How quarantine impacts mental health
People need people. This is a phrase that has been carried through centuries and surely still rings true today.
It has been proven that people who experience loneliness and disconnection are more likely to develop signs of anxiety and/or depression. In a New York Times article highlighting the importance of human connection, personal health columnist Jane E Brody wrote “People who are chronically lacking in social contact are more likely to experience elevated levels of stress and inflammation” (www.nytimes.com).
The isolation imposed due to quarantine has left people feeling that they have no control over the situation; they feel cut off from the world. Though many are surrounded by family members during this time, the sense of isolation and cabin fever can be powerful. That being said, humans’ mental health, especially teenagers, cannot be impacted well due to quarantine and isolation.
In what can be thought of “normal times,” statistics show that 20 percent of teens experience signs of depression and 25 percent experience signs of anxiety before they reach adulthood. With numbers that have increased rapidly, research everywhere says there is no single cause for what teens are experiencing. Although some indicators include bullying, high expectations, substance abuse, or lack of confidence. Teenagers already have so much stress that fills their lives with sports, grades, and expectations, and generally social interaction is a good release.
Due to quarantine, these social interactions have been cut down to the bare minimum with limited outlets and opportunities to find a safe haven.
“I still talk to my friends over FaceTime and Snapchat and other things like that,” an anonymous student said. “But it’s not the same as communicating with someone in person. Honestly, I feel like I need genuine human interaction or it really just doesn’t count. Over the phone is just so impersonal.”
While talking over the phone is fulfilling for some students, for others it simply is not enough. Without true human contact, many students have had trouble maintaining good mental health while keeping social distances.
“For a while school was a place that I dreaded going because I felt so lonely,” an anonymous student confessed. “However as time went on it became the only place where I really wanted to be. Having to stay cooped up in my house has been bringing back that lonely feeling that I used to feel at school.”
School has been a place, for some students, that brings a great deal of stress into their lives. However, without the added social interactions that come with being a student, many yearn to go back.
There is not a singular solution that can benefit every teen who has experienced depression and anxiety, however, there are many things that can be done to help during these unprecedented times.
First, it is important to establish a routine. Having a structured plan can minimize the feeling of being out of control or the feeling of directionlessness. Planning out activities to keep busy will put the mind at ease; it is important to stay active. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness can be triggers for depression.
“Maintain a regular schedule, including wake and sleep times,” Jesuit counselor Michelle Strear said. “Schedule in time to socialize, to be active/exercise, and other things you enjoy.”
Second, it is important to communicate with others. Though it may not be the same communicating over a screen versus in person, it is important that you try and maintain those relationships for two main reasons. First of all it gives you some form of human contact that you need, because after all people really do need people. And second, quarantine will not last forever and you will need those friendships once social distancing is lifted.
It is also important that you communicate how you are feeling and resist keeping your feelings bottled up. Talk to your friends, parents, siblings, school counselors, or one of the many teen hotlines for those feeling depressed or anxious.
Finally, remember the reason that we are complying with quarantine. It is not a punishment, but a precaution to avoid spreading a virus that has caused thousands of deaths. Keep yourself informed but not overwhelmed. Many people can feel stressed if they feel they do not have access to information about their surroundings. Make sure you know enough to be satisfied but not stressed.
Remember that by complying to quarantine you are saving lives and it will be over soon. Stay true to yourself and never lose sight of your future ahead.
“It was really hard at first, being by myself everyday,”an anonymous student said. “But it’s gotten a lot easier now that I have become more optimistic. I know that this will clear up someday so I might as well try some new things and enjoy some ‘me time’ until that day comes!”
Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject.org
Suicide Prevention (United States): 1-800-273-TALK (8255) | suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Youth Hotline: 1-877-968-8491 | oregonyouthline.org or text “teen2teen” to 839863
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Spring break plans cancelled due to COVID-19
Due to the Caronavirus spreading so rapidly many spring break travels have been cancelled or postponed due to either travel restrictions or self quarantine.
For those planning on traveling internationally, those plans are to be put on hold. All travel to or from China, Iran, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or Ireland has been banned. All US citizens who have visited one of these high risk areas for enhanced screening after reentering the US.
