Senior athletes have not been able to have their fall sports season, leaving them wondering if they have played their last game in an Oak Park uniform. In order to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, student athletes have also had to train for their sports in a new way.

“Although senior season might not seem attainable, I will continue to train hard and keep a positive mentality. Regardless of whether or not we have a season, I will always appreciate how Oak Park football has helped me grow as a student athlete and a person as a whole,” senior and football player Richard Russillo wrote to the Talon. 

For indoor sports, such as volleyball, chances are looking even slimmer for a return to play, due to the enclosed nature of the sport. Senior Emilee Teichner still remains cautiously optimistic, even as the future looks murky.

“There is no way around the fact that our senior season being cancelled is a bummer…a big one. In-gym practices gave me a sense of hope and normalcy that I hadn’t felt in a while. Even though we were all in masks and had to clean the ball after every play, I was still playing volleyball. Though we had our ups and downs as a program, I am forever thankful for the growth I achieved, friendships I made, and coaching I received throughout the past four years,” Teichner wrote to the Talon. 

Outdoor sports have a slightly higher chance for a return to play. For instance, cross country is one sport in which it is easier to socially distance. Senior and cross country athlete Lauren Nicholson is sad to not be able to have those last moments with her team and has struggled with motivation.

“Obviously being a senior and hearing you may not possibly have your final season of a sport you’ve been playing at the school for going on four years is really hard. Training for up to six days a week when there’s no promise of even racing sometimes feels pointless. Looking back at all the memories I’ve made through the sport, I can’t help but be upset wondering how many more amazing memories I could have made this season,” Nicholson wrote to the Talon.

Athletes who are interested in playing their sports in college have had a harder time getting recognized and contacting colleges. Seniors have not been able to attend the usual opportunities that would help them get recognized. Russillo, interested in continuing to play football in college, has struggled getting the recognition. 

“I do intend on playing college football, but it has been difficult reaching out to colleges considering the lack of our senior season,” Russillo wrote.