Standing on the edge of the track or the corner of a wrestling mat for the first time can be a lonely feeling. Between managing homework and meeting strict weight classes, the hurdles of joining a new sport at Liberty High School often start before the first whistle blows. Not having enough time for family and friends or not getting homework done can be big challenges when getting into sports. But in some cases, food can also be a big problem. There’s a lot of food out there that will harm your diet, and if you’re trying a new sport, the expectations might be different. For example, wrestling is big on your weight because it’s based on your weight class. Although there are a lot of challenges you have to face when trying a new sport, there are also a lot of good things that could come from it.
Despite the nerves, the payoff often outweighs the pressure. However, these challenges are there to help you grow as a person. It can also help people with leadership, learning how to work in different teams, building self-confidence, building stamina, making new memories, and friendships at the same time. There are many students at Liberty High School that do new sports to help with their fears. “I joined Cross Country to help me get out of my comfort zone,” said senior Melanie Polanco. But some students try new sports to try a new experience. Sophomore, Brook Gammill explained, “I wanted to join wrestling to try new things that I never did.”
Trying new sports can be good because you can make new friendships, may have a chance of getting scholarships, improve your mental health, and build your confidence. Some people take up new sports because their siblings, parents, or grandparents did. Freshman, Molly Dodson, noted, “My sister inspired me to join lacrosse because she did it”. There are other people who join a new sport because teammates or coaches encourage them to try that sport. “I joined wrestling because my teammates and coaches encouraged me to try it out, and now I like doing wrestling,” stated Gammill.
It’s not just about the physical workout; the mental side of starting a new sport can be just as exhausting. Many students deal with a constant “what if” in their heads. What if I get cut? What if people make fun of me? What if I’m stuck on the bench all season? These worries can lead to real anxiety and even make people feel depressed if they don’t think they’re “athletic enough” to keep up.
A lot of this stress comes from the pressure to impress teammates who have been playing for years. Senior Melanie Poianco felt that pressure when she first started. “When I joined cross country, I was trying to catch up with the experienced runners,” she explained. When you’re constantly comparing yourself to the experts, it’s easy to feel like giving up. This impact on mental health is one of the biggest reasons students avoid trying out for teams in the first place, even if they actually want to play.
At the end of the day, joining a new team is about more than just the score at the end of a game. While the stress on your body and the “new kid” anxiety are real, the benefits usually last much longer than the nerves. Whether it’s finding a new group of friends, building up your self-confidence, or finally stepping out of your comfort zone like Melanie, Brook, and Molly did, the experience is worth it. So, if you’re thinking about trying a new sport, don’t let the fear of the “what-ifs” keep you on the sidelines. Taking that first step might be the best thing you do all year.
