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Athletes dejected but positive
By Michael Butler
The high school sports season is over. The spring sports that were underway before the coronavirus outbreak and since halted will end with no state tournaments or champions.
It's a tough reality for local area athletes, but they are not hanging their heads.
Seniors had their final seasons end abruptly. Tallassee High School's Zak Haynes and Jordan Walters were team leaders in baseball and softball respectively.
"Welp, just like that - that’s all she wrote," Haynes wrote on Facebook. "My career as a Tallassee Tiger has come to an end. First off I want to thank the man upstairs for giving me the ability to do the things I love.
"Second, I want to thank my parents Beth and Dana Haynes for all the travel ball weekends, hitting lessons, and time at the ball field, wrestling tournaments, etc.
"I want to thank all of the coaches that have helped me become the athlete and most importantly, person that I am today.
"But last and definitely not the least, I want to thank the Tiger community of Tallassee for all of the support for me and my boys over the years. Y’all made us want to go out and put on a show in whatever we were doing.
"Unfortunate things like tend to happen in life sometimes. You can choose to sit and pout about it, or grow from it as a person. And I think myself and the rest of these Tallassee Tigers will choose to take the positive route. So once again, thanks to everyone that has been along our side on this journey!! ALWAYS a Tallassee Tiger."
The Tallassee baseball team ends its season with an 8-6 record.
Walters also made a Facebook post regarding the end to her high school sports career.
"Dear THS softball, It’s been a long and crazy ride, but I can’t thank you enough for the best years of my life and for giving me my best friends. It’s been an absolute pleasure to play alongside the best teammates anyone could ever ask for and to be coached by the best. This team had a bond so strong and for that I will forever be thankful. Our coaches taught us more than just the game of softball, and they pushed us to be the best version of us on and off the field.
"I never imagined I would be hanging up my purple and gold so soon, but I am forever grateful for the memories and friendships made along the way. Tallassee softball, I love you and you’ll forever have my heart!
"Thank you to my wonderful support system over the years. Dana Bazzell Walters and Doug Walters, y’all are the best parents anyone could ever ask for and I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without y’all. Love y’all so much!"
Walters and her Tallassee teammates reached No. 1 in the Class 5A rankings for the first time in school history and finish the abbreviated season with a 15-1 record. |
