This fall sport season, volleyball, swimming, and powerlifting had indoor morning practices. They all started between 6 and 6:30, which is about 2 hours before the school day starts.

Sophia Seifert, a junior on the swim team, said she feels “really productive but also tired” on days when she has morning practices.

Sometimes they have double practices, which is when they swim in both the morning and afternoon. Sophia said she feels more tired and physically exhausted during afternoon practice on those days.

 Sarah Van Petten, coach of the 9th grade A volleyball team, provided a more positive view of morning practices. She said “I think morning practices have several benefits.”

Some benefits that Van Petten included are that morning practices challenge student athletes to be focused even when tired and they give athletes more time after school to participate in other activities.

Samantha Miller, a junior on the JV volleyball team, said that morning practices are both good and bad. She likes them because they give her time after school for homework and other activities, but she dislikes them because by 3rd hour she is pretty tired and her ability to focus in class decreases.

Overall there were mixed reviews on morning practices and how they affect student-athletes. Some think they are beneficial while others prefer afternoon practice.