Senior Kaelyn Stafford reflects on time lost on the field

May 14, 2020

For one group of students, the coronavirus outbreak has hit harder than most. Senior athletes looking forward to their final season wearing Buccaneer colors won’t get the chance to finish this chapter of life on their own terms now.

Although their story continues, an abrupt end to an important character-building section has caused more than a few tears. For Senior Kaelyn Stafford, Captain of the softball team, it was a hard blow to handle when she heard her season was canceled.

“Senior year is something I looked forward to throughout high school and to not get to play my last year is disheartening,” Stafford said. “Playing takes my mind off everything and not having that escape is really hard.”

Even though it was tough news to hear, Stafford is trying to find the good in the situation.

“We are hoping to get together over the summer to play a few games,” Stafford said.

Like many other teams and athletes, the softball ladies are extremely close to one another and are hopeful that the stay at home order will lift and they can finally meet as a team one last time.

“I will miss the girls the most,” Stafford said. “The bond we have is like family and knowing I will not get to play with them again is the hardest part.”

For many athletes, Stafford included, their time spent devoted to high school sports is a huge part of their life, and thus, unforgettable.

“There is not a single thing I won’t miss, even the crazy circuits and constant running in practice,” Stafford said. “Everything we’ve done has shaped me into a better version of myself and I am forever grateful.”

As a leader of the team, Stafford wants only the best for the program in the years to come as she moves on to play at Aquinas College. For future players and leaders, she has a message.

“I would tell them to not take it for granted,” Stafford said. “It goes by faster than you think. I would give anything to play just one more game as a Buc.”

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