This fall sports season at Prep was an exciting one. Girls Swim and Dive, Boys Cross Country, and Football all made it to state. Boys and Girls Cross Country, Volleyball, and Boys Golf were Metro Champs, and Girls Cross Country also won District Champs. Among these teams, Boys Football and Girls Cross Country had standout freshmen who made a real impact.

Jack Erickson ’29, Blake Heeter ’29, Griffin Reed ’29, Brett Taylor ’29, Oscar Morgan ’29, Brooks Odom ’29, and Johnny Riley ’29 were all pulled up to varsity and contributed throughout the football season. High school sports can be stressful, especially when you’re a freshman playing against athletes up to three years older. Many agreed the hardest part was facing players who were “much bigger, stronger, and more experienced than yourself.” Erickson ’29 added that “knowing all of the offensive plays” was also challenging.

Still, being a freshman on varsity came with special moments. Heeter ’29 said his favorite part was “the playoff run.” Reed ’29 loved “seeing the playoff atmosphere and being involved in it.” Odom ’29 highlighted the team’s tight bond, saying, “The culture is just awesome. Everyone’s friends and it’s like a family.” Taylor ’29 agreed, adding, “the Prep culture is one of the best in the game.”

Unity meals every Thursday were a favorite tradition. Riley ’29 described them as “a family meal,” and Morgan ’29 appreciated the chance to “meet new people…and have some really good meals.”

Girls Cross Country also had impactful freshmen, including standout Ena Sparling ’29. She praised the strong community at Prep, saying, “The environment at meets and practices is always so fun and supportive and I’m really grateful for that.” As the only freshman on varsity, she noted the challenges: “Being a freshman on varsity was really fun but also hard because I was the only freshman on varsity. The practices were harder,” and “there was more of a commitment.” Still, Sparling ’29 enjoyed the entire season, “and especially state.”

Overall, this season showed how much freshmen can contribute when they step up, work hard, and embrace the challenge. Whether it was the football team’s strong culture or the support within Girls Cross Country, these athletes proved they belong on varsity. Their experiences set the stage for even bigger things in the years ahead.