MacKenzie Dayne Hall

Ouachita athletes find comfort in superstitions

STAFF WRITER: MACKENZIE HALL

Superstition is a noun defined by Oxford Languages dictionary as “a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief.” However, there is something to superstitions. They bring a sense of control and comfort.

Superstitions are often associated with athletes. Their pre-game rituals can range from wearing their socks inside out to rubbing dirt on their hands to even drinking their own urine, as supposedly done by mixed martial arts fighter Lyoto Machida.

Freshman baseball player Jud Arrington says his game day starts by wearing the same sliding shorts and never listening to artist Lil Uzi. This ritual started back in high school during a playoff game. However, Arrington does not think his superstitions contribute to his performance.

 “I’m a creature of habit type of guy,” Arrington said. “I like to feel good when I play so that I am comfortable on the field. Every time I do my ritual, I feel more comfortable.”

His teammate, freshman pitcher Michael Soisson, feels differently about his own ritual. Soisson has to wear the same undershirt and underwear for every game. Unlike Arringotn, he attributes the success of his team to his pre-game ritual.

“I think I have these superstitions because I play better and then the team plays better,” Soisson said. “The times I don’t wear them, we lose.”

Sophomore softball player Heather Brown also believes her rituals work. Before a game, Brown never steps on the chalk. Right before she steps up to the plate to take her first swing, she draws a cross in the dirt to remind herself to lead by example.

“If one way works out for me over a period of time, then I stick to that routine and it will become my comfort zone,” Brown said. “If something happens where I can’t follow my routine, then I feel unrelaxed and anxious, and that normally causes me to do badly. We have superstitions because they are our comfort zones.”

Bethany LaTurno, sophomore volleyball player, always bounces the ball three times before she serves. This superstition started when she was playing club volleyball. LaTurno says this represents the “I’m Third” lifestyle.

“Living ‘I’m Third’ means putting God first, others second and myself third,” LaTurno said. “Bouncing the ball three times is more of a reminder to live like that and refocus why I play volleyball.”

LaTurno believes her ritual does work and points to her statistics as proof. Her ritual has also led to more than a few crazy wins for her teams.

“I served a whole set once, winning 25-0,” LaTurno said. “Not once did I miss a serve or lose my streak during that set.”

Could it just be luck or do these rituals actually contribute to the success of Ouachita athletes? Some of these rituals are linked to superstitions regarding the athletes’ performances. Some are just regular habits that make these athletes more confident in their sport. Regardless, these rituals make Ouachita athletes feel comfortable and help clear their minds, allowing for a successful performance.