Sweat, strength, endurance and long hours of hard work are combined to make an athlete. Players push themselves to the limit during practice and experience the consequences later. Coaches spend hours planning the drills and developing ways to improve the teams’ techniques. Players work hard in and out of practice to become the best they can be at their sport.

Haley Barker, varsity swim team member, explained that during swim practice they do warm ups and then practice a set of skills. She said swimming is a big commitment, but it isn’t overwhelming as long as you learn to manage your time. With 12 hours of practice a week, it’s safe to say Barker must love to swim.

“I enjoy being a part of a team and encouraging everyone. I like the fact there is no bench and everyone participates,” Barker said.

Sports take a lot of dedication and time, but they also are very rewarding.

“Swimming is a sport for everyone. Not a single person can’t swim. You are on a team, but it is an individual sport. You are always getting better and it’s all about you,” Barker said.

Zach Monroe, varsity soccer team member, knows how much time and energy is put into soccer. He plays for Whitney and club soccer and has traveled to places, like England, to play in tournaments.

“Soccer is like half of my life, but I enjoy playing because I have played forever and soccer is exciting and challenging,” Monroe said.

No one can testify more to the hard work and time put into a sport than the coaches. Candice Andrews, JV cheer coach, explained that during practice the cheerleaders run laps, do warm ups, stretch, tumble, condition and practice their half time routine all in two hours every day after school. In addition to practice, the cheerleaders are encouraged to learn tumbling from an outside source.

“Tumbling is a huge thing. We don’t have the time to teach tumbling during practice, so the girls do outside tumbling in addition to our practice,” Andrews said.

These girls put in a lot of effort to make their team successful. People continue to ask, are cheerleaders athletes?

“People don’t see cheerleaders as athletes. I wish they would really watch and notice them,” Andrews said.

Being a coach isn’t just about telling the girls what to do, its about being a role model.
“I enjoy coaching because I like helping the girls out and guiding them through this part of their life. I like being a role model,” Andrews said.

So many long hours, injuries, and hard work is put into being an athlete. Some people feel playing a sport is no big deal, but many are willing to testify to the time, money and pain they have invested into their sport. These players enjoy what they do and take on the commitment willingly. Playing a sport and being part of a team is a full time commitment. These players are determined to grow and become the best athletes they can be. Athletes are determined to succeed.

by ASHLEE REMINGTON