On a much-anticipated state lacrosse championship, with a packed crowd on a cool spring day, a player stood out on the sideline noticeably wearing a back brace and sweatpants. Watching all of his friends play in the biggest game of their lives knowing that he should be out there took a toll on him. This player was Bennett Smoltz.
"I was frustrated to miss out on the entire Irish lacrosse season and the start of my summer club team season. I could not play golf for the duration of my recovery process, which was a huge hobby of mine and one of my favorite things to do with buddies, " Smoltz said.
Smoltz was a standout lacrosse player his freshman year swinging on varsity and having an impressive summer with his club team. He was ready to step into a role that would have been important for a state runner up team.
The whole team felt and saw the look in Smoltz's appearance on how he felt missing out while the team was chasing something greater than themselves.
Smoltz suffered a back injury his sophomore year. It took 7 months going through a rigorous recovery process giving him time to think and process what was going on. This time gave him the opportunity to think about golf and actually go and tryout rather than playing friendly rounds with his buddies.
No one expected him to come out for golf in the upcoming fall season.
"I tried out for golf this fall because it is one of my favorite hobbies and I have played since I was 8 or 9. I have made some great friends through golf and I'm grateful for Coach Porter for giving me a chance to progress as far as I did this season. "
While his coach played a part in his development, Smoltz worked hard to become better each day. He was the last person to make the team. He started off on JV and showed flashes earning an alternate spot on the roster. He soon earned his way onto the varsity roster and got better every week until the season came to an end.
Smoltz caught lighting in a bottle at the Metro League tournament shooting a 76 qualifying for the district tournament. He went on to shoot an 82 at the district tournament, ending his season. He is already preparing for next season and will be a leader for the team while he's a senior.
Now that the golf season has come to an end, Smoltz's focus has shifted to his spring sport. Smoltz plans to play in the lacrosse state championship this upcoming season hoping to make a name for himself.
"I plan on picking up where I left off in the spring, with the ultimate goal of bringing a ring home with the guys," Smoltz said.
Smoltz can now look back on all the frustration he felt and apply it to him as an athlete and a person. It affected every aspect of his life and he came out of it with a new sport and a better outlook on life.
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