In the U.S., sports are a very large part of the high school experience and have many benefits that come with them.

Playing high school sports has been proven to have many mental and physical benefits for student athletes.

“[Sports] build character, and you develop a lot of skills that you take into the real world with you that will benefit you there,” said Junior Bobby Gray, captain of the boys’ cross country team.

High school sports help students develop leadership and time management skills by putting them in a team environment and making the students figure out how to fit sports into their already busy schedules. These skills are sought after by companies and colleges and can help students when getting jobs.

Alongside developing these qualities, high school sports also help students stay active and healthy.

“I’m definitely more physically fit,” said Freshman Cyrus Warner.

“It helps you stay fit and healthy,” said Gray.

According to the World Health Organization, by staying active and playing sports, students build good habits and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and many more.

High school sports also build community and friendship among players of the same team.

“The best part, I’d say, is being part of a team and being able to make connections and friends,” said Freshman Jack LeBlanc.

By putting students in a team environment where they spend countless hours training and playing together, many students build long-lasting friendships with one another that they may not have built otherwise.

Finally, high school sports give students many opportunities to get into colleges and continue playing their sport at a higher level.

“You could keep doing it for the rest of your life,” said Gray.

High school sports allow students to get scholarships to colleges for their specific sport, where some of them are able to make a career out of sports by becoming coaches or even by becoming professional athletes.