HHS's track and field.
Spring sports have begun at Hastings High and many students are participating, including the freshman class.
There are 31 freshmen doing track, 12 playing baseball, 13 doing soccer, and five doing girls’ tennis.
“I wasn’t too nervous at the beginning of the season because I played with a good handful of the girls during the indoor season, but part of me was still pretty nervous to make a good impression on the coaches,” soccer player Nayely Guzman said.
Although Guzman can’t play as of right now due to a hamstring injury, she loves to be part of the team and cheer on her teammates.
“Things are going pretty good, I’m happy with my place on the team and everyone feels like part of a family,” soccer player Peyton Criss said.
While freshmen seem to be enjoying the start of soccer season, they are also enjoying the start of the track.
“One of my favorite things we’ve done so far at the start of the season is probably our UNK track meet and just competing and having all of my teammates there cheering everyone on,” freshman Hallie Schultz said.
Many of these players care and support each other and consider these teammates’ family, no matter the grade.
“Only about three weeks in and it’s going great, the coaches are all very supportive and the team feels like family since we are always there for each other,” freshman Brianna Loya said.
Alongside track and soccer, baseball and tennis have also started their season with a lot of freshmen lined up. Eli Schneider, like most, was a bit nervous before his freshman baseball season but mentions how his coaches are great and how he and his teammates keep getting better and better.
“I’m enjoying playing at Duncan Field, one of the biggest baseball fields in the world. I also enjoy playing with my friends and getting to know my teammates,” Schneider said.
Like most sports, they help students who play them in more ways than one. Some sports provide their own way of helping players.
“It’s going very well and it is very relaxing to play like when I’m having a bad day, it calms me down,” tennis player Keira Erickson said.
Not only do the freshmen like simply playing the game but most of them mention how much they enjoy the team as a whole.
“Something about having a team that’s there for you is probably the best thing an athlete can have, especially if you are just a freshman,” Loya said.
