Competitive sports getting fresh
- posted: 16 Oct. 2007
- scrollsports@byui.edu
With Competitive Sports getting into full swing, a question has been raised: Does it seem like there are more freshmen participating in sports at BYU-Idaho this year?
Out of the 1,151 students participating in the different sports, there are 604 freshmen, according to a database compiled by Euleza Hymas, the Competitive Sports secretary. While that is more than 52 percent, there are mixed feelings about the number of freshmen participating in each sport.
“It doesn’t really seem like there are more freshmen playing,” said Serena Frazier, a sophomore studying health science and coach of the Lady Hawks soccer team. “There are about five freshmen on my team. A lot of the team is sophomores.”
It may depend on the sport. Kyle Legonnes, a senior studying recreation leadership and the coordinator for cross country, said the majority of students participating in cross country are freshmen.
“I was really surprised,” Legonnes said. “It seemed like there weren’t a lot of returning students participating.”
Freshmen may not be taking over competitive sports anytime soon, but their participation has been a welcome addition.
“Freshmen are really enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm really adds to the team dynamic,” Frazier said.
“There’s definitely a younger feel,” Legonnes said. “A lot of the freshmen are still in shape from high school, so they’re really good.”
Derek Marcroft, a freshman studying exercise science, wanted to play competitive football because he loved playing it in high school. He soon found the experience was very different from his high school football-days.
“Probably the weirdest part is being in the same locker room as the team you’re about to play and saying a prayer with them,” Marcroft said. “And then when you lose, it’s weird having to go over and say another prayer with them.”
It may take awhile to get used to, but the freshmen have help.
“There are still veterans helping the freshmen understand the program,” Legonnes said. “It’s great there are so many students participating. I can see the Competitive Sports program is going to continue to grow.” 
