The ForceField FF headband was invented by Dr. C. J. Abraham. The headband was invented with the intention of preventing concussions without taking away from soccer techniques. Although the headbands were made with soccer players in mind, other athletes, such as basketball and lacrosse, wear them as well.

Junior Paige Britton got her concussion at the end of lacrosse season her sophomore year when she was hit in the head by the ball after someone missed a pass. She got another one in the summer when she was hit in the head with a lacrosse stick.

“I didn’t want to get another concussion and [the headband] looked like a good solution,” Britton said. “I think it looks fine, and there is no difference in my performance.”

The headband reduces the risk of injury, has an airflow system and absorbs sweat.

“It is a safe solution to concussions,” Britton said. “Although it can’t stop concussions, it definitely helps prevent them.”

Driver’s Education teacher Patrick Hughes recalled the worst injury he has ever seen while coaching basketball, when his daughter Kelly separated her kneecap.

“In terms of injuries, we’ve actually been quite fortunate,” Hughes said. Hughes recommends staying in shape, getting enough rest and working different muscles by doing a variety of exercises in order to prevent injuries.

“Athletes returning from injuries should continue to do exercises and whatever skill needed for their sport possible,” Hughes said. “Sometimes the biggest thing that stops them is what’s in their head about the injury. They get hurt and come back and are hesitant to perform at as intense of a level as before, so sometimes it’s more of a psychological impact.”

Torn ACL changes sports forever

It was a normal day at soccer practice for junior Matt Del Signore when he went for the ball at the same time as a teammate.

“The next thing I knew, I heard my knee pop and I fell to the ground in pain,” Del Signore said.

“I wasn’t able to play soccer my sophomore year and I had to run with a knee brace during cross country,” Del Signore said. “My leg is a lot weaker so it gets tired more easily and I can’t swim breaststroke.”

Del Signore completed physical therapy with athletic trainer Kathy Ayers before undergoing surgery. After his recovery, he took up physical therapy again.

“Before, I couldn’t do any activities involving planting [my feet] or cutting, but now I am back to full health,” Del Signore said.

Del Signore says the positive effect of his injury was the scholarship he won. His doctor’s office held a Facebook contest that nominated four patients. Teachers and friends of Del Signore helped him win by promoting the contest through e-mails and Facebook links.

By garnering the most votes, Del Signore received a $500 scholarship for himself and a second $500 for AHS’s athletic training room. “[The injury] definitely makes me more cautious of myself and others while I’m playing sports,” Del Signore said. “I take injuries a lot more seriously now.”

Major concussion changes outlook

Senior Kim Rowland got her first concussion her sophomore year during a field hockey game against Lake Braddock. The ball was hit by a Lake Braddock player, causing it to pop up from a stick and strike her in the head.

“My first concussion was a definite diagnosis,” Rowland said. “I could tell from the moment I got hit that I had suffered a concussion.”

Rowland has had two major concussions, and has also experienced concussion-like symptoms that have lasted for a day or two after hitting her head. Her first concussion took her out of athletic activities for nine months, while her second took her out for one.

“When I got my concussions, the biggest effect I had was irritability,” Rowland said. “I didn’t act like myself. I got headaches every single day and was sensitive to light and noise.”

Rowland does not recommend participating in a lot of physical activity while you have a concussion.

“The only thing you can do to recover from a concussion is rest,” Rowland said. “Nothing else.”

“I am now very cautious when playing sports and get nervous when things come close to my head,” Rowland said. “It has stopped me from playing soccer completely because it is not good for me to be heading balls. I feel like I can’t be the same type of athlete as I was before my concussions because I have another important thing to worry about and to keep an eye on.”

Although Wattenbarger is looking forward to going to college, he is going to miss AHS football. Moving on to college is a big step for everyone, and it takes a lot of hard work and preparation.

“I am not fully prepared yet, but I will be when the time comes,” senior Adam Wattenbarger said.

