By Claudia Kelly
The Two River Times invited senior spring athletes to say goodbye to their teams and high school careers in their own voices. Claudia Kelly was a captain of Red Bank Regional’s girls lacrosse team. The future Coastal Carolina Chanticleer had plenty to play for in her senior year from the chance to join forces with family to competing for RBR’s first sectional title. Her words describe the heartache all area athletes are feeling at having their season taken away.
I never thought my RBR lacrosse career would end how it did. It began with a few captains and coaches meetings, to tryouts, to team assignments, to a few practices, to suddenly “stay home.” We were all extremely disappointed but hopeful the season would be delayed, but on May 4 it was announced the RBR Buc lacrosse season was over.
Prior to the pandemic, I was motivated to get the season started for several reasons. This year we were hoping to make big strides in our conference. This year was going to be different. It was going to be our “breakout year.” We had eight freshmen make varsity. This is not the norm. Our team was going to be young, talented, and challenged. I was excited for the season to begin. I was confident that we were going to do well since so many had worked very hard in the offseason and were all challenging each other to improve and push each other to their best potential. The RBR girls played together in an indoor league which allowed us to create a strong team dynamic. With each game, the confidence grew and skills improved. You could just feel the excitement and what we could be. We were prepared and motivated for the season.
One of the most heartbreaking parts of my canceled season was my inability to play alongside my sister Paige, a freshman. It seemed like every time we played lacrosse together in the offseason we could picture ourselves being a dynamic duo on the field. I also missed the opportunity to play with my two cousins as well. This was a big disappointment since we and our Kelly family were looking forward to it for so long. But next year my sister and cousins, along with this talented team, will have another run at it.
I am also extremely upset that I and the eight other seniors will never put on another RBR uniform again. I wish I could play one last game with all of them as this was never how we planned for our season to end. We are onto bigger things next year. This was going to be our breakout season and I am truly upset that I did not get to experience it. I know that next year the Bucs will be strong. I am excited to return next year and watch the success of the team!
This experience should remind everyone to play every game like it’s your last because you never know when it will all end.
The article originally appeared in the June 4 – 10, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
