As the scoreboard counts down, stress comes rushing in. Hearts are beating out of chests, sweat glistening on the skin of young athletes. The true test of mental strength comes into play when seconds are left to score in the game or before a tough performance with tons of people watching. This is what the mental side of playing sports as a Hallettsville Brahma athlete looks like.
With many fall sports coming to a close, and a strong sense of determination to end the season strong, athletes fight to keep up with school work and practice, along with preparing for games and their UIL competitions. Maintaining these two things can be hard but here is how some of the Brahmas accomplish it.
“The way I maintain being a student athlete is with my time management skills. As long as you turn everything in on time, you’ll definitely pass your classes. And if you make time to study, you’ll excel in your classes,” Senior and Mike Linebacker Matthew Montgomery said.
Time management is something that can make or break a player. Without this skill, Matthew and Payton wouldn’t have the opportunities and grades that they do!
“I feel like the way I maintain being a student athlete is putting a priority on those things that have more of an impact on certain things. So if I have a test to study for, I’ll prioritize studying for that over an assignment that isn’t worth as much. But then again, having practice until nine at night, I’ve really tried to do a lot of stuff before practice instead of waiting until afterwards when I’m exhausted,” Senior cheerleader Payton Mathison said.
The pressure is really on when competition season starts. Doing a contest or playing in a game is only the first step; coping with it is a different ballgame.
“I really appreciate how, before every competition, we like to pray, and just talk about what we’re nervous about. It just makes me less anxious about what’s going to happen during competitions,” Junior Flutest Danielle Serrano said.
Taking time to slow things down and mentally prepare yourself before giving it your all can be a literal game-changer.
“You gotta like calm yourself down, you know? Think about something that you like, listen to music, I chew gum, I like, and that helps me,” Junior and strong safety Cainen Deleon said.
For many sports, you must be physically fit, in shape and strong to play. On the other hand, you must be mentally healthy and prepared.
“I think mental health is very high up there beside physical health, because you have to be mentally able before you can be physically able,” Senior trombonist Peyton Prihoda said.
Even though being mentally strong can be challenging, there are always people willing to lend you a hand.
“For cheer, I believe that our mental health is treated just the same as our physical health. Whenever you’re not getting something, they’ll help you a lot and get you to understand things more. I think Mrs Lori does a great job of making sure everyone is in the right headspace, and that they’re ok,” Sophomore Caitlynn Halata said.
Mental stress can be inflicted more knowing people are watching and depending on an individual to do their very best. It can be hard for an athlete to keep their head up when nervousness comes around. This is how Sophomore Volleyball player Christine Felcman handles it.
“I try to focus more on the positive things and make sure that I’m always trying to be my best, not listening to other people’s bad things they have to say, but more so the encouragement and remember that I’m ultimately trying to have fun every day,” Felcman said.
Calming down and taking deep breaths calms the mind. Senior Volleyball player Alania Halata uses this technique to keep herself from getting so overwhelmed with performing her best in front of fans, coaches, and family.
“I personally like to take a minute to myself and really think about ‘what am I doing right now, what can I do, and what’s controllable?’” Halata said.
Balancing school, sports, and mental health can be tough, but there are so many ways to stay focused and healthy.
“One mistake doesn’t define you as a player; you can do this.” Senior volleyball player Alania Halata said.