He has played football since his freshman year. Throughout his high school career, he has played many different positions. He has played quarterback, punter and free safety. Playing all of these positions and working hard throughout these years is what has gotten him to this point.

“I have played my heart out on the field,” Wattenbarger said.

Wattenbarger has overcome many obstacles, such as being hurt and being asked to play many different positions.

“We have asked so much of him on the field, and he has always delivered,” coach Mike Scott said.

Throughout the years, Wattenbarger has been dedicated to working hard, on and off the field. He was hurt this season, and he still managed to pull through and succeed in the end.

His coaches think Wattenbarger has set an example for all athletes. He has shown, through his actions, that hard work and dedication pays off.

“He’s going to do great next year. He is a hard-worker and a good student,” Scott said.

A. I really like the campus and the team. It fits me academically and athletically.

Q. What was the recruiting process like?

A. It was difficult e-mailing coaches and getting them to come    to games and knowing whether or not they’d be there. It was also hard to figure out which schools I’m interested in and which schools are interested in me.

Q. Did any other schools express an interest in you? If so, what were they and why did you choose not to attend?

A. Yes, Winthrop University, Coastal Carolina University and other D2 and D3 schools. I chose not to attend them because I wanted to go to a D1 school. They were also out-of-state and far away.

Q. What made you want to play soccer in college?

A. I’ve wanted to play ever since I was little, and my parents always talked about me playing in college.

Q. How did your parents react to you committing to Radford?

A. They were happy, but expected more.

Q. What do you hope to achieve while playing in college?

A. I hope to get a good experience since many people do not get the chance to play a sport in college.

Q. What will be the most challenging part of playing college soccer?

A. The most challenging part will probably be the fitness involved with the team and being able to keep up with school and sports at the same time.

“I’ve gone to many practices, and it’s always cool to see the players so close. It’s fun to be able to watch the drills they do and how they interact with each other when they’re in a more relaxed environment. After they practice, some of them come over to sign stuff on their way to the locker room, but sometimes no one comes over. Sometimes you have to stand outside and find them on their way to their cars, but they’re usually pretty nice about it. I’ve met a lot of people, including Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Marcus Johansson and, best of all, Brooks Laich. I’ve been to lots of Caps games and there is no doubt that they are fun, but games can be expensive if you don’t have season tickets. Any Caps fan would enjoy going to a practice because it’s a really cool experience and it’s free!”

—Senior Kyle Kowalczyk

“At Caps practices, you pretty much just watch them and then wait outside for them once the practice is over. You’re stuck waiting there for a little because they’re showering. I’ve gotten signatures from players that have retired such as Olaf Kolzig and newer players like Brooks Laich and Nicklas Backstrom. People should go to these because they’re fun and free! It’s a way for newer fans to learn about the game and learn players other than Ovechkin. It’s also really awesome when you get to take pictures with them and get their signatures! Go Caps!”

—Senior Natalie Ford

“I’ve been to about 15 Caps practices and they are so much fun. Watching them all work together and laugh is so cool, instead of them just being so focused at the games. After they practice, they come out and talk to all the fans and sign stuff if you bring it. You can have actual conversations with them too and take lots of pictures. It’s a fun experience and people should go because you can see someone famous and when you’re watching a game, you can say, ‘I met them.’”

—Junior Brittani Gonzales

Visit Capitals practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex above the Ballston Common Mall at 627 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington, VA  22203

A: I started when I was six years old and I had gone through a million sport choices before I actually settled down. I immediately signed up for classes after one public session at Fairfax Ice Arena, I really liked it because I could go really fast without having to do much, it was as close as flying as you could get.

Q: How often do you practice and compete?

A: From elementary to middle school I use to practice 5 days a week for an hour and a half either before or after school, and then 3 days a week during high school, but I stopped competing after my sophomore year so I honestly go when I want to now. It’s all muscle memory because I’ve been doing it for so long, its like second hand nature.

