Records are meant to be broken. This year, there are several current record holders that we walk the halls with every day. We may not even realize how much of an impact these students have made on our school, but the records they have broken will forever be a part of FHS athletics.

Although much success has come from these athletes, there have been many hardships that they have had to face. Senior Alexa Schwab, a record holder in soccer, knows firsthand how devastating being a top athlete can be sometimes. With her injury, she is unable to play for her senior soccer season. She holds the record for most goals in a season, 37, and most career goals, 94.

“I’m upset because I think I could have done a lot better this year. I still feel accomplished for being able to achieve what I have in only three years,” Schwab said.

Many of these athletes work year-round to accomplish their goals and break these records. For some of them, breaking one is not enough, they strive to better themselves. You can see them running outside in the winter and think it’s absurd. The fact is that their effort only makes these student athletes better for their following years here at Freedom.

Senior Jarrett Boyd broke the 1600 meter record last year in Track and Field.

“It used to be 4:29.6 and it is now 4:25.5. I plan on breaking it again this year. Previously [the record was] owned by Jake DeWeese. I plan on also breaking the 800 meter record owned by Craig Lehocky. I was 0.01 of a second off last year,” Boyd said.

Teamwork is a very important part of all success. It helps you become a better athlete and strengthen your abilities. Without teamwork, many of our school records would not exist. On a team, everyone usually achieves more and the result is greater.

“I would say getting 100 wins came from all of my hard work and extra practices. Michael Muron helped me the most by pushing me during practice and he came to extra practices with me. My teammates helped me because I wanted to be a leader, and I knew I have kids looking up to me, so I do my best to set an example for them,” senior wrestler Kody Komara said about his 100 wins last season.

This year, there have been two new and improved Freedom records. Senior Nick Henderson broke the career receiving yards record with 849, career reception record with 40 receptions and the record for receiving yards in a game with 178. This is current as of October 21 and it will continue to grow.
We honor these students for all of their hard work and talent, but their teams have contributed to the history as well.

“My teammates have helped me by pushing me in practice, always having my back and my quarterbacks having trust in me,” Henderson said.

Not many people know the dedication and time these athletes have spent working to greater themselves. Not only these record breakers, but all of the Freedom athletes work towards their goals. The hours of practice have paid off for junior Carson Gilarno as well, making him able to break the record for most goals in a soccer game.

“I was really excited that I broke the record for this. I went into that game not knowing that I was going to break this record. When I scored my sixth goal, I was so excited and my teammates were proud,” Gilarno said.

The records at our school will continue to be broken for years to come. The athletes of FHS have been, and always will be, a part of the history of our school. The impact they have made is truly remarkable, and they will be remembered for their hard work and dedication.