Sports at Park are more than just competition—they’re the heart of school spirit and excitement. Certain events stand out more to some than others, whether it’s the energy from the fans or the memorable plays on the field, court or rink. A question that many people ask is, “What makes some sports stand out more than others?”
Sophomore Erin Eichten said she enjoys cross country meets because of the familiarity and lively energy among the team members and parents. She said the atmosphere is unique compared to other sports, making attending fun.
“My favorite sporting event would have to be cross country because the energy from everyone is top-tier and everyone is just happy to be there,” Eichten said. “There’s something special about the sport, whether that’s the support system or the team relationship.”
Kayla Ross, a health teacher, said she finds herself popping out to the girls and boys basketball games the most because it’s fun to see the players’ talent this season. She said it’s exciting to see her students in a different nature than in the classroom.
“I love going to the basketball games since it’s fun to watch the athletic ability of the teams this year,” Ross said. “It’s fun to see and support my students and see them in a different environment than during school.”
Junior Renee Dominguez said she enjoys football games, highlighting the energy of the student section and the large crowd that makes the experience enjoyable.
“The football games are something I look forward to when school starts,” Dominguez said. “It’s fun because everyone goes to the games and the student section is always doing chants.”
Eichten said she encourages everyone to attend cross country meets more because it’s a cool event to watch. She said despite the competition, there is a sense of camaraderie among teams and runners.
“We usually have a very low student section, so I would encourage more students to come to the meets, especially the conference (meet) because it’s a closer meet and the energy is always so high,” Eichten said. “What’s so special about the sport is the way they are there for personal development, so they can cheer on other people and teams and the sportsmanship is always there.”
Dominguez said football games are a social event where the entire community comes together to support the team and enjoy a sense of unity. She said she finds excitement in planning game day outfits and seeing students of all ages join in the spirited fun.
“The fact that even middle schoolers come out to the football games shows how fun the games are,” Dominguez said. “I like planning on what I’m going to wear to the game with friends and seeing everyone from school at the games yelling chants and just supporting the team with a side of socializing.”
Ross said more people should show up to all sporting events because it’s a great way to be involved in the community and motivate players to perform their best. She said it is important to encourage a balanced enthusiasm and support for boys and girls sports.
“More people should show up to any of the sports at our school because when you are a part of this community, it’s important to go out and show support for others,” Ross said. “It’s important to show support for both girls and boys’ teams since sometimes it can be imbalanced. In general, basketball games are always so energetic, and seeing them do their sport is so cool to watch.”
