Seniors Reflect on a Spring Season Lost

Emma Knick

Emma Knick

Imagine being a senior for one moment. You work so hard through your athletic and academic endeavors for twelve straight years only to find out that school is canceled for the rest of the year which means no spring sports.

What does that mean for athletes? Well, that means that athletes will never get the opportunity to have a sense of closure with their alma mater and the friends they’ve grown up with their whole life.

The countless hours of work on the field, off the field, and in the classroom are gone. Senior year is a big year and for many of these seniors, their season was taken away from them in the blink of an eye. Times like these help one realize how fortunate they really are.

Currently, the world is dealing with the coronavirus that is spreading and spreading and that called for a closure of schools for the remainder of this year. Spring sports: lacrosse, softball, baseball, tennis, and track are all canceled for the rest of the year. The worst part about the closure of just about everything is that these seniors may never step foot in their school once again or on their home field.

Many will begin a new chapter in their life, move on to seek new goals and leave behind all of their hard work that they didn’t even get to finish strong with.

For that, it is time to recognize a few spring sport senior athletes who have left behind remarkable athletic and academic careers as student-athletes here in Avon Lake.

These are students who dedicated themselves to their community and their teammates. They know what it takes to win and most of all, they are team players. Not only are they good athletes but they are all leaders for their teams and are in deservance of some recognition. Now let's begin to hear from these wonderful student athletes.

Molly Andrejcack, a senior player for the Avon Lake shoregals softball team, was a wonderful athlete on the field but most importantly she was an even more incredible person off of the field.

Her passion, dedication and love for the game was never an issue for her, it was always there. She always was smiling, enjoying the game and enjoying life in general.

Starting in the fall of 2020, Andrejcack will be attending LCCC in hopes to become a Dental Hygienist.

Her career for softball started way back when she was in kindergarten and she has developed so much over the years and now it's time for her to say goodbye. Andrejcack said, “The thing I miss most about not playing right now is the girls. The girls and the coaches keep me sane. They make me laugh when I get down on myself and they are always there to pick me up.”

With so many years of playing softball, Molly has had multiple coaches over the years of whom she would like to thank. Andrejcack said, “I have so many people to thank. Coach Jantz, he has had me for many years now and he’s an inspiration. He has always pushed me to become a better athlete and a better person. Coach Peachmen for letting us become better teammates and players and for always having our back.”

Andrejack was beyond thankful to have had such wonderful people in her life but those who impacted her in such a positive way were her parents. She said, “They have taught me how to become the person I want to be and they have always known how to make things right.”

Molly, congrats on all of your accomplishments throughout your career, you will never be forgotten from the Avon Lake community.

Ryan Shinko, a member and impact player for the Avon Lake Shoremen baseball team, will be attending Mount Union University to continue both his academic and athletic career as a pitcher for the team.

Shinko has grown up into a mentally and physically tough player. He is willing to compete when others aren’t and he never backs down from failure.

Any challenges thrown his way, he is ready to face them with no problem. Traits like, self-confidence, commitment and discipline are what has allowed for Shinko’s success over the past years.

For Shinko, it’s a bitter-sweet moment, the sweet comes from his opportunity to play at the next level but his bitterness comes from the loss of his senior season. Shinko said, “It really does hurt knowing that I won’t be able to play another High School sport. All I was hoping for was a game or two to say goodbye to the sport I love most.”

What Shinko will miss most is leaving behind the teammates of which he's grown up his whole life. Shinko said, “I miss being with my teammates and all of my coaches that I have come so close to.”

The person who inspired Shinko the most was Coach Hayden. Shinko said, “My family got me into [baseball] but the reason that I still play is because of my long time coach, Mr. Hayden.”

Shinko shares a message for the underclassmen, “Always work hard and do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. If you put your mind to it, you will succeed.”

Keep up the good work Shinko and remember to carry your hard work over to Mount Union. Good luck with your athletic and academic endeavors in the future, you will do great things.

Abby Schillinger, a huge asset to the girls lacrosse team in Avon Lake, will always be remembered for her constant smile, energy and willingness to strive for greatness.

Schillinger never accepted failure, instead, she worked harder to prove to people who she was as an athlete. Her dedication to the sport lacrosse has offered her a spot on the lacrosse team at D1 University of Detroit Mercy.

As sad as it is for Schillinger to not have the opportunity to finish off her senior year playing lacrosse, she will at least have the next four years to play the sport of which she loves most. Schillinger said, “When I heard about school closing for three weeks, I was automatically terrified they could postpone our senior season.” It is sad to leave behind an unfinished product, however, with the school season being canceled, that is the only answer.

Lastly, Schillinger would like to thank her sister, Emily for always impacting her in such a way that has allowed for success. Emily has given Abby the tips to become a D1 athlete just like herself and sure enough, it worked out that Abby will now become a D1 athlete as well.

