Elizabeth Yasui – Girls’ Basketball

Hard work is the backbone of any athlete’s success, but for many, routines serve as their secret weapon—a personal ritual that brings a sense of control and confidence before stepping onto the field. For senior varsity basketball player Elizabeth Yasui, these traditions not only prepare her mentally but also bring an extra dose of luck.

“Before a game, I put my right sock on before my left sock and my right shoe before my left shoe,” Yasui said.

This ritual gives Yasui a calming and steady routine that helps her focus and feel ready to play.

“Before and after every game we do a ‘Warriors on Four ‘ rather than a ‘Warriors on Three,’ Yasui said. This superstition goes beyond a simple cheer—it becomes a shared tradition that binds the players together.

Sonya Sotnikova, Winter Guard

Similarly, junior Winter Guard member Sonya Sotnikova embraces her team’s good luck routines to stay centered and confident before a performance. “Whenever we’re walking on the field, we always double tap the 10-yard line with our right foot as a good luck thing,” Sotnikova said.

This simple act provides a moment to mentally reset. Winter Guard also has a chant specialized to the team’s routines.

“Our team chant is ‘spin together and win together,’” Sotnikova said. The chant highlights the Winter Guard’s unity. Additionally, the close-knit team has many unique traditions.

“We have a lucky plushy dinosaur that someone brings to every award ceremony—it’s helped us win first place awards,” Sontikova said. This team tradition started when the team began to win several competitions with the lucky plush dinosaur.

Paisley Koh, Girls’ Water Polo

Turning to the water, junior varsity water polo player Paisley Koh reveals how she prepares for her matches. Her pre-game rituals help her stay calm, focused and ready to dive into action. Koh swears by a single lucky skincare item, a small yet meaningful part of her routine that she believes keeps her focused.

“I always need Aquaphor, especially during the winter season when everything is dry and the chlorine just wrecks my skin,” Koh said.

Her trusty Aquaphor is a comforting constant that grounds her in the chaotic and high-pressure world of competitive swimming. Being on the water polo team has taught Koh many lessons about perseverance, teamwork and managing pressure.

Koh notes that commitment and flexibility are needed to be successful in water polo. Resilience on both a physical and mental level is required to balance the demands of a land sport with the additional difficulty of swimming.

Isabella Anderson, Competitive Cheer

Nerves are a part of any game, but turning that nervous energy into excitement can make all the difference. For cheerleaders, building team spirit before taking the field is a crucial part of their routine. Senior Isabella Anderson, the captain of the varsity cheer team, shares how her squad channels their energy through pre-game traditions.

“We do individual partner stunts, then group partner stunts and everyone cheers each other on in what we call the stunt circle,” Anderson said.

This pre-game custom boosts morale and unites the team. Alongside the stunt groups, Anderson shares the importance of the power pose.

“After that, we do this thing called the power pose. It’s like a moment where we all feel unstoppable,” Anderson said. The power pose acts as a mental reset, providing a manageable way to transform nerves into determination. Varsity cheer’s traditions show how pre-game rituals can create a sense of mental readiness and belonging.

Keila Maginnis, Girls’ Wrestling

For junior wrestler Keila Maginnis, preparation goes beyond physical training—it is about finding focus and confidence before stepping onto the mat. For Maginnis, staying hydrated is a must for wrestling.

“Water. Staying hydrated is so important, especially during tournaments. It’s always in my bag,” Maginnis said.

For Maginnis, the simplicity of water as her must-have item underscores the importance of focusing on the essentials. While many athletes share overlapping habits like staying hydrated, each also brings their own personal touch to rituals that keep them physically ready and mentally focused before competition.

For these student-athletes, superstitions are more than quirky rituals—they are mental tools. Whether it is a chant, a favorite item or a small gesture, pre-game traditions reflect a universal truth: preparation is physical, mental and sometimes, just a little magical.