It's been several long months of debate and discussion leading up to the opening days of fall sports! For some time, athletes were unsure if they would be able to take the field or the court this fall. Now that FVL and the NEC are back in action, we asked some of our fall athletes what they were looking forward to this season.
Addison Fett
FVL Senior - Soccer Team Captain
What excites you most about this fall season?
"The opportunity to play one last season with my teammates and the opportunities to use the talents God has given this team!"
What are your goals for this season?
"To go undefeated in the regular season and if we have a possibility of playoffs to make it where every high school soccer team wants to make it, the state title game."
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"I tell myself that during the ones that want it the most are out there working the hardest, so in order to beat them you have to work even harder. God has a plan for this season and I’m going to leave everything I have on that field this last year to praise him, no matter what type of season we have!"
Ava Rachoner
FVL Senior - Cheer Team
What excites you most about this fall season?
"I am glad that we are able to have a few showcase dates even though we are not allowed to perform at football games. I am very thankful that we have been able to practice since July, even though our practices have looked very different from past seasons."
What are your goals for this season?
"I am hopeful that our team will be able to work on our skills so that we can be on the same level we were at last year. My biggest goal is to make sure that our team is ready for the competitive cheer season when it starts in a few months!"
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"I have been able to stay motivated by talking with my teammates and coaches when I feel upset. We have all been trying very hard to stay positive and continue building each other up through all the changes."
Seth Voeller
FVL Senior - Football Team Captain
What excites you most about this fall season?
"Being able to play ball one last time in high school."
What are your goals for this season?
"Be on an all-conference team."
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"Knowing that God has a plan for us and just keep working waiting to get back on the field."
Brooklyn Heyn
FVL Senior - Dance Team Captain
What excites you most about this fall season?
"I am very excited that even though we can’t be at the football games performing, we are still finding ways to show our routines! We will be videotaping our routines to play during the football live-streams and we will also be having a “showcase” where we show our parents the routines we’ve been practicing. We also plan on live streaming the showcase through the @fvlfanatics Instagram account!"
What are your goals for this season?
"There has been a lot of disappointment coming with our football performances being canceled, so my goal this year has been to keep a positive attitude and make the best of every situation. It’s so important to keep a great attitude when you’re working with a team no matter what gets thrown at you!"
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"A big way I’ve been motivated is encouraging my team. As I said before I truly believe that attitude is everything. We are also blessed that we actually don’t compete until late December and January this year! So our team stays motivated that all the practice we put in now will make us that much better when we compete later this year and hopefully everything will be a little more normal!"
Macey Schaetz
FVL Senior - Tennis Team Captain
What excites you most about this fall season?
"I am most excited to get on the tennis courts and be able to get together with my teammates and practice with them."
What are your goals for this season?
"I was hoping to get to sectionals like I did last year, but sectionals are postponed or we aren't doing it (I'm not sure yet). So instead I'm hoping to have one last fun tennis season with my friends. I'm also hoping to get a couple of wins this year and improve my skills."
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"When we get to have practices or have any matches it still feels the same way it always has felt--fun. When I am practicing or playing a match I forget about all of the craziness that is happening in society right now and it just feels like a normal day playing tennis."
Emma Santos
FVL Senior - Golf Team Captain
What excites you most about this fall season?
"Being able to have a somewhat normal season and playing in my last high school matches."
What are your goals for this season?
"Getting a conference award and playing to the best of my abilities."
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"My dad and my coach have really helped me stay motivated. They are both so supportive and try to make everything as normal as possible for me and the team."
Drew Homan
FVL Junior - Cross Country Team
What excites you most about this fall season?
"Competing for the first time in almost a year."
What are your goals for this season?
"Run a sub-17 5K."
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"Having teammates that hold me accountable."
Cassie Patchett
FVL Junior - Volleyball Team
What excites you most about this fall season?
"Playing together as a team again."
What are your goals for this season?
"Conference champions."
How have you been able to stay motivated through all the changes?
"We have been getting together to practice as much as we can."