As seniors prepare for their final stretch of high school, there is so much to be considered and worried about. From college decisions, leaving home for the first time, to the friendships they’ve made, and more.

For seniors Molly Caruso and Peyton Omer, saying goodbye to high school cross country is another big thing on their minds.

“I’ll miss my close teammates, I’ve known most of them since middle school, and some since freshman year. I do plan on continuing running in college though,” Caruso said.

Omer’s feelings are similar. He started off on reserve, and has now qualified for state, and is proud of his journey.

“I’ll miss the friends I’ve made, but honestly just the process of improving as you go through the years, it feels very rewarding to see how your hard, consistent work pays off,” Omer said.

After playing basketball for about 12 years, Senior Grant Urbanek contemplates continuing his sport in college.

“I think so, I think I’m going to do it like my major, play for a university,” Urbanek said.

Urbanek played for the Omaha Sports Academy (OSA) for most of his life. Along with school basketball, he now plays for the Nebraska Basketball Development Association (NBDA). A couple of schools have reached out to him already.

“It [basketball] keeps my mind off things going on around me, it’s something to do and to have fun with my friends,” Urbanek said.

In contrast, Senior Shriya Samanta is unsure about swimming in college.

“I am honestly not sure yet if I will be continuing swimming in college, or if I want to. I might decide after this year’s swim season is over,” Samanta said.

Samanta has been swimming since she was 5 or 6 years old. Like other seniors, Samanta will miss the friendship aspect of her sport, but not only that.

“I love all of the friends I have made through swimming, and all the different people I have met. I have been able to have great time management skills during swim season due to all of the hours of swimming I have to commit to,” Samanta said.

As she’s preparing to wrap up her high school swimming career, she hopes to positively impact younger athletes.

“I want others to be able to lean on me as an upperclassman, and be able to come to me with any problems they have. I want to be a sort of role model for them, so that I can help them when they need it,” Samanta said.

As seniors, all four athletes reflect on their leadership roles. The leaders each have different approaches to motivating themselves and the team.

“Every course has a hill, I just tell myself to get after it, I visualize the hill, and I push on the hills, but mostly just strategy stuff,” Caruso said.

Omer’s approach to motivation is a little different and can apply to both himself and the team.

“There’s always going to be some uncertainty before a race, whether it’s a bad day or not performing like expected. Go in without doubts, give yourself confidence. If you slow down and realize you’ve worked for it, there shouldn’t be much to worry about. The race is the last step,” Omer said.

Urbanek wants to be remembered as a guy who plays hard all the time, motivating everyone to do their very best.

“I would say I’m more of a hype person, and just keep everyone in line, make sure they’re working hard so we can be the best we can be,” Urbanek said.

Samanta thinks similarly. As a leader, she intends to motivate others to be a better athlete every chance they get.

“My role as a senior is to lead the underclassmen to be a better swimmer and to hype them up to swim their very best at every meet and race,” Samanta said.

With Metros on October 5th, and state October 20th, and winter sports starting up soon, even more senior athletes look forward to showcasing their skills at the maximum level, and being the best they can be for the last time.