For many high school athletes, senior year is a final presentation of years of hard work and unforgettable memories.
For North Central soccer seniors Zach Hamstra and Annabelle Rhoades, this fall was the end of a journey that shaped their lives both on and off the field.
Reflecting on their final games, most seniors feel sentimental about their years spent on the team.
“I felt sad that it was ending but still happy that it happened,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades had a bit of a different take.
“My last game was bittersweet, because I was sad that my time playing soccer was over, but also a little bit excited to enter a new part of my life where soccer wasn’t the only thing I could focus on,” Rhoades said.
Hamstra took a lot of pride in how much he had grown as a person during his final season.
“This season was different because I had much more standing in leadership and the success of the team. The team helped me learn to rely and trust others, and how to become a leader,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades’ season brought a bunch of new experiences and even some new teammates.
“This was my first season on varsity, so I was on a team with people I had never played with before, but it was fun to get to know everyone,” Rhoades said.
When Hamstra looks back at his season he has very fond memories.
“I will never forget the morning practices and how much fun we all had together,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades also had very fond memories from her final seasons.
“I’ll never forget having fun in the locker room before sectionals, when we sprayed our hair red and used glitter, and the energy in the locker room was always really good,” Rhoades said.
For Hamstra, saying goodbye to the program was one of the hardest parts.
“It is very sad to think about. I have made so many friends and memories with school soccer and it’s something I will never forget,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades shared similar feelings.
“It’s really sad for me, NCWS was the first thing I had ever joined in high school and I made a lot of my best friends through it, so it is sad to leave something that was so influential in my high school experience,” Rhoades said.
Hamstra still remembers the exact moment when he knew it was all over.
“At the end of our last game when the emotions really hit and a lot of people were crying,” Hamstra said.
For Rhoades it wasn’t as sudden.
“I don’t know if there was a specific moment, but I remember leaving our last game feeling really weird because I wouldn’t get to play again,” Rhoades said.
This season brought teammates closer together and Hamstra gained a new appreciation for his team.
“My teammates were so important to me this year, we spent too much time together and really came to build strong friendships,” Hamstra said.
Rhodes teammates meant everything to her.
“My teammates were really influential in my experience this year, even though I was a senior, I’d never been on varsity and the entire team was always so supportive and encouraging and it really made a big difference,” Rhoades said.
Hamstra gives credit to his growth throughout the season to the example set by his coach.
“Coach Ric has had the biggest impact on me because of the way he chose to build our soccer community, he coached the season with positivity and a winning mindset,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades’ coaches made a big difference in her experience throughout the season.
“My coaches, especially Coach. McQuiston, have helped me through really tough times and have helped me to be a better person on and off the field,” Rhoades said.
Hamstra took pride in helping out the younger players.
“The underclassmen would ask me for direction on the field, and an example to follow, my advice to them is that it doesn’t matter where you start, it matters where you finish,” Rhoades said.
Rhoades has her own message for the underclassmen.
“I hope the underclassmen look up to me and remember to keep persevering and stay positive because sometimes playing soccer can be really difficult, both physically and mentally, but it shows a lot about a person if they can just keep pushing through,” Rhoades said.
Hamstra hopes his class leaves a lasting mark of the program.
“I think we leave behind a legacy of positivity and leadership,I hope that people will remember me and the other seniors as the beginning of a new kind of culture for North Central men’s soccer,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades believes her class had a similar impact for the girls program.
“I think my senior class will leave behind a positive legacy of hard work, but I think it is our camaraderie that will be the most defining for us,” Rhoades said.
As both now are preparing for college, soccer will still remain a part of their lives.
“I do not plan to play soccer at the collegiate level, but I hope to continue playing at a club level with whatever college I go to,” Hamstra said.
“I think I will probably play recreational soccer in college, but nothing as organized as high school or club soccer,” Rhoades said.
Looking into the future both feel prepared and excited for what’s next.
“It has taught me the important lesson that all good things come to an end,It has also taught me many valuable skills of leadership and teamwork,” Hamstra said.
“Being an athlete has taught me about mental perseverance, team building, communication and dedication,” Rhoades said.
Hamstra offered advice to those who get to return next year.
“Don’t take the season for granted, value every moment,” Hamstra said.
Rhoades offered similar advice.
“My advice for next year’s seniors is to work hard, but to also remember to enjoy the time and make the team a good and uplifting environment.” Rhoades said.
