For Connor and Jack, Axemen get emotional win

It is difficult to describe what happened last night in the Purple Pit. More than two years removed from attending South Eugene High School, I returned for the first time. I wish the reason was solely to see former teachers. Instead, I was there to remember Connor Ausland and Jack Harnsongkram, the two students who drowned this past weekend on their Mr. Axemen retreat to the Oregon Coast.

Three thousand people showed up to remember Ausland and Harnsongkram. Connor’s former team was about to take on Churchill. The gym was packed, with the bleachers on the second tier of the north end used for the first time since 2003. A majority of the crowd was wearing shirts with Connor’s number on the front and “Ausland” and “Harnsongkram” on the back. Churchill’s players even wore them during warmups. The outpouring of support was incredible. And then the game began.

Connor, who played for the varsity team, was announced in the starting lineup, and the Axemen played with four players on their opening possession. Three of them had known Connor since kindergarten. Churchill, upon obtaining possession off a South miss, called a timeout so the Axemen could put in a fifth. Given the circumstances, both teams had a difficult time putting points on the board, as the game was tied at four after one quarter, but then the pace picked up.

At halftime, with South leading by two, 16-14, the fathers of Connor and Jack spoke. They reflected on their children. The entire evening was moving, but this especially so, opening everyone’s eyes to the belief that nothing can be taken for granted and that life should be lived to the fullest. Everyone listened to their words. Tears streamed down faces. It wasn’t South against Churchill. It was three thousand people coming together, unifying in remembrance of Jack and Connor.

Throughout the school district, purple has been worn these past few days. Students at Marist, North Eugene, Sheldon, among many other schools donned South’s color to pay their respects. Everyone had come together, forming a single community.

Chants of “Jack and Connor” reigned throughout the gym as South took a sizable lead with an electrifying start to the third quarter. The atmosphere was incredible. It had to be witnessed to fully comprehend what took place.

Churchill clawed back, tying the game at 32. At that moment, when a timeout was called by South, the Axemen’s student body jumped in unison on the rickety bleachers and screamed as one: “I believe that we will win!” This gave me goosebumps. It was amazing. This was indeed a celebration–a celebration of life and of unification. This chant went on and on, and in the end South did win, scoring 10 of the game’s final 11 points.

After, South’s students formed a circle near midcourt, surrounding the South logo. Then the players huddled on the logo, incorporating Connor’s father into their own circle. Then, after their prayer, chants of “Jack and Connor” consumed the gym once more.

There were many unforgettable moments. The whole night was unforgettable. And Jack and Connor won’t be forgotten. And as shown that night, they will be missed by all, with their memory seared into the minds of even those who didn’t know them.

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