While many students are still fast asleep in their beds, several athletes are already hard at work, practicing before the sun even rises. For them, the day begins not with rest, but with discipline. 

   “I have a lot of early morning practices for cheer. I don’t really like morning practices because it’s really hard to do my best and go all out at 6 AM,” senior cheerleader Aubrey Owens said. 

  Though early mornings can be tough, some athletes find them more manageable than the afternoon practices.

   “I don’t really enjoy getting up early for Cross Country practice, but I think it’s better than going to afternoon practice most days. It is a lot cooler than the afternoon, and I don’t have to stay after school, I can just go straight home,” senior Cross Country runner Lydia Yates said. 

   Despite the early alarm, many athletes find that morning practices leave them with more energy for the day and a feeling of accomplishment.

   “There really aren’t that many challenges to waking up early. It seems bad at the moment, but once you get started, you don’t even feel tired anymore. And it is nice to start the day off feeling accomplished,” senior volleyball player Kamryn Hinnenkamp said.

   Getting up early not only helps give the feeling of accomplishment, but it can also help build a well-rounded athlete.

   “It is really hard when we have things at night till late, and then we have to get up at 5:30 to come to practice for an hour and a half before school. But it builds character and helps create a better athlete to be able to complete and practice early,” Owens said.