High school seniors competing in spring sports are in danger of having their high school athletics careers cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were supposed to be out representing their schools, creating highlights and memories, and … well … giving us something to write about. So we’re going to write about them. This is the Senior Student-Athlete Spotlight.
Gabriel-Hugo Guadagno was already grappling with the difficulty of losing most of his senior season to injury, but he was hopeful for a return to help the Bluffton boys soccer team make a playoff push.
The start of Guadagno’s senior season was already going to be limited to cheering from the sidelines after suffering a devastating ACL injury last August.
Now it appears his entire senior campaign will be lost.
“Being injured is hard,” the Bobcats’ captain said. “But having the hopes of being able to come back and help my boys push for the playoffs ripped away from you is heartbreaking.”
The Bobcats were on the hunt to avenge a tough Lower State final loss in 2019 and complete their quest for a state title. Falling short of that goal a year ago somewhat dampened Guadagno’s enthusiasm about a great individual season that included accolades ranging from Class 4A All-State honors to being named the team’s MVP.
“I won a state championship at Benedictine my freshman year, but winning one at Bluffton with all my boys would have be incredible,” Guadagno said.
And the Bobcats felt they had the firepower to do it this year, especially if Guadagno was able to return for the stretch run and bolster the squad.
“The team was starting to jell, and the thought of adding a player like Gabriel right before the playoffs was a great feeling for a coach,” second-year coach Enrique Baez said.
The future is bright for Guadagno, who despite his injury has received multiple offers from colleges.
“My decision is made,” Guadagno said. “I will be announcing soon where I will be playing in the fall.”
High school senior student-athletes in Beaufort and Jasper counties can click here to submit their information to be considered for this feature.