Abby, continue to thrive in your academic and athletic life in the future. The community of Avon Lake will always remember your hard work and talents, they will forever be cherished here in the community.

Zak Kovacs, a Belmont Abbey baseball recruit, has been a huge asset to the Avon Lake Shoremen lacrosse teams past successes.

Kovac’s leadership was what kept him at the top of the list. His will and want has allowed for his success both academically and athletically but most of all it has allowed for him to take his lacrosse skills to the next level.

With all of Kovac’s success he would like to thank his mom for all she has done for him. He said, “I would like to thank my mom. I’ve had lots of ups and downs in my High School sports career and no matter what, she’s always been my biggest supporter and has always kept me in check.”

As far as coaches go, Kovacs would like to thank his head coach, Kevin Bresnahan. He states, “I would like to thank Kevin Bresnahan. My sophomore year, our head coach at the time left us weeks before the season was supposed to start. “Coach Brezzy” stepped up to the role and has given us nothing but 110% ever since. He has pushed us on and off the field. I am extremely grateful he stepped into the head coach role.”

Zak, your will to get better despite any challenges thrown your way is something that most kids don’t possess. Keep up the hard work and you will find future success. Good luck moving forward into a new chapter of your life.

Irwin Deng, a member of the Avon Lake boys tennis team who has played ever since he was eight years old, is not only a huge chunk of the tennis team but he has also engraved a path academically here in the Avon Lake community for students to strive for.

As amazing as it is, Deng received a solid 36 on his ACT. Deng has proved to be one of the smartest students leaving the building.

His shoes will be hard to fill for many but he has set the bar high for many not only in the classroom but on the tennis court as well.

Deng is devastated over the loss of his final tennis season of his athletic career. He said, “I was pretty disappointed [that the season was taken away] because all that time spent practicing is going to go to waste.”

What Deng will miss most about the loss of his season is the social aspect of it. He is very dedicated to his teammates and the sport itself.

With Deng’s intelligence and athletic ability, he will be one that will never be forgotten in the community. Take your talents with you as you continue your academic career in college. Keep up the good work Deng, make your community even more proud of you!

Ava Kramhoeller, an Avon Lake track and field athlete, has been a great representation of how to just enjoy life and sports.

Kramhoeller has grown up to be a very fundamentally strong runner which has offered her great success over the past few years on the track. In the fall of 2020 Kramhoeller will be attending the University of Miami, however, she is undecided as far as what she wants to major in.

Qualities like grit, persistence and hard working make up Kramhoeller.

As saddening as it is for Kramhoeller that her last track season of High School was last year, she would like to thank a few people who truly impacted her High School career as an athlete. She said, “First I want to thank all of my teammates throughout the years, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to run with. Second I would like to give a special thanks to my fellow track/ cross country senior Emma Sherban and my fellow cross country senior Livie Crimaldi for always being there for me on and off the track.”

The person who has had the biggest Impact on Kramhoeller, however, is Coach Juergens. Kramhoeller said, “Juergens has impacted me the most throught the last four years as a High School athlete. He has always pushed me to be my best and taught me what hard work really means.”

There is no doubt that Kramhoeller’s grit and determination to reach success will roll over into her academic career at Miami University. Kramhoeller, wishing you the best of luck with your new steps in life!

Michael Kuban, the track star since sixth grade, will always be remembered for his hard work.

This kid never gave up even most would have. He would do just about anything for his teammates, that's how much he cared about them.

Kuban is a true leader. He leads in the classroom, on the track and in so many other ways. Kuban was a once in a coach's life type athlete.

He never complained, never gave up. He possessed every skill that a coach likes to see and for that, he has created so much success in his life.

Kuban is sad because this was his last season running before he continues his academic career at Ohio State University. For that, Kuban says, “If I never race in High School again, I would be pretty depressed. Luckily, I know that there is a pretty competitive running club at OSU that I am planning to join, and I can still run road races as an individual but it’s not the same as running with my best friends and representing Avon Lake.”

Kuban would like to thank all of his teammates for creating relationships with them that will last a lifetime. Kuban said, “The bond that I have formed with these people through my daily workouts together and post-workout Speedway runs will last for the rest of my life.”

The community of Avon Lake will forever cherish your name and respect you and your talents. Continue to do great things at OSU because your community believes in you.

As sad as it is that these seniors won’t get to walk out on the field with their maroon and gold jerseys anymore, they all left behind a story that will always be remembered. Each one of these student athletes won’t be forgotten.

They are true legendary student athletes that the community of Avon Lake was proud to have. The Avon Lake community will miss all senior student athletes. Good luck in the future! Continue to represent your community in a positive way!