Graduation is right around the corner, marking the time when Redmond’s talented teenagers will enter the “real world.”

But as we honor Redmond’s fine scholars, it’s also time to salute our area’s student athletes who delivered on the grandest of stages during last week’s state competitions.

For some athletes, it was their last dance, sports-wise. For others, it was the start of a brilliant, can’t-miss high school career.

For the Redmond community, it was reason to celebrate.

There were many athletic highlights from last week, including:

• Lord of the medals: Senior Sarah Lord capped one of the most remarkable running careers ever at Redmond High, winning the gold medal in the 3,200 meters at Star Track and then won the silver medal in the 1,600 two days later. Lord, who placed third at the state cross country meet in the fall, will be running at Boston College next year.

• Owls howl: The Overlake lacrosse team beat Eastside Catholic in the Division II title game to win the program’s first state championship.

• Record throw: Senior Jimmy Brookman tossed the javelin a record 204 feet, shattering the old Redmond High record by six feet. Brookman would have won the state title any other year, but took home the silver medal after Lewis and Clark’s Joe Zimmerman set a new state record with a throw of 208 feet, 4 inches to win the gold medal.

• Fresh talent: The Bear Creek School freshman Jake Imam won the tennis program’s first state title when he dominated the field at the 1A/2B/1B state tournament.

• High flier: Another freshman from the Bear Creek School, Maddie Magee, came so close to winning the gold medal in her first performance at the 2B Track and Field Championships, winning the silver medal in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 2 inches, an inch short of the gold medal.

Academics should be the top priority for schools, but sports help keep kids focused and energized. These performances and the many others throughout the year are proof that sports competitions are a valuable tool to teach hard work, dedication and citizenship. These values are needed to win championships.

Competition teaches more than just how to win and lose, it teaches a person how to win with class and at the same time be gracious in defeat. It promotes respect for your opponent and teammates, i.e. your co-workers or partners, encourages teamwork and a willingness to work with others towards a common goal. All of these traits can be beneficial in every aspect of life, not just in the sporting arena.

A gold medal win or state championship glory doesn’t come easy. That’s why it is important to salute our talented student athletes.

Their hard work deserves, at the very least, a high five.

For complete sports coverage, see PAGES 14-17.