With the Spring 2020 athletics season disrupted by COVID-19, we are celebrating the athletes of Cary Academy’s Class of 2020 via ‘virtual Senior Nights’ each week. On Senior Night, each player is introduced by their coaches and then given the opportunity to make remarks.

Adam Cervenka 

Parents: Gordon & Patty Cervenka

From the coaches

Adam has been a member of the varsity baseball team for the past four years and has played a big part in our success over the years. He has held down the hot corner (3^rd Base) like nobody else. This fall, Adam will be attending “The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University” where he plans on majoring in Business

Ladies and Gentlemen  …  #21 Adam Cervenka

In his own words

I would like to start by thanking all of the coaches and everyone who has dedicated their time to this program and making my four years on the baseball team a success. Thank you to my parents for supporting me and getting me to and from practices and games. I have really enjoyed my time playing baseball at Cary Academy and am thankful for all the great friends I have made along the way. Although we had high hopes for this season, I still enjoyed and was happy to be a part of our short but glorious undefeated season. 

As Raiden did before me, I pass my T-Rex Café stuffed dino collection on to Griffin, in hopes the tradition may be revitalized. As well, I leave being the first person, and occasionally the last person, to the locker room every day to Griffin. To Lincoln, Christian, Wyatt, and Griffin, I leave you the responsibility of keeping things fun both on and off the field. To Charlie, I hope you will carry on the adventures of Leprechaun hunting by selecting a new hunting partner. To Michael, I leave you my Cerv Apparel pullover so that it might inspire you to pursue all your dreams. To all the boys, I leave you the responsibility of properly stretching before every practice and game to prevent injury, specifically by participating in Cerv’s Stretch, the stretchiest stretch out there.

Ryan Erickson

Parents: Chris & Amy Erickson

Ryan has been a member of the varsity baseball team for the past four years. He has served as a team captain and has done a great job in bringing along the younger players. With his height and wingspan nothing got by him at first base; he will be missed at that position. This fall Ryan will be attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he plans on majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Business.

Ladies and Gentlemen  …  #4 Ryan Erickson

In his own words

First, I would like to thank my parents for their continued support, driving me early in the morning and late at night while always supporting me playing the game I love. I also thank my siblings for showing up and being loud at the games. I would also like to thank the entire coaching staff for never giving up on me and for pushing me to become the baseball player and man I am today. Lastly, I would like to thank my CA teammates for making my baseball experience so much fun. From America’s Favorite Game, to our undefeated senior season on the Disney field, it has been quite a ride and I thank you all for letting me join the CA baseball family.

 I would like to leave first base to Lincoln, keeping the locker room in check to Griffin and the fountain tradition to Evan. Next year I will be attending UNC Chapel Hill where I plan to major in computer science with a minor in business. 

Harrison Reed

Parents: Dennis & Bonnie Reed

Harrison has been a member of the varsity baseball team for four years. He has served as a team captain the past two seasons and has done a great job in that leadership role. His willingness to play multiple positions shows how versatile and unselfish of a player Harrison is. This fall, Harrison will be attending Southern Methodist University, where he plans on double majoring in Finance and Supply Chain, with a minor in Chinese. 

Ladies and Gentlemen  …  #5 Harrison Reed

In his own words

I would first like to start by thanking all the Coaches: Coach Pope, Coach Brandon, Coach Trent, Coach Wheeler, Coach Pendergast and Coach Woodell for your time and dedication to the baseball program and ensuring that we not only become better baseball players but better men.

I would like to send an extended thank you to Coach Pope.  Coach you have allowed my family the honor of being around Cary Academy Varsity Baseball for the past eight years and we are forever in your debt for what you have taught both me and my older brother Spencer. I look at you as another Grandfather and I cannot imagine where I would be in life without your guidance and love. You brought me into the program my 6^th grade year and allowed me to be the teams bat boy, an experience I will truly never forget. You also trusted in me by making me a captain my Junior year and you pushed me to become a better leader and man.  So once again Coach Pope, thank you for everything!  

I would now like to thank my parents.  Baseball has been the most important part of my life since I was 5 years old and that’s because of you. You drove me to practices and games, threw with me in the yard and were always my biggest fans. Now recently baseball has been a little rough on me with the surgery I had last fall; you guys were my rock and I can’t imagine how I would’ve gotten through the rehab process without your faith in me. I love you guys so much.

Finally, I would like to thank my older brother Spencer. Spencer, you have been my role model since I was born.  You pushed towards excellence and I always wanted to be exactly like you. You taught me most of what I know about baseball and I am forever grateful. When Coach Pope gave me your uniform number my freshmen year, I knew I had big shoes to fill; I wanted to get us that State Championship.  I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done for you, but it was a true honor to wear your number and compete for the Reed Family. 

To my teammates – my brothers – thank you for being there for me when times were rough. I’m sorry that the season had to end the way it did this year but I have all the faith in the world you guys will get the job done next year.  Christian, I love you buddy and I know you’re going to achieve great things in life.  To you I leave the team.  Your work ethic is unmatched and I know that you have what it takes to lead this team.  Lawson, I’ve always thought of you as a little brother.  I leave you Shortstop and the teams future alongside Andon and Ben. 

Next fall I will be attending Southern Methodist University and plan to study Finance and Supply Chain while minoring in Chinese.   

One Last Thank You to Baseball… I love you and I will miss you!

Tim Werner

Parents: Joe & Laura Werner

Tim has been a member of the varsity baseball team for the past three years. He has served as a team captain and has done a great job in that leadership role. His willingness to do whatever it took for the team was a great example for his teammates. This fall Tim will be attending North Carolina State University, where he plans on majoring in Marketing.

Ladies and Gentlemen …  #20 Tim Werner

In his own words

It was pouring, freezing cold, and late in the evening. It was my last home game. I now realize that I misunderstood those miserable conditions – they were fun, not miserable. I would do anything I could to get back out on that field, with my team, and play in any weather.  That’s why I love the game of baseball. It will eat you up, spit you out, and yes, even strike you out with a curveball.  But after all that, you want to get back up and go back out there. 

It’s unfortunate how this season came to an end, but that’s just that. I loved every part of it and am grateful for being able to be a part of such a great team. I want to thank all the coaches, but Coach Pope in particular, for consistently providing me with numerous opportunities to grow on and off the field. I can say with confidence the coaches have helped me learn who I am as a person, teammate and leader and have pushed me to become a better version of myself. 

I love all the boys on this team and won’t forget the memories we’ve made. I leave my yaks to Andon and my diving catches to Christian; don’t be stupid and break your arm though! 

I’ve been blessed to play on such a great field with a great team. “All-in” forever.