MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / May 19, 2000

If there is one word to describe the senior athletes of the Class of 2000 it would be winners. For the past four years, those upperclassmen have beenwinners on and off the field.

The 1999-2000 prep sports year is over. The first graduations were heldlast night with more to come this week. Those seniors will walk across thestage, receiving the diplomas to signify the end of their high school years.

They have said goodbye to old friends and teachers and will soon be looking forward to their futures.

The Class of 2000 has been special to me. They were freshman when I cameto work for L’Observateur in September 1996. I have followed their careers,watching them grow into the leaders of some of the most successful teams in their school histories.

The seniors’ accomplishments in high school were many. They were membersof four straight district titles in football at Destrehan and in girls’ basketball at East St. John. They won four straight titles in swimming at Lutcher. In twomemorable weeks, these seniors helped Lutcher and St. Charles Catholic winstate softball titles in 1998 and St. James and West St. John capture statetitles in basketball in 2000. The Rams’ seniors added that accomplishment toa state football title in 1998.

These were the seniors who helped lead Reserve Christian into the LHSAA, winning district titles in volleyball, basketball and baseball. They helpedRiverside reach state finals in football and softball and continued the tradition of excellence in the track program. They led Hahnville to back-to-back district titles in baseball and two state tournament appearances in softball.

These seniors have won nearly every award imaginable. They have beennamed Player of the Game and Player of the Year. They have received all-district, all-Metro, all-River Parishes and all-state honors. Many have excelledin the classroom as well, earning scholarships as well as all-state academic honors.

And they have done it by overcoming obstacles along the way. Some have hadto overcome career-threatening injuries to come back, enduring months of pain and rehabilitation. They have gotten up early in the morning to attendpractice before heading to class. They have practiced well past sundown. Andthey did all that while continuing to get the job done in the classroom.

For some, they have stepped off the playing field for the final time. Forothers, their careers have just begun. They will soon be heading out to pointsacross the country, representing their families, their schools and their communities.

For the past four years, this group of seniors has done that quite well.

Awards are nice but in their journeys to accomplish them in their careers, these athletes have also displayed sportsmanship and class.

These seniors will be among the new group of athletes who will lead the sports world into the 21st century. If the past four years is any indication,the sports world will be in capable hands.

Return To Sports Stories

Copyright © #Thisyear# Wick Communications, Inc.Best viewed with 4.0 or higher