senior year sport

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stinky.pinky

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Hi guys! I am an incoming senior and strongly interested in USAFA. I've done cross country for the past two years and was kind of split between which sport I should do during the fall season.
Here is a quick background:
I played tennis recreationally for a while and for our school's tennis team seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general. However, for cross country, I personally think it would be a little difficult to be placed into varsity as there are quite a lot of girls on the team but would be placed in JV for sure. I acknowledge that admissions like to see consistency in an applicant's resume (I would be doing track all four years though) but I also heard from an admissions counselor that they also prefer team sports. I'm torn between which sport to do as I already asked my coach if I can balance both the sports but it seems like he doesn't favor that option as much. I love running with my teammates but running, in general, has been mentally deteriorating me to the point where I regret registering for the sport every race even though I do feel accomplished at the end of each race. To add on the team environment is very divided and not as supportive to each other as I initially thought it would be going into the sport. I would love to have the classic senior year traditions in the sport I did during my high school year but I am heavily contemplating whether or not the team toxicity will be worth it. I would obviously be running on my own if I do join tennis but I am still curious about which would be the better option for me admissions-wise for USAFA. Thank you!
 
stinky.pinky said:
Hi guys! I am an incoming senior and strongly interested in USAFA. I've done cross country for the past two years and was kind of split between which sport I should do during the fall season.
Here is a quick background:
I played tennis recreationally for a while and for our school's tennis team seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general. However, for cross country, I personally think it would be a little difficult to be placed into varsity as there are quite a lot of girls on the team but would be placed in JV for sure. I acknowledge that admissions like to see consistency in an applicant's resume (I would be doing track all four years though) but I also heard from an admissions counselor that they also prefer team sports. I'm torn between which sport to do as I already asked my coach if I can balance both the sports but it seems like he doesn't favor that option as much. I love running with my teammates but running, in general, has been mentally deteriorating me to the point where I regret registering for the sport every race even though I do feel accomplished at the end of each race. To add on the team environment is very divided and not as supportive to each other as I initially thought it would be going into the sport. I would love to have the classic senior year traditions in the sport I did during my high school year but I am heavily contemplating whether or not the team toxicity will be worth it. I would obviously be running on my own if I do join tennis but I am still curious about which would be the better option for me admissions-wise for USAFA. Thank you!
Click to expand...
I think having a varsity letter under your belt is very important. Having a leadership role is also very important. It sounds like you will not be named a captain so I would try to make sure you secure a leadership role elsewhere. My gut tells me you should join the tennis team. If you find running mentally deteriorating, I would rethink applying to USAFA. They run A LOT at nearly a mile and a half above sea level and most of the kids you will be running alongside at USAFA were legit varsity athletes in high school. Good luck.
 
stinky.pinky said:
Hi guys! I am an incoming senior and strongly interested in USAFA. I've done cross country for the past two years and was kind of split between which sport I should do during the fall season.
Here is a quick background:
I played tennis recreationally for a while and for our school's tennis team seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general. However, for cross country, I personally think it would be a little difficult to be placed into varsity as there are quite a lot of girls on the team but would be placed in JV for sure. I acknowledge that admissions like to see consistency in an applicant's resume (I would be doing track all four years though) but I also heard from an admissions counselor that they also prefer team sports. I'm torn between which sport to do as I already asked my coach if I can balance both the sports but it seems like he doesn't favor that option as much. I love running with my teammates but running, in general, has been mentally deteriorating me to the point where I regret registering for the sport every race even though I do feel accomplished at the end of each race. To add on the team environment is very divided and not as supportive to each other as I initially thought it would be going into the sport. I would love to have the classic senior year traditions in the sport I did during my high school year but I am heavily contemplating whether or not the team toxicity will be worth it. I would obviously be running on my own if I do join tennis but I am still curious about which would be the better option for me admissions-wise for USAFA. Thank you!
Click to expand...
This is from the profile of '26. A letter is pretty important as one of the three pillars the SA's use to evaluate candidates. If you can get good checks in all three areas of Acacemics, Athletics and Leadership, you can be competitive.

Athletic Letter Awards (1 or More/Any Sport) 82%
Football 18%
Basketball 8%
Baseball 7%
Track 26%
Swimming 12%
Soccer 12%

You can google the demographic profile of USAFA Class of 20XX for historical comparisons of your stats to actual admitted classes.
 
So Tennis gives seniors an honorary varsity spot, regardless of actual skill?

That is not the kind of varsity letter that you could be proud of.
 
FutureAdademyDad? said:
So Tennis gives seniors an honorary varsity spot, regardless of actual skill?

