Every time cross country athletes go on the track or course, they have superstitions that they go by to make sure they can have a successful race.
Chloe Wiese puts on makeup and does her hair every time before the meet. She says, “Looking good makes me feel better, and when I feel better, I do better. When you look good, you think you’ll automatically think you’re unstoppable, and feel like you can go race and do whatever.” When Wiese doesn’t do her hair or makeup, she doesn’t feel ready. She says, “I usually don’t do as well when my hair and makeup aren’t done because it means I don’t have motivation or confidence.”
Elliot’s Batz’s superstition is that he wears a headband for all his races. Batz’s superstition doesn’t really affect how he races, but just reminds him and gives him appreciation for his friends and family supporting him. Elliot says, “I’ve never really believed that superstitions have anything to do with how people race, so doing it wouldn’t really affect me. I just do it to show my appreciation to people showing me support.” It just shows him how many people he has in his corner.
A lot of athletes always have a reason for why or how their superstition started. Chloe Wiese says, “My superstitions come from Ameile Heine and Ulana Richey a little bit because they always had their hair and makeup done, and they always did pretty well.” Chloe says this, saying that she looks up to them and thinks that it’s important for her. Elliot Batz says that his superstition comes from his mother, and says how he means a lot to her, stating, “The superstition means more about me giving thanks to my mom for all the support she has given me throughout the year.” Batz wears his headband to honor his mom by wearing his headband.
In conclusion, the superstitions of student athletes, like Chloe Wiese and Elliot Batz, help play a big role in the racing and competing for their sport and have a mental influence of why they do these superstitions.
