Niwot High senior athlete spotlight

This week we are highlighting seniors from the Niwot boys track and girls soccer teams.

Boys Track

Harrison Bartlett, Sprints

What are your plans after graduation?

My plans for after graduation are to attend the University of Montana, and join the Army ROTC program (Unsure if I am running due to not having race times from senior season to qualify me for their program).

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

Before the season was cancelled, I was most looking forward to the 4x200 meter relay and the 4x400 meter relay. While I was looking forward to the racing and competitiveness, I was looking forward to being with the team and seeing them race more.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot track team?

My favorite memory of track was from the only meet we did this season, and being able to run the 4x400 with my friends and show how much work we put in during the off season.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

My advice for incoming freshmen would be to take the track experience for the opportunity it is, and for them to remember that they are not required to run track and since they chose to run track, to give everything they have. The results will be amazing.

Rayan Elahi, Pole Vault

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be pole vaulting and studying psychology at St. Olaf College.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

I had a lot of momentum heading into the season so I was really looking forward to being a big scorer for the team and hopefully taking a medal home from the state meet.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot track team?

Last year at our district meet I was seeded to win in pole vault, but then a vaulter came out of nowhere and PR'd by over a foot. I ended up PRing by a foot as well, which won the vault by one height, and the mark qualified me for state, so it felt like a lot of victories tied into one performance.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

Try to find routine right away. One of the hardest things for me was managing my time between athletics and academics, and trust me that you do not want to be the person studying during a track meet. There's enough time in the day to be an amazing athlete and an amazing student, so long as procrastination doesn't get the better of you.

Ethan Jiang, Distance

What are your plans after graduation?

I'll be attending Vanderbilt University in the fall to study economics and applied mathematics.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

Winning two more team track titles. I've seen firsthand how devoted both the coaches and athletes on our team are, and after a historic 2019 season, I have no doubt that we would've topped even that.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot track team?

I've been with the boy's distance team since the beginning of my freshman year, and the program I'm leaving behind is unrecognizable from the one I entered into. The shift in mentality and team dynamic is hard to pick up when it occurs gradually all around you; it wasn't till a moment earlier this year when the realization finally hit me. On a long run in the dead of winter, the sun already setting, I realized that those running alongside me were not just teammates, but family too.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

Join the program. Don't worry if you've never run before. Don't worry if you don't know anyone. This program is something you want to be a part of; in it, you will find mentors, friends, and above all, a motivation to better yourself.

Jack Kenkel, Distance

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to continue my academic and athletic career at Princeton University.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

I was looking forward to seeing the results of the hard work my teammates and I put in all year. I'll definitely miss just hanging out at the meets the most though.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot track team?

Winning the 4x400 meter relay at state and having the boys and girls win the state team titles last year would have to be the highlight from my time on the Niwot track team.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

Join the cross country and track team and take computer science!

Girls Soccer

Morgan Burris, Forward

What are your plans after graduation?

My plan after graduation is to go to Arizona State University to study entrepreneurship at the WP Carey Business School.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

The thing I was looking the most forward to this season was going to state and celebrating on senior night with my senior teammates.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot track team?

My favorite memory from all my four years has to be junior year when it snowed 12 inches and we shoveled the fields, built snowmen and had a snowball fight during practice.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

My advice to incoming freshmen is not take any tryouts, practices, bus rides, team dinners and games for granted. Once you get on the field, be fully in the moment and cherish your teammates and coaches.

Quinn Gossett, Goalkeeper

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be attending Chapman University where I will be studying engineering. I will also be playing soccer for Chapman.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

I was really looking forward to developing a really cohesive team and making a push for playoffs. The team was looking really strong this year. We were all motivated and ready to give it our all.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot girls soccer team?

I don't really have just one favorite memory, but last season I had a few games where I tallied over seven saves. I honestly loved those games, since the gameplay required me to be more aggressive in net. I always love those games!

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

High school soccer is an amazing opportunity to play with your classmates and in front of your community. Take pride in wearing your Niwot jersey! Appreciate everyday you get to be with your teammates on the field. You only have four years, and they go by pretty quickly, so enjoy every minute! Make sure you run a lot. It is so much easier to go into tryouts if you've been running and conditioning.

Lauren Cranny, Defense

What are your plans after graduation?

My plans after graduation are to attend San Diego State University and major in business.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

Before everything was cancelled I was really looking forward to making it far in playoffs and having one last high school season with some of my best friends.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

For incoming freshmen, I would advise them to never take anything for granted during each soccer season, even the awful fitness you have to do because soccer season is really the best part of the year. I have so many amazing memories with my teammates and I will miss them so much!

Lexi Crow, Midfielder

What are your plans after graduation?

I am playing Division II soccer next year at Black Hills State University! While playing I will be studying Human Services with an emphasis in Family studies, also double minoring in Athletic Coaching and Outdoor Activities.

Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season?

The thing I was looking forward to most this season was senior night. I've always loved looking at the posters, balloons, and just loved having everyone there to celebrate the end of an era.

What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your time on the Niwot girls soccer team?

My greatest accomplishment of high school was earning my starting position my sophomore year on varsity with a heavy senior class.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

My advice to incoming freshmen whether doing soccer or not is to involve yourself and be ok with change. Just remember to work hard and stay true to you. My advice to upper classmen is to remember how you felt freshman year so be sure to include the incoming freshmen and encourage them because it will change their high school experience.