The seniors are the wise players. They’re the tough, know-it-all, been-here-before players that take the field as if they own the university.
Sometimes, young freshmen and sophomores are scared of the seniors; they’re intimidating. But at Florida, this year’s class of seniors has left their mark here in nothing but positive ways.
On Friday, the Gators will celebrate senior night as they host Tennessee.
This year’s class is the second largest in program history, with eight Gators saying farewell at the end of the season.
This senior class will be remembered for their performances and contributions on the field, of course, but maybe even more so for the way that they have impacted the program at Florida. Good, positive people will make any team better.
"I think they’ve really impacted our culture in a lot of positive ways," coach Becky Burleigh said of the seniors.
"I think the most important part is how they’ve been as people for this program, what they represent and how they represent us."
Being such a large class this year, these eight seniors have been through a lot together and have formed the nucleus this season for what is such a close, tight-knit team. They have been leaders and mentors for younger players as well as great friends with each other.
Senior Annie Bobbitt said that she is beyond excited to experience senior night alongside the seven other seniors and redshirt junior Lindsey Cooper because they are all so close.
"It’s like flown by, not just this past year but the last four years," Bobbitt said. "I know I can go to any of them and talk to them if I ever need anything, they’re the first people I call, I live with mostly seniors, so they’re like my best friends."
Bobbitt also said that this senior class has done a great job of taking young players under their wings and showing them the ropes throughout their time at Florida.
"There’s so many different personalities between all of the seniors, they bring such a good variety to the team," sophomore Meggie Dougherty Howard said.
"Different skills for on the field, but also energy they bring off the field and their leadership and just advice that they can give us because they’ve gone through it for four years."
Senior night is always an emotional night for all of the players and coaches, but also a happy night because the players are acknowledged for all of their hard work and dedication for four years.
"Everything that you dread in the moment, I think you miss in the future," said senior Havana Solaun.
"And so I think for me right now, I’m kind of already missing it and it’s still here."
It’s never easy to hang up the cleats and say goodbye, and Bobbitt said she’s going to miss everything there is about playing at Florida and being a Gator.
"I think the number one thing I’m going to miss is just the friendships. I’ve grown so close to these girls over four years," Bobbitt said. "It’s gonna be weird, I gotta find new friends."
Follow Alex Maminakis on Twitter @AlexMaminakis
Senior midfielder Havana Solaun kicks the ball during Florida's 5-1 win against Mississippi State.
