Sports
Columbia’s Pastime
By: Ella Thibodeau
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| Photo courtesy of: Peter Nolet |
For many players on the team, baseball is one of the longest commitments they’ve had in their young lives, playing with most of the same people year after year. Peter Nolet, ‘17, has been playing baseball for 14 years and said that in a way, it feels like he’s been playing on variations of the same team his whole life, “since most of us have been playing since we were kids.” Reid Evans, ‘17, has been playing baseball for 13 years and said, “I'm grateful to see all of us grow into the people and players we are today.”
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| Photo courtesy of: Reid Evans |
For Evans, playing baseball with this group of kids for his whole life has made a profound impact. “I wouldn't be who I am today without it. I made friends and connections that will last a lifetime.” With a lot of changes in the coaching staff within the last year, Nolet said that, “the team has always been close and that has just been reinforced this season.” Evan’s favorite part of the baseball program has been, “the connection we all have. I treat them like family as they do to me.” Every player on the team has all taken a slightly different path to get to where they are today, but overall, they are like a family and have all had the opportunity to learn and watch one another grow together. The team went through all of the changes of the last year together and Nolet said he, “think(s) that we all realized we have the same goal. Regardless of the coach.”
Having practically grown up together, the baseball team is going to have a much longer road to look back on on the day of graduation than just the past four years of high school. With bittersweet nostalgia in the air, some players are continuing the journey and going on to play baseball in college. Evans said, “Playing baseball this long has taught me that if you love something you should stick with it. I always thought I wouldn't want to play in college. However once I reached my senior year I realized that baseball makes me who I am today, and I can't imagine not being around it in some aspect.” Baseball became more than just a game, but a part of their life that has helped shape many of the players on the CHS team, on and off the field. Nolet learned, “that long lasting relationships are important for both athletic performance and every day life as well.” through the help of the baseball program that he’s been participating in for most of his life.
"Lacrossing" Paths Again
By: Ella Thibodeau
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| Photo Courtesy of: Steve O'Mara |
As Columbia High School (CHS) Alumni return home from college, the CHS boys lacrosse team reunites for their annual alumni game at Underhill Field. Alumni from recent years as well as some who graduated long before any current students were born, reunite on the field.
The game is organized by Steve Ramos. Will O’Mara, ‘17, said “The game changes every year depending on how many alumni and current players we have, last year it was players vs. alumni but this year we all combined and split it up into 2 teams, so it depends.” O’Mara plans to return to the alumni game next year because “It’s always been a tradition I’ve enjoyed and it’s a good way to get together with my old teammates who I won’t see for the rest of the year."
Around 25 alumni came back this year for the game on Sunday, June 4th. Many alumni from 2014, 2015 and some 2016 came. But most notably, the oldest returning alumni was 70 years old.
The game is a fun, nostalgic experience for all who attend. It takes players back to the good old days. Zeke Orsini, '15, plays college club lacrosse at the University of South Carolina. When asked how it is different from playing lacrosse at CHS he said, “I’m expected to do a lot more on my own than with the team.” He also travels a lot for the team. “8 hours max.” Orsini said he came back to play the game because, “I like playing casual lacrosse and I wanted to expose people.” There is also an alumni barbecue after the game that he wanted to attend. It is a good excuse to come back and play a friendly game of a sport that they all once loved. Noah Sebanne, ‘15, said he came back because “I can see guys I wouldn’t see otherwise, check how washed I am now and go hang out at the Ramos’ after the game”
The game provides a good opportunity to see old friends and keep one of the most fun parts of their high school years alive. Even though Orsini plays lacrosse now in college and “the team is better,” it is a different experience in good and bad ways. “The biggest difference is that I drink with my coach.” he said. By returning to the alumni game he gets to relive a different kind of fun that lacrosse once brought to him.
