Although the school year is almost over and Spring sports are in the middle of their seasons, it’s not too early to start thinking about joining a sport next year! Playing sports in high school is something everyone should try out at least once.

Joining a sport is a great way to find friends who like the same things you do and it doesn’t have to only be about playing, you can make it what you want it to be about. It can be about building connections and sharing experiences with a team or even setting goals to do better in the sport.

In 8th grade, I decided to try something new and I joined the wrestling team. I hadn’t done sports before, so I wanted to see what it was like. Because I tried wrestling, I found out that I really enjoy playing sports.

Before wrestling, I’d just go home and spend time on my phone, but being on the wrestling team meant I had to keep my grades up to stay on the team. This made me take my schoolwork more seriously. When I started to play a sport, I learned to be more organized and manage my time better because I had to fit in practices and homework which helped my grades improve. My grades were already good even before playing a sport but it was different now because I had to be more on it and not waste any time procrastinating.

The discipline I learned in wrestling started to help me in other parts of my life too. My daily routine changed. I started making my bed every day, going to sleep earlier, and using my time better. Even though I didn’t know anyone when I first joined, to me a small part of practice was an excuse to talk to someone new and eventually I met people who ended up being my friends to this day.

I continued with wrestling as a freshman, and in my sophomore year I decided I wanted to do more. I added cross country and track. 

I decided to try cross country because I wanted to see if I could push myself even further physically. It helped me with my endurance so I don’t get tired as easily and I feel like I could run anywhere far without needing a ride. 

A coach told me that joining track was like a ‘cheat code’ to get better at running in cross country. That made me want to join track and it introduced me to a completely new environment. I joined a track with some friends, but we were all doing different events. I was doing distance while my friends were trying anything the coaches put them on to do.

At first, even though my friends were there, I felt a little on my own. But this pushed me to talk to new people, even those I was usually too shy to approach. I think this is one of the great things about sports, it helped me make new friends which I would definitely say is a benefit.

If you’ve never played a sport before, or if you’re worried about joining a team where you don’t know anyone, that’s totally okay. Many people feel that way. 

All of the sports I did – wrestling, cross country, track – had no cuts, as long as you showed up, put in effort, and got good enough grades, you stayed on the team. They usually are happy to have new people who are just learning. “It makes me so happy when first-time wrestlers finish the season strong and express interest in coming back,” wrestling coach Tori Cabrera said, “I try to break down the moves and repeat each step as often as possible.” 

It might feel a bit hard at first, but you have the team and coaches there to help you out. Trying something new can help you discover things you’re good at and even things you really enjoy. 

Also, when it comes to playing time or being on the varsity team, it’s good to remember that playing on the JV team, or even just being a part of the team as a freshman or sophomore, is a great way to learn and get better. It’s not always about being the best right away, but about being part of something, learning, and having fun. The experiences and friendships you gain are super valuable, no matter what level you play at.

There are some hoops you have to jump through before you get to play. You have to register for sports by visiting the home campus website. 

The requirements include a 2.0 GPA or higher, with no more than 1 F and no more than 1 Unsatisfactory citizenship. You have to provide proof of insurance and get a physical (a physical is required every 12 months). You can get a free one through the SVMH Mobile Clinic, which is at Alisal every Monday from 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM), Impact Test (every 2 years), and Drug Contract (first year only), 

You also need to pay the banquet fee to the finance office (student store), with the receipt uploaded.

 If you have any trouble or questions about getting cleared you can always stop by Athletic director Jose Gil’s office, or send him an email.

Sometimes you’ll need to help with fundraisers, to help the program purchase uniforms and whatnot, and remember that you’re making a commitment when joining, so you need to go to practice regularly. 

These parts, even if they seem like work sometimes, are important for being on a team. They teach you to be responsible, work with others, and help achieve goals together. 

Our school has tutorials for homework help after school so you can keep up with your schoolwork while still doing your sport. This shows that you can do well in school and in sports at the same time.

While playing sports is definitely about competition, it’s also about meeting new people, working toward a goal, learning discipline and teamwork, and most of all, having fun. Even if you’ve never played a sport, it’s not too late to join and gain experiences and relationships that will last beyond the season. 

Sports can also be fun because you can compete. “The idea that you can push your body to a specific limit in whatever sport it may be,” Coach Steven Munoz said. “Training your body to be able to be the best it can be in that specific sport, that’s always a nice feeling.” Wanting to be good at something, finding out what you can do, and always getting better is a strong reason to keep going.

Balancing school and sports can also teach you how to manage your time really well. It shows you can handle different tasks, which is great for anything you do in the future. Some sports make it mandatory to go to tutorials to help you with homework after school in order for you to dedicate time so that it’s easier to keep up. This shows you can do well in school and in sports. “Being involved in something other than just academics can show that they are able to manage their grades while also participating in extracurricular activities,” Munoz said.

Being involved in sports can make your college applications stand out. Colleges like to see that you can balance different things, and playing a sport shows you’re dedicated, can work with others, and manage your time well. It’s not just about being a good student; it’s about being someone who can be good at more than just one thing. And through all of this, you’re also having fun, making memories with teammates, and enjoying the excitement of competition and improvement.

I’m thankful that sports have been a part of shaping me. They showed me the difference between having talent and really working hard for it. I’m grateful for that lesson. 

There were so many times I wanted to give up, when it was too hard. In one of my races during cross country I was really tired and I still kept going because I wanted to prove anyone who doubted me wrong. 

I’ve felt like this throughout all of my sports and I believe pushing through these moments teaches you so much about yourself. 

I love it. I can’t imagine who I’d be without sports. They gave me a reason to get up each morning, a sense of purpose, and the drive to always get better. It feels good to work towards a goal, and it feels even better to be noticed for that effort. It makes me feel like I matter, and that I’m seen.

So, if you’re even slightly curious, or if there’s a sport that’s been calling your name, don’t overthink it. Don’t let anything hold you back from this experience. If you wanna do it, then do it! Next year, try it and see what you’re capable of.