Making the cut: Behind the scenes of Spring Tryouts

By: Kingston Mills

April 3, 2024

 Spring sports are getting underway at Colgan with tryouts commencing. This is the final season for sports this year, as fall sports concluded months ago and the final winter competitions are ending. In total, seven different sports host their tryouts, as the roster is narrowed for the campaign ahead.  

   Baseball, Crew, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball and Tennis are the teams competing for the next couple months. All starting with a similar goal, they compete at the highest level and win.  

   Colgan baseball finished 24-3 last year with a heartbreaking defeat in the state semifinals. Contrary to other sports, the tryouts are split up between underclassmen and upperclassmen. This, however, is only for the first two days before the final day groups everyone together.   

   Furthermore, on the pitch, the boys’ soccer team is coached by James Wallen, meanwhile Tom Warzywak coaches the girls. These tryouts consist of lots of conditioning so being in shape is a necessary attribute for players wanting to make the team.  

   Sophomore soccer player, Anthony Gonzalez, said, “Tryouts have been good, with 90 kids it’s a lot of competition.”   

The Sophomore said that he hopes to stand out towards the coaches throughout the tryouts. 

   “I would run three miles every day, so I’m fit. I would practice with a team, train drills, and scrimmage so I’m prepared for competition at Colgan,” said Gonzalez

   Unlike most sports at Colgan, the crew team doesn’t hold tryouts. They invite students of all talent levels to join the organization and have fun. Although, the team still competes with other schools around Prince William. 

   In addition, Colgan’s track coaches have a unique system for examining talent during tryouts. 

   “Track is an interesting one. Let’s [Coaches] find out where you are to know where to place you. Find out what’s good or bad to make that experience for you,” said Long distance runner, Jacob Hakizimana.

   Hakizimana detailed the sport’s challenges.

   “I would say the commitment, showing up every day putting in that work and deciding to get better. I never had that problem cause track is my passion,” he said.

Amid a quick school year, the final sports season has already arrived. Colgan’s athletes have been eagerly awaiting their chance to showcase and excel in their trials. Over just a few days, tryouts will launch and the 2024 spring rosters will be set. Moreover, Colgan is hoping for yet another successful stage of athletics.