That is not the kind of varsity letter that you could be proud of.
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In many schools there are so few tennis players good enough to play at all that it's pretty easy to be on varsity. In my high school, we had to field 12 players for varsity - finding 12 girls that are actually good at tennis in the rainy PNW was tough, so if someone has been playing recreationally but has picked up some skills, getting a varsity letter their first year is not at all uncommon. We couldn't even put together a JV team most years. I would hope it isn't just automatic though...Yikes.
-a former HS/college tennis player and current HS tennis coach

But to the OP - I say play tennis! If you think you have a good shot at a varsity letter, enjoy playing, and want to work hard and get better, go for it. I don't see the down-side other than maybe consistency, but I think getting a varsity letter would definitely outweigh that.
 
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FutureAdademyDad? said:
So Tennis gives seniors an honorary varsity spot, regardless of actual skill?

That is not the kind of varsity letter that you could be proud of.
Click to expand...
You didn't answer her question. Why don't you read your nasty response out loud and ask yourself if you are proud of the way you are interacting with a 16/17 year old girl? She has only asked 4 questions on the SA Forums so far. If you can't answer her question in a civil manner...then don't and please move on! I'll never understand why so-called adults feel the need to bully kids who are looking to serve their country.
 
stinky.pinky said:
Hi guys! I am an incoming senior and strongly interested in USAFA. I've done cross country for the past two years and was kind of split between which sport I should do during the fall season.
Here is a quick background:
I played tennis recreationally for a while and for our school's tennis team seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general. However, for cross country, I personally think it would be a little difficult to be placed into varsity as there are quite a lot of girls on the team but would be placed in JV for sure. I acknowledge that admissions like to see consistency in an applicant's resume (I would be doing track all four years though) but I also heard from an admissions counselor that they also prefer team sports. I'm torn between which sport to do as I already asked my coach if I can balance both the sports but it seems like he doesn't favor that option as much. I love running with my teammates but running, in general, has been mentally deteriorating me to the point where I regret registering for the sport every race even though I do feel accomplished at the end of each race. To add on the team environment is very divided and not as supportive to each other as I initially thought it would be going into the sport. I would love to have the classic senior year traditions in the sport I did during my high school year but I am heavily contemplating whether or not the team toxicity will be worth it. I would obviously be running on my own if I do join tennis but I am still curious about which would be the better option for me admissions-wise for USAFA. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Remember that opinions and advice are just that, opinions, and they are based on the experiences of one person. That said, running ability is desired in cadets and T&F/CC are the most common high school sport for incoming cadets. Given the timing of the academy application materials, your senior year sport (and all senior year activities for that matter) are less significant than up through junior year. If you enjoy tennis, I think you should play tennis. Enjoy your life while still being productive. You have proven yourself able to run with two years of participation. A third year is good, but changing to tennis will not get in the way of your application.
 
If you are just checking a box - do the sport you enjoy most. You aren’t going to captain either team nor be All District/conference/State.

I don’t think the people reviewing your application overthink your participation in one sport vs another especially if you are not exceptional in the sport
 
DomerDad said:
You didn't answer her question. Why don't you read your nasty response out loud and ask yourself if you are proud of the way you are interacting with a 16/17 year old girl? She has only asked 4 questions on the SA Forums so far. If you can't answer her question in a civil manner...then don't and please move on! I'll never understand why so-called adults feel the need to bully kids who are looking to serve their country.
Click to expand...

Actually, I did obliquely answer her question. And the statement I made in this thread is exactly what I would say to my own daughters. The concept of "checking a box" only serves a purpose when the checkmark represents something of value. I am not at all a fan of people, in whatever venue, claiming an achievement when in reality they did little or nothing to earn the achievement. In my opinion, you are supposed to EARN a varsity letter, not just have it given to you because you are a senior. That accomplishment means something precisely because of the amount of effort it takes to achieve. In the OP's own words, "...seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general." That does not appear to me to be indicative of an environment that requires effort and sacrifice in order to strive. It sounds like taking a "cruise class" in order to have the credit on the resume. Which is exactly the opposite of the mindset that a prospective cadet should have when pursuing an offer of appointment to USAFA, or any service academy.

And, by the way, with regard to the content of my post, the gender of the OP is irrelevant. The age of the OP is irrelevant. The posting history of the OP is irrelevant. And my intent was certainly not to "bully" the OP. However, it was intended to implicitly call into question the issues I raised in the preceding paragraph. As mentioned in another USAFA thread, "No quit, all grit" is the mindset to embrace, not jumping into a "very relaxed environment" in order to check an illusory box.
 
