In their own words, South Florida spring sports seniors reflect on high school careers
The Miami Herald on Wednesday recognized Miami-Dade and Broward counties’ top high school athletes with its annual All-County awards ceremony.
However, 67 sports-specific awards (35 in Dade, 32 in Broward) will not be given out this year because the Florida High School Athletic Association canceled its spring sports season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the cancelation of the season, the Miami Herald honored the more than 2,500 seniors who played those spring sports — baseball, softball, track and field, lacrosse, tennis, water polo, boys’ volleyball and flag football — through a series of stories over the past two weeks.
As part of the series, the Herald also gave athletic directors a questionnaire to send to their seniors that asked them, among other questions, if they thought their seasons would resume, what they did during the month between the season being postponed and being outright canceled, and to reflect on their high school careers.
In total, 530 responded.
Here are some of those responses in their own words straight from their submissions with minor edits for clarity.
Maria Amat, Lourdes softball
“I was extremely hopeful that my last softball season [or at least part of it] would still happen. When I found out that softball was completely canceled I was heart broken. It just stinks that after playing the game for ten years, it was just over like that.
“My favorite moments would have to be all the times I’ve spent with my teammates over the years. From just being together at practice joking around or playing a tough game that we came from behind and win. I can honestly say I’ve truly loved every minute that I spent with my teammates.”
Lindsey Arana, Westminster Christian softball
“It has been a mix of emotions. I’ve felt on edge, I felt like there was a chapter missing that we never got to finish. There have been hard times, but all the good times out weigh them all. The girls I’ve played with have taught me so much. The coaches have pushed me to be better on and off the field. Even though our time was cut short, every drop of sweat, every pitch, every practice was worth it.”
Tchelet Beilis, South Plantation water polo
“I pretty much accepted that we wouldn’t be continuing when the back to school deadline was pushed back. So I just accepted it, it was very upsetting but with everything going on in the world right now it seemed selfish to be to sad.
“I had an absolutely great time playing water polo. I started out by barely knowing any of the rules and being very unconfident. To getting really good at the game and having the ability to play and greatly enjoy it.”
William Butterworth, St. Thomas Aquinas water polo
“For the class of 2020, it has been no easy task for us whether we are a student athlete or not. We have had to stay studious and busy to keep our heads high during this trying time. While there is still uncertainty about our future and if we will be able to celebrate our achievements in person, we all know deep in our hearts the work and effort we have given our school the past four years.
“I have always stayed on top of my academics while balancing the work and effort that goes into water polo; we have made it to states twice [my freshmen and junior years] so we have trained hard daily and attended many tournaments to gain experience and learn from our mistakes.”
Madison Creevay, Goleman tennis
“Personally, I believed that we would be back at school after spring break. I thought the pandemic would pass over soon. But when I heard the news that my senior year would be finished off online, I deviated. I was so excited to finish my last season on the team as captain with my teammates.
“High school has been the best four years of my life. I am so happy that I was able to share such wonderful memories with some unforgettable people.”
Lucas Cyrillo, Miami Beach track and field
“I was kind of anxious. I had a feeling it would be canceled. However, I hoped we could have a another chance to race. When the season started, my focus was on to get under 11 seconds on the 100-meter dash to break my personal record, my school record and most likely getting a scholarship. I was close and most likely if the season would have kept going I would’ve made it.
“I was a sophomore when I moved to the United States. In my freshman year in Brazil, I won a national title on relays and was ranked on the top 10 of the nation, so I was excited to come and try for a scholarship. My first season was OK. My coach didn’t take us to a lot of invitationals, and the only one he took us to I got injured in the previous race. Therefore I ran a bad race, my injury got even worse and I was out for the season. Junior year was my best year. A new coach took us to many invitationals and I got my time down to 11.33 seconds and then districts came we were confident about me breaking the 11s there or at least the school record of 11.15.. Unfortunately, after doing triple and long jump, my legs were hurting. I still pushed to the 100-meter dash but in the middle of a race that I was leading I pulled my hamstring and i was out. My coach was sad. I was sad. My season was over. After passing the whole summer recovering from the injury, it was time to start getting back on track. As soon as the season started, I was not doing as great but just like the previous year, the times were starting to go down and down but by the last meet we had was still not enough or close to what I needed it...”
