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Senior athletes reflect on shortened season

Zach Siegrist (Vidor) and Blake Mortera (Nederland) discuss the UIL's decision to cancel all spring activities and state championships

BEAUMONT, Texas — With the announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott that schools would be canceled for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19, coaches and players knew what was next.

"I was disappointed and heartbroken but it was the right thing to do," Vidor baseball player Zach Seigrist said. "We shouldn't go out and have people getting effected by it."

For Nederland track star Blake Mortera, he didn't realize the last time he would step foot on the track was March 5.

"A lot was running through my mind," Mortera said. "I was looking forward to the end of the season and hopefully winning two more district races." 

After back-to-back victories, Seigrist believes the Pirates were just starting to roll before their season ended abruptly. 

"I really think we had a good chance to go deep in the playoffs," Seigrist said. "It stinks how it just got cut but life isn't fair and we have to keep pushing. Obstacles come and go but as long as we can get through them we'll come out better people."

Mortera will look to walk on at Lamar next season, but offered this advice for all underclassmen. 

"Don't take anything for granted," Mortera said. "It's like when you lose a family member, don't take it for granted. Same for competition, compete like it's your last."

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