The cheers of the crowd often echo loudest during football and basketball games. However, beyond these popular games lie the sports that often go unnoticed. These hidden gems offer unique opportunities for student-athletes to develop skills that extend far beyond the playing field.
For students seeking an alternative to the mainstream, these overlooked sports can be a game-changer.
Golf is another underrated sport in high school.
“We do take quite a few long drives, so there are some meals along the way, and the girls tend to abuse me for Culver’s ice cream or other sorts of ice cream along the way. We make every season fun.” former girls golf coach, Alexander Lance said.
One such underrated sport is cross country, a test of endurance and mental fortitude. Cross country is often overshadowed by the roar of the football stadium or the squeak of basketball shoes. Unlike sports that rely heavily on specialized equipment or exclusive facilities, cross country requires little to no equipment. All you need is a pair of running shoes and the determination to push your limits.
This simplicity makes cross-country an inclusive environment where athletes from all backgrounds can participate and grow as individuals.
One of the most interesting aspects of cross-country is the mental toughness it requires. Unlike team sports, where individuals can ride a bench or stop to take a breather, cross country teaches you to push through the pain.
The sport teaches runners to also manage their pace and strategize effectively, skills that are helpful far beyond the finish line.
High school golf is another underrated sport in high school. However, matches are more than just a quiet afternoon on the course.
They’re a chance to witness skill, strategy, and sportsmanship in a peaceful setting. Unlike the roaring crowds of a football game, a golf match offers a more relaxed experience where you can observe athletes plan each shot, adapt to the course’s challenges, and stay strong under pressure.
“Certainly we don’t have many activities for golf on campus. We were doing some winter activities, so everything that happens on the golf team is off campus. And really the only people that know about it are the friends of the golfers. So I will say there were entire seasons where not one student that was not on the golf team would show up to support, so there was a lot of parent and community built that way, but it was always fun,” Lance said.
Attending golf matches also provides a refreshing break from the usual high school sports scene.
The serene environment of the golf course offers an escape, a chance to enjoy the outdoors, and appreciate the beauty of the landscape. It’s an opportunity to engage with a different kind of sporting event, one that values patience, focus, and respect for the game.
“The hardest part of golf is the millimeters of difference from hitting a shot that is good and has the shape that you want to hitting a shot that looks completely different and ending up in trouble. So it’s just how fine you have to be with your movements to produce the shape of the ball on the flight of the ball, that makes it addicting and very difficult,” Lance said.
One of the most compelling aspects of high school golf is the emphasis on individual responsibility and self-discipline. Unlike team sports, where players can rely on teammates, golfers must take ownership of their performance. They must learn to manage their emotions, stay focused, and make adjustments on the fly.
The sport teaches players the importance of honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. Golfers must adhere to a strict set of rules, call penalties on themselves, and treat their opponents with respect. These values are not only essential for success in golf but also for building strong character and becoming responsible members of society.
“I like all the practices together as a team and like all the bonding we get to do. We get food after tournaments and, like, hanging out as a team, like, bus rides, and, like, at practice,”s freshman on the girls golf team Emmi Morhman said.
These sports, often underestimated, provide invaluable experiences that can shape young athletes into well-rounded individuals, fostering resilience, discipline, and a lifelong love for physical activity.
