According to University of Miami News, athletic superstition can be described as a belief or practice that if done or not done by an athlete, will lead to a negative or positive performance in the game. From professional athletes to high school athletes, every athlete has their own superstition. Some may be a meal, and some may be an object, but it is not about what the superstition is, it’s about why you do it.  

At Bel Air High School alone, athletes from all different sports have superstitions of their own. When asked about superstitions, BAHS athletes were eager to tell their stories.  Girls’ Varsity Volleyball player Emma Duvall says she drinks a Peach Vibes Celsius before every game.  “It helps me feel energized and help calm my nerves down,” she explained. Similarly, varsity football player Evan Freeny  says he eats grits before every game. “…One day when I was a kid my Uncle Gary told me to do it before every game. He said it helped him become stronger and have a better game, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” 

Not everyone has a pre-game food ritual. Girls’ soccer player Reece Gessley says she wears the same lucky hair tie in her hair every game. “I use the same hair tie every soccer game because I’ve always used it since high school soccer started and there was once when I didn’t use it and I played badly.” Gessley noticed a difference when she had a change in routine. ” I’m not quite sure what it is, but without it I don’t feel complete.” 

Superstitions are a big part of an athlete’s life. Here at Bel Air High School superstitions are an unspoken bond between athletes and their sports.