Sports are a major component in nearly everyone’s life. Some people like to play sports, finding their passions on the field or the court and building upon it with hard work and dedication each practice. Others like to watch sports, whether it be football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer or even something lowkey like golf or bowling.

There is no greater buzz than watching your favorite basketball team win the NBA championship, or scoring the game-securing touchdown in a football game. However, sports don’t just teach us how to play a game. They can also play a large part in making us who we are as people. Although it may not seem like it from face value, there are many life lessons to be found in the world of sports.

“Yes, they [sports] definitely have taught me that hard work pays off,” said senior John Becker, who recently finished his season on the Ames High boys golf team. “And have also taught me discipline.”

Sports, while they may be filled with opportunities to teach powerful life skills, are also packed with memories that stick with people for much of their lives. Early points of enjoyment are some of the best sparks of passion when it comes to sports.

“My favorite memory was when my baseball team, called the Bears, won the championship,” said junior Leo White, who still plays baseball to this day. “We all went and celebrated after that and it was all with my friends, so I would say I enjoyed this.”

A sense of competitiveness is often fueled by sports. Human desire to win is heightened significantly when we experience the rush of sports, and it can influence our outlook on winning.

“I get pretty competitive,” said senior Tristan Angus, whose final varsity Ames High football season finished off not long ago. “I want to win no matter what it takes. I hate losing knowing that I can win at anything I do.”

Above all, the thing that says the most about us regarding sports is why they appeal to us. The love for the game can’t start without appeal. There’s a sport for all of us, because each of them play to different appeals. The appeals can lie in all sports, as well, not just one in particular.

“I would say the main goal of sports would be to see how competitive a person could be,” said junior Sam Thach, who is about to start a new sport which he thinks he will like, “or how good sportsmanship everyone will have, and [to] respect each other at the end of the day.”