Not Doing It for the Glory

Athletes in Under-Attended Sports Find Motivation Within

By GEORGE SULLIVAN ’11
Eye Editorial Staff

Sports have always been a big deal in high school. Athletes train hard just to make a team and then even harder during the season in hopes of making it to a state championship. Many of our outstanding teams such as football, cross-country, soccer, lacrosse, just to name a few, are made up of these devoted competitors. One motivation, other than fame, glory, and a sick ring, is the fans. Some say there is no greater feeling than to have your peers cheer you on to victory. “I wouldn’t know,” says lacrosse superstar Matt Seeholzer. It seems that many “champions” feel this way, myself included. “When I burst out of the water after performing a near perfect triple flip 360 dive and realize that my mom is the only one there, I cry a little inside,” commented dive team senior Sean Arling.

Although we have many amazing teams here at Ignatius, many athletes feel under-appreciated. Golfers, Bowlers, Laxers, and Rowers come to me and ask, “why don’t I have beautiful women come to my events and paint my number on their cheek?”

There just aren’t as many fans at the bowling alley as there are at Browns Stadium. Why? The simple answer is that people don’t know we have these teams. I would like to take this opportunity to list all the sports you didn’t “know” about: Lacrosse, Cross Country, Bowling, Crew, Lacrosse, Baseball, Swim team, Diving team, Volleyball, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling, Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse, and (if all goes according to plan) a soon-to-be varsity Fencing Club.

Apparently some of these teams are rather good. David Kloos of the swim team finished 7th in the state last year; the Baseball team was state champs in 2002 and runners up in 2008; Cross Country and Hockey won State Championships last year. The Lacrosse team hasn’t done much, but we are under new management and aiming to please. Goalie John Finucan guarantees a State Championship this season and highly encourages Wildcat fans to come see us. Now that you know all about the “other” sports teams here at Ignatius, you won’t be shocked to hear that we have a soccer team that is “unofficially” ranked #1 in the nation. Oh yeah, we toss around the pigskin every now and then too.

George Sullivan plays on the Lacrosse team, and desperately wants some love from Wildcat nation.