Photo Courtesy of Cheryl Hatala
By Dakota Dobrovich-Fago, Staff Writer
The wait has been long and cruel for spring athletes here at Susquehanna. While their 2019-2020 spring season was cut short, the news that play will resume this spring has been nothing less than exciting. With that news, senior defenseman Michael Jentsch of the men’s lacrosse team is locked in and ready to go.
“After having our season cut short last year, everyone is even more excited and motivated for the upcoming season,” he said.
But with the cancelation of the last season and the time in between, there has been a lot to think about as a senior student athlete. As the college journey is nearing its end, it is only suitable to start at the beginning.
“I had Dickinson and Scranton recruiting me as well. I chose Susquehanna because of the team’s recent success, and the school’s science and study abroad programs,” the 2017 Seneca, N.J. native said.
In recent years, it is clear that the team has enjoyed a good amount of success on the field by making multiple playoff runs, but the team does more than just win when it matters.
“The Susquehanna lacrosse team is special because everyone gets along, and we can all rely on each other. My favorite memory on the field was winning a quadruple overtime game against Drew to clinch the 1 seed freshman year,” Jentsch said.
Along with the on-field success, the off-field bonds have created an atmosphere that anyone would want to be a part of. But as much as lacrosse is a team sport, bettering yourself along the way is key.
Jentsch said: “you can’t expect success doing the bare minimum. Lacrosse has shaped me into a hard worker and taught me to appreciate the little things.”
The news that a season is to happen this spring has given things a new meaning. A return to the field during these trying times is something to be appreciated.
“To prepare for the season I worked out and ran every week and made sure to keep my lacrosse stick in my hand,” Jentsch said.
With things shaping up for one last season and graduation around the corner, life after school is coming quick for the neuroscience major but Jentsch has a plan in mind.
“After school I plan on taking a gap year to work and then apply to physician’s assistant school,” he said.
The old saying ‘One door closes, another other opens’ could not ring any more true for Jentsch. With one chapter in his life coming to end, The message is clear.
“Enjoy your time here because you never know when it can be taken away,” Jentsch said.
