Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
Opinion: First college trials tougher, more memorable for some
Tod Palmer
sports editor
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ReprintAcross the nation, recent high school graduates are timidly checking into dormitories and learning about Greek life, trying to learn their way around in an unfamiliar environment and beginning their college journey.
It’s a nerve-racking time.
It can be doubly nervous for a high school athlete, joining a corps of established players and uncertain how well they will fit in at whatever level they chose to play.
But unlike most freshmen heading to college for the first time, Jadhken Kerr didn’t have the chance to get nervous.
Along with her older sister, Jadh, and her dad, Jim, the 2008 Olathe South graduate set out across the country last Wednesday, Jadhken thinks.
By the end of the week, she’d be greeted on campus by Fay — but don’t mistake that for the friendly resident assistant eager to help carry bags from the car to Jadhken’s dorm room.
Nope, Fay was Hurricane Fay, which wreaked havoc on the north Florida coast late last week and made Jadhken’s journey to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville a longer-than-necessary trial.
Ah, the Sunshine State — as beautiful as she dreamed when she first signed with UNF Ospreys. Like something from a tourist pamphlet.
“Yeah, exactly,” Kerr said sarcastically.
It took nearly two days before the Kerrs even dared cross into Florida only to find that the hotel they were staying at in Jacksonville had no power when they arrived.
What’s more, the UNF campus was closed last Thursday and Friday.
Welcome to college, Jadhken.
Forced to switch hotels, and unable to spot the sun through the cloud cover, that somehow didn’t stop the Kerrs from venturing to the beach.
“Friday we had the whole day to do whatever and we’re crazy, so we went down to the beach,” Jadhken said. “There was absolutely no one down there obviously, and we were standing on the beach with the sand blowing in our eyes.”
And we’re not talking talking a quick gust that kicks up a little dust.
Fay only may have been a tropical storm by the time it reached the Florida seaboard, but it still packed quite a punch.
“(The sand) was pelting my leg and even got stuck it my leg,” Jadhken said. “It was crazy, and it hurt so bad. But then we ate on the beach. We were the only ones in the restaurant. At that point, I couldn’t help but think, ‘What are we doing down here?’”
And she wonders why she’s already hearing a few Kansas jokes.
By Saturday, the weather calmed down.
Jadhken finally moved into her dorm room as the rain held off just long enough and then discovered that former St. Thomas Aquinas soccer star Kristen Matteuzzi lived down the hall.
It’s been a whirlwind — and not just because of deadly Hurricane Fay.
“I was a little bit nervous about coming to college, but I couldn’t think about it too much with all the chaos,” Kerr said. “I will remember moving into college, that’s for sure. But I’m all settled in now, which is good.”