It’s 5 p.m. and dark outside the school. Wrestlers, basketball players, bowlers, swimmers and gymnasts trudge outside, worn out from their respective practices.

The repetitive routine for these winter sports participants is a tough one. Arrive at school in the dark, and leave it the same way. The fun and excitement that these athletes reap, however, make up for these unfortunate conditions.

Each winter sport has its own clear, unique characteristic that makes it worth the while. Which winter sport is the best, however? That’s not so clear. Students play sports because they enjoy them. They all believe that their sport requires the most skill and is the most enjoyable. Athletes all around the school are preparing for their seasons, and making a case for their winter sport.

“It’s very fast paced,” junior hockey player Ryan Tyer said.

To go along with being fast, it also involves a lot of contact.

“It’s much more physical than any other sport, and the environment is the best; it feels like you’re outside,” he said. Tyer also believes his team (The Eastside Stars) will excel this season.

“We are going to finish games and win a lot more than last year,” he said. Junior Nathan Cotrell believes bowling is the best of the winter sports.

“With bowling, you actually enjoy going to practice instead of dreading it,” he said. With bowling, the practices are just the same as games.

“Every day I get to just play a game, instead of grueling physical activity,” he said. Cotrell also believes the team will repeat as division champs and continue its success in the upcoming season. Seniors Corey Koone and Jess Tyer both love the family environment that basketball provides.

“Everyone grows very close, it’s the close knit group of players that is unmatched by all the other sports,” he said. Tyer agrees, professing her appreciation for the “fun, family environment.”

Koone loves the feeling in the gym on Friday nights. “Basketball is definitely the most popular winter sport,” he said. “More fans come to basketball games than any other of the winter sports.

” Koone and Tyer also both believe their teams will do well.

“We’re going to sweep DeWitt and win the league again this year,” Koone said. Tyer has high expectations as well. “We’re going to win a lot of games this year. I’m excited,” she said.

Junior Bruce Giesen is excited for the upcoming wrestling season.

“It’s going to be a good season,” he said. “We will have a lot of people place high in tournaments.” Giesen believes that wrestling is the most team oriented of all the winter sports. “You grow together as a team and make a ton of new friends,” he said. “I can’t wait to get going.”

Contrary to the other winter sports, senior Jacey Jackard admires the individualistic opportunities that gymnastics allows.

“There’s a ton of different routines, so there is something for everybody,” she said. “The events are all completely different so each person can, in a sense, do their own thing.”

She is also looking forward to a successful season for the gymnastics team.

Junior swimmer Bryn Williams believes the pool provides the best environment of all the winter sports.

“The pool deck is incredibly loud, it’s hectic and fun to be a part of,” he said.

Williams also enjoys the challenges of swimming. “It really pushes you, a lot more than people think,” he said. The swim team loses some important key contributors from last season, but Williams still thinks that they can “upset some people” this season.

Each winter sports provides something for its athletes that is unmatched by the other sports.

Whether it’s basketball’s team environment, hockey’s physicality or the relaxing mantra of bowling, all winter sports are invigorating.

Each participant undoubtedly believes that his or her winter sport reigns king, but it is an open ended discussion that will most likely never be answered.