J&C Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Benton Central's Tressa Senesac
The Journal & Courier sports department is proud to present the 22nd annual Student-Athlete of the Year awards.
The selections were based on a student-athlete's athletic and academic achievements, along with community activities. The winners were asked to write about what high school athletics meant to them. The female recipient for 2022 is Tressa Senesac of Benton Central.
Senesac carried a 4.24 grade-point average. She competed in soccer, basketball and track and field for the Bison, helping win conference and sectional titles in the latter two sports. Senesac also was the starting point guard for the Class 3A state runner-up basketball team in 2019. Senesac finished her basketball career with 1,120 points and is the school's career record holder in soccer for goals in a single season and career, as well as a three-time state qualifier in track.
Senesac also is co-author of the ZF Community Care Fund grant, the Purdue IN-MAC grant and Benton Community Foundation grant awarded to Benton Central’s student engineering design and development team while also volunteering with Lifeteen youth group, Lady Bison youth basketball camps and the Glimmer of Hope Foundation. Senesac is a member of National Honor Society, student council and served as class treasurer. She plans to attend Purdue University.
Sports have always been a big part of my life. At a young age, I was introduced to sports through attending Purdue basketball and football games, shooting with my dad in the driveway and watching numerous high school sporting events from the sidelines.
Because of this, my younger self had always dreamed of one day being able to represent my community and play at the high school level. From admiring those athletes in elementary school to now acting as that role model will forever be a tremendous honor.
All in all, sports have revealed that one of the most significant rewards is earning that title of a leader. Therefore, I take pride in knowing there are little girls, just as I was, who now look up to me.
Moving forward, sports had naturally provided me with a necessary outlet to escape the many challenges of everyday life.
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It was truly a gift to be able to compete with some of my closest friends over the years. I am beyond grateful for the many connections I have established with my teammates and coaches.
Many of these individuals and I, though I have known since I was only a toddler, have since grown a special bond through sports alone. While I know I will always reflect on the big wins and prestigious awards, there were some truly special moments I had the privilege of sharing with my teammates.
These memories could span from late-night sleepovers to celebratory bus rides to a simple locker room jam session, and I will continue to value them most. However, it is notable to every athlete that fun never comes easily.
Many lessons of time-management development originated from those exhausting nights after a long game as well as the lengthy practices every single day.
The often grueling lifestyle coupled with the attempt to focus on maintaining my grades and striving to be the most successful student I could be. There is no “offseason” when you are acting as a three-sport athlete, in addition to participating on a travel basketball team in the spring and summer.
However, the structure of a somewhat cramped schedule was how I thrived. There is no doubt balancing my academics with sports was exhausting at times, but I quickly came to acknowledge the amount of support I was receiving from the background.
My parents, especially, deserve the recognition for never failing to serve as that wall to lean on. They stood with me through every upsetting loss and poor performance, and overall, my family’s support remained vital for my success throughout my athletic career.
Nonetheless, to give my friends and family all the credit would be leaving an entire county without the appreciation it deserves. To claim Benton County has the best fans would be an understatement. This incredible foundation that backs our athletic programs is seriously one of a kind, and these people clearly value more than just a win.
The dedication to our sports was exceedingly reflected by the miles traveled to every single away game. As a result, I have met some of the most influential people in my life.
Sports have provided me many gifts, but to be constantly surrounded by those who cheer me on is the greatest gift of all. I will carry these bonds with me forever, and I am so thankful sports granted that opportunity. I have learned the most valuable skills and met the most amazing people through sports, and to me that is everything.