Dec. 12, 2007

The Road to Victory
By Adam Welch

When I moved to Hastings, Minnesota, before my seventh grade year, there was one thing I noticed very early and that was most of the athletes played three sports. This was also true for me. Growing up I played hockey, football and baseball. By the time I got to high school all of the coaches encouraged and made it possible for anyone who wanted to be able to play three sports. It was a great thing. Every athlete had to wait until their first sport was done before moving onto the next with a little break in between.

I am forever grateful to have been able to do so. If I would have narrowed it down to one sport, hockey, or if I would have left high school early to play juniors, I would have missed out on one of the greatest memories of my life so far. That memory is winning that state championship in football my senior year. Like most athletes will say, the best part of it all was not the championship itself but the battles and struggles it took to get there. On our team we did not have any superstars, just a bunch of good players that could make plays. Being a captain of a team like that is one of the greatest accomplishments I have ever received.

I say the whole season was the best part of everything because it was not easy. We actually started the season 2-2 and for a football team that only plays 14 games that is not very good. Even after that it wasn't like there was a turning point. We were playing better, but still not as good as we should have been. Our team snuck out a few victories. By the time playoffs came around we got a few guys back from injury and that is when we really hit stride and didn't look back.

After we won the championship game we celebrated on the field, but then hurried home for a welcoming at our high school. By this time it was close to midnight but the auditorium was still packed. Everyone said their thank yous and it was over. After that there was a weird feeling of who do we play next, but there was no one else. That night there was no huge party or out all night, everyone was so tired from the game and season that we just went to bed, but in one of the best moods of our lives.

I'm proud and glad that I stayed to play high school sports through my senior year. It gave me some of the best memories I have today. I will never forget my high school career and the friends I made.