HARTLAND — The Hartland High School athletic department has for most of a decade brought all of its college-bound athletes together in May.
The meetings used to be held in a conference room in the school’s library, but this year, with more than two dozen college-bound athletes, the event was moved to the school’s auditorium.
“I think we’ll do that from now on,” said J.D. Wheeler, who is finishing his first year as the Hartland AD. “Twenty-eight kids, that’s impressive. That’s a lot of taken roaming these halls, kids who with help from their parents and coaches have reached their goals.”
The group included athletes going to schools near (Cleary University) and far (the University of Kentucky), and featured two sets of high school teammates who will be teammates in college as well.
Wheeler was the master of ceremonies while also running the slide presentations with each athlete, which for some included photos of athletes as little kids next to them as young adults.
“This is one of the funnest things I get to do all year,” he said. “I had a conversation with the other administrators, and they said this class will be missed, not just the athletes but the class as a whole.”
For the seniors, Tuesday’s gathering was, aside from those still playing sports, one of their final acts as Hartland High School students. Their last day is Friday.
“It really sealed the deal, I guess, because you saw your face up there,” said Audrey Regan, a Hartland swimmer who will attend the University of Notre Dame and compete on the rowing team. “Other than the graduation ceremony, that seals the deal for ending high school.”
Her teammate, Alex Nelson, who will swim at Kentucky, admits to mixed feelings.
“It’s weird,” she said. “I was excited (to graduate) a couple of months ago, but now, I don’t know. It’s kind of bittersweet.”
“It’s all starting to settle in,” said Scott Wistinghausen, who will play lacrosse at Albion College. “But when I’m packing up and moving to college, that’s when it will really settle in.”
Eleven sports were represented on the stage, beginning with baseball (five athletes), boys lacrosse and girls swimming (four), football, girls lacrosse and softball (three), girls soccer and cross country (two) and golf, volleyball and wrestling (one apiece).
“It’s a good feeling to be up there with your fellow athletes,” said Nathan Skene, who will play football at Northwood University. “We’re proud of represent our high school going forward and we’re all proud of the hard work and dedication we put in.”
That dedication, Wheeler said, is being passed on to younger Hartland students.
“I think a lot of our younger athletes have (a college athletics career) as their goal,” Wheeler said. “They want to continue their education and (compete) in athletics at the university level. It doesn’t happen for everyone, but a lot of our kids worked really hard, and they were able to reach (their goal).”
