Is it the Locker that Locks in Varsity Athletes?

By Sydney Pruner

11-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps opts for a 10,000 calorie diet to ensure his success in swimming. Simone Biles fought for 10,000 hours of practice before even stepping into the Olympic arena. To get there, they had to start somewhere—high school sports. Jenks Public School produces some of the most dedicated student athletes, but what makes them so good at what they do? I talked to a handful of JPS’s best athletes to see how the content of their bags contributed to their success.

To be good at your craft you need dedication, sacrifice, and a routine that verges on the cusp of superstition. Jason Baker, one of the senior captains for the Jenks boys soccer team keeps a packed bag to ensure his success.

Pictured above, the contents of Jason Baker’s bag.

From $300 cleats to a pack of cheese crackers, the content of Baker’s bag remains constant. As expected in any soccer player’s bag, he has shin guards and deodorant. But floating around unexpectedly in the inside of his drawstring bag is a lighter, intended for burning the edges of his cut socks so they grip his shoes more efficiently. There's also a ball for rolling out muscle cramps that, in his years of experience, has proven to be a must have. But the tape and Sharpie, they hold an entirely different responsibility.

“I write inspirational quotes and things that my parents have told me on the tape, I can look at while I’m playing,” said Baker.

Whether it be his fathers words, “run harder,” or the bible quote that resonates most with Baker, he uses wrapped tape and a sharpie to encourage him out on the turf. I guess one could say it brings him to his goal.

“When I’m getting too mad I’ll look at it to focus myself,” said Baker.

His experience in ritual and readiness can be translated into other sports as well. I also got the chance to dig around one of our starting varsity basketball players’ bags. Between a beat up ankle brace and a pack of expired trail mix, Addi Dodder never enters the court unprepared.

Pictured above, the contents of Addi Dodder’s bag.

With an abundance of KT tape and bandages, Dodder has gotten a rep for being one of the moms of the team. She brings the right energy to each practice thanks to the music she listens to and the conscious time she takes to decompress prior to the start of practice. When I asked what makes her most prepared, this is what she had to say.

“My scouting notebook, that gets me ready for who we’re about to play.”

When I inquired about her most used item, Dodder immediately pointed toward her ankle brace and travel bandaid kit. And through trial and error, and a couple of “court mishaps,” she's grown prepared (the extra shoelaces present in the case of the ripped shoelace incident of 21’ ever tries to trip her up again).

My research wrapped up with senior captain, Malorie Minor. Having dedicated the past 6 years of her life to pom, Minor has perfected the art of rehearsal essentials.

Pictured above, the contents of Malorie Minor’s bag.

Now, basketball and soccer are relatively self-explanatory, but for those of you who have never heard of pom, these athletes dance competitively to a fun, upbeat song with a team of dancers. They differ from cheer in a multitude of ways, combining hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and many other dance styles to make a routine that is sure to make you want to dance alongside them, and I’d love to see you try. It’s hard.

I got to get the behind the scenes of what makes this sport so encapsulating, and let me tell you, I had absolutely no idea that it took that many pairs of pirouette shoes to be successful. I lost count after 10, and that quantity belongs to this season alone.

“We have slogans for nationals that we write on the bands of our shoes.” said Minor, referencing slogans like “W.I.T.” (whatever it takes).

This will drive the team as a whole to success. Malorie is just one of the many wheels on the train that brings home state titles. With poofy poms in hand and a bottle of painkillers, Jenks Varsity Pom deserves all of the hype.

Pictured above, Minors half-soles national slogans.

Now, if digging through these many (smelly) gym/practice bags has taught me anything… Deodorant is a must. Some form of slides, usually birkenstocks, is what marches an athlete to their victory. And lastly, out of the whole body, ankles love to ache the most, so always have a wrap or a brace on hand (even if it's crusty and nasty, as long as it gets the job done).