Unless your family is prepared to remain outside the US for an extended period of time, your trip might as well be cancelled.
As for travel within the US, the biggest restriction is self quarantine rather than actual travel restrictions. Mandated social distancing has been enforced along with proactive monitoring for signs of ill passengers has been implemented in many states.
On March 16th, Governor Kate Brown announced that seated dining is banned along with gatherings of more than twenty five people.With the amount of restrictions in place, most people have been finding it easier and less stressful to either travel within Oregon, or just stay at home.
This was very frustrating to many students.
““I understand how important it is to keep everyone healthy, especially my grandparents who I was going to stay with in Hawaii,” junior Damon Grim explained. “It’s still so frustrating to get spring break canceled. I had been looking forward to this trip with my grandparents all year.”
However, some disregarded suggestions to self quarantine and went on their vacations anyways.
“My family was planning on going to Palm Springs anyways and we decided it was still worth it to go to the sun,” junior Maria Breault said. “It’s just so quiet here. My family goes to Palm Springs a bit and I have never seen it so void of people.”
With Coronavirus being so new, many people are not sure how to react. Many people are taking it very seriously and staying in door while others and taking advantage of no school and exploring nature. To learn more about COVID-19 go check out articles by senior Shawna Muckle or junior Rosa Madden that discuss the recent outbreak.
Stay safe and have a good spring break!
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Mock trial competes in state competition
Mock Trial team competes at state. Photo courtesy of Lane Laurent
Recently the mock trial team competed in the state competition.
Jesuit has a strong mock trial team consisting of almost all seniors and two juniors. Tryouts were held in November and students were placed on one of four different teams. The top team, or gold team, was confident they would have a good season.
“I was confident that we would have two really strong teams that could compete well this year and that is what we had,” coach Dr. Exley said. “We had a really strong and experienced gold team and our black team, the second team, was also pretty strong and had potential to make it to state.”
In a mock trial competition, each team is issued the same case and has months to prepare an argument for either side. Three witness statements are given each side and the case is supposedly written so each side has an equal chance of winning. Witnesses must memorize the information in their statements, lawyers must figure out ways to get in evidence complying with the Federal Rules of evidence, and openers and closers must memorize five minute long statements proving their argument.
When competition day arrives, all teams assemble at a courthouse and are given their matchup there. Teams go head on and are scored both individually out of ten and by ballots.
“So how ballots work is in each trial there are 3 judges: the presiding judge, someone who judges the attorneys, and someone who judges the witnesses,” senior Grace Hershey explained. “The witness and attorney’s judges sit in the jury box. Each of the three judges have a ballot that they fill out and it’s basically a vote for one of the teams,”
Ballots are given to the teams who have the best witnesses, lawyers, and overall court preparation. In the end the team with the most ballots wins the case. Individual points generally decide tiebreakers.
Mock trial had a very successful regional competition taking eight ballots out of nine ballots securing their place at State. The black team just barely missed state losing by ten points in a three way tie.
There was not a lot of time between regionals and state so the team put in many hours in preparation for the competition.
“For the last 5 weeks of the season, we did daily doubles practices in preparation for regionals and state, and that hard work definitely paid off,” Hershey explained. “We went against some pretty tough teams, but we held our own. Overall I am really proud of how my team did this season.”
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Joe Vranizan’s Journey in Lacrosse
Junior Joe Vranizan is a recent commit to the Georgetown University for Lacrosse. This was not an easy feat to accomplish. It required much hard work, dedication and persistence.
In January of last year when Joe was playing in a club Lacrosse game when his career was put off track. Vranizan was tripped and sent flying towards the grass. As he fell he stuck his right arm down to soften the fall.
“I rolled over my right side and felt the biggest pop of my life,” said Vranizan, “ It sounded to me like a firework went off and I rolled over and saw my arm bending in a different way than it should have been.”
With the impact of the fall his right elbow was so severely dislocated that it was fractured. Joe was rushed to the hospital but it was clear that he would be out for a while.
“I still have a flash memory of me screaming and looking at my arm bending outwards insteads of inwards,” Vranizan recalled.
