I put a poll on my Instagram story asking my athletic followers if they have pre-game superstitions. 87% (180 people) answered “YES” and 13% (27 people) answered “NO”. After seeing those results come through after 24 hours, I figured it was time to expand on this question, “Are athletes superstitious before competing?”

I chose 9 Dakota Varsity Athletes from a variety of different sports that answered “YES” in the poll and chatted with them privately about what their superstitions are. And here is what I got back from them.

AVERY CERVONE, Dakota Varsity Softball, Senior:
“I always have to wear my pink bow, if I don’t, I won’t play good. It’s like a proven fact. I also have to carry my glove with me, I NEVER put it in my bag. When I’m warming up my arm, my last two throws have to be one-hops. Then, when we do our hitting warm-ups, I have to be last through all of the stations. When we’re doing team fielding warm-ups, I take all except my last two reps getting fly balls in the outfield. The last two I take ground balls in the infield.”

MARCO AMICUCCI, Dakota Varsity Golf, Senior:
“On my way to the course I listen to 90’s or early 2000’s R&B music to help me relax. I usually get to the range about 30 to 45 minutes before the match to work out any kinks in my swing. After that I come up with a game plan for the course and how I am going to play it. And I always have to wear my hat the same for every match, or else its bad luck.”

AIDEN TUCHOWSKI, Dakota Varsity Football, Senior:
“While watching last weeks game film, I listen to the song ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ in my AirPods in the locker room. Sometimes I purposefully make myself mad to get my adrenaline going for the game. And before we have to leave to get on the bus or go on the field or warm-up, I say a prayer to myself.”

KELLY PARKER, Dakota Cross Country, Senior:
“Every meet I wear the same spandex, but I make sure they’re clean of course. Sometimes I don’t always eat because I get nervous about running with food in my stomach. And one thing I do for good luck every meet is wear my hair the same: in two French-braided buns with rainbow ribbons.”

ROBBIE DAMERON, Dakota Varsity Lacrosse, Senior:
“I pray before warm-ups and game time every single game, its tradition. I also wear the same headband and the same clothes. Before game time, I re-tie my cleats once again for good luck.”

BROOKE DAVIDSON, Dakota Varsity Basketball, Senior:
“Before the game starts, I text my parents telling them its game time and they always respond with an encouraging message. The whole team prays together in the locker room before warm-ups. I tie my shoes twice for good luck. And when I’m not playing, I always wear the chain my grandma who passed gave me. But when I have to go in, since we aren’t allowed to wear jewelry, I take it off and pin it to my warm-up jersey that hangs over the back of my chair.”

MICHAEL PRUCHNIC, Dakota Varsity Football, Senior:
“I don’t really do much, but I always have to lift weights before the game, it gets my blood pumping. I also usually listen to rap before games.”

CLAIRE STEVENS, Dakota Varsity Volleyball, Senior:
“Personally, I have to drink either a black coffee or a tea before I leave to go to warm-ups. At home games, the whole team hits the top of the door frame when running into the gym at home games before the National Anthem and player announcements.”

GREG GUZIK, Dakota Varsity Baseball, Senior:
“If it’s an early game, I listen to music that’s upbeat to wake me up. I also pray before every game. It’s not much but I always pray.”