Editor's note: Fitch High School'sTaylor Wolfgang, a junior softballplayerat Bucknell University,saw herseason abruptly end in March when spring sports were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fifthof a periodical series of essays written by local college student-athletes who suffered similar fates, Wolfgangexpresses her thoughts on the situation.

By Taylor Wolfgang

Being a junior, now rising senior, at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania,I thought I had it all figured out. I had the academic routine down, the understanding of how college softball worked and the feeling of being on my own and taking care of myself was comfortable. And then this virus hit and threw me and everyone else for a loop. Although we are all still trying to adjust to this "new normal" of remote learning and staying inside as much as possible, I cannot wait for this event to pass so I can find myself back on the grounds of Bucknell again.

When I was going about the recruitment process in my junior year of high school, I had been contacted by a handful of schools that wanted me to come play softball for them at the Division I collegiate level. These offers could be daunting and overwhelming at times but I never let that get in the way of where I wanted to end up: a prestigious academic school with wide offerings of science majors and a competitive athletic program.

From the schools I had offers from, I knew Bucknell was ultimately the perfect fit. Being someone who values both their academics and athletics greatly, Bucknell was able to fulfill my needs in both of those areas. Along with these offerings, Bucknell's small student population is greatly filled with athletes that are just like me. I really liked the idea of this, as I knew when I walked around campus I would be able to see familiar faces and know I was surrounded by individuals who are going through the same experiences.

I went into Bucknell declared as a cell biology andbiochemistry major and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The experience and knowledge I am gaining in the classroom and in the laboratories is preparing me for a future job in either the research and development field of pharmaceuticals or in the field of healthcare.

When I am not in the classroom or lab you can find me on the softball field with the rest of my team. The success that I have had so far at Bucknell can be attributed to three main sources. The first is from my time playing for Fitch here in Groton. Those four memorable years taught me lessons both on and off the field that I would be able to carry with me to Bucknell. These included the ability to bounce back from heartbreaking losses and the importance of trust and confidence in every single one of your teammates.

The second is my family. From the start of my athletic journey in t-ball to the end where I will eventually play my final collegiate softball game, my family members have always been my biggest supporters. The confidence and belief they have in me fuels my drive to be as successful as I possibly can for them. Every time I step in between those two chalk lines I play for them.

Lastly, my success at Bucknell would not be possible if it were not for our hitting and catching coach, Matt Burns. Coming in as a freshman I thought I had it all figured out until coach Burns knocked me on my butt and showed me what I was missing. He saw the level of skill I was at and constantly pushed me every single day so that I would eventually reach the full potential he knew I could get to. Through a lot of tears, sweat, yelling, laughs and memorable conversations, coach Burns completely changed the way I look at the world and helped me find a version of myself as an individual and as a softball player I never knew existed. I will be forever grateful that I got to call him my coach.

It was a shame and devastating feeling when the news was broken to us that our 2020 season would be coming to an abrupt end. We were the 42nd Bucknell softball team in program history and it was every player and coach's intention to bring a Patriot League championship home. This was team 42's year.

When the season was cancelled, my heart broke for my teammates, as I knew of all of the hard work we had put in over the summer, fall, and winter to prepare us for this journey. Hugging each individual senior on my team as they cried over their final season being ripped from them will be a moment I will never forget. My heart still hurts for all of the seniors across the country who didn't get to play their final game, throw their final pitch, hit their final ball or experience all of the other finals that come with their sport.

Next season, Bucknell softball team 43 will be more ready than we ever have been and we play for the seniors from this past year. We will play every game as if it is our last because if there is one thing this past season has taught me, it is that you never know when that last one will occur.

Excerpt from:
In their own words: Fitch's Taylor Wolfgang, Bucknell University softball - theday.com