As the temperature begins to rise, the spring sports make their way back around for the next season. Each sport has their own rules, players, and practices that make them unique. The four sports that are highlighted are baseball, softball, soccer, and track.
These sports require tedious, difficult training to be able to stay in shape for the season. Although conditioning is a great way to achieve this, preparing in the off-season will allow an individual to play the sport most effectively.
Soccer
Senior Leila Ibrahim is currently about to begin her last season of girls soccer for THS. “I ran cross country in the fall and now go to the gym regularly to prepare myself for soccer,” Ibrahim said. This helps her stay in shape due to all of the running that is done during soccer season. She also mentioned that when the team has a bad play, they have to run hills.
Not only do these sports come with intense training, they also can bring new friendships. “Soccer helps my social life because there are so many groups of people involved. We are all friends even though we are in different friend groups at school,” Ibrahim said. Connections are made between each individual because they go through the same training and games.
Baseball
Senior Jake Howard has been a dedicated baseball player for 13 years. “Baseball has helped me make friends and connections; it has also taught me more about myself,” stated Howard. Baseball is a very difficult sport to play and requires much effort. Senior Camden Nidiffer thinks that baseball has the highest level of difficulty and athletes who play other sports could just easily play baseball. 
Nidiffer also believes that the fans from the other team help him play better. They get him more excited to beat the rival team.
Softball
Three-sport athlete junior Harper Lovelace has played softball for eight years. “I have had a bat in my hand since I could walk,” Lovelace stated. She feels that playing this sport is a privilege, but also can be very tough. Lovelace believes that this sport can be more mentally challenging than anything. Since the team has a new coach, as well as graduated four senior players from the previous year, softball has definitely changed for Lovelace.
Track
Junior Summer Flores runs track and field at THS and is very passionate about it. Since she started three years ago, her perspective has shifted in a positive direction. “I now know that [track] is something that I want to do at a collegiate level,” said Flores. She has been able to make connections with college coaches at her track meets, along with making new friends from different schools.
Scrimmages start next week and regular season schedules for all sports can be found on the Piedmont District website.
