High school sports for me were a period of ups and downs, but these experiences molded me and represented my life uniquely. My life at the beginning of high school sports was very clear-cut. I had a plan to play college basketball. Coming into my freshman year, I made the basketball team but was limited to only the freshman team, as were many of the other freshmen. This did not hinder my confidence in the least, a trait that I am proud to still possess today. My optimism was boundless, and I held steadfast to my dreams of becoming a McDonald's All-American, aspiring to average 29 points per game. These goals, displayed on my bedroom door, served as a daily reminder of my ambitions and fueled my determination through my freshman and sophomore years. My first year ended with modest success on the freshman team. Going into my sophomore year, I worked extremely hard, driven by a vision of advancement and glory. Despite my relentless efforts and unwavering optimism, I was again placed on the freshman team to continue improving. This decision, though disheartening, did not shake my confidence. Instead, it inspired me to diversify my interests. That spring, I decided to join the track team. At first, the track seemed merely a diversion, not a passion. However, it would eventually open doors I had never imagined. …show more content…
I attended every conditioning session and practiced diligently, often being the first to arrive and the last to leave. Entering the track season as the fastest on the team, I embraced the role of mentor to many underclassmen. I became a staunch advocate for those struggling in their primary sport, encouraging them to try something new. Our relay team’s achievement of finishing third in the state was a testament to our hard work and determination. This success opened doors for collegiate sports, and I chose to continue my track journey at Wingate
I have been a four year letter-winner in volleyball and basketball. Athletics have been a crucial part of developing my character and work ethic. In sports, you must work together with your team to reach your goals. Trust and communication skills are vital and are tested every day. The failure and setbacks I have faced through sports have helped me to believe in myself and have the self-confidence that it takes to be successful in athletics and in life. As a senior captain of the volleyball and basketball teams, my leadership has improved tremendously as high school has progressed. Being a leader holds me accountable and I aim to be a role model for younger teammates on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.
Both on an off the field, my enthusiasm and motivation to obtain a goal is a trait that I am very proud of. I have faced many tasks where a leader had needed to step up and I am always willing to do so. I am also willing to get help when I need it. If I can’t complete a task by myself I do not mind asking a classmate, teammate, friend or a teacher for guidance. By bringing that openness and leadership to University of Charleston’s Athletic Training Program I believe that I can also attribute to the University of Charleston’s Mission Statement “to educate each student for a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement.” By bettering the Athletic Training community by providing care to our Athletes I believe that I will be a great addition to the Athletic Training
High school sports are approached with clashing opinions. Some of these opinions are positive, and supportive of athletics. “Athleticism, among many activities, offers teens a physical outlet to exert their troubles, anger, emotions, and other feelings” (Chen 1). This can be observed in nearly all of the football players in Friday Night Lights. This can also be noticed in the world today. “Athletics help high school students understand their own abilities and talents” (Chen 1). This piece of evidence is very accurate when describing high school athletes. Sports can make a high school student humble. As can be seen by the preceding information, high school athletics can have a positive impact on a student’s life.
My first week of school, everyone encouraged me to join a club or a team. Of course I did not want to, until I heard we had a track team, and even then I did not know if I wanted to pursue it. In my mind, debating if I should dedicate myself to track was a hard decision. I was about to not only give this sport my time but also nothing but
Each game, my passion grew. Each team, new memories and lifelong friends were made. Sports sometimes make me feel disappointment and at loss; but it taught me to be resilient to a lot of things, like how to thrive under pressure and come out on top. Being the team captain of my high school’s football and lacrosse team showed me how having a big responsibility to bring a group together to work as one is compared to many situations in life. Currently playing varsity football, varsity lacrosse, and track I take great pride in the activities I do. Staying on top of my academics, being duel enrolled at Indian River State College, working three nights a week, and two different sport practices after school each day shaped my character to having a hard work
I chose to observe the practices at State College for Track and Field. I primarily focused on the distance team with John as the coach. When I arrived at the first practice I observed Coach John talking to the team at the beginning of their practice. He was going over what they should focus on during their first track meet, which was coming up. His positive attitude stood out the most. He put his emphasize on having fun. He stressed the importance that they work as hard as they can to achieve their best performance but his final words were, "Have fun!" I started to realize what he stressed most for his team and that was to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
