Go Raiders! But then what?
76 teams compete in 17 sports at Ransom Everglades, a school that prides itself on athletics. A common opinion among students holds, however, that academics at RE take precedence over sports, relegating the achievements of student-athletes to the sidelines. What drives athletes to compete at a school that can seem so academically focused?
The answer, it turns out, is as intricate and diverse as the student body itself. For these student-athletes, the motivating factor behind their participation in sports extends far beyond personal glory. They derive profound meaning from the bonds formed, the shared growth experiences, and the unique camaraderie that team sports offer—as well as the competition that drives them to be the best version of themselves.
Ryan Bienstock ’24, a student-athlete involved in both football and lacrosse, places great importance on the fraternity that blossoms within a team. He believes that the bonds formed with teammates are unparalleled, transcending other relationships.
“I don’t play sports for the glory or the attention, but rather the personal motivation to be the best version of myself that I can be,” he said.
Leo Porcelli ’27, a multi-sport athlete engaging in football, soccer, and lacrosse, said he cherishes the profound sense of belonging to a team. Likewise, Leah Dimond ’24, an ardent swimmer and water polo player, has also found her motivation rooted in the connections she has forged with teammates and coaches. “Growing together through wins and losses is what makes playing sports so rewarding for me,” Dimond reflected.
These athletes also look up to sports figures who transcend their athletic prowess, channeling their influence to create a positive impact on their communities. They draw inspiration from the values and contributions of these figures while also maintaining their athletic dominance.
Bienstock looks to NFL players like “Russell Wilson, Jalen Phillips, and Dak Prescott” who compete for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, a prestigious award given to NFL players for their unwavering commitment to philanthropy and community engagement.
David “Chuli” Serra ’24, a Florida state champion in dual events in track, said he is inspired by the best: Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Ingebrigtsen is an extremely competitive long-distance runner from Norway who is considered one of the best of the best in the world. Serra said he is inspired by Ingebrigtsen’s “fear nobody” mentality, which he uses when competing.
“One thing I’ve learned is that everyone you run against has two legs and one heart. We’re all just humans after all,” Serra said.
Dimond said she finds inspiration in athletes like Coco Gauff, a young Black female tennis star who has become an influential role model. “It has been amazing watching her succeed and win the US Open. I think she is a huge inspiration for all women, especially women in sports,” said Dimond.
Porcelli, a New York Giants supporter, holds the team in high regard for their unwavering values, resilience, intelligence, and dependability, even in the face of on-field adversity. “Unfortunately, they are not doing the best on the football field right now,” he admitted, but he also said he was inspired by the “BE GIANT” campaign and its focus on empowering disadvantaged New York City youth.
At the same time, each athlete also acknowledged another source of motivation, this one more existential: playing sports has helped them become the best version of themselves. In his first-ever high school race, Serra ran a one-minute 59-second 800 meter—usually a runner’s major goal in high school. Since then, he has relished the opportunity to push himself further and further, adopting a demanding training schedule that has allowed him to break state records and earn spots on national leaderboards.
“It gives me structure in my life and keeps me in line while also helping my time management skills,” Serra said.
Likewise, Bienstock aspires to play sports at the next level to continue his quest for self-improvement, both mentally and physically. He shared a story of nerves before a huge game as an underclassman. “I was in the locker room before my first game ever starting, and my former captain came up to me a reassured me that I knew what I was doing and there was no reason for any nerves,” he said. That moment showed him what it means to be a leader, and how to treat others that may be uncomfortable during trying times.
Dimond, for her part, isn’t entirely sure if her next academic chapter will involve pursuing sports at a higher level. What she does know is that she’s content with the relationships and life lessons gained from her sport. “I have got everything out of the sport that I wanted to: relationships and the team bonding,” she said. “I am satisfied, and I want to start the next chapter of my academic life taking with me the lessons I learned from the pool.”
