This is not about the quarterback throwing the game winning touchdown.

This is not about the star basketball player hitting the shot at the buzzer.

This isn’t the homerun in the bottom of the ninth.

This is the story of the benchwarmer, and how sports changed her life.

I was the one straggler who always finished last in miles in P.E. class. Honestly, I still am.? I have never liked sports, running, and can barely climb all the way to the third floor for my class on time; until I discovered lacrosse.? It all started in 6th grade, when my cousin who’s two years older, baited me with a piece of chocolate to practice lacrosse with her.? It only took a small snickers bar to get me to do it, but I’m glad I did.? Now, three years later as a sophomore, I play on varsity with her and my love for the sport has only grown each year. ?

Since joining this team, lacrosse has made me live a more stress-free and energetic lifestyle.? I’ve learned the value in teamwork and love how everyone contributes to the game in their own way.? Even from the sidelines, you can hear your teammates cheer you on in games.? We are always building each other up, whether it’s a supportive comment, or high-five of your sticks, or team bonding at in-n-out. ?

Personal experience aside, many experts such as one article from the New York Times, states, “people who played high school sports tend to get better jobs, with better pay, and that those benefits last a lifetime.” ?So even if you’re the least athletic of your friends and you never think you would ever make a goal; just go for it.? If you find a sport that you love, hard work and passion can overcome anything. Don’t be discouraged even if your friends and parents are the ones standing in the way.? You can prove them wrong. ?

You might not be the one the coach calls on to hit that game-winning shot, or throw the winning touchdown, or get the hit your team needed. But the skills you gain from competing in high school sports are the ones that your coach down the road -- your boss, your CEO, your supervisor -- will value the most.

So go to practice. Do your best. Ride the bench.

You’ll thank yourself later.

<Nicole Kim, la canada HS, 10th Grade>