Wow. I am truly amazed at how dedicated so many of our very own ACHS student-athletes are to their sports, school, and everything else outside of it. This next athlete leaves me in awe at how she has basically had her life together since the 4th grade when she started softball. She’s had a routine, pre-game ritual, a mindset I'm sure many athletes out there could learn a lot from, and she still manages to excel in everything she does. Now the moment you have all been waiting for. This week’s Athlete Spotlight is on *drum roll please* Maddy Chambers!!! So, let’s take a swing into the life of our softball star in the making!
Maddy is currently a senior here at ACHS and will be going into her 4th year as a starting varsity player in hopes of a season. Now, take a pause and think about it, if she is going into her 4th year on Varsity, it could only mean one thing. She’s been playing since FRESHMAN YEAR! Not only making the team, but starting for a varsity team in just your first year of high school is an out of the park accomplishment. And Maddy’s successes don't even stop there. Within her softball career here at ACHS she received Second Team All League, Newcomer of the Year award, scholar athlete award, and MULTIPLE player of the game recognitions!
Now, for you softball players out there, do you want to know the secret to performing so well in games? Well the secret is... having a grilled cheese sandwich from Starbucks and a mini concert to Alicia Keys in the car on the way there to get in the right mindset. I bet none of you would have guessed that! Everyone has their own pre-game rituals, and according to Maddy, if she doesn’t get that grilled cheese before her games, it’s bad luck. However, one thing that really stood out to me in her routine before a game was how she gets into the right mindset.
Everyone is different and has their own way to mentally prepare before games. I’ve seen people do visualizing, listen to music, meditate, or just have a positive outlook beforehand. But no matter what way you use, getting into the right mindset before games is always important because it can affect the outcome you will have. Now for all you athletes reading this, if you’ve just been skimming through the first half of this article, now is the time to really pay attention. I asked Maddy what is a quote that has stood out to her throughout her athletic career. And something that has pushed her since she was younger was “Be better than the player next to you”. Using this 8-word phrase has put Maddy into the mindset of always pushing herself to be a better player, and I'm sure many of you can take advantage of it as well.
Okay, now to how she juggles it all. Well, on top of high school softball, she also plays and helps coach for the Ohana Tigers club team, which means she technically only has around 3 weeks of off season throughout the year. So she’s never really had an average lifestyle. Her days usually start off around 7am and she doesn’t waste a single second of it. In the morning, she creates a to do list of all the things she wants to accomplish that day so she’s constantly reminded of what needs to be done. Then, other than class and homework, she is usually working out, lifting weights at the gym, practicing hitting in her garage, attending practice, or working out some more. And that's the true secret behind becoming a successful athlete, hard work and commitment.
However, with not having an average lifestyle she has had to make some sacrifices, she stated. I’m sure many of you other athletes could relate to having to prioritize school and sports, but missing out on some school events. Although without this lifestyle she’s had for years she wouldn’t have had that outlet for stress, some of her closest friends now, or even the healthy habits she created that could help her in the long run. So, yes, in being a student-athlete you do have to learn to prioritize and make sacrifices, but in the end it will pay off.
Maddy has learned a lot from all the years of playing softball, but one of the biggest lessons she learned was how to persevere. She explained how over time she had broken so many barriers in which she never thought she would be able to accomplish because she set goals and REFUSED to give up. The mental toughness she developed allowed her to learn from her mistakes and realize while others may have more skill or can run faster or whatever it may be they will also crumble faster because they didn't train their brain correctly. So, her biggest piece of advice for all you student-athletes is, “Set goals for each practice or lift session or whatever it may be. If you can improve on one thing every time, even if it's the simplest of things, it will add up. Go into every workout, game, and practice with a goal and purpose because there's always a way to improve.”
So, take it from our 4-year varsity softball player Maddy Chambers, always set goals and push yourself to be better than the player next to you. Being a student-athlete can be challenging at times with the sacrifice and commitment having to be made, but in the end it will all be worth it if you want to be successful on and off the field. Thank you so much Maddy for being a prime example of what a dedicated student-athlete at ACHS looks like. You are a very positive influence and role model for all younger athletes at our school! Keep up all the good work and we can’t wait to see what else the future has in store for you or what barrier you decide to take a swing at next. Go Wolves!
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