The Pressure is on

The Pressure is on
Q: What is your full name?
A: My name is Zach Vigue.
Q: What school do you currently attend?
A: I go to Apex High School.
Q: What class are you in?
A: I’m a Junior.
Q: What sport are you presently playing?
A: Right now, I’m playing spring Varsity Lacrosse.
Q: How well do you handle pressure?
A: I usually handle pressure pretty good. To be honest, I like being under pressure in sports; I feel like it enhances my performance.
Q: What’s a normal day look like for you with practice? What’s a normal game day look like?
A: I wake up, attend school, finish my homework, and then I head to practice which is about 2-21/2 hours. Sometimes after I’ll continue with homework if I have any.
I grab my game day clothes (uniform or suit) and attend school and I then go home. I go back to school later in the day for a game day meeting, and then I get ready for game and play.
Q: How much sleep do you get? Do you feel like you get enough sleep?
I’ll say around six hours each night. Absolutely not.
Q: When are your practices? Frequent?
A: Every weekday and few Saturdays throughout the season.
Q: How would you say you manage school and lacrosse?
A: I handle them pretty well; I like to keep my grades looking good.
Q: The school makes you maintain academic standing in order to participate? How do you feel about that?
A: The level they need to reach is 2.5 GPA, and I’m pretty good in school; I take classes I know will advance me and accommodate lacrosse.
Q: Do you focus on sports over your grades? If no, how do you balance it?
A: Not usually, they’re side by side. I balance and schedule my work to make it out beforehand. I’m pretty organized, you can say.
Q: Between school and lacrosse, have you ever sacrificed one of the other for something?
A: Yes, both, I had to go to tutoring to get help and miss practice, and miss an assignment or two because of practice or a game.
Q: Do you feel any pressure from the crowd?
A: No, I don’t.
Q: Your coach expects a lot; do you think he puts too much on you?
A: No, he really just wants the best for everyone. Scholarships are major for athletes, so by him pushing us harder makes it easier for our future, like college.
Q: Do you ever downsize the importance of your lacrosse?
A: No, it’s important.
Q: Have you ever experienced anxiety, before or during a game?
A: Of course, everyone gets nervous once in a while. I usually play and have fun with my teammates before the game starts; it helps me get all my jitters out. My teammates are my best friends, and we all help each other.
Q: Have you ever expressed anger during a game? From what? How did you handle it?
A: Yes, I’ve had bad officiating and frustrated with the way I played, knowing I could’ve done better.
Q: Have you ever had an injury?
A: Yes, I’ve had a concussion.
Q: How did you feel about it?
A: In off season, I had to sit out some practices, but I still went to observe and root for team.
Q: Were you offered a scholarship?
A: Yes, the effort I put into lacrosse helped me achieve that goal, and I am very proud of myself.
Q: What do you do outside of school and soccer?
A: I really enjoy hanging out with friends and my girlfriend or my family. When I have the time I don’t like to waste it, I’m always doing something.
Q: Do you feel overwhelmed with the activities in your life?
A: Sometimes, it can get very overwhelming, but I surround my life with people that are there to help me through it.
Q: Anything you like to add?
A: I think that the pressure of a high school athlete depends on the person, the classes, and the sport. Everyone is different; I really take time to plan out my schedule and try my best to make sure I get everything done.