From a fourth consecutive appearance at the state cross country meet, to a concussion that kept him from playing basketball this winter, and now a fast-spreading virus that has shut the doors on his tennis season — Elijah Fawson’s senior year at Iola High has been eventful, to say the least.
“It definitely is not what I wanted at all,” Fawson said. “When I had my concussion, I stayed home in a dark room, and just rested. And now, I just stay home all day, but it is not as bad.”
Fawson’s fall sports season began by helping the Iola boys cross country team to another state appearance.
At the state meet, Fawson competed as the Mustangs’ no. 5 runner, finishing 88th with a time of 19:21. Looking back, Fawson says it was a special high school highlight.
“It was way fun, and having a good team each year was really something special,” Fawson said. “Going all four years was definitely cool, and a blessing.”
With his 6-6 frame, Fawson’s long strides were supposed to transition to the basketball court. But on Nov. 10, the day before the basketball season was to begin, some horse play with his little brother went wrong.
“My little brother and I were just wrestling, playing around and what not. He got a pillow, and I had my head propped up, and then he threw the pillow at my head which threw my head back, and I hit our tile floor. It was a hard hit.”
“I was way sad about it. Going into my senior year, I felt a lot better than I had in the past. I was ready to ball-up!”
Fawson and had even missed some time at school due to the seriousness of the head injury. He was given the “all clear” near the end of February,
The first day back at basketball practice, however, the injury bug struck again. This time with a sprained ankle.
From there he transitioned to tennis, where he was hoping to reach the state tennis meet for a second consecutive season.
Last year, Fawson teamed with Brett Plumlee to reach state as a doubles pair. With Plumlee having graduated, Fawson was preparing to make the switch over to singles, where he had played in years prior.
Fawson and the Mustangs competed in one meet at Independence before school, along with the spring sports season, was canceled. Fawson finished 1-1 with an 8-2 win over Jameson Jaringan of Indy.
Fawson won’t call tennis his favorite sport, but he is also not one to deny he was
eager for another taste of state competition.
“Tennis is definitely my favorite sport to play aside from basketball. Cross country is fun too, but it mostly is just running so doesn’t have too much more about it, Fawson said jokingly.
