Opening day on hold, here's what 3 Spartans had to say

April 24, 2019 - St. Joseph, IL - Jaden Miller watches a flyball sail overhead during SJO's road game at St. Thomas More in 2019. This year's prep sports season, including SJO baseball, is in danger of being completely canceled due to the Coronavirus spreading throughout the United States. As one of the top baseball programs in the state, Miller and the Spartans were looking forward to making another run deep into the IHSA postseason championships. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)
In a little over an hour from now in past years, the St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team would be out on the field going through their warm-up routine preparing to take on their first team of the season. SJO players and coaches have the program looking up for another historic season including that coveted trip to state.

The rising threat of the pandemic Coronavirus, at least for the moment, has put SJO's season opener and thousands of other high school spring sports team's around the country on hold. The matchup at home against Heritage was canceled.

The Sentinel contacted three SJO seniors via Twitter to get their reaction on not being able to play today. Asking that they express what was going through their minds in three sentences or less, their honest, heartfelt responses are no doubt echoed by thousands of high school athletes around the country right now.


"It’s difficult for me to wrap my mind around the current situation as a whole, with everything changing rapidly and the whole aspect of not knowing. Having my senior season potentially stripped from me is hard to accept, and I’m not entirely sure how I’ll end up accepting it. I’m trying to remain optimistic and keep the big picture in mind."

~ Drew Coursey, Senior


"I am very emotional and saddened by this outbreak. This SJO team was the one to go all the way, but I am still hopeful for a chance to take the field one last time. "

~ Sam Wesley, Senior


"Well it’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling. It’s sort of like an emptiness because I had high hopes for the team. We were looking really really good this year and I’m just hoping it’s not wasted. We will be ready to go if and when we get the chance too."

~ Joey Acton, Senior




Sentinel Article Archive



More Sentinel Articles


Art & Culture
In pursuit of art, the importance of building your personal collection

Ian Wang
People who have experienced living and working far away from their hometown may feel the same: The farther away and the more time since you have left home, the more eager you are to know and to learn any and every detail that relates to your homeland. You feel so dear, so deep, and so emotional towards ...
Health & Wellness
For non-traditional families routines are key to successful parenting

Jill%20Schreiber
Helping children feel comfortable in their home will lead to healthier and more successful times during those formative years. But it’s easier said than done, especially for non-traditional families. That’s why ...
Recipes

Recipe | Bacon-wrapped chicken with goat cheese

This is a very easy dish to make and can be prepared in advance, wrapped in cling film, and stored in the fridge ready to cook later. Delicious when served with...

Travel

Traveling with your pet? 6 things you will want to remember

Pet parents increasingly want to take their furry family members with them wherever they can. This has led to an uptick in pet travel, whether around town, on business, or across the country. In response to this demand, more hotels ....


Top Articles This Week