If you had told 10-year-old me that I would play three sports other than gymnastics in high school, I would’ve laughed in your face. If you wouldn’t typically consider yourself the sporty type, or if you’re wary about trying a sport you haven’t played before but are interested in giving it a try is something I strongly recommend. It isn’t always envisioned, but the opportunity to do so is something I’ve found to be unique and extremely special.

Throwing your hat in the ring of a new sport during your high school career gives far more than the physical ability to play the game or execute the skills – it’s a way to understand yourself and experience the athletic culture around you.

With 20 sports offered at our school, there are options when it comes to athletics. What I find most interesting is the range of cultures that come with each one. Every sport has its contrasting traditions, pre-game rituals and core values, offering something different wherever you go.

Exposure to these environments influences personal growth through lessons of dedication and discipline. However, with a sport comes teammates, regardless of whether it’s an individual competition or a group effort. The sense of togetherness is an aspect that I love about the sports I’ve been involved in.

When you’re spending every day after school with the same people, cooperation is inevitable. Playing with a team allows for shared experiences, and the camaraderie constructed provides strong social networks, according to International Sports Management (ISM).

For Sophia Brown (12), lacrosse was a welcoming community that gave her a sense of direction in high school.

“Lacrosse was one of the things in high school that really made me feel comfortable. If I hadn’t done lacrosse, I would have probably felt a bit lost. I think [having that community] was really important,” Brown said.

The transition between my high school gymnastics season last year and the lacrosse season was drastically different. I’ve been doing gymnastics for longer than I’ve been able to speak, but before spring, I had never touched a lacrosse stick in my life.

The beauty behind the experience was that I got to be a part of something bigger than myself, which wasn’t such a theme growing up in gymnastics. I had the privilege of laughing at my mistakes and seeing effort turn into progress game-to-game.

Benny Vayngart (12), who’s been playing volleyball throughout his high school career, has found lessons of diligence in the team atmosphere surrounding his practices. He describes his coaches as people who just want to see you improve.

“I’ve learned more from coaches than the actual sport itself, just about how to behave, or your mentality during the sport. And I think that can cross over to how you act or treat your work ethic,” Vayngart said.

Chris Curry, Assistant Athletic Director and English teacher, is the assistant girls’ volleyball and head boys’ volleyball coach. He strongly encourages athletic and extracurricular involvement. With years of experience under his belt, he’s seen it all – including athletes with no prior experience becoming varsity players.

“I think what’s great about any athlete’s progress, but especially someone who didn’t think this was their sport, they’d never played it before, is it’s not just about that sport,” Curry said.

Curry believes that stepping out of your comfort zone influences you to be more inclined to try something new later in life, and that the skill isn’t restricted to that sport. Being uncomfortable for the sake of getting better at something teaches you that you don’t need to be the best to still put yourself out there.

“You’re learning that you’re capable of doing things that you didn’t think you were capable of. You’re getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, and that’s a life skill,” Curry said.

The skills I’ve acquired through new sports over the past year have had a significant impact on how I respond the situations life throws at me. I’m grateful to say that some of my favorite and most shaping memories are the ones I made doing them. Without the presence of playing and learning sports in my life, I would be nowhere near the same person I am today.

No matter your grade or athletic ability, trying a new sport will undoubtedly teach you something. Whether that’s having grit, work ethic or plain fun of the game, the experience provides meaningful takeaways to use at your own disposal. If you’re questioning it, take this as your sign to take advantage of the athletic opportunities around you.