As spring sports come to an end for many of Lawrence’s athletic teams, the focus shifts towards next year. Each team tries to get better as players improve their skills and coaches recruit younger talent, but before teams can focus on the future, they are forced to say goodbye to the past as the seniors graduate.
Seniors that have put a lot of time and passion into Lawrence athletics and have spent countless hours competing or preparing to compete now carry over their passion into other endeavors. I spoke with three such seniors on their career and what their future might entail.
Lawrence University softball player Toren Johnson played her last game as a Viking. The two-time all-conference Johnson will be greatly missed not only for her great play, but also for her leadership and outgoing personality.
The senior played both centerfield and infield positions during her career and was third on the team in batting average in her final season. In her senior season, Johnson hit .367 and was second on the team in doubles, while also finishing with two triples.
When asked about her experience on the team, Johnson spoke of more than just the games, “It was a great ride. I learned a lot of great things-about softball and about life”.
Johnson is thankful that she had good coaching and great teammates that helped make her career an enjoyable one.
Johnson, a history major, is not sure what she will be doing after graduation, but she is confident the lessons she has learned while being on the team will help her be successful in the future.
Lawrence University senior baseball player Tim O’Toole had a successful final season. O’Toole led the team in runs scored and stolen bases. He was tied for the team lead in doubles and hit .376.
The senior was shocked when he realized his career was over, “It went so fast. I have a lot of great memories. I wouldn’t trade my experience here at Lawrence for anything.”
O’Toole is no doubt thankful for the time he has had in Appleton just as his teammates and coaches were lucky to be around him.
Although Tim’s playing days are done, he will still be very much involved with baseball. O’Toole is hoping to get a job in Major League Baseball with a front office position.
He understands that such a job would require a lot of hard work — a quality that was a big part of his success on the diamond.
Lawrence University senior golfer Ryan Knox also excelled in the final year of his career. Knox was the team’s number one golfer and captain.
He finished the season on a high note by placing eighth in the three-round Midwest Conference Tournament and earning all-conference honors. During his career, the Vikings won four championships and Knox was a pivotal cornerstone in such success.
Knox said of his career, “It was good — I enjoyed it. There were a lot of different dynamics.” The senior is talking about how the team’s roster changed quite dramatically through the years as other teammates graduated and many new freshmen came in each year.
While the roster saw many changes throughout the past four years, including a coaching change, Knox remained the rock of consistency. Knox, who is a government major, says he may one day run for office — a career that should allow plenty of time for golfing.
Outstanding senior athletes say goodbye
