October 30, 2025 // Diocese

Bishop Luers Athletes Work Hard to Achieve Goals

Todays Catholic

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, about 31 percent of high school students play a sport. Everyone has their own journey in sports. Some love it and spend all their free time practicing to get better; others play it simply to keep themselves busy. The ones who put in the extra work are the people you hear success stories about.

Bishop Luers High School has a long history of athletic success, and today’s students are striving to carry on that proud tradition.

Seniors Karianne Gilman and Carmani Davis were inspired to play basketball because of their brothers, and sophomore Zen Szaferski picked it up because basketball played a huge role in the lives of his family members. Harvest Green said she began playing at the encouragement of her fifth-grade teacher, and then she fell in love with the sport.

All four of these students have accomplished impressive feats on the hardcourt. Davis has been on the varsity basketball team since transferring to Bishop Luers as a sophomore, and he is one of the best shooters in the Summit Athletic Conference. Gilman helped to lead the Bishop Luers girls basketball team to a state championship her sophomore year. Szaferski has been on the varsity team since his freshman year, and he once scored 40 points in an AAU tournament game. Green was chosen to play on a Junior Nike Elite Youth Basketball League team – a big accomplishment.

Gilman said her family keeps her motivated by coming to every game – especially her mother, who she said is her biggest supporter. Gilman has a couple of pieces of advice for those who also play basketball. She said: “Never let outsiders bring you down, and focus on what you and your teammates are doing. Also, be the best that you can be for your team.”

Szaferski said setting goals helps to keep him motivated, and he said his advice to those who play basketball is that “you’re not always going to love it, but you will learn to stick with it.”

Like Szaferski, Davis said that having a successful future keeps him motivated. Davis told younger players to “focus on what is in front of you and not compare yourself to others. Play the game for yourself and for God.”

Green said her motivation comes in knowing that if she puts in more work than others, she will have a better outcome. Her advice to others is simple: “If you love it, lock into it. If you want to be the best, put in the most work. Results don’t happen overnight, so stay consistent and it will happen.”

Along with basketball players, other athletes at Bishop Luers shared their experiences.

Senior Nalayia Smith has cheered on the varsity cheer squad at Bishop Luers since she was a freshman, including at state championship games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. She has been cheering since she was 4 years old. Smith said she once had a compound fracture in her knee that pulled her away from cheer, but after a lot of difficult physical therapy, she was finally able to get back to cheer. Smith said that her biggest motivation is her team and wanting to be better than she was yesterday. Her advice for those who cheer is, “Just join! The friendships you make and the discipline you find within yourself makes it all worth it”.

Senior Andres Rodriguez plays on the soccer team at Luers. After being named First-Team All-SAC his junior year, he was recently named SAC Player of the Year this past season. The Knights soccer team won the conference title the past two years. Rodriguez has even played in leagues in Mexico. He said his biggest motivation is to secure a bright future. Rodriguez’s advice for younger players is to “keep grinding – your time will eventually come. Work on your craft, it’s what will make you stand out compared to other players.”

Senior volleyball player Kayla Smith said she has had to overcome a few obstacles during her career, including improving on the mental aspect of the game. However, by being persistent and dedicated, she said she has been able to grow and overcome those obstacles. It has shown in her success on the court, as Smith, who has played on the varsity team since her freshman year, reached a major milestone: 1,000 career digs. Smith said her advice for other players is: “Don’t let someone take away your love and passion for the sport. Play because you enjoy it, and play to prove something to yourself!”

Jack Klinger is a captain on the tennis team. Klinger said he is motivated simply by his will to win. Klinger was the only player in the SAC to go 7-0 in conference play. Because of this, he was unanimously named to the First-Team All-SAC. Klinger’s advice to others is, “Keep working hard and enjoy the experience.”

While these student-athletes at Bishop Luers have different experiences in different sports, each is a testament to the importance of working hard to achieve your goals.

Arcelia Sanchez is a junior at Bishop Luers High School.