It had been two years since spring athletes had taken the field in competition. Just three days of practice into the season last year, the season ended abruptly. Two years later, EC athletes are participating in softball, baseball, track, tennis, soccer, and golf. Academy athletes also returned to play in the past couple weeks. Coaches are training athletes who have been away from the sport for two years. The entire field of underclassmen have never competed at the high school level in spring sports.
Head soccer coach Rich Cross sharing that it is great to be back, see the girls, and be outside, competing again. “When COVID struck and the season came to an end, it was very disappointing because we had a team that we knew could do well and had potential to go far in the playoffs. Coming back after a year off, they are a year older. It is even more exciting to see that the talent is still there; they are a year older. They have potential to make a run in the state tournament and the players to make that happen.” He went on to add that it is great to see their smiles and joy that they can compete again and play. “It brings joy to a coaches heart. We are so happy to be back.”
Athletic director, Ann Serra-Lowney, shared her gratitude to have all her coaches back. “We have so much to be grateful for this spring. Not only are our student-athletes getting to play, but they are getting to play for coaches who have superior knowledge in their field. The coaches care so much about their athletes that they decided to come back this year and coach again. So many coaches and officials decided not to come back this year after taking last year off, and I am grateful that all of my coaches came back this season.”
Not only are the athletes back, they are breaking records. EC track had their first CHSL Jamboree on Wednesday evening at University Liggett. The Everest team was a co-op with Our Lady of the Lake from 2012 before forming a standalone team in 2017. This year the boys’ team has grown from a handful of runners to nearly a full-sized roster. As is the case with other sports, the depth of the roster doesn’t forecast the Mountaineers’ capacity to win. The boys’ team took second place competing against nine other teams from the Catholic League. Six new school record were set in boys high jump, discus, shot put, 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, and girls 200m.
Congratulations to all our EC spring athletes on a great return to play! #AllforHim
