SAS Celebrates Soccer Seniors

Before their final game of the season, in front of an enthusiastic masked and physically distanced crowd, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School celebrated their senior players.

Seven-year day student Jenna Black of Sewanee is the daughter of Kelley and Robert Black. Black is an SAS proctor and serves on the school’s Honor council. She is a two-year starter and a three-sport athlete, playing soccer, basketball, and tennis. As a freshman, she was part of SAS’s district champion tennis team that made it to the final four in the state. Black has been sidelined due to an ACL tear she sustained at the end of basketball season, but she is known for her wicked left foot cross and was the leading goal scorer last season. Jenna plans to pursue a career in sports communication and sports journalism.  Her quiet humor and passion for athletics will be missed by her teammates. 

Co-captain Sarah Grace Burns, daughter of Doug and Margot Burns of Sewanee, is a four-year starter. She has been the cornerstone of SAS’s defense and is a workhorse for the program. Burns was named to the All-District Team for the past three years. Her leadership is pervasive on the field and throughout the school. She is the president of the school’s Honor Council and serves as a Proctor. Burns has been on high honor roll every semester of her high school career and is a member of Cum Laude. Off the field, she is a passionate outdoors person who loves to climb and hang out with friends and family.

Mary Brooks Donald, daughter of Amy and Seth Donald of Lake Charles, La., attended SAS as a sixth grader but moved to Louisiana upon her father’s completion of seminary at the University of the South. However, just three weeks ago Mary Brooks and her sister, Eliza, returned to the Mountain when their high school was destroyed by Hurricane Laura. Donald plays soccer and tennis. At her previous school she received the Coach’s Award for soccer as a sophomore and was named Offensive Player of the Year as a junior. She is an honor student, was junior class president, and was to serve this year on the Student Council Executive Board. She is an active member of her church and serves on the diocese’s Youth Council. In her short time back at SAS, Donald has quickly made an impact on the community. Her house and soccer mates know her for her generosity and kindness. Donald plans to pursue a degree in business or education. 

First-year day student Lily Garner moved to Sewanee this summer from Chicago. She is the daughter of Lisa and Lee Garner. Garner has been on the high honor roll every semester of her high school career.  She speaks fluent French and was a committed member of the Future Problem Solvers International team and Robotics Team at her previous high school. She has played soccer since she was six years old.  Garner’s youth team captured the AYSO National Championship. As the top scorer for Northside College Preparatory High School her sophomore year, she was invited to the All-City College Showcase in Chicago.  In her free time, Lily enjoys guitar, piano, reading, writing, and photography.  She is interested in studying neuroscience and linguistics in college. Her teammates have apprecieated the calm and maturity she brings as a playmaker in the holding mid position. 

Tania Gonzalez Horstmann, is an ASSIST student from Madrid, Spain. She is the daughter of Paloma Horstmann and Cristobal Gonzalez.  Despite never having played organized soccer before this year, Gonzalez Horstmann has made an impact on her team with her hard work, physical play and determination to win every ball. Gonzalez Horstmann enjoys drawing, painting, dancing, swimming, and reading in her free time. Next year, she plans to attend college in Germany and possibly study international politics and economic. Her teammates value the joy and laughter she brings to the team.

Co-captain Adeline Smith is the daughter of Jennifer and Scott Smith.  Smith is a seven-year day student, three-year starter from Tullahoma. She has been a cornerstone of the SAS soccer program despite battles with various injuries. Her presence on the field adds a spark to the SAS attack with her speedy wheels out on the flank. Off the field, Smith enjoys backpacking, baking, photography, and singing and listening to music. Next year, she plans to study psychology and neuroscience. 

In talking about the condensed 2-1-1 season and her senior players, Head Coach Margot Burns noted, “This has been a strange season with our team only able to play four matches due to the COVID pandemic. Despite this, the players continued to work hard, made progress, and found joy and solace on the field.  Our seniors will be missed, but they have left a positive impact on the program and helped to lay a foundation for the future.”