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stinky.pinky said:
Hi guys! I am an incoming senior and strongly interested in USAFA. I've done cross country for the past two years and was kind of split between which sport I should do during the fall season.
Here is a quick background:
I played tennis recreationally for a while and for our school's tennis team seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general. However, for cross country, I personally think it would be a little difficult to be placed into varsity as there are quite a lot of girls on the team but would be placed in JV for sure. I acknowledge that admissions like to see consistency in an applicant's resume (I would be doing track all four years though) but I also heard from an admissions counselor that they also prefer team sports. I'm torn between which sport to do as I already asked my coach if I can balance both the sports but it seems like he doesn't favor that option as much. I love running with my teammates but running, in general, has been mentally deteriorating me to the point where I regret registering for the sport every race even though I do feel accomplished at the end of each race. To add on the team environment is very divided and not as supportive to each other as I initially thought it would be going into the sport. I would love to have the classic senior year traditions in the sport I did during my high school year but I am heavily contemplating whether or not the team toxicity will be worth it. I would obviously be running on my own if I do join tennis but I am still curious about which would be the better option for me admissions-wise for USAFA. Thank you!
Click to expand...
I think you got some decent advice for the admissions side of things, so I'll just give my two cents worth from another perspective. This next year is your last year of HS sports, so I would consider choosing whichever sport you enjoy most. I was a runner for 8 years, so I can understand the drain of running after awhile. Now that I look back on it, I would kill (metaphorically, Mr. OSI) to run another practice with my team. In the end, I think whichever sport you'd enjoy more would be a good choice! Hope this helps, and good luck with your application!
 
DomerDad said:
I think having a varsity letter under your belt is very important. Having a leadership role is also very important. It sounds like you will not be named a captain so I would try to make sure you secure a leadership role elsewhere. My gut tells me you should join the tennis team. If you find running mentally deteriorating, I would rethink applying to USAFA. They run A LOT at nearly a mile and a half above sea level and most of the kids you will be running alongside at USAFA were legit varsity athletes in high school. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your input! To clarify I think more than running itself the competition and the team environment were something that made me mentally deteriorate. I enjoyed running before I even joined cross country and did a lot of marathons and triathlons so far. I just feel the need to take a break from the competition and the unnecessary stress that coaches and teammates have created for me.
DomerDad said:
I think having a varsity letter under your belt is very important. Having a leadership role is also very important. It sounds like you will not be named a captain so I would try to make sure you secure a leadership role elsewhere. My gut tells me you should join the tennis team. If you find running mentally deteriorating, I would rethink applying to USAFA. They run A LOT at nearly a mile and a half above sea level and most of the kids you will be running alongside at USAFA were legit varsity athletes in high school. Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
stinky.pinky said:
Thank you so much for your input! To clarify I think more than running itself the competition and the team environment were something that made me mentally deteriorate. I enjoyed running before I even joined cross country and did a lot of marathons and triathlons so far. I just feel the need to take a break from the competition and the unnecessary stress that coaches and teammates have created for me.
Click to expand...
I wish you the best of luck. Even if you don't join the XC team keep running...it will pay off if you wind up at USAFA. Don't let the negativity of others dissuade you from pursuing your dreams. Keep coming back to the SA Forum with questions. There are many great people here that are happy to help.
 
IMO you are way over thinking this. You are not going to be recruited for sports. Your admission will not rest on which sport you pick.

Pick something you enjoy and then have as good a time as you can senior year.

And if its tennis you want to try as far as doing something different and they also throw in a varsity letter then good luck in tennis. That letter will not make a difference but it can’t hurt.

Good Luck
 
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stinky.pinky said:
Hi guys! I am an incoming senior and strongly interested in USAFA. I've done cross country for the past two years and was kind of split between which sport I should do during the fall season.
Here is a quick background:
I played tennis recreationally for a while and for our school's tennis team seniors are automatically placed into varsity and a very relaxed environment in general. However, for cross country, I personally think it would be a little difficult to be placed into varsity as there are quite a lot of girls on the team but would be placed in JV for sure. I acknowledge that admissions like to see consistency in an applicant's resume (I would be doing track all four years though) but I also heard from an admissions counselor that they also prefer team sports. I'm torn between which sport to do as I already asked my coach if I can balance both the sports but it seems like he doesn't favor that option as much. I love running with my teammates but running, in general, has been mentally deteriorating me to the point where I regret registering for the sport every race even though I do feel accomplished at the end of each race. To add on the team environment is very divided and not as supportive to each other as I initially thought it would be going into the sport. I would love to have the classic senior year traditions in the sport I did during my high school year but I am heavily contemplating whether or not the team toxicity will be worth it. I would obviously be running on my own if I do join tennis but I am still curious about which would be the better option for me admissions-wise for USAFA. Thank you!
Click to expand...
My advice would be to participate in that sport that most interests you. The greater the interest, the better you performance will be! If you don't earn a leader position (i.e., team Captain), you can demonstrate leadership in other ways within the community or with another club. Lots of opportunities out there for high schoolers to demonstrate their character at school, in athletics, church, community groups, etc.
 
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