Now is the time

Athlete diary

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

The time to prove that you are not scared to take on any challenge. To prove that you are a true team that will be remembered. But what is it going to take?

Intensity and sacrifice are two factors that lead up to the success of a team. It is the bottom of the ninth and you are down by one run, what is it going to take to win?

You're up by one goal and the pressure is on, what is it going to take to win?

Intensity. Intensity is the one thing that each and every player needs to bring to the field to be successful.

Intensity is one of the reasons why we even watch sports in the first place. We get pleasure out of watching opposing players get knocked down and make game-winning plays. Yet, in order for us to receive this pleasure, the players must play at the top of their game. There is no slacking or depending on your other teammates to do all the work. It is and always will be a team effort.

One thing for sure is that intensity is contagious. If the team is falling apart, it only takes one to be a leader, step up and change the entire outlook on the game.

During a recently played game, fellow teammate, Lauren Schumacher, was the one that took that step. Our team was struggling and we needed that extra boost to get us going. Schumacher went one-on-one with the goalie and tallied up a point on our scoreboard. The fans went crazy and, from that moment on, we came out stronger than before and you could tell we wanted to win. We fought for every ball. We were there for each other every time.

There are two kinds of players. We have good players and we have great players.

Good players simply have the skill and the motivation, but they may not always have that instinct to go out onto the field and go crazy. Great players have the skill, the intensity and the heart. They will go out on game day and put everything they have into that game. They will not walk away until what they wanted done was accomplished. No regrets. They will do whatever it takes to win. They will even sacrifice themselves.

Sacrifice is a crucial factor in a game. The more you are willing to do for your teammates, the more successful you are going to be.

This week, we have our first playoff game and with the combination of intensity and sacrifice, we will be successful.

Intensity and sacrifice is what it takes to win.

Lauren Bartley

Editor's Note: Patuxent's Class 2A South quarterfinal contest with Hammond was scheduled for Thursday evening, too late for inclusion into this edition.