Is Winning Everything in High School Sports?

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November 30, 2024

(Source: Alex Le (II))

Yes, Winning is Everything in High School Sports.

By Simon Hay-Sutton (II)

Staff Writer

Winning isn’t just the score of your game on Senior Night; it’s a platform for life ahead.

The benefit of winning is clear: top athletes get recruited to colleges and earn athletic merit-based admissions and financial scholarships. Winning provides high school athletes with visibility amidst hundreds of other high school athletes. College coaches, scouts and recruiters notice players who demonstrate how they thrive under pressure and propel their teams to victory.

Winning is one aspect of this ability, a way to visualize these achievements and statistics. Girls’ varsity soccer captain Lily Murphy (I) explains, “My sport has given me the opportunity to continue my career in college in Division III. I will be playing for St. Lawrence University next year, who compete in the Liberty League.” The girls’ soccer team qualified for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association State Tournament. They made it to the round of 32 for the second year in a row, helping Murphy continue her athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.

But aside from college and the future beyond, what psychological benefits does winning impose? Winning isn’t just about accolades; it can impact an athlete’s mental state and development. Boys’ varsity soccer captain Markelos Papa (I) states, “Winning games certainly increases self-confidence, discipline and resilience. Especially after an extended period of winning games in a season, self-confidence might reach the sky.” This epitomizes how success fosters a sense of self-assurance that can extend to other areas of life, such as academics or relationships. Celebrating and fighting for every little win, whether a two-yard gain or a free throw, brings a team closer together in collaboration and camaraderie.

Another aspect of winning is an effect on social status. Often, success can elevate a student’s social standing within their school and around other communities. Athletes who are part of winning teams are frequently noticed by their peers and feel more visible in their community. Papa explains, “Everyone likes winning, so consequently, everyone likes those who win […] It is not fun telling people that you managed an ‘impressive’ two wins and 13 losses in a season, but on the other hand, saying that your team made states is a statement that you make with pride.” Winning comes with prestige and respect, as students even beyond the School recognize players’ reputations, which boosts their confidence.

Moreover, winning prepares students for college and a world of competition. In high-stakes environments, students who have experienced athletic success are more likely to remain composed and perform efficiently like they did in their high school games. Varsity football captain Augie Groh (I) states, “We live in a very competitive world […] People have the opportunity to compete for what they want and don’t have to let the circumstances they were given at birth control their future.” Sports often reward hard work and performance, preparing students for a world where effort and results directly lead to increased opportunities.

While some people argue that the process and learning are more important than actually winning, success is an integral part of the process because it provides benchmarks of athletes’ improvement.

In high school sports, winning is more than just the scoreboard; it is a stimulant for personal growth and opportunity, propelling student-athletes to be the best versions of themselves: confident, disciplined and hard-working individuals ready to face any challenge.

No, Winning is Not Everything in High School Sports.

By Joseph Day (II)

Contributing Writer

For high school student-athletes, playing sports is more than just the wins and losses: it is a unique and invaluable space for teenagers to develop not only as athletes, but as humans.

Whether it is a team sport or an individual event, athletics in schools allow students to socialize, have fun and be part of a bigger group working towards a common goal. The most valuable aspect of the game is the journey and the time spent working hard. The process, the sweat and the fight are what counts, not a win.

A season consists of countless bus rides and practices where athletes go every day to compete with one another and improve. Athletes suffer, succeed and fail together. Whatever the activity is, the team does it as one unit. At the end of the day, this is what high school sports are all about: a committed community of student-athletes who share similar interests and have fun together. James Sullivan (II), member of the Division II State Champion boys’ hockey team remarks, “Some of the most meaningful memories came from things like getting food before practice or listening to music in the locker room before games.” The bond between teammates is special and connects the athletes in their seasons more than winning a game can.

Although the feeling of winning a state championship is undeniably tremendous, it’s the idea of shared camaraderie that drives that victorious feeling. A key aspect of high school sports is the leadership skills that students develop. Every team has captains, but it takes more than just a few individuals to power the team. Leadership comes in many forms and it takes courage to speak up, give advice and point out directions. A true leader has to guide the team through both wins and losses, which can test athletes and hold them accountable.

Boston Latin School boys’ junior varsity soccer Head Coach Aaron Osowiecki comments, “When you step on the field, you immediately start working as a unit, and you can forget about everything else for a while.” As a forty-year soccer player and longtime coach, Mr. Osowiecki knows what it means to win and lose, but also what it means to just go out there and play, and how there are a lot of other factors involved. Sports allow for young people to develop relationships both with each other and with adults outside of the classroom, regardless of the game’s final score.

For many athletes, the field is a safe and welcoming place where they can take a step back from their busy lives and just have fun. Whatever level students are playing at, athletics provides a much-needed break from school, homework, clubs and other stressful aspects of their lives. Boys’ varsity basketball player and soccer captain Jadon Berkson (I) shares, “There is absolutely nothing that beats the environment of everyone giving their all for the team, which I think is something that is very specific to high school sports.” Sports offer athletes the ability to immerse themselves in what they love and get away from aspects of students’ lives that are clouded by omnipresent stress.

Many people grow up playing sports from a very young age, and for a lot of them, their careers culminate at the high school level. Such a massive part of their lives can end so abruptly on the field, but doing it with teamates, friends and classmates in as special an atmosphere as this makes it mean so much more.

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Is Winning Everything in High School Sports?

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