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10/18/2023 06:44 AMCredit to growing up in Guilford, where the notion of inclusion has tended to be part of students’ experience almost since day one. A senior Guilford boys’ soccer player’s hopeful ask (defender Sergio Garcia-Perez) became the team captains’ and coach’s “of course.” The captains and coaches chairs include striker Andres Gutierrez, center back Jason Li, forward Owen Medvecky, and Varsity Coach Rick Geremia. And just like that, with a logistical blitz sifting out on the side, Guilford boys’ soccer’s Senior Night on Oct. 20 became something more profound.
When the Grizzlies players take to their home turf for their 5 p.m. game against Wilbur Cross that day, they will be arm in arm with Guilford Unified Sports athletes, who will stand with them for the national anthem. Call it Senior Night with a mindful twist, and there is no way to raise awareness about Unified without celebrating the dedication of Unified Sports Head Coach Jaye Carlson, and the volunteer coaches who make the Unified program possible in the community.
It all adds to the spectacular atmosphere for the Grizzlies’ 11 senior players, who will be formally recognized alongside their families in a 4:15 p.m. pregame ceremony, complete with banners, balloons, and the strong likelihood of happy-sad tears in the packed stands at Guilford’s Kavanaugh Stadium.
“Unified Sports + 2024 Seniors = GHS Win” is the natural slogan for this momentous, double-duty game. The team is hopeful that members of the Guilford community will begin their weekend by pouring into Kavanaugh for the special day. If they do, they will help support the school’s Unified athletes, applaud the seniors, and rally the Grizzlies in the consequential second to-last regular season game, right on the cusp of the postseason.