Maria Wrage, who will be a senior next year, has made some pretty extraordinary accomplishments during her time at Union High School. Maria has participated in volleyball and track since the day she was allowed to sign up in 7th grade. She has always had a passion for being active and anything outdoors. When Maria isn’t studying for school or training for sports, she loves to go camping and just spend time with friends and family.

Maria recently competed at the state competition for high jump in track and field. She also does some sprinting and running in track, but due to having shin splints, Maria has really been able to focus and excel in the high jump. Last year, Maria also made it to state in the high jump category. She took runner up, but that wasn’t enough to keep her satisfied. She spent the next year training hard, and giving it her all. This year, it really paid off as Maria took first place in the high jump! Way to go Maria, what an accomplishment to make it to state, let alone to place both years.

Track and field is not the only sport that Maria has been to state for. She has also loved playing volleyball at Union for many years. This year the Union High School volleyball team made it to state competition, where they made it to the semi-final round!

Maria also participates in a club league for volleyball. This league begins almost directly after the school season ends in November. Maria was faced with challenges at the beginning of the club year due to a stress fracture in her leg. She did not let this get her down, she still supported her team by going to practices and cheering them on, and after the long six weeks of waiting she was able to get on the court! The team is called Club Iowa, and they recently just participated in Nationals in Minneapolis. All year the team competes in matches and tournaments to earn bids to nationals, and this year they have made it!

Sports is not the only thing that keeps Maria busy every single day. She just returned from a field trip to Germany! About 19 students, all from Union, just spent three weeks touring and learning about German culture. All of the students have been studying German in high school for a few years and were very excited to get the chance to see everything in person. Maria said she was nervous, yet very excited for the trip as this was her first time overseas, and also her first vacation without her family. She said that her favorite part of the trip was all of the wonderful architecture and the old buildings.

Now that Maria is back on U.S. soil, she is focusing on her senior year of high school. She is excited to be a mentor and leader for all of the younger and new students at Union next year. Maria will still be playing volleyball and track as she is focusing on picking out a college she would like to attend. She would also like to pursue college volleyball in the future.