A team has one simple goal; to win and to perform to the best of their ability. When you have a whole group of people that have your back, the want and need to exceed your own expectations for them is fairly easy. In other instances, being your own cheerleader in a sport that doesn’t require the athleticism of other team members is quite difficult. In a team sport, you play along with your teammates to defeat the opposing team. In individual sports, it is a mental game against yourself. 

Playing alongside other teammates with different talents and strengths makes everything look clean and easy. What the spectators don’t see are the countless hours you put in with the team and what you did on your own time. But what makes all the hard work you put in worth it is the overwhelming support you get from the coaches, other players, and fans. There is a great beauty with being on a team; you have a guaranteed friend group, a huge support system and a personal connection with others as all teammates go through the same pain, sweat and tears. You show them the side that sports bring out in you and they are the very special few that get to witness it.  

Individual sports have some of the same aspects, but they are completely different. As I stated before, sports like track and cross country have one common enemy: yourself. The races are truly a mental battle; the voice in your head is fighting you with all its might. You are only worried about yourself and pushing yourself until you are uncomfortable.  One of similarities between the two sports is the support from other teammates and coaches. The support is really the only thing that can get you to the finish line. At the end of a race, all the feelings of pain, frustration, and fatigue come rushing back at you. The very slight breath of air you get is if you beat your own personal goal and all the hard work you put in has paid off. 

As I was writing this article, I had a few very different points of views that in the end weren’t going anywhere. I participate in both team and individual sports at the same time and I couldn’t decide on which side I wanted to take and support. For me, I think that each type contributes to the overall growth and development of the athlete. It is important to be versatile, especially when it comes to having new obstacles thrown at you. A good athlete and student knows how to adapt and overcome.