As the sun begins to make a more regular appearance over the fields, courts and track directly behind our school, we know several things: First, winter season is over. Second, spring season is here. Third, second semester is here.
For multi-seasonal athletes, the week ahead is critical. Either you’re putting in the long hours to cinch the championship you’ve been dreaming about, or you gave it everything you had and accepted the mental victory as a reward. Whether you’re resting for the big game, or re-setting for the next season, spring inspires growth and optimism from winter’s slump.
Like the flowers and plants that will emerge from a brown, bleak winter, athletes have begun to slowly pick up their heads, prepared to celebrate the spring sunshine. Girls can finally tan without being suspected of the dreaded fake and bake, guys can comfortably play shirts vs. skins and official count-downs can begin until spring break, or dare I say it, summer.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s reflect on what Langley athletics accomplished in the winter season.
Girls track took a district title, as did boys basketball, and wrestling. In addition to girls swim, they thought it’d be nice to add a regional title and a state championship onto their resume. For the athletes who stopped at those respective competitions, congratulations. For the elite Saxon warriors who saw fit to continue, good luck.
As far as spring is concerned: Will tryouts be brutal? Undoubtedly. Will practice be miserable when you see your non-athlete friends doing other things? Of course. Will it be worth it when you’re hoisting that banner, given that varsity letter, or wearing that ring? Absolutely.
So, even though the bitter winter winds have left many drenched and dry, this is the time to carry on: stronger, louder, and prouder than ever. For underclassmen, this is critical. The time is now to build a foundation, so you can leave a legacy. For seniors, this can’t be emphasized enough. Legacy or no, I’m talking about being a Langley legend. This is the final round: the chance you have to prove yourselves, to defeat a rival, to defend a title, or earn your own.