Waking up before 5 a.m. every day for four years is an unexplainable exhilaration above all. I cannot count the amount of times I have been asked what I am doing it for. Despite not being committed to a collegiate cross country team, I find countless reasons to revel in the passion and hard work built by Xavier athletics.
At Xavier, excellence is encouraged and expected in every area of a student’s life, especially athletics. Xavier’s renowned athletic program sends several athletes into NCAA sports, well above the national average per high school.
Even after four years of hard work, I never wanted to take the leap into the world of collegiate athletics, and I am not alone.
During her junior year, Lucy Sanford ‘25 led the varsity basketball team to its first state championship. This achievement was recognized by coaches around the country, many of whom were eager to know if Sanford would join their rosters.
However, Sanford has selected to attend The University of Oklahoma, to continue being a student and live out the freedom that comes from leaving basketball behind.
Although this decision is a personal one, many athletes feel as though their teammates, coaches, parents and supporters have opinions about how they should approach their next four years.
“Other people’s expectations and opinions of what I should do is something I spent too much time worrying about. Once I focused on myself and my goals I had a much easier time making my decision,” said Sanford.
Similarly, Kaitlyn Markham ‘25 had her pick of collegiate cross country programs. Not only is Markham one of the fastest female cross country and distance track runners in Arizona, but she excels in the classroom, a combination important to scouting coaches.
Running collegiately was never Markham’s goal, but that did not stop her from putting her best foot forward on the starting line, and showing up ready to put in the work during every practice.
“High school athletics are valuable themselves, not just as a way to prepare for college. They build strong friendships, increase work ethic, explore different ways to exercise and push students to be their best,” Markham said.
Both Sanford and Markham emphasize the extreme importance of friendships made while pursuing athletics.
“I have had so many ups and downs that have helped shape me into not only the athlete I was, but the person I am now. The ups and downs bring teammates together and form stronger bonds with those around you,” said Sanford.
Markham said, “some of my favorite high school memories are from cross country. One in particular is our annual summer trip to Flagstaff. It is a great place to bond with my teammates and have valuable altitude training.”
Xavier Athletic Director and varsity golf coach Tui Selvaratnam, echoed the importance of friendships built through high school athletics. “Regardless of playing in college or not, sports are great bonding; the players you play with in high school become a close-knit group. In Xavier, the friends formed from teams are important to girls for the rest of their lives.”
Athletics open a door of possibilities, especially to young women interested in pursuing something bigger than themselves. These possibilities lead to passions, such as what Markham has achieved through distance running.
“By joining cross country and track, I discovered that I love running. I plan to continue running half and full marathons in college and after,” Markham said.
Charlotte Sredzinski ‘25 suffered a debilitating injury during her sophomore year. This injury significantly changed the way her soccer career would continue.
“My injury ultimately decided my future for me– with a recovery time of 9-12 months before returning to play, I pretty much missed my window to commit,” said Sredzinski.
While Sredzinski will no longer have the opportunity to play at the collegiate level, she feels the benefits she gained during her four years on the varsity soccer team are beyond worth it, despite her season ending without a contract for NCAA soccer.
“The last thing you want is to commit to a college for sports and end up losing the joy of the game and getting burnt out. Not committing doesn’t mean abruptly ending your sport– intramural and club sports exist in college as well,” Sredzinski said.
She has decided to enroll at Northeastern University in Boston, and although she will not be playing soccer, she will continue to bring the discipline Xavier soccer taught her to future endeavors.
While coaches contacted me with offers of a position on their roster, I debated if I would find the same acceptance found during my time as a Xavier Gator. At times I was tempted to return to the thrill I felt on the racing line.
But eventually, I came to the conclusion that my best memories were made with my high school cross country teammates, and I was ready to end this chapter of my life.
Although next year will not be filled with travel for meets, Name-Image-Likeness deals or competing in the NCAA, I do not believe my time as a Xavier runner has been useless.
This time to form my inner-self while improving the performance of my physical-self is priceless and one I will cherish for the rest of my life.
High school sports are worth more than the notoriety of signing a letter of intent, for the bonds made during practices, games, team lunches and pre-play prayer are invaluable.
Coaches and players alike recognize the benefits gained from being a student-athlete such as unique bonds with other women, confidence, discipline and time management skills as well as perseverance. These attributes are truly the best outcomes of committing time to a high school sports team, whether or not the athlete chooses to continue this career after graduation.
Oftentimes the competitive nature of Xavier can feel overwhelming, but there is a place for everyone in athletics, even if these four years are the end of competing.
“Through the years, I had numerous high school teammates who were a part of the team despite having no desire to commit in college, which just proves that you don’t need to have plans to commit in order to be a part of high level school athletics,” added Sredzinski.
Stanford understands how hard it can be to make this decision, “I would advise anyone struggling with this decision to make sure to put themselves and their priorities first.”
An important reminder to student athletes afraid of losing a part of themselves when they stop competing is sports clubs, local activities and workout classes that are available on every college campus to feed the competitive nature within each soul of a Gator graduate.
Markham added, “I would say to really think about what you want from your college experience, and then trust your gut and do what you think will bring you the most joy.”
