Being a varsity athlete all four years of high school takes a different type of character. Earning your title is not easy, especially at a high school of about 1600 students. 

Ella Grimes, Cash McSweeney, and Sean Manuel are three standout senior athletes who have been on a varsity sport since freshman year.

Known for their hard work, these athletes have earned their success. Over the course of their high school career, they have built positive team atmospheres for all those coming in. 

As they approach their last seasons, they reflect on their journey throughout their four years.

Ella Grimes

Ella Grimes is a senior Richmond lacrosse commit. She embodies the virtues of talent, hard work, and sportsmanship and embraces the hard aspects of training as new opportunities to grow and develop into a better player. 

“Truly all of it has helped me grow,” she said.

The team marvels at her work ethic and determination. From the moment Grimes picked up a lacrosse stick, it was evident that she had a special connection with the game. Her agility, quickness, and high lax IQ sets her above her competitors. 

“Playing lacrosse has impacted my life in a very positive way. It also helps me meet new people since I am more comfortable on the lacrosse field than anywhere else,” Grimes said. “It also helps me with my faith and God because I am so thankful for the talents and blessings that he has given me.”

She spends countless hours practicing by polishing her techniques and pushing her limits. Her hard work paid off as she soon created her legacy on the varsity team.

“Freshman year was challenging because I had to be patient and learn where I fit on the team. As a freshman, you can’t just show up and say you’re a good lacrosse player and athlete. You have to work really hard to build your reputation on your team and take direction from your senior players,” Grimes added. “Senior year is very different in a good way. I have established my place on the team, and it feels like a celebration of all the hard work from the previous years.”

Grimes resembles the core value of friendship on the team. She is encouraging and uplifting to all around her. She provides a supportive and sisterhood atmosphere. She brings out the best in others, making her an invaluable part of the team.

“I finally learned the true meaning of team and how close our team is,” she said.

Cash McSweeney

Cash McSweeney is a senior Princeton basketball commit. He promotes the aspects of coachability, leadership, and perseverance on the court. His skills and dedication to the sport have earned him recognition and admiration from his friends and teammates.

“This sport brought me a lot of friends, community, and purpose. It has gotten me to college, and gave me a focus for high school,” he said.

Cash consistently delivers when it matters most, whether it’s sinking a 3-pointer or making a defensive stop. His leadership on the court inspires his team to work harder, and he pushes everyone to become the best they can. He provides a positive environment for those around him.

“Personally, I am a lot more of a leader now. I have a bigger role on the team and I know the guys a lot better,” McSweeney expressed. “Freshman year I wasn’t too close to the guys and I didn’t have a huge role so everything has kind of increased from there.”

For McSweeney, having an encouraging student section makes all the more difference at the games.

“We get a lot of support from our grade, they come to a lot of games and that fuels our energy,” he said. “I truly wouldn’t change anything about my experience.”

Sean Manuel

Sean Manuel is a senior football and track & field player. 

Sports has brought fun, friends, and energy into Manuel’s life.

“I’ve had a lot more fun playing the sport and met a lot of people I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for football,” he said.

There have been ups and downs over the course of four years, such as “Seeing a lot of new faces and losing familiar faces,” observed Sean, but it all turned out well for him.

Going from freshman year to his senior year his sports have changed a lot and gotten harder.

“For me senior year is more like intense than like freshman year,” he said.

Manuel wouldn’t change anything about his experience.