Vranizan was crushed he would be missing out on the beginning of his sophomore season, but it would not be the end of his Lacrosse career. After his surgery he spent time in rehab. At first they focused on simple movements such as straightening his arm, but soon he was back to passing and catching. His injury was in 2019 and by spring break he was back and playing.
That summer Vranizan spent countless hours in the gym and on the field building up his strength and confidence. He was getting some quality college looks but his dream school turned into Georgetown. It took a couple tournaments of the coaches watching him but his dream became true when Georgetown made him an offer in January. He was ecstatic.
“I committed almost instantly and with the season almost upon me I am more than ready,” Vranizan said.
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Kobe Bryant: Killed in Helicopter Accident
KeithAllisonPhoto.com
Lakers at Wizards 12/2/15
On January 26, the basketball world’s heart was broken when a helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California and ended the life of Laker Kobe Bryant. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and 41 year-old father of four, was headed to the Mamba Sports Academy at the time of the tragedy. Bryant truly was a legend. He joined the NBA straight from high school and was immediately seen as a game changing player. Originally drafted to the Charlotte Hornets, Bryant was traded right away to the Lakers in 1996. It was there that Bryant would begin to obtain his Mamba mentality.
From the start of his NBA career, Bryant showed his potential to excel. During his second season as a Laker he was voted to play in the 1998 NBA all star game, being the youngest ever to do so at age of 19.
With star player Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers swept two NBA championships. Shaq was a force and together they were unstoppable.
Although the Lakers struggled a bit with the loss of star player Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, Bryant was there to pick up the slack. It was clear this was officially his team and he soon proved that. Bryant scored eighty one points against Toronto, the second highest scoring mark in NBA history. He led the league in scoring that year and the next.
Bryant not only led his team to five NBA championships, but was also named MVP in 2008, led the Olympic basketball team to two gold medals, and surpassed NBA verteran all star Micheal Jordan on the NBA scoring list in December 2014.
Bryant’s basketball career ended with continuous injuries that became too hard to maintain. He went out with a bang scoring sixty points in his final game in 2016. Kobe Bryant was a great player who never cheated the game nor cheated his fans, played through injuries and has five rings to prove his greatness.
Though Bryant is best known for his basketball success, he was so much more than just a player on a court. Off the court Kobe was a poet, a coach, businessman and most importantly, a husband and father.
Upon retirement, Bryant presented a poem entitled “Dear Basketball” as a tribute to the game. He sought to turn his poem into a short film and with the help of Disney this was achieved. The result was a beautifully rendered 5 minute and 20 second short film that won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018.
It did not matter that Kobe was no longer was a player on the court. He made countless appearances at Laker games where he mentored player like Lebron James who soon became a close personal friend. He also shared his love of the game with his kids and family. Kobe was an amazing coach and he taught his kids and their friends growing up. At first it was just a bit of fun, but soon it became something bigger.
In 2018 Bryant announced his partnership with a multi-sport training facility that he rebranded into Mamba Sports. The goal was to educate and empower the next generation of kids through sports. Kobe loved working with kids and teaching them basketball, especially his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Gigi, as her father called her, was a female version of Kobe. They shared a special bond, always attached at the hip. She was Mambasita and he was Mamba.
Gianna would carry on the Bryant basketball legacy. She was a rising star playing for Mamba Sports, she quickly became noticeably one of the best players on the court. Her plan was to continue basketball at Connecticut than eventually the WNBA.
Tragically, Gianna was among the nine passengers who went down on January 26th.
Among Kobe and Gigi were seven other passengers.
The Altobeli’s: John (56), Keri (46), and Alyssa(14). Alyssa was a teammate of Giana’s and an amazing player. Her father John, head baseball coach for Orange Coast College, and her mother were on their way to see Alyssa play.
Christina Mauser, (38), was the top assistant coach of the Mamba girls basketball team. Mauser was a mother of three.
Ara Zobayan, (50), was Bryant’s private pilot. He was the only man Kobe ever trusted to fly him.
And finally, mother and daughter Sarah, (45), and Peyton Chester, (13). Peyton was a teammate of Gianna and Alyssa.
