In 2023-2024, over 7 million people participated in high school sports such as football, wrestling, baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheer, swimming, track, and more. Sports can help with different things that teenagers struggle with in life. 

In my opinion, wrestling helps me work harder when things get stressful or overwhelming. When I’m wrestling, I get mad, which allows control outside of my sport. I carry everything that happens during the day and bring it to practice to get motivated and work stronger to not give up as easily. It also makes me push even harder every day.

Having a good state of mind allows for sharper decision-making and overall better play. Less fear and anxiety can help people make friends and not get scared when you have to talk to people you don’t know. Junior, Shaun Aubrey stated that “Sports are something to do to keep your mind busy. Sports make me feel better.”

Playing sports can help people gain leadership on their team as well as outside of their team. Leadership can help with anything you do in life; for example: jobs, school, family life, and more. Senior, Cayden King stated that “Sports help u be a motivator and be an overall better person, always looking out for others.”   

Sports can help people stay in shape and just have a good diet. It can help with raising your core body temperature. Better sleep can help you for the next day by resting your body. Sophomore, Anahi Castillo said, “Physical health is very important because it can really improve your performance.”

You can create memories with a teammate and be able to talk about it in the future years when the time has passed. Once you become friends with them, you have the opportunity to become friends with their friends, helping create a big support group to have by your side at any time you need it. Senior, Madelyn Lopez stated, “I wouldn’t be friends with the friends I have if I didn’t play sports.” 

Overall, sports can be so beneficial on a day-to-day basis. Sports help people to create new goals, and friendships, obtain better physical health, and so much more. I would recommend doing sports, especially in high school because they can help you obtain so many skills you can use in the outside world.