For many, the start of the school year means sports practice and conditioning. The days spent exercising in the sun are key to every sports team’s season, both mentally and physically. “Conditioning strengthens them mentally, as it restores discipline,” said Nancy Bowden, Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach. Every team, from tennis to football, undergoes strength and pace training. In fact, the conditioning between different sports doesn’t vary all too much. Both Mary Callaghan, Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, and Bowden name cardiovascular training as a top priority in pre-season practice. “Some goals I hope to achieve are creating stamina in the girls so that when games are long, they are not exhausted and can push through,” Callaghan said. “I think endurance is important. Something to get your heart rate up and moving to strengthen [you] overall.”

A frequently raised positive aspect of conditioning is the camaraderie it instills in team sports. “Going through struggles together and having to grind out a tough conditioning session definitely creates a sense of brotherhood and togetherness,” said Nathaniel Stickle, senior and Varsity Football captain. This mindset in regards to conditioning is not uncommon, and is crucial in every team sport. The collective physical push that team sports offer allows the athlete to improve, as they have a model and a clear goal to base their effort on. “It can help the team as a whole because it can make a team work together in demanding situations,” said Eleanor Dubroff, a freshman on Girls Varsity Tennis.

Conditioning is prioritized in early season practices in order to reestablish healthy mental and physical habits while also setting up a strong foundation for the upcoming season. Athletes will have to begin the conditioning process all over again in the winter and spring– but this will only improve their performance, and ensure they are prepared for the seasons to come.