Senior Sports Reflection: Athletics Teach a Life Long Lesson
By Anna Jonesand Amy Sibbernsen
These days many children start playing sports when they are as young as five and six. Many people may ask the question why. They may think that children who start too soon will burnt out or that it is too much pressure for them at such a young age. This is not always true. Athletics give children a chance to grow into a well-rounded person and learn many useful lessons that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Defeat has helped us realize that we may not have prepared ourselves quite as well as we had hoped and that we could have presented a more competitive edge. Through defeat the lesson is not only learned on the court, but also in the classroom. Success may come but you will soon realize that it is not the number one priority, it's the hardwork and dedication.
Athletics also give us a chance to widen our circle of friends. We have made many friendships that may not have come about if we did not participate in sports. We are not only a team, but we have become a family. Our teammates are our sisters. Sometimes there are struggles, but you learn to work and support each other to reach goals. And the best part about being on a team is reaching success with a talented group of individuals. There are also many health benefits to being an athlete. Not only physically fit, but also statistics show you are less likely to smoke, drink, or do any forms of illegal drugs. Another shining statistic is that athletes tend to avoid premarital sex.
So as we look back at our high school careers, we realize the opportunities that athletics have given us. The defeats we have overcome, the practices we have struggled through, and the friendships we have made, all make the athletic experience one that we will always remember.