Being a freshman at a new school can be scary and overwhelming. Especially finding ways to manage school and sports. This year talented and passionate freshmen tried out and made varsity level sports teams at South Lakes high school. We asked them to share their tryout experiences and what it’s like being on the team. This is what we gathered after interviewing Claire Pattee, a freshman on varsity cheer, Eisley Mullen, a freshman on varsity dance, and Nathan Talastas, a freshman on varsity volleyball.

Trying out for a team can be very stressful but these freshmen did it. When asked about the tryout experience Pattee says, “It was definitely a little scary since I didn’t know what to expect going into it.” This is a common fear that freshmen have. What should they expect? How can they be more prepared? Many high school sports teams have green days and clinics in the off season that anyone can attend. These offer great opportunities to get a head start before actually trying out.

Mullen admits that the scariest thing about tryouts was performing in front of the other dancers and judges. When asked about how the upperclassmen helped her feel more comfortable during this process she said, “they welcomed me the second I came in and they treated me like they knew me.” This is a valuable trait on any team, especially towards new members to make them feel at home and included from the beginning.

Once freshmen try out once, they know what to expect and can give advice to others trying out in the future. When asked about this, Talastas says to not take anything “too seriously.” Sometimes when athletes are so invested in their sport they forget that the purpose of it is to have fun and build new relationships that can last a lifetime. These freshmen have shown determination, courage, and resilience, and we can’t wait to see where it takes them in the future!