Getting To Know The Lynn Fighting Knights

“What is your pre-game ritual?”

Countless hours of practice, early morning workouts, dedication and focus play a crucial role in the success and performance of an athlete. When all the preparation and practice is done, it is time for competition – the moment every athlete works for. 

iPulse asked Lynn athletes about their pre-game rituals to prepare them for the intensity of competitions. This is what they had to say:  

“Before walking to the blocks, I need one of my closest friends on the team to help me put my cap on. After that I get a hug from both of my coaches, which will be my last interaction with anyone. Then, I put my headphones on and listen to one of the hits from Queen. Once on the block, I remind myself of what one of my best coaches ever said: ‘If you want to be successful, you’ve got to be willing to give up sleep, because if you sleep you might miss the opportunity to be successful,’” said Samar Khacha, junior. 

“Before every match with my Lynn team, we have a team ritual. We all get together, including coach, and say our pre-game phrases. Also, it is very often a ritual for me to change the grip on my racket prior to a match,” said Eliska Petrackova, junior.

“I usually listen to certain music that helps me get the right tempo for my swing when warming up for a tournament, which also puts me in the right mindset. I also always do a special warm-up for my body to prepare and minimize the risk of injuries as I have had a back injury before,” said Matilda Wahren, senior.

“Before a game, my ritual normally starts as soon as I wake up. When I wake up, I go to team breakfast and head to the locker room where I listen to music for a little bit. After that, I go on the field and warm-up on my own and throw around just to get used to my stick before the game. Right after I feel loose, I go back in to clean my cleats. It allows me to focus on the game ahead and remind myself that I have been playing this game for so long,” said Xander Cosenza, junior.

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