Spring is finally coming around, and many athletes are going through their routines to prepare for their sports. Stepping into their roles, senior lacrosse player Angelo Bagnasco, senior rugby players Damian August and Anders Berntsen, and track runner Cooper Schmitt are ready for the season ahead. As training begins to ramp up, some look back on the time and effort they have spent on the sport. For many spring athletes, preparation for the season begins long before the first game. Training often continues throughout the offseason, and athletes need to stay active year-round to remain competitive with their peers and improve their skills.

“I’m a part of lacrosse… and I’ve been playing for about three years now. It’s a commitment,” Bagnasco said.

That commitment is not limited to the official season. Many athletes explained that their preparation starts months in advance, requiring a sense of discipline and consistency when games are not being played. Staying in shape and continuing to hone skills during the offseason allows athletes to take the next season to a high level 

“Most of the training is done in the offseason or after practice, like weightlifting or running,” August said.

In addition to general conditioning, student-athletes often focus on developing the specific skills required for their sport. Whether it’s improving their endurance, strengthening the fundamentals, or practicing technique, these routines help players stay prepared for competition.

“I do a lot of training… I work with my stick and the ball a lot, and I also like to run,” Bagnasco said.

For track athletes like Schmitt, preparation is centered around repetition and building speed over time. Practices are carefully structured to maximize performance, combining stretching, conditioning, and event-specific drills to prepare athletes for competition. 

“We’ll do dynamic stretches, then about 30 minutes of sprinting and different sprinting drills,” Schmitt said.

Beyond the physical aspect of sports, athletes consistently pointed to the importance of team culture and relationships. The environment created by teammates can often shape the overall experience just as much as the competition itself. 

“There’s just a sense of camaraderie. It’s a lot of teamwork and hard work, and it feels really rewarding to win games,” Berntsen said.

For many athletes, the relationships formed with teammates are just as important as the game itself. Being surrounded by supportive teammates can make the long practices and challenging games more enjoyable.

“It’s just a good group of guys. They’re nice to play with and joke around with,” August said.

For some athletes, this sense of community is what sets spring sports apart from other school activities. 

“Because of the people [in] the community, I feel like spring sports foster a community that you can’t always find in the school…It definitely has a lively culture,” Schmitt said.

Despite the enjoyment and dedication that athletes bring to their sports, some believe their teams do not always receive the recognition they deserve within the school community. Certain sports, especially club programs, often operate with fewer resources and much less attention compared to larger varsity programs such as football or basketball.

“[Rugby] is not even really a sport for the school. It’s a club,” Berntsen said.

Because of this, some athletes believe that increased awareness and promotion could help their programs grow and attract more participants in the future.

“[Rugby] definitely needs to be talked about more,” August said.

Even in sports like track and field, athletes feel that misconceptions can impact how their sport is viewed by others. 

“It’s somewhat viewed as like a training sport for football… but it might be more popular if people realized it was just as important,” Schmitt said.

Despite these challenges, athletes remain passionate about their sports and continue to encourage other students to get involved. Spring sports provide students with opportunities to stay active, meet new people, and challenge themselves both physically and mentally.

“Do [rugby]. It’s fun. It’s the most fun I’ve had playing a sport,” Berntsen said

For those who may feel hesitant about trying a new sport, athletes say the experience is worth the effort and the risks are often smaller than people expect.

“Don’t be afraid of getting hurt, because it doesn’t happen that much,” August said.

With such a vast number of spring sports for Howell High students to choose from there are so many opportunities to find an activity that fits your niche and interests. For athletes like August, Bagnasco, Berntsen, and  Schmitt, it is more than just a high school sport, it’s a way to build character, connections, and a great representation of the Highlander mentality.