Recently, I had a conversation with a highly respected, elite Valley coach who stated that members who compete in team sports have a different mentality than athletes competing in individual sports. After thinking about what he said, I had my doubts. In my opinion, I believe that the thought processes of all outstanding athletes are basically the same.

To begin with, all dedicated athletes want to prove they are the best player in their position. The individual mentality is the same in all athletic competitions because even in team sports, each player must perform his particular position by himself, with no help from the other athletes on the squad. Consider baseball as an example.

Let’s analyze the double play in the boys-of-summer activity.

A ground ball is hit to the shortstop. He must catch the ball, and throw it to the second baseman, who then catches and throws the ball to the first baseman who must finally catch the ball to complete the double play.

All of these players have to perform their specific set of athletic skills correctly for the completion of the double play. If one player fails in the performance of his duties, the double play is unsuccessful. That’s individualism.

The same is true in all team sports such as girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, girls softball, football, etc. And note, only one participant, who outperforms all the others in a tournament championship, is selected as the most valuable player.

Wrestling is considered to be an individual sport. However, their match scores, be it a decision, pin, etc., also score team points in dual meet and tournament competition. But, at the conclusion of wrestling tournaments, one mat man is voted the most outstanding wrestler while others receive championship trophies at their respective, individual weight classes.

Boys and girls golf in high school and college are considered an individual and team sport. Again, each player must play to the best of his or her ability for the squad to take home the championship trophy. And one golfer is designated the medalist, or lowest scorer in the event.

Individual sports end their seasons crowning state or national champions, while specific players in team sports are selected as first team, second team and honorable mention honorees.

So, in reality, all sports most definitely involve individual effort. And whether it is referred to as a team or individual sport, the mindset of the athletes in both athletic settings are always the same, be the best at his or her position in the game or match.

All superior athletes are righteously selfish in wanting to be the No. 1 player in their sport, training as hard as they can to be better performers than their contemporaries.

For example, the Kennedy Award in football and the Dutton Award in wrestling are given to the best West Virginia competitor in each sport every year. Wanting to be named the foremost athlete in any sport can’t be helped — it’s human nature.

To further prove my point, Joe Niekro went to West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University), Jerry West matriculated at West Virginia University and Lou Groza attended Ohio State University. Who were their teammates in college? Only the very avid sports fans could possibly know.

Without question, the mentality of great athletes in all sports is no different — be the best. Furthermore, at athletic get-togethers after their playing days, all competitors celebrate each other’s past achievements. And to add a pinch of levity to this writing, we athletes seem to get better as the years pass by.

In closing, all athletes must perform their specific duties to their fullest potential on the field of play or in the gymnasium for their team to come out on top. No one can dismiss that fundamental fact. Yes, superior individual effort is a key component found in all winning athletic programs.

(Welker enjoys writing about many different topics that interest him. He can be contacted at mattalkwv@hotmail.com)