Baseball in 2012. Girls Gymnastics in 2014. Boys Water Polo in 2012 and 2015. Stephanie Lin’s three badminton titles in a row, and, of course, Boys Swimming and Diving in 2016. In my four years at LT, I have witnessed varsity athletes do some amazing things.

This column isn’t about any of them.

Instead, we should take a moment to focus on the unsung heroes of LT athletics. These are the team leaders who don’t get a moment in the spotlight. The ones without a walk-on song, the ones who take breaks to enjoy the practice, the ones who reward a hard practice one day with an easy one the next, followed by Kirschbaums or Oberweis. I’m talking about JV, of course.

This isn’t to knock down the varsity players. They get their well-deserved coverage (just turn to pages 10-12). But we need to take a moment to appreciate the remarkable things JV has done in our four years too.

JV Girls Lax went undefeated last year, outscoring their opponents 176-38 in the entire season. JV Boys Water Polo did the same in 2014, foreshadowing their dark horse state championship sweep. JV Girls Basketball is making an undefeated run as we speak. JV Swimming didn’t lose a meet this past season.

But what also makes JV amazing is the mentality. JV sports keep it light—they play for the game, not for scholarships, and this lets a… more enjoyable mentality foster. For the perfect example of this, hit up @jv_swimming on Twitter for the official voice of JV Boys Swimming since 1888.

But in all seriousness, JV athletes are the real role models of the school. They are the foundation that all successful varsity teams need, and, without them, success would be much more difficult.

Look at Water Polo, which turned its strongest JV team ever into its strongest varsity squad and a state title.

Or look at a different JV team, with a different JV mentality. For many athletes, JV Tennis is the perfect cap to their year. It’s not going to kill any of them, but it’s still an experience that’s special to all of them.

“JV Tennis is the highlight of my spring,” JV tennis player Henry Tio ’17 said. “We’re the cheering section for varsity and the best entertainment at matches.”

So, to all the JV athletes, to the ones who still practice without the limelight, thank you. Personally, I’d hate to imagine a team without JV. And hopefully that will never happen.