Sports
Irish Eyes
Softball team strives for successful season Clara Fajardo Staff Writer
With the start of the 2014 spring season, the Lady Irish softball team is determined to do well. Looking back to last year’s season, the Lady Irish finished last in the district and failed to win a game. This season the team wants to overcome any challenges in order to fulfill the demands of winning. Earlier this season, the team held tryouts for new players to join. This year’s captains are senior second baseman Jasmine Guy and junior first baseman Amanda Frayle. The new players face difficulties, such as learning and gaining new skills. However, each player brings their own technique to the table, which pulls the team through any obstacles they may undergo. “Having new players is such a positive thing because they are an addition to the softball family,” said junior Brenda Galo. “Playing gives the new girls a chance to learn from the girls that are more advanced. They are always giving each other advice which helps us get better and improve at the game we all love.” Practice occurs every day and varies upon the weather. In foul weather, the team
goes in the batting cages or lifts weights, and are cleaning up on their field work and execute drills the same way if they through practice. “We are taking it one day at a time,” were outside. When practicing on the field, the players get into their positions and said Frayle. “We have a whole season Coach Hefner hits the ball to different spots ahead of us and we are ready.” on the field and they begin conditioning for the season. “We practice to be the best we can be,” Frayle said. During the season, the Lady Irish will play Bonnabel, E a s t J e f f e r s o n , We s t Jefferson and other skilled teams. “I think our biggest rivals are West Jefferson and Bonnabel because we are all on the same skill level,” said sophomore second baseman and outfielder Gabrielle Milford. “They just really need to be focused when we play and we will win.” The team feels that the hardest opponent would be Chapelle, due to the fact that they defeated them twice last season. The Lady Irish had a slow Tia Banerjee start, but are starting to show improvement. They have Sophomore Kristen Lemoine winds up a pitch at a game acquired experienced hitters against John Ehret on Mar. 5.
New members make early impact on track team Rachel Bertucci Staff Writer
The track and field team is eager to compete this season. With the first official meet only a week away, the team hopes to double the number of competitors from last year. The coaches
hope to have at least one person in every event. Track and Field is more than just running. Events also include relays, shot put, javelin, discus, pole vault, high jump, long jump, triple long jump, short distance sprint, and long distance running. For example, sophomore Sara Abdula competes in the two mile run because of
Anum Siddiqui
Freshman Amber LeBeaud competes in the 100-yard dash at the meet on Mar. 12 in Joe Yenni Stadium.
her endurance skills. Many competitors compete in more than one event. Coaches try to space out the timing of each event so the competitors are able to recover in between each competition. The track team has been diligently training to get ready for upcoming meets. To increase speed, runners run long distance as well as short distance sprints. They not only run to train, but also weight lift. “Lifting weights gives runners the endurance and explosiveness for speed,” Coach Roberto Furtado said. The diet of a track and field competitor is very important. Carb loading helps them get the energy they need to run a race or perform a field event. Hydration is essential in track and field. “It isn’t about drinking a whole lot of water right before a race, it’s about drinking water throughout the course of the day,” Furtado said. The mental aspect of track and field is key. Before an event starts, competitors try not to stress about it or they may become nervous and mess up. “My teammates are my biggest motivators,” senior Luke Bitter said.
Friday, March 14, 2014
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Passion drives athlete performance Carlos Lopez and Wilmer Toro Staff Writers
Every sport has its greatest: Lebron James on the basketball court, Lionel Messi on the soccer pitch and Rodger Federer on the tennis court. What separates them from the other players is not how talented or physically strong they are, but how sharp their mentality is to overcome every aspect of the game. Understanding the mind of an elite athlete can be quite difficult. Research has found that expert athletes are better at anticipating actions of their opponents. For instance, professional soccer goalies know where a penalty kick would go by just looking at their opponent’s arm and foot movements. However, a non-expert is more likely to look at both relevant and irrelevant visual aspects of the pitch. Scientists are trying to figure out how an athlete’s brain learns anticipation. It is proven that elite athletes are faster and more accurate because their mind and body are in sync. With practice, certain reflexes become their second nature. In basketball, the more you practice on how you shoot, the more comfortable you are in a game. The amount of hours you practice and the way you practice will affect how you shoot. When prime time comes, shooting the ball becomes a type of automatic instinct. As the player is about to shoot, he envisions himself making the ball into the net. Studies have proven that mental rehearsal and visualization have significantly enhanced performance in competitive situations. Performing well under pressure is not something you are born with. It is the ability to overcome your fear and take control of your confidence. Trusting your impulses is vital. Some athletes thrive off of pressure. During time-outs or huddles, there is always one player that the team depends on. Kevin Durant, small forward and shooting guard for the Oklahoma Thunder is that player. Durant averages over 30 points a game, shooting over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent beyond the arc. The winning shot usually depends on Durant. Although he does not always make the shot, Durant is mentally prepared for these high-pressured moments. Being talented or having all the abilities to play the sport is not enough. Talent does not always guarantee success because you must develop a mental vision of winning.