Sports are more than fun and games

Sports are a central part of life at Faith Christian High School.

Even though it is such a small school, involvement in sports is very high. Everyone who wants to be on a sports team is accepted. However, the wide range of playing levels doesn't inhibit the quality teams as much as you might expect.

Last year, the volleyball teams were co-champions in the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League small-school division, and two years ago, both the girls and boys soccer teams took co-championships as well.

Players of fall sports (volleyball, boys soccer and cross country) spend the summer conditioning. Intense practice filled with drills and workouts to sharpen skills begin the week before school and continue throughout the season. The standard of playing is set fairly high, and teams work very hard to reach it. By the time the first game rolls around, the team is ready to take on the competition.

But that does not necessarily mean that everyone is a star. The more inexperienced players still serve bench time.

Players like Sarah Hall, who was chosen by SMAL for first team all-league for soccer two years ago, really add a lot to the teams. The more experienced players are encouraged to step up and mentor the less experienced members of the team. Not only does this make the coach's job a little easier, it also gives the students a chance to look to each other for examples and compels the whole team to persistently do its best.

Another important and unique aspect of our sports is the traditional prayer before games. Partially, this gives encouragement. It helps remind us that God is with us and his opinion of us does not change whether we win or lose. But it also helps to put our minds back in the perspective that we are playing for God. We give it our best because we want to play for him and bring him glory.

Even though most students involved in sports will not go on to play professional or even college sports, the high involvement in daily practices helps keep the student body healthy. Players exercise two to three hours every day in practices and games, sometimes more if they are also involved in P.E. classes. This pattern of daily exercise makes it easier to continue exercising into adulthood and helps prevent diseases such as Type-2 diabetes.

Sports are an important part of our school's social life. Students bond as teammates, and others attend games, especially during basketball season, to watch and encourage their friends. Many times, morning classes will begin with a discussion of the previous day's games, involving the teachers as well as the students.

But most of all, the sports are just a great way to have fun together.

Katherine McLain is a senior at Faith Christian High School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.