Athletes’ unique superstitious rituals serve a purpose

Whether it’s wearing the same socks, tying two knots in one shoe or drinking the same flavored Gatorade before every game, many athletes share superstitious rituals.

For some USD athletes, superstitions are more than just a ritual, they’re the difference between a win or loss.

Freshman tennis player Jana Lazarevic has trusted superstitions since the beginning of her tennis career. The ritual superstitions have paid off for her, as she’s held the number one spot in the lineup all season and recorded 11 wins with three matches left until the Summit League tournament.

Lazarevic said the ability to trust in oneself is vital to being a good tennis player, and her superstitions help her stay mentally tough.

“Before the match, I always have to tie my left shoe first, always,” Lazarevic said. “I also listen to the same songs before my matches.”

Lazarevic said her superstitions play a vital role in her success on the tennis court. Although tying a shoe before a tennis match can take all but three seconds, the failure to practice a ritual superstition affects the whole match, she said.

“I feel like something is wrong if I forget to perform my pre-game superstitions, and it can even make the difference in a win or a loss,” she said.

Junior Luana Stanciu is a teammate of Lazarevic’s who shares similar superstitions.

“If I miss a ball, I have to turn the racquet around and hit with the other side for the rest of the match,” Stanciu said.

While pre-game superstitious rituals like listening to specific songs, are common among many athletes, Lazarevic and Stanciu share the same and unique in-game superstition.

“We both can’t step on the court lines in between match play,” Stanciu said. “It’s like the court lines are hot lava to both of us.”

Softball superstition

From legendary Detroit Tiger outfielder Ty Cobb kicking the dirt three times before at-bats, to former Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield eating a pound of spaghetti before any game he starts, superstitions have long been a part of softball and baseball.

Jamie Holscher, a junior first baseman on the women’s softball team, said superstitions deserve some serious credit to her success.

“When we’re on the road staying in hotels, I sleep in my undershirt that I wear in the game,” Holscher said. “I also wear the same hairstyle and won’t change it until I start playing bad.”

Fortunately, Holscher has only changed her hairstyle twice this season, adding more proof to the strong year she’s had for the Coyote softball team. The junior first baseman has the fifth best batting average on the team at .316 and sits fifth in on-base percentage at .372 this season.

“I’ve always been a superstitious softball player, but why change now if it’s working,” Holscher said.