I still remember the day that Austin was born. My sister and brother-in-law chose to wait until the day their baby arrived to find out what it was. There are very few surprises left in this world, and I love that they held off.
Austin and I spent a lot of time together when he was a baby. My sister worked as a teacher and Austin and I would spend at least one day a week together. I am so thankful for that time we had.
Flash forward 18 years. My sister has done an amazing job with her two kids. She encourages and supports them through pretty much anything they want to try. They are a highly competitive family and very much into sports. Being that we live 250 miles away from my sister's family, I don't get very many opportunities to see my niece and nephew play sports. It was my goal to see Austin play each of his high school sports at least once.
These don't go in year order, but by sport season.
The busiest sports season around my sister's house is Fall. Austin is a two sport athlete in just this season alone. Year's ago Austin took up running. He ran on his own and in a few community races throughout the year. His junior year of high school he started running cross country. (Here is my sports disclaimer - I absolutely love watching cross country and running events! I know it sounds crazy, but for me as a spectator, there is a thrill in watching the racers take off, disappear for a while, then come back into view and that anticipation of waiting for your racer to go by before moving to the next spotting location or finish line.)
These photos are from a race at Bryant Park in Albany in the Fall of 2012.
This year my niece, who is a freshman, also started running cross country. Here is a photo from a meet in Salem in September of this year. Georgia as a freshman and Austin as a senior.
One last running note. Austin ran his first marathon in September, the week before he turned 18. I have no idea what motivates this kid.
The other fall sport is soccer. I don't exactly understand the rules of soccer, but it's fun to sit outside on a fall evening and watch a bunch of kids run up and down the field. Austin was chosen to be the goalie for his high school team. The goalie is a very important part of the team, it's just not very exciting except for the few moments when the other team attempts to score. Here are some photos from his junior year playing against Lebanon.
Austin had a severe injury in a game shortly after this one. This injury took him out for the rest of the soccer season and required some pretty extensive knee surgery. There were a few months there when Austin's sports future was in question. Luckily, wait I won't say luckily because luck had nothing to do with it. Austin worked his butt off and proved all the skeptics wrong. He would be back in playing form by spring sports season. I don't believe that there is anything Austin can't do when he sets his mind to it.
Winter sports season is my least favorite. Basketball. I don't understand the rules, and I don't like that you can barely touch the other team without getting a foul. Come on, let's make basketball a full-contact sport and see where it goes.
Austin played basketball his freshman and sophomore years. He would sit out his junior year with his knee injury. Here some photos from his sophomore year game against Lebanon. It was their "pinkout" game.
I'm not sure if Austin will play basketball this winter. My guess is that he will, and hopefully I will get to catch a game or two.
Spring sports are my favorite! I love that the weather is turning nicer and once again you get to enjoy the fresh air. Austin has played baseball since the good ol' days of T-ball. The kids that he plays with have been together 10-12 years. They are a great group of boys.
Austin is the catcher for his baseball team(s). The catcher is an important role model for the team and Austin fits this position perfectly. Watching him with his teammates you can definitely see that he is a leader among them. He is constantly encouraging them and keeping them motivated.
I have gotten to watch Austin play baseball more than any other sport. Somehow it just works out getting to his games.
This past summer he also play American Legion baseball. The American Legion team is made up of boys from his area. They put together an elite team and travel all around the state to play games. I was lucky enough to tag along when they came down south for a couple of days.
The first game of the south road trip brought them to our town, to our prized stadium. I was so excited to see Austin play in my favorite stadium.
My sister and I followed them the next day to Medford and Grants Pass.
The Albany paper does a great job highlighting local high school sports. Here are a couple photos from past seasons.
I am sure that I will get to a couple of baseball games next spring.
Austin's future plans aren't set in stone yet. It's that transition point in his life where he is applying to colleges, waiting to see what his options will end up being. I am sure that he will continue to play sports, maybe at the college level. If that does happen, that's will go on my ultimate bucket list, to see my nephew play college sports.
For now, I am thankful that I am able to participate in his life, even if it is just as a spectator.
