Facing the enemy: interschool rivals

Julia GerhardtStaff WriterHistorically, there have been rivalries among sports teams that have brought with them an attitude that can shift the mood of an entire crowd. Although sometimes a positive influence, rivalries often contribute to negative sportsmanship.Rivalries typically arise from the teams that one plays year after year. Because they are usually equal in skill, teams are particularly motivated to beat them in a game.“Sports rivalries form when passionate athletes pursue victory over sportsmanship. It becomes a ‘beat that guy no matter what mentality,” junior track runner Andres Cruz said.The players, however, are not the only ones who are fueled to fight against rivals. Coaches are usually the ones who have been acquainted with the rivals for the longest amount of time, thus making the victory just as important to them as to the players.“If you play someone enough times, you are going to dislike them at a fundamental level based just on repetition,” water polo and swim coach Matthew Flanders said.According to athletic director Daniel Escalera, rivalries are also based on other factors in addition to  fighting for a title.“Proximity often contributes [to rivalries],  such as two schools that continually vie for a title, or city bragging rights.  Rivalries are often created because the players know each other,” said Escalera.Although team members may be aware of a rivalry, most don’t know why they are rivals with a particular team in the first place.“I never really understood why Beverly Hills was our rival. No coach has ever told me of our history,” junior varsity basketball player Welela Makonnen said.These classic rivalries always ignite an instant ferocity in our athletes.  However, this aggression can be channeled in a positive or a negative manner.“When a team wants and needs to improve, a rival is a definite necessity,” Cruz said, “It helps us mature and develop a taste for competition, and more importantly unifies the team itself.”Without a common goal, a team can lose its motivation and competitive energy, especially when competing against a team that does not match their skill level.“Sports rivalries add to the high school experience,” Escalera said, “It increases the level of competition, and possibly school pride.”However, the pressure put upon athletes when competing against their rivals evokes negative behavior.“Unfortunately yes, rivalries do effect sportsmanship,” Cruz said, “some random team that beats us is one thing, but there’s something about being beaten by a rival which sparks a non-sportsmanship like attitude.”Rivalries often manifest in other ways.  When rivalries become too extreme, the aggression can be taken out in many forms.“Rivalries can get out of hand through fights, foul cheers, and by prompting destruction of school property,” Escalera said.For most Samo sports, their teams come with old rivals in which the players must be ready to fully fight against in the games.  Leaving rivals to be an unavoidable aspect for a majority of the sports teams.“Rivals are inevitable and important to challenge your team because you’re always going to come up against another team that’s as strong as you,” junior volleyball player Joselyn Hayes said.jgerhardt@thesamohi.com