No rest for the weary athletes
Ian Johnson, Sports Editor
Photo courtesy of Robbie Gawrys
While most North Greenville University students went home for fall break, many athletes played games during the break. Four teams played games over the weekend, including football, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. With no classes on Thursday and Friday, the players had an adjusted schedule alongside added free time.
For the men’s soccer team, many of the players stayed on campus due to daily training.
“We did not have a choice,” said Chase Fandel, freshman midfielder. “We got told to stay because we have training every single day.”
The team practiced on Thursday and Friday before playing a game on Saturday. With no classes, players had more free time.
“I’m probably going to hit golf with Chase [Fandel] and probably just hang out with the boys and play [Rainbow Six Siege],” said Cohen Brinkley, freshman goalkeeper.
Though there were no classes, not everyone was able to avoid academics.
“My plans are to hang out with friends. I definitely got to lock in on homework,” said Joshua Maldanado, freshman defender.
Senior forward Brennen Lamont talked about how he planned on working with the extra time.
With the dining hall being closed from Thursday to Saturday, the players had to find their own meals throughout the break. While some players decided to eat at local restaurants, others had interesting responses to the dining hall being closed.
“I’m going to mooch off of Asher [Wilson, freshman forward], because he lives not too far away,” said Maldonado.
The men’s soccer team finished the weekend with a 1-1 draw against Converse University.
The football team also stayed on campus during fall break as they had an away game vs. UNC Pembroke. During away games, the football team only takes around 60 players who are on the traveling roster. For the players not traveling, they had the choice to go home for break.
The schedule for the football team was adjusting for the week. With no classes, many of the practices and workouts for the players were moved earlier in the day.
“At 8 a.m. we got rehab, and then [at] 10 we got lifts, and then we’ll have a walk around the other day,” said Sam Washam, senior wide receiver.
For Washam, the extra time gives him a chance to catch up on schoolwork and get some extra rest before the game on Saturday. As the dining hall was closed, the team was provided with food on Thursday.
“[I’ll] probably play the game , watch football, Thursday,” said Washam.
Since it was an away game, the football team didn’t get as much of a break as they spent Friday on the road. The added rest helped as the team continued its undefeated season, defeating UNC Pembroke 42-41.
While many people want to play sports in college, this is one of the aspects that isn’t considered an athlete. For most students, fall break gave them a chance to relax before continuing the semester. For the athletes, fall break was less of a break and more of a sports-focused weekend.
