Students play sports for the multiple benefits to themselves and to the Holy Cross community. LOTAs can play a variety of 17 different sports and recently won the WCAC championship for volleyball, this past season.
Freshmen are highly encouraged to participate in sports and many athletes start new sports their freshman year. Freshman Jillian Howard plays soccer, swims, and plans to play lacrosse in the spring.
“When I started playing sports everyone was so welcoming and excited for the new season,” Howard stated.
Not only was the community welcoming, but sports also gives athletes the opportunity to “build character and build skills that they use in life long relationships,” physical education teacher Cheryl King revealed. King is also thefield hockey and golf coach.
While sports have a beneficial part in a student’s social life, they also have benefits to a student’s academic life.
“Sports motivate students to stay on top of their [classroom] studies to maintain eligibility,” King commented.
Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 to remain eligible to play sports. If they do not they can be ineligible to play sports until their grades improve. To assist with their grades improvement, students will be part of the Student Support Program. An administration member meets with students to offer support and guidance they need to get their grades up. This includes, meeting with teachers, evaluating study techniques, and more.
The athletics program at AHC has many benefits for both the coaches and the athletes.
“It is a great way [for coaches] to give back to the community,” King shared proudly. “It’s rewarding watching people achieve their full potential and grow, it’s challenging yet rewarding.”
For the athletes it’s “extra time with friends and a fun way to exercise,” Howard shared enthusiastically.
Students have many takeaways and lessons learned from their sports seasons. Lexi Hawk, a freshman swimmer and soccer player, reflected on her season.
“I leave the season knowing that I’ve made many high school long friendships and found a new side of myself competitively and became hard working in my academics,” she said.
Both Hawk and Howard are excited and looking forward to their upcoming spring seasons and next year. They also encourage incoming freshmen who are undecided if they want to play a new sport.
“Do it, you’ll make so many friends and it will be a great experience,” Howard stated enthusiastically.
Athletes are encouraged to play regardless of their experience level.
“No matter how much or how little experience you have, the Holy Cross sports program is a fun experience for all,” Hawk commented.
The coaches also enjoy extended the group of students involved in athletics.
“We love seeing new faces on the field and growing our program to new and old students,” King concluded.
