As the second semester comes to an end, seniors are making their final decisions about where they will be attending college. Some of West’s student athletes have seized the opportunity to make commitments to college and continue with their sports after leaving Wildcat Nation.

Senior Lauren Best has played as a forward in soccer for 12 years and plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the fall of 2022. Best was introduced to the thought of playing soccer in college during her middle school years.

“I realized in about seventh or eighth grade that I wanted to play college soccer. I gained so much passion for the sport and have enjoyed not only playing the game, but practicing as well,” she said. “Realizing how much I enjoyed both practice and the game was when I knew senior year couldn’t be the last time I stepped on a soccer field.”

Although she may be moving on from being a Wildcat, Best is optimistic about pursuing soccer as a Falcon and immersing herself into a new community.

“Being able to play in college will give me the opportunity to continue something that has played such an important aspect in my life while continuing to play the sport I love. I am also able to be part of a team that will help me adjust to the college lifestyle,” she said.

Despite her college commitment, Best was faced with a major setback during high school when she tore her ACL on the field her junior year.

“Junior year is definitely a large recruitment time for athletes wanting to play in college, so missing about eight months of this time was a challenge thrown into my plan to play in college,” she said. “I was able to rehab and return in time for the start of my senior year fall club soccer season and have the opportunity to get recruited over the winter months.”

Another senior, Michael Stack, has committed to UW-La Crosse to play football in the fall.

“I was very focused on my education and, as much as I enjoy football, the education piece is what's going to set me up for success down the road later in my life,” he said. “They have a wide variety of majors at La Crosse.”

Stack emphasized that earning a degree is important to him and is beginning to explore what field he wants to go into.

“Currently I plan on getting my master's as an occupational therapist, with my major being undecided,” he said.

Besides the degree, when picking a college, Stack had his football career in the back of his mind.

“The football program at La Crosse is also top ten in the nation and from the guys and coaches that I have met, the atmosphere at La Crosse is unbeatable,” he said.

Like many high school athletes, Stack has been managing sports and academics together for years and plans to use this experience to his advantage.

“I have always been very involved in sports since I was a kid, so I think the lessons that I have learned from high school will help make the balance of school and football more smooth in college,” he said. “I will make sure that school comes first and schedule classes with times that work well in my schedule so I can do my best academically.”

The kicker has been rigorously preparing for the fall season, taking advantage of all opportunities.

“I have been lifting almost daily and trying to work on punting and technique at least once a month,” he said. “I was able to go to Arizona to spend some time with my grandpa, and I was given the opportunity to work out with Luis Zendejas, who is a retired NFL kicker. Both that and my slow but steady improvements made this off-season makes me feel decently prepared for the season.”

Varsity second baseman Mason Freund, a senior at West, started his career in baseball while playing T-ball when he was just six-years-old and has developed a love for the sport. He has committed to Western Technical College in LaCrosse to continue his baseball career after being a Wildcat.

“I’m going to miss the friendships I made in high school sports and the whole team, players, and coaches combined,” he said. “It’s a bit intimidating going into a sport playing with people that I haven’t played with before, versus the same guys I’ve played with for twelve years.”

However, Freund isn’t letting anything stop his passion for baseball.

“After the season was over last year, I realized that I wasn't ready to stop playing,” he said. “That's when I found Western Tech where I can go to school and also continue playing baseball.”

Freund explained that he sees Western as a stepping stone to begin his career.

“I plan on going to a technical college now, but maybe I’ll continue on with further school in the future,” he explained. “I plan to major in criminal justice and use that degree to help work with troubled or endangered youth.”

Senior Sabrina Pickart has been playing as a midfielder and forward in soccer for nine years. She started playing when she was around nine-years-old and has taken the sport throughout high school.

“I do think sports will always be a part of my life. Sports have created so many memories I will never forget,” she said. “I would say they’ve made me the person I am today and have taught me so many things.”

Pickart is committed to UW- Eau Claire and has great expectations for her college career in soccer. She is eagerly anticipating the new atmosphere. Despite leaving the ‘Cats, she remains positive and confident about her future.

“I’ve spent so much of my life competing and improving my skills in hopes of playing in college,” she said. “I think it would be dumb of me to give up now after all the hard work I’ve put into this sport. I’m definitely excited about the change in level of competition. I’m also looking forward to all the lifelong memories and friends I am going to gain.”

By Mackenna Freund

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 8

May 23rd, 2022

College calls Wildcats to continue athletic dreams