Poor visibility due to fog and the lack of a recommended safety device on the helicopter both played a part in the unfortunate crash. There was nothing anyone could have done to help.
NBA players and fans of Bryant worldwide have given respect to one of the all-time greats that formed the game of basketball as we know it today. During several NBA games, players took a 24-second shot clock violation followed by an eight second backcourt violation in memory of the two numbers that Bryant wore during his career. Fans all over have been wearing their Laker gear, the colors purple and gold, or wearing 24 or 8 to show their respect. Jesuit held a “Kobe” day on February 14, many students helped commemorate Kobe’s life by wearing purple and gold and participating in the activities.
The world mourned the death of Kobe, Gianna, and the seven other passengers who were aboard the helicopter. These nine will forever be missed and never forgotten.
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Isabella Wallace signs with Northwestern
courtesy Isabella Wallace
Isabella Wallace commits to Northwestern University.
Isabella Wallace signs with Northwestern
Senior Isabella Wallace recently signed to swim at Northwestern University. Isabella swims for the Mac Club year round and competes on the Jesuit women’s swim team.
Isabella started recreational swimming when she was five-years-old at Grant pool and began competing for the Portland Aquatic Club when she turned seven.Soon, it was hard to keep Isabella out of the water, swimming was her passion.
“I just love the sport so much,” Wallace said. “It definitely has given me key values I can use in life like dedication and determination.”
During middle school Isabella earned numerous first place ribbons and qualified for Zones, a national meet in Hawaii. However, it was not until high school that Isabella really excelled.
“Over the last year she has gotten a lot better,” sophomore teammate Matthias Kreutzer said. “She went from not having Junior National cuts to getting Junior National cuts and being the top girl on our club team and top swimmer in the state over the past year.”
Isabella competed in the state swim meet this year winning the 100 free, placing fifth in the 100 back, winning the 200 individual medley relay, placing second in the 200 free, and helping secure the state championship for the women’s team.
Isabella’s goal was always to compete in college. She had been talking to various schools but it was not until she got the official offer from Northwestern that she knew exactly where she wanted to go.
“I’m just so glad and grateful that I get to go to a school that is amazing academically and athletically. I know it will push me to be the best student and swimmer. Go cats!” Wallace said.
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Soccer and Volleyball: back-to-back titles
Courtesy Google Images
Back-to-back state titles
State championships are a big deal at any school, as they reflect a
team’s skill and dedication. While back-to back state championships are not unheard of at Jesuit, they certainly are not common. Recently, two Jesuit teams have won back-to-back state championships: women’s volleyball and women’s soccer.
The women’s soccer team is known for being premier, but their three consecutive state championships are not just from luck. Every day this season, this team worked hard and pushed each other to get better. With some significant players graduating last year, the team knew this season would be different.
“Coming into the season we were pretty confident we could do really well,” head coach Steve Fennah said. “But we knew it was a new team, with new personalities, and new leadership roles. So, there was a great deal of apprehension but also a great deal of confidence that the new players would step up and get things done.”
The women’s soccer team had a flawless season winning nineteen of their twenty games, their only non-win a tie 0-0 with West Salem. The team scored a tremendous one hundred and six goals, letting in only six.
In the state championship game, the women’s team faced Mountainside, a team who they had previously beaten 6-1.
“Going into a third state championship game was very exciting but at the same time a little nerve racking. We knew that mountainside was a very good team, and that they were going to give us a tough fight,” junior Maddy Koleno said. “As a team we had worked so hard the whole season, and knew if we left everything out on that field at the end of the game we would come home with the win.”
Mountainside came out strong, nearly scoring three times. But Jesuit brought the heat and they brought senior Callan Harrington.
Callan Harrington, a University of Washington commit, is a striker and one of the star players on the team. Coming into the game, Harrington had scored a total of 53 goals during her high school season and would score another two in this championship game.These two goals not only greatly contributed to another state championship but also claimed a new state record for Harrington. The record of most goals scored during a high school season was set in 1990 by Tiffany Milbert and Harrington passed it by one goal
Sophomore Taylor Krueger scored another goal, assisted by Harrington, making the final score 3-0 with a victory for the Crusaders.
