Cynthia Wang (I) [Volleyball] – Tandem Elbow Pads: “My [favorite] item would be my white Tandem volleyball elbow pads, or Tandems. As a defensive [player], I often need to essentially throw myself on the floor to keep the ball in play. […] Both my Tandems and my knee pads are what make me feel safe and protected on the court, which allows me to confidently dive and run for the ball without needing to worry about my physical safety or comfort. Personally, they represent for me a transition in both skill level and mentality and have become a symbol of my love for sport.”

Vanessa Vu (I) [Tennis] – Lucky Water Bottle: “I drink out of the same water bottle at every tennis tournament, and mine is special to me because it carries a random shark sticker with a scary smile on it. Coach Marton, who has been my private instructor since I was eight years old, stuck it onto my purple bottle one day at practice a few years ago and told me, ‘This is your game face — you should look just like this shark every time you play.’ It was a silly interaction, but every time I see the grin on that shark, I think back to all of the times he has told me to stay aggressive and hard-working. It not only serves as a reminder of the attitude I need to have while competing but also as a reminder that I’ve been carried by so much support from all of my coaches and peers over the years — something that I will never lose.”

Michael Tran (I) [Basketball] – Nike Sabrina 2: “These are Nike Sabrina 2 Basketball Shoes. They are my favorite basketball shoes, and the traction is amazing on them. They [are] actually a women’s shoe, so I have to buy them one-and-[a]-half sizes up. I think I wore them pretty much every game this season.”

James Sullivan (I) [Hockey] – Hockey Stick: “One piece of equipment that is really important to me is my hockey stick. It has a specific curve and flex that I’ve gotten used to, helping me control the puck and shoot hard as I play. As someone who is very superstitious, I have had the same Pro Blackout stick for the past few years, making sure I have the same tape setup each time because I feel like it helps me play better and stay confident.”

Emma Sullivan (I) [Cheer] – Senior Bow: “Every year, seniors on the Boston Latin School cheer team are gifted a ‘senior bow’ at senior night, which is a special bow designed for those seniors given by the lower grades. It is special because it represents the accomplishments and hard work [we] have put into the team and the team’s appreciation for [us]. It is also special because they look different every year, and so senior[s] [each year] get a unique bow. [It] shows the team’s bond and how seniors will be a part of that bond even after they graduate. A bow is a center symbol of cheerleading because it connects sideline cheer with competition, and [it] highlights the importance of team spirit, working hard and uplifting others.”

Toby Damon (I) [Soccer] – Nike Phantom Cleats: “My cleats are definitely the most important piece of equipment for me. I usually like to go with Nike Phantoms, and I’ve worn that model for about three years now. Cleats are definitely an investment, so I go in for the higher end ones because they last me about five to six months each. I usually get new ones for games when my old ones start to wear out, and I rotate between old and new for training. For me, when I put my cleats on every afternoon, I am immediately transported to a place of comfort and familiarity, but I also feel much sharper and more focused than at any other point throughout the day.”