As the 2022 spring sport season comes to an end, athletes prepare to end their season. Each athlete has different opinions.

Boys’ Tennis

Junior tennis player Mason Crownover plays doubles for tennis and has been playing it for four years.

“When this season started I didn’t really have any goals for myself or my team, but when the tournament against Conestoga Valley High School had started I wanted to win all my meets. I had ended up winning five of my matches,” Crownover said.

New friendships evolved throughout this season for Crownover.

“Since the majority of the team had left last year, considering most of them were seniors, I had to make new friends. I started getting closer with the freshmen on the team,” Crownover said.

Girls’ Softball

Freshman softball player Bella Graham has played softball for 10 years. For her role in softball, she plays third base.

“I love playing on the field. I’m sad that this season is coming to an end quickly, but I’m extremely proud of the progress my team has made this season. Altoona softball has truly improved, and I’m excited to see where the program goes in the next few years,” Graham said.

For Graham she feels that she has improved a lot this season with different areas in softball.

“My hitting has improved a lot from the beginning of the season until the end of the season. Before, I had a lot of trouble with my swing, but with winter practices and the everyday practices during the season, I’m hitting through balls more,” Graham said.

Graham has established goals from the beginning of the season and has accomplished her goals.

“My role as a team player has definitely improved and I feel that others would agree with me. When you play this sport, you have to be patient. Change doesn’t happen overnight, so try your hardest and grow with the program. Overall, I feel that I’m a very positive player and person, and I also don’t get into my head easily and over think things. I work very hard to try and to reflect positivity onto the team and teammates,” Graham said.

Boys’ Baseball

Senior Ethan Hileman has played baseball since he was five years old. Although he is only on his third game this season, it’s coming to an end.

“Growing up my family was always surrounded by baseball, so naturally I took it up as a kid. When I had started playing for the school I played infield, but then I moved to outfield. Even though we are only a few games into the season I feel that I’m playing really well. I also hope to continue that as the season is nearing its end,” Hileman said.

Friendships are important to Hileman. This season, he has felt that this team is by far the closest team he has played for.

“Teamwork and relationships with my teammates are really important to me and I’m closer to everyone more this year than I have been before. In order to have a great bond with your teammates you have to make an effort to get closer with them. My favorite memory from this season would be when we all played a game at practice called soft stitch ball,” Hileman said.

Hileman feels as if there are positive changes out on the field he had played in.

“I made a positive change this season, which means I moved from the infield to the outfield. Yes, I had struggled with my throwing accuracy at times due to never really having to throw so far in my life. I’ve been adjusting how I throw the ball to other players this season,” Hileman said.

Hileman set some goals at the beginning of this season and feels as if he has improved a lot from the beginning to end of the season.

“My goal at the beginning of the season was to maintain a .300 or better batting average. I’m currently at .333 which I hope to keep that way throughout the season. As this season continues I try to also have a positive mindset. I don’t really get upset when things don’t go my way. I just try to keep my mind off of it and focus on the positives that’s happening to me,” Hileman said.

Boys’ Volleyball

Sophomore Noah Fries has been a volleyball player for two years and plays for both the junior varsity and varsity team.

“For junior varsity I play as an outside and for varsity I play as a libero. I do enjoy both positions because they are fun to play in. I also like passing and hitting,” Fries said.

As this season is nearing the end, Fries had set some goals for himself that he has achieved.

“At the beginning of this season, I had decided that setting goals for myself would be a good idea. My goals were to improve on my passes to the setter, hitting to the other side of the court, and my mentality when I’m both on and off the court. Having a strong mentality whilst playing volleyball is important. I also wanted to become a better player and teammate and I do feel that I’ve achieved my goal for that as well,” Fries said.

Track & Field

Senior track and field player Ashten Foust has been doing the shot put and javelin for six years now.

“When I was younger, I would watch my brother run for his team and that made me take interest in doing track. I wanted to break my previous personal record from shot put from last season as well as throw forty-five feet in the shot put before I graduate. Being a senior this year I think I showed more maturity when it came to helping my teammates and being a leader,” Foust said.

As Foust ends his season, he feels that underclassmen should prepare themselves for next season.

“My advice for those who are underclassmen should start to dedicate yourself and to give your all with every opportunity you get in any track event. My knee would definitely be my biggest weakness as of now just coming back from an ACL tear a few months ago,” Foust said.

Sophomore Hailey Kravetz has been a hurdler for three years. Kravetz feels happy and excited for her next track meets.

“Normally at the end of the season I’m happy with my results. I’m also looking forward to next season and I am excited about what could happen this upcoming season. My favorite memory from this season would have to be hanging out with all of my friends after the meets or after practices. It’s nice when some of my friends do track with me or hangout with me after my meets,” Kravetz said.

For Kravetz, she tries to beat her personal record from the last meet so that she can get better at her timings.

“During this season I beat two of my personal records compared to my results from last year. I usually improve each time I practice, but sometimes I don’t. Practices are hard for sure, but it’s all worth it in the end. My goal for this season was to break my record of 49 seconds and I ended up getting 47 seconds by the end of the season,” Kravetz said.