ROCKINGHAM — Prior to the start of Wednesday’s home match, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ soccer team took time to celebrate almost half its roster.
On the program’s annual senior night, this year’s group of soon-to-be graduates was recognized for its contributions to the program over the last four years.
A larger senior class this fall consisted of nine players: Elen Fonseca Garcia, DJ Gainey, Cayden Gillenwater, Memphis Jacobs, Phoenix Jacobs, Kimahri Johnson, Jason Medina, Cole Thrower and Camden Williams.
Before facing Overhills High School in the team’s penultimate Mid-South Conference match of the regular season, Richmond and head coach Chris Larsen gave the nine seniors the pitch.
Escorted from midfield and walking toward the home bleachers, the seniors were joined by their parents, family members and classmates. As they walked, each player’s future plans and favorite memories were among some of the details read over the public address system.
At the end of the procession, which was flanked by their underclassmen teammates, Larsen and assistant coach Bennie Howard shook hands with the seniors and presented them with a flag. On each flag was the player’s number with the Richmond soccer crest.
“Senior nights are always special,” Larsen said. “It’s good for the guys to get their couple minutes of recognition for all the hard work they’ve put into this program over the last four years.
“This was one of our bigger groups the last couple of years, so it will be hard to move on from that when they graduate. I hope more than anything that they learned a thing or two during their time here, and that they can use those life lessons in the future with whatever they do.”
The Richmond Observer will publish a game story of Richmond’s match with Overhills later tonight.