Diane Dohler, Flanagan lacrosse
“In mid-March, all of my senior activities were already at risk of cancellation. This prompted me to suspect the same for my senior season. Unfortunately, this has become the case. However, I am not shocked by this outcome because of how rapidly the COVID-19 crisis intensified. A week before the last day of school, kids were joking about the virus and I was preparing for the rest of my lacrosse season. But, the following days were met with tension and uncertainty, as the number of positive cases in South Florida increased. My first day without practice felt wrong but with experts projecting a large impact by the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed pretty certain that I would not get to finish the rest of my season.
“Despite being presented with little hope of finishing my season, I still continued to practice on my own. I figured there was a slight chance that my games would be pushed back. As captain of my team, I feel that it was important to be optimistic and take this opportunity to better myself and be prepared for any outcome.
“My high school career was, if anything, rewarding. I had the great pleasure of being the captain of my team for three years. During this time, I witnessed the incredible growth and improvement of my team. The endless hours of hard-work paid off in the long run from a losing record to becoming runner-ups in the district championship. I accomplished a lot during my career. I set and broke scoring records at my high school and led my team to a district runner-up trophy. But, the greatest and most rewarding component was seeing my teammates learn, shine, and achieve.”
Sawyer Feller, North Broward Prep baseball
“Our coach told us there was a two week suspension. We were on spring break at the time so I thought we were going to come back to school the next week. I thought it was odd they canceled baseball when school was still going on so I thought we would get back to baseball.
“The month wait was filled with emotion. I tried to do the best I could to stay in shape and be one step ahead of everyone else if we got to play again. When they announced the season was canceled, I was just thankful for the great memories of my high school career and trying to get prepared for college now.
“My high school career was unforgettable. I have been part of a state final team and a regional final. I have seen three of my teammates get drafted and was hoping to go out on top with a state championship my senior year.”
Shade Gousse, Coral Reef track and field
“It was really hard for me because I planned on placing at states and breaking all my times and I did not get the chance to do so. I also want to continue running track in college and not being able to present the best times I know I am capable of achieving is discouraging. I will most likely have to be a walk on in college. Though I have tried to remain positive while being at home, it has been very difficult because I will never get another high school senior year.
“My high school career was amazing up to the point where we were not allowed to go back to school. I met my best friends and made a second family through being part of the track and field team. I had amazing teachers that I was able to talk to anytime I needed help. I got to be a part of numerous clubs and even start my own. I will honestly never forget my time at Reef because it made me into a hard working student and changed me in several positive ways.”
Kesona Hanson, Northeast track and field
“In terms of track and field, my high school career has been extremely taxing but, at the same time, fun because I have grown to enjoy hurdling. Freshman and Sophomore year were used to learn the intricacies and hone the skills necessary to succeed in hurdling. It wasn’t until my Junior year, that I started to advance and gain the recognition in the sport. However, the injury that I endured impeded my ability to perform successfully at regionals and states. I was hoping to unlock my full potential during my senior year but due to the current pandemic, my season was cut short.”
Melissa Martinez, Braddock flag football and track and field
“I think that no one comprehended the gravity of the situation around this time. I think that at the time we all thought we would come back to school after spring break and resume our activities. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
“This year, I transferred to the school I currently attend. It was a scary experience at first because I did not know if I would be able to make new friends once again, after having attended the same school three years prior. However, it is actually thanks to sports that I have been able to form the closest of friendships that I know I will keep for years to come.”
Nick Namais, Ransom Everglades boys’ volleyball
“We were looking to make it back to the state tournament for the first time since 2017, and liked our chances with our path through districts and regionals. When we found out that play may resume in June we were so excited, but when we were told the season was over it was deflating. Our dreams at a states run were crushed, and we’ll never know what we could’ve accomplished as a team after three years of development having basically the same roster.
