Springing Into the Season

As the weather warms and the distinct wormy and wet smell of rain fills the air, the reminder of spring rings in our ears. However, with the start of Spring, we all tend to forget spring sports, until our first two a day practices of course. Spring sports are a lot different than any other season of sports, as the end of the year is nearing. Spirits begin increasing due to warmer weather and sunnier days, but the never-ending knock of pressure and expectations haunt us. It’s sometimes hard for teenage athletes to shrug off the comments of parents and coaches, or the competition from teammates they’ve been with since middle school. Emotions and physical strain whirl around our lives in and outside of the field or track, often impacting the performance and effort that is made in our education and social lives. Although we all aim for the stars, dreaming of making it to the state tournaments and being named for honorable skills at the end of the season, we often get too caught up in the thrill. As a reminder for all athletes, especially those of you participating in your first competition of the season in this upcoming week, it’s just a game – and this is just high school.

Welcome to the game freshmen, or welcome back. For those of you entering your first high school sport this spring, or even the ones that play each season, it’s a fresh start. Now is the time to let go of mistakes you’ve made or wins you’ve fought for, as they don’t have much meaning now. We all know there are endless amounts of pressure and expectations put on high school athletes to be the best, and prove to the coaches and upperclassmen that you have what it takes. But, don’t get caught up in the idea of perfection. This is your first year, it’s full of learning, and no one expects you to come onto the field or track and look like you should go straight to the Olympics. If you make a mistake, no one hates you, if you are confused on directions for a drill, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Encourage yourself and teammates to be open-minded, as we all know the gut-wrenching feeling of the first day of a high school sport.

Dear sophomores, you are no longer at the bottom of the totem pole. Hopefully, you’re confident that you’ve finally learned the ropes and understand how to handle high school sports. If I could give you one piece of advice, I would encourage you to soak in every single moment that’s left of this year. It’s the calm before the storm, where the pressure of dual credit classes and looking into college choices takes over. While you may only see it as being halfway done, time flies from here. I know you’re struggling with the fact that you’re an underclassman, but not for long. Take the lessons learned from your freshman year and implement them into your spring sport, there is so much more to learn and endless skills left to acquire.

Juniors, this is the tail-end of what you’ve been waiting for. As senior year quickly approaches, this could be the last sport before your last year. While some may get caught up in ticking down the seconds until you’re at the top of the hierarchy, don’t forget to take notes. We’ve all encountered a senior throughout the years that doesn’t set the best example, but we’ve also seen the ones that form undeniable bonds with underclassmen. This is your time to choose which you want to be remembered as, and luckily you’re the only one who can decide. Think back to your freshman year, you looked up to the juniors and seniors as if they were famous. It seemed as if everything they did was perfect, and you couldn’t help but stare at the players with their great skill, but in a few short months, this will be you. Make the most of it.

Finally, seniors. For some of you, this is your last or second to last high school sport. While this may be the year you hope to make it big, also make it memorable. I know it’s scary to think that this is your last chance to represent the school we’ve all called home for the past twelve years. Whether the season goes better than you hope or doesn’t quite live up to your expectations, be sure that each practice and game is one you’ll never forget. Whether it be shooting the winning goal, or laughing so hard on the bus to your meet that you can still feel the pain in your stomach before the sound of gunfire rings in your ears. Take pictures and videos at your senior nights, a year from now you’ll look back at them and think of how small you seemed. Hug your teammates a little longer, thank your coaches every day, and keep patience with the newbies. Before you know it, the final game or meet of the season will be over, no matter if it ends in victory or loss.

As you start each practice and get ready for the first games and meets of the season, remember why you started. There is fun in the game, and one simple mistake will not determine the outcome of your 2019 season. There will be firsts and there will be lasts, but the time comes for us all where we will someday have to pay to get back into our beloved sports complexes we call home.

- Karlee Volrath