Congrats to those with the courage to try

Not everyone has the ability to be an astronaut or a sports writer, just look at me. Everyone can’t be a ball player and everyone can’t always be on a winning team.

Last week hundreds of kids took to the fields and courts at the WCHS complex with the hopes of being one of the few to find a spot on one of the Pioneer or Lady Pioneer rosters.

First, we have to admire all of those who tried out, and offer congratulations to everyone who made the cut. Being part of your high school’s sports programs is a privilege and a honor and hopefully everyone who is a member of a WCHS athletic team will remember that.

You have worked hard all your young life to achieve status as a high school athlete. For the freshmen, all the hard work has just started as high school coaches will push you in order to get the best out of each and everyone of you.

It can be overwhelming making the jump from middle school to the high school, and then the added pressure of playing ball at the high school level adds even more pressure on your back.

It doesn’t matter what grade you’re entering, playing a high school sport can sometimes be more than you bargained for. Coaches demand more out of each player ‘ as they should ‘ pushing you at times to the point of giving up. Some kids think the coaches are pushing so hard that they’re trying to run them off, but that’s not the case at all.

They’re trying their best to make you a better athlete and want nothing more than to see each player achieve greatness. Just remember, you were one of the few who they kept on the roster, so they saw your ability from day one.

Coaches are putting stock in your ability, so now it’s up to you to learn and do everything you can to help your team become a winner.

A few kids look at being on a high school sports team more as a social club than anything else. And part of being a member of an athletic team is being able to be with your friends, making memories and in the process helping your team to a winning season.

If you were fortunate enough to make the team then work hard everyday at practice and take pride in what you’re doing.

I know there are several disappointed kids out there who went to tryouts and gave it their all, but for some reason or another didn’t make the cut this year. To you I say don’t give up.

Sure it’s disappointing if you didn’t make the team, but I can assure you this will be one of the least disappointing things you will encounter down life’s road.

The one true test of one’s character is to never give up, no matter how disappointed you are. If you always give your best then that’s all that really matters. There’s always next year and the year after that.

Sometimes you don’t come into your full potential as an athlete until later in life. Athletic maturity doesn’t catch up with everyone at the same age, so don’t feel bad about your performance.

Just continue to play whatever sport you enjoy and don’t worry about making the cut.