“It’s always a great feeling winning a state championship,” coach Fennah said. “People always ask the question ‘does it diminish with time?’ and no it doesn’t. It’s always a new season with new players and new faces, so it is always satisfying when things come together.”
In the last three years, the Jesuit women’s soccer team holds a 58-0-1 record, having only tied a single game. For the second year in a row, the team has been recognized as the number one women’s soccer program in the nation.
The women’s soccer team was not the only team to bring home a back-to-back state championship this year. The women’s volleyball team also came together and claimed a title against Central Catholic.
This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year. The women’s volleyball team dominated last year. With a winning streak of 25-0, they were tournament champions, league champions, and state champions. With a starting lineup consisting of six seniors, the loss was very impactful.
The team did not let their loss shake them. They may have had almost completely new faces on the court, but their work ethic stayed the same.
“During this season it was really fun to see all of the younger players step into these big roles and have such a big impact,” junior setter Alison Buccholz said. “Finishing the season by winning a state championship really proved to ourselves that our hard work paid off and proved everyone who doubted us wrong.”
Going into the state tournament there was no one favored team. Jesuit would face teams they had lost to in the past such as West Linn. Head coach Theresa Zimmerlee wasn’t deterred.
“I always think we can win, it’s just something you have to believe,” Coach Zimmerlee said.
The championship game against Central Catholic was a nail-biter. The Crusaders took the first set 25-21 but Central came right back winning the second set 26-24. The next two sets were just as close ending in 27-25 Jesuit and 25-23 Central. Central may have fought hard, but we fought harder winning the final set 15-13!
Four players from the women’s volleyball team were selected as all state players. Junior outside hitter Maddy Dowdal and sophomore libero Maisie Alexander were selected to be on the second all tournament
team. Junior setter Alison Buccholz and sophomore middle hitter Tess
Masingale were selected to be on the first all tournament team. Tess
Masingale was also selected as the state championship game MVP with
16 kills.
“I believe you get about 2 weeks to enjoys a state championship, then you begin work for the next season,” coach Zimmerlee said, “ There are some pretty good teams for next year’s competition. That’s the exciting part, there are no guarantees and you always have to put in the work if you want to be on top”.
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
What freshman can learn from seniors
What freshman can learn from seniors
Starting high school as a freshman has been a difficult task throughout every school everywhere. Jesuit high school is no exception.
Sports are big at Jesuit. With three no-cut sports, it has always been a good way to make friends. Senior Connor Kollas has played basketball and baseball during his time at Jesuit.
“Sports at Jesuit have allowed me to meet some of my closest friends and it is a place where I can have fun and enjoy playing the sports I love,” he said “The coaches are very supportive and push the athletes to be better people on and off the field and court.”
Sports at Jesuit are very competitive and many sports include cuts. Kids get cut from sports every year, but there are ways to still be involved.
“If you cannot play a sport, manage it,” JV Lacrosse team manager Ella Howe said.
Ella has been the JV Lacrosse manager for two years and simply loves it. Managing is a great way to stay involved in the sport you love. Talk to a coach and see if they need help managing for the coming season!
Sports are not the only way to get involved at Jesuit, there are so many other things at Jesuit you are able to do. The theatre program at Jesuit is phenomenal, there are countless clubs, and so many opportunities to bring yourself into the Jesuit community without sports.
“School is not always about the sports you play. Branch out. Try something new. It’s insane the different options you will find,” Senior Grace Wetzler said.
Sports may be your passion, and can be a great way to make friends, but there are so many other ways. This school is filled with so many unique opportunities to become involved as much as you want to be!
Feeling like you do not fit in is a common problem through all grades, especially Freshman year. This year, it may be hard to know where you stand, but it’s important to know that everything will be okay.
The community we have here at Jesuit is very powerful and welcoming of new students. Senior Logan Horton gave the freshman some tips from his freshman year.
“I wish I would have known that I would be okay and have good friends by the time I was a senior,” he said, “If I could give one piece of advice is to buy into the Jesuit community as soon as you can because it’s worth it.”
