THERE are many many things that can make some athletes better than the others. It has always and will always be the things they do while they’re outside of the sport, whether it’s running a mile each day, or doing 20 extra pushups a day. For example, in track and field, if you are a sprinter and you want to be faster than the other schools’ athletes, you have to run on your own outside of practice/meets.

If you are a thrower and want to throw longer and farther, then you have to lift and practice outside of after school practice. Going to a park just to do your thing really helps! The gym plays a big part in many sports, because most sports include strength. If you can’t stay in front of the competition, then eventually they will want to be better than you.

Athletes progress on their own, whether it’s football, track and field, baseball, basketball, soccer, or even tennis, everyone still can only control themselves. You can guide people and help them, but at the end of the day you only help yourself. “As starting QB/CB I learned that you have to outsmart your opponent, get into their head and play with them,” Lei Laita (11) said.

A big factor that plays a role in everything is mindset. If you have the mindset that you’re going to loose, you will lose. If you have a winning mindset, then you might win. “To be the best athlete, you have to work harder than everyone, and push yourself beyond your limits because only you know your limits,” Laita said.

Mindset is one of the biggest things when it comes to sports. If you walk into a track and field competition thinking you’re better than everyone else, it is better than walking in like everyone else is faster than you. The best way to be the best athlete is to be humble, recognize your skills, use your skills to your advantage, and keep to yourself about your skills.

“I go to track meets with a mindset of I’m going to win, but I stay humble and eye out my real competition while I warm up. I do that because I want to underestimate myself, because the feeling of overcoming victory is a feeling you only get to feel in the moment,” Isis Oro(12) said.

Another huge role in the best athlete theme has got to be integrity. “If you have have principles and you’re always holding yourself accountable to them, then you will always have the same attitude,” Millenn Madsen (12) said.  “Morals are a big thing, too, because the experiences you see and learn in life are unforgettable even good or bad. Integrity shows a lot of character, and character is another huge part of being the best athlete,” Madsen said.

You have to live life the same way on and off the field. “Because if someone tries to call your bluff how are you gonna react? Are you gonna give up and let them win, or are you gonna get better, get up and beat them? It’s all about how you hold yourself, and what you tell yourself,” Madsen said.

“Believe in yourself. Have faith in your abilities. Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy,” Madsen said. Your mentality as an athlete is just as big as being physical. You can be strong & fast but if you’re doubting your abilities then there is something is holding you back from you full potential.

You have to have the whole package & more. If you’re constantly holding back and never test your full abilities, you may never know what your body can physically and mentally do.

When it comes to late night tournaments/game when you’re tired of playing and ready to go home, and all of the sudden your coach calls you off the bench expects you give your best, what are you going to do? It’s about how you react in every moment.

“When you don’t have any time to react, that’s when the reaction is the best because it’s the true-est”Fane Ma’afu (11) said. Another simple way to be a better athlete is to just grind. If you aint grinding, then do you really want to be better? There’s always gonna be someone better at something, but it’s more about how badly you want it. This is true not only in sports, but also in life.