Hannah Carroll
Photo by Kristi Eager
Gig Harbor High School
As senior Hannah Carroll graduates from Gig Harbor High School, she can look back with pride on what she has accomplished both athletically and academically over the last four years.
Hanna received a varsity letter in basketball her freshman year and lettered in soccer four years and in track for three. She was the captain of the high school soccer team and was all-league MVP, first team all-league for three years and all-state first team one year for soccer.
“I was a member on the soccer state title team. I have won the state title in the 400 two years, 200-meter state title, 4x100 state title, track team title and was named Best Female Athlete of districts,” said Hannah, who has taken four AP classes, maintained a GPA of 3.87 and is a member of the National Honor Society.
These accomplishments are impressive for anyone, but when you consider the fact that Hannah was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the seventh grade, it is even more remarkable.
“I have had to learn how to communicate my physical limitations with my coaches, manage day-to-day joint pain and push myself to perform at the highest level,” said Hannah. “As this is a lifelong disease, I continue to learn I have to have faith and understand I do not walk this journey alone.”
In the fall Hannah will attend Louisiana State University where she will run cross country and track while pursuing a career as a speech pathologist. “It would be a privilege and an honor to give someone a voice,” she said.
Hannah shares that Coach Eager has been an important influence and has imparted an important life lesson she plans to carry on with her throughout her life: “Coach Eager has taught me how to persevere in the face of adversity, believe in myself and my training, and what it looks like to lead by example.”
Isaac Casey
Peninsula High School
Eighteen-year-old Isaac Casey has made his mark when it comes to athletics at Peninsula High School. The senior has participated in both wrestling and football during his high school career and looks forward to continuing his wrestling career at Montana State Northern in the fall.
During his wrestling career at Peninsula High School, Isaac placed second in state this year and fourth in 2018. As a testament to his leadership skills, he also served as captain of the wrestling team for two years and was also football team captain.
In football, he helped lead his team to the state quarterfinals both his junior and senior years and was recognized as first team league linebacker his junior and senior years.
At Montana State Northern, Isaac plans to study electrical technology. “Electrical technology will allow me to work in a growing field with many job opportunities,” said Isaac of his career choice.
Although Isaac has experienced great success in athletics, he said one of the biggest challenges he faced was the disappointment of not placing at state for wrestling his sophomore year.
“But that motivated me to work hard throughout the next year, and I was able to take fourth,” he said, adding that the best part about wrestling is that he enjoys being able to have his own destiny in his hands and being able to make his own decisions when he is on the mat.
Isaac is grateful for the many lessons he has learned through sports. One in particular has certainly made an impact. “Wanting good results is not enough. You need to work for them through hours of preparation,” said Isaac. “My wrestling coaches, Mark Nickles and Gary Griffin, also taught me to relax when I’m wrestling and to trust the hard work I put in at the practice room.”