An expedition through Europe was not the only part of Jacob Wrede’s future that would be put in jeopardy due to the COVID-19 outbreak, as Wrede has suffered the same fate as many other college seniors.

The NCAA has cancelled all winter and spring championships, which spells the end of the careers of senior athletes, barring a situation in which teams decide to play games despite having no championship to play for.

As a lacrosse player at King’s College in Pennsylvania, Wrede had high hopes for everything that comes with the end of a college athletic career.

“You picture your senior season — you play every game,” said Wrede, a 2016 PV graduate. “You’re going to have your senior day. They’re going to call your name out. Your parents are going to be there with flowers.”

Wrede’s final season of lacrosse may not be the only part of his senior year to be taken away due to COVID-19, as his trip to Europe is at risk of being cancelled as well.

After graduation, Wrede and his friends have plans to “backpack” across Europe. They planned to tour a dozen European destinations for two to three days each, including Venice, Rome, Barcelona, and Paris.

“I’d be really upset if this has to get cancelled, but we’re going to probably make a decision in about a month or so,” Wrede said. “Hopefully it does not [get cancelled] because this would be an awesome trip.”

As for on-the-field dreams, athletes like Wrede had their final season — something they worked so hard for — ripped from them in the blink of an eye.

Calvin Ralph, another 2016 PV graduate, had his final season of golf cancelled, as he was sent home from The University of Scranton last week.

Ralph will not get to experience his final season with his teammates — people who resemble family for the golfer.

“[My teammates] are basically my brothers. They’re like an extension of my family,” Ralph said. “We do everything together, and to think that I’m not going to be able to compete with them anymore is just heartbreaking.”

Ralph said cancelling the season was the right choice, but he was definitely hurt by the decision.

“People that aren’t in this position will never understand the emotional toll it has taken on many seniors,” Ralph said. “It’s the right thing to do, but you won’t get that opportunity [to play] ever again.”

For the King’s College Monarchs, Wrede had the opportunity to help turn the entire lacrosse program around, as the team started 5-0 this year after not seeing that type of success since the seniors joined the team.

Wrede helped instill a different mindset in his teammates this season, and the results were certainly visible on the field.

“We just had a whole different philosophy of buying in, building trust amongst each other,” Wrede said. “Next thing you know we’re 5-0 [having played] some pretty good teams.”

This was uncharted territory for the Monarchs, as they had never previously started a season 5-0, and were even receiving votes to be nationally ranked. Instead of thinking about the what-ifs, Wrede focuses on the positives of his senior season.

“We broke records, we got national votes which has never happened before,” Wrede said. “The positive thing is we kind of ended on a high note. We’re undefeated, no team has beaten us.”

Senior athletes will not completely lose their season as the NCAA decided to grant all athletes an extra year of eligibility.

Division III Administrative Committee decisions: pic.twitter.com/wBB7IkW1C1

— NCAA Division III (@NCAADIII) March 13, 2020

Even though the athletes have been granted an extra year, it will be challenging for those who will not pursue their sport professionally to take advantage of it.

“It’s March, and it would be pretty tough to apply to a school for a master’s [degree] now, find housing, talk to that coach for whatever school it is,” Wrede said. “It’s definitely something to think about.”

“There is still a lot to process when it comes to [the extra year of eligibility],” Ralph said. “A lot of information to get, absorb, and talk about with my family and coaches.”

If they decide not to take advantage of the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility, then Ralph and Wrede have likely both competed for the final time in their respective sport, as neither will be pursuing their sport further than the collegiate level.

“It hurts because you don’t want to go out that way, especially when it’s your last semester and your last year,” Ralph said.

Wrede will not have the chance to see his and his teammates’ hard work pay off, as even if he decides to use the extra year of eligibility, he has already played four seasons with the Monarchs, and will not be able to play another at King’s College.

“We’re playing really good lacrosse here. Guys are growing, their skills are increasing,” Wrede said. “This year has been awesome, but with this news, it is pretty tough to go through.”

Outside of their athletic careers, COVID-19 has affected these athletes’ lives immensely — even pushing back the start of their adult lives.

Double majoring in criminal justice and sociology, Wrede is looking to pursue a career in law enforcement. COVID-19 has even pushed back the beginning of Wrede’s life after college.

“I don’t know when I’m going to be able to start that interview process,” Wrede said. “Everything had to be put on pause.”

Wrede said he was able to understand and accept the premature end to his career, despite the initial disappointment. The potential damage COVID-19 can cause is bigger than sports — and he is aware of it.

“At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for everyone,” Wrede said. “They had to [cancel the season], in the best interest of everyone.”