Pleasure overrides potential risk
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Hearts pound and minds race; the players stand tensely in ready position waiting for the kickoff. As the whistle blows they charge forward, sprinting for the ball.
Whitney Stipe, '08, plays in the California Odyssey soccer league; her coach is her oldest brother, who got her onto the team.
Stipe enjoys soccer and its thrills.
"You have to run a lot in soccer," Stipe said. "You also have to be willing to do anything that is needed for your team."
Stipe plays at the forward position and likes the competitive feel of the game and the adrenaline rush it provides.
She has been playing soccer for seven years. Stipe started soccer in first grade because her friend convinced her it was a good sport to play.
"My favorite soccer moment was when I made my first goal," Stipe said. "That is also my inspiration to keep playing."
Not all student activities take place on a field.
Angela Costanzo, '08, has been barrel racing for three years. She started horseback riding in sixth grade.
"I was inspired to ride by my best friend's mom," Costanzo said. "She knows a lot about horses and riding, so she helped me get started."
As in any sport, there are accidents; Costanzo was hurt when she hit her leg on a fence while she was riding.
When she is not competing she is at her friend's house, riding their horses.
Joey Logan, '07, plays golf in his spare time. His grandfather, who taught him everything he knows about the game, first inspired him to play. Logan seizes every chance he gets to drive golf balls on the green with his grandfather.
"My grandfather is like a pro at golf," Logan said. "He is really good. "
As he grew, he found a new inspiration, Tiger Woods.
"I am one of the lucky people," Logan said. "I have not gotten hit by anything or hurt anyone, yet.
