Senior Abby Ludwig has played for La Salle’s track and field team every year of her high school career.

Through that time, Ludwig feels the experience has impacted her positively and has given her the opportunity to form new connections with students across campus.

During Ludwig’s years playing for the team, she participated in both shot put and discus.

Ludwig practices every day after school and participates in meets once a week, though those meets can often run until as late as 8 p.m., leaving her with little personal time.

Though senior year has brought with it a decrease in work, Ludwig said, in years past she has balanced being a student athlete by staying productive at school, so stress doesn’t catch up with her later on, she said. Additionally, it’s a way to reclaim some free time for herself and relax.

“Before, I used to just try and do more stuff at school [and] make sure that I was on top of my stuff,” she said. This way, “outside of school, there was less to do,” she said.

Ludwig added how being on the team allowed her to branch out of her comfort zone and “meet new people and have new experiences,” she said.

“I learned how to work together and how to also support people in a team … it is a team sport, [we are] able to still be there for each other, even if you’re competing on your own,” she said.

One thing Ludwig said she noticed while participating in track was that even if the team competes in different events, everyone still comes together and cheers for one another.

According to Ludwig, the team members share a special relationship and a safe environment, where a variety of students from different grades can connect with each other and share their interest in track and field.

“My favorite year was last year,” she said. “I had a couple of friends who were seniors, so that was really special to meet them and meet people in other grades … that I probably wouldn’t have known otherwise.”

Even though some of Ludwig’s friends have moved on to college, she noticed the impact they left on her, valuing the special relationship they formed with one another.

As her senior friends left, she started to train with the younger grades and formed new connections with underclassmen.

Ludwig recognized how special it is to be able to meet new people even if it was with the people she least expected.

Ludwig’s goals led her to become the athlete she is by being able to set a goal for herself and still have fun.

“I wanted to go to state, so that was always something that motivated me,” she said. “And also, just wanting to try my best.”

Her motivation was to set a goal for herself by going to state, but also keeping track as a place where she can always have fun, such as on Senior Night or messing around at practice.

Even the simplest things they do together as a team allows them to still have fun carrying that spirit on to the field, she said.

“Just don’t be afraid to try it,” she said. “Because you never know what you’re going to be good at.”