Student athletes in the class of 2015 have excelled while competing at Marshfield and have the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. These athletes had large roles while representing their team and school.
Eight of Marshfield’s current seniors are aiming to play college sports after high school, and the majority have signed with Southwestern Oregon Community College (SOCC). SOCC has offered a unique opportunity for seniors due to the proximity and access their coaches have with Marshfield.
Softball coach Brooke Toy said the number of students playing at SOCC is possible because of the communication between the two schools.
“Working with SOCC is easy exposure for kids,” Toy said.
Senior Adryanna Chavez will be on SOCC’s track and field team, and senior Katelyn Rossback will be playing softball and basketball, along with senior Paige Tavernier who will also be playing softball and volleyball. Rossback said she is eager for the prospect of playing sports at the collegiate level.
“I’m excited for the new opportunities,” Rossback said. “I am looking forward to being part of a new family.”
Rossback said she gives credit to her high school coaches and the motivation they have instilled in her.
“The coaches have pushed me and motivated me to become a better athlete,” Rossback said.
Senior Hunter Olson is likely to play basketball at Oklahoma Christian University. Olson said the importance of work ethic is vital at the high school level.
“I worked really hard to be at this level,” Olson said. “It’s finally paid off and colleges see that.”
Senior Savannah Thurman is probable to play basketball and track at SOCC in the upcoming school year, and senior Jade Chavez plans to try out for the team this fall. Chavez said she has appreciated the opportunity to play sports at Marshfield.
“I have enjoyed having tough opponents and having coaches pushing you to be better,” Chavez said.
In addition, senior Andrew Sharp will be playing baseball for SOCC, and senior Preston Luckman will be golfing for SOCC. Toy said another aspect that helps athletes to reach the next level is the good job Marshfield coaches have done at sharing athletes and encouraging athletes to play multiple sports.
“Our coaches work together,” Toy said. “It helps athletes to become better when they play multiple sports.”
However, according to Toy, who was a two-sport collegiate athlete at Pacific University, they should expect a new environment and new challenges when the athletes reach college.
“It is very difficult to balance studies and sports,” Toy said. “Coming from high school to college, it’s important to remember that you are a student athlete.”
In addition, Olson said the level of the game at any college is immensely different than high school.
“College is a whole other ballgame,” Olson said. “Everyone is bigger, faster, stronger.”
Rossback said she feels pressure to excel when she reaches college but is prepared to tackle the challenge.
“SOCC has a winning program, and I like to win,” Rossback said. “I’m ready to push myself to help contribute to their team.”
