Spring sports senior profiles, an ongoing series

With the spring sports season in question, we here at the Coalfield Progress/Dickenson Star/Big Stone Gap Post hope to run a profile on each and every senior in the paper. Our intention is to give them and their families something to feel happy about in a time of such uncertainty. This will be an ongoing series with different students featured each week.

Ridgeview tennis’s Hannah Dotson

Eighteen-year-old Hannah Dotson has played a total of four sports for the Lady Wolfpack: basketball, volleyball, softball and tennis.

Dotson plans to attend UVA Wise to pursue a degree in education.

Dotson was distraught knowing that her senior year was cut short and that her senior tennis season hangs in the balance. But, she looks to her faith to stay positive.

“I feel lost knowing that I may not be able to play tennis for my last year,” Dotson said. “I would like to say that to trust in God, everything happened for a reason and that you can do all things through Christ!”

Ridgeview soccer’s Gabriel Kennedy

Gabriel Kennedy, 18, is a recent transplant from Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy in Bristol, Tenn, where he played basketball. He moved to Clintwood in 2018 when his father became the came director at Camp Jacob.

Kennedy has played soccer and run cross-country for the Wolfpack for the last two years. He will be attending Welch College in Gallatin, Tenn., majoring in elementary education.

Kennedy is hopeful that he will get to have at least part of a senior soccer season.

“I really do wish our school year wasn’t cut short,” Kennedy said. “I feel like I have missed so much of the senior experience. And I really hope our season is able to continue, not just for me but for the rest of seniors. They deserve to go out better than this.”

Kennedy’s message to his teammates is one of luck.

“I just want to wish my teammates the best of luck next season and to show everyone what we are made of. God bless,” Kennedy said.

Ridgeview soccer’s Olivia Lambert

Olivia Lambert is a two-sport athlete each spring for the Lady Wolfpack as she plays soccer and participates in track.

Lambert is unsure whether or not she will play soccer in college. Her plan is to attend Mountain Empire Community College and then transfer to UVA Wise to finish her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to one day become a physical therapist because she can “be a help to others and enjoy seeing other people live their lives after whatever they might have gone through”.

Lambert describes herself as “devastated and heartbroken” in knowing her senior year has been cut short.

“I look forward to playing and running all year,” Lambert said. “I can't describe how much it hurts knowing that I'll never get to play with the amazing girls that I grew up with. We were all together since we were just learning how to kick a soccer ball.”

Lambert looks to her faith to stay hopeful for an abbreviated senior sports season.

“I know that God's plan for this the tragedy is still working out so I have faith and hope that I will be able to play with these amazing girls someday again,” Lambert said.

Lambert leaves messages of thanks to her teammates, parents and coaches:

“I would like to tell the Ridgeview High School varsity girls soccer team to never let your head hang low. Keep your heads up high because you are amazing and I can never be more thankful for the memories I've made with you all,” Lambert said to her teammates.

“I'd like to thank...my parents who drove to everything to just watch me play and to cheer on our girls...no matter what the score board said,” Lambert said. “They were still proud of our dedication and that we always left our hearts on the field.”

“I had some amazing coaches along the way teaching, correcting and encouraging me as well. I'll never forget them and I will always keep them in my heart forever,” Lambert said to her coaches.

Ridgeview soccer senior Amelia “Mimi” Strouth

Amelia Strouth, 18, has devoted her high school career to playing soccer as the varsity goalkeeper. Growing up, she played just about every sport except soccer. But ,when she started her freshman year and gave soccer a try, she “loved every second of it”.

Strouth will be attending UVA Wise and plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in government. She is very passionate about education and has accrued a large number of college credits while attending Ridgeview. Strouth will graduate with over 80 credit hours and an associate’s degree in general studies. After graduating from UVA Wise, Strouth intends to enroll at the Appalachian School of Law to become an attorney. She is currently a legal assistant/secretary at Keuling/Stout, P.C. in Big Stone Gap.

The fact that the academic year was cancelled early does not specifically affect Strouth as she attends classes at Mountain Empire Community College. However, upon learning that she may not have a final soccer season, Strouth describes herself as “distraught”.

“I missed our first scrimmage because I decided to spend my spring break on a Habitat for Humanity trip in South Carolina,” Lambert said. “I didn't think anything of it because I assumed I would have many more opportunities to play soccer this season. I still have new cleats, goalkeeper pants and gloves that I have never worn because I bought them for this season. I am hopeful that we may be able to have a summer season.”

Strouth leaves a message of nostalgia for the previous years of soccer.

“We should be grateful for the amazing times that we did have together on the field, and God has a plan for us all,” Strouth said.