For many senior athletes, the end of 16 years of school sports is fast approaching. So what comes next?

Few Whitman athletes plan to pursue a professional sports career, but many will continue their sport after college.  

“I plan on keeping swimming in my life, and possibly competing in triathlons where, of course, swimming is a part,” said varsity swimmer Vanessa Johnson.

“I want to continue to play and be involved in tennis for as long as I can,” said tennis player Katie Oost.

After graduation, many student athletes will focus on their   careers instead of competing in semi-professional or professional leagues. The need to work limits the opportunities and time a graduate has to pursue athletics. However, many Whitties have found ways to incorporate athletics into their jobs.

“I plan on assistant coaching for the women’s tennis team, and likely working for another previous Whitman coach as well. I also plan on teaching tennis lessons during the summer,” said Oost.

Professional athletic opportunities may also be slim due to scholarly demands.

“I think collegiate play offers the opportunity to gain an education and perform at a high lever,” said varsity soccer player Michael McKenzie. “Yet, it also makes the transition to the professional level difficult because of the balance between training and school…I would love to play professionally, but my focus on school has made that possibility extremely slim.”

Others will stay active, but will pursue other types of activities, whether these are jobs or sports.

“This summer I am going to work for the forest service as a range technician in the Colorado Rockies,” said swimmer Courtney Fitzpatrick. “After that I plan to do a six-month work study program at Shoshoni Yoga retreat in Colorado where I will get certified to become a yoga instructor.”

Varsity athletics have greatly influenced many Whitman athletes, whether or not they plan to continue their sport.  

“I would say that my career as a swimmer has led me to realize how physical activity is related to spiritual well-being…I was always learning about myself, specifically what my body and mind are capable of,” said Fitzpatrick.  

“I have greater faith in myself and in what I am capable of achieving and committing to,” said Johnson. “I’m sure this will transfer somehow into whatever next steps I take.”

Despite their extensive athletic careers, however, some athletes acknowledge what they have learned and prepare to take the next step, to move on.

Varsity basketball athlete Brendan Ziegler, who plans to move to Illinois next year to work for a business consultant, looks forward to taking the next step. “It was time to move onto the next phase of my life,” he said.