Photo by Kylie McWhorter
By Kylie McWhorter
When the sun rises on William Peace University, student-athletes are awake, training in the weight room, pool, and practice fields. Scheduling constraints have led Peace athletic staff to schedule more morning workouts.
“The reason that we have morning practices is that this is the only time that we were given. It was the time slot that we were provided, and it is the time slot that we have to work with the pool that we swim at,” said Sophia Swenson, swim coach.
Peace athletes are divided on how they feel about morning practices. Some love starting their day early and having free time in the afternoons, while others struggle to get out of bed and feel fatigued throughout the day.
“I honestly really enjoy it. It gets my day going. I see my teammates. We’re having fun, making the best of it. It’s good. I feel more productive in my day,” said Davis Barnum, women’s lacrosse, major undecided.
Barnum lifts with the women’s lacrosse team every Monday and Friday from 8 to 9 a.m. and hopes her spring in-season schedule includes more morning practices.
While Barnum enjoys the early start, not every athlete has the same experience. Cormac Davis, a member of the swim team, said morning practices make the rest of his day harder.
“It makes me very tired, very irritable sometimes,” said Davis, a major undecided.
The swim team practices Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. off campus at Pullen Aquatic Center. Davis said that the early start every day affects his mood and performance throughout the day.
Research from Ohio State University supports athletes’ concerns about early morning practices. Ohio State studied sleep records from 359 athletes using Oura rings, a device that tracks sleep and nighttime cardiovascular physiology data.
According to Ohio State News, “Findings showed sleep efficiency scores were worse when athletes practiced early in the morning – meaning sleep was more fragmented, with brief awakenings through the night”. says Author Jeff Grabmeier. “In addition, athletes took longer to fall asleep”.
The effects of morning practice can also extend into the classroom. Barnum said she feels not all professors understand the demands student-athletes face.
“I wish they’d understand that, like we’re expected to do a lot,” said Barnum.
Sophia Swenson said professors can support student-athletes by recognizing that early practices can make for a longer day. She said even small interactions, like checking in on an athlete or offering positive reinforcement, can go a long way.
Swenson also said that Peace’s peer tutoring has been especially helpful for her student-athletes. She said tutoring allows student-athletes and other students to support and mentor each other.
“I think it’s a really great way that the school just comes together and makes everyone feel connected and feel like they’re part of this campus and this community,” said Swenson.
Joyner House Wellness Center offers free professional counseling for all students. This is another resource student-athletes can use to help manage stress, fatigue, and the demands of athletics and academics.