For example, one South student in particular has become known for his rock climbing accomplishments. Junior Noah Ridge has competed in many rock climbing events, including an international competition in France last September. Ridge mentions that his favorite part about the sport is that, “It’s really new and interesting and I like to spend time in nature.”
Although this activity, like rock climbing, is not offered at South, some students choose to partake in the sport of rowing. Sophomore Luci Holte, who rows about four days a week during rowing season, got involved with the sport after her South High cross country ski coach gave her the suggestion.
Similar to Ridge, Austin Wagner, a senior, appreciates the time spent outdoors, saying that he likes, “being able to spend time on the Mississippi [River].” Wagner added that although rowing isn’t offered at South, colleges often have rowing teams. Freshman rower Will Steenson enjoys the fact that, “everyone does their own thing, but you have to do it together.”
Similarly to some more popular activities, focus, reaction times, and peripheral vision are all skills that are crucial for the sport of fencing, in which several South students participate in, including sophomore Jared Pettingail. Pettingail started fencing after doing a program at the University of Minnesota, which sparked his interest in the sport. “You get really focused,” he said, describing the activity.
Unlike other unconventional sports, it’s a rare occasion that students at South get to participate in a sport involving animals. Tessa Peters, a sophomore, is one of few South students that participates in the sport of horseback riding. Like Pettingail, Peters began horseback riding as part of a camp at age five, and she’s “been riding ever since.” One of her favorite things about riding is “building a relationship with an animal,” an opportunity that not many students living in the city get to experience.
But why are these sports not offered at South? Peters is in favor of bringing horseback riding to South, saying that “I’d be able to ride more often,” but acknowledges that it is a pricey sport. Luci Holte concurs, saying that having a rowing team at South would be cool, but is also a very expensive sport for a public school. Hannah Zinky, on the other hand, says that she would prefer if South didn’t have a fencing club, because according to the rules, if your school has a club, you must fence for them. Zinky enjoys fencing for her current club, and doesn’t see a need for one at South.
Wagner states that participating in a non-school and somewhat unusual sport offers a “different experience that most kids don’t get to have.”