Student athletes plugged into music to help get them focused for the challenge ahead. 

Getting hype and ready on game days is important to athletes. For most, having the perfect pregame song is essential to get your adrenaline pumping and your head in the game. Every person has their own version of the song; maybe it’s hard rock or classical, maybe it’s the Jonas Brothers or Drake. 

Every sport and every players pump-up song is different. For junior Chloe St. Francis, a member of the varsity field hockey team, her go-to is throwback jams. 

“I prefer to listen to something that everyone can sing along with,” said St Francis. The field hockey team listens to some songs religiously before games such as “Mr Brightside” by The Killers and “Eenie Meenie” by Justin Bieber featuring Sean Kingston. “We play music with a speaker on the bus so everyone’s involved,” said St. Francis. 

Volleyball is a very much a mental game, so being in the right state of mind is important. Junior Grace Palmer, a member of the varsity volleyball team, listens to ‘hype rap.’ The team also listens to an inspirational speech to get them motivated to win. 

“We don’t really have a pregame playlist, we just let people search songs that they want to play,” said Palmer. 

Football is a physical game and it is important to stay focused. Junior Alexander Bates, who plays for the varsity football team isn’t as picky. “I listen to a pretty wide range of music,” said Bates. “Whatever is new and gets me in a good mood to play is usually what I’ll put on.” Before the Battle of Sterling, Bates got ready by plugging into Young Thug’s new album, So Much Fun. 

Cross Country is a grueling sport that requires a lot of focus. Junior Kaitlyn Olia plugs into old Taylor Swift before she laces up. “It gets me going and puts me in a good mood,” said Olia. 

Some people don’t  listen to music before games, such as junior Abigail Bates. “I don’t usually listen to music before meets because I nap on the way there,” said Bates. The cross country team rounds out their meet days by jamming out together on a speaker on the bus ride back.