After years of practices, games, and time spent with teammates, the end of fall sports marks the final season of high school athletics for some seniors. As their high school careers come to a close, athletes are reflecting on what led them to step away from competitive sports and how their experiences will stay with them beyond graduation.

Whether choosing to prioritize future careers or continuing playing recreationally, seniors have different reasons for leaving competitive athletics behind. Despite their decisions, their time on their teams has shaped their friendships, work ethic, and relationships with their sports.

Senior Mila Feierstein played volleyball and lacrosse, restricting her from dedicating her time to just one sport. Consequently, Feierstein believes that she is not at the level necessary to compete in college. Although she sometimes wishes she had focused on one sport earlier, Feierstein said the friendships she developed through lacrosse made her experience worthwhile.

“I have no regrets playing lacrosse because I met amazing people,” Feierstein said.

Senior Hayden Shinsky decided to give up lacrosse competitively to prioritize her future career in social work. She said her time on the team helped her build connections and develop persistence.

Although majority of athletes have a reason to step from their sport, letting go of the memories made along the way remains a struggle for players.

After playing tackle football since fourth grade, senior Christian Olds said he has struggled with the idea of leaving a sport that has been a major part of his life. Although he does not plan to pursue football competitively in college, he hopes to remain involved through coaching.

Not only do some not commit to playing their sport in college because of issues like time management or loss of motivation, but for people like senior Blake Haravon, the physical demands of competing at the collegiate level can be difficult. Similarly to Olds, Haravon played football for over 10 years, and decided to leave his football career in high school, acknowledging the memories and community he has been a part of for the majority of his life.

“I’ve made a lot of personal growth,” Haravon said. “Football is something that has transformed me as a person, and it showed me what it means to work hard.”