Q: What is your practice like?

A: Practice starts with warming up, going through easy single jumps (which are jumps with either half or one revolution in the air), then doubles (which are two or two and a half) then triples (three/three and a half). I’m considered a really consistent jumper so I don’t have trouble until I reach triple jumps. Aside from jumps there are spins, personally I loathe them so I don’t spend nearly as enough time or attention as I should but I get them out of the way, do the bare minimum.

Q: How difficult is it to balance ice-skating with school?

A: It’s actually not that hard considering I don’t do much in school anyways, I complete most of my homework in class and most of it is just busy work.

Q: Do you plan to continue to ice skate after high school? Why or why not?

A: Yes, I’m actually qualified to become a coach/instructor so I plan to do that when I move to New York City to attend Fordham University as a part time or hobby.

Q: What is your favorite trick to do? (Describe how to do it)

A: A double flip, the name is a bit deceiving because you wouldn’t throw it like a cheerleader would where your entire body has to do a full rotation in the air vertically. It’s a horizontally spinning jump requiring first a three turn on your left leg, which means you would step onto your left leg then rotate your entire body so you’re skating backwards still on your left leg. Then you place your free right leg down onto the toe of your skate and jump off of it into two and a half revolutions, and finally landing on your right leg with your free left leg behind you and arms in a balancing position.

Q: What is your favorite thing about ice-skating?

A: Had you asked me this question when I was younger I would’ve said the fact that I was able to keep improving but ask me this now and I’m going to tell you it’s great that it’s almost just a hobby. The hardest part about being a competitive figure skater is your parents who honestly don’t know much about ice skating but are determined to be involved anyways now that I can skate freely without their judgment, it’s made my life easier and skating so much more fun. I think it’s the same with most sports.

Despite receiving a letter and multiple stars, many varsity athletes choose to ignore the opportunity to attach the symbols of achievement to a jacket. Other students see the value in their jackets and wear them with pride.

“They’re comfy and warm, but they’re too expensive and too big in girls sizes. This is probably the main reason why people don’t buy them anymore,” sophomore Jennifer Nguyen said.

Letterman jackets derived from letterman sweaters, which were first established at Harvard University in 1865. The Harvard baseball team embroidered a large “H” on its gray flannel uniforms, though only the best players were allowed to keep this letter.

Varsity jackets gained popularity in the early part of the 20th century and had transformed into wool jackets with leather sleeves by 1930. Letters were typically handed out to upperclassmen during the height of the jackets’ popularity.

Today, jackets cost anywhere from $150 to $180 and are sold at select athletic stores. Anyone can get a jacket, but students must be a member of a varsity sports team or school-sponsored activity to earn a letter or stars to attach to their jacket.

“I’ve earned a letter and a few stars, but I didn’t get a letterman jacket because they’re really expensive and a bit ridiculous,” junior Ashley Whittle said. “I think that they can be good memories, but the letters and stars that I got from the sports I participated in are good enough for me, especially since they will last just as long.”

Some students purchase a letterman jacket immediately after receiving a letter.

“I have a jacket and I think it is a good way to show my accomplishments from sports and other activities,” junior Andrew Boyd said. “My jacket is going to be an important memory of my high school life.”

The jackets are not just a thing of the past, as the trend also seems to be popular at other schools.

“I still have my jacket. [They] were definitely popular when I was in high school since 50 to 60 percent of people had one,” science teacher Neal Jarvis said. “I think they are popular today, just not [at AHS] for socio-economic reasons. If you go to Robinson, they’re very popular.”

Jarvis went to AHS and graduated in 1997. His jacket featured a letter and stars that he earned in swim and track.

On the other hand, some may fear the concrete tradition deeming letterman jackets an athlete’s possession, which could discourage students who participate in chorus, band or clubs from obtaining a jacket. Additionally, athletes may not want the attention that these jackets create, causing them not to purchase one themselves.

