The lost spring seniors: COVID-19's impact on Sumter, Clarendon, Lee high school athletes, Part VIII

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Senior athletes in spring sports have lost out on most of their final high school seasons because of the coronavirus, so The Sumter Item wanted to hear from them about what that lost spring means to them. The Item will be running this series over the next several editions to give them a voice during their lost spring.

Gabrielle Kirkman – Sumter softball

“Losing my senior season was really hard for me. I started off as a manager in the sixth grade and I've been looking forward to this year ever since. Being able to play this year meant the world to me. I was able to make new friends and experience amazing things. I was truly looking forward to making it to the playoffs this year. For the past three years we have been getting closer and closer to making it. Looking back on all of the years I'm thankful to have been able to play for Sumter High School.”

Camryn Watford - Manning baseball

“Grateful for the opportunity to play with a wonderful family for as long as I have. I was looking forward to many great memories like senior night, signing to Salk with the monarch family and many laughs made with the boys. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take it to the next level. I will forever miss the monarch baseball team and cherish the memories I’ve made with the homies.

The cancellation of my last year of school ball hits hard. I’d give anything to get it back. We worked hard, had lots of heart that’ll never be put to use until after the monarch seniors are gone. #13 out.”

McKenzie Bagnal - Clarendon Hall softball

“Softball has always been very special to me. It has given me great opportunities to create friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. I am so sad to see the season come to an unexpected end, but I will always cherish the memories and friendship that were made. To all of my teammates and coaches I love you all, and I am so grateful for you all to allow me to grow on and off the field through the game of softball.”

Adrian Levine - Lakewood baseball and track & field

“Losing sports is very hard. Seniors like myself wishing we could play the sports that we loved for half of our lives and it’s hard that we can’t go out and let it all out on the track or on the field. I was hoping to have a great track season, baseball season and hopefully to get offers to start my new chapter at a college level. Now I won’t be able play my last year of baseball or running track , now its depressing that I won’t be able to pick up a ball, a bat and also track spikes anymore and now I have to give it all up because of these horrible times. My name is Adrian Levine and I speak for all the Seniors in Sumter. We miss our sports.”

Waverly McIver - Wilson Hall track and field

"I really cannot grasp the way that my senior track season is over, practically before it even started. We only had one meet, the first and last one of my senior year. This year I had a goal of placing in the top 5 at the state meet in discus, and it is so hard to comprehend that I will not get the chance to fulfill it. I am frustrated and disappointed, yet thankful for the time I did have on the WH track team. I look back on all the workouts, team prayers of 100+ kids huddled up before a meet, long spring afternoons gathered around the track cheering for friends, coaches sprinting to catch each event, and many other wonderful moments of track so fondly. I am grateful to have been a part of this program during my high school years even though it came with an unfathomable ending. I would really encourage underclassmen athletes when sports begin again to fully embrace each season. Even if you are a young member of a varsity team, it is never too early to put in maximum effort and try to reach significant goals. You never know when your last time competing will be, whether it is because of a personal injury or a widespread pandemic, so don't wait to chase down what you want. Be as diligent, hard-working, encouraging, and thankful as you can during each practice. You will never look back and regret giving too much, but you might look back, like many members of the class of 2020, and wish you had given just a little bit more while you had time."