Time flies. Everyone tells you time flies, but you’ll never believe how fast it actually goes until you’re at the finish line. As long as the morning conditioning sessions and preseason practices feel, the four or five years are there and gone before you know it. I think I can speak for the players and parents when I say that you can’t take a game or day for granted.
I’m currently wishing for just one more game...
Hard work. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. In many cases, we have been the underdogs, but come out on top or put up a stronger fight than expected. From the in-state rivals to the big games against top teams in the region and nation, us Panthers never fall back down from the challenge. All the belief we ever needed came from within the locker room, and our family and friends that support us.
Celebrate. From injuries to mistakes on the field, things aren’t going to always go your way, and if you bypass the good times, they will get covered up by the bad. I am blessed to be able to say that I have been a conference champion in my time at Milwaukee, but some of my best memories come from a year where you wouldn’t think much good can come out. My entire athletics career has been filled with ups and downs, but letting the bad days and moments keep you down keeps you from learning all the little lessons sports have to offer. Oh, and the fact that celebratory pictures make the best pictures!
Family. My family has supported me every step of the way, and been there at every turn. I think I can count on my fingers how many games of my career that I didn’t have at least one of my parents in the stands ... and that comes with four siblings who all play(ed) sports also. (Thanks mom and dad!!)
Our team has been close-knit and caring all the way through and I’m very thankful for that. Don’t worry, we still have the small fights and disagreements families do, but it doesn’t keep us from getting to where we want to go. As the ‘team mom’ the last two seasons, I think it’s safe to call the girls I have been around my family.
Thank you. Thank you to my coaches; they put in so much extra time and effort to make sure we are in a place to succeed. Thank you to my teammates; you have all pushed me to be the best me, enjoyed the highs, and pushed through the lows, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. Thank you to my family; you have hauled me to practices, watched in some miserable weather, and endured the journey every step of the way. Thank you to everyone else; the athletic department, other parents, my friends, and every Panther fan for believing in us and taking part in what we do.
I’m signing off for the final time, but I can’t wait to see where the remaining group of girls carries this program. We tend to be more motivated by loss than we are by a win. Not making it to the NCAA tournament kills us inside, and I anticipate they will be there soon. So for all our fans, have faith, and keep cheering!
~peace, love, panthers~ Mar
