You enthusiastically cheer your teammates on while you are sitting on the sidelines. You start to reflect on all of the amazing memories you have made together as a team and take it all in. This is Senior Night, one of your last chances to be with your senior teammates and celebrate them before they graduate high school. Spring sports are coming to a bittersweet end for many. 

Senior night is a WA tradition to celebrate seniors, as it is their last season at WA, and, for many of them, their last season playing that sport. Traditionally, gifts are given to seniors, such as flowers and posters. At this point in the semester, many spring sport teams have just celebrated this honored tradition. 

A spring sport that has people with incredible teamwork is tennis. The tennis team, which is celebrated its Senior Night on April 5, has a strong bond and feels like a family to some.

Alex Humphrey ‘23, a co-team captain of the girls’ tennis team, feels extremely satisfied with her team’s progress and looks forward to the rest of the season. 

“I feel really proud of the team this season,” Humphrey said. “We started off really strong against our region teams and played well against tough schools to end out our regular season. I’m really excited to see what happens next in playoffs.”

Humphrey reminiscences for being recognized due to her achievements in front of all of her loved ones. It is a Senior Night tradition for every senior to get recognized for all of their accomplishments and receive a gift whether it be a bouquet or a poster. 

“My most memorable part of Senior Night was getting my announcement,” Humphrey said. “It was really special to be honored in front of my friends, family, and teammates. I’ve been excited for Senior Night since I made the team my freshman year and it really lived up to my expectations.” 

She feels sentimental towards the close bonds she has formed with her teammates over the years.

“I’m gonna miss the family that we’ve created with the boys and girls teams,” Humphrey said. “We have a really fun dynamic between all of us and it’s really special.”

Caitlin Johnson ‘23, another co-team captain of the girls’ tennis team, similarly appreciates playing alongside her close teammate and friend over the years. 

“[My favorite tennis memory is] getting to play doubles with my best friend and doubles partner, Alex Humphrey ‘23,” Johnson said.

Jackson Morris ‘23, who is on the lacrosse team, which celebrated its Senior Night on April 12, feels bittersweet towards the end of his sports journey at WA.

“I’m sad that it’s going to be over soon, but I’m thankful for the journey it’s been for the past 4 years,” Morris said.

Morris adds that he will miss a special WA lacrosse tradition after his season comes to an end.

“I will miss getting food before the home games at Which Wich the most,” Morris said. 

Trinity Knox ‘23, who plays on the soccer team, cherishes that her team bonding experiences are special memories that she will always remember. 

“I will definitely miss the team breakfast we have in Coach Elliot’s room on game days,” Knox said. “Not only because of the bagels, but because it is always an enjoyable time to talk and laugh with your teammates.”

Knox recalls fondly of scoring her first goal in a WA game since she is a goalie normally. 

“My favorite moment from Senior Night was definitely having the opportunity to play on the field, scoring my first ever goal in my WA soccer career,” Knox said. “It’s not only my favorite because it was my first goal, but it felt so amazing to score and having my teammates come up and celebrate with me.”

Jason Stoeckel ‘23, who is on the soccer team, acknowledges the bittersweet feelings towards the end of his final season at WA. 

“I’m a little bit emotional and somewhat confused because it’s hard to believe that I’ve been playing soccer here at Woodward for 6 years,” Stoeckel said. It’s bittersweet but this season has been the perfect final season for me, going undefeated in the region and making it to the playoffs.”

Stoeckel enjoyed the part of Senior Night when he was recognized for his achievements in front of everyone. 

“I was super happy when they called my name and I looked up and saw all of my friends in the stands cheering as I walked across the field with my mom,” Stoeckel said. “It was a super special moment to share with my friends and family and I’m thankful to all of the people who showed up.”

Peyton Funderburk ‘23, who is on the track and field team, which celebrated its Senior Night on April 4, expresses her sentimental feelings towards leaving the sport she has participated in for many years at WA. 

“[It is] bittersweet in the sense that I found my love and passion for track and field at Woodward, so it’s home for me, but excited at the fact that I will be leaving home to continue as a track and field collegiate athlete because of my experience, training and coaching here at Woodward,” Funderburk said. 

Funderburk reflects on her two favorite memories of track and field at WA that made her proud.

“The first is when we secured the Girls Varsity State Championship title in 2021,” Funderburk said. “The second is when I broke the Long Jump school record. They were both such historic moments and moments of significant accomplishment.”

She feels proud of herself knowing that all of her work hard paid off. 

“To have all the work you put into the sport result in your name and your school’s name forever being associated with being a champion, the best of the best, is an amazing feeling and a great source of pride,” Funderburk said.

Funderburk acknowledges that track and field at WA is exceptionally special for her due to her being connected to and having a close knit bond with her loving and supportive community.

“As mentioned, Woodward is home for me so I will miss home but will mostly miss my phenomenal teammates and coaches,” Funderburk said. “We have created so many great memories together and I have learned so many lessons about the sport and myself. I will take it all with me and forever cherish [it].”