*WEB CONTINUATION: This article originally appeared in Volume 105 Issue 3 of our news magazine, Amplifier.

Unlike most other sports, the high school’s sports program does not support the equestrian team financially. It is not recognized as an Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) sport, but is instead categorized as a club.

Sophia Weiler, senior, is a captain for the equestrian team. 

“It’s unfortunate because we also go by OSAA rules,” Weiler said. “We have to do all of our own fundraising, which takes a lot of time, a lot of work, and [a lot of] thought process. Every year, we have every athlete raise around $1,000 to $1,500 for the season. It helps a lot.” 

 Weiler has been on the equestrian team for three years, fully dedicating her time since she was a sophomore. She’s been riding horses recreationally for over 10 years. 

“The most expensive part of it is the upkeep of my horse,” Weiler said. 

It’s about $1,500 monthly for her horse, Charlie, to be taken care of. Upkeep includes food, supplements, training, and boarding. Other one-time only payments fall under upkeep, for example, a horse trailer and truck.

“It’s a whole separate, additional cost to be able to compete on the team,” Weiler said.

 The upkeep cost is directly out of pocket for the athletes, with no support from fundraising. For a freshman athlete, these monthly upkeep costs add up to $72,000 by the end of senior year. 

Weiler is committed to Montana State University, with plans to study Equine Science with a minor in business, ride on the school’s team, and start breaking colts(training young horses) by her sophomore year.  

“A lot of people say money can’t buy happiness, but I really do believe it can with the horses. I would give anything to ride. It’s worth it. Especially if you love it, it’s really worth it,” Weiler said. 

 With all of the money she has invested in the sport, Weiler is also invested emotionally.

“I’ve worked so hard to get there, both financially [as well as] the work I put into my horse, that when im competing I do feel a lot of pressure [not only] because I want to do well, [but] I want to get my money’s worth,” Weiler said.  “At the same time, my heart is just so fulfilled being there and doing it.”  

THE MENTAL COST 

Bryan Gurets is a former high school athlete, the father and coach of two sons, and a mental health educator. Gurets explains that due to the cost of sports, athletes may feel pressure to perform at a high level. 

“It can create a lot of stress, potentially some mental health disorders and illnesses as a result of the pressure, and of not living up to that pressure,” Gurets said. 

The high school has a history of championship wins and professional athlete alumni. In the last three years, nine teams have won a championship title. From 2013 to 2016, mens varsity basketball team won the state championship every year. For the last 18 years, the high school has won 21 championship titles. Since the founding of the OSAA, the school has won a championship in 49.4% of the years. 

“There are a lot of qualities in youth sports that prepare those who participate for life after sports,” Guerts said. “That’s pretty priceless, in terms of the skills they gain as a result. You can spend tens of thousands of dollars per year, if you wish, but you can provide opportunities for kids at a more affordable cost.”

THE COST OF SUCCEEDING 

The median income of West Linn households is 185% higher than the median income for Oregon, according to the local government website. Over half of the residents above the age of 25 have received a bachelor’s degree or higher, something only 36.2% of Oregonians achieve. 

A study by James Tompsett and Chris Knoesner, both from Ohio State University (OSU), focuses on how athletic skill has little effect on an individual’s likelihood of succeeding in a sport. In short, the study shows that succeeding in sports has much more to do with socioeconomic status than physical capability. 

“Students whose families can afford private training, who can enroll in private club sports, have a big advantage over students whose families can’t provide that for their children,” Tompsett said. Club sports are any private team that competes competitively typically privately funded. According to NSCA college recruiting, Club teams typically have higher paid coaches and compete with top ranking athletes across the country. The schedule of club practices are tied to recruiters availability, in order to give young athletes the highest chance of playing in collage. The OSU study is generalized to all american athletes, including West Linn. 

“It can definitely help athletes when they have money to spend on lessons, and be able to play on multiple teams,” Gurets said. “There definitely is some relationship between the average income in the community and the ability to be successful, especially in high school,”  

The study goes further to say that if given two equal students, same GPA and athletic history, it will ultimately come down to who can pay at college. 

“Even at equal levels of athletic merit, those students from a more advantaged background are more likely to become college athletes,” Knoester said. 

Some counter-arguments against the study mostly had to do with the fact that lots of popular athletes came from low-income situations. However, the article explains, the athletes with a story worth making a film out of are usually underdogs. The success of an athlete isn’t usually credited to one’s upbringing unless they had to overcome a challenge. Once they overcome that challenge, they typically try to inspire others to do the same. Those who go to this once-improvised professional athletes’ club team are paying thousands to be there. 

West Linn High School’s success in sports, as well as in student performance, is directly linked to the average income. The true cost of succeeding in sports is more than the cost of the equipment; It’s the ability to have time to go to multiple practices, being able to fly to out-of-state tournaments, and it’s the cost of living in a community where, according to the city website, “approximately 90% of all West Linn Wilsonville graduates go on to two- and four-year colleges.”