Ellwood Fall Sport Senior Q&A: Part 2

With school back in session and fall sports in full swing EllwoodCity.org’s reporter Amanda had the chance to talk to some seniors about their fall sport. Seniors shared what their favorite part of their sport was along with how they have been preparing for the new season.

This is the final part of our series featuring Lincoln High School seniors in fall sports. If you have not had the chance to view part one click here. 

Maddie Spadafore: Cross Country 

How many years have you been running cross country?
I’ve been running cross country for 3 years.

What is your favorite part of cross country?
I love looking back at my races, remembering how fun it is to toe the line, yet when I’m racing in the moment it’s so nerve racking. Also laughing with the team and having a sigh of relief with them after we cross the finish line.

How have you and your team been getting ready for the new season?
We’ve had practices all through summer (which I couldn’t attend unfortunately) along with just having practice often!

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season?
That’s hard to tell, because individually it’s whoever is in front of me (especially at WPIALs) but I’m sure the team would love to beat Riverside.

What is one skill you have learned from cross country that you will utilize in your future and how?
Time management. Running a good amount will be an hour or more plus going to the gym for weight workouts adds up. I always need to think when in my day I can get my workout in, especially when I’m in the off-season. This will help me block out my days in the future to get tasks done efficiently.

What are your future plans after graduation? Will you continue to play sports after high school?
I want to do the basic 4-year bachelor’s degree at a school, studying Business/Finance. I plan to run DII or DIII but if end up going to a bigger school, I’m sure I’ll find some friends to come along with me.

Mia DeCaria: Volleyball

How many years have you been playing volleyball?
I have been playing volleyball for 8 years.

What is your favorite part of playing volleyball?
My favorite part of playing volleyball is when the whole team is clicking, and we make a perfect play.

How have you and your team been getting ready for the new season?
We have been doing a lot of conditioning we run and jump a lot and it’s made a dramatic difference in our play for the better

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season?
Honestly ourselves, when we get into our heads the only person stopping us from a win is us.

What is one skill you have learned from volleyball that you will utilize in your future and how?
I have learned that pushing through the hard practices and the drills I don’t want to do is the only way to improve myself. It’ll help me in the future to know not to give up when things get hard.

What are your future plans after graduation? Will you continue to play sports after high school?
After high school I hope to attend Texas A&M University to study Forensic Developmental Psychology. While I wont be playing in college hopefully I will play on a club team

Broc Boariu: Golf

How many years have you been playing golf?
4 years

What is your favorite part of playing golf?
Chilling with my friends but at the same time, working hard and grinding to be the best 

How have you and your team been getting ready for the new season?
Golfing every day and working on our craft to become the best team we can

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season?
Neshanack and Riverside

What is one skill you have learned from golf that you will utilize in your future and how?
Becoming an adult because golfs a gentleman’s sport, so respect is a big part of it

What are your future plans after graduation? Will you continue to play sports after high school?
I really want to try to play a sport because that’s something I love to do

Payton Schilling: Tennis

How many years have you been playing tennis?
I have been playing tennis for 3 years now

What is your favorite part of playing tennis?
My favorite part about playing tennis is being with my friends on the team.

How have you and your team been getting ready for the new season?
Our team has been getting ready for the season by teaching the new players everything they need to know and giving them chances to play so that they can get better.

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season?
Riverside will forever be our biggest rival in every sport. Our teams are similar in skill also so that makes the competition even more important.

What is one skill you have learned from your “sport” that you will utilize in your future and how?
In tennis, only the top seven players get to actually play during the matches. There is a constant competition to be in the top seven spots, so this taught me to always work hard even if you are currently holding the spot you like.

What are your future plans after graduation? Will you continue to play sports after high school?
I plan on going to college for pre medicine. I’m not sure if I’ll play tennis in college but as of now I think I will just play it on my own time.