Being an athlete at North Augusta is no easy task. One has to balance school, sports, and a social life. So, how does one do this? Seniors Madison Usry and Emma Shiver were asked about the difficulties of being a varsity athlete – specifically, a varsity softball player.
In order for a team to be cohesive and mesh well together, the team must practice. Senior Emma Shiver says, “the softball team practices five days a week and usually for about two hours.” Doing this allows our lady Jackets to perform their best for their many games and in tournaments. Yet on top of all this, athletes at North Augusta must retain a high GPA. When asked, Senior Madison Usry says, “Keeping up with school work does become a little more difficult whenever softball season starts. You have to really learn how to manage your time and take advantage of any free time that you may have in your other classes. In my previous years, I was going straight to softball practice from school, so I felt like I had to stay up late getting my homework and studying done. Now that I’m a senior, it’s a little easier because I get out of school earlier and have a little more time to get my homework and studying done.” Both senior girls have proven to excel at this skill by being great on the field and in the classroom.
Varsity sports not only allow one to play a game they love, but also to build memories and friendships. Spending five days a week together, weekends and bus rides, there is no doubt about the bonds built on a team. Usry says, “The bond that I have between my teammates is a totally different bond than what I have with my friends at school or in class.” Shiver gives a different perspective saying, “playing varsity softball has definitely helped me make friendships that I wouldn’t otherwise have. I have friendships with teammates in different grades that come from different backgrounds and I have become so appreciative for all of them.” When looking back on their years in high school, it is clear that softball will be a pillar of their experience. But does being on a varsity sport really improve the high school experience? Shiver would say so, stating, “playing softball for North Augusta High School has improved my high school experience because it keeps me involved with my school and gives me a chance to represent my school in a big way.”
Pictured above, is a member of the North Augusta High Varsity Softball Player.
Pictured here: Emma Shiver
Photographer: Ann Marie Partl
North Augusta is just getting started, with plenty left to come. Is the team expected to go far? The senior players sure hope so! Usry says, “Our season was cut short last year which was kind of a setback for us this year, but we come out to practice every day working harder and harder to get better. Our team is full of many great athletes and I believe we have a really good chance at winning state!”
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