Not only did the new senior class step up, but they also set a strong presence across all the sports. Many achieve amazing goals, with some going on to take the next step to play in college. On the volleyball team, Cali Foster and Bella Widmer are both going D1 to continue their volleyball career. Some other their senior highlights are that all the volleyball seniors have +100 wins over the 4 years combined, along with Izzy Adams achieving 1000 assists, Bella Widmer achieving 1000 Digs, and in the year before, Cali Foster achieved 1000 kills.
The boys soccer team had one of its best seasons in years, battling there way to the sectional finals for the second time in +10 years. The seniors had a record-breaking season, with one of their notable accomplishments being a 6-0 home record and an overall record of 13-6. Rocky Ellies, a senior and captain on the soccer team, says when asked how he felt about his senior season, he says, “I really enjoyed being a leader and being able to help the underclassmen and give them the support they needed.”
Keagan Strickland was a captain on the women’s soccer team, had a great year. She stepped up to be a leader on the team. With the season already being over, she says, “It was very sad for the season to come to an end. I enjoyed being able to help the younger kids grow and become more comfortable. I will miss seeing them all the time.”
The cross country seniors have had an amazing season. With 4-year varsity runner Carter Fox is having a season to remember, with him almost breaking 17 minutes. At the conference meet, he set a personal record of 17:01, putting him in 12th place earned him all-conference. This is the best finish a Benton Central boy runner has had since Akis Medrano’s time of 16:29 in 2014. Not only did he earn all-conference, but so did two other girls, with one being senior Maddie Peterson, with a time of 20:23, placing her at 9th place, earning her all-conference.
Senior Samiyah Rich, the only 4-year letter for cross country senior girls this year says how she feels about her running crear coming to an end she responds with, “Being a senior this year in cross country made me realize how time flies by, from being a freshman sitting in the back of upper class men’s cars going to our happy hollow practices, to being the one to help organize and plan trips, having to be an example for our underclassmen. It showed me how much I loved this sport and the team that comes with it. I will very much miss it and the memories I made during it.”
Boys tennis also had an amazing year with an overall record of 18-4, which is an 81.82% of season wins. Seniors Bennett Senesac and Landon Hardebeck were two of many who made all-conference.
Although the football team didn’t have the best year, senior Logan Hoaks is planning on pursuing football in college. Logan Hoaks, a varsity football player who has been playing for the past 10 years, and is planning on going to Trine University. When asked why he wants to continue, he said, “I love football and I have been working towards my chance to compete at the next level since I started in 3rd grade.” Even with taking the next step to a new team, he still enjoyed the impact and moments he had on this high school team. When he was asked how he felt about the season coming to an end, he said, “I’m sad that it’s over, but I reflect on it positively. I think I have taken some big jumps personally and athletically, and left the team in a better position with my impact here. I enjoyed practicing with my team and building relationships that will last a long time because of the things we’ve endured together.” As Logan prepares for this next step of his life, he will not only go into it with the skills but also the memories that will be with him after the whistle blows for the last time.
With all fall seniors, there was a total of 42, with there being 1 in bowling, 2 in girls soccer, 4 in cheer and boys tennis, 5 in girls golf, 6 in football and volleyball, 7 in cross country, and 8 in boys soccer. Congratulations to all the seniors, now it’s onto the next best thing!
