Wrestling practice begins with cardio. Running, stair runs, jump rope, more running, whatever it takes to get a sweat going. Then, it’s time for take-downs: five minute one-on-one matches that test a wrestlers strength, toughness and technique. Take-downs are followed by 20 minutes or so of gut-busting, leg-burning sprints. 

And that’s only the first half of practice. The rest of practice is a varying combination of weightlifting, technique work, and, of course, more running. But it’s not all bad, there’s water breaks of course—two to be exact. “[Wrestling] is honestly the hardest sport I’ve done,” said Community sophomore and Skyline wrestler Cody Zeisler. “I would rather run ten miles than do one match.”

While wrestling is obviously a physically demanding sport, Zeisler said that many people just see it as “two dudes grabbing and groping each other.” He added, “I can see why, I guess, but it’s actually really tough.”

Unfortunately, Zeisler’s story is not unique. He is one of many high school athletes who face an uphill battle to getting their sport respected as tough and genuine. Other than the ESPN big four sports (football, basketball, hockey, baseball), it seems every sport must take its jabs from outsiders in some way.

One person who takes plenty of jabs is CHS freshman and Pioneer tennis player Grace Stamos. “People say it’s not a sport because there’s less running,” said Stamos. “But there’s more technique, so it’s still really hard.”

Unfortunately for Stamos, arguing for tennis as a sport is only half of her battle. Since Title IX’s passing in 1972—banning discrimination based on sex in all school activities, including sports—women have had surprising difficulty persuading their male counterparts that their sports are equal. Stamos agrees that it’s an uphill battle, “It’s definitely harder being a girl,” said Stamos. “I don’t really get it. It shouldn’t happen, but it’s annoying.”

Even winning doesn’t guarantee mainstream respect. CHS senior and Pioneer water polo player Daniel Goldstein found that out this fall. “People don’t seem to know about [water polo] or pay much attention to it at all,” said Goldstein. “We won the state tournament this year, and I don’t think anyone really cared or knew about it.”

Goldstein is disappointed in the lack of public recognition for water polo, especially given the physical demands. “I would say it’s the most difficult sport I’ve ever tried,” said Goldstein, who has played a number of sports, including swimming, diving, basketball and soccer. Goldstein cites the conditioning and physical nature of the sport as reasons for its difficulty, along with the fact that it’s played in the water.

While Zeisler, Goldstein and Stamos may get teased for their sports, their sports are still at least recognized as varsity sports in high school and college. This is sadly not the case for CHS senior Jared Kaufman. Kaufman rock climbs outside of school, and—despite how truly physically grueling climbing is—finds that he often has to defend his passion as a sport. “Some people seem to think that it isn’t a sport, which I vehemently disagree with,” said Kaufman. “It’s really physically demanding and competitive.”

Kaufman says an average practice will include push-ups, sit-ups, and climbing for hours on end. He does this to build up endurance for extensive climbs. “Most people in good shape can climb,” says Kaufman. “It’s just a matter of how long.”

Upon hearing gripes from those outside the climbing world, Kaufman usually just shrugs it off. “I’m not sure why they say [that it’s not a sport],” said Kaufman. “I just say that I disagree, and move on.” Fortunately, Kaufman sees hope in the future for the reputation of climbers. “[Climbing] was approved by the Olympic Committee to be a possible Summer Olympic game,” said Kaufman. “So hopefully that can help change some perceptions.”