People see only the victory – the perfect swing, the fast turn in the pool, or the final takedown on the mat.
For athletes who make those moments look easy, the real work happens long before game day. At James Campbell High School (JCHS), golfers, swimmers, and wrestlers say training, routines, and mental discipline are what truly give them the edge, and most fans never get to see that side of their sports.
While golf may look calm from the outside, nothing about preseason is relaxed. According to JCHS head coach Laurie Katagiri-Hoshino, the months before competition revolve around building a solid foundation.
“Focus is on the basics of golf swing, ball striking, yardage, chipping, putting, rules, and etiquette,” Katagiri-Hoshino said.
For many players, off-season routines are just as important. Kuuhokuouilani Fisher (12), a JCHS golfer, said staying active year-round helps her stay sharp. “Working out and having a routine keeps me in check,” Fisher said, adding that mental clarity matters just as much. “If I’m too in my head, I know I won’t perform as well.”
Another JCHS golfer, Galo Camacho (12), agreed that the months before the season are where improvement happens. He spends most of his off-season bouncing between the driving range, the course, and virtual golf lounges. Camacho said being physically fit matters, but the mental side of golf is even harder.
“It’s just me out there, me and my thoughts,” Camacho said. “I have to be strong with my golf game and my mental game.”
While golf depends heavily on precision and mindset, swimming is built on repetition and small improvements. JCHS Swimmer Jirah Paraon (11) said he maintains a strict routine even out of season. “I go to the gym, work out, and most importantly, swim,” Paraon said. Daily stretching, healthy foods, and good sleep also help him stay ready.
According to Paraon, every practice counts. “The workouts are very consistent and build you up for the main events,” said Paraon.
He described swimming as both physically demanding and mentally grounding, “When I’m swimming, I treat it like alone time. It balances me,” Paraon said.
Other athletes approach preparation differently depending on the demands of their sport. Wrestling, often considered one of the most grueling sports on campus, requires strength, technique, and serious mental toughness.
“I stay consistent by going to club wrestling, running, and boxing outside of school,” said JCHS wrestler Story Knight (11). She said live wrestling helps her the most because it feels closest to real matches.
Jett Asentista (12), JCHS wrestler, who trains year-round with his family, said consistency is what sets elite athletes apart. “Training harder and more often is what separates average people and champions,” Asentista said.
Cutting weight, however, remains one of Asentista and Knight’s biggest challenges, an aspect of the sport many spectators never see.
“The biggest struggle is cutting weight. Wrestlers need to lose a lot of weight, so switching to a healthy diet is hard if you weren’t eating healthy before, and that’s something not a lot of people experience,” said Asentista.
“Cutting weight is a long process, but it’s what motivates me to win my matches when I work so hard to meet my weight class,” Knight said.
Whether it’s precision on the course, grueling laps in the pool, or intense drills on the mat, JCHS athletes agree that success depends on what happens long before competition day. Their preparation shows how much discipline and passion go into every swing, stroke, or match. And for younger athletes or anyone curious about sports, their stories offer a reminder: talent helps, but routines, practice, and persistence are what turn dedication into results.
