Put On Your Shorts, It's Time for Winter Sports
Whether it’s football, soccer, volleyball, golf, or water polo, the unmistakable warmth of fall sports is captivating. One might even consider it “unmatchable”, that is until the season changes and we hit the courts running into basketball, indoor track, ice hockey, swimming, and wrestling. What is it that makes these two so compatible? What stands in the way of their athletic appeal?
As a football-based community, the Licking Valley High School’s athletic programs thrive during the fall season. One might think that this would cause suffering during winter sports seasons; however, something keeps those stands and bleachers full year-round.
When talking to dual-sport athlete Kendall Miller, she informed me that although sometimes unnecessarily stressful and overwhelming, ultimately, the transition from fall sports to winter sports is smooth once a rhythm takes place. She said, “[The sports] are very different to me because, during cheer, I’m off to the side, while in basketball, I get to be a part of the action”. As a cheerleader, during football season, she is expected to be a source of positive encouragement to her team. And, as a basketball player, she is counted on to not only do that but also to sweat with aggression, holding nothing back for the sake of her team. She also confirmed that during football, “there is definitely a much bigger audience since our community centralizes it,” but, “that certainly doesn’t take away from the high [morale] we see inside the gym during the cold months”.
In talking to Volleyball player for the Licking Valley Panthers, Lizzie Hardbarger, she described the transition “overall smooth”, however, “[she feels] like the people who do participate in this back to back transition don’t get enough time”. She went on to describe how the coaches say that those students have a week to rest and prepare to jump into practices, however, it looks bad if you take it. To her, having a break after her season definitely “makes you realize how much free time you have”, and “it eliminates so much stress to not be at the school 24/7”.
Ultimately, the separate love for the sports, whether they be indoor or outdoor, comes down to the true purpose: comaraderie. With a side of healthy competition, the reason people take the time to come together and enjoy each other's presence is to build up a strong community. A community that supports and uplifts one another. One that makes a high school experience one to remember.