Imagine a track runner who refuses to start a race without double lacing his spikes, a lacrosse player who juggles balls before every game, or a basketball player who insists on hitting the gym before tip-off. At North Atlanta High School, athletes are no strangers to superstitions. Whether these routines truly impact performance or just provide a psychological edge, many athletes swear by them.
Junior Cabell Townsend, a track athlete, has a pre-race ritual that he never skips. Before every race, he takes a few extra seconds to double lace his spikes, ensuring they are perfectly tight. To him, it’s more than just a habit—it’s a necessity. The added security gives him confidence that nothing will go wrong mid-race. He swears that without it, something feels off, and he can’t focus on his performance. “One time I forgot, and I was convinced my shoe was going to fly off the whole race,” said Townsend.
Senior lacrosse player Max Fancher has a different kind of superstition. Right before every game, he spends time juggling lacrosse balls – sometimes for minutes on end. He believes it sharpens his hand-eye coordination and warms up his reflexes. His teammates often joke about how focused he appears to be while juggling, but for Fancher, it’s just part of the process. “If I drop one, I have to start over, or I feel like I’m going to miss every pass in the game,” said Fancher.
Junior Kevin Assumin takes game-day rituals to another level. While most athletes conserve energy before competition, Assumin does the opposite—he goes to the gym. His pre-game workout includes lifting weights, push-ups, and cardio. He believes that if he’s already worked harder than the game itself, then the game will feel easy. While his teammates are stretching or resting, Assumin is breaking a sweat. “Everyone is chilling, and I’m over here lifting like I’m training for the Olympics,” said Assumin.
At the end of the day, whether these superstitions truly enhance athletic ability or just serve as a confidence booster, they remain a key part of sports culture. For athletes at North Atlanta, game-day rituals are more than just habits—they are a way to mentally prepare, feel in control, and keep the nerves at a low. Whether it’s tying shoelaces a certain way, juggling lacrosse balls, or even hitting the gym before tip-off, every player has their own way of getting game-ready.
