The sun is shining, the weather is getting warmer, and spring athletes are preparing for upcoming tryouts. Sports such as soccer, tennis, and volleyball are gearing up for a brand new season.
To prepare, coaches host open gyms to help students practice and get a feel for the sport. According to coaches, background in the sport is not required but is encouraged.
“Just have fun and be open to coaching,” boys volleyball coach Chase Mang said. “Most of our freshmen level athletes are new to the sport, so they are learning a lot. That is completely okay and expected.”
Many athletes start their careers in sports during their freshman year, learning foundational skills throughout the open gym and tryout period. There are many opportunities to learn and grow during these pre-season endeavors, no matter how familiar a student is with the sport.
“Tennis is a lifelong sport. I still play in a tennis league and play with people older than me,” said boys tennis coach Zachary Horn. “It is a great combination of an individual sport and a team environment, at the high school level. It is something you can always learn more about as your game progresses.”
Coaches are present at open gyms, allowing time to scout for improvements or new skills from athletes.
“I’d recommend all freshmen go to as many open gyms before tryouts as possible because the coaches are always watching, so you can have more opportunities to show them your talent,” senior soccer player Grace Braun said.
Sports at OH go far past the games, providing life skills that will stick with a player in and out of practice.
“Players will develop valuable life skills like leadership, teamwork, [and] discipline,” said girls soccer coach, Gaspar Arias. “[Soccer] build[s] strong relationships while improving your soccer technical abilities, fitness, and tactical skills.”
These skills have led the OH sports teams to have success at conference and state-wide levels. While success happens throughout the season, tryouts are the root of the success.
Athletes have their ways of preparing for tryouts, including working out, eating healthy, and joining club and recreational teams.
“To prepare myself, I really try to pay attention to the fuel I’m putting into my body so I stay healthy with all the physical activity I get at this time,” Braun said.
There are plenty of other ways athletes can prepare for tryout season, the Panther Power Strength & Conditioning club allows students to work out and stay fit during off-seasons.
If students are interested in trying out for spring sports, students must register on SnapManage and submit an updated physical to the athletic office.
“Our retention rates are incredibly high because our program is truly a family from the top down,” said Mang.
“Every single coach will know every single player’s name from the seniors to the newest freshmen,” Mang added.
Hi I'm Chayse! I'm a Senior at OHS and this is my first year on the 42Fifty team. When I'm not at school, I participate in activities such as BIONIC, Commotion, SOTC, and many various Honor Societies! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