“I think people who get letters or pins from clubs and extra-curriculars don’t get letterman jackets because they don’t think they require as much of a physical effort as sports do,” junior Stephen Oakes said, “I got a letter for swim and stars for golf, chorus and swim.”

Many students believe that letterman jackets are exclusively for varsity athletes, but academic achievement letters, club pins and team district, regional or state championship patches can also be attached to the jackets.

“I’ve gotten a letter and stars from cheer, gymnastics and track. I think [a letterman jacket] is an American tradition in schools for varsity athletes, who should be proud to wear them,” senior Ashlyn Nisker said.

This mixture of sports may seem strange, but it has become popular among students, especially with the juniors of AHS.

The sport being played is “bolf,” a combination of baseball and golf. Players hit a ball to certain locations with the object of the game being to finish with the least amount of hits possible. After the initial hit, players start wherever their ball lands.

There are no restrictions on how many holes there are, but the person with the least amount of total strokes at the end wins.

If you whiff the ball,meaning you don’t touch it at all when swinging the bat, then it doesn’t count as stroke.

“We got the idea when junior Luke Lundy and I were just joking around one day when we were playing,” junior Nolan Gilbert said. “We started trying to hit stuff and it just turned into a game like golf.”

The boys who take part include juniors Matthew Del Signore, Michael Hennessey, Nolan Gilbert, Luke Lundy, Jonathan Pratt and Clark Girardin.

“[The people who play are] usually guys from baseball or whoever can handle a baseball bat,” Gilbert said. “But we’re pretty chill about it, so we invite our friends too just to hang out.”

The group meets at the AHS baseball field to play once or twice a week after school or on the weekend. “It’s great because you can hang out with your friends and just relax while having fun,” junior Jonathan Pratt said.

“I like the incorporation of our great nation’s past time into a good game of golf,” junior Clark Girardin said. Because Girardin does not play baseball anymore, he sees bolf as a way for him to hang out and have fun with his friends.

“It’s great that you can’t cheat when you play,” Gilbert said. “It’s also really satisfying when you get a hole-in-one.”

Players are unable to cheat because of the constant presence of the other participants.

“My advice to people that play would be to hit the ball accurately,” Girardin said. “Don’t just hit the ball as hard as possible, it usually just makes you do worse.”

Despite how much fun the group is having, they aren’t planning on making it an official game.

“We aren’t trying to turn it into some big sport,” Gilbert said. “Right now, it’s just something we do to chill and bond as a team for baseball since most of us play. If it gets any more competitive, it won’t be as enjoyable.”

Basketball is widely known for its popularity during games, but before the team hits the court, they take part in activities to bond as a team.

“[The varsity girls basketball team] always prays before games and we go in the team room during half time. The room was decorated at the beginning of the year with our hand prints and numbers on the walls above our chairs,” junior Gaby Ripani said.

While some sports have several traditions, the wresting team seems to have more simple activities to participate in.

“We don’t have many traditions, but sometimes we have team gang fight where we split into groups and wrestle,” junior Jordan Pokraka said.

The swim and dive team is especially unique in their traditions, as their “rude awakening” was hard to ignore in the past, but has been restricted by administrators due to the fear of hazing. However, the team has been known for their many cheers such as shouting, “lets give them the finger” and raising their index fingers following another chant, “we’re number one!” With such a large team, these traditions allow for a stronger and more united group.

“[Girls] dye our hair for districts red and guys bleach their hair for districts,” sophomore Elizabeth Manthos said.

The dance team also partakes in activities throughout their two seasons.

“We have secret pals at every home game that we perform at and during practice, we bring food for people’s birthday. We also have an end of the season sleep over and a winter holidays party,” sophomore Hannah Coulter said.

While certain traditions are more extravagant than others, activities that are unique to each sport creates the mood that winter is known for; festive.

“Traditions help the team come together with lots of team spirit.” Manthos said.