By Bakhty Higgins
Accolade
Loy Norrix HS
1st Place
Division 2, Yearbook Verbal
The concept of rivalry is often misunderstood. Rivals are simultaneously opponents and accomplices. Rivalries constantly push the competitors to get onto a new level for the thrill of victory. In rivalries, the thrill of victory feels uncomparable, but along with that, the agony of defeat is evident. The emotions move faster and the adrenaline rush is unparalleled. Momentum shifts are very quick and magnified in rivalries.
“It’s more robust. Pride gets in the way and there’s more competition; it feels magical,” said senior Jose Vargas.
On September 17, 2019, the Loy Norrix men’s soccer team traveled to Kalamazoo Central for the first establishment on the famous rivalry. The outcome was a 2-2 tie, leaving a bitter taste in the players’ mouths.
“We scored the first two goals, so we were all kind of disappointed in the result,” said senior defender Finn Brent.
This sentiment was expressed by a lot of the team, especially the seniors. Playing Central holds the utmost importance and a tie was unsatisfying.
“The KC game is a lot more important. I want to win. I was frustrated because I felt like we could have won easily, but we didn’t take care of business,” said Vargas.
Throughout the season, the team waited for an opportunity to face Kalamazoo Central again. They wanted to once and for all prove that Loy Norrix was the dominant team. Then they found out that the District Quarterfinals would be against Kalamazoo Central. Players started savoring at the opportunity and immediately began adjusting and preparing to win.
The District quarterfinal on October 10 began with Kalamazoo Central
scoring a goal within the first five minutes of the match. Loy Norrix immediately responded with a goal by Vargas. This was followed with a KC goal, which at first was overruled by offsides, but further review decided that the goal was good. Junior Carter Scheel answered with a goal and KC answered on a penalty kick goal to make the score 3-2.
“In this rivalry game, the momentum shifts very quickly and easily. We need to make sure our defense gets adjusted because there strikers are very quick,” said Scheel.
Going into halftime, the team regrouped and answered with another goal by Scheel to even the score at 3-3. From then, the last twenty-five minutes were a big bundle of nerves. Everybody from the players to the fans knew that one more goal could win this game. The game stayed at a deadlock at three and went into overtime.
“Going into overtime, I was very nervous about the possibility of going into PKs [penalty kicks] and nervous about letting up one goal and losing,” said Vargas.
With ten minutes left in double overtime, freshman Anthony Herrera hit a goal from thirty yards out to give Norrix the lead. Once they had that lead, the defense, led by senior goalkeeper Carlos Santos, did not let any shots through, ending with a 4-3 win. As this was Norrix’s first district win in eight years and was against their rivals, the team broke down in happiness.
“[I felt] pride, because for one, we’ve never won a district game, and to beat your rival and send them home is one of the best feelings you can ever have,’’ said Santos.
At the end of the game, players’ legs were cramping up and they could barely walk, but that’s what a rivalry is all about: competing at the highest level until one becomes a winner.
Y-02. Sports Reporting
Sports reporting for a season that makes the reader feel she/he is reliving the season. An individual story may not be submitted in more than one writing category. Submit a PDF of the page(s) showing the entry. CLEARLY INDICATE WHICH STORY YOU WISH JUDGED in Additional Information field if there are multiple stories on the page.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Solid lead that draws reader into story
- Meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing
- Evidence of adequate research
- Story gives reader a clear picture of season highlights and outcome with relevant player comments
- Adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice, freedom from editorial comment, careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors, correct use of grammar