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

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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.

Dyson Roberts - Sumter boys soccer

“Losing spring sports really hurt me it hurt our team we improved compared to last year and as a senior I grew compared to last year and stepping up and taking to role as a leader meant a lot those moments that were shared with the team helping the young guys grow better as players and men really hurt that a pandemic like this can take that away but it God’s plan so I just go with the flow.”

Na’ Kiya Tye - Crestwood track and field / softball

“It breaks my heart that I will never feel those last moments of my final game or my senior night. All I have looked forward to for four years is gone. As a young player you always look up to the seniors to guide you and teach you all that they can and being able to see them walk across the field or track one last time is a moment that young athletes dream that they will be able to experience. I’m sad because for me and a large amount of my team we will not be able to teach the next young athletes and we will not have our moment. The moment that you feel loved by your coaches, teammates, loyal fans, and your family. We will never feel that I did it moment on or off the field. I miss my team and I miss the memories and bonds that could have been made this season. That is how I feel about my last year as senior in 2020.”

Spencer Dyke - Thomas Sumter track

“It means that I still have a chance to make the gains I wanted to. Getting signed to CIU for cross country was amazing, and I was looking forward to running track at TSA this season. I never got that 5’30” mile and didn’t get to peak since there wasn’t a whole lot of practice, but it’s given me plenty of time to ramp up my mileage. I didn’t get to become the best high school track runner, but losing spring has given me time to work towards being a collegiate level cross country runner.”

Darby Watford - Lakewood Soccer

Frustrating is the word that immediately comes to mind. We have worked incredibly hard to prepare for the season, and it was taken away from us. It’s like mourning a death; I’ve gone through all five stages of grief. It’s heartbreaking to know that we won’t get our official ‘last game’ and our senior night. I’m disappointed with SCHSL’s decision to cancel the season, but I’m appreciative for their abundance of caution. I’m also grateful for my teammates and coaches for making this season amazing, even though it was very short-lived. Although I hate the way the season ended, I know everything happens for a reason and that God is in control.

Wells Robinson - Clarendon Hall baseball

“To me losing my spring season it’s more than just not being able to play baseball my last year what hurts the most is knowing that I won’t be able to fight in the trenches and battle alongside guys I consider my family and not being able to make a few more memories with them before we go our separate ways. It definitely is a terrible feeling but I can put it to rest knowing that each day we all gave our best effort and did what we had to do to play to our full potential each game. I have been blessed the last few years to play under Coach Jackie he has taught me how to be a better player as well as a man I’m forever grateful for everything he has done for me.”