Girls varsity soccer right outside defender Shelby Meeks (second from left) stands with her family on the field at CCHS’ Billy Henderson Stadium during Senior Night on March 14. Meeks has been on the team for four years, and she discussed how her experience this year has been very different from previous years. “I think senior year has been more sad than any other season, in a way. This year has been more like, ‘Wow. I really need to take it in because it’s my last year,’” Meeks said. “I think that’s something that you don’t really realize until you’re there. Like, ‘Wow, it’s about to end.’” Photo by Izzy Duncan
Shelby Meeks, senior and right outside defender for the CCHS girls varsity soccer team, talks about the highs and lows of her senior season.
News Staffer Adah Hamman: How did the girls soccer team prepare for this season?
Girls varsity right outside defender Shelby Meeks: Most of us all play (for a) club. So, we tried to stay in shape between the end of club season, which is in November (or) December. Then, we had a month off, and then we came back in January for school. So, I think we all tried to stay in shape, and all of us are good friends. So, that also helped (because) we were able to hold each other accountable and make sure that we’re running and staying in shape.
AH: Can you tell me about the team’s performance this season?
SM: I think we’ve done really well. I think all of us have been really focused, and (our performance was) a lot better than last year. We lost more games last year, and this year, we haven’t lost as much. We’ve won twice as many games as we’ve lost, I think, is where we stand. I think we’ve done really well and worked really well together.
AH: What does this team mean to you?
SM:Everybody’s nice. Nobody’s judgy, and (they understand that) everybody makes mistakes. So, I think that it’s a really good group of girls, and they mean a lot (to me). I can’t wait to see what people do, and who keeps going with soccer and who goes where. It’s exciting to see how everybody else is gonna grow.
“I think all of us have been really focused, and (our performance was) a lot better than last year. We lost more games last year, and this year, we haven’t lost as much. We’ve won twice as many games as we’ve lost, I think, is where we stand. I think we’ve done really well and worked really well together.”
— Shelby Meeks,
CCHS girls varsity soccer right outside defender
AH: What’s your favorite memory of the team?
SM: I love all the bus rides. They’re really cool. (The Villa Rica High School one stood out to me) the most because we made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. It’s (one of) the only two times that we’ve ever done that, and we were all so happy and so proud of each other.
AH: What has been the impact of the seniors on the team?
SM:I think we’re mostly a senior-built (team). The whole entire backline is seniors. I think we’ve all (been) together for two to four years now, and we’re able to work together as a team really well because we’ve had more years together. Chemistry is really important, and I think we’ve had a lot of chemistry this year.
AH: Can you tell me about Senior Night?
SM: It was really cool, honestly. It’s so weird because I remember being a freshman and standing on the sides and looking at the seniors, and I feel like (that moment) came so fast. So, it’s really crazy. We had a lot of people there, too. So, looking at all those people supporting you and looking next to you (at) all these people that you’ve been with forever. It’s really cool. It’s a little sad, but it’s really cool.
Clarke Central High School girls varsity right outside defender Shelby Meeks, a senior, prepares to throw a soccer ball during a game against Athens Academy on Feb. 21, 2023. Meeks reflected back on her time with her teammates and her friendship with them. “Everybody’s nice. Nobody’s judgy, and (they understand that) everybody makes mistakes. So, I think that it’s a really good group of girls, and they mean a lot (to me),” Meeks said. “I can’t wait to see what people do, and who keeps going with soccer, and who goes where. It’s exciting to see how everybody else is gonna grow.” Photo by Aza Khan
AH: How do you feel knowing going into your next game, knowing that it could be the last game you play for CCHS?
SM: It’s hard to prepare for that. I feel like my brain has a hard time accepting that. You have to really take a deep breath and really take it all in. This might be my last time doing this stretch, this might be my last time passing the ball this way or my last time riding the bus to a game. You just have to think about everything and enjoy it, and at the end of the day, it’s a good memory to have (of) high school.
AH: What do you hope next year’s team takes away from your team?
SM: I think we played every game like it was our last because— especially going into the playoffs— you never know when (your) last game is. So, I think the seniors gave everything into every single game, just so (they) had good memories and stuff and (so they) didn’t look back and wonder what (they) could (have done differently). So, I think that having that drive and playing your hardest every game, I think will be something I hope that everybody else does next season.
