Sports aren’t just the games we watch or play; they are the memories and friends we make along the way. Life doesn’t go by fall, winter, spring, and summer. For me, it goes by volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, and “off-season” (it’s barely off).
People are always talking about how sports are supposed to make you feel good inside and how you are going to play awesome, even though you know deep down that you may have an off day.
I grew up in a family where sports were life, so not playing a sport was not an option. Now I am glad that my parents pushed me to play sports because that connected me to my closest friends.
Being a student-athlete sometimes makes me anxious; keeping up with homework and school while having two-hour practices late at night. They always say “school first,” but to me, sports always seem to be first. Why is there this feeling that I always have to be the best, even though I know I’m not?
School is hard with tests, exams, homework, and projects. All these thoughts keep my mind occupied with the next thing.
Sometimes I wonder if sports are just to keep me busy. If they really matter enough for me to play. Although sometimes I believe this is true, it’s really not. Some of my closest friends have been made because of sports. We can be honest with each other about our feelings and our performance. Those friends and teammates have made me the best friend, teammate, and player that I can be.
I am a competitive player. When I am on the court, my attitude completely changes based on my performance. If I miss a free throw, it makes me want to punch a wall because I know I can make them, and it’s all in my head.
I know what it is like to sit on the bench. The sadness that you know you aren’t good enough to be out there, and that your coach may not trust you with the team you are up against; this just makes me push harder. To make my next free throw, get the rebound, and make my coach want to put me out there.
There is always someone better. Someone to beat. I know it’s true, and I accept that, but when it gets to the point where I can’t beat them, I want to move on. I know I can’t, but I am going to work harder and be better. Because that is who I am. I love my sports, and the last thing I want to do is leave behind those friendships and that adrenaline that keeps me going.
