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21cavalier athleticsFebruary 2012Sports SuperstitionsTom KentStaff ReporterWhether it was from Bill Russell throwing upbefore every game or Turk Wendell brushing his teeth betweenevery inning he pitched, superstitions seem to givethese athletes the extra confidence they needed for everyperformance. Michael Jordan says the reason he was sogreat wasn’t because of how much he practiced, but it wasbecause he wore a pair of UNC basketball shorts under hisChicago Bulls shorts every game.One thing every athlete does before every game ishave a pre-game meal. Most load up on carbs to give themextra energy before the game. But Hall of Fame baseballplayer Wade Boggs would not play a game unless he had hismeal of fried chicken before every game.Even though every sport has superstitions, nonehave as many as baseball. To fans it seems the players maybe more worried about their special rituals than the actualgame. The most famous baseball superstition may be whena pitcher is en route to throwing one of the most covetedthings in all of baseball, a perfect game. When the pitcher isgetting close to this, the other players take a vow of silenceand will not talk to the pitcher until the game is over.But some superstitions will go unnoticed to a fan.One of those would be the free throw routine. Before everyfree throw, a basketball player will do a special routine.Some like Gilbert Arenas, will spine the ball around his backthree times before every shot, or some are just as simple asa deep breath and shoot. But these routines, if done incorrectly,could cost a player their confidence in their shot andmiss one.Every athlete has their own superstition. Somedon’t take it as seriously as others, but everyone makes surethat they do their ritual so they can play their best.“I never wash my baseballcap during the season.”- Taylor Breazeale“I always triple knotmy shoelaces beforeevery basketball game.”- Will Carter“I put on my right shoebefore my left shoewhenever I get readyfor baseball games. Itfeels weird when Idon’t”-Marshall Merline“I always listen to aspecial song before everygame.”-Sarah RenfroRun! Katy, Run! Big successHope SandersStaff ReporterWhen the CCES Cross Country Team heard thatone of their teammates was diagnosed with a medical conditionrequiring expensive procedures, they immediatelybegan to plan ways to help. Juniors David Moore, JustinTrenor, Chris Sherman, and Jack McCleod, along with manyothers, announced Run!Katy!Run! in honor of Katy James.The 5K and fun run were scheduled to raise moneyto donate to the James family’s medical expenses. The eventraised money through racer registration, with an estimatedtwo hundred people signed up.On the day of the event, Katy’s peers came to supporther and walk/run the races. Once the final count wasdone, David Moore announced that approximately $4,000had been raised through sign-ups and private contributions.The CCES community continues to support Katy,and the organization NoMoreCancerSC is still collectingdonations for her. Car magnets can be purchased at theCCES school bookstore, and donations are still accepted.Dr. Kupersmith runs to support Katy.Haywood Duke and Chandler CarpenterPhotos courtesy of Staff and David Lawrence