By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Southwest High School senior Lexie Seals said she was hoping for one last opportunity to qualify for the WIAA Division 1 track and field state meet in La Crosse, but the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to her dreams.
“It was heartbreaking not to get the chance,” she said. “Like so many other seniors, I feel I had a legitimate chance to qualify. I had worked hard and was looking forward to it.”
Seals will be attending Carroll University this fall to run track and study nursing.
“I’m glad I’ll get the chance to compete in college,” said Seals, who ran the 100- and 200-meter dash at Southwest under head coach Patricia O’Konski. “I’m not much of a distance runner and quit doing field events in junior high. The high jump would have been fun, and my best event is the 100.”
Seals said O’Konski was fun to have as a coach.
“She’s a loving person,” she said. “She’s enthusiastic, encouraging, observant, flexible and a great coach. She was constantly making adjustments for you.”
During her freshman year, Seals did volleyball, basketball and track, but she said it was a little too much being so busy.
She cut out volleyball her sophomore year and stuck to track her last two years.
“I’ll miss the environment at Southwest,” said Seals. “As a whole, the school fits together nicely. Everyone was accepted, and I didn’t see much bullying.”
Seals’ mother, Annie, grew up in Green Bay and played softball in high school.
Her step-dad’s name is Mario, and she has two older half-siblings and two younger brothers.
“I was born in Green Bay but moved to Texas shortly thereafter,” said Seals, who describes herself as quiet, compassionate and determined. “I moved back to Green Bay when I was 7 years old. I remember it was hot, and it snowed twice while I was in Texas.”
Her most embarrassing moment happened on the basketball court during her sophomore year.
“I tripped over a teammate and didn’t catch myself,” said Seals, who’s also into embroidering/sewing. “I got a black eye.”
She wishes she could visit Japan to see all the cherry blossoms, and her favorite class at Southwest was social studies/history.
Seals also likes Chinese food, the restaurant Qdoba, strawberry ice cream, phone apps TikTok and Snapchat and her favorite month is June.