The DMV is very competitive when it comes to high school and travel sports, and the competitiveness doesn’t stop when it comes to the commitment process. Some students have been working and practicing their sport ever since they could remember to commit to a dream school. Many people only see Langley’s athletes playing in games and not the hard work, dedication, and various adjustments to their daily lives they face behind the scenes.

“I would probably say balancing out time for school, baseball, and family and friend time is my biggest challenge as a committed athlete,” Senior Virginia Tech baseball commit Nick Morabito said.

Morabito spends most of his weekends away at tournaments and the majority of his weekdays working to be a better baseball player. He has been playing since he was little, but as baseball became more competitive throughout the years it became harder to keep up the hard work and practice while also spending time with loved ones and focusing on school.

“When I am not practicing or lifting, I am completing my school and homework. I lift 5/7 days of the week and practice every day if we don’t have games during the school season,” senior Drexel lacrosse commit Caroline Senich said.

Similar to committed athlete Morabito, Senich has a very busy schedule. She prioritizes practicing and school work over everything and is lucky if she has any other free time. Commitment and dedication as well as working hard at practice are key to being a committed athlete. Despite all this, committed athletes often love their sport and it isn’t as bad as it sounds for them.

“During the high school season, managing time is easier because we have practice at school and we live very close so the commute is easy as we can do homework with students,” senior Drexel lacrosse commit Katherine Senich said.
Senich explains that location as well as being with peer classmates during the high school season can help with time management.

“My dad has helped me the most throughout this process as he always practices with me but also guided me when communicating with colleges and coaches,” Morabito said.

The recruiting process can be a very stressful time because of the multitasking required to continue to perform well as an athlete, work hard in school, and contact recruiters. Morabito explains his dad helped him with committing along the way as well as motivating him and has helped himself work to be the best player he can be.

“I love having Katherine as a twin because she has helped me cope with stress knowing someone is dealing with it too and also reaching out to colleges we decided we were a package deal,” Senich said.

The Senich twins have been playing lacrosse with each other their whole life, and went through the commitment process together.

“Staying positive and learning from your mistakes is a big thing I have learned. The game is also a mind game and you can’t let your head get stuck,” Morabito said.

Morabito explains that the most important thing he has learned throughout his many years of playing baseball is staying focused and having a good mental game.

Working hard, staying dedicated, and managing time as well as setting priorities straight is what many Langley committed athletes have mastered.