With senior athletes seeing the final months of their high school careers affected both on and off the fields and away from the gyms, The Ruden Report is running a series, Senior Moments, to put the spotlight on some of the best of the Class of 2020.
Next up is Izzy Koziol, who earned All-FCIAC honors and helped lead Wilton’s girls tennis team to one of its best seasons last year.
TRR: You personally and the team are coming off such a great season. How hard is it so far not getting a chance to follow it up?
IK: It’s pretty unfortunate. I was so happy at the end of last season after we made it to the finals of the FCIACs and states. Wilton hasn’t done that in years. I don’t even remember the last time we had that much success. So we were really looking forward to meeting our own high expectations and everyone else’s this season.
TRR: What kind of team do you think Wilton will or would have this spring?
IK: We definitely were going to have a good team. I know a lot of girls graduated but I was really impressed with the meetings before we were going to have tryouts. There were so many new freshmen and other new underclassmen that were really looking forward to contributing. We would have had a pretty good team.
TRR: What about for you, as one of the returning All-FCIAC players?
IK: I was super excited, especially to play in the state open for my last time. I was really excited to have one of my best showings but I don’t know if that will happen anymore. I’m hoping they figure something out but we’ll see.
TRR: Is it more difficult for a tennis player to work out on your own compared to athletes in other sports?
IK: I think every sport has their own struggles right now. Obviously all the tennis courts around are closed. We can’t practice at all. I’ve been running and trying to do exercises at home and I have a little tennis net that I have been using in my driveway with my siblings. That’s the best we can do.
TRR: Everyone has reached the point of being very bored. Is there anything unique you have been doing?
IK: My family did a Harry Potter marathon. We’ve had a lot of time to watch movies.
TRR: Over the past month how many times have you worn something other than sweats or loungewear?
IK: Easter I wore jeans for the first time in probably a month but every day has been a new sweatshirt.
TRR: What made you decide on attending Washington & Lee?
IK: I was really impressed at Washington & Lee how I could become a student involved in rigorous academics and a committed athlete and having that balance is really important. That narrowed down my search a lot.
TRR: Any idea what you may want to do for a career?
IK: I’m not entirely sure. I’m debating between studying econ, because they have a really good program, but I’m also interested in science and possibly studying neuroscience or psychology. So I’m not sure yet.
TRR: If you don’t go back to school besides tennis what senior activity would you miss not experiencing the most?
IK: Probably graduation, because that’s a really big deal. I’m assuming they won’t cancel it and might push it back into summer. I’m really hoping they don’t cancel that for sure. And definitely senior prom too. I was really looking forward to that.
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It’s a terrific idea to do this series as these class of 2020 seniors are really being “cheated” out of some of their senior experiences and opportunities to excel in the sport that they have spent countless hours and days perfecting. This at least gives them a little pat on the back and exposure which they would not otherwise have obtained. Great idea and nice job!!