Owen Barnet has made some of his greatest connections through sports, both on and off the ice.
People are also reading…
Horicon's Ethan Strieff poses with a picture of his younger self. Strieff said that leaning on others, rather than bottling up his stress, helped him become a successful high school athlete.
A handwritten piece of advice from Horicon's Ethan Strieff reads, "There is more to life than high school sports."
Mount Horeb's Macie Finley poses with a picture of her younger self. Finley wants other athletes to know that it's part of the process to feel emotion during a high school sports journey, but athletes should "never let (those emotions) convince you to give up."
Mount Horeb's Macie Finley poses with a handwritten note that features advice to other high school athletes. An excerpt her note reads, "My biggest piece of advice would be to remember that setbacks do not define you. ... When something unexpected happens, especially an injury, it can feel like everything you've worked for has been taken away. However, a week, a month, or a year off to heal your body does not compare to the years of work, and it does not determine your future."
Poynette's Jesse Walz poses with a picture of his younger self. Walz encourages other high school athletes to have a full-picture view and put education first when the pressures of sports start to add up.
A handwritten piece of advice from Poynette's Jesse Walz reads, "Surround yourself with people who care."
DeForest's Abby Henriksen poses with a picture of her younger self. Communication has been key to Henriksen's ability to navigate the pressures that come with being a high school athlete.
A handwritten piece of advice from DeForest's Abby Henriksen reads, "Making a daily to do list and schedule really helped me feel more confident and stay caught up."
A handwritten piece of advice from McFarland's Piper Willenbucher reads, "Play because you love to win, don't play because you hate to lose."
Madison West's Sam Stampfli poses with a handwritten note that features advice to other high school athletes. Stampfli's advice reads, "One piece of advice I would give other athletes is to surround yourself with a good group of friends. Having supportive friends and teammates really helps when things get stressful because they understand the pressure that comes with being a student-athlete. I’d also say not to be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Everyone struggles at some point, and having people you can rely on makes a big difference.
