A New Challenge

     While most kids find the sport they want to commit to in grade school, some high school students are showing us that it is never too late to try something new. Many students looking for a new challenge are trying to learn a sport in high school.

     “I just wanted to try something new,” Freshman, Tagg Reynolds, said.

     Reynolds is playing JV boys soccer this season and took a big leap of faith into this new sport. 

     “I thought that soccer would be fun,” Reynolds added.

     But Reynolds isn’t the only one taking on a new sport. Senior Moira Benish-Kingsbury is beginning her first year of Cross Country this year. While she is only a few weeks in, she’s already seeing improvements in herself.

     “I wanted to get out there more and get healthier, and I thought that that would be the perfect way to do it,” Benish-Kingsbury said. 

     “I’ve gotten some new friends and I’m definitely a little bit more confident because I feel healthier already,” Benish-Kingsbury said. Benish-Kingsbury has tried to start her own running regimen but struggled to find the motivation and willpower to keep running.

     Having scheduled daily running practice and a supportive team is all that she needed to become a runner. 

     “I feel like this is the next step for me,” Benish-Kingsbury said. 

     Benish-Kingsbury isn’t the best runner out there, but for her, it doesn’t really matter right now. 

     “Even though I’m not super fast, I’ve come to terms that I’m just gonna work the hardest that I can.” 

     Beginners bettering themselves and working hard at their new sport is more than rewarding to all that helped push them, especially to the coaches. Assistant Mountain Biking Coach Kevin Miller has loved watching his new riders grow. He estimated that there are around 7 brand new riders from all grades.

     “Some students were puking at the first practice, but over time we saw them get stronger and build confidence,” Miller said. 

      Despite the rigorous first day of practice, all of the newbies came back to give it another go. 

     “Mountain biking is hard, mentally and physically, but it’s great to see them stick with it,” Miller said. 

      While coaching all different skill levels can be hard, the result is very rewarding. Seeing the teens that hadn’t touched a bike in years become accomplished riders is enlightening. 

      “It’s so inspiring to see them grow in the sport,” Miller said.

      Starting a new sport with little experience is scary, and definitely pushes students out of their comfort zone. But for most, they’ve found confidence and fitness within themselves that has helped them grow as a person. 

     “I’m so happy to be doing this,” Benish-Kingsbury said.