It is that time of year when all the senior athletes are coming to the realization that they will probably never compete in the same way ever again. It is in these times that you have to ask what the meaning of sport really is. Is it merely the physical aspect of it that means the most, or is the relationships built and the comradery most important? You will always remember the big win or your best pitch or shot, but you will always remember those things because of the teamates you spend those times with.
Every team has a certain attitude. Whether it be a very serious business like one or one that is more freespirited, all teams carry an identity. I am a tennis player, and this past weekend was our season finale at the Conference Championships in Yakima. We were seeded fourth and left finishing a disappointing fifth. I felt especially bad for our two seniors, Ed Anegon and Scott Donnell, because their careers would not end on the highest note. Then I started to think about how the rest of the league treats us. We had other teams come up to us and comment on the Backstreet Boys video we made (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3EQZjAYHzg), and just simply enjoy our company. Our fun-loving attitude was rubbing off on the rest of the conference. Basically, the traditions Ed and Scott celebrated for four years are being passed down to us underclassmen, and that is almost more important than the sport itself.
Sports are sports, but teamates are much more. The lasting relationships that are created and the overall tone of the team is passed down from year to year. So as the year comes to a close, I salute those senior athletes who will be leaving us and thank them for holding true to the traditions of their sport and handing them down to others to carry on.
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