Crowds love it when scoreboards flash victory, but get quiet when the whistle blows after a loss. The moments of defeat are often forgotten; however, those moments are at times the most important.The audience will only acknowledge and speak about these athletes’ wins, even though it’s the losses that make them better. In sports like wrestling, football, track, and many more, losses are necessary for growth. Athletes step onto the mat, field, or track alone with pressure and responsibility of their own. They are faced with discipline and mental toughness which isn’t talked about enough. In the end, wins may earn applause, but losses create hunger within. How will they rise after they lose?
In sports, losses are not only common but necessary for success. Wrestlers step onto the mat alone, carrying the full weight and responsibility on their shoulders. Locked in every second because every second matters. Focused on their opponents hips and setting up a shot only to get taken down and pinned. Lying on the floor, counting the lights, it all happened so fast. That defeated feeling starts to become overwhelming. How does one learn and build from such a hard moment?Sophomore, Violette Salazar said, “I remind myself why I started and how much work I’ve already put in. Doubt happens, but it doesn’t mean I’m bad at it, confidence comes back through effort.”Her teammate sophomore, Karina Camera states, “I try to focus on what I did wrong in the match. I also tend to work on it in the room so I can fix those mistakes from that loss.” Having a strong body can only do so much for an athlete, but only a winner carries a strong mind.
Fans celebrate touchdowns and trophies while defeats are dismissed. The crowd goes silent when the athlete is in need of positivity. That moment when the loss settles in the world goes quiet and all the athlete hears are the thoughts in their head and a mad coach on the sidelines.
Football is a game built on pressure and unity, where every player carries responsibility but the game feels so personal when success isn’t there to be seen. Same as water polo, once the water takes over the athletes body, a fire sparks inside. Senior Dylan Porter speaks about how he builds from defeat when stepping off the field, “I think about what went wrong and what I can do to get better for next time. Instead of dwelling I usually go for it harder next time.” When the light fades and the crowd goes silent, the only thing that remains is hunger that is growing within. What sophomore, Isaac Cruz has to say, “I talk to my coaches and teammates, tell them what I’m dealing with, take their advice and move forward.” All athletes go through mental blocks but only the great ones find a way to push forward.
The love for running chases the track star every time their feet take a step onto the track. That feeling when crossing the finish line is a feeling that can’t be described, but that feeling when falling short is one that is far more remembered. Athlete, Aditya Parate says, “Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% on how you handle it.” In the end, there will always be an applause but when you’re standing on the track knowing it’s not for you it wakes something up inside. The actions that are taken to build is up to that individual.
