16 hours. That’s how long I spend every week at swimming.
What all could be done with those 16 hours? I could get two full nights of
sleep, drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico, or fly half way across the world in that
time. It makes me wonder, are high school sports getting to be too much of a
commitment?
Everyday right after school, I head over to the pool deck to
do my homework until 4:20. At exactly 4:30 practice begins with a dry land
workout (running, abs, etc.) and right at 5:00 we are expected to be in the
water ready for the warm-up. Practice then runs until 7:00 and when I finally
get home around 7:30 not only am I exhausted, but I’m hungry and usually have
mounds of homework to finish.
Why do I put myself through this? I thought high school
sports were about having fun and making everyone feel involved but it seems
that fun and involvement are some of the last things on coach’s minds these
days. Take Labor Day for an example, what was once a day for barbecues and
family time suddenly has become what coaches see as a free day to have a three
hour practice. That just doesn’t seem fair to me.
As a junior, I want to be able to attend every football game
I can. However, when you are just getting out of the pool as the game starts,
it’s difficult to attend. I can understand the need for a daily practice, but
should I not be allowed to have plans because I’m at practice all the time? I
don’t think so. Especially for someone like me, I know I won’t be swimming in
college, so why am I doing the exact same thing as the girls who are? I want to
have fun time with my friends, and not be up until 2a.m. doing homework.
This isn’t just swimming, I know many people in other sports
that have just as much practice. High school sports are getting out of hand.
Students should be able to have a life outside of sports and have fun as well
as feel included with the sports that they choose to do.
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