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
GLAX Service
Courtesy of Ella Smith
GLAX Service
The motto of the Jesuit Women’s Lacrosse team is “Play for someone or something bigger than yourself.” This is exactly what the players and coaches in the program do.
In 2016, this motto began to evolve when the team recognized themselves as “playing for Ruby Gray.” As time went on, it became more prevalent to not only play for those they know but those who are strangers to them as well. The team began to play to empower others.
“Female empowerment is a big theme in the program,” head coach and freshman history teacher Ms. Blumhardt said. “The best way to empower yourself is to empower others.”
The motto further evolved into action: bringing the service aspect into the Jesuit Women’s Lacrosse program. By working with organizations, the girls are empowering themselves by playing for someone or something bigger than themselves. The team is working with organizations such as LLS, CCA and Headstrong.
“We have always been a team who has the goal of playing with purpose, but -[this year we have really grown that goal,” senior Ella Smith said. “With season not starting until the end of February, we have already started incorporating service into our team which not only supports important causes but unites our team even more. We are very excited to continue that service and bond once the season begins.”
During the off-season the team participated in the Alzhiemer’s walk and plans to participate in the CCA Walk for Joy. Furthermore, the team plans to donate over one hundred and twenty articles of clothing to Saint Andre’s Church.
During the season, service will continue to play a big role in the Jesuit Women’s Lacrosse Program. Instead of typical team bonding, the girls will hold team fundraisers for Headstrong, LLS, etc. and serve at food kitchens.
The team will also work hard to raise awareness for the Headstrong fund. Not only will they wear neon green laces and armbands to show support, but they are also participating in a match to raise money for the foundation.
The service is not only limited to organizations and donations. The team does smaller things such as make cards for people in the community, put together gift baskets and hold free clinics for those who want to try lacrosse.
“We like to reach out to the vulnerable in society and we like to go outside of our team and help bring the margins to the center,” Ms. Blumhardt said.
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
Mick Abel represents the US in international play
Mick Abel pitches for Team USA for the under 18 team.
Mick Abel represents US in international play
This summer Mick Abel spent his time traveling the United States doing what he does best: play baseball. He played in a variety of different cities, states, and even countries competing against the best players.
Mick’s travels began last summer when he attended the USA 17U National Team Development Program. From there he was picked to attend the 18U National Training last November and eventually to the Prospect Development Pipeline.
The Prospect Development Pipeline takes the top 80 teens in the country to train together. Mick trained with the best players for three weeks and was picked to be in the top 40 who would compete in the High School All Star Game in Cleveland.
From there, Mick had three weeks off before he attended Area Code Baseball in Los Angeles. Area Code Baseball is a five-day showcase where the top kids in the region are picked to play against each other. Mick was on the Northwest Region team, the Royals.
The five-day event was cut short for Mick because after that he was bused down to San Diego for the All American Game. They trained and competed in the San Diego Padres Stadium.
After the All American Game, Mick and the same forty kids who made the trip to Cleveland traveled back to Los Angeles for USA trials. Mick trained and played constantly for a week-and-a-half while he was evaluated.
“There was a group of four or five guys that knew were going to make it,” Mick said. , “But when final cuts came around everyone’s knees were shaking because, you know, it’s cuts and everyone was nervous.”
Mick was lucky enough to be selected for team USA and, with his teammates, they trained 4-to-5 more days before training with the Chinese team in Taiwan.
In Korea, the first rounds were against South Africa, Taipei, Japan, Spain, and Panama. The team ended the round with a record of 4-to-1. They advanced to the super rounds, or the top division, where they played Canada, Korea, and Australia and won all three.
Their previous wins put them in the Gold Medal Game against Taipei who they had recently defeated 8-to-1. The game resulted in a 2-to-1 loss.
“The game was kind of bitter because we had beaten them in every other game we had played against them in Taiwan,” Mick said.
As Mick returns to the states and to high school he is still unsure what his future in baseball entails. He is committed to pitch at Oregon State but there is a chance he will be drafted into the MLB draft.
Gwynne Olson is a junior staff writer for the Jesuit Chronicle. Gwynne is the youngest of two. Brooke, her older sister, is a recent graduate from the...
