senior athletes happy to be back at it this fall

Emma Knick

The school year is rolling around and a lot has been happening in the Avon Lake Athletics Community. For most athletes, uncertainty is all that is thought about. What will senior year sports and school look like? Let’s take a look at some of our senior athletes and hear what they have to say going into their final seasons.

Griffin Romes, Center for the Varsity football team, has been a huge asset for the Avon Lake football program. Romes has led his team on the offensive line and is looking to make some waves on the line heading into his last season of football.

With his strength and courage, Romes will be a force to be reckoned with. As much as he’s ambitious and ready to take an SWC title, emotions are still a bit shaky for him. “Emotions are high heading into this season. Everything could be taken away from us at any second so [our team is] very grateful every day to be out there on that field,” Romes said.

With Romes’ senior season up in the air, normal routines aren’t happening and every practice, scrimmage and game is hanging by a thread. As Romes put it, “The journey has definitely been different than normal.”

Maggie Jantz, Avon Lake’s number one runner for the Cross Country team, has dealt a lot of damage out on the courses in the past three years. She leads by example while running on the course, pushing the girls from behind. For that reason, her team has been able to have great successes.

This year Jantz is looking to lead once again for her final season as a Shoregal. With the confidence in herself and her team, she is ready to take anyone who she crosses paths with.

Even though the team is ready and prepared for the upcoming season, at any moment things could change due to COVID-19. Jantz said, “Going into this upcoming season I am simply just trying to make the most of everything because I never know when it will all just end. I am mainly just excited to get a chance to run with my teammates. This team is like a family to me, and I can’t believe this is our final year together.”

Cross Country has been engraved in Jantz since she was a little girl, and for her, it would be a huge letdown if the season was canceled. “Cross Country has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even before I was a runner, I was at several of the meets cheering on my older siblings. I remember being so excited for my chance to finally race competitively,” Jantz said. Best of luck!

Madison Olinger, a middle attacker for the Shoregals’ Volleyball team, has overcome 2 ACL tears within her four-year span of high school. However, she is more than ready to dominate on the court this upcoming season.

Olinger brings so much to the table, including her leadership, height, determination, and athleticism. Not to mention, Olinger is one of the BEST blockers in the SWC.

Olinger has high hopes going into this season. “I’m excited to get to play with my team this year; it’s such a fun group of girls. I get to play with 5 other seniors which make this last season even more enjoyable to be able to finish it out with them,” she said.

Despite, all the setbacks that Olinger has faced with her ACL, she still has found a way to be one of the best attackers and blockers for the Shoregals; Olinger has learned to overcome any challenges that she may face which is why she is more than ready to overcome the challenge COVID-19 has thrown at her now.

“We have to obviously social distance and wear masks off the court and most of our scrimmages were canceled throughout August. Although there have been setbacks, it’s great to still have the chance to play with everything going on,” said Olinger.