By Sophia Thomas
As the school year comes to an end, so do the athletic careers of some of the Stonehill Skyhawks.
It is an emotional end for Grace Caso, a Stonehill senior and women’s soccer captain, who enjoyed the sport since she was 7 years old.
“It’s definitely weird to think about never playing the sport that is so much of my identity. At the same time, I was really ready to let go and move on. My goal was to play college soccer and I’m really satisfied as I’ve got to play four years of it,” said Caso, a midfielder/forward on the Stonehill women’s soccer team.
Caso said it was bittersweet.
“Weird to know that when I graduate in May its done, a long journey ended. I’m very grateful for the teammates and friends I’ve made along the way, but I’m ready to take time away from the sport to relax,” said Caso.
“I’ll eventually find my way back to the sport and I’ll always support Stonehill women’s soccer,” said Caso.
Another senior student-athlete, William Conway, starting left tackle for the Stonehill football team is among those graduating in May. Conway has been playing football since age 7. Now 23, he looks back on his Stonehill football career as “grateful and blessed.”
“It’s been a long journey, and it’s surreal to think about football ending. It’s pretty much been my life and identity since high school. I’ve been associated with football players, so I guess that’s been my identity for a while now,” said Conway.
Conway is currently looking for a landing spot at another D1 school, hoping to play for his last years of eligibility.
“Football brought me scholarship, happiness, and a lot of lifelong friendships. I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I had, but I am okay with my time being done. I have really important things to do with my academic career and I’m really excited to do those things,” said Conway.
Cross Country and Track and fielder Jace Hollenbach, a captain and senior, will be hanging up his cleats in May.
Running competitively since the age of 9, he has found a sort of comfort and belonging in his sport. For the past 12 years Hollenbach has been working to run track in college.
Now that he has achieved that goal, he is very proud and ready to start his career as a data analyst.
Track brought “something to focus on and a routine. I found with waking up earlier I was able to get more things done in my day. Track brought so many friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Hollenbach.
“I haven’t made that many friends outside of track, so I definitely am a little nervous to make new friends in the outside world,” said Hollenbach.
Louis Warner, another track and fielder, is graduating in May. He is looking forward to becoming a New York State Trooper. Warner started track in 7th grade, running anything from the 400-800 meter.
“I’ve been in track for a long time, so I’m going to miss it. I’m very grateful for all my friends that I’ve made throughout my athletic career, but I know my body is ready to retire,” Warner said.
“A part of me might be a little sad when it’s actually time to retire a sport that has given me so much, but I’m so proud of myself and how far I’ve come, and I know my family is too,” Warner said.
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