For most students at Spartanburg High School, summer means beach trips, lake days and a couple of months of freedom before the new school year starts. However, for Viking athletes, this summer season required a different type of commitment. While most of the student body slept in and enjoyed their relaxing break, fall sport athletes were actively training on the field or in the weight room.
Almost every fall sport at SHS had some kind of training this summer, from football and volleyball to cross country and cheerleading. But it’s not just fall sports who are getting extra work in. Lacrosse, baseball and many other sports are bonding with teammates, in preparation for their seasons during the winter and spring.
The commitment of these athletes goes beyond physical training; it also involves balancing multiple responsibilities. Cross country runner Helen Colbath (12) shared her experience of squeezing in practices around her summer job, family vacations and other activities.
“Since my practice was in the morning, I was still able to work my babysitting job in the late morning till the afternoon, but it did take away from vacation time. If I were on vacation, I would keep up with running, but on my own time, so a lot of my vacations took place over weekends to minimize the number of days I’d be away from practice,” Colbath said.
The volleyball team also had a busy schedule over the summer. Mary Marshall Jordan (10) said that the team met frequently, alternating sessions between weight training and gym practices, which they found to be beneficial.
“I think practicing in the summer was beneficial for the team because we got more time to learn how different teammates react in quick situations. The connection between our team grew stronger over the summer since we would practice and go straight to weightlifting basically every day during the week. If we didn’t practice in the summer, we wouldn’t be where we are on skill level today,” Jordan said.
The consistent practice allowed teammates to understand each other’s reactions in various game situations, leading to a stronger bond and improved skill levels.
Even athletes participating in spring sports, such as the boys’ lacrosse team, use the summer months to improve their skills and build endurance. Tucker Cartwright (10) explained that the team met five days a week during the summer, often practicing in the heat while wearing all their gear.
“This summer, the team met early, five days a week, and then we had practice again later in the day. It was super-hot, and running around with all our gear made it even hotter. I think it was worth it because each person who went got better throughout the summer,” Cartwright said.
He believed this effort was beneficial because each player ended up improving over the summer.
Preparation for fall sports at SHS begins well before the start of the school year, with athletes putting in significant efforts as early as June. By the time the first game, match or race occurs, these athletes have already dedicated countless hours to training.
