A loss stings, but it doesn’t stop the momentum. At Norwalk High school the coaches keep an emphasis on effort, grit and teamwork rather than wins and losses. I think every coach can agree that they’re more focused on whether their team played hard, supported each other, and improved from the last game.
The girls lacrosse team is an example of this mindset. This year they persevered a long string of tough losses that tested their dedication. They played Danbury twice this season with the first game being another lost on their list. The team was very upset with this outcome, knowing that if they put their best efforts in they would’ve won. Instead of letting this loss ruin their season they used it as fuel. Lucky for them they were given a second chance a few weeks later.
Assistant Varsity Girls Lacrosse coach, Rob Romano believes losing is a part of life. He told us “Winning is a great feeling and losing feels 10x worse but what you have to remember is that within every loss there are lessons that can be learned to make you better.” Their hard work and mental toughness paid off in a 13-7 victory which was a powerful reminder of how much growth can come from failure when it’s met with the right mindset.
The freshmen baseball team is another spring program that has continued to push through a rough season. Despite a challenging record they continue to show up with purpose and positivity. Coach Benicaso regularly reminds his team that baseball is a game of failure. In order to be successful “you need to have a short term memory” he tells them. A bad inning or missed play can’t define a player. In baseball and in life what matters most is how you respond.
Freshman Rhys Peterson says “It’s important to stay in the mindset of being a winner”. His words reflect the teams mentality that focuses on progress, attitude and mental toughness even when the odds are against them.
These teams highlight the importance of perseverance, accountability, and mental resilience. Wins are celebrated, but growth is the ultimate goal.
