Whether preparing to step up to bat or warming up for a soccer game, many athletes have superstitions that they practice ritually before their big moment. It could be as simple as eating a banana before a race or as complicated as spinning three times and touching your toes. In this article we will venture into the minds of athletes seeking to perform their very best.
Firstly, junior Mae Valenta shared the importance of hairstyle to her softball performance, “If my ponytail is braided and I don’t play well, I’ll do my hair in bubbles the next game.” Valenta also said that if she performs well in a certain hairstyle she will wear it again for another game. “It’s like my hair embodies my performance,” Valenta stated. Sometimes she will “start fresh and hope the different style brings [her] luck.”
This focus on hair is similarly shared with senior soccer star Taz Nunn who also continues to wear a hairstyle if she plays well in it. Nunn also will “use the same hair tie” when she does well in a game. “I will also wear the same socks, spandex and sports bra that I wore for games I scored or played well in,” Nunn added.
Fellow Garfield girls soccer player and senior captain Sydney Joanovic said she “eats dark chocolate before a game and puts on one foot’s socks, shin guards and cleats all at once before the other foot.” She explained that this superstition is something she does before every game or else she feels off balance. When it comes to avoiding certain parts of the field, softball player and senior Mabel Dunham emphasized the importance of “not stepping on the foul line and remaining silent when there’s a pitch.”
Similar to Dunham’s sentiments, junior Annabelle Wall will never climb out of the pool near the no diving sign because she “believes it’s bad luck.” These unique superstitions show how even in different sports athletes each have their routine to ensure they perform their best.
Sometimes superstitions are quick habits but others can be years in the making. Junior Romy Steen has worn the same socks since her successful 5k rowing performance in the 3rd grade. “I PRed in those socks and they ripped so every time I do well they rip.” Steen also stated she has a special 2k shirt she got from goodwill that she “swears a D1 athlete once wore because everytime [she] wears it she does well.”
Whether simple or intricate, these practices provide a sense of control and confidence for athletes, turning them into essential tools for success. From hairstyle choices and specific clothing items to avoiding certain spots on the field, each athlete has their own unique way of preparing for competition.