Picture this: a crisp autumn afternoon. The PDS cross-country team sprints around fields, lungs burning, legs pumping, hearts racing. But where is the crowd? The cheers? The hype?

At PDS, some thrilling sports fly under the radar. A recent poll of 60 students reveals which sports deserve more love and why they are not getting it. Leading with 20 votes was cross-country. Despite winning two state titles this year, the cross-country team remains an unsung hero. Senior Natalia Soffer has been part of the cross-country team since freshman year. She praised the team’s positive team culture, welcoming environment, and successes this year.  However, it is hard to get the student body motivated around a non-spectator sport. Despite efforts to advocate for more attention, including requests for the Panther Zoo’s meets, the visibility remains low. “Last year, Emily McCann ‘24 dedicated her senior project to getting our school a track. Every other school in the area has one, while we are stuck running around the baseball field.” She added, “We absolutely need a track. Running is a three-season sport, so while for cross country we are able to run on our natural terrain, the training done in the fall carries over to the winter and spring seasons where a track is absolutely necessary.” Natalia also believes that promoting the team’s success and highlighting its strong, supportive culture could draw more students to the sport.

Squash earned the second most votes. Though niche, it is a hidden gem, especially with PDS’s state-of-the-art squash facility. Notably, some non-players of squash said they would consider joining if the sport got more attention, which highlighted untapped potential.

Figure skating stands out for its unique artistry but struggles with visibility. Sophomore Bella Hu, a third-year skater, said, “Our annual show is heavily under-advertised. Visual posters or short clips, like those used for dance, could help. Even a mention during gatherings or rallies would boost awareness.”

The poll shows that low media coverage contributes to sparse spectators, leading to often sparsely attended events. Students suggest promoting these sports through announcements, newsletters, and boosting attendance. Imagine the energy if the stands are packed!

So, Panthers, let us step up, show up, and celebrate the athletes who make PDS proud. Who knows? You might just discover your new favorite sport. Go Panthers!