As the spring season approaches, student-athletes across campus are preparing for one of the most competitive times of the year. Tryouts determine not only the roster for sports but also the roles. The process can be very stressful, especially for athletes hoping to move up from JV and earn a varsity position. With roster spots limited and competition high, the pressure is on.
Preparation plays a major role in tryouts, especially in sports with a large number of athletes. It’s one of the biggest factors coaches look for during tryouts across all spring sports. Athletes who train before the season tend to perform better, avoid minor injuries, and stand out in crowded tryout environments. In sports like baseball and track, preparation is often seen through conditioning, consistency, and familiarity with the sport rather than raw talent alone. “I can always tell the kids who have prepared versus the ones who have not,” said baseball coach Ricky Plante.
Team captains observe tryouts from a different perspective than coaches. In sports such as soccer and lacrosse, captains pay close attention to effort, communication, and confidence, especially when athletes make mistakes. It’s not just about skill, but also about identifying who stands out as a leader and a good teammate. How players respond to pressure and interact with teammates often matters more than a single impressive play. “Skill is impressive, but seeing how someone would be as a teammate is most important”, said girls lacrosse captain Sophia Khorsandi.
The intensity of tryouts varies by sport, but conditioning often determines how difficult the experience feels. Track and field tryouts are widely considered the hardest of any spring sport, as athletes are pushed hard physically from the very first day. Tennis tryouts, while less physically exhausting, are mentally intense, requiring athletes to compete in match style settings that test focus and consistency under pressure. “Track tryouts are the most intense because we empty an athlete’s energy bar every practice,” said track coach Bryce Doe.
Spring sports such as baseball, track and field, tennis, golf, and lacrosse all hold tryouts around the same time; the overlap adds pressure and contributes to the overall intensity of the spring season. “The spring is by far the most stressful of any season,” said athletic director Andre Regan.
While tryouts can be nerve-racking, they also allow athletes to demonstrate dedication, growth, and readiness. Athletes who prepare early, maintain a strong work ethic, and focus on controllable factors such as effort and attitude place themselves in the best position to succeed. No matter the sport, preparation and teamwork remain the key difference makers during tryouts.
