and minimal contests for some programs and none for others created challenges for which there was no frame of reference.

 

Athletes and coaches managed, though. They had no choice. Remaining philosophical and buoyant required an acceptance of factors they couldn’t control combined with heaping doses of resilience, resolve, and positive energy. “We’re still a team” became a rallying cry, even if the landscape was different.

 

Spring 2021 was memorable for many reasons, not the least of which was that athletes took their pent-up energy, motivation, and competitive spirit and channeled it into excellence. After a three-season hiatus, they were wearing the Green and Gold again, pulling together toward a common goal, cheering for each other in a competitive environment, and reveling in the opportunities they’d been denied for 12 long months.  

 

“Our kids have been awesome,” said Karen Doxey, Collegiate’s director of athletics. “I give them so much credit for taking on what we asked them to do. Our coaches embraced the situation. Nobody let things slip. When we couldn’t compete against other schools, they figured ways to have fun (intra-squad) competitions. Everybody accepting the challenges did the trick. I think maintaining discipline impacted performance.”

 

Some of those performances, though, weren’t quantifiable.

 

To wit, of the nine varsity teams that competed this spring, six – boys track, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, golf, tennis, and softball – earned their league’s sportsmanship award.

        

“That’s impressive,” Doxey said. “It speaks to character, about athletes living what their coaches and parents have taught them. It’s about being competitive and doing it the right way. At Collegiate, that’s what we’re all most proud of.”

 

Measurable performances were no less impressive.

 

Golf: 18-3, Prep League and VISAA champion

Girls Track: League of Independent Schools and VISAA champion

Girls lacrosse: 12-3, LIS champ, VISAA runner-up.

Soccer: 14-4, LIS and VISAA runner-up

Tennis: 12-4, Prep League and VISAA runner-up

Boys lacrosse: 13-5, Prep League runner-up, VISAA quarterfinalist

Softball: 9-8, LIS and VISAA semifinalist

Boys track: third in Prep League and VISAA

Baseball: 12-10, third in Prep League, VISAA quarterfinalist

 

“Championship teams had been in the making,” Doxey said. “Kids stuck with it and took on the challenge of going to practice every day trying to improve, knowing we may or may not compete. They hung in there. They have a passion for their sports. That spirit transferred over to when we were able to compete.”

 

Myriad individuals shined.

Now, as athletes and coaches prepare for the fall, their focus isn’t so much on accomplishments but take-aways from the Covid-imposed challenges that will only make them stronger and better.

 

They’ve learned from a time they never could have imagined to improvise and make the best of their situation. They’ve learned to fend off disappointment and frustration. They’ve learned to stand steady in the face of adversity. They’ve learned patience and perseverance.

        

“And gratitude,” Doxey added. “Gratitude for what they had. Gratitude for being with their friends every day. Gratitude for sharing the team experience.”

   ~Weldon Bradshaw

(For a rundown of All-Prep, All-LIS, All-VISAA, and All-Metro performers, please click here. The list will be updated as more honorees are announced.)