Walking around the hallways this winter, you may notice some seemingly sleepwalking students roaming around, or you might be sitting in first period and see a student taking a nap instead of taking their notes. It’s that time of the year when athletes set their alarms for 4 in the morning, and show up not so bright and bushy tailed to the gym.
Girls varsity swim practices every morning from 5:30am to 7:00 am, giving the girls just enough time to get a full workout in, shower, get dressed, fix their hair, and put on makeup before getting to their first class of the day.
This practice schedule may seem rigorous to some, but the results are rewarding for many. Mrs. Alguire, coach of the swim team says that, “Over the course of this season, every single girl has made massive time drops and reached new personal best times compared to the start of our season.”
So obviously the work the girls are putting in at the crack of dawn is paying off in the long run, but what about the work they do after practice ends?
Sophomore varsity swimmer sophomore Harlyn Everhart said, “Since I do a swimming club as well as our school’s team, sometimes I have two practices a day. Usually I wake up around 5:00, roll out of bed and pull on my swimsuit, and then grab something to shove in my mouth before I head out the door. Once I get done with practice, I’ll rinse off in the shower and get ready for class.”
Swim isn’t the only morning practice athletes are enduring though, as Doherty’s baseball team is also asking their athletes to come in before school starts. Their practices take place in the auxiliary gym at the same time as swim practice.
Sophomore baseball player Tyler Arther said, “Morning practices can definitely hurt sometimes, but it’s all worth it. I just don’t like waking up super early, but once I step into the gym I’m right where I want to be and get to do what I love.”
“Usually I just wake up, get ready, and then grab my bags and drive to school. One thing I do like though is how quiet the roads are that early. Really easy to drive and doesn’t take as long to get there without all the school traffic.”
Sometimes the school day is harder on days with these early practices.
“I mean, once you hit the water on your first dive in to warm up, you’re awake. It gets you up pretty quick and kind of sends a shock through your body, so I feel ready for class right after. I do get a little tired sometimes though, like when class gets boring or if I have to walk around and be active,” Harlyn said.
Tyler said, “Yeah, I’m pretty wiped after practice. I do my best to not fall asleep in class though because I don’t want to miss what we’re doing or get in trouble. I usually ask my friends if they have any energy drinks or coffee in first period that I can sip on, and that helps a little.”
Many teachers at Doherty are understanding of the athlete’s situations. Teachers will urge students to go to sleep earlier and get as much work done in class as possible for less homework later on.
Of course, after students get their four classes in for the day, they’ll head home and start their afternoon routine.
“After school ends I’ll grab my swim bag out of my locker and head to my car. I’ll stop at my house for a little bit to relax, get some food, maybe do some homework if I have any and then I leave for my club team practice. I have practice 6 days a week for PPA, and I usually leave around 4:50ish to get there at 5:20ish. Most of my practices go until around 7:00, so I get home kind of late some nights.” Harlyn said when asked about what she does after school.
“After I get home I usually eat dinner and then hop in the shower. After that I’m done for the day, it’s like I clock out and just relax,” she added.
Tyler explained how he makes it work.
“I’ll drive home or go wherever I need to if I have plans that day. Sometimes we’ll have baseball practice after school, so after a while I’ll head to the field or the gym. After practice I get home and finish my school stuff for the day, like finish up on homework. Then I get to chill and do my own thing for a while.”
Both athletes have very productive days during the school week, and put in their full effort to strive not only as an athlete, but a good student as well. Even when they don’t want to crawl out of bed in the morning, they still put their best effort in and show up.
