As the 2023-2024 fall sports season comes to an end, athletes from volleyball, soccer, football, swim/dive, and a variety of other sports have made many accomplishments.
OH soccer captain Ryan Walsh said, “This season went extremely well. It was the first time the school had won a regional title in four years, so I was very proud of what we accomplished. We also beat some really strong teams and made it to the final of the Plainfield North Showcase, which I was really happy about.”
He also spoke about his performance and how satisfied he was with it. “I am also happy with my personal performance because I could play the whole year at a high level. Also, I earned all-conference and all-sectional honors that I am very proud to have earned,” said Walsh.
Walsh shared his desire, like many athletes, to leave a lasting impact on the team. “I just try to be a good example for not only younger people around the school but also younger players on the team. I try always to be respectful and work hard no matter what because I feel like everyone should have that mentality. Hopefully, some of this has rubbed off on younger players in the soccer program. I hope to see the program do great things in the next couple of years like we did this year,” said Walsh.
OH, varsity football captain Taiden Thomas was also very happy about his team’s performance. ”I thought it was a much improved year, than the last. We took it personally and all worked our butts off to be successful and win,” said Thomas.
“We had some goals and objectives we wanted to accomplish that we couldn’t reach but it is just fuel to accomplish for in the next steps in our lives. I worked my butt off and was playing at a high level before I got sick,” Thomas recalled. “So I am proud of that. But of course, the sickness was a curve ball. I learned that everything happens for a reason and now I just have to grind even harder.”
Thomas commented on the importance of representing Oswego and how hard it is to say farewell. “I think it was hard to say farewell. Those are the guys I grew up with my whole childhood but for me, it hurt, but at the same time I know it is not the end for me. It’s just the start of the next chapter of my football career and I try my hardest to represent what a good person, teammate, student, and player is supposed to be. I would continue to work my butt off at those things to leave a legacy with my name. It might be a goodbye to Oswego Panther football, but a hello to the next chapter of football,” said Thomas
OH sophomore swimming/diving athlete Katie Blair was very pleased about the varsity state championship. “[I am] proud of them; they have done good accomplishments. They haven’t won state in a while, and it is a good feeling,” said Blair.
Blair explained her passion for representing Oswego and her team by saying, “Not many people know there’s a swimming team and it feels good to see people acknowledge us. Pretty good lots of work put in. The early practices and having to wake up early to go to OE.”
Despite the challenges she faced, Blair was still very satisfied with her performance. “I got injured before the season. My goal was to get better and I accomplished this goal. Happy for 16 consecutive conference wins,” said Blair.
As Blair looks to the next goals she reflects on her hopes for the season. “I am looking forward to conference and hopefully winning sectionals,” said Blair.
OH junior varsity captain for the girl’s volleyball team Ava Flanigan explained how well the team came together to smash their goals.
“It was good, we broke a couple of records, 10-1 in conference and we won regionals. It was pretty good,” said Flanigan, who reflected on this season’s performance with satisfaction and pride.
Flanigan also said she was satisfied with her performance and her accomplishments. “Yes, overall I got 1,000+ assists in my years at high school. The team is mostly juniors so most of our lineups are the same for next year. Our team did well, really proud of what we did.”
In looking ahead, Flanigan said her goal for the volleyball team is to “definitely to win the conference get 30 wins instead of 29 wins and go far postseason!”
The variety of sports has accomplished so many goals they have wanted to succeed in and wants to keep a legacy going with their name.
