Courtesy | Kutas
Charger athletes share their weird but essential game-day superstitions – everything that gets them battle-ready
Hillsdale College athletes juggle academics and training, but occasionally it takes a little more than just trust in their training on game day to push them over the edge to victory. Below, the Chargers open up about their competition rituals and superstitions they follow before competing.
A strict game-day schedule
At first, it’s all about the music, throwbacks, upbeat music, something loud that gets you ready for war. I like 2000s throwbacks. Anything Chris Brown or David Guetta. Then, gear up. Put all the tape, wristbands, and chains you need to feel confident and comfortable. Can’t miss prayer before games, and always pray for others. I like to dedicate games to people who may not be as fortunate as I am to play this game. It helps me to play humbly and have my mind, will, and heart in the right place — to not take things for granted. Most importantly, when it is show time, any time you cross those chalked white lines, you look up and thank God for the opportunity and go glorify him on that field. – Tyler Turner, junior, baseball
Dieting and goofing around
Ashton Janowski doesn’t eat any dessert/junk food within 48 hours of a game. CJ Yarian, Jacob Meyer, and I like to poke fun at him whenever we get the chance. For all home games, Cole McWhinnie, Braylon Morris, and Tommy Morgan play a 3-point shooting contest game against each other after our shoot-around. During the partner shooting segment of our shoot-arounds, I always tell Ash to “get a hand up” and joke that he can’t guard me after I make my first shot because we both start in the same corner. – Garrett Bolte, junior, basketball
Sentimental more than superstitious
I have a lucky divot repair tool that I always use. I think my mom gave it to me for Christmas a long time ago. – Oliver Marshall, junior, golf
EDM… for focus, of course
We always have a team dinner the day before a match, and we have a breakout that we do before we go on to play. I have to listen to “Beto’s Horns” by Fred Again before every match, and other house music songs, because it helps me lock in. – Henry Hammond, junior, tennis
Hair and nails on fleek
I have to do the same hairstyle: two Dutch braids into a ponytail. I also have to have long, pretty Gel-X nails, and I eat these very specific jelly beans called Sport Beans. – Lucy Minning, senior, track
There is a right way of doing things
A lot of us have lucky sports bras that are bright pink or blue that we have to wear on game day. My superstition is that I have to drink this caffeinated drink called Spark before every game, and if I don’t, I will freak out. I also always have to put my right sock on before my left (same with kneepads and shoes). – Chloe Pierce, senior, volleyball
No hats, please
Besides the boring stuff like trying to get sleep and staying hydrated, I usually like to listen to music before I shoot, usually Stevie Ray Vaughan or Adele. Then, while shooting, I line the brass up in the gun so the name of the shell is perfectly vertical. Also, unless it is raining, I am very superstitious about shooting with a hat on for the line games. I do not like hats at all, unless necessary. The last thing I am superstitious about is the modified choke tube. I refuse to shoot one. – Leif Andersen, senior, action shooting
