Nixa High School offers over 27 sports to students, many of which have grown very popular and well-known. However, not all of these sports give the benefits or experiences that students may be looking for. As a solution, a small number of students have taken up unique sports to expand on their athleticism and involvement.
Senior Avery Muniz powerlifts, something she has been passionate about after the Nixa Junior High started offering strength and conditioning as a P.E. elective.
“Powerlifting consists of the main three lifts, squat, deadlift and bench press,” Muniz said. “Depending on the competitions there are explosive movements like snatches, cleans and jerks. You’re given three attempts for each lift, but unlike regular working out at the gym there’s strict rules that apply. For example, a big one for bench would be keeping your bottom to the bench.”
Muniz recommends powerlifting to anyone, she said that it is never a bad time to start a rewarding hobby.
“In a way I can see the sport being unique, especially for girls, my age included, since, from my perspective, I’ve seen more guys compete. But it’s really just bringing your love for the gym into a competitive world,” Muniz said. “I’ve made many connections with all different kinds of people through powerlifting, [National Physique Committee] bodybuilders, Strongman competitors and people in general just trying to better themselves. I always look forward to going into environments like the gym because I feel surrounded by like-minded people.”
Along with powerlifting Brazilian jiu-jitsu offers a good way to exercise. Freshman Kira Carrion, who does Brazilian jiu-jitsu, started at her fathers gym at the age of four.
“It’s sort of like a form of wrestling, but it’s more on the ground and there’s chokes and submissions,” Carrion said. “It’s a ground sport, it’s one of the only sports where there’s no striking in the martial arts world.”
Carrion said a misconception around Brazilian jiu-jitsu is that people say it’s like karate, but there are many differences that separate these martial arts. There are no cakes, no strikes, no anything [and] it’s more of a ground sport.
“[It’s] Probably [closest to] judo, for sure,” Carrion said. “It’s really similar to jiu-jitsu, and jiu-jitsu actually takes elements from judo, but twists it, because I think in judo there is striking and in jiu-jitsu there isn’t. It’s more of a combat sport, but with no striking.”
Carrion said that if anyone is interested in joining they should just go for it, it is a good way to relieve stress, stay in shape and learn to defend themselves. Another sport where one may be able to relieve stress is aerial silks. Senior Lola (Sage) Quigg performs aerial silks at circuses, ren faires and local festivals.
“I started taking classes the summer right before the pandemic started because we just found it online and I started taking classes. It’s something that I love to brag about,” Quigg said. “ [In] all of the other sports and whatnot I’ve tried, I just felt kind of mediocre. But this, I feel cool. It’s a really unique way to get your exercise in.”
Quigg says to anyone who’s just starting to always stretch and wear leggings so you don’t get silk burns.
“One of my favorite places to perform is at Renaissance festivals, because doing the rigs outside gives me a lot more space,” Quigg said. “People also tip better at Renaissance festivals. They’re close and personal with me, whereas at a circus, there’s no tipping. It’s the admission fee and I get like 10 percent of that.”
