Spring sports senior profiles, an ongoing series

With the spring sports season in question, we here at the Coalfield Progress/Dickenson Star/Big Stone Gap Post hope to run a profile on each and every senior in the paper. Our intention is to give them and their families something to feel happy about in a time of such uncertainty. This will be an ongoing series with different students featured each week.

Union soccer’s Ashley Skeen

Eighteen-year-old Ashley Skeen grew up playing soccer Parks and Recreation leagues. When she started high school, she started playing volleyball. But in her sophomore year, she went back to soccer.

Skeen has opted to focus solely on academic work in college. She intends to make a career in psychology and is not sure which college she will attend.

Outside of soccer, Skeen won the Virginia 4-H Congress twice and was the first winner from Wise County in 40 years.

On March 13, the Union Lady Bears were slated to take on Lebanon in the first scrimmage of the year. When she heard that the school year had been cut short and her final soccer season hung in the balance, Skeen describes herself as “devastated”.

“Our team has worked harder than we ever have before to prepare us for this year’s season,” Skeen said. “It feels like all of our hopes for this season got completely crushed within minutes. Everything I and my friends have been looking forward to is cancelled and (may be) gone forever.”

Skeen encourages her teammates to enjoy every minute of their high school careers.

“Listen to your coaches, show your love for the game and have as much fun as you can,” Skeen said. “Show everyone that our hard work paid off and we aren’t the same team we used to be. You all will change Union soccer. I love you all so much. I wish we could have been able to tough it out together.”

Union soccer’s Sydney Hall

Sydney Hall, 18, played several different sports growing up including basketball and soccer. In high school, Hall runs cross-country in the fall and plays soccer in the spring.

Hall will be attending East Tennessee State University and majoring in education.

Hall has had several coaches who have made an impression upon her during her high school career. About cross-country coach, Mark Castle, she says: “Coach Castle was a huge contributor to the love I have for running. He was an awesome coach who always put his athletes first. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to run for him.”

Hall played the majority of her years of soccer under coach Donald Leech.

“Coach Leech was one of the most encouraging, experienced and accepting coaches I have ever had. He was always extremely supportive and made sure we not only learned how to correctly play soccer, but also made sure we had fun while we did. That is something I am very thankful for because it is not often you meet a coach that will put the team’s enjoyment for the sport before the ‘we have to win’ attitude. He always made sure to keep that balance,” Hall said.

This year, the Lady Bears were to be coached by Robin Tiller. Hall was quick to praise Tiller despite the short time they had together.

“Coach Tiller is a determined, supportive and well-prepared coach. He is also very balanced and genuinely cares for all of his athletes. This is something I was very thankful for,” Hall said.

Hall said it is devastating that she may not get to finish out her high school career playing the sport that she loves, but is appreciative of the time she had.

“I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to not only play soccer, but also that I got to meet and build a relationship with each of my teammates and coaches along the way,” Hall said.

Hall’s parting message to the rest of the Lady Bears is one of the importance of effort.

“Always try your hardest to reach your full potential and never take each other or your opportunity to play the sport you love for granted. One day, you will miss it,” Hall said.

Union soccer’s Bryce Guerrant

Growing up with four brothers, Bryce Guerrant spent the majority of his 18 years playing sports. This was going to be Guerrant’s first year playing soccer. He played football for four years and wrestled for four years as well as playing baseball for three years.

Guerrant will be continuing his football and academic careers at UVA Wise this fall as he will major in education. His goal is to become a special education teacher and coach in high school.

Despite the turmoil of losing his senior year, Guerrant is trying to remain hopeful.

“On March 13, unfortunately, my school year was cut short,” Guerrant said. “While all of this is crazy, I have remained positive throughout and I am looking forward to a new beginning.”

To the teammates he leaves behind, Guerrant imparts a message of faith and being a positive role model for future generations.

“Always remember to keep faith and give God all the glory every day,” Guerrant said. “Work hard at everything you do and give 100%. You never know when it’s your last time playing that sport, so do everything you can to be the best at it. Set an example in everything that you do. Little kids look up to you. Show them how to play the game.”

Union soccer’s Lauren Harkleroad

Lauren Harkleroad, 17, has participated in cheer, cross-country, volleyball and soccer at Union. She will be attending Mountain Empire Community college to become a registered nurse.

Harkleroad describes herself as “distraught” at her senior year ending early and her final soccer season hanging in the balance, but is looking for a deeper meaning.

“There is always a bigger purpose,” Harkleroad said. “I was so ready for this season and I felt as if we really had a chance this year. The biggest problem I have had with it all was the fact that I never had the chance to say goodbye.”

Harkleroad is still thankful at the memories she has created with her fellow seniors.

“I just want to express how thankful I am to have played two beautiful seasons with my teammates. I am sorry that it ended this way and I send you all lots of love during this time,” Harkleroad said.

To the underclassmen she leaves behind, Harkleroad’s message is one of never taking anything for granted.

“Every time you step out on the field play like it is going to be your last game, practice, or shot,” Harkleroad said. “You just never know (when it will be your last). I sure didn’t.”