Raised in a small town of 750 people, where high school sports meant everything, sport has played a tremendous role in my life. Basketballs and footballs replaced stuffed animals in cribs, and dribbling a basketball came before learning to ride a bike. I started playing basketball in the second grade, and I hated it. We always played in the division above us and we hardly ever won a game, but after watching Coach Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers win back to back National Championships, the same years my high school girls basketball team won back to back State Championships, I fell in love with the game. In fact, sport is what led me to the University of Tennessee; I admired Pat Summitt, not only because of the number of wins and National
There is never enough of anything in the life of a college student. there is never enough time to study, or enough food, or enough money, or enough time to sleep. But, if that student becomes a college athlete then all of the “or’s” change to “and’s”. Even though there are many struggles of a college athlete they are not going away. As the youth of America watches their older counterparts excel in many college sports, a dream to become an athlete at the collegiate level is sparked. This dream is fueled through high school sports and then disseminated by high school counselors. Counselors who are quick to remind that sports do not bring home a paycheck. Neverless, this dream of college sports thrives and is present in the mind of every high
The start of the 2002 track season found me concerned with how I would perform. After a disastrous bout with mononucleosis ended my freshmen track season, the fear of failure weighed heavily on my mind. I set a goal for myself in order to maintain focus and to push myself like nothing else would. My goal for my sophomore track season was to become a state champion in the 100 meter hurdles. I worked hard everyday at practice and went the extra mile, like running every Sunday, to be just that much closer to reaching my goal. The thought of standing highest on the podium in the center of the field, surrounded by hundreds of spectators, overcame my thoughts of complaining every time we had a hard workout. When I closed my eyes, I pictured myself waiting in anticipation as other competitors names were called out, one by one, until finally, the booming voice announced over the loudspeaker, "...and in first place, your 2002 100 meter hurdle champion, from Hotchkiss, Connie Dawson." It was visions like these that drove me to work harder everyday.
I decided that I wanted to play a sport, I chose volleyball. Most of my friends played the sport so it wasn't hard for me to adjust and make new friends. Becoming a student athlete was a big adjustment for me, I could no longer float through my classes but I need to excel. And that's exactly what I did. For the first time in my high school career I made not only honor roll, but principal’s honor roll. For the first time my mom was proud of my report card, that made me even more proud. From then on I knew I wanted nothing less than what I earned, good grades and a proud family. From my decision to chose to become a student athlete not only make me work harder but, be great at everything I put my mind to. I had motivation to stay successful, to stay eligible. Three years ago if you were to ask me where I thought I would be my senior year, I probably would have told you low level classes barely making it by. Now here I am today excelling in my education preparing to take the next step in my future, college. Even if we don’t understand why we go through them, we have to be willing to let our obstacles become out
My sophomore year had begun and I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to do track this year. Last year I played football in the fall and soccer in the spring. Not really enjoying it, the decision was made to play " real futbol" (soccer) in the fall, leaving the spring sports season open. My friend kept telling me how fun track was, so I decided to give it a try.
I had never really been a part of a team that had a chance to win something, but the potential was always there. I finally got my chance to be a part of such a team my sophomore year of track. Mr. Jones, the head track coach, had decided to experiment with some different races to gain more team points. Since the girls' team lacked a medley relay, he placed Cindy, Kim, Susan and I in those spots. Cindy would run the 400, Kim would run the 200, and Susan and I would start the race off by each running the 100. We all had worked viciously to earn those spots by running off against our teammates.
As the hot wind blew over the runners on the start line, I started to jump up and down in preparation for the imminent race. We were at the first cross country meet of my junior year, and nerves were abundant. I readied myself at the start line and I began considering my success in past years. The first two years of high school passed quickly, and I tried to recall the rapid improvement I experienced. The coming year was different; with other commitments to consider, I was worried my running career would suffer.
Also, my freshman year of high school I picked up two new sports I have never played before, Golf and lacrosse. I was so determined to become superior at both of these new sports I spent time outside of practice working on my skills and training harder than everyone else. Now, one year later and I play Varsity lacrosse and JV golf for the school. Certainly, I may not be the best player on my teams at times, but my determination to become greater than everyone else has distinguished me from your typical ordinary player.
Adults need to see the value in sports activities and the impact they can have on the development of a student, it goes beyond the sport itself. This cannot be duplicated anywhere else these experiences are a once in a lifetime opportunity. According to Richard Bailey “Intervention studies have produced generally positive results, including improvements in moral reasoning, fair play and sportspersonship, and personal responsibility” (Bailey.) evolving the mental toughness of a student athlete. High School sports creates a community among the students while building character that will lead to them being successful later on in life. Life is about building relationships and memories, inspirational people are constantly talking all the time about the memories they experience on their high school and the advice they have received from their coach.