Of the multiple sports team here at FHN, no matter how different they all share something in common: bus rides to away games. This is a time for teams to come together and prepare for the game ahead. Every team has their own unique way of how to prepare for games, whether it means focusing or bonding, it brings the team together.

FOOTBALL

Silence fills the bus; tension can be felt throughout the air. Blasts of music from the earphones of an iPod can be heard though out the bus. The mood: serious and focused.

“Usually we play better when we are focused on the game. When we are not focused on the game, we don’t play as well,” sophomore Alex Heigl said.

The players must be focused on the mental make-up of the game. They are expected to know what to do in any given situation when it presents itself. According to coach Jeff Sargent if the players are joking in the pre-game, they will be joking during the game.

“The main thing I expect is for them to prepare mentally for the game, whether it is listening to music, or talking about the game,” coach Jeff Sargent said.

These bus rides create a sense of unity within the team, that the players feel, is key to success; along with working together, and creating a winning team. In the minds of all the players and coaches concentration is key.

“Bus rides are just a good way of getting everyone focused and on the same page,” senior Andri Kruger said.

TENNIS

Scattered though out the bus, sitting one to a seat, is the Varsity girls Tennis team. Whether it is sleeping, lying across the seats, listening to music, or just talking across the aisle; the atmosphere on the bus is anything but serious.

“We are really goofy and never serious, unless we are playing,” junior Jasmine Wahlbrink said.

Each game, a player is assigned to bring snacks or drinks for the game and for the bus ride, whether it is home or away. This is just one more thing that brings the team together. The dynamics of this team are very strong; they always support one another and cheer each other on.

“We all work really well together and we bond easily,” junior Jackie Jorel said. “We know when to work hard and when to have fun.”

Bus rides are a key part of the team’s pre-game strategy. Even if the atmosphere is not completely serious, each player is thinking about the game in the back of their mind. Creating a positive atmosphere puts the players in a good mood before they play.

“We play better when we are in a good mood because we don’t get as frustrated as much when we play,” Wahlbrink said.

When compared, the Tennis players feel that they have a strong advantage over the football players when it comes to bus rides.

“Tennis bus rides affect the team better because we become calm before we go to play, we bond better as well because we get to know each other with each of our conversations,” senior Alyssa Miller said. “We can help one another before the match starts with advice on how to play better.”