Representatives of Northside and Southside’s track and field teams make the trek to Greensboro Friday for the state championships. When the event concludes, that will mark the end of the athletic year for Beaufort County’s high schools.

With that in mind, remember that an athlete — at any level from recreation to professional — is almost never defined by a single game. This year has seen celebrations, tears and everything in between. Emotions have run as high as Washington’s swim team winning its second-consecutive 1-A/2-A championship; they’ve gone as low as various early exits from the playoffs.

Only one team can win a championship. All the local baseball and softball teams earned playoff berths this season. Northside and Washington each competed for golf championships. Washington’s girls’ soccer team made it to the second round of the playoffs. Southside’s squad, in its first season as a program, also made it to the postseason.

None of them managed to bring a title home to Beaufort County, but that doesn’t mean that, across the board, this spring wasn’t wildly successful. Senior-laden teams like Washington baseball, softball and others did well to send off their veteran athletes on a high note.

Other groups enjoyed plenty of success despite being in a bit of a transitional stage. Northside’s baseball and softball teams — both of which won playoff games — should return the majority of their players.

Finally, there are some teams that have continued to build dominant programs. Washington soccer finished its stay in the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference undefeated. Pam Pack golf won its third-straight eastern-regional championship. Panther golf made it to the state championship for a second-straight year.

Success is relative. Championships are great, but should never be the benchmark. Each athlete in the county did well to leave his respective team better than it was before.

That’s a legacy, and it will provide the groundwork for more success come August.