Why Should Students Participate in Approaching Spring Sports?

February 27 marks the beginning of the spring sports season. Hastings Senior High School offers many sports activities in the spring: track, girls tennis, soccer, boys golf, and baseball.

Track is a sport designed for athletic competition that tests an individual’s physical ability and endurance through sprinting, jumping, and relay races.

“My first official track season was in eighth grade, but back then, I wasn’t very good, so I just did it for fun. Last year, I participated in the 3200m, 1600m, 800m, and qualified for the state track meet at districts,” sophomore Austin Carrera said.

Participating in track and field offers a range of physical and mental benefits, from improving cardiovascular health and building strength.

“For me, track means having fun and competing with my teammates. I think everyone should do track because track has such a wide variety of events that anybody can do it,” Carrera said.

Another spring sport offered is girls tennis, a fast-paced sport that requires skill, athleticism, and mental toughness.

“Tennis means a lot to me. It’s been a huge part of my life ever since I was four years old. Without it, I would be a completely different person. My best memory was state tennis last year when I won the consolation bracket. It was a tough match, but I was really proud of what I have accomplished and how I played,” sophomore Keira Erickson said.

There are numerous benefits to playing tennis, both for physical and mental well-being. Physically, tennis is a great form of exercise that can help improve health and build strength and endurance. Mentally, tennis can help reduce stress and improve focus.

“I love how when I play, I can’t think about anything other than hitting the ball. It is great because it helps me take my mind off of other things. I think students should play this sport because we have a lot of fun on the team. The girls are all really nice, and we all get along great,” Erickson said.

Soccer, also known as association football, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players. For each athlete, there is a meaning to playing the sport they enjoy the most.

“I started playing soccer when I was four years old. Soccer is my life, I mean without it, I wouldn’t feel whole. It would feel like there is a part of me missing and the love and passion I have for the sport,” sophomore Giovanni Hernandez said.

Athletes show improvements in their stamina, coordination, and bone strength by playing soccer. In sports like soccer, teamwork, and good sportsmanship are key roles in playing a great game.

“I enjoy playing with my teammates and the feeling after scoring and being able to celebrate with others. I believe that people should try out for soccer because it’s a fun sport to play and a way to meet new people and make friends,” junior Tracey Cerrato Ramirez said. 

Boys golf is another spring sport that Hastings High also offers. Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit golf balls into a series of holes on a course with as few strokes as possible. 

“To me, golf means a good time because it is a sport that I have always played with my friends and family. I’ve always wanted to try competitive golf, and last year, I finally decided to join the team, and I never regretted my decision,” senior Elijah Engelhardt said.

Students should participate or try out in a sport as it provides numerous benefits, such as improved physical and mental health and the development of valuable life skills that can benefit them both in and out of the classroom.

“Students should at least try out some sports, I think they would enjoy it a lot, and as they play more, they would like it more,” Hernandez said.