The final fall months before the winter sports season are a crucial time for all athletes playing during the holiday time. With the popularity of winter sports sports like soccer, basketball and wrestling have lots of preparation before kicking off the season. 

On Nov. 9, Miami Palmetto Senior High Varsity girls soccer had their first game. With a 3-0 win against John A. Ferguson Senior High School under their belt to start the season, the time the players put in during their off-season is paying off. 

“Our first game is today, November 9, and it’s our first one of the season so we’ve been working on our chemistry on the field,” junior and Varsity Girl’s Soccer player Lexi Herskowitz said. 

Although some teams do not have a preseason, such as basketball and soccer, many athletes use their off-season as a time to recover from the season before and practice for the season to come. 

With wrestling having a reputation as being a physical sport, a lot of physical preparation is needed to start the season. Tryouts started on Nov. 6, which is just the start of the season ahead of them. 

“We start in the summer with conditioning,” Varsity Wrestling coach Anthony Fadelle said. “So, August to October for about three months of conditioning before we start the actual season.” 

Girls basketball tryouts started on Oct. 30 and ended on Oct. 31. With their team being all new and in full swing, the team is working hard towards their goal for the season. 

“Miami High is the biggest one that we’re like, ‘we got to beat them this year,’” junior and Varsity Girls Basketball player Alessandra Falcon said. “…We were playing districts against them last year and they are really good players.” 

With the season starting, new players will be seen for the first time. The excitement of having a new team with a fresh start is evident on the field, mat and court. Showing recognition for other players boosts morale for the new season. 

“Honestly, the freshmen have been doing really well on the team so far,” Herskowitz said. 

Despite a brand new set of athletes being a fun new way to kick off a season, it also comes with its challenges for the returning athletes learning how newcomers play. 

“So this season is going to be a little rough because a lot of the players I played with were seniors from last year,” Falcon said. “…we’re working with a whole new group of people… we just have to all work together and communicate more.” 

Teammates are already keeping an eye out for the star players of the team.

“Annalise Linsday is injured right now but I feel like as soon as she gets back on the court, she always just has really great advice and she’s a great player,” Falcon said.

The excitement of the new season is noticeable among the athletes and the fans involved. Students have already started wearing their jerseys to school on game days in hopes of coming back with a win.