“My high school career in volleyball was great, because right as a freshman I played varsity and was shown what it takes to be one of the best teams in the state. That year we lost in the state quarterfinals, and were 4 points away from upsetting the best team in the state. The next two years my teammates and I all played club volleyball, and put so many hours into the game, hoping to make it back to the state tournament. This year with the districts and regions rearranged, we were finally ready and likely to make a states run. I am so sad that it was cut off, but it would have been a great finish to a career, starting and ending at the state tournament.”
Nicolas Porcelli, TERRA tennis
“Denial. Acceptance of the truth. Disappointment. Tennis season was one of the things I was looking most forward to throughout the year and I always had a a deep sense of hope for the season to continue. I was anxious to find out if the season would be able to be saved. But as quarantine dragged on and the situation got worse, by early April I knew it was over. I just felt a deep sense of disappointment that I may never again experience high school tennis and might never see any of my teammates now that I’m going to college.”
Stefan Fernando Playa, Palmetto boys’ volleyball
“I didn’t think there was a chance to return for the season to return but I hoped there was. All you can do is hope at a time like this. I hoped for every possible situation a shorten season or straight to playoffs. I was very anxious waiting. During that month i was doing home workouts, running, and i was watching film of our previous games. Just everything i can try to do in order to improve.
“From being the most improved player on junior varsity to being a starting captain on varsity, I grew so much not only as a player but a teammate. Over the four years we weren’t a team. We are a family. So over the years we grew tighter. Especially our nine seniors on the team. We had big goals this season to become state champs and it was just in reach but taken away.”
Dylan Quintana, South Dade baseball
“It’s been a little heart wrenching only because I didn’t know my last high school baseball game was on March 13. As everything was put on hold, I slowing started coming to terms with my season being canceled. My high school career has had many ups and downs but overall one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Being able to create a bond with people that’ll last a lifetime is something I’ll never forget.”
Owen Reynolds, Palmer Trinity track and field
“It was difficult, I won’t lie. I kept my exercise up and I actually lost more weight in the month off than I usually do all season, but it doesn’t have the same gratification as throwing a discus, javelin or shot put. There is no competition, and that’s where I thrive.
“My high school career has been a lengthy one. I never got the chance to go to States (which I had a very good chance this season), but I have still enjoyed all of the competitions that I have done over the years. I for the longest time have been one of the few members of our team who did field events, and if I am being honest (I think it’s more fun than running the track part). I’ve been a captain twice and have brought many points to the team for seven years. It has just been a blast.”
Kimberly Slinkosky, Cooper City flag football
“I always figured that when they initially canceled school and athletics that our last game was going to be it. Knowing that our game against Miramar, I pushed myself to the best of my ability allowing me to score the only four touchdowns for our team to have the win.
“I continued to train and miss the field as it’s been my home since the age of seven. I used to play optimist with all of the boys. It was hard to get out of my head the fact that I wouldn’t have one last shot at a state title or that we couldn’t win our fourth district title in a row.”
Fanny Stevens, Ferguson softball
“It was stressful as the information we received varied from week to week. At first we were informed there could be a chance of continuing our season, but then we were told that it wasn’t going to be possible.
“I would describe my high school career as very memorable. Even from my first year in varsity my freshman year, each season has been very eventful and awesome. This last senior season was not the best for me though, and unfortunately it ended before i had a chance to better myself and get out of my slump.”
Nelson Telemaco, Calvary Christian lacrosse
Alexandra Von der Goltz, Carrollton tennis
“Having played tennis since I was 5 years old, and playing for my school’s team since the seventh grade, I wanted to at least close this chapter of my life on a positive note. I was beyond excited for my senior match (something I always looked forward to, even as a freshman), competing in districts and regionals, and [had we advanced] spending time with my teammates during our State championships. Unfortunately, things did not work out they way I wished, and now I am just feeling extremely disappointed and upset I never got to properly close